Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School Student and Family Handbook 2002002009200 999----20102010
Table of Contents Mission, Goal and Virtues 4 Middle School 6 The Program 7 Academic Monitoring and Building Community 9 Progress Reports 9 Homeroom 9 Advising 9 Special Education 10 Promotion Policy 10 Co-Curriculars and PREP 11 Ready to Learn and Daily Schedule 12 Discipline Code 18 Uniform 25 High School 28 The Program 29 Academic Monitoring and Building Community 33 Beyond Academics 35 College Placement 37 Ready to Learn and Sample Schedule 39 Discipline Code 42 Uniform 50 School-Wide Expectations, Policies and Information 52 Parent and Family Involvement 53 Attendance Policy 54 Technology and Internet Policy 55 Discrimination Policies 56 Other Important Policies and Information 56 School Hours 56 School Cancellation 56 Visitors 56 School Records 56 Health and Sexuality Curriculum 57 Complaint Procedures 57 Transportation and Directions 58 Faculty Contact Information 61 School Calendar 63 Student, Family and Faculty Commitments to Excellence 64
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 2 Academy of the Pacific Rim
Dear Families:
Welcome to the Academy of the Pacific Rim! We are excited that you and your student will be a part of the Academy community.
Our goal is to prepare all of our students for success in college and beyond. We know that all of us—students, families, and faculty—must work together to achieve this goal. In this handbook, you will find information regarding all that we as a school do to get us closer to this goal, from our academic program to our attendance policy, and from our character and discipline program to our advisory program. You will also read about the commitment we ask for from our students and families, as they become a part of our community. We have high expectations for ourselves and our students, and we believe that we must all promise to work hard, together, to meet our mission and goal.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us. We truly look forward to working with you in the upcoming year.
Sincerely,
The Faculty of the Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 3 Mission, Goal and Virtues
Our mission statement defines the founding values of the Academy and is reflected in all aspects of our program. The success of the Academy relies on the commitment of both students and teachers to persevere towards excellence.
THE MISSION : To empower urban students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to achieve their full intellectual and social potential by combining the best of the East—high standards, discipline, and character education, with the best of the West—a commitment to individualism, creativity, and diversity.
THE GOAL : We are committed to preparing all of our students for success in college and beyond. We know that ALL students can learn and can achieve the high standards we set to help them reach this goal.
THE VIRTUES :
The Academy’s school values are expressed in our acronym KG-PRIDE. We use this acronym as a cultural touchstone and it drives all that we do.
KAIZEN and GAMBATTE are Japanese words that describe the essence of our culture. The short version is that we work hard, together, and we are always looking for improvement.
Kaizen is a Japanese principle meaning continual improvement of ourselves and our community. We engage in daily rituals and routines that help us grow as individuals and as a community.
Gambatte is a Japanese word meaning “persist and never give up.” It is our belief that our success is based on our effort, not on luck.
PRIDE represents the larger pride we have in the school as well as each individual value included in the acronym. It is a pride in accomplishment, in achieving our ambitious goals.
Purpose is having goals for each action and interaction throughout the year.
Respect is treating others with politeness, consideration, and appreciation.
Integrity is being true to your values and doing the right thing when no one is looking.
Daring is mustering the strength and will to do what you know you should do, even though you are afraid of embarrassment, failure, or danger.
Excellence is striving for a high standard in your daily actions no matter how big or how small.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 4
We believe and expect that all APR students can and will demonstrate KG-PRIDE in the following ways:
Kaizen • Be an active citizen in our community • Encourage peers to make good decisions • Build caring relationships with peers
Gambatte • Give their best effort in all that they do • Strive for an A on every assignment • Use challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow
Purpose • SLANT (Sit up, Listen, Ask and answer questions, Nod your head, Track the speaker) • Make each day a step toward college • Participate in their classes and in the community
Respect • Treat everyone with kindness and courtesy • Honor differences • Voice concerns appropriately
Integrity • Do the right thing because it’s right, not out of fear of a consequence • Take ownership of their behavior • Be honest with themselves and others
Daring • Take initiative • Immerse themselves in new academic experiences • Stand up for what they know is right and challenge what they know is wrong
Excellence • Be a critical thinker • Put our character virtues in their own words and show them in your actions • Show pride in their work and their school
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 5
Academy of the Pacific Rim Middle School
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 6 AN AMBITIOUS MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM
Academic Skills and Knowledge During the core academic day and throughout their years at the Academy, all students undertake an ambitious program that will ground them in fundamental skills and help them to master complex ideas and thoughts. Our objectives are:
• All students will complete the eighth grade at the Academy with an excellent grasp of academic fundamentals- reading, writing, and math.
• All students will master a broad range of challenging subjects, including Algebra I, Physical Science and two years of Mandarin Chinese.
• Every student’s progress will be carefully monitored and analyzed.
• All students will meet the Academy of the Pacific Rim’s standards.
Character Education The Academy of the Pacific Rim is committed to educating our students to become knowledgeable and caring citizens of the world. While the Academy taps students’ intellectual potential through the study of literature, history, science, math and the arts in the classroom, the development of our students’ character is equally important. Hence, our school is based upon virtues that stand the test of time – Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Daring and Excellence. The Academy strives to help its students learn to be good as they learn to be knowledgeable.
• All students will understand and exhibit traits of good character—Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Daring and Excellence —–through the Academy’s traditions and structure.
• All students will learn about good character through academic courses as well as structured discussions and activities about our character virtues.
• Students who exhibit these character virtues will be acknowledged and celebrated through earning “Merits” and the Gambatte/Kaizen Award.
College Awareness From their first day as an Academy student, all students work towards the goal of college. Students will take rigorous middle school classes that prepare them for our college-preparatory high school program. Furthermore, all students will visit at least one college campus each year. All students participate in sessions on our annual Alumni Day, where current students hear firsthand from our alumni just how much all their hard work at APR pays off.
Practical and Work Skills Students will have a solid foundation in the analytical, interpersonal and organizational skills required for success in today’s economy. The Academy will identify and teach skills necessary for professional and personal effectiveness.
Respect and Order Aristotle wisely observed, “We are what we repeatedly do.” To this end, the Academy has established routines, traditions and high expectations that reinforce the Academy’s commitment to exemplary academic standards. Students must adhere to a rigorous code of conduct. They must be on time and in uniform. They must be respectful and prepared.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 7
Effort and Responsibility At the Academy, we tell students that effort equals success. We wholeheartedly believe that all students and can, yet we recognize that some students may need a little more time to master a standard. Therefore, students are allowed to revise their work to raise their grades. Students may revise any homework assignment which they turned in on time. 5th and 6th grade students have two weeks to revise an assignment. 7 th grade students have two weeks to revise an assignment during the first trimester, and have one week to revise an assignment during the second and third trimesters. 8th grade students have one week to revise an assignment. The revised grade will replace the original grade. In other words, if a student earns a 72 on an assignment, yet then revises the assignment and earns a 90, the grade on the assignment will be a 90. Students see the positive consequences of their effort.
We also believe that students must learn to be responsible and to meet deadlines and expectations. No late work is accepted in 6th , 7th and 8 th grades. 5th graders can hand in an assignment within one week of the due date during the first trimester only; during the 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters, no late work is accepted. Late work will earn no higher than 70% of the total possible points.
The following chart outlines the frequency and type of homework, as well the amount of time students should be spending each night completing homework, for each grade level.
Middle School 5 6 7 8 Daily. Projects or essays will be multi-day, but must have check-ins Frequency and/or intermediate due dates Duration per night 1- 1.25 hour 1-1.5 hours 1.25-1.5 hrs 1.5 to 2 hrs
Culture and the Arts Academy students can recognize and appreciate art and culture from around the world. All students will be introduced to a variety of artistic and cultural forms of expression, including dramatic and visual arts.
Health and Fitness Academy students will learn and practice healthy habits while at the Academy of the Pacific Rim. All students will learn how to live healthy lives on a daily basis. Middle School students will participate in health and physical education, and beginning in 8th grade they will have the opportunity to join athletic teams such as soccer, basketball and baseball/softball. The 6 th , 7 th and 8 th grade students will take the Get Real: Real Questions, Real Answers course with a community health educator.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 8 ACADEMIC MONITORING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
We believe in the success of every student and have built an academic monitoring system to help ensure that all students are working towards that success while at the Academy of the Pacific Rim. Yet we can only go so far on our own. With frequent, specific feedback from us, we hope to enable you to work with us to help your children succeed. We also believe in the importance of creating a strong learning community in which students feel pride and investment. To help build this community, we have homeroom and advisory programs that support small groups of students as well as middle school wide community ceremonies, activities and celebrations.
Progress Reports Families of middle schoolers will receive a progress report every two weeks in each academic class outlining your student’s progress. These progress reports will be sent home attached to the weekly Family Journal. We strongly encourage you to use the information contained in the progress reports to reinforce at home what we have identified students need to work on here at the Academy.
Tips for Families:
• Ask your student for the family journal every Wednesday.
• Keep a binder at home of the family journals and progress reports
• Sign and return the blue reply form with comments and questions as they arise
In addition, teachers meet frequently to assess student progress. The areas discussed in these meetings include academic performance, participation, engagement, effort, ability to follow directions, and organization. Not only do the teachers discuss these categories, but they also develop ways to support a student’s progress. These comments and strategies are shared with a student’s advisor and other teachers, and with families.
Homeroom and Advisor/Advisee System We have created a homeroom system whereby two teachers are ultimately responsible for monitoring the performance of their homeroom class. The homeroom teachers are also academic teachers for the homeroom. That means between greetings and attendance in the morning, academic class time, lunch and cleaning at the end of the day, the homeroom teachers will be with your student for a total of almost two hours each day. Your student’s homeroom teachers will be observing and working with your student in both social and academic settings for a significant portion of their time here at the Academy. The homeroom teachers also serve as an important resource for other teachers. If a teacher is having a difficult time with a class as the whole and/or a problem with a particular student, the homeroom teachers are notified and work with the class and/or the student to get back on track. As far as advising, a homeroom of 25 students is a large number of students for any one teacher to closely monitor. Therefore, each homeroom will be broken into two or three small advisory groups. Each of the homeroom teachers, and in some cases a third faculty member, are responsible to their small group for academic advising. Each student at the Academy will be assigned to an academic advisor who acts as a guide to students in their academic endeavors. Every staff member at the Academy has 10-12 advisees. Advisors serve as the academic advocate for their advisees and are the contact person for teachers or parents when an overall perspective of a student’s academic situation is needed. The academic advisor’s main responsibilities include:
• Meeting with their advisee groups on Wednesday mornings.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 9 • Maintaining contact with the families of their advisees at least twice a trimester. These are phone calls and/or meetings where the progress of the student is discussed in depth and records of the conversation are kept.
The role of the advisor is primarily to monitor academic progress though students may wish to refer to their advisors for guidance in other areas as well. The advisor is the first person you should contact with questions about your student’s academic progress. We suggest you know the advisor’s extension and email address, and call or email whenever you have questions or comments.
SPECIAL EDUCATION The Academy of the Pacific Rim provides a full range of academic support and special education services to students who are in need of such assistance. If your student is having persistent difficulty with school work, you may wish to consider making a referral for a special education evaluation. This referral may result in provisions being made for your student, including tutoring or other services. A referral for a special education evaluation should be made when a student is not progressing effectively in regular education and there is reason to believe that the situation is caused by disability .
A special education evaluation can result in the writing and implementation of an Individualized Educational Program (IEP). This document outlines the most effective strategies and services for meeting your student’s needs and provides legal support to ensure that your child receives such assistance. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Massachusetts Laws under Chapter 71B require appropriate services to be administered in the “least restrictive environment.”
PROMOTION POLICY
We believe that students should only be promoted when they have demonstrated mastery of our standards. The Academy is founded upon the belief that promoting students to the next grade because of their age, not their readiness to do the work, is not beneficial to students. Thus, one of the most critical and distinctive aspects of the Academy’s academic program is its promotion policy. To build a culture of learning and achievement, and to hold students accountable for their own efforts in their education, the Academy uses a strict and simple promotion policy: in order to be promoted to the next grade, middle school students must pass each core academic course with a minimum of a 70% average for the year.
Throughout the year, families are apprised of their student’s progress and academic standing on a bi- weekly basis. Students who are struggling in their classes will be assigned to tutoring. Students who repeat a grade will have that additional year to develop mastery of the material in all subject areas, achieve a higher level of success and grow emotionally before advancing to the next grade where expectations will be that much higher. Students who end the year with a failing average in ONE academic class may be given the opportunity to participate in summer tutoring for that one course, at the principal’s discretion. Students who end the year with more than one failing grade will be retained. If a student is placed in summer tutoring, he or she must complete between ten to twenty hours of class and pass a final assessment and an authentic assessment with a 70% or higher to receive credit and be promoted to the next grade.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 10 CO-CURRICULAR COURSES AND PREP
In addition to our rigorous academic program, students in the middle school will have the opportunity to enrich their day with co-curricular classes in the arts and in physical education.
The Arts All middle school students will take a class in the arts. 5 th graders will have a drama class once per week, and 6 th graders will take art class twice per week. 7th graders will take drama every other day throughout the year, while 8 th graders will have an art class every other day throughout the year. Through their participation in these classes, Academy students will be able to recognize and appreciate art and culture from around the world, to learn skills and techniques in each of these artistic disciplines, and to evaluate their own artistic progress.
Health and Fitness Academy students in the middle school will participate in a physical education class that meets every other day. The goals of the course are for students to actively participate in and learn competitive and non-competitive sports and exercise activities, to learn to make healthy decisions on a daily basis, and to apply and strengthen character virtues of team building and unity. Additionally, students in the 8th grade will have the opportunity to join athletic teams such as soccer, basketball and baseball/softball. During the winter months, students will take a health course that focuses on health decision making, nutrition, and other health-related social issues. Additionally, students in grades 6-8 will take the Get Real: Real Questions, Real Answers course.
