Student Handbook 2015-2016

Student Handbook

2015-2016

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy 2200 S. Wilmington Street Raleigh, NC 27603

(919) 856-8119 (Main Office) (919) 856-8158 (Fax)

www.vernonmalonecca.wcpss.net Twitter: https://twitter.com/vernon_malone Principal: Dr. Ashlie Thompson Assistant Principal: Mr. Mitch Weaver

MISSION All Vernon Malone College and Career Academy students will graduate college and career ready.

SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy (VMCCA) is an application school for students in Grades 9-12 focused on graduating students college and career ready in one of eight (8) program areas. VMCCA features a partnership between the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) and Wake Technical Community College (WTCC). VMCCA students have the opportunity to graduate in four (4) years with a high school diploma and earn college credits leading to a certificate, diploma, or Associates Degree in their program area. College credits completed while enrolled in the school are tuition-free and are applicable towards their chosen program of study. AAS degree programs are not guaranteed to transfer to one of North Carolina’s sixteen public universities; however, the college courses are transferrable to Wake Technical Community College with a grade of “C” or better. The school’s small size provides one of the most individualized environments available to Wake County students.

VMCCA students complete their high school courses for the UNC system during the three years they are enrolled in VMCCA. In their junior and senior year, students enroll in WTCC courses in their program area to earn credits towards a certificate and/or diploma. Some college credits serve as dual enrollment credits toward a high school diploma. Students receive advisement about their course of study from both VMCCA counselors and Wake Tech academic advisors. This experience provides students with the basic skills and knowledge necessary to continue their education and/or career pathway in their program area.

2 Disclaimer

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy students are expected to be familiar with the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) Code of Student Conduct and the policies, procedures and practices outlined in the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook. They are required to comply with all policies outlined here and in WCPSS School Board Policy. All Code of Student Conduct polices are contained in the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook, which is located online at www.wcpss.net. Parents may also request a paper copy from the school’s main office.

Additionally, Vernon Malone College and Career Academy students are considered Wake Technical Community College (WTCC) students. They must comply with the academic and student codes of conduct that govern the college. Students are accountable to all Wake Tech policies and practices that are applicable to their status as early college students. The Wake Tech Student handbook can be located at http://www.waketech.edu/student-services/student-handbook.

As partners, WCPSS and Wake Tech Community College work collaboratively to provide each student with opportunities and experiences appropriate to the purpose of an early college. In the event a question or situation arises that requires a review and application of policy or procedures, representatives from each organization will determine the appropriate policy to be applied based on the nature and the location (high school, college, or clinical site) of the situation.

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy has used reasonable endeavors to ensure that materials contained in this handbook were correct at the time the handbook was printed. However, Vernon Malone College and Career Academy reserves the rights at any time to make changes, as it deems appropriate. Students should check for confirmation with the originating or authorizing faculty, department or administrator. A current version of the student handbook will be maintained on the website.

3 Table of Contents

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy 2 Mission School Overview

Disclaimer 3

VMCCA History 5

VMCCA Faculty and Staff 10

Wake Tech Faculty and Staff 11

Calendar and Daily Schedules 12 School Calendar Daily Schedules

Academic Essentials 14 General Information Academic Expectations Monitoring Academic Progress and Grade Reporting Grading System/Policies and Procedures Reporting Periods/Report Card Guidelines Homework Policy (To be added later) Graduation Requirements Online Courses Maintaining and Reporting Grades for Students in WTCC Courses FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privay Act)

Career Development Opportunities 29

Academic Support Services and Programs 30

VMCCA Transcript Policy 32

College Planning and Financial Aid 33 The Scholarship Process College Financial Aid Types of Financial Aid College Websites

Campus Life 36 Principal’s Weekly Message VMCCA Website (Changing October 2014) Student Email Wake Tech Blackboard/WebAdvisor Accounts Student ID’s Daily Attendance Check in/out Procedures Off Campus Lunch (see lunch contracts)

Transportation 41

Medication 44

Code of Conduct 45

Additional Processess 53

Safety Drills 54

Acceptable Use of Technology/BYOD 55

Frequently Asked Questions 58

The History of Vernon Malone College and Career Academy

The Origins

For many years WCPSS has evaluated the best means to deliver Career & Technical Education (CTE) to its students. For the past two decades, CTE has focused on improving programs including the addition of career academies at high schools as an effort to concentrate resources to increase college preparedness of students. Furthermore, throughout Wake County Public School’s (WCPSS) history, school boards and staff have discussed the possibility of a Career and Technical Education High School and, for a variety of reasons; it was not until 2010 that the conversations resulted in the actions needed to follow through with creating such a school.

Prior to the merger of the Raleigh City Schools and the Wake County Schools in the 70s, there was a vocational high school headed by Principal Phil Maultsby who later became a school board member and advocated for its return in the early 90s. The possible school structure changed over time, and Horace Tart began the conversation to create a CTE school again in early 2000s. When John Tedesco was elected to the school board in 2009, he had conversations with the board about a CTE high school. Tony Tata was hired as superintendent in December 2010 and he created an office of innovation; the mission of his chief of staff was to develop this department. Mr. Tata listened to the community, which was advocating for a vocational school, and his team did research on different models. In the summer of 2011, WCPSS Facilities was tasked with identifying and evaluating existing buildings in the downtown Raleigh area to determine suitability for adaptive reuse to accommodate innovative schools. Mr. Tata employed a director for innovation who took on the CTE HS project and plans began in 2012. At the same time, at the state level, NC Schools Superintendent June Atkinson and Governor Beverly Purdue began work on Career and College Promise to start in 2013- 2014, which helped support the rationale for a CTE High School.

Because of the success of Wake Health Sciences Early College and projects in process to develop NCSU STEM Early College and the Leadership Academies, it was clear that a college partner for the CTE High School would be beneficial. Early informal conversations were held by WCPSS in the fall of 2011 with Wake Tech facilities staff. On January 17, 2012, a meeting was held with Dr. Stephen Scott, President of Wake Tech Community College and Superintendent Tony Tata to review and discuss the CTE High School concept, which was also attended by senior leadership and staff teams from Wake Tech and WCPSS. On January 18, 2012, David Wehbie sent a preliminary program list to Bryan Ryan, Wake Tech Senior Vice President of Curriculum Education Services. On February 9, 2012, a meeting was held with members of the academics and facilities departments of both organizations including Bryan Ryan, Wendell Goodwin, David Wehbie, Sheri Green, Ann Dishong and Betty Parker to discuss the proposed educational programs, identify issues, discuss next steps and set up a regular meeting schedule. In mid to late February, some of the Wake Tech and WCPSS teams toured the facility with the design consultants. Wake Tech, WCPSS and a local developer, who was initially involved with the project, agreed to share the costs of a design charrette with design consultant LS3P Associates Limited for building design input, which was held in Mid March, 2012. The final WCPSS School Board approval for the project was given by: Keith Sutton, Chairman; Kevin Hill, Immediate Outgoing Chairman; Susan P. Evans; Debra Goldman; Christine Kushner; Chris Malone; Jim Martin; Deborah Prickett; John Tedesco; Stephen Gainey, Interim Superintendent.

The Facility

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy has been a unique project for Wake County Public Schools because of the collaboration with Wake County Government who is responsible for renovating the building where the school will be located, the former Coca Cola Bottling Plant on South Wilmington Street.

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (CCBC) first announced its intent to relocate and sell its existing facilities on South Wilmington Street in January 2009. At the time, the company anticipated that it would first sell its buildings and would then identify its future location. After more than 50 years of operating out of the south Raleigh plant, which had been used as a base of operations in the Triangle since 1957, CCBC relocated its area sales and distribution operations to Clayton in May 2011, where the company now has twice the space. CCBC is the second-largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States and delivers Coke products to territories in 11 states, including most areas of North Carolina.

