Handbook for Students and Families 2020-2021 Table Of
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Phoenix Union High School District Handbook for Students and Families 2020-2021 Table of 4 Welcome to ContentsPXU 6 Welcome Letter from the Keeping Your Superintendent 18 Student on 7 Governing Board Track 8 How We Hold 20 Academics Ourselves Accountable 21 Attendance 10 2020-2021 23 Behavior School-Year Connecting Calendar 24 Dress for Success 12 with PXU 11 2020-2021 25 Expectations for District Map 14 How to Get Involved Student Success at Your Student’s School 26 Restorative 16 How to Connect Practices at Home with Your Student’s Teachers 27 Social Media and Digital Citizenship 17 How to Stay Informed 2 Policies 40 and Procedures 42 Statement of Non-Discrimination 43 Attendance 46 Student Code of Conduct 56 Guidelines for Restorative 28 Programs Conversations and Services 57 Notification of Confidentiality 30 Athletics and Clubs Rights Table of31 Civic Engagement 58 Due Process 32 English Language 61 Bullying and Acquisition Harassment 33 Exceptional Student 64 Glossary Services 68 Student Voice Phoenix Union 34 Food and Nutrition 70 Services 69 Report it! and Community Resource 34 Transportation Contents Directory 35 Health Services 36 Student and Family Services Student 37 School Safety 72 Forms 38 Expectations for Health, Wellness, and Safety 3 Welcome to 4 PXU Whether you are brand new to our schools, or your family has been attending our schools for generations, our doors are open to your family and you. The goal of this handbook is to provide an overview of the programs and services available to you as a student and family member of Phoenix Union. It also provides an overview of some of our most frequently referenced policies. We hope that this handbook helps you become a better advocate for your student, and helps students understand what opportunities are available to them throughout the district in order to ensure success. In This Section 6 Welcome to Phoenix Union from Dr. Chad Gestson, Superintendent 7 Our Governing Board 8 How We Hold Ourselves Accountable 10 2020-2021 Calendar 11 2020-2021 District Map 5 Welcome To Phoenix Union Students, Families, Community: We are so grateful that you chose Phoenix Union. Thank you for taking time to read and review our 2020-2021 Handbook for Students and Families. Our Handbook is designed to be a resource guide to help you and your child have a successful school year – your child’s success is our success. Please remember that it is our job to serve you, your child, and your family. Last summer, Phoenix Union revealed a completely new brand – a new logo, new colors, and a new promise. Our new PXU Promise, states that Phoenix Union’s Schools of Opportunity will Welcome, Love, and Inspire All Students to Go Places and Do Things that Matter. Please see below for more details about our Promise. Schools of Opportunity Phoenix Union is dedicated to transforming and expanding our innovative portfolio of Schools of opportunity, now at 21 schools. We will transform current schools, design and launch new schools, create school models that don’t yet exist, and launch partnerships that expedite change. We will continually rethink, challenge, and even disrupt our own beliefs – and the beliefs of others – about what schooling looks and feels like. We are dedicated to disrupting and even dismantling any system that harms progress and prosperity of the youth of Phoenix. Welcome, Love, and Inspire All Students PXU will not waver in its commitment to welcoming, loving, and inspiring ALL students. We believe that school systems should focus equally on welcoming, loving, and inspiring staff and community as well. We celebrate our nearly 100 languages and cultural backgrounds. We will not only respect but leverage our differences. Every single student, staff and community member deserves to be and feel welcomed and accepted, loved and connected, challenged and inspired. We will set the highest of expectations so that every person lives up to their full potential and contributes to a loving environment – on campus and in the community. Go Places and Do Things that Matter PXU will not stop until every classroom and curriculum, every arts and athletic program, every policy and initiative, and every resource and opportunity offered on our campuses can be accessed by all and genuinely prepares our students to go places and do things that truly Our Core matter. Values This is our commitment – our promise – to you. Throughout this Handbook, you should see evidence of this Promise. As you read about our Strategic Plan, our Code of Conduct, and our Be Compassionate supports for students and families, you will see that we are dedicated to meeting your every need. Let me end by thanking you for helping us make Phoenix Union what it is today – a place Be Collaborative of love, a place of hope, and a place of opportunity for all. Be Committed Be Courageous Sincerely, Be Creative Be Conscious Chad