Grading Policy for Co-Curricular Courses Students will receive a grade of Honors, Pass, or Fail in all of their co-curricular courses. Students will be evaluated in these classes on completion, participation, and improvement. Progress reports will be sent out at least twice a trimester in each co-curricular class. Students who fail a co-curricular in any trimester are ineligible for PREP. Students must also earn a grade of Honors in each co-curricular in order to be on the Honor Roll. However, failing a co-curricular does not affect promotion.
Pacific Rim Enrichment Program (PREP) Students in the 7 th and 8 th grades who are in good academic and behavioral standing are eligible to apply for the Pacific Rim Enrichment Program (PREP) for the summer. During PREP, students are expected to complete at least 60 hours in an internship of their own choosing. Students must apply for PREP; this process includes selecting a faculty sponsor, selecting and securing an internship, and completing an application process. Students in PREP complete their internship hours independently, while maintaining regular contact with their sponsor. When PREP students return in the fall, they give a presentation on their PREP experience. Grades for PREP appear on a student’s first trimester report card. Though PREP is not required in the middle school, students who opt to participate in the program over their summers are responsible for its satisfactory completion. PREP in the middle school is designed to prepare students for the required PREP experiences in the high school.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 11 READY TO LEARN AND SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Being prepared for class with the necessary supplies is an important component of being ready to learn. If students do not have pens, pencils, or paper, they may ask to borrow supplies from other students before class begins. Students without the required materials will receive a demerit.
Required The APR organizational binder (provided by the Academy) Supply of pencils and pens (two of each should be in hand each day) Supply of 8 ½-by-11 inch loose leaf white notebook paper (about 200 sheets, placed in binder) Any other supplies required by the specific grade level team or teacher Workbooks and textbooks (as given out by the teacher) Student Planner (provided by the Academy)
Study Environment In order for students to continue their school work, we believe that it is extremely important for them to have a study area set aside at home. This area should be quiet and free from distractions, such as televisions and radios. It should have ample light and a desk area for books and supplies.
All Papers Should : Name Have a heading. Date Subj.-Grade-HR Have a title.
Be neat. Title of Assignment Be turned in when asked by a teacher.
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Sample 5th /6 th Grade Schedule
5C 6B Wake Homerooms 5B Williams 5A Princeton 6A Oberlin 6C Tulane Georgetown Forest Adams (L) Nardo (AM) Dukeshire (AM) Wu (AM) Rodman (AM) Liebmann Tarrance (L) Morse (L) McLellan (L) Sangalang (L) Hirsch (L) (AM) Kossack (AM) 7:45-8:15 Homeroom 5th grade: M, F: POWER, T: OC, W: Advisory, Th:5 OC 6th grade: M: POWER, T: OC, W: Advisory, Th: POWER F: 6 OC W 7:45-8:25
Math PE Tu, Th; Math 8:15:-9:15 ELA -- Reading History History Period 1 Applications Team F; CE W, Applications W 8:25-9:20 Sangalang Liebmann Hirsch Nardo POWER M Tarrance
Math 9:15-10:15 Math Math ELA -- Writing Science Foundations Period 2 W 9:20- Applications Applications ELA Kossack Morse Dukeshire Tarrance/ 10:15 Nardo Wu Rodman
Break 10:15-10:35 AM Break M/T: Football Area W/Th/F: Basketball Courts
ELA -- Reading Art T, Th; PE Art M, F; PE Science ELA -- Writing Reading Period 3 10:35-11:35 Sangalang/ W; POWER F; Th; POWER W; Dukeshire Morse Liebmann McLellan CE M CE T
Math PE T Th; Team M; PE Math ELA Math Foundations Period 4 11:35-12:35 POWER W; CE W,F; POWER Foundations Kossack/ Applications Tarrance/ M;Team F Th; CE T Wu/McLellan Rodman Nardo Rodman 12:35-1:05
Math Math Art M, T; PE Th; Science History Reading Period 5 1:05-2:05 Applications Foundations POWER W, CE Dukeshire Hirsch Liebmann Nardo Wu/McLellan F
Math Reading ELA Math ELA -- Writing Reading Period 6 2:05-3:05 Foundations Sangalang/ Kossack/ Foundations Morse Liebmann Wu McLellan Rodman Tarrance
Organization 3:05-3:15 Tutoring W: 3:15-4:10 Focus and Tutoring Dismissal Extended 4:10-5:00 Extracurriculars and Tutoring Day
Dismissal 5:00 Dismissal
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 13
Sample 7th /8 th Grade Schedule
8C Johns Homerooms 7A Brown 7B Stanford 7C BC 8A BU 8B Duke Hopkins
Faculty Turet (L) Halpenny (AM) Griffin (AM) Subramanian Woodford (AM) Kane (AM) Salvia Hurley Parker (L) Farranto (L) (AM) Glazer (L) Gilliam (L) 7:45-8:15 7th grade: M: O/C, T,F: POWER, W: Advisory Th: 7 O/C 8th grade: M: OC, T,Th: POWER, W: Advisory F: 8 O/C W 7:45-8:25
M, Th, F - M1, W, F: PE Chinese; W- 8:15:-9:15 History Science Math English M2, T, Th: Math; Tu - W 8:25-9:20 Halpenny Subramanian Glazer Farranto Drama English (Woodford)
9:15-10:15 T, W, F Chinese, Math English M1, W, F: PE Science M1, W, F: Art W 9:20- M Math, Th Salvia/Rodman Hurley M2, T, Th: Drama Subrama nian M2, T, Th: PE 10:15 English
10:15-10:35 AM Break M/T: Basketball Courts W/Th/F: Football Area
M, W, Th History Science Math English History 10:35-11:35 Chinese; Tu Halpenny Subramanian Glazer/ Woodford Farranto Hirsch Math, F English
M, T, W Chinese; English Science Science History Math 11:35-12:35 F: Math: Th Farranto/ McNamara Dukeshire Hirsch Glazer English Woodford
12:35-1:05
T, Th, F Chinese; English M1, W, F: PE Math History Science 1:05-2:05 W Math, M Hurley M2, T, Th: Drama Salvia Halpenny Subramanian English
M, T, W Chinese; History Math English M1, W, F: Art M1, W, F: PE TH Math, F 2:05-3:05 Halpenny Salvia Hurley/Rodman M2, T, Th: PE M2, T, Th: Art English (Woodford) 3:05-3:15
3:15-4:10
4:10-5:00 Extracurriculars
5:00 Dismissal
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 14
Description of Schedule
Homeroom: Each student is assigned to a homeroom of about 25 students and one teacher. Attendance is taken in the morning and students remain in the same classroom with their homeroom throughout the day.
Opening Ceremony/Grade Level Meetings : All students on the floor join together for this school tradition weekly. Additionally, each grade level will meet all together once per week. Staff members make general announcements and recognize individual students for achievements and effort. All students shout “gambatte” to begin the school day.
POWER : All students and staff at the Academy read a book of their own choosing silently for 30 minutes.
Academic Classes : A student’s core classes are spread out over the course of the day. Fifth graders take ELA -- Reading, ELA – Writing, Foundations of Math, Math Applications and Explorations, and Science. Sixth graders take ELA -- Reading, ELA – Writing, Foundations of Math, Math Applications and Explorations, and History. Seventh and eighth graders take English, Math, Science, History and Chinese.
Break : Break allows the students time to release energy, socialize, and use the facilities so that they are on task and focused during classes. Students may bring a healthy snack to eat outside of the classrooms during break.
Lunch : Students may bring a lunch from home or buy their lunch from the Academy.
Character Education and Community Building : Once per week, students will take a Character Education class, using the Learning for Life curriculum. They will also participate in community building activities with their homeroom during these times.
Advisee Meeting : The first week of school students will be assigned an advisor. Students will meet with their advisor every Wednesday morning. Each advisor will be responsible for 10-12 students each. During the year, students can approach their advisor with any academic or social problems they may encounter.
Arts and P.E .: 5th and 7 th grade students will take Drama throughout the year, while 6 th and 8 th grade students will take Art throughout the year. All middle school students will participate in physical education classes.
School Cleaning : Cleaning their own classrooms creates the students’ sense of pride and respect for their own environment. Students and staff clean desks, sweep floors, and take out the trash. Some students and staff participate in all-school cleaning, by sweeping stairs, cleaning bathrooms, and picking up trash around the grounds of the school.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 15 MEETING THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS : THE DAILY SCHEDULE
FOCUS : In the 5 th and 6 th grades, all students will stay at school until 4:10pm. In the last period of the day, students will be in their homerooms for Focus Class. At this time, students will have the opportunity to complete homework in a structured environment in which teachers will assist with homework and also model and help students build effective study habits. Students who need additional academic support in a specific content area will receive this support in small tutoring groups at this time.
Course-Based Tutoring : Students who need help with an academic course will meet with the teacher of that course for tutoring. The tutoring will be designed by the teacher and will relate directly to the material in class. Attendance is mandatory. The grade level team will determine the tutoring schedule for each student, and the advisor will notify the family.
Beginning in October, students in 7 th and 8 th grade who are not placed in tutoring may earn early dismissal and leave at 3:15.
Basic Skills Tutoring : Students with math and/or reading skills far below skill level will participate in basic skills tutoring. Basic skills tutoring takes place between the hours of 3:15 and 5:00. If you child is required to participate in the program, families must arrange transportation home at 5:00 p.m. School buses will not be available.
Intensive Academic Blocks : 4:15-5:00 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Periodically throughout the year, teachers will offer additional sessions for a week or two at a time. These intensive academic blocks will be time when students work together and with a teacher towards a certain goal. For example, teachers may offer these sessions in order to prepare students for the MCAS, or to give them the opportunity to work on their Science Fair projects. Teachers may also choose to offer intensive week-long tutoring for students with deficits in a specific skill. Attendance may be mandatory or voluntary, depending on the teacher and the task at hand. You will always receive written notice if your student will be asked or required to attend an intensive academic block.
Extracurriculars: For all middle school students; 4:15-5:00 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The Academy will offer an extensive extracurricular program, which is open to all middle school students (unless they are in intensive academic blocks, tutoring, or detention). These activities include student council, art club, soccer, basketball, dance, martial arts, swimming, and others. We will send home a set of expectations specific to each activity, and students and parents will sign a contract at the beginning of each trimester.
All middle school students are dismissed at 3:15 on Wednesdays.
For transportation information, please see the Transportation section on p. 56.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 16 CHARACTER EDUCATION
Character education is a foundation of the Academy. Students are expected to be good citizens as well as good scholars. Therefore, character education is an integral part of the middle school program.
Our school is based upon virtues that stand the test of time—Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Daring and Excellence. The Academy strives to help its students learn to be good as they learn to be knowledgeable.
• All students will understand and exhibit traits of good character—Kaizen, Gambatte, Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Daring, and Excellence–through the Academy’s traditions and structure.
• All students will learn about good character through academic courses as well as structured discussions and activities about our character virtues.
• Students who exhibit these character virtues will be acknowledged and celebrated through earning merits and the Gambatte and Kaizen Awards.
Citizenship Rating To help our students follow their own character development throughout the year, students will be given a numerical citizenship rating each week. In essence, the citizenship rating is a reflection of the student’s behavior, and allows us to clearly communicate this behavior to the student and his or her family, much the way grades allow us to communicate academic progress. Every student will earn a certain number of points for attending school each day. During the course of the week, students may make poor choices which result in demerits or office visits. Students may also make good choices which earn them merits. The citizenship rating is a way for us to quantify the student’s pattern of behavior throughout the week. If a student is given demerits or is sent to the office, he or she will lose points from the points earned through attendance. Uniform violations and suspensions will also result in loss of points. If a student earns merits throughout the week, he or she will gain points on top of the points earned through attendance. The citizenship rating will be communicated to students and parents weekly through a progress report. The weekly ratings will be averaged over the course of trimester or the year. Students will need to earn a certain average to participate in certain events, such as field trips, reward days, and dances.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 17 DISCIPLINE CODE
The Academy of the Pacific Rim strives to create an environment focused on learning and student growth. Discipline at the Academy is a vital support to this goal. The Academy’s system of consequences is designed to cultivate a respectful, serious academic atmosphere. Students are expected to hold themselves to high standards for behavior. Demerits will be issued for behavior that is unproductive or counter-productive, such as unpreparedness for class, minor disruptions of class learning, uniform violations, and gum in class. More serious consequences will be administered for behaviors including, but not limited to the following:
• Disrespect, defiance and/or disruptions of learning . The Academy will not tolerate disrespectful behavior towards staff, guests, or other students. Behaviors that prevent other members of the Academy from pursuing their education (such as repeated talking or deliberately distracting other students during class) are considered disruptions of learning.
• Cheating and/or plagiarism . Cheating and plagiarism represent breaches of community integrity and trust. The Academy defines cheating as conversing with another student during a graded assessment, copying or attempting to copy the work of another student, or using/attempting to use materials other than those allowed during an assessment. The Academy also considers the act of giving answers or one’s work to another student as cheating. Plagiarism is defined as representing the work of another as one’s own.
• Safety Violation. This includes pushing, fighting, threatening or other violent behavior. Being in an unsupervised location is also a safety violation.
• Integrity Violation. This includes telling a lie, misrepresenting, or compromising their integrity in any other way.
• Unprofessional contact . This includes touching, groping, or other displays of affection.
• Attendance violations . Students are required to attend all scheduled classes and events, on time. The Academy has a closed campus. Students should not go beyond the specified limits of the school grounds without an approved chaperone or the express permission of a faculty member. Students who are not present in school may not attend school-sponsored activities after school on that day.
• Property violations . The theft, destruction, or defacement of school or private property constitutes violations of state law and jeopardizes the integrity of the school community.
• Inappropriate behavior on the MBTA . Students represent the Academy when riding the MBTA. They must not engage in any disruptive and/or dangerous behavior on the MBTA or while waiting at stops.