The building’s east entrance faces Wilmington Street and is accessible from the student drop- off drive and visitor parking areas. The main lobby just inside this entrance provides access to Reception and the main Administration Area on the right. Directly ahead, a monumental stair leads down to the main floor level from the lobby. A wheel chair lift is located near the stair for accessibility. At the foot of the monumental stair is the Dining Commons to the left, group toilets to the right and the main corridor directly ahead. The main corridor brings you to the primary intersection of the building with the Learning Commons to one side and a large open Classroom Commons to the other. This flexible common space can be used for instruction, informal gatherings or casual space between classes. General classrooms align on one side of the Classroom Commons, while resource classrooms and science labs make up the other side. Three large rooftop “light boxes” allow natural daylight deep into the space and storefront glazing at the entrance to each lab and classroom allows natural borrowed light into these spaces as well.

Beyond the intersection of the Classroom Commons and the Learning Commons on the west side of the building is the Multipurpose Room and a second administration suite dedicated for use by Wake Tech. This administration area will be the arrival point for students from the student parking lot on the south side of the building. Adjacent to the multipurpose room are locker rooms, a training room and a health science classroom. The multipurpose room will include a basketball court and bleachers; however the school will not have competition athletics.

On the south side of the centrally located Learning Commons are lab spaces dedicated to Wake Tech’s program requirements. These labs include Cosmetology, Simulation & Game Development, Nursing Assistant, Biopharmaceutical Technology, Electrical Systems Technology and Geomatics Technology. Additional general classrooms, an Art Classroom and Business Information Technology Labs are also adjacent to the Learning Commons. Student lockers are dispersed throughout the school along the corridors and in the Classroom Commons.

Located across the open lawn area at the southwest corner of the site is an auxiliary building that will accommodate industrial trade labs including Welding, Plumbing, Air Conditioning and Auto Collision Repair. This building also includes a general classroom for shared use by all the labs, group toilet facilities and a small open office administration area.

The campus includes program- related outdoor instructional areas, such as the outdoor grinding area for welding and the plumbing pit. The open lawn area will serve as a flexible athletic space and a

6 plaza on the east side of the building can be used as an outdoor dining space for students.

This project, consisting of 102,000 SF of space between two buildings on 15 acres, is an innovative example of an adaptive reuse of an industrial complex into a vocational education campus. It is also represents an exciting partnership between Wake County Public School System and Wake Technical Community College as the end users, and Wake County Government, as the managing entity for the overall project.

The Naming

Once the decision was made to create the Career and Technical Education High School and renovate the Coca Cola site, conversations turned to naming the high school. There was considerable energy in the community to name the school after Vernon Malone, the late North Carolina State Senator, former school board member and county commissioner and educator. Commissioner James West spear- headed the effort to name the school after Malone. The WCPSS school board adopted a resolution to name the school after Malone in early November 2013, and shortly after, the Wake County Commissioners voted to name the school after Malone, making it the first school to be named after a person since 1969.

Vernon Malone was born on December 20, 1931, near Wake Forest, North Carolina. He was the youngest of eight children, and his father died when he was very young leaving him to help his mother work on their farm when not in school. Barry Malone, one of Malone’s sons, said that because of his dad’s circumstances as a young child he was “never a kid” and was “hyper- responsible.” After graduating from Dubois High School, Malone was drafted into the Army for the Korean War. He worked for military police and became a sergeant. After his time in the Army, he returned home to pursue a career as a police officer, but it was his mother who reminded him of the GI Bill and encouraged him to spend one semester in college. He went to Shaw University where he decided to stay and earned a bachelor's degree in 1957. He furthered his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Minnesota.

Vernon Malone served as a teacher at Washington Elementary School and later as a teacher and administrator at Governor Morehead School (GMS) in Raleigh for over 34 years, teaching math and science from 1957 to 1968 and serving as Superintendent from 1986 until his retirement in 1991.

While at Governor Morehead, Malone started a camp for the students in Swansboro where they could go each summer for sailing, fishing, crabbing, and other summer activities. Malone wanted the GMS students to have experiences others said they could not do. He did not believe that their blindness was a barrier to such experiences and set out to prove that to the students and others.

Vernon Malone was appointed to the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Advisory Council in1968 and later appointed to the Raleigh City School Board in 1972, where he provided invaluable leadership with the successful merger of the city and county school systems. He served as vice-chair of the Interim Wake Board of Education in 1975 and was named Chair of the new Wake County Board of Education in 1976.

"Of all his accomplishments in public life, it was his work in the 1970s that led to the merger of the Raleigh city and Wake County school systems that made him the most proud”, said his son Barry.

Malone also recalled as a child that he and his siblings would play with John Murphy’s (WCPSS Superintendent) children and have sleepovers. Both Malone and Murphy knew that they had to model for the community what integration meant for the newly merged school system.

“While other systems put off merging until much later — Durham's consolidated in 1992 — Wake County schools and Raleigh schools became one system in 1976. The merger changed the county's real estate landscape, as all homes were in the same school district. As the unified school system thrived and developed a reputation for first-rate schools, many newcomers to the region were drawn to Wake County for its schools. What started as a decision about education also fueled two decades of rapid growth in Wake County. His legacy is the success that we've achieved with the Wake County schools,”' said John Gilbert, who served on the Wake school board from 1983 to 1999. “Without Malone's leadership, the merger ‘could not have happened.'"

Vernon Malone was elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners in 1984 and served until 2002, during which time he was Chair from 1990 to 1994 and from1998 to 1999. In total, Malone held an elected office for 40 years.

Vernon Malone served with honor and distinction as a member of the North Carolina Senate during the 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009 sessions of the General Assembly, where he served on many committees and provided leadership as Co-chair of the Appropriations Committee on Education/Higher Education and the Committee of Education/Higher Education. Vernon Malone maintained a lifelong commitment to education, serving as vice-chair of the Board of Trustees at Shaw University, Chair of North Carolina Public School Administrators' Task Force, a member of the Board of Trustees of North Carolina State University and Cities in Schools, and as a member of the Wake Education Partnership and Wake County Dropout Advisory Council.

Barry Malone describes his father as one who valued sacrifice and hard work. He had high expectations for people, especially his own children. And in his work as an educator and public servant he always thought of what was best for all kids. Malone never believed that college was the only option for children; he believed in multiple options. He believed children could be anything they wanted. Perhaps most importantly, he believed that “education was the great equalizer.” Barry Malone describes his father as quiet, disciplined, kind, and with an uncanny ability to hold conversations with the homeless man on the street or the wealthy businessman trying to negotiate a deal. Barry credits this to his father’s deep respect for all people. His father was known for “random acts of kindness;” he took great joy in seeing others succeed.

Vernon Malone was married to the late Susan Caldwell, who was also a former educator.

Vernon Malone died on April 18, 2009, at the age of 77.

Vernon Malone is survived by two sons, Vernon Roderick Malone and Barry Fitzgerald Malone; a daughter, Susan LaVerne Malone Battle; a sister, Bessye Burwell; and three grandchildren, Jonathan Battle, Sydney Battle, and Susan Battle

The Early Vision

Before the first principal of the school was named, there was a committee formed by the district office in March 2013 whose purpose was to begin the plans for the school. The committee inherited a skeletal vision. The school would employ WCPSS teachers to teach the curriculum required for graduation while the Wake Technical Community College faculty would be employed to teach courses in the 10 programs that had been identified from jobs data for the region: Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration; Welding; Plumbing; Collision Repair; Biopharmaceutical; Geomatics Information Systems; Cosmetology; Nursing Assistant; Electrical; and Simulation & Game Development. The school would be considered part of the Early College & Application schools in the

8 district requiring students to participate in an application and selection process for admission.

When the committee began work in March 2013, there were representatives from WCPSS, WTCC, and Wake County Government all working in collaboration. Subcommittees were formed in academic areas, recruiting, facilities, and logistics. The committee developed a plan for marketing and recruitment, developed and completed the Memorandum of Agreement between WTCC and WCPSS, and made some key decisions about the type of student who would be served at the school and how the academic program would complement the career and technical program. These decisions included an emphasis on work-based learning experiences and project- based learning. The priority was placed on finding students who were first and foremost passionate about the program to which they were applying and secondly they met the academic expectations that would lead them to begin college coursework as juniors in high school.