E. Gestson, Ed.D. Superintendent 6 Our Governing Board Our Governing Board, elected by the voters of Phoenix Union, is committed to selflessly serving and supporting our entire community. The Board works closely and collaboratively with Superintendent Gestson and the Phoenix Union Executive Team to create a bold vision for our students, staff, and families. The Board is also responsible for recommending and adopting new and revised policies as well as approving the District’s annual budget to ensure that Phoenix Union meets the goals of its Strategic Plan. Ms. Stephanie Parra | President, Ward 3 Senator Lela Alston | Clerk, At-Large | AZ State Senator, District 24 Mr. Ian Danley | Member, At-Large Supervisor Steve Gallardo | Member, Ward 5 | Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, District 5 Councilwoman Laura Pastor | Member, Ward 4 | City of Phoenix Councilwoman, District 4 Mr. Stanford Prescott | Member, Ward 2 Ms. Naketa Ross | Member, Ward 1 7 7 Mission, Promise, & Values The Phoenix Union High School District’s mission, promise, values, and strategic plan are the driving forces behind all that we do to support our students and families. PXU Mission The mission of the Phoenix Union High School District is to prepare every student for success in college, career, and life. PXU Promise Phoenix Union’s Schools of Opportunity Welcome, Love, and Inspire All Students to Go Places and Do Things that Matter. PXU Values Be Compassionate | We are humble, ethical, and treat others with respect, empathy, and kindness. Be Collaborative | We are better and smarter together, thrive in a culture of transparency, and seek win-win outcomes whenever possible in all decision-making situations. Be Committed | We choose Phoenix Union, our communities, and our students, knowing both the challenges and opportunities that exist in urban education. Be Courageous | We are bold in our convictions and make difficult decisions to better the lives of our staff, students, and community. Be Creative | We are entrepreneurial, innovative, and flexible. Be Conscious | We exist within a highly complex, political environment and make decisions that take into consideration the personal, professional, and political implications for all stakeholders. 8 Our Strategic Plan Our district’s comprehensive strategic plan is inclusive of four distinct focus areas that allow us to continue thriving as a premier urban high school district. 9 July 2020 August 2020 2020-2021 MTWT F MTWT F Calendar 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 First Semester | Important Dates 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 July 2020 Teacher In-service (Duty Day) Monday-Friday, July 27-31 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 27 28 27* 28* 29* 30* 31* 31 August 2020 Classes Begin Monday, August 3 September 2020 October 2020 September 2020 Labor Day Monday, September 7 MTWT F MTWT F 40th Day Monday, September 28 1 2 3 4 1 2 October 2020 7 8 9 10 11 5 6 7 8 9 End of 1 st Term Friday, October 2 14 15 16 17 28 12 13 14 15 16 Fall Recess Monday-Friday, October 5-9 21 22 23 24 25 19 20 21 22 23 November 2020 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 Veterans Day Wednesday, November 11 Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving Recess (No Classes) Friday, November 27 November 2020 December 2020 December 2020 MTWT F MTWT F Semester Exams Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 15-17 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 End of 2nd Term/1st Semester/Report Prep. Thursday, December 17 9 10 11 12 13 7 8 9 10 11 Winter Recess Friday-Friday, Dec. 18-Jan. 1 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 Second Semester | Important Dates 23 24 25 26 27 21 22 23 24 25 January 2021 30 28 29 30 31 Classes Begin Monday, January 4 100th Day Friday, January 15 MLK/Civil Rights Day Monday, January 18 January 2021 February 2021 February 2021 MTWT F MTWT F Presidents’ Day Monday, February 15 1 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 March 2021 End of 3 rd Term Friday, March 5 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 Spring Recess Monday-Friday, March 8-12 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 26 Cesar Chavez Recess Monday, March 29 25 26 27 28 29 May 2021 Senior Exams Friday, May 14 Semester Exams Tuesday-Wednesday, May 18-19 March 2021 April 2021 180th Day/Last Day of Classes Wednesday, May 19 Graduation Day Thursday, May 20 MTWT F MTWT F Duty Day (No Classes/Duty Day) Friday, May 21 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 End of 4 th Term/2nd Semester Friday, May 21 8 9 10 11 12 5 6 7 8 9 Last Day of 9 Month Contracts Friday, May 21 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 22 23 24 25 26 19 20 21 22 23 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 Legal Holiday End of Term / Report Prep Teacher Inservice Examination Days School Recess (students and all employees o) May 2021 June 2021 Examination Day / Report Prep.