• Harassment . The Academy is committed to maintaining a school environment free of harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Alcohol, controlled substances, and tobacco . The sale, transfer, use, or possession of alcohol and controlled substances at school or school related functions is prohibited. Presence at school or school related events while under the influence or emitting the odor of alcohol or controlled substances is also prohibited. Smoking or other possession or use of tobacco on school grounds is prohibited.
• Weapons . The possession of a dangerous weapon at school or school related event, including but not limited to a gun or a knife, is prohibited.
• Bullying. The Academy strictly prohibits bullying. While bullying can occur with a single incident, it generally involves a pattern of conduct over time by which a student is “picked on.” Bullying
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 18 may include conduct such as physical intimidation or assault; oral or written threats; teasing; putdowns; name-calling; stalking; threatening looks, gestures, or actions; cruel rumors; false accusations; and social isolation. It may also involve extortion, by which a student is intimidated into taking an action against his/her will.
Student Responsibility
We all share the responsibility for a safe, positive learning environment. Students who have knowledge about serious disciplinary infractions or potential serious disciplinary infractions must contact a teacher or administrator. These infractions include, but are not limited to, cheating, property violations, harassment, acts or threats of violence or aggression, alcohol, controlled substances or tobacco, and weapons. Failure to contact a teacher or administrator may result in disciplinary action.
Consequences
Demerits Teachers give students visual reminders and verbal clarification to help them develop the discipline the Academy expects. When a student commits a specific minor infraction, s/he will receive a demerit. Demerits serve to remind students of the expectations, and give students an opportunity to correct their behavior.
After three demerits, students will receive a detention to served the following day. The Dean of Students will make every effort to contact the student’s families to let them know of the detention; however, if we are unable to reach you, we will still expect the student to serve the detention. Therefore, families should please make sure we have current contact information at all times.
For 5 th and 6 th graders, demerits will be “wiped clean” at the end of each week. For 7 th and 8 th graders, demerits will be “wiped clean” at the end of every two weeks.
Automatic Detention For specific infractions, teachers will issue automatic detentions to students. If a student earns an automatic detention, it will be served the next day. Students earning automatic detention will be able to stay in class unless they react poorly to the automatic detention.
Removal from Class Any student whose behavior disrupts the learning environment and endangers another student’s education will be asked to leave class at the discretion of the teacher. This means that the student must report immediately to the Dean of Students and remain in the office until it is clear that the disruptions will cease. Suspension from class will require a student to reflect upon and learn from his or her behavior in writing, and will require them to serve an after-school detention the following day. The Dean of Students will make every effort to contact the student’s families to let them know of the detention; however, if we are unable to reach you, we will still expect the student to serve the detention. Therefore, families should please make sure we have current contact information at all times. Parent conferences may also be necessary.
Internal Suspension An internal suspension will result in the loss of all social and academic privileges for the student in question. A student who receives an in-school suspension will remain in the building and will continue
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 19 to have access to the curriculum but will be isolated from classmates and peers. An in-school suspension may also result in after school duties. A parent or guardian will be required to meet with an administrator before the student’s re-admittance to class. A student will remain on in-school suspension until s/he shows that s/he can follow all Academy of the Pacific Rim rules and expectations. A student on an internal suspension who continues not to follow Academy rules and expectations will be subject to external suspension.
External Suspension An external suspension will result in the immediate removal from school of the student in question. If the family cannot pick up the student, other transportation arrangements must be made. Unless otherwise stated, the final determination of the length of any out-of-school suspension of up to ten days will rest with the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students has the option of reducing the length of a suspension if the student and his/her family meet with the Dean of Students and agree upon behavioral conditions for the student’s early re-admission. The Dean will provide an opportunity for such a meeting as quickly as possible after the student’s removal.
Long term suspensions (more than ten days) may be imposed by the Principal for serious or repeated infractions.
Further details on suspension procedures follow under Procedural Due Process.
A student suspended from school will not be allowed on school grounds or at school-related functions without the written permission of the Dean of Students or the Principal.
Expulsion An expulsion is a permanent removal from school. A student who has been expelled will not be allowed on school grounds or at school-related functions. Further details on expulsion procedures follow under Procedural Due Process.
Cell Phone Policy The Academy strictly forbids the use of cell phones during the school day. Students may keep their cell phone with them but the phones cannot be visible and must be turned off ! They cannot be on silent or vibrate. Students may use cell phone before 7:45AM and after dismissal, only outside of the building . Students violating any of these rules will receive a demerit and have their cell phone confiscated. Cell phones will be returned at the discretion of the Dean of Students and/or Principal. Parents/Guardians may be required to retrieve the phone for their student. The Academy is not responsible for the loss or theft of cell phones at any time.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 20 Sample Infractions and Guidelines for Consequences Consequence • Behavior Demerits • Disrupting class • Not following directions • Gum/ Eating • Inappropriate comment • Tardiness to class • Being unprepared for class • Uniform Violation • Electronics (will also be confiscated) • Minor Safety Violation • Not SLANTing • In Hall without Pass
Automatic Detention • Unauthorized Location • Poor reaction to a demerit • Not turning in reply form from the family journal • Missing component of the uniform Removal from class • 3+ demerits in one class (may result in • Disrespect detention) • Inappropriate reaction to a demerit
Automatic Weekday • 3 demerits Detention Saturday Detention • Skipping school, class, tutoring or weekday detention • Violation of closed campus • Chronic Tardiness (3 or more in one week)
In-school suspension • Chronic tardiness • Disrespect towards anyone in the community
Out-of-school • Fighting or threatening behavior suspension • Presence while under the influence or emitting the odor of a controlled substance or alcohol • Theft • Destruction of property • Harassment or bullying • Cheating or plagiarism • Gambling • Violation of behavioral contract (if applicable) • Disruptive or dangerous behavior on school bus • Major Safety/health violation • Integrity violation • Misbehavior on the school bus Expulsion • Use or possession of weapon • Possession, sale or transfer of controlled substances or alcohol • Assault • Commission of a felony (on or off school grounds)
The above are guidelines. Repeated or particularly serious incidents may result in increased penalties. Please contact the high school deans or the principal with any questions or concerns.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 21 Student Searches
The Academy of the Pacific Rim reserves the right to conduct searches of students and their property, including but not limited to backpacks, when there is a reasonable basis for believing that the search will provide evidence of a violation of school rules or of state or federal law. Except in an emergency, searches will take place in the presence of a school administrator and at least one other staff member. The parent(s) or guardian of a searched student will be notified as soon as possible to inform them that a search has occurred. If a student refuses to cooperate with a request to search a backpack or other property, the school will confiscate the property in question. School lockers and desks, which are assigned to students for their use, remain the property of the Academy and students should, therefore, have no expectation of privacy in these areas. Such areas are subject to searches by school officials at any time.
PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS
Suspension and Expulsion Procedures
Short Term Suspensions Unless a student presents a danger or risk of substantial disruption to the educational process, the student shall receive the following prior to suspension of one to ten days: oral or written notice of the charges; if the student denies the charges, an oral or written explanation of the evidence against him/her; and an opportunity to present his/her version of the relevant facts. In the case of danger or a risk of substantial disruption, this process will occur as soon as practicable after, rather than before, the suspension.
Long-Term Suspensions or Expulsion Prior to expulsion or suspension longer than ten days, the student and family shall receive: written notice of the charges and of the time and place for hearing; an opportunity to review the student’s records; adequate time to prepare for the hearing; the right to be represented by a lawyer at the hearing (at the student’s/family’s expense); the right to present witnesses and to cross examine witnesses presented by the school at the hearing; and a reasonably prompt, written decision including specific grounds and controlling facts for the decision. In the event the student is expelled but will be permitted to apply for readmission, the permitted date of application will be stated. The Academy will record the hearing and a copy of such will be made available to the student upon request. Notices and proceedings will be translated into the student’s/parent’s primary language if necessary for their understanding of the proceedings.
The Role of the Principal and Director in Long-Term Suspension or Expulsion The Principal is vested with the authority to suspend students on a long-term basis after following appropriate due process for any violation of this Handbook. In addition, the Principal has the authority to suspend or expel students in the following three circumstances which occur on school property or at a school-related event: student possession of a dangerous weapon; student possession of controlled substance; student assault of educational personnel. In addition, the Principal may suspend/expel a student who is charged with/convicted of a felony, whether or not the conduct occurs on school property, if the Principal determines that the student’s presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the welfare of the school. All decisions by the Principal regarding long-term suspension or expulsion are subject to review by the Director. The Director’s decision is the final decision of the Academy. (See Mass. Gen. Laws, c. 71, §37H and Mass. Gen. Laws, c. 71, §37H1/2)
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 22 The Role of the Board of Trustees in Expulsion Expulsion for all matters except for the four listed above, must involve the Board of Trustees. Upon receipt of the recommendation of the Principal for expulsion of a student, the Board of Trustees will hold a hearing to consider the matter (as provided for in M.G.L. c. 76). The following procedures will apply: • the Principal may commence an expulsion proceeding before the Trustees by providing them with notice of the reasons for the proposed expulsion; • prior to any decision by the Trustees to expel a student, the student will be provided with the procedures set forth above under “Long-term Suspensions or Expulsion”; • hearings to consider the expulsion of a student will be held in executive session unless the student or parent requests an open hearing;
Students with Special Needs All students are expected to follow the Academy’s Discipline Policy, unless otherwise determined by the Team and written in the student’s IEP. Federal and state law provide certain procedural rights and protections relating to discipline of students who have been identified under such laws as having special needs based upon a disability. The following information summarizes these rights and protections; they are also fully described in the Notice of Procedural Safeguards that you receive with your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Students with disabilities may be disciplined in the same manner as non-disabled peers for up to 10 school days in the same school year, as long as the removal does not constitute a change in placement. However, in some circumstances IDEA 2004 allows for a change of placement regardless of whether the behavior is a manifestation of the child’s disability. Specifically, if a student with a disability possesses, uses, sells, or solicits illegal drugs on a school grounds or at a school event; carries a weapon to school or a school function; or inflicts serious bodily injury upon another person at school or a school-sponsored event, the Academy may place the student in an interim alternative education setting for up to 45 school days.
If suspension of a student with a disability will constitute a change of placement (when a student is removed for more than 10 consecutive school days or for more than a total of 10 days in any school year when a pattern of removal is occurring), certain procedural protections under federal special education law apply.
The Academy will convene a Team meeting of all relevant members, including parents, to review the IEP and determine if the behavior is a manifestation of the student’s disability. As with all Team meetings, parents shall receive written invitation to the manifestation determination team meeting. In making this determination, the Team will review all relevant information including evaluations, observational information, and the student’s IEP and placement. If the Team determines the misconduct is not a manifestation of the child’s disability, the disciplinary process may proceed, and the student is subject to the same disciplinary proceedings as a non-disabled peer, except that for any period of removal for more than 10 days, the Academy will provide special education services to allow the child to continue to make educational progress.
If the Team determines that the misconduct was related to the student’s disability (i.e. if the conduct was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to the child’s disability, or was a direct result of the Academy’s failure to fully implement the IEP), the student may not be expelled or suspended for more than 10 school days. The Team may, however, take steps to correct the IEP, the placement, or the behavior plan.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 23 In all cases involving a change in placement that occurs as a result of a disciplinary procedure, the Academy will perform a Functional Behavioral Assessment. The Team will assess the student’s behavior and develop a plan to address the problematic behavior.
If parents or guardians do not agree to a change in placement or with the manifestation determination, they may request a hearing at the Bureau of Special Education Appeals.
Mass. Gen. Laws, Chapter 71 Section 37H – Controlled Substances, Dangerous Weapons and Assaults on Education Personnel a) Any student who is found on school premises or at school-sponsored or school-related events, including athletic games, in possession of a dangerous weapon, including, but not limited to, a gun or a knife; or a controlled substance as defined in chapter ninety-four C, including but not limited to, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, may be subject to expulsion from the school or school district by the principal. b) Any student who assaults a principal, assistant principal, teacher, teacher’s aide or other educational staff on school premises or at school-sponsored or school-related events, including athletic games, may be subject to expulsion from the school or school district by the principal. c) Any student who is charged with a violation of either paragraph (a) or (b) shall be notified in writing of an opportunity for a hearing; provided, however, that the student may have representation, along with the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses at said hearing before the principal. After said hearing, a principal may, in his discretion, decide to suspend rather than expel a student who has been determined by the principal to have violated either paragraph (a) or (b). d) Any student who has been expelled from a school district pursuant to these provisions shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent. The expelled student shall have ten days from the date of the expulsion in which to notify the Superintendent of his appeal. The student has the right to counsel at a hearing before the Superintendent. The subject matter of the appeal shall not be limited solely to a factual determination of whether the student has violated any provisions of this section. e) When a student is expelled under the provisions of this section, no school or school district within the Commonwealth shall be required to admit such student or to provide educational services to said student. If said student does apply for admission to another school or school district, the Superintendent of the school district to which the application is made may request and shall receive from the Superintendent of the school expelling said student a written statement of the reasons for said expulsion.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 24 ______UNIFORM ______
Clothing worn by students at the Academy of the Pacific Rim should emphasize the fact that the school is both a community and a place of work. Students should dress in a way that expresses their membership in the community and that suits the standards of a workplace. Their attire should be neat and tidy and should conform to the Academy’s uniform at all times. Students must arrive at and depart from the Academy in uniform.