Student Governance Just as collaboration is vital for faculty success, it is also vital for student success. In an effort to make sure students are able to collaborate and feel connected to the purpose of the school, a student government association is essential and will involve as many students as possible. We strongly encourage all students to consider participating in the student government association.

The Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Student Government Association will be guided by a constitution. Article 2 states the objective and purpose of the organization as to:

1. Provide a democratic form in which members can plan school activities and events. 2. Maintain communication throughout the school between faculty and students of every grade level on campus. 3. Offer year- long functions and community service projects. 4. Provide leadership opportunities for students with responsibilities in planning events, fundraisers and community involvement.

9 Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Faculty and Staff

Administration Principal Dr. Ashlie Thompson [email protected] Assistant Principal James “Mitch” Weaver [email protected]

Student Services Dean of Students Shanora Kingsberry [email protected] Career Development Coordinator Jill Oliver [email protected] Career Development Coordinator Sharon Edwards [email protected] SAP Linwuan Fulton [email protected] Special Populations Coordinator Lyn Flammia [email protected] Student Information Data Manager Angela Hill [email protected]

Support Staff Lead Secretary/Bookkeeper Tina Jackson [email protected] Receptionist/Office Assistant Annika Hallberg [email protected]

Certified Staff Alternative Learning Center (ALC) Kristen Whitehead [email protected] Business Education Monica Price [email protected] Business Education Christopher Williams [email protected] Drafting Erin Smith [email protected] English Shanel Goodson [email protected] English Carrie Horton [email protected] English Erin Johnson [email protected] Instructional Coach/PBL Michelle Woods [email protected] Intervention Coordinator Dale Warren [email protected] Math/Technology Facilitator Ashley Allen [email protected] Math Tomika Kennion [email protected] Math Sharon Strachan [email protected] Media Specialist Jill Ray [email protected] Science Ryon Barton [email protected] Science Anna Downey [email protected] Science Thomas Tomlinson [email protected] Spanish Carmen Nurinda [email protected] Spanish Johnny Vargas [email protected] Special Programs Alicia Ellington [email protected] Special Programs Jonathan Nettles [email protected] Social Studies Tammy King [email protected] Social Studies Jason Schlafer [email protected]

Custodians Head Custodian Miguel Giron [email protected] Custodian Tamara Williams [email protected]

CNS Staff CNS Manager Bobby Williams [email protected] CNS Assistant Keela Chance [email protected]

Wake Tech Community College Faculty and Staff

All Trades Patti Godin Dean, AET Russell Wahrman Administrative Dept. Head, AET Facilities Technology: Multi-Trades James Freeman AHR Program Administrator Mark Marino AHR Instructor William Timberlake AHR Program Administrator Richard Moore EST Program Administrator Jeffrey Hutchins EST Instructor Richard Ramey EST Program Administrator David Underwood PLU Program Administrator Adam Harward PLU Program Administrator Stephen Dumey PLU Instructor Biopharmaceutical (BPM) Dr. Diane Bonner Instructor Collision (COL) Stephen Dumey Instructor Cosmetology (COS) Walter Martin Dean, Business & Public Services Technologies Paula Askew Department Head Leah Lockamy Instructor Geomatics (GIS) Byron Latil Program Administrator Su Leone Instructor Nursing Assistant (NA) Diane Cardamone Department Head Brenda Williams Instructor Susan Baker Instructor Simulation & Game Design (SGD) Cindy Halliday Department Head George Cox Instructor Angela Bequette Dean, CET Cynthia Foster Department Head, SGD Welding (WLD) Christ Gitthens Program Administrator Patricia Mills Instructor WTCC Administrative Staff Vacant Director, CTEP (Wake Tech Liaison) Jeremy McFarland WTCC Police Officer

2015-2016 Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Calendar http://www2.wcpss.net/calendars/index.htm

12 Bell Schedules 2015 – 2016

Regular Day

First Bell at 7:18 Periods Start End Time 1st 7:25 8:49 84 min 2nd 8:54 10:18 84 min Hawks Nest (Lunch) 10:23 10:50 27 min Lunch 10:50 11:20 30 min 3rd 11:25 12:49 84 min 4th 12:54 2:18 84 min

READY (Fridays)

First Bell at 7:18 Periods Start End Time 1st 7:25 8:45 80 min 2nd 8:50 10:10 80 min Lunch 10:10 10:47 37 min Advisory 10:51 11:28 37 min 3rd 11:33 12:53 80 min 4th 12:58 2:18 80 min

Early Release September 14th, October 16th, December 18th January 15th, February 12th, March 6th

First Bell at 7:18 Periods Start End Time 1st 7:25 8:27 62 min 2nd 8:32 9:34 62 min 3rd 9:39 10:41 62 min 4th 10:46 11:48 62 min Bag lunches will be served

13 Delayed Bell Schedules

1-Hour Delay

First Bell at 8:18 Periods Start End Time 1st 8:25 9:41 76 min 2nd 9:46 11:02 76 min

Lunch 11:02 11:36 34 min

3rd 11:41 12:57 76 min 4th 1:02 2:18 76 min

2-Hour Delay

First Bell at 9:18 Periods Start End Time 1st 9:25 10:26 61 min 2nd 10:31 11:32 61 min

Lunch 34 min 11:32 12:06 3rd 12:11 1:12 61 min 4th 1:17 2:18 61 min

3-Hour Delay

First Bell at 10:18 Periods Start End Time 1st 10:25 11:11 46 min 2nd 11:16 12:02 46 min

Lunch 12:02 12:36 34 min 3rd 12:41 1:27 46 min 4th 1:32 2:18 46 min

Academic Essentials General Information

Credits and college options: Students complete the majority of their high school graduation requirements during their sophomore and junior years at VMCCA. Opportunities to earn credit toward certification, competitive admissions, diplomas and/or associate degrees are during the junior and senior year. Work- based learning experiences including internships and pre- apprenticeships will occur during the senior year.

Course assignments: The VMCCA program is designed on the principle of student cohort support and course assignments. Therefore, VMCCA students register for high school and college courses at the direction and with the approval of the VMCCA administration and the WTCC Director of Career and Technical Education Partnership.

Criteria for college course enrollment: Students are eligible to take college courses when they demonstrate college-readiness based on the following criteria: 1) above average achievement in high school courses (cumulative grade point average of 3.0 weighted); 2) proficient levels of achievement on North Carolina end-of-course tests and MSLs; and 3) conduct reflective of the maturity of a college student. The VMCCA administration and WTCC Director of Career and Technical Education Partnership determine the point at which students may take a college course and the appropriate courses in which students will enroll.

College courses and high school credits: VMCCA students receive both high school and college credit for college classes. Grades earned in community college classes are reported on the high school transcript and calculated in a student’s overall high school grade point average. Most college classes carry an additional quality point (5.0 scale) as required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Wake Tech information and communication: VMCCA students must have a current Wake Tech application on file. Students are issued a Wake Tech student identification number, a Wake Tech email account, and access to Blackboard. All information about college courses is communicated through the Wake Tech Blackboard account, not the WCPSS HomeBase account. Students must use their Wake Tech email account when they communicate with VMCCA and Wake Tech instructors.

Program graduation after completions of high school graduation requirements: When a VMCCA student completes all high school graduation courses and/or is not able to advance to college courses, that student will be eligible for graduation as he/she will have exhausted all components of the VMCCA program.

Academic Expectations

Enrollment requirements: VMCCA adheres to the standards for instruction and attendance required of all Wake County Public School System high schools. To achieve the VMCCA mission, the academic program requires full-time enrollment for all students. During the first two years, VMCCA students are required to take four (4) courses each semester. Early release/part-time enrollments are not available during the first two years of the program. Special circumstances may allow for seniors to participate in a modified schedule. Requests and approval of reduced schedules requires parental consent and VMCCA administration approval.

15 Attendance and academic support: VMCCA students attend all classes regularly to succeed in their high school and college courses. Successful VMCCA students maintain close contact with their high school teachers and college instructors. They check their grades often and seek help when needed through the instructor or VMCCA staff. All VMCCA students have both formal and informal meetings with VMCCA and Wake Tech staff periodically for the purpose on monitoring their academic progress.