The Academy of the Pacific Rim’s uniform for middle school students consists of:
Shirts • Clean white oxford or polo shirt • Official APR polo shirt • Solid white turtlenecks with neat and full collar • Must be tucked in and buttoned at all times Pants • Khaki pants • Khaki skirts (within one inch of the knee or longer) • Khaki shorts only after May 15 th (within one inch of the knee or longer) Sweaters • Solid black, gray, navy, white, or tan sweater • May have a small trim • No excessive fringe • No logos or patterns Belts • Must be worn through any and all belt loops at all times Sneakers • Clean, solid black or white, with same color shoelaces • No color or accents • Shoelaces tied at all times • Same sneakers worn in class as at break or PE
The middle school student uniform at the Academy of the Pacific Rim specifically forbids the wearing of:
• Jeans • Any clothing with writing or images other than APR logo (including writing on undershirts) • Any footwear other than sneakers • Changing shoes throughout the day (except in inclement weather) • Hats/Caps • Bandanas • Hoods • Nightwraps/Do-rags • Jackets • Sweatshirts • Beepers • Walkmen/iPod • Cell phones • Electronic game systems • Clothing tied around neck or waist • Miniskirts • Low-riding or baggy pants • Excessive or flashy jewelry
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 25 A student will receive an automatic detention if he/she does not have a belt or the appropriate clothing. The Dean of Students should be consulted if there are any questions about whether a particular item of clothing meets the requirements of the above policy. Further, the Principal, the Dean of Students, and the faculty reserve the right to restrict individual items of clothing as necessary, given notification of a parent or guardian, if such clothing interferes with normal school activities.
Dress for Success: On the first Wednesday of every month, students are encouraged to “Dress for Success” by wearing clothing that is appropriate for college interviews and for the professional workplace. Boys may dress for success by wearing dress pants or slacks with a belt, a button down shirt and tie, and professional shoes, with an optional jacket. Girls may dress for success by wearing a dress or a skirt that is no higher than one inch above the knee or dress pants, a blouse, sweater, or top, and professional shoes. This attire should not be too tight or revealing. Dress for Success clothing is only permitted on Dress for Success days.
Gym Uniform The Physical Education uniform at the Academy of the Pacific Rim is designed for simplicity, neatness, comfort and safety. The Academy of the Pacific Rim and its physical education partners will provide space for changing before and after physical activity. For all Physical Education classes, students should wear: • Uniform Sneakers (Sneakers should always be worn with socks and must remain tied at all times).
• Plain gray t-shirts which must be devoid of any writing or Academy athletic shirts.
• Navy blue mesh shorts that fall no lower than the knee and no higher than the thigh. There should be no lettering on the shorts. Students may also wear navy blue or black sweatpants or nylon pants.
• In cold weather, students may wear sweatshirts or long sleeve t-shirts over their uniform, but these items must be of a plain gray color and must be devoid of writing. Students may wear plain black or blue sweatpants, or plain black or blue nylon pants, devoid of logos or writing.
Uniforms should be clean and neat at all times; students whose gym clothes are dirty or offensive smelling will be considered to be out-of-uniform and will be unable to participate. Athletic clothing must be devoid of all lettering and any insignias on athletic clothing may be no larger than two inches in size. Parents with questions about this policy and the suitability of specific items of clothing should contact the Dean of Students.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 26
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 27 AcadAcademyemy of the Pacific Rim High SchooSchoollll
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 28 RIGOROUS COLLEGE -PREPARATORY CURRICULUM
The Academy of the Pacific Rim offers one accelerated, college preparatory program. For example, all students take Algebra I in eighth grade and continue their studies in math through statistics or calculus in the senior year. All high school students take four years of English and mathematics. All courses on a student’s transcript represent challenging academic experiences that are at a college- preparatory level.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 29
2009-2010 FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE PROGRAM
The freshman and sophomore program at the high school is designed to increase the critical thinking, literacy, and computational skills of our students. All freshman and sophomores take English, Math, Science, History, and Mandarin. The 10 th grade history class, which is the first part of our two-year US History course, prepares students to take AP US History in 11 th grade. The English and Math classes in both years prepare students to excel on the 10 th grade MCAS. Additionally, the 9 th grade physics course prepares students to take the Physics MCAS in the spring of that year. All of the courses build on the skills and content from our middle school classes, with an increase in the level of rigor, complexity, and critical thinking.
To ensure we are providing support to all of our students, students in their freshman and sophomore years who are not performing well in their classes will be assigned by the grade level team to mandatory tutoring sessions. These sessions meeting Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 2:35-3:40. Students are required to attend if they are signed up by their teachers. The list will be revisited every four weeks.
ENGLISH Math Science History & Foreign Social Language Science: 9 Literature Geometry Physics Modern World Intermediate Analysis: History Mandarin I Heroes and Journeys 10 Literature Algebra II Biology Pre-AP US Intermediate History II Mandarin II Analysis: Dreams and Destinations
11 11 th /12 th Pre-calculus Chemistry AP U.S. History Advanced Grade English II OR US Mandarin I Seminars History II th th 12 11 /12 Statistics OR Computer Civics in Advanced
Grade English AP Calculus Science OR Contemporary Mandarin II Seminars Advanced Society Physics
2009-2010 JUNIOR AND SENIOR PROGRAM
11 th /12 th Grade English Seminars In 11 th and 12 th grades, students have the opportunity to choose their English class for the first two trimesters. These seminars, in which juniors and seniors are in class together, will mirror college seminars in which students analyze varied works of literature through the lens of a particular theme. All seminars will be rigorous courses which prepare students for success in their college English courses by incorporating fiction, non-fiction, literary criticism, and multiple genres of writing. In 2009-2010, the seminars will be: Magical Realism, Female Protagonists in Literature, Poetry, and Non-Fiction. For the third trimester, juniors will take a seminar that focuses on specific works of literature and SAT preparation, while seniors will conclude their study of English at APR with a senior capstone seminar.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 30 11th Grade US History II All juniors take a US History course. They all have the opportunity to choose to take an AP Level US History course if they are willing to commit to the level of work. Students will have taken the first year of US History in their sophomore year. The junior year course will expose students to AP level texts and readings, as well as the breadth and depth of an AP course. Support will be provided for students who need additional help during the tutoring period. Students, in conjunction with the teacher, principal, college counselors, and their families, will decide whether or not to sit for the AP Exam. Students wishing to take the exam will commit to additional preparation and review in our extended day program. Students who do not choose to take the AP course will take a college-preparatory US History II course that exposes students to challenging readings and primary documents, as well as rigorous research and writing requirement. It also allows them to explore how our history shaped the country as it is today.
12 th Grade History Research Seminar: Civics in Contemporary Society The purpose of this course is to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and practice necessary for a lifetime of engaged citizenship. Students will study democratic theory, the functions and operations of government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Students will then apply this knowledge to an examination of contemporary political, social, and economic issues. Students will be expected to read complicated texts, do in- depth research, present work publicly in oral and written forms, write a substantial research paper, and apply the results of their learning in some form of political action. Students will have significant input as to the particular contemporary issues chosen for class and individual study.
11th Grade Pre-calculus and Chemistry Juniors will take a pre-calculus course that will prepare them for either of the senior year courses. At the start the third trimester, students will choose their senior year math course , and then follow one of two specific curricula in this math class, in order to best prepare them for their senior year math experience. Juniors will also take a separate chemistry course. Students wishing to take the SATII in chemistry will commit to additional preparation and review in our extended day program.
12 th Grade Math & Science Related Course Pairings Seniors have the opportunity to select related math and science course pairing. They may choose to take either computer science and statistics, or advanced physics and calculus.
Computer Science and Statistics These courses focus on the integration of computer science and statistics, and the application of these discipline to authentic, real-world experiences. Students are able to explore computer programming, robotics, and Microsoft Office certification. Students are also participating in a statistics course the equivalent of an introductory college-level statistics course.
Advanced Physics and Calculus Building on students’ previous course work in physics and pre-calculus, these courses focus on the integration of physics and calculus. Students are able to explore phenomena of the physical world using advanced mathematical concepts. Students will be expected to synthesize the theories of physics with those of calculus, and to explore independently through laboratory experiments. This course option is particularly recommended for students who wish to pursue pre-med, math or engineering majors in college.
Advanced Mandarin I and II These courses aim to further develop the students’ ability in four basic skills—listening, speaking, reading and writing—of mastering a language with a strong emphasis on listening and speaking aspects. In addition to training on language skills, the course will also pay attention to providing students with content knowledge about today’s Chinese society, life, and history, and of the traditional culture. Interactive learning—field trip lessons in the greater Boston area, projects presented to the APR community, topic discussions with outside speakers, and web-based research—will be introduced throughout the year. Course materials will include dialogues, short stories, and journalistic writings, as well as DVD’s, videos, and computer applications.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 31 CHARACTER EDUCATION
The Academy of the Pacific Rim is committed to educating our students to become knowledgeable and caring citizens of the world. While the Academy taps students’ intellectual potential through the study of literature, history, science, math and the arts in the classroom, the development of our students’ character is equally important. Hence, our school is based upon virtues that stand the test of time – purpose, respect, integrity, daring, and excellence. The Academy strives to help its students learn to be good citizens as they learn to be knowledgeable. • All students will understand and exhibit traits of good character—Kaizen, Gambatte, Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Daring and Excellence –through the Academy’s traditions and structure. • All students will learn about good character through academic courses as well as structured advisory discussions and activities about our character virtues. • Students who exhibit these character virtues will be acknowledged and celebrated.
PROMOTION POLICY
Grading and Promotion All courses are graded on a 1-100 scale. Students must average a 70 or above in all five academic classes in order to be promoted to the next grade. Students who end the year with one failing average may be given the opportunity to take that course in summer tutoring, at the discretion of the principal. Students who fail more than one course will repeat the grade. If a student is placed in summer tutoring, he or she must complete twenty hours of class and pass a final assessment with a 75% or higher to receive credit and be promoted to the next grade.
Final Exam Week With the goal of long term retention of knowledge and skills as well as preparing students for assessments they will have in college, high school students take a final exam in each of their core academic classes. Final exam week occurs after the end of trimester three in mid-June. Students take two exams a day and have the opportunity to receive tutoring and extra help from teachers during study halls and review sessions. The final exam counts as 1/7 of the final course grade.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 32 ACADEMIC MONITORING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
We believe in the achievement of every student and have built an academic monitoring system to help ensure that all students are working towards that success while at the Academy of the Pacific Rim. Yet, we can only go so far on our own. With frequent, specific feedback from us, we hope to enable you to work with us to help your student succeed.
Progress Reports Families of high school students will receive a progress report in all classes every two weeks, on alternating Mondays, from the school outlining their student’s progress. We strongly encourage you to use the information contained in the progress reports to reinforce at home what we have identified students need to work on here at the Academy. We also suggest that you keep a binder at home with your student’s progress reports and journals. In addition, teachers meet frequently to assess student progress and discuss academic performance, participation, engagement, effort, ability to follow directions, and organization.
The Advisor/Advisee System in the High School The central principles underlying the Advisory Program at the high school are to provide academic and personal support for individual students and to create a small community that stays together throughout their high school years. The advisory groups are same-grade, allowing us to provide targeted programming and curriculum to students based on their needs and the focus of their grade. The advisor’s role includes advocating for the student in the school, acting as the school’s liaison to the student’s family and supporting the student in his or her academics and college search. Issues dealt with in advisory groups will include current events and character education, college visits, academic support, community service, school presentations and structured character-based discussions about issues of concern with the students.
Revised Work and Late Work To help students develop independence and initiative as they progress through high school toward college, students in the 9 th and 10 th grades may revise major assessments within one week of the date on which they receive the assessment back. Students will receive full credit for revised work. In 11th and 12 th grades, the revision process will be built into assignments; students may not revise any work once it has been submitted. Late work is not accepted in any grade.
Student Initiative and Responsibility To encourage high school students to develop initiative and take responsibility for their own learning, there are several ways for them to monitor their own academic progress and get help when they need it. Teachers are available to help students in small groups and individually during and after school hours. Students may request to join a formal tutoring group, or make appointments with teachers during Office Hours. College is not far away for high school students, and we believe that they must learn habits of life long learners.
Special Education The Academy of the Pacific Rim provides a full range of academic support and special education services to students who are in need of such assistance. If your student is having persistent difficulty with school work, you may wish to consider making a referral for a special education evaluation. This referral may result in provisions being made for your student, including tutoring or other services. A
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 33 referral for a special education evaluation should be made when a student is not progressing effectively in regular education and there is reason to believe that the situation is caused by disability . A special education evaluation can result in the writing and implementation of an Individualized Educational Program (IEP). This document outlines the most effective strategies and services for meeting your student’s needs and provides legal support to ensure that your child receives such assistance. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71B require appropriate services to be administered in the “least restrictive environment.”
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 34
BEYOND ACADEMICS
Academics come first at the Academy of the Pacific Rim. As a small institution focused on rigorous academics and character development, the Academy cannot offer all the enrichment opportunities that our students want to pursue. We also recognize that extracurricular learning opportunities contribute to student growth as well as make them stronger applicants to college. By demonstrating academic proficiency and personal responsibility, however, students may earn the opportunity to develop extracurricular interests in the following ways.
Extracurricular Requirements: All high school students are required to participate in extracurriculars throughout their high school years at the Academy. Through extracurriculars, students develop skills, talents, and leadership potential that serves them well in their college applications and more importantly, in their college careers. Students must earn a certain number of extracurricular credits in order to graduate. Credits may be earned through on-campus or off-campus extracurricular activities.
Credit Conversion
Meetings/Week Credits/Trimester 1 on campus 1 2 on campus 2 3 or more on campus 3 Off Campus Enrichment 4 APR Drama Production 4 Varsity Athletic Teams 4 Any leadership role held 1 additional credit
Students must attend 90% or more of sessions in order to earn credit . Students who are unable to attend sessions due to detention will still be counted as absent. Students participating in off-campus activities must submit documented proof of attendance.
For the 2009-2010 school year, credit requirements are as follows.
Grade Level Credits Required 9 18 over 4 years, starting 09-10 10 18 over 4 years, starting 08-09 11 18 over 4 years, starting 07-08 12 14 over 3 years, starting 07-08
Off-campus activities must be approved. Beginning the second trimester of 9 th grade, Academy students who meet certain academic criteria can design an internship or other experiential learning opportunity that takes place off-campus during school hours three days a week. Students must write a proposal for this activity. Some past student internships include working at Bikes Not Bombs, pursuing musical studies at Berkeley College of Music, and serving on the teen council of the Institute of Contemporary Art.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 35 Athletics: The Academy offers coed, interscholastic soccer and track in the fall, boys and girls basketball, and cheerleading, in the winter and volleyball in the spring. Several high school students have also earned the opportunity to play in the MetroLacrosse program with other public school students in Boston. A student may lose the privilege of athletic participation if he or she is in poor academic standing, has failed to maintain the behavioral expectations of the Academy, or at the discretion of the High School Principal.
Pacific Rim Enrichment Program (PREP): PREP allows students in grades 9 through 12 to pursue 75 hours of career or talent-focused enrichment work during the last month of the school year. This summer’s PREP projects included travel to three continents and a variety of internships with local for-profit, not-for-profit, governmental and educational institutions. Students return to the Academy in the fall and present their work for a grade to a jury of adults and their peers. PREP is mandatory for all students. Students will complete three PREP experiences in high school (one each summer after the 9 th , 10 th and 11 th grades). Students will be evaluated on their PREP work through their application, a written paper or journal, their presentation, and their supervisor evaluation. Students will earn 1 PREP credit for every PREP they complete satisfactorily, based on our rubrics for the above components. Students must earn three PREP credits in order to graduate from the Academy. If a student fails PREP one summer, s/he will have to complete multiple PREPs in a subsequent summer or the equivalent in an off-campus enrichment program during the school year.
China Exchange Program : In line with our Asian focus, we have developed a student exchange program with our sister school, Beijing #80. Each year, 10-15 students are selected to visit China. In 2009, sixteen students and three faculty members spent two weeks in Beijing during the month of April. Our annual exchange will include Chinese students and faculty members spending two weeks with Academy families in the US. 2009-20010 also marks the second year of our Trimester Exchange, in which three or four students are selected through an application process to spend all of the first trimester in Beijing, where they will take classes at Beijing #80. Students will live in the international dorms during the week and with host families during the weekends. Students will then host their exchange partner in their homes during the winter. To be eligible to apply for the Trimester Exchange, students must have first successfully completed our two-week exchange in a previous year.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 36 COLLEGE PLACEMENT PROGRAM
“College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.” Frank Sachs, College Counselor, Blake School, Minnesota
Philosophy The Academy’s College Placement Program is guided by three principles:
• The best school a student can get into is the school where that student will be the most successful and the happiest.
• Honest communication between the college counselor, students, and parents is the key to a positive experience.
• The student/applicant is not only expected to be an active participant in this process, but also the person with primary responsibility for the college search and application process. We have tremendous resources and expertise to support the search and application process, but APR will play a supporting, not an initiating, role in the process. Primary support will come from the college counselor and the applicant’s advisor.
Components of APR’s College Placement Program
APR Luncheon for College Admissions Officers The Academy hosts an annual luncheon for college admissions officers. The event has been a great success in the past with over 50 college representatives visiting APR from six different states. The luncheon is an opportunity for our students to get to know colleges and for colleges to get to know our students.
College Placement Class for Juniors and Seniors Juniors and seniors separately attend a weekly college placement class during which time they rehearse the application process, receive help with their applications, or hear from guest speakers. This course will also be supplemented with activities and lessons during the Advisory period.
High School Recommendation and Information Packet As part of the admissions process, APR sends a packet of information to each college a student has applied to. The packet includes a three-page profile of the school, a secondary school report form, a recommendation in support of the applicant, a copy of the student’s transcript with high school grades including first trimester grades of senior year and flattering articles on the school. The recommendation is compiled and written by the college counselor with input from APR faculty and staff – especially APR faculty and staff whom the student/applicant has identified as knowing him or her best.
Teacher Recommendations Most colleges require two recommendations from teachers (of different subjects) as part of the application process. At APR students must fill out an official “Request for Recommendation” form and give it to the teachers from whom they request recommendations. Teachers will tell students if they do not feel comfortable writing a recommendation by explaining that they think another person may be able to do a better job. The College Placement office sends the recommendations to the school directly as a part of the school’s support package for each applicant.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 37
College Nights Each year the college placement program will schedule one college night with the students and families of the junior and senior classes. Topics include admissions committee simulations, financial aid workshops, and assistance in filling out financial aid forms. APR is always looking for input from families regarding topics for these college nights.
College Visits APR will try to schedule as many trips as possible to visit colleges and college fairs. Each end-of-year trip includes at least one college campus visit, and most include two. We strongly encourage students and families to take an active role in visiting colleges on their own.
Fee Waivers The college placement office can help a student obtain fee waivers to cover the cost of standardized test registration and application fees for any family for whom these costs represent a financial burden. The college placement program keeps all of these requests confidential.
Test Scores Standardized testing (SAT’s and ACT’s) is an important factor in admission decisions at most selective colleges and universities. A few schools have downplayed the importance of scores, and some have eliminated test requirements entirely, but those institutions are still in the minority. At most colleges, standardized testing still matters. APR will help students understand testing requirements AND help students keep testing in perspective. Students’ academic achievements and extracurricular activities are more important than test scores, both in terms of acquiring a first-rate education and in terms of enhancing their chances for admission to selective institutions. Official score reports must be sent from ETS (Educational Testing Service) to each college. Sending official SAT or ACT scores is the student’s responsibility . This is critical because applications will not be considered complete until colleges receive official score reports and delays can often affect a student’s chances for admission, eligibility for financial aid, or even eligibility for housing.
Developing a College List This list will take into account what a student is looking for in a school. This may include size, location, quality of particular academic or extracurricular programs, etc. Students will be encouraged to apply to a range of schools with varying degrees of selectivity, sometimes referred to as schools that fall into the categories of “reach,” “possible,” and “likely.” And as described in another school’s (with a longer history of college placement) handbook, “Most students have little difficulty identifying ‘reach’ schools that they see as ideal matches for their needs. However, identifying schools for the ‘possible’ and ‘likely’ categories sometimes requires more thorough investigation Over the years, we have learned that our most disappointed students and families have simply not spent sufficient time and energy on this part of their list. Developing a well-balanced and informed list of colleges is the key to a successful process and a satisfactory outcome.”
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 38 READY TO LEARN AND SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Being prepared for class with the necessary supplies is an important component of being ready to learn and on the Road to College. If students do not have pens, pencils, or paper, they may ask to borrow supplies from other students before class begins. Students without the required materials will earn demerits.
Required A binder for each class (5) Set of dividers for each binder (5) Supply of pencils and pens (two of each should be in hand each day) Supply of 8 ½-by-11 inch loose leaf white notebook paper (about 200 sheets, placed in binder) and supply of graph paper Highlighter
Required in some classes (see course syllabus for each class) Compass Protractor Metric ruler Graphing Calculator
Provided by the Academy Student Planner, Workbooks and most textbooks (please note that students are responsible for their textbooks; any books not returned in good condition at the end of year must be paid for in order for students to receive transcripts and any future textbooks. Also, books for the 11 th /12 th grade English seminars must be purchased by each student, so that they may make notes in their books as they would in college. The cost is $20/trimester, or $10/trimester for students who qualify to receive free or reduced lunch) Readings, handouts, assignment sheets
Study Environment In order for students to continue their school work, we believe that it is extremely important for them to have a study area set aside at home. This area should be quiet and free from distractions, such as televisions and radios. It should have ample light and a desk area for books and supplies.
All Papers Should : Name Date Have a heading. Subj.-Grade Have a title. Title of Assignment Be neat, and typed when required. Be turned in when asked by a teacher.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 39 Sample High School Schedule
High School Schedule 09-10 (Monday)
Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
7:30-7:55 Greeting and Breakfast
8:00-8:05 Attendance and Uniform Check in First Period Class
Mandarin English 11/12 History 9A Physics 9B Biology 10A 10B Math 11C History 12C English A Block D Howland Bryant Meyer Yan Lisak Blaine 11/12D Nardi 8:05-9:05 Trivers Rm 8 Rm 6 Sci Lab (Ricci) Rm 5 Rm 1 Rm 3 Rm 7 Rm 4
Mandarin English 9C Mandarin 9D English 10C History 10D 11C Math 11D Physics 12A Statistics 12B B Block Trivers (Ricci) Nardi Blaine Yan Lisak Bryant Ampadu 9:08-10:08 Rm 7 Rm 8 Rm 3 Rm 1 (Morrissey) Rm 5 Rm 6 Rm 2 Rm 4
Chemistry Computer Math 9D History 10C English 10D History 11A Calculus 12A C Block Mandarin 9C 11B Science 12B Lisak Blaine Nardi Howland Ampadu 10:11-11:11 Rm 4 Meyer Bryant Rm 5 Rm 1 Rm 3 Rm 8 Rm 2 Sci Lab Rm 6
11:14-11:44 Advisory
11:44-12:23 Lunch/ Break
Mandarin English 11/12 Mandarin Physics 9A History 9B Math 10A Biology 10B 11D English D Block C 12D Bryant Howland Ampadu Meyer Yan 11/12C Nardi 12:26-1:26 Trivers Li Rm 6 Rm 8 Rm 2 Sci Lab (Morrissey) Rm 3 Rm 7 Rm 1 Rm 4
Mandarin Chemistry History AP Math 9C English 9D Mandarin Math 10B 12C History 12D E Block 11A 11B Lisak Trivers 10A Yan Ampadu Li Blaine 1:29-2:29 Meyer Howland Rm Rm 5 Rm 7 Rm 4 Rm 2 (Morrissey) Rm 1 Sci Lab 8 Rm 6
2:30 dismissal
Office hours/Tutoring 2:33-3:40 All Teachers
3:45-5:00 Detention/Extracurriculars
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 40 Description of Schedule
Advisory: Each student is assigned to an advisory of ten to fourteen students and one teacher. The advisory program is designed to provide academic and personal support for individual students.
Academic Classes: A student’s core classes – English, math, science, history and Chinese are rigorous and college- preparatory.
SSR: Students will read silently for a thirty-minute period.
Lunch: Students may bring a lunch from home or buy their lunch from the Academy.
Tutoring/Study Hall: Structured tutoring groups will meet one to three times per a week and will provide students time for extra help from teachers.
Extracurriculars: Extracurricular programs occur during lunch or on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons beginning at 3:45. See “Beyond Academics” section for complete explanations of each program.
Office Hours: Students who are not required to attend tutoring may choose to go to office hours with any teacher Mondays, Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 2:30-3:00. Students should attend Office Hours if they need additional help and support, or if they have been absent and need to make up work and assessments.
Detention : Students who have earned detention will serve detention from 3:45-4:30 Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 2:30-3:10 on Fridays. In detention, students may not do any homework. They will either sit silently, complete a reflection assignment, or perform community service.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 41
DISCIPLINE CODE The Academy of the Pacific Rim strives to create an environment focused on learning and student growth. The Academy’s system of consequences is designed to cultivate a respectful, serious academic atmosphere. Students are expected to hold themselves to high standards for behavior. We believe that paying attention to the little things builds strong habits in young people and discipline code is designed to help students take responsibility for their behavior. Consequences will be administered for behavior that is unproductive or counter-productive, such as minor disruptions of class learning, uniform violations, and gum. More serious consequences will be administered for behaviors including, but not limited to the following:
• Disrespect, defiance and/or disruptions of learning . The Academy will not tolerate disrespectful behavior towards staff, guests, or other students. Behaviors that prevent other members of the Academy from pursuing their education (such as repeated talking or deliberately distracting other students during class) are considered disruptions of learning.
• Cheating and/or plagiarism . Cheating and plagiarism represent breaches of community integrity and trust. The Academy defines cheating as conversing with another student during a graded assessment, copying or attempting to copy the work of another student, or using/attempting to use materials other than those allowed during an assessment. The Academy also considers the act of giving answers or one’s work to another student as cheating. Plagiarism is defined as representing the work of another as one’s own.
• Safety Violation. This includes pushing, fighting, threatening or other violent behavior. Being in an unsupervised location is also a safety violation.
• Integrity Violation. This includes telling a lie, misrepresenting, or compromising their integrity in any way.
• Unprofessional contact . This includes any forms of touching, groping, or other displays of affection.
• Attendance violations . Students are required to attend all scheduled classes and events, on time. The Academy has a closed campus. Students should not go beyond the specified limits of the school grounds without an approved chaperone or the express permission of a faculty member. Students who are not present in school may not attend school-sponsored activities after school on that day.
• Property violations . The theft, destruction, or defacement of school or private property constitutes violations of state law and jeopardizes the integrity of the school community.
• Inappropriate behavior on the MBTA . Students represent the Academy when riding the MBTA. They must not engage in any disruptive and/or dangerous behavior on the MBTA or while waiting at stops.
• Bullying. The Academy strictly prohibits bullying. While bullying can occur with a single incident, it generally involves a pattern of conduct over time by which a student is “picked on.” Bullying may include conduct such as physical intimidation or assault; oral or written threats; teasing; putdowns; name-calling; stalking; threatening looks, gestures, or actions; cruel rumors; false accusations; and social isolation. It may also involve extortion, by which a student is intimidated into taking an action against his/her will.
• Alcohol, controlled substances, and tobacco . The sale, transfer, use, or possession of alcohol and controlled substances at school or school-related functions is prohibited. Presence at school or school related events while under the influence or emitting the odor of alcohol or
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 42 controlled substances is also prohibited. Smoking or other possession or use of tobacco on school grounds is prohibited.
• Weapons . The possession of a dangerous weapon at school or school-related event, including but not limited to a gun or a knife, is prohibited.
Student Responsibility We all share the responsibility for a safe, positive learning environment. Students who have knowledge about serious disciplinary infractions or potential serious disciplinary infractions must contact a teacher or administrator. These infractions include, but are not limited to, cheating, property violations, harassment, acts or threats of violence or aggression, alcohol, controlled substances or tobacco, and weapons. Failure to contact a teacher or administrator may result in disciplinary action.