Monitoring Academic Progress and Grade Reporting

Academic evaluation is a process whereby teachers maintain and analyze reliable and valid information for the purpose of making decisions about a student’s progress. Teachers are asked to use educationally sound criteria in the evaluation process and the grading procedures and grading system established by the Wake County Board of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

The Wake County Board of Education authorizes the release of grades and progress reports on a regular basis throughout the school year. The purpose of each grading period is to inform students, parents and counselors of the quality of work performed by each student during a given time period.

Meaningful evaluation shall include consideration of all activities that have occurred during a particular evaluation period. Such activities shall include homework, projects and assessments. The relative value attached to any activity shall be determined by the importance of the activity in mastering the objectives of the course. VMCCA faculty shall make contacts over and above the formal reporting schedule to assure that parents are aware of unsatisfactory or unusual student progress, especially if a student is failing.

WCPSS Grading Policy

5520 GRADING SYSTEM 5520

The Board of Education is committed to maintaining rigorous performance and achievement standards for all students and to providing a fair and consistent process for evaluating and reporting student progress that is understandable to students and their parents and relevant for instructional purposes. A. GRADING SYSTEM 1. The purpose of a grading system is to appropriately and consistently measure and communicate an individual student’s level of mastery of defined learning objectives. 2. All WCPSS grading and reporting practices will support the learning and teaching process and encourage success for all students. 3. Grading practices are not to be punitive in nature. 4. For students at risk of academic failure, schools will develop and implement a plan for grade recovery. B. ASSESSMENTS 1. All local assessments and assignments will be aligned with state/district adopted standards and /or curriculum and be designed to appropriately assess student achievement. 2. Appropriate and consistent evaluation of academic achievement shall employ formative and summative assessments to determine a student’s level of mastery of curriculum objectives. C. SCHOOL-BASED GRADING PLAN

16 1. The principal of each school will ensure the development of a school-based grading plan and will place the plan on file in the school and will submit it to the designated area superintendent. 2. Upon approval of a school-based grading plan, the principal shall be responsible for communicating the plan to staff, students, and parents. D. COMMUNICATION 1. Teachers will provide students and their parents/guardians with clear explanations of their grading practices. 2. Teachers will provide each student with regular feedback to promote learning, self- evaluation, and growth. 3. Communication between teachers, parents, and students will be timely, including ongoing system-wide mechanisms for communication of student progress and grades. E. GRADING PERIOD/INTERIMS/REPORT CARDS In grades K-12, report cards are issued to students each quarter. Interim reports are issued to all students at the mid-point of each quarter.

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Grading Policies and Procedures

In the Wake County Public School System, we are committed to maintaining rigorous performance and achievement standards for all students and to providing a fair and consistent process for evaluating and reporting student progress that is understandable to students and their parents and relevant for instructional purposes.

At Vernon Malone College and Career Academy, we believe that a grade is a fair and consistent measurement that gauges student mastery of learning objectives. Their purpose is to communicate to all stakeholders a student’s level of understanding about established objectives. We believe achievement should be communicated separately from information about student’s effort and behavior.

The information below shares specific information about grading at our school.

Assessment Types

There are two types of assessment: formative and summative.

Summative assessments are designed to evaluate students’ academic achievement at the end of a sequence of instruction. Only summative assessments will count toward a student’s grade in order for the grade to reflect only the academic achievement.

Formative assessments are designed to provide the student with direction for improvement and to provide the teacher with direction for instruction. All formative assessments will receive feedback, and performance on formative assessments will be reflected in the student effort and behavior grade.

Homework

The following are district-wide expectations for homework:

• Assignments: o The teacher will introduce a concept or skill, thoroughly explain the concept or skill, and provide guided practice before making a related homework assignment.

17 o Homework assignments shall be specific, within the student' ability and have clearly defined expectations. Questions pertaining to the completion of a homework assignment should be answered and clarified. o Homework assignments are not to be given as punishment or busy work. o Homework assignments will not require the use of books or materials, which are not readily available in the home or accessible to the student.

The following are school-wide expectations for homework:

• Should not exceed an average of 30 minutes per class each night; • Aside from long-term projects, should not be scheduled during student breaks; • Will count towards the summative assignment grade for that unit of study and will count for no more than 10% of that summative grade. • Homework/classwork may be completed throughout the duration of a unit of study. • Homework/Classwork will be accepted at any time until the summative assignment is complete, for no penalty. • Homework/classwork will not be accepted after the summative and unit of study has been completed. • All homework should receive feedback.

Extra Credit

The following are school-wide expectations for extra credit:

• Extra credit will not be offered to students. We commit to assigning students meaningful, purposeful work to facilitate learning. All of it is essential to mastery of learning objectives. If additional practice is needed for mastery, it will be assigned.

Missed Work

The following are district-wide expectations for missed work:

• If the absence is approved in advance and/or if the work is assigned by the teacher in advance, all make-up work, including tests assigned for the day of return, is due upon the student's return to school. Teachers should use discretion and may make exceptions in the case of students whose excused absences were not planned in advance, were beyond the student' control, and the nature of which would not support make-up work the day of return • If the make-up work has not been assigned in advance, for absences of one (1) to three (3) days, the student will have one day for each day absent. For absences exceeding three (3) days, the student may have two (2) days for each day absent to make up work. Special consideration will be given in the case of extended absences due to injury or chronic illness.

The following are school-wide expectations for missed work:

• If the missed work is not related to absences, students will have up to three days to turn in the assignment. After a maximum of three days, the teacher will notify the parent. Students will then have a minimum of three additional days to submit the work. • Students will receive full credit for the assignment. The behavior grade will address submission of late assignments.

18 • Power School, by default, does not calculate missing work in the grade. Teachers will enter missed work as a zero throughout the quarter to indicate that it is missing. At the end of a grading quarter, any missing work will be recorded as a 40.

Prevention-Intervention Plan

For all students, our school seeks to provide a prevention/intervention system that promotes successful completion and mastery of standards. The following are school-wide expectations for how we support prevention-intervention efforts:

• Hawks Nest Tutorial will be required for all classes the first four weeks of each new semester. It will serve as an opportunity for students to accelerate their learning, spend extra time on topics and to benefit from re-teaching. At the end of the required four weeks, students that have a “C” or better will be exited from HN. Students may self-initiate to attend or be assigned by the teacher. The teacher can reassign students if their average drops below a “C.” • Resubmission of Assignments o Students will be allowed to resubmit summative assignments. They will be allowed one resubmission. Teachers will determine when a resubmission is allowed, the timeframe in which it is allowed, and whether whole or part of the resubmission will be done. o If students don’t complete a set of formative/ practice homework assignments and then fail the related summative assessment, they must go back and complete all the formative tasks before they can retake the assessment. o For resubmissions, the new grade will replace the original grade whether it is higher or lower. • If a student earns below a 50 in the first quarter and then passes the second quarter and the final exam for the course, the teacher may go back and increase the first quarter grade to a 50 to calculate the final grade.

Calculating Grades

The following are school-wide expectations for calculating grades:

• Grading Scale for Summative Assessments: § Major Assessments: 55% § Minor Assessments: 35% § Homework 10%

• Range of Summative Assessments in a Quarter § In order to maintain consistency in calculation, all teachers will include 10-20 assessments per quarter* as part of the student’s grade (* per semester for year-long courses)

• Grading Scale for Formative Assignments*: § Mastered 2 § Not Yet Mastered 1 § Not Yet Submitted 0

*All formative assignments will receive feedback and will be reflected in the student effort and behavior grade.

19 • Teachers are committed to updating their grades in Power School at a minimum of every two weeks.

Grading Scale: Students entering high school for the first time in the 2015-2016 school year and after.

Letter Grades Community College Honor Courses Other Courses Courses Quality Points Quality Points Quality Points A 5 4.5 4 B 4 3.5 3 C 3 2.5 2 D 2 1.5 1 F 0 0 0

Grading Scale: Students entering high school for the first time before the 2015-2016 school year.

Letter Grades Community College Honor Courses Other Courses Courses Quality Points Quality Points Quality Points A 6 5 4 B 5 4 3 C 4 3 2 D 3 2 1 F 0 0 0

All students are now on the following 10 point grading scale below.