Discipline Committee We believe that high school students are mature enough to participate in the discipline process at some level. Students who are elected to student government will be part of a discipline committee, in conjunction with the Dean of Students. When a student commits a multi-day suspendable offense, the Dean will suspend that student and contact their family. The student will come in the next day at 9:15am for a meeting with the committee, to present his or her account of the incident. The committee will determine the length of the suspension and any additional consequences, and the Dean will then contact the family to inform them as to the length of the suspension and any additional consequences. Upon reentry to school, the student, with his or her advisor present, will meet with a member of the committee to hear an explanation of why the committee reached its decision.
Demerits When a student commits a specific minor infraction, s/he will receive a demerit. Demerits serve to remind students of the expectations, and give students an opportunity to correct their behavior.
After eight demerits for freshman and sophomores, and four demerits for juniors and seniors, students will receive a Saturday detention. The Dean of Students will make every effort to contact the student’s families to let them know of the detention; however, if we are unable to reach you, we will still expect the student to serve the detention. Therefore, families should please make sure we have current contact information at all times. If a student earns two Saturday detentions in one month, a family conference with the Dean of Students is required, and the school reserves the right to issue further consequences at that conference.
At the end of each month, demerits will be “wiped clean”.
Office Visits and Removal from Class Any student whose behavior disrupts the learning environment and endangers another student’s education will be asked to leave class at the discretion of the teacher. This means that the student must report immediately to the Dean of Students and remain in the office until it is clear that the disruptions will cease. Suspension from class will require a student to reflect upon and learn from his or her behavior in writing. Detention or other consequences may be assigned. Parent conferences may also be necessary.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 43 Internal Suspension In the high school, internal suspensions are rare, because we believe that by the time a student is in high school, he or she should have internalized our expectations, and should be able to meet a high level of behavioral expectations. Students committing serious infractions of the discipline policy will usually be suspended externally. In some cases, however, the Dean will issue an internal suspension. An internal suspension will result in the loss of all social and academic privileges for the student in question. A student who receives an in-school suspension will remain in the building and will continue to have access to the curriculum but will be isolated from classmates and peers. An in-school suspension may also be accompanied by after school duties. The Dean of Students will determine the length of an in-school suspension, up to ten school days. The Dean has the option of reducing the length of an in-school suspension based upon a meeting with the student and parent or guardian and the student’s demonstration of the commitment necessary to follow the Academy of the Pacific Rim rules and expectations. A student on in-school suspension who continues not to follow Academy rules and expectations will be subject to out-of-school suspension.
External Suspension An external suspension will result in the immediate removal from school of the student in question. If the family cannot pick up the student, other transportation arrangements must be made. Unless otherwise stated, the final determination of the length of any out-of-school suspension of up to ten days will rest with the Dean of Students. The Dean will provide an opportunity for a family meeting as quickly as possible after the student’s removal.
Long term suspensions (more than ten days) may be imposed by the Principal for serious or repeated infractions.
Further details on suspension procedures follow under Procedural Due Process.
A student suspended from school will not be allowed on school grounds or at school-related functions without the written permission of the Dean of Students or the Principal.
Expulsion
An expulsion is a permanent removal from school. An expulsion will result in the immediate and permanent removal from school of the student in question. A student who has been expelled will not be allowed on school grounds or at school-related functions. Further details on expulsion procedures follow under Procedural Due Process.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 44
Cell Phone and Electronics Policy The Academy strictly forbids the use of cell phones and other electronics during the school day. Students may keep their cell phone with them but the phones cannot be visible and must be turned off ! They cannot be on silent or vibrate. Students may use cell phone before 7:55AM and after dismissal, only outside of the building, or in the Great Room after dismissal . Students violating any of these rules will receive a demerit and have their cell phone confiscated. The Academy is not responsible for the loss or theft of cell phones or any electronics at any time, including when confiscated.
Consequences and return of cell phones and electronics are as follows:
1st offense: Phone/electronic confiscated and returned at the end of the day
2nd offense: Phone/electronic confiscated and returned in seven days
3rd offense: Phone/electronic confiscated and returned in no less than 15 days, only to a parent or guardian.
After three offenses, the school will confiscate the cell phone or electronic for the remainder of the school year, and will return it to a parent or guardian on the last day of school in June. The student will also be issued additional consequences.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 45 Sample Infractions and Guidelines for Consequences Consequence Behavior Demerits • Disrupting class • Gum/ Eating • Uniform Violation • Not Ready to Learn (tardy or unprepared for class) N Removal from • Multiple demerits in one class class • Disrespect • Inappropriate reaction to a demerit
Weekday • Office Visits Detention • Tardy to School
Saturday • Violation of closed campus Detention • 8 demerits (9 th and 10 th grade); 4 demerits (11 th and 12 th grade) • Skipping school, class, tutoring or weekday detention • Chronic Tardiness (5 or more)
Internal or • Severe disrespect or defiance External • Fighting or threatening behavior suspension • Presence while under the influence or emitting the odor of a controlled substance or alcohol • Theft • Destruction of property • Harassment or bullying • Cheating or plagiarism • Gambling • Violation of behavioral contract (if applicable) • Disruptive or dangerous behavior on school bus • Safety/health violation • 30 demerits in one trimester • Chronic Tardiness (15 or more)
Expulsion • Use or possession of weapon • Possession, sale or transfer of controlled substances or alcohol • Assault • Commission of a felony (off or on school grounds)
The above are guidelines. Repeated or particularly serious incidents may result in increased penalties. Please contact the high school dean or the principal with any questions or concerns.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 46 Student Searches
The Academy of the Pacific Rim reserves the right to conduct searches of students and their property, including but not limited to backpacks, when there is a reasonable basis for believing that the search will provide evidence of a violation of school rules or of state or federal law. Except in an emergency, searches will take place in the presence of a school administrator and at least one other staff member. The parent(s) or guardian of a searched student will be notified as soon as possible to inform them that a search has occurred. If a student refuses to cooperate with a request to search a backpack or other property, the school will confiscate the property in question. School lockers and desks, which are assigned to students for their use, remain the property of the Academy and students should, therefore, have no expectation of privacy in these areas. Such areas are subject to searches by school officials at any time.
PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS
Suspension and Expulsion Procedures
Short Term Suspensions Unless a student presents a danger or risk of substantial disruption to the educational process, the student shall receive the following prior to suspension of one to ten days: oral or written notice of the charges; if the student denies the charges, an oral or written explanation of the evidence against him/her; and an opportunity to present his/her version of the relevant facts. In the case of danger or a risk of substantial disruption, this process will occur as soon as practicable after, rather than before, the suspension.
Long-Term Suspensions or Expulsion Prior to expulsion or suspension longer than ten days, the student and family shall receive: written notice of the charges and of the time and place for hearing; an opportunity to review the student’s records; adequate time to prepare for the hearing; the right to be represented by a lawyer at the hearing (at the student’s/family’s expense); the right to present witnesses and to cross examine witnesses presented by the school at the hearing; and a reasonably prompt, written decision including specific grounds and controlling facts for the decision. In the event the student is expelled but will be permitted to apply for readmission, the permitted date of application will be stated. The Academy will record the hearing and a copy of such will be made available to the student upon request. Notices and proceedings will be translated into the student’s/parent’s primary language if necessary for their understanding of the proceedings.
The Role of the Principal and Director in Long-Term Suspension or Expulsion The Principal is vested with the authority to suspend students on a long-term basis after following appropriate due process for any violation of this Handbook. In addition, the Principal has the authority to suspend or expel students in the following three circumstances which occur on school property or at a school-related event: student possession of a dangerous weapon; student possession of controlled substance; student assault of educational personnel. In addition, the Principal may suspend/expel a student who is charged with/convicted of a felony, whether or not the conduct occurs on school property, if the Principal determines that the student’s presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the welfare of the school. All decisions by the Principal regarding long-term suspension or expulsion are subject to review by the Director. The Director’s decision is the final decision of the Academy. (See Mass. Gen. Laws, c. 71, §37H and Mass. Gen. Laws, c. 71, §37H1/2)
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 47
The Role of the Board of Trustees in Expulsion Expulsion for all matters except for the four listed above, must involve the Board of Trustees. Upon receipt of the recommendation of the Principal for expulsion of a student, the Board of Trustees will hold a hearing to consider the matter (as provided for in M.G.L. c. 76). The following procedures will apply: • the Principal may commence an expulsion proceeding before the Trustees by providing them with notice of the reasons for the proposed expulsion; • prior to any decision by the Trustees to expel a student, the student will be provided with the procedures set forth above under “Long-term Suspensions or Expulsion”; • hearings to consider the expulsion of a student will be held in executive session unless the student or parent requests an open hearing;
Students with Special Needs All students are expected to follow the Academy’s Discipline Policy, unless otherwise determined by the Team and written in the student’s IEP. Federal and state law provide certain procedural rights and protections relating to discipline of students who have been identified under such laws as having special needs based upon a disability. The following information summarizes these rights and protections; they are also fully described in the Notice of Procedural Safeguards that you receive with your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Students with disabilities may be disciplined in the same manner as non-disabled peers for up to 10 school days in the same school year, as long as the removal does not constitute a change in placement. However, in some circumstances IDEA 2004 allows for a change of placement regardless of whether the behavior is a manifestation of the child’s disability. Specifically, if a student with a disability possesses, uses, sells, or solicits illegal drugs on a school grounds or at a school event; carries a weapon to school or a school function; or inflicts serious bodily injury upon another person at school or a school-sponsored event, the Academy may place the student in an interim alternative education setting for up to 45 school days.
If suspension of a student with a disability will constitute a change of placement (when a student is removed for more than 10 consecutive school days or for more than a total of 10 days in any school year when a pattern of removal is occurring), certain procedural protections under federal special education law apply.
The Academy will convene a Team meeting of all relevant members, including parents, to review the IEP and determine if the behavior is a manifestation of the student’s disability. As with all Team meetings, parents shall receive written invitation to the manifestation determination team meeting. In making this determination, the Team will review all relevant information including evaluations, observational information, and the student’s IEP and placement. If the Team determines the misconduct is not a manifestation of the child’s disability, the disciplinary process may proceed, and the student is subject to the same disciplinary proceedings as a non-disabled peer, except that for any period of removal for more than 10 days, the Academy will provide special education services to allow the child to continue to make educational progress.
If the Team determines that the misconduct was related to the student’s disability (i.e. if the conduct was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to the child’s disability, or was a direct result of the Academy’s failure to fully implement the IEP), the student may not be expelled or suspended for more than 10 school days. The Team may, however, take steps to correct the IEP, the placement, or the behavior plan.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 48
In all cases involving a change in placement that occurs as a result of a disciplinary procedure, the Academy will perform a Functional Behavioral Assessment. The Team will assess the student’s behavior and develop a plan to address the problematic behavior.
If parents or guardians do not agree to a change in placement or with the manifestation determination, they may request a hearing at the Bureau of Special Education Appeals.
Mass. Gen. Laws, Chapter 71 Section 37H – Controlled Substances, Dangerous Weapons and Assaults on Education Personnel a) Any student who is found on school premises or at school-sponsored or school-related events, including athletic games, in possession of a dangerous weapon, including, but not limited to, a gun or a knife; or a controlled substance as defined in chapter ninety-four C, including but not limited to, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, may be subject to expulsion from the school or school district by the principal. b) Any student who assaults a principal, assistant principal, teacher, teacher’s aide or other educational staff on school premises or at school-sponsored or school-related events, including athletic games, may be subject to expulsion from the school or school district by the principal. c) Any student who is charged with a violation of either paragraph (a) or (b) shall be notified in writing of an opportunity for a hearing; provided, however, that the student may have representation, along with the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses at said hearing before the principal. After said hearing, a principal may, in his discretion, decide to suspend rather than expel a student who has been determined by the principal to have violated either paragraph (a) or (b). d) Any student who has been expelled from a school district pursuant to these provisions shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent. The expelled student shall have ten days from the date of the expulsion in which to notify the Superintendent of his appeal. The student has the right to counsel at a hearing before the Superintendent. The subject matter of the appeal shall not be limited solely to a factual determination of whether the student has violated any provisions of this section. e) When a student is expelled under the provisions of this section, no school or school district within the Commonwealth shall be required to admit such student or to provide educational services to said student. If said student does apply for admission to another school or school district, the Superintendent of the school district to which the application is made may request and shall receive from the Superintendent of the school expelling said student a written statement of the reasons for said expulsion.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 49 UNIFORM Clothing worn by students at the Academy of the Pacific Rim should emphasize the fact that the school is both a community and a place of work. Students should dress in a way that expresses their membership in the community and that suits the standards of a workplace. Their attire should be neat and tidy and should conform to the Academy’s uniform at all times. Students must arrive at and depart from the Academy in uniform, with the exception of footwear.
The Academy of the Pacific Rim’s uniform for high school students consists of:
Shirts • Clean blue, black, gray, brown, maroon or white oxford, turtleneck or polo shirt • Official APR polo shirt • Must be tucked in and buttoned at all times (only top 2 buttons may be undone for girls, and top one button for boys, and shirts must be long enough to tuck in fully) Pants • Khaki or black pants • Khaki or black skirts (within one inch of the knee or longer) • Khaki or black shorts in weather of 75 degrees or higher Sweaters/Vests • Solid black, gray, blue, brown, maroon or white sweater or vest • No excessive fringe or trim Belts • Must be worn through any and all belt loops at all times • Buckles may not exceed 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches Socks/Tights/Leggings • Must be black, white, gray, brown, maroon or black • May not have excessive patterns or trim Shoes • Solid black or brown shoes • Soles must be the same color as the shoe • Sandals only in weather of 75 degrees or higher; must cover majority of the foot Sneakers • May be worn outside the building only during break or athletic extracurriculars
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 50 The student uniform at the Academy of the Pacific Rim specifically forbids the wearing of:
• Jeans • Logos larger than 1 inch by 1 inch; writing of any kind other than labels of this size • Sneakers (except when outside during break, or during athletic extracurriculars) • Flip-flops • Heels and soles that exceed 2 inches in height; stiletto-style heels • Hats/Caps • Bandanas • Nightwraps/Do-rags • Jackets • Sweatshirts • Waffle shirts • Beepers • Walkmen • Cell phones • Electronic game systems • Ipods • Electronic accessories, including cell phone cases • Clothing tied around neck or waist • Tight or revealing clothing • Miniskirts • Low-riding or baggy pants • Excessive or flashy jewelry
For safety, uniform and facilities reasons, students must keep bookbags in their lockers during the entire day.
No student will be admitted to class until his attire meets the requirements listed above. The Dean of Students should be consulted if there are any questions about whether a particular item of clothing meets the requirements of the above policy. Further, the Principal, the Dean of Students, and the faculty reserve the right to restrict individual items of clothing as necessary, given notification of a parent or guardian, if such clothing interferes with normal school activities.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 51 SchoolSchool----WideWide Expectations and Policies
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT AT THE ACADEMY Family support is one of the pillars of the Academy program; you are a true partner in your student’s experience. The Academy will need your help and commitment both within the school and outside of the school. In the school, we ask that you participate in volunteer opportunities such as chaperoning field trips, helping plan a school event such as the multicultural potluck dinner/dance or career day and helping with other Academy events. We ask that all parents give ten hours per year to such events. Outside of school, we expect that you will be in constant communication with us about your student’s progress and monitor his or her work at home.
Communication Families are encouraged to call or e-mail any teachers or staff when questions or concerns arise. Please see the contact information on page 51.
Weekly Journal In addition to the progress report, a journal is sent home with each student every other week (on Mondays in the high school and on Wednesdays in the middle school) outlining major events that have gone on at the school. It also contains information about student achievement and reminders to parents of upcoming events. Parents/Guardians MUST sign the Reply Form every other week to indicate that they have read the journal and have seen their student’s progress report. The Reply Form also provides space for comments or questions for teachers and/or advisors.
Parent Council The Academy has an active Parent Council, which parents and guardians of all Academy students are encouraged to join. The Parent Council meets monthly, on the third Wednesday of the month. The Parent Council organizes and carries out fundraisers for end-of-year trips and scholarships, and plans and runs annual events, such as the Junefest celebration and the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast.
Ways to Contribute We ask that all families contribute ten hours per year to the Academy in a volunteer capacity. There are several ways that families can contribute this time: • Chaperone field trips
• Help coach an athletic team
• Volunteer to answer phones
• Assist in sending mailings
• Volunteer to supervise lunch
• Volunteer to supervise outside recreation in the afternoon
• Volunteer at event days, such as Multicultural Potluck or Junefest
• Volunteer for community service days of painting, landscaping, and other tasks
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 52 ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance Requirements Attendance is crucial to your student’s success at the Academy. He or she cannot master the content and skills of our rigorous academic program without being here every day. To that end, we have very clear attendance requirements. Students MUST bring in a note after each day they are absent. The note must include:
The date of the absence
The reason for the absence
A phone number where a parent or guardian can be reached
The parent/guardian signature
Excused and Unexcused Absences We realize that there are times when students will not be in school, but the Academy strongly believes that your student’s education should be his or her priority. The Academy will only count as excused the following reasons for absence from school:
A note from a doctor explaining an illness or injury that prevents the student from attending school
A death in the immediate family or other significant family crisis
Religious holidays
Suspension from school
All other absences will be unexcused.
Per Massachusetts truancy law, students who have more than seven whole-day or fourteen half-day absences (excused or unexcused) during any six-month period may be referred to the proper authorities for further investigation.
Additionally, students who have more than ten absences in the academic year, excused or unexcused, may be subject to retention in their current grade, per Massaschusetts state law, regardless of their averages in their academic courses.
Advisors will contact families of students with attendance issues. After three unexcused absences the advisor will remind the student and the family of the Academy’s attendance policy in a phone call. After six unexcused absences, the advisor will arrange a meeting with the family and the student to address the situation and help develop a plan of action to ensure the student’s attendance at school.
Leaving School Early For a student to leave school before the end of the regularly scheduled day, he or she must be picked up and signed out by a parent or guardian in the Academy’s main office. Notes and phone calls will not be accepted.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 53
TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET POLICY The Academy strives to use technology as an educational tool. Students have access to a computer lab with full internet access as well as educational applications such as Geometer’s Sketchpad and Mandarin programs. Everyone in the Academy community is expected to use technology, and specifically the internet, ONLY for educational purposes. Student use of computers and the internet will be under the supervision of Academy staff.
Acceptable Use of Technology Unacceptable Use of Technology • Research for school assignment • Revealing personal information • Word processing or database about self or others software for a school assignment • Accessing material that is • Educational application defamatory, pornographic, harassing or illegal • Violating copyright laws • Using the internet for any illegal activities • Tampering or altering the computer system • Personal Email • Instant Messaging/Internet Chat
Accessing other students’ files, as well as any directory that you have no rights to, and maliciously deleting them or altering them in anyway is a violation of this policy.
The following is a partial list of sites that are off limits. The list is not limited to these sites but they are being listed to clarify the fact that they have been deemed inappropriate due to the explicit material that is displayed on certain member pages:
• WWW.MYSPACE.COM • WWW.ASIANAVENUE.COM • WWW.BLACKPLANET.COM • WWW.HAITIANCONNECTION.COM
Along with these sites, personal email is not to be viewed on these machines. Instant Messaging, or “chatting” of any kind, is not to be conducted at anytime. This includes, but is not limited to, AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, Yahoo! Instant Messenger, and MSN Messenger Service.
Consequences If a student is caught viewing any inappropriate sites or violating these rules, their privilege to use the lab will be revoked for a minimum of two weeks and depending on the severity of the offense, further consequences may be administered. Before regaining privileges, the student and family will meet with the middle or high school deans.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 54 DISCRIMINATION POLICIES In accordance with M.G.L. c. 76 s. 5, the Academy does not discriminate in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its services, programs and activities, on the basis of race, color or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age. In addition, no person shall be discriminated against in admission to the Academy on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, special need, proficiency in the English language or prior academic achievement. Finally, no person shall be discriminated against in obtaining the advantages, privileges or access to the courses of study offered by the Academy on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or sexual orientation. Any student who feels he/she has been a victim of discrimination of any kind should discuss the issue immediately with a teacher or administrator. Brief descriptions of the Academy’s anti-discrimination policies are below. For a complete copy of any of these policies, contact René Dickhaut, MS Principal; Jenne Colasacco, HS Principal or Ed Gotgart, Director.
Nondiscrimination This policy states that the Academy is committed to a learning environment free of bigotry, intolerance and discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, disability or age.
Harassment This policy states that the school is committed to maintaining an environment free of harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability. Harassment by any member of the Academy community is strictly prohibited. This policy also includes a definition of sexual harassment and how to file a complaint.
Hazing This policy discusses the crime of hazing, which is any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. It also includes a discussion of a person’s legal obligation to report to law enforcement officials any knowledge of a person who is a victim of hazing.
Pregnant Students Pregnant students are permitted to remain in regular education classes and participate in extracurricular activities with non-pregnant students throughout their pregnancy, and after giving birth are permitted to return to the same academic and extracurricular program as before they leave.
Grievances of Discrimination The following grievance procedures for students are designed to facilitate a prompt review and an equitable resolution of grievances alleging discrimination or harassment based on race, color or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age. There will be no retaliation of any kind against a student for bringing up complaints under this procedure.
A. Students are encouraged, where possible, to attempt to resolve complaints regarding discrimination or harassment through discussion with their Dean of Students. B. If a resolution has not been reached through discussion, the student should present their complaint in writing to either the Middle or High School Principal. C. The Principal will investigate the complaint and respond in writing to the student and his/her family within 10 days of receiving the complaint. D. If the complaint cannot be resolved by the Principal, or if the complaint involves the Principal, the student may present the complaint to the Director. The Director will review any complaint
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 55 brought before him/her and respond in writing to the parties concerned within 10 days of receiving the complaint. The decisions of the Director are final. E. If the Academy determines that discrimination or harassment has occurred, we will take corrective action, including the possibility of expulsion or termination. If the Academy judges that there is not sufficient cause to believe that discrimination or harassment has occurred, the Principal or the Director will meet with the complaining student to resolve the complaint. If the complaining student is not satisfied with the Academy’s corrective action or the outcome of the investigation, the student may take the complaint to the Office for Civil Rights, John W. McCormack Building, Boston, MA or the Bureau of Equal Education Opportunity, Massachusetts Department of Education, 350 Main Street, Malden, MA.
The Academy has designated two people to coordinate our compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act: René Dickhaut, Middle School Principal 617 361-0050 x138 Jenne Colasacco, High School Principal 617 361-0050 x151
OTHER IMPORTANT POLICIES AND INFORMATION School Hours The Academy is open to students from 7:15am to 5:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday all high school students are dismissed at 2:30, and all middle school students are dismissed at 3:05. After 5:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and after 3:05pm on Wednesdays, we cannot provide any supervision for students (5 th and 6 th graders taking the bus will be supervised until 4:15pm on Wednesdays). It is imperative that you pick your child up on time each day.
School Cancellation In the event of inclement weather and snow days, the Academy will follow the Boston Public Schools. Please tune to local radio or television stations for updated information.
Visitors The Academy invites families and the public to visit our school. In order to ensure to ensure the safety of the learning environment, all visitors must report to the receptionist desk on the first floor and sign in. The Academy reserves the right to deny entry to anyone whose presence might endanger the safety of its students and staff or disrupt the learning environment. Please note that minors who do not attend the Academy, including siblings, relatives and friends of our students, cannot visit without an adult and the permission of the principal.
School Records Families and students aged 14 or older have the right to access and seek amendment to student records and the right to their confidentiality. An exception to confidentiality includes release of records to another school to which a student intends to transfer. In addition, the Academy may release some information without parent consent including a student’s name, grade, participation in school activities and honors and awards. If you do not want this information released without your consent, you must notify Jenne Colasacco, HS Principal or Rene’ Dickhaut, MS Principal before September 12th , 2008. Full copies of the student record regulations are available upon request.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 56 Health Records Students must have up to date immunization records and annual physical examinations in order to attend Massachusetts public schools. The Academy must have accurate documentation of this information from a physician. In addition, information about allergies or other medical conditions are important for us to have on file. Please contact our nurse, Marita Argant (x137), if you have questions.
Health and Sexuality Curriculum The Academy provides a series of health and sexuality classes for our students. The purpose of these workshops is to aid in creating an environment in which every student, faculty member and family is and feels safe and makes healthy decisions, thereby giving everyone the opportunity to attain the best possible education. The classes are part of the health and physical education curriculum, and will be taught by either by our physical education teacher, or by our on-site Get Real Community Educator from Planned Parenthood. These classes discuss abstinence, healthy decision- making, domestic violence, self-esteem, HIV/AIDS and sexuality, as well as nutrition, exercise, drug and alcohol use, and overall health and fitness.
The Academy will send a letter home with students to explain the specific curriculum offered. Families will also have an opportunity to meet with Academy administrators and the teacher of the course. While families do not have to give permission for their student to participate in the workshops, they do have the right to exempt their children from such class periods. To do this, simply write a letter to René Dickhaut, MS Principal or Jenne Colasacco, HS Principal.
Complaint Procedures If you have a complaint or concern about an issue, the most effective way to resolve it is to address the problem with the staff member. If a solution is not agreed upon, parents/guardians should contact René Dickhaut, MS Principal or Jenne Colasacco, HS Principal. If a solution is not reached then, the issue will be brought to Ed Gotgart, Executive Director. If all of these efforts have been exhausted, a parent or guardian may file a formal complaint with the Board of Trustees. The Board must send a written response within thirty days, and if the parent/guardian is still not satisfied, they may file with Commissioner of Education. A parent/guardian may file a complaint with DOE at any time if he/she believes that school has violated any federal or state law.
Inspections The Academy of the Pacific Rim was inspected for friable and non-friable asbestos containing materials in January, 2008 in response to the EPA Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (40CFR 763, AHERA, 1987). With the information obtained in the inspection of the school, the management plan was developed to manage the asbestos in the schools in a manner which protects human health and the environment. The inspection was performed and the Management Plan was developed by AHERA accredited and Massachusetts licensed personnel. The Management Plan is available for public inspection in the Business Office of the Academy. Copies of the Management Plan will be made available upon request for fees associated with reproduction. The Designated Person for Academy of the Pacific Rim is our Business Manager, Chris Collins. Mr. Collins can be reached at 617-361-0050 if you require further information.
This annual notification to the community is required of all schools and is to be posted annually in our student handbook each year.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 57 TRANSPORTATION
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School Student Transportation Policy Transportation for eligible APR students is provided by Boston Public Schools.
The school uses Boston Public Schools (BPS) buses for eligible middle school students in grades five and six. Eligible middle school students are those students who live 1½ miles or more away from the school.
School buses and vans will drop students off at the school between 7:30 and 7:45 in the morning, and will leave the school at 4:15 in the afternoon.
All questions, comments, or concerns regarding BPS transportation should be directed to the BPS Transportation Department at 617-635-9520.
It should be clear to all students and their families that a BPS bus is a form of school-sponsored transportation. Therefore, appropriate behavior as laid out in the Student Code of Conduct is expected at all times. After the first incident of inappropriate behavior aboard the bus, a student may receive a detention, a suspension, and/or the loss of bus privileges for one week. If a second incident occurs, a student may receive a detention, a suspension, and/or the loss of bus privileges for one month. Should a third incident occur, or if the first or second incident was sufficiently egregious, the student may lose bus privileges for the entire school year.