A = 90 – 100 I = Incomplete B = 80 – 89 WF = Withdrawal with an F C = 70 – 79 FF = Failure due to absences D = 60 – 69 F = 59 – 0

Grading Periods and Interim Report Periods Reports cards will be issued at the end of each nine- week grading period at Vernon Malone College and Career Academy. Teachers must issue interim reports for all students at mid-point of each quarter according to the WCPSS calendar. The relative value attached to any activity is determined by the importance of the activity in mastering the objectives of the course.

20 Reporting Periods and Report Card Timeline 2015-2016

1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Interims Due September 8 November 9 February 8 April 25 Week of: Report Cards October 8 January 7 March 31 June 2 Distributed On:

Course Withdrawal Penalty Except in emergency situations as approved by the principal, students are not allowed to drop a course after the first ten days of school. If a student withdraws after a ten-day period and an emergency situation does not exist, a failure (WF) is noted as the grade and the course is counted as a course attempted with no quality points relative to class rank.

Process for Calculating Grades for EOC Courses (including MSL courses) In all courses with an End of Course test (English II, Common Core I and Biology), the EOC shall count as 25% of the student’s final grade. A uniform process and formula shall be used to calculate student grades.

Quarter 1 37.5% Quarter 2 37.5% 25% EOC

Final Grade Average = .375 (Q1 Average) + .375 (Q2 Average) + .25 EOC

Process for Calculating Grades for CTE Post Assessments In all courses with a post assessment, the CTE Post Assessments exam shall count as 20% of the student’s final grade.

Quarter 1 40% Quarter 2 40% CTE Post Assessment 20%

Final Grade Average = .4 (Q1 Average) + ..4 (Q2 Average) + .2 (CTE Post Assessment)

Process for Calculating Grades for Non-EOC Courses In non-End of-Course courses, the following procedures will be used to calculate grades. The final exam shall count up to 20% of the final grade.

Quarter 1 40% Quarter 2 40% 20% Final Exam

Final Grade Average = .4 (Q1 Average) + .4 (Q2 Average) + .20 Final Exam

Recognition Systems The following honor roll will be used in recognition of academic achievement • “A” honor roll • “A-B” honor roll Grades below “B” and incomplete grades are not acceptable for honor roll purposes. Honor rolls will be computed and published for each grading period.

Class Rank Wake County currently utilizes class rank based on a three- tiered classification with Advanced Placement, Advanced and Honors course having more weight than other courses because of the academic rigor of these courses. To compute a grade point average, the total number of quality points earned using end of course grades is divided by the total number of units of credit attempted and the results rounded to the third decimal place. AP, IB and Honors Concentration (HC) designated courses will carry weighted credit.

Repeating a Course Students may opt to repeat a failed course or to improve a low grade received for a first attempt. In both cases, record of the first attempt must be kept.

Grade Recording Teachers have a responsibility to keep accurate records of student performance on all assignments. Grades should be recorded in the teacher’s grade book and an indication of the nature of the assignment and each student’s grade on the assignment should be recorded. Records should be neat, legible and accurate. In addition, grades in PowerSchool must be updated every two weeks. Grade books will be collected at the end of the school year and will be filed at school.

Teachers should maintain hard copies of grades for their students. Administrators may request printed copies of grades for students during the quarter and/or at the end of a grading period. Teachers should follow PowerSchool procedures for submitting grades.

22 Graduation Requirements The NC State Board of Education developed gateways outlining minimum standards of proficiency students must demonstrate. Before entering high school, students must pass Gateways 1, 2, and 3 by demonstrating proficiency on End-of-Grade Tests and writing assessments. Gateway 4 must be passed to meet the minimum requirements to receive a North Carolina High School Diploma. The following are the minimum requirements: • Pass existing local and state graduation requirements • Pass the NC Reading and Math Competency Test (Administered in 8th Grade)

Students must satisfy all the course and testing requirements within one of the four North Carolina Courses of Study. Freshmen entering in 2012-2013 must have 22 credits to graduate, all others need 21. Students should refer to the Vernon Malone High School Course Description Guide for information regarding requirements within the North Carolina Courses of Study.

Promotion Requirements Promotion to grade ten is based on successful completion of at least four credits, one of which must be English and two that must me in the area of mathematics, social studies or science and one additional credit.

Promotion to grade eleven is based on the successful completion of a minimum of eight credits; two that must be ninth and tenth grade English, one must be in mathematics, one must be in social studies or science.

Promotion to grade twelve is based on the successful completion of fourteen units of credit, three of which must be English. The student must be enrolled in a program that is successfully accomplished, will result in the completion of graduation requirements.

No two English courses shall be taken concurrently in the same academic year except in extenuating circumstances as defined by the principal. Any student failing an English course is strongly encouraged to make up that credit in summer school.

23 Courses of Study/Credits

The Wake County Board of Education requires students to pass three EOC assessments (Common Core Math 1, Biology and English II).

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY PREP FUTURE READY CORE Course of Study Requirements

Meets the highest level of academic standards and fulfills the minimum course requirements for admission to UNC Institutions Course No. of Credits

English 4 English I, II, III, & IV

Mathematics 4 Math I, II III & Integrated Math IV

Science Biology 3 Earth/Environmental Science A Physical Science

Social Studies World History Civics & 4 Economics American History I* American History II*

Second Language 2 Two credits in the same language

Healthful Living Education 1 Healthful Living I

Electives/ Wake Tech Program Area Courses *Varies by program

Total* 22

24 Graduation Requirements The NC State Board of Education developed gateways outlining minimum standards of proficiency students must demonstrate. Before entering high school, students must pass Gateways 1, 2, and 3 by demonstrating proficiency on End-of-Grade Tests and writing assessments. Gateway 4 must be passed to meet the minimum requirements to receive a North Carolina High School Diploma. The following are the minimum requirements: • Pass existing local and state graduation requirements • Pass the NC Reading and Math Competency Test (Administered in 8th Grade)

Course Registration and Student Schedules Each semester the VMCCA administration develops a school-wide schedule for students. The prescribed nature of the VMCCA academic program provides limited opportunities for students to select courses or follow the traditional schedule selection procedures of larger high schools. However, students will have some choice of elective courses.

Each semester the VMCCA Student Services team will meet with each student individually to review his/her schedule for the upcoming semester. They will review credits earned/ credits required and ensure that the schedule for the new semester meets the students’ academic program requirements.

Student schedules for Wake Tech courses are recorded by the Director of Career and Technical Education Partnership in the student’s Wake Tech Web Advisor account. Students use their Wake Tech log-in to access their Web Advisor account.

Online Courses The VMCCA academic program has been designed to fulfill all student course needs through seated courses during the regular school year. Occasionally, students may need an additional course to complete their schedule. Thus, they may be recommended for an on-line course offered through the North Carolina Virtual Public Schools (ncvps.org) delivery system.

In such cases, students work with VMCCA Student Services staff to identify an appropriate course offered through North Carolina Virtual Public Schools. VMCCA staff will be responsible for course registration and will insure that students have access to materials necessary to complete the course. Students will complete the VMCCA NCVPS Agreement prior to their registration in an online course. Students will be provided a period for accessing the course during the school day. Grades earned in the on-line course are included on the high school transcript and are calculated in a student’s cumulative grade point average.

Students may be interested in applying for a summer on-line course. They may request only those courses that are not offered during the traditional school year. They must complete the VMCCA NCVPS Agreement prior to being registered for the course.

VMCCA students are not eligible for enrollment in Wake Tech online courses, except when a course that is required for graduation is not available during the instructional day or a student must repeat a course and the on-line section is the only one that a student’s schedule can accommodate.

Career and College Promise Courses The program area courses taught by WTCC instructors are Career and College Promise courses Students receive both WCPSS credit and WTCC credit for their work.

Grades for Career and College Promise courses are a part of the student’s transcript. Grades for Career and College Promise courses are calculated as part of the student’s overall grade point average for VMCCA and Wake Tech. Students are expected to maintain a “C” or better in their Career and College Promise class. Failure to do so may result in the student being prohibited from future college courses and may result in the student being graduated from the VMCCA program if the student has met all of the high school graduation requirements.

Students may not substitute other courses in the CCP certificate or diploma programs.

Summer School and Credit Recovery Policy WCPSS summer school, using GradPoint, will be offered to VMCCA students as long as it is offered through WCPSS. Summer school seats will be assigned to upperclassmen first. Courses through this system are for recovery credit only. Every GradPoint summer school student must complete an official registration form. All student requests and registrations require the approval of the VMCCA Administration. Transportation and Child Nutrition Services are not provided by WCPSS for summer school.

With the approval of the VMCCA Administration and WTCC Director of Career and Technical Education Partnership, VMCCA students may take summer school courses through Wake Tech to recover a course for which they did not receive a transferable credit if the grade earned was below a C. Students may not take Wake Tech summer school courses for first-time credit toward an associate’s degree. ALL costs associated with summer school are the responsibility of the student.

Maintaining and Reporting Grades for Students in WTCC Courses

College instructors maintain communication appropriate to the college environment. They communicate directly with their students, the academic deans and department heads. This practice is applied to VMCCA students universally. Instructors also maintain communication with the WTCC Director of Career and Technical Education Partnership, who communicates and collaborates with the VMCCA administration. VMCCA administration will call parents and meet with students as they are notified of academic or other performance information or concerns.

College instructors are not required to meet reporting deadlines normally associated with high school grade reporting. Students and their families should maintain awareness of academic progress and may do so via the Wake Technical Community College Blackboard System. The WTCC Director of Career and Technical Education Partnership assists students with accessing their Blackboard account. VMCCA faculty and staff do not have access to Blackboard information. Students must provide parents with the log-on information for the account.

Wake Tech instructors maintain Blackboard accounts. In addition, students are encouraged to take advantage of the instructor’s office hours to ask questions and discuss their grades. Students may also request an alternate meeting time if the instructor’s office hours conflict with other class times.

College grades are reported at the end of each semester. Wake Tech reports student college course grades.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."

• Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies. • Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information. • Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31): v School officials with legitimate educational interest; v Other schools to which a student is transferring; v Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes; v Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student; v Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;

27 v Accrediting organizations; v To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; v Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and v State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.

Career Development Opportunities

Experiences beyond the classroom richly enhance the VMCCA experience. Our partnership with Wake Tech, and business and community partners, provide great opportunities for students to expand their understanding and exposure in their chosen program area. The Career Development Coordinator will schedule events and present opportunities that students should plan to include in their professional resume.

Speakers Each month Wake Tech and professionals representing the business community make themselves available to students during SMART Lunch. Presentations address areas that students have identified as potential career fields.

Volunteering Community and business representatives work closely with the VMCCA Career Development Coordinator to create meaningful volunteer services experiences. Information sessions are offered throughout the year. To be eligible to volunteer students must have demonstrated strong academic performance and personal character. Volunteer opportunities may begin during the junior year. Potential volunteers complete an application and undergo an interview and orientation process to earn these opportunities.

To be considered for these opportunities, students must complete the Community Service Volunteer packet in its entirety. Once a student has been approved for the Community Service Volunteer Program, he/she must complete the Volunteer Contract. Volunteer hours must be completed outside of the school day. Students who do not uphold the Volunteer Contract may be asked to terminate their volunteer experience and may be prevented from additional career development opportunities within the community. In addition, students volunteering in a health care setting must have up to date immunizations.

Job Shadowing Students may be eligible for job shadowing opportunities in their sophomore year. These include participating in program area classes offered through Wake Tech, visits with professionals and other individuals associated with VMCCA Advisory Boards.

Internships and Apprenticeships Students may consider participation in internships and apprenticeships between their junior and senior years. Students should contact the Career Development Coordinator for additional information about competitive internships and apprenticeships available through the Advisory Board and business partnerships.

Enrichment Experiences outside of the VMCCA Partnership Numerous enrichment opportunities in the program areas are available to students who want to broaden their backgrounds and build their resumes. Students should visit the VMCCA College and Career Center for information. An ongoing list of opportunities is also available on the VMCCA website.

Academic Support Services and Programs

READY All Vernon Malone College and Career Academy students will graduate college and career READY. In an effort to provide students with support, all VMCCA students participate in an advisory program, READY, focusing on 3 priorities: preparing students to be successful learners in a project based learning environment; preparing students to be career-ready by educating them on employability skills; and preparing students to be college-ready by educating students on topics including college applications and financial aid. In addition, the READY program will promote stuents building close relationships with faculty, developing strong friendships with fellow students, and being innovative in applying knowledge and skills through their work. READY activities encourage students to reflect on the work they are doing and the way they are presenting themselves. Activities may include group discussions, reading selections, academic and personal goal setting, character education, guest speakers and many other activities. READY meets on Fridays during SMART Lunch for 30 minutes.

Clubs, Organizations, and Activities Campus organizations are available to all VMCCA students. In the opening year we will work to establish FBLA, NHS, National Technical Honor Society, SGA, SkillsUSA, and Yearbook an activities that are of interest to the students. Students may propose additional clubs and organizations. They must have a faculty sponsor before the club or activity begins.

Counseling and Student Services The VMCCA Counseling and Student Services department includes a Dean of Students, Counselor, two Career Development Coordinators, SAP counselor, ALC teacher and Intervention Coordinator. These individuals work collaboratively to develop academic plans for students, to monitor student progress toward completing those plans and to offer intervention and support when students are struggling.

The Career Development Coordinators work closely with VMCCA partners to insure that each student has academic and extracurricular experiences that relate to his/her specific interests in the program area in which he/she is enrolled. Students and their families may schedule an appointment with any member of the Counseling and Student Services department at any time.

Parent-Student Conferences The principal, assistant principal, counselor or any teacher may request a conference with the parent/guardian to discuss student progress or concerns. Parents may call the VMCCA office to schedule a conference at any time during the school year as well.

Wake Tech college instructors do not attend VMCCA parent conferences. Parents may request specific information about a course by communicating with Wake Tech Liaison, Lisa Bulls, after attempting to obtain grades from their child.

Class Nights While each year in high school represents a major milestone in a student’s academic development, junior and senior year are vitally important years. A special parent/student information night for juniors and seniors will be held during the fall semester. The program for these events may include presentations from Wake Tech officials, as well as information about financial planning for college and career planning information. Families should plan to attend these events.

Open Houses VMCCA hosts an Open House for the purpose of connecting VMCCA families to the VMCCA faculty and staff and to share important curriculum details. These occur within the first few weeks of the first semester. Additional meetings to facilitate home-school communication and for families to be a part of the exciting work at VMCCA will occur throughout the year as well. Input from VMCCA families is always welcome and encouraged.

Below 70 Students should develop a mindset of earning a “C” as the minimum standard in all courses. This standard is an essential one for VMCCA students because of the unique relationship of high school and college courses. If students fail to maintain this standard in college courses they may be dropped from the courses. Additionally, advancing to higher levels within an academic area is contingent upon students earning a C or higher in the preceding course.

The Below 70 List conditions students to this level of success. It also ensures students have continued access to college courses during their enrollment at VMCCA.

Every two weeks VMCCA faculty submits their “Below 70 List.” This list alerts the VMCCA administration, Student Services, and Intervention Coordinator about students who are failing to maintain a C average in their high school courses. Students on the below 70 list will be required to attend the Hawks Nest during lunch. VMCCA families may be contacted for conferences if students consistently fall below 70 in their courses.

Personal Education Plans (PEP) In accordance with WCPSS Board Policy 5530, students who are at-risk for academic failure and who may jeopardize graduating from high school will have a PEP developed for them until they demonstrate consistent academic success. Teachers work in conjunction with the VMCCA Intervention Coordinator to identify appropriate strategies they recommend for improvement. The student and the parent/guardian will receive a copy of the PEP as well as regular reports on the student’s academic progress toward the completion of the PEP.