Students in grades 7-8 who live 1.5 miles or more from the school will receive a monthly MBTA pass. Students in grades 9-12 who live 2 miles or more from the school will receive a monthly MBTA pass. Students who are not eligible to receive a free pass may choose to purchase a monthly pass from the school for $20/month. Students and families must notify the school of their intention to purchase a pass at least 2 weeks before the month begins. Please be advised that we cannot replace lost passes. Students are responsible for their behavior at bus stops and while on MBTA vehicles. Students who violate our discipline policy while waiting for or using public transportation will be subject to the consequences outlined in our discipline policy.
We will also use the services of a crossing guard who will guide students across Neponset Valley Parkway before and after school.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 58 Directions Public Transportation MBTA • Take the Orange Line to Forest Hills and transfer to the #32 bus • The #32 drops you at the Readville Station of the commuter rail • From there it is a 10 minute walk to school Or • Take the Red Line (Ashmont train) to Ashmont Station • Transfer to the Mattapan extension shuttle and get off at Mattapan Station • Transfer to the #33 bus and take it to Neponset Valley Parkway, first stop • From there it is a 3 minute walk to school
Commuter Rail • Both the Attleboro/Stoughton and Fairmount Lines stop at the Readville Station • The times to choose from are limited; please call the MBTA for scheduling • From the Readville Station, it is a 10-15-minute walk to school • Approximate time from South Station to school is 20 minutes
By Car from south of Greater Boston • Take 95N to the 95/93 split. Take the 93N exit on the right. • After merging, stay to the right. Take exit 2B toward Milton (Route 138 North) • Proceed north through two lights. A ½ mile after the second light is Neponset Valley Parkway – go left • Neponset Valley curves; stay on it. In Wolcott Square, after Dunkin’ Donuts, go under bridge bearing right • Take the immediate first left onto East Milton Street (an overpass of the Readville train tracks) • Take a right at the stop sign; you are now back on Neponset Valley Parkway • The school is straight ahead in the large, brick Westinghouse Plaza complex • Once in parking lot, follow school signs and brick walkway to our entrance
By car from north of the Greater Boston Area: • Take 95S to 93S. Stay on 93, passing through Boston until exit 2B. Take exit 2B toward Milton (Route 138 North) • FROM THIS POINT FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ABOVE!
From downtown Boston: • Take Columbus Avenue south to its intersection with Washington Street • Bear right onto Washington and continue south to Forest Hills station (tall clock tower) • Pass under overpass; Washington then becomes Hyde Park Avenue • Travel on Hyde Park Avenue for approximately 10 minutes • Turn right at the intersection of Hyde Park Avenue and River Street (there’s a Papa Gino’s & Post Office) • Stay on River past playing fields and ponds • At “4 way” intersection (has no stop signs!), bear left onto Neponset Valley Parkway (not a sharp left!) • APR is ¼ mile down on your left
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 59
Cleary Square
Kelly Field
APR
1 Westinghouse Plaza River Street
Neponset Valley Parkway Hyde Park Avenue The 33 bus from Mattapan Square drops you off here
The Commuter Rail & 32 bus from Forest Hills both let you off here
Commuter Rail Commuter Rail (Fairmount (Attleboro/Stoughton Line) Line)
Readville Station
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 60
CONTACT INFORMATION To reach a faculty member by phone, dial (617) 361-0050 and enter the extension when you hear the greeting.
Teaching Faculty
Mr. Clement Ampadu – Math Teacher-10 th and 12 th grades [email protected] ext.119 Mr. Bill Blaine - History Teacher- 10 th and 12 th grades [email protected] ext. 147 Mr. Leonard Bryant - Physics Teacher-9th and 12 th grades [email protected] ext 140 Ms. Erin Dukeshire -Science Teacher-5th and 7 th grades [email protected] ext. 206 Mr. John Farranto -English Teacher-8th grade [email protected] ext. 145 Ms. Sarah Gilliam -Art Teacher [email protected] ext. 139 Ms. Lisa Glazer - Math Teacher- 8 th grade [email protected] ext. 121 Ms. Marni Griffin -Physical Education Teacher [email protected] ext. 113 Mr. Thomas Halpenny – History Teacher – 7 th and 8 th grades [email protected] ext. 158 Ms. Polly Hirsch -History Teacher-5th and 6 th grade [email protected] ext. 159 Mr. Tom Hotz -Coverage- [email protected] ext 123 Ms. Amy Howland - History Department Chair/ Teacher 9 th & 11 th grades [email protected] 152 Ms.Stacy Kane -Mandarin Teacher-7th and 8 th grades [email protected] ext. 134 Mr. Sam Kossack – ELA/Writing – 6 th grade [email protected] ext. 120 Ms. Yong Li -Chinese Department Chair/Teacher- 9 th grade [email protected] ext. 133 Ms. Callie Liebmann - Teacher- 6 th grade [email protected] ext. 116 Mr. Alex Lisak -Math Teacher-9th and 11 th grades [email protected] ext. 204 Ms. Jolinda McLellan – Learning Specialist 5 th grade [email protected] ext. 132 Ms. Kelly McNamara -Dean of Instruction/Math Dept. Chair/7 th Science teacher [email protected] ext.130 Ms. Michelle Morrissey -Learning Specialist-11 th and 12 th grades [email protected] ext. 202 Mr. Ben Morse –ELA/Writing - Teacher-5th grade [email protected] ext 124 Ms. Marissa Meyer - Science Teacher-10 th and 11 th grades [email protected] ext. 131 Ms. Talmadge Nardi -English Teacher-10 th , 11 th and 12 th grades [email protected] ext. 135 Mr. James Nardo - Math Teacher – 5 th grade [email protected] ext. 115 Ms. Stephanie Hurley – English Teacher – 7 th grade [email protected] ext. 157 Ms. Alissa Parker - Speech Therapist [email protected] ext. 128 Ms. Janet Reilly – Occupational Therapist [email protected] ext. 129 Mr. Damien Ricci - Learning Specialist-10 th and 11 th grades [email protected] ext. 203 Ms. Carrie Rodman – Learning Specialist 6 th and 7 th grade [email protected] ext.210 Ms. Dana Salvia -Math Teacher 7 th grade [email protected] ext. 172 Ms. Molly Sangalang - ELA - Reading Teacher- 5 th grade [email protected] ext. 141 Ms. Manjula Subramanian - Science Dept. Chair /Teacher- 7 th and 8 th grade [email protected] ext. 205 Ms. Patricia Tarrance -Math Teacher-6th grade [email protected] ext. 146 Ms. Meegan Turet —Drama Teacher [email protected] ext. 149 Ms. Natasha Trivers - English Teacher- 9 th , 11 th and 12 th grades [email protected] ext. 117 Ms. Catherine Woodford -Learning Specialist 7 th and 8 th grades [email protected] ext. 156 Ms. Yi Yan —Mandarin Teacher 10 th and 11 th grades [email protected] ext. 126 Mr. Bing Wu – Math Teacher – 5 th grade [email protected] ext.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 61
CONTACT INFORMATION To reach a faculty member by phone, dial (617) 361-0050 and enter the extension when you hear the greeting.
Administration and Program Support Faculty
Ms. Marita Argant – School Nurse [email protected] ext. 137 Ms. Nicole Anastos – Human Resource Manager [email protected] ext. 208 Ms. Rosetta Beckford –Receptionist [email protected] ext. 110 Dr. Amy Blackburn -School Psychologist [email protected] ext. 179 Ms. Jenne Colasacco -High School Principal [email protected] ext. 151 Mr. Chris Collins – Business Manager [email protected] ext. 112 Mr. Jonathan Diamond – Dean of Students in the High School [email protected] ext. 142 Ms. René Dickhaut -Middle School Principal [email protected] ext. 138 Ms. Susan Thompson – Director of the Academy [email protected] ext. 118 Ms. Doreen Kelly-Carney - College Counseling [email protected] ext. 150 Mr. Michael Knight - Dean of Students in the Middle School [email protected] ext. 125 Mr. Joseph Marcinowski -Technology Coordinator [email protected] ext. 122 Ms. Kelly McNamara -Dean of Instruction/Math Department Chair [email protected] ext.130 Ms. Marthali Nicodemus -Dean of Support Services [email protected] ext. 127 Mr. John Prata -Facilities Manager [email protected] ext. 190 Ms. Diane Scott – College Counseling [email protected] ext. 154 Ms. Angela Smith - Office Manager [email protected] ext. 200 Ms. Michelle Stanfield-Adams -Enrollment [email protected] ext. 111 Ms. Jo-Ann Welch -Food Services [email protected] ext. 211
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 62
August 12-15 Professional Development and Planning for New Faculty August 18-22 Professional Development and Planning for All Faculty August 23 Family Orientation for all 5th & new 6 th grade families August 26 & 27 Student Orientation for all new 5 th & 6 th graders (7:45am- 11:45am) August 27 Student Orientation for all 9 th graders (8:00am-2:30pm) August 28 First Day of School for All Students (7:45-4:10 MS; 7:55-3:40 HS) August 29 APR College Fair September 1 Labor Day Holiday (no school) September 17 Open House for All Families 6:00-7:30pm October 13 Columbus Day Holiday (no school) October 17 Multicultural Potluck Dinner 6:00pm October 27 Professional Development and Planning for Teachers (½ day of school) November 11 Veterans Day Holiday (no school) November 21 End of Trimester 1(½ day of school) November 26-28 Thanksgiving Break (½ day on Wednesday) December 3 & 4 Family Conferences for Trimester 1 December 24-January 2 Winter Break January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday (no school) February 16-20 February Break March 13 End of Trimester 2 (½ day of school) March 16 Professional Development and Planning for Teachers (no school) March 18 & 19 Family Conferences for Trimester 2 April 10 Good Friday (½ day of school) April 20-24 April Break April 27 Professional Development and Planning for Teachers (no school) May 6 & 7 Family Conferences for Trimester 3 May 25 Memorial Day Holiday (no school) June 1 Professional Development and Planning for Teachers (½ day of school) June 24 Last Day of School (½ day) and beginning of P.R.E.P. for High School students June 25 & 26 Professional Development and Planning for Teachers
*MS students are dismissed at 11:45am on all ½ days *HS students are dismissed at 11:53am on all ½ days Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 63
Academy of the Pacific Rim Faculty Commitment to Excellence
We, the faculty of the Academy of the Pacific Rim, recognize the importance of ensuring that the Academy is a safe, effective, and rigorous school that is able to achieve our mission and goals. We also recognize our own responsibility in this effort. Therefore, we commit ourselves to the following expectations of excellence:
To have high expectations for ourselves and our students To believe that all students can learn and reach high standards To demonstrate the Academy’s virtues of KG-PRIDE in our words and actions To instill a sense of values in our students through our instruction and our professional behavior To treat all students and families justly and with respect To recognize and reward student achievement in academics and character To work together with families so that all students can achieve To do whatever it takes to prepare all students for success in college and beyond
Specifically, we will: Demonstrate excellent attendance and punctuality Plan and deliver rigorous, engaging, high-quality instruction every day Enforce the behavioral expectations of the Academy consistently and equally, at all times Make ourselves available to assist students during office hours and tutoring Communicate regularly with families and return all phone calls and emails within 24 hours
Signed: The Faculty of the Academy of the Pacific Rim Date: August 24 th , 2009
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 64
Academy of the Pacific Rim FaFaFamilyFa milymilymily Commitment to Excellence
I, the parent or guardian of, ______, a student at the Academy of the Pacific Rim, recognize the importance of ensuring that the Academy is a safe, effective, and rigorous school that is able to achieve its mission and goals. I also recognize my own responsibility in this effort. Therefore, I commit myself to the following expectations of excellence:
To actively support the Academy’s rigorous academic program, high behavioral standards and polices, and extended school day and year
To respectfully work together with faculty to ensure that my student succeeds
Specifically, I will: Ensure that my student arrives at school punctually and without fail, every day, unless disabled or sick
Monitor my student’s schoolwork regularly, encouraging him or her to produce work of high quality
Maintain a productive and quiet work environment at home by providing a clean desk or table space, and necessary materials such as pens, pencils, paper, a dictionary, and a calculator
Allow and support my student staying for tutoring whenever required or recommended by a faculty member
Support the consequences given to my student if he or she does not meet behavioral expectations, including allowing him or her to attend weekday or Saturday detention the day it is assigned
Maintain regular communication with teachers and administrators regarding my student’s progress
Dedicate ten hours of my time a year to the Academy in a volunteer capacity
I also certify that I have read the 2009-2010 Student and Family Handbook.
Parent/Guardian Name:______
Parent/Guardian Signature:______
Date: ______
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 65
Academy of the Pacific RiRimmmm Student Commitment to Excellence
I,______, a student at the Academy of the Pacific Rim, recognize the importance of ensuring that the Academy is a safe, effective, and rigorous school that is able to achieve its mission and goals. I also recognize my own responsibility in this effort. Therefore, I commit myself to the following expectations of excellence:
To always demand the best of myself and my classmates
To demonstrate KG-PRIDE in my words and actions every day
To treat faculty members and peers with respect at all times
To work hard, together with the faculty and my family to ensure that I succeed
Specifically, I will:
Attend school every day, on time, without fail, unless sick
Produce and submit high-quality work that demonstrates my best effort
Complete and submit all homework assignments on time
Give my full attention and participation in class
Consistently obey all rules and meet all behavioral expectations, and insist my classmates do so as well
Accept responsibility for my own actions and mistakes, including accepting consequences
Take pride in my own accomplishments and those of my peers
Attend tutoring when required or recommended by faculty
Actively seek help from teachers when I need it
Communicate regularly with my family about my progress in school, and share my work, assignments and progress reports with them
I also certify that I have read the 2009-2010 Student and Family Handbook.
Student Signature:______
Date:______
Academy of the Pacific Rim Student and Family Handbook 66