Hawks Nest Hawks Nest is a vital intervention strategy available to all VMCCA students. The VMCCA Intervention Coordinator facilitates this program. Students will be assigned tutorial during lunch by the Intervention Coordinator based on information provided by teachers. This time is intended to be an opportunity for re-teaching content students are not mastering as well as front-loading difficult instruction in the future. Hawks Nest is intended to provide students time for academic support in lieu of staying after school hours. Students who are in good standing and do not need academic support will have the entire lunch period for lunch, study, or project work on their own. All students will be placed in Hawks Nest at the beginning of each semester or quarter and will have to be exited.

Starfish System Wake Tech Community College uses the Starfish System in Blackboard. This is an early warning system that allows the instructor of a course to initiate communication with a student if there is a concern about the student’s grades. It is important to note that students only will see this warning unless the student provides the parent with access to the Blackboard site. If a student receives a warning from the instructor via Starfish, it is important for the student to follow up with the instructor to determine how to improve his/her grade.

31 VMCCA Transcript Policy

VMCCA students create a high school and a college transcript during their enrollment in the program. The high school transcript reports ALL courses in which a student has enrolled, including Wake Tech college courses, NCVPS courses, Summer School courses, and any other credit-bearing courses related to high school achievement.

The college courses listed on the high school transcript DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA for transcript records required for admissions to colleges and universities. Therefore, VMCCA students are responsible for sending BOTH their VMCCA transcript and Wake Tech transcript to the colleges and universities to which they are applying.

Students need to have their transcript sent when applying to colleges in the fall or winter. They will also need to submit A FINAL transcript from both VMCCA and Wake Tech at the end of their graduating year. Mid-year transcripts are often requested from a college, as well. Students will need to request them in the same manner in which they request other transcripts.

Transcript Reviews and Requests Each semester Student Services’ staff reviews every student’s WCPSS transcript to ensure that they accurately reflect the courses students have taken and the grades they have earned. If a student has a Wake Tech transcript, counselors compare the WCPSS transcript with the Wake Tech transcripts.

VMCCA Transcripts All VMCCA students will use the Wake County Public School System website to request all VMCCA transcripts. Please visit http://www.wcpss.net. Scroll down and click on “Get Student Transcripts” on the left side of your screen. When the page comes up, scroll down and click on “Request Transcripts and Student Records”. You will then see 5 options from which to choose. Only the first 2 options will apply to you.

Option 1 will take you directly into the College Foundation of North Carolina site. This is the site to use for all NC colleges and universities. It will send your final transcript automatically after graduation if you have requested an initial transcript at some point during the year. Option 2 is for all other transcript requests - out of state colleges and scholarship requests. The first 3 requests under option 2 are free; each additional request will be $10.00. You will have to request your final transcript after graduation.

Student Transfers within WCPSS If a student transfers from Vernon Malone College and Career Academy to another WCPSS high school, he/she should provide two transcripts to the school in which he/she is enrolling: a WCPSS transcript and a Wake Tech transcript. The WCPSS transcript will provide documentation of high school and college level courses, and the Wake Tech transcript will show college credits earned.

Wake Tech Transcripts Student may obtain unofficial transcripts through their WebAdvisor accounts. For information on how to obtain an official Wake Tech transcript visit: http://www.waketech.edu/student- services/registration-student-records/transcripts

32 College Planning & Financial Aid

College Planning Students should begin exploring their options beyond VMCCA as early as the fall of their junior year. VMCCA student counselors will hold junior and senior conferences to begin to determine the interests and intentions that students have. Students should also attend information sessions hosted by VMCCA and the colleges/universities of interest to them. They should also meet with VMCCA Student Services counselors for guidance in the application process and for support with admissions and financial planning.

Getting into College VMCCA students must begin the college application process in the fall of their senior year with the least amount of negative marks as possible on their college, as well as high school, transcripts. A strong transcript significantly increases a student’s chance of being accepted by the college(s) where they apply.

Four year colleges and universities look for students who have:

1. Earned good grades in both their high school and college courses, 2. sufficiently challenged themselves while demonstrating a solid work ethic and effective study habits, 3. earned final grades that are transferable (grades of C or better), 4. achieved satisfactory SAT and/or ACT scores, 5. Actively and consistently participated in activities and organizations in school and the community including volunteering/community service work, and attended class regularly.

For example, East Carolina University currently requires a minimum 2.5 GPA on students’ college transcripts to be considered for admission. Other criteria are also considered (see list above) once the GPA minimum has been met.

Letters of recommendation offer significant merit to the application. Be sure to participate in some school-related activities, keep your grades up, keep the school staff informed about your extracurricular activities, and build positive and respectful relationships while at school.

It is important that student’s request letters of recommendation in a timely manner (allow at least two weeks prior to the application deadline) and provide the recommendation writer with the following:

A copy of your updated resume - activities are extremely important. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the receiving college or university. Do not put your personal return address on the envelope.

Remember, to follow-up with a thank you (card or email); this always goes a long way.

The Scholarship Process

Private sources make up a small piece of the total financial aid picture. Nonetheless, there are a number of scholarship opportunities – the challenge is finding the opportunities that are applicable to your individual situation. Websites are listed on the next page that will assist you in your scholarship search and college information research. Mrs. Shanora Kingsberry, Dean of Students will be emailing updates regarding local scholarship opportunities, as well. Check VMCCA Student Services website for updates as well.

Researching appropriate scholarships and completing scholarship application forms can be time- consuming – plan accordingly. Remember to never pay for a scholarship or for scholarship information. Individual colleges and universities also offer merit-based scholarship programs which will be offered to qualified students once accepted. Be sure to review the scholarship websites of your college(s) of interest for a complete list of college-specific websites.

Examples of Scholarship Criteria: Academic merit Leadership activities Community service Extracurricular activities Work experience Honors and achievements Financial need Personal statements and essays Overcoming adversity

Examples of Scholarship Essays: Describe a person or event having a significant impact on you. Describe a social problem of interest to you. What are your plans after graduation? Explain what motivates you to volunteer in your community. Explain why you need this scholarship. Write a statement describing your interests, life goals, ambitions, and hopes.

College Financial Aid

There are several types of financial aid students and parents may pursue in paying for college. These include: scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, entitlement programs, and employment. All types of financial aid come from various sources that include the federal government, local clubs, civic organizations, and colleges and universities themselves.

Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) must be completed by all students wishing to be considered for any federal financial aid. The FAFSA form is the gateway to all federal money. To initiate the financial aid process, you and your parents must submit a financial aid form. The FAFSA is a confidential document used to collect information for determining a student’s need for financial aid.

34 An estimate of your family’s financial ability to contribute to the costs of education beyond high school is computed. The amount is known as the Estimated Financial Contribution (EFC). The EFC is an indicator of how much the government believes the family can pay each year for their student’s education. However, this amount does not necessarily mean that the college or university will require the family to pay the entire amount. This estimate and a copy of the appropriate form are forwarded at your request to the Pell Grant Program, to state scholarship and grant programs, and to financial aid officers at the colleges or other post-secondary institutions you specify on the form. Speak with the college or university financial aid officer directly to discuss adjustments to this financial aid package.

The decision to award financial aid rests with individual institutions and programs – who directly inform students whether or not they are eligible for financial aid. Some colleges and universities require submission of both the FAFSA and College PROFILE - along with their own financial aid application for consideration for merit or academic scholarships. Only 5 colleges require the College PROFILE in Northern Carolina. They are: UNC-Chapel Hill, Davidson, Duke, Elon, and Wake Forest.

The FAFSA forms are available through the VMCCA Student Services Office beginning in January of your graduation year. The earliest the form may be sent electronically or through US Mail is January 1, 2015 for a student entering college in August of 2015. The forms for North Carolina colleges generally must be submitted before March 1st of your senior year. Some schools have an earlier date; therefore, you must adhere to the deadline for each school. You may complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and the PROFILE online at www.collegeboard.com.

The US Department of Education publishes an annual guide for high school and college students regarding financial aid. This guide explains in-depth the federal aid process. You can view this guide online at www.studentaid.ed.gov.

Types of Financial Aid

Stafford Loans Stafford Loans are available to undergraduates on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Interest rates continue to be favorable and interest is paid by the federal government for the first six months after graduation. A program called the “Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program” is available to undergraduates who do not demonstrate financial need. Students must file the FAFSA for the regular Stafford Loan first – and if not eligible, will automatically be considered for the “Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan” program.

Although borrowing limits and interest rates are identical to the regular Stafford Loan, interest will not be subsidized while the undergraduate is attending college. Students have the option of either paying interest as it accrues on the loan or capitalizing the interest and paying it off – along with the principle – following graduation. Even though the government does not pay interest, this option is attractive because of the very favorable interest rate.

Pell Grants and Supplemental Education Grants Pell Grants and SEOG’s are distributed to students based solely on need as determined by the FAFSA. The college financial aid office determines the amount received through a SEOG.

Work-Study Work-Study is a federally funded program that allows students to work on campus to help defray the costs of education. This program is organized by the school’s financial aid office.

35 Perkins Loan The Perkins Loan provides funds for students who demonstrate need as determined by the FAFSA. Colleges have a restricted amount of funds available for Perkins Loans and allocate it accordingly. Repayment begins 6 months after graduation.

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Through this program, parents may borrow the entire cost of their students’ education – less Financial Aid. Repayment of PLUS loans must begin within 60 days of disbursement. Bank approval of a PLUS loan hinges on examination of the family’s credit history. The low interest rates on PLUS loans can make these an attractive option for families who plan to finance educational costs.

College Financial Aid Conferences: To schedule a College Financial Aid Conference with VMCCA’ Financial Aid Advisor please call VMCCA’ Main Office at (919) 212-5800 beginning the 3rd week of October.

College Information Websites

The College Foundation of North Carolina Research and apply to four and two year colleges in North www.cfnc.org Carolina; send transcripts; learn more about careers and college majors. Fast Web www.fastweb.com Free, searchable scholarship database Wake County School’s Scholarship Database www.scholarshipplus.com/wake Peterson’s www.petersons.com Search colleges by GPA, tuition, sports and more. The Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com Prepare for standardized tests, research colleges and majors. FAFSA on the web www.fafsa.ed.gov Find information on the use of the free application for federal student aid College Board www.collegeboard.com Register for the SAT; explore college admissions information; learn more about financial aid and scholarships. The North Carolina Community College System www.ncccs.cc.nc.us Research the 59 community colleges in North Carolina

Campus Life

Principal’s Weekly Message Dr. Thompson will use the School Messenger system to inform the Vernon Malone College and Career Academy parents and students about upcoming events, academic information and any other topics she deems essential for students and families. Messages are generally sent every Friday. These messages are posted to the VMCCA website and then archived after one week. Parents will also receive an automated phone call for any student absences. Families should notify the VMCCA office if they are not receiving these messages as a current phone number may not be on file with the school.

Atrium During Hawks Nest and lunch, students should only be in the atrium if they are working on assignments or for a quiet break. With classrooms being right next to the atrium, a lower noise level will need to be maintained as to not disturb students getting any remediation during Hawks Nest or lunch.

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Website: vernonmalonecca.wcpss.net The school website offers valuable information about school programs, academic opportunities, career development activities, parent programs, campus celebrations, and community events. The site is updated regularly to include highlights and accomplishments of students and the VMCCA community and other essential information. Here you will find a link to teachers’ websites containing daily instructional information and resources.

Student Email VMCCA students are provided a Wake Tech account. Students must use their Wake Tech account to communicate with Wake Tech personnel. This is the ONLY email address students can use to communicate with Wake Tech personnel; all other addresses will not receive a response. The Director of Career and Technical Education Partnership oversees Wake Tech student email accounts and should be contacted if there are interruptions in student access.

In addition, students will also receive a Wake County Public Schools email account. Students must use their WCPSS account to communicate with WCPSS personnel. This is the ONLY email address students can use to communicate with WCPSS personnel; all other addresses will not receive a response. The Media Coordinator may assist students with email accounts.

Wake Tech Blackboard Accounts All VMCCA students who are enrolled in Wake Tech classes are issued a Blackboard account that is accessible to the student ONLY. Students are responsible for remembering their log-in and password; they SHOULD NOT share their account information with any other student. Wake Tech instructors use Blackboard sites to post assignments, to assign on-line quizzes, and to record grades earned in classes. Information on Blackboard is not communicated to any WCPSS systems. Therefore, students and families must go directly to the Blackboard site for information related to college courses. Wake Tech Blackboard accounts may be accessed at http://waketech.edu/.

Wake Tech WebAdvisor Accounts All VMCCA students who are enrolled in Wake Tech classes access information about their schedules and their college transcripts from their Wake Tech WebAdvisor accounts. Wake Tech WebAdvisor accounts may be accessed at http://waketech.edu/. The Career and Technical Education Partnership will facilitate registration in Wake Tech classes for VMCCA students.

Student Identification Cards: Students must have a VMCCA identification card (ID) that functions as both their Wake Tech identification and their VMCCA identification. Note that for some program areas students will be required to also have a WTCC ID. Students who need a WTCC ID will have the opportunity to obtain a WTCC ID with the help of the WTCC Director who supports VMCCA students. VMCCA Student IDs will be obtained during the first week of school from the Student Services office. Students must have their VMCCA ID on their person at all times during the school day or at any school function. In the event a student is asked to present his/her ID to any WCPSS, VMCCA or Wake Tech personnel, he/she must do so immediately and without questions.

Daily Attendance Vernon Malone College and Career Academy students are required to comply with all Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) and Wake Tech attendance policies. Students should review the policies in their WCPSS student handbook and Wake Tech Student Handbook online. Full versions of these documents may be found at www.wcpss.net and www.waketech.edu.

For absences from WCPSS classes, students must bring a note from home or a doctor to excuse any absence from high school classes within two (2) days of the absence. Absence notes cannot be emailed or faxed. Parent daytime contact numbers should be included on the absence note as well as the student’s full name, date of absence and reason. Notes received after the two day window will remain unexcused regardless of the reason. When VMCCA students return from an absence, they must report to the VMCCA office to sign in and receive an admit slip.

Please note that Wake Tech does not have an excused absence policy. Students who are absent from more than 10% of a college course will either receive a W, WP or WF for the course. Students may receive a W if they have completed less than 60% of a course; after 60% is complete a WP or WF will be issued by the instructor. Please review the Wake Tech Attendance Policy.

Check In/Out Procedures

Drop off/Pick-Up Students may be dropped off as early as 7:00 AM. Students should go immediately to the 1st period class at the 7:18 bell. Students who do not ride the bus must be picked up by 3:00 pm each day unless students are participating in a VMCCA function or there is a pre-arranged agreement with the VMCCA administration. VMCCA and WTCC faculty/staff are not available or able to supervise students after 3:00. Families of students who show a pattern of remaining on campus unsupervised after 3:00 will be contacted to discuss arrangements for student supervision.

Checking Out Students who wish to check out of school before the end of the school day must bring a written note, signed by a parent or guardian (with a daytime contact number). VMCCA reserves the right to speak to the parent or guardian before the student is allowed to leave. Check out notes must be turned in to the Student Information Data Manager. All parents/guardians must come into the office to sign students out. No exceptions.

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Learning Commons The VMCCA Learning Commons is a place where students may go to do research, use the computer, work in small groups or study. Use of the Learning Commons is a privilege. Students must have a signed permission slip from the VMCCA administration to use the learning commons

38 at all times unless they are accompanied by a VMCCA faculty member. Students may not “hang out” in the learning commons at the end of the school day. If a student needs to use the learning commons after school, he/she must inform the VMCCA administration and secure permission prior to going to the learning commons. Valid student identification is required. All students must sign in when entering the learning commons. Students may not eat or drink in the learning commons.

Students must use their identification card to check out materials, to use computers, or to print. Without this card, they will be unable to utilize the resources within the learning commons.

Students who engage in disruptive behavior, destroy or damage any of the learning commons property, bring food or drinks into the learning commons, fail to secure permission or fail to comply within any directions by the learning commons staff will lose their privilege and incur a disciplinary consequence as directed by Wake County Public School System and/or Wake Tech Community College policies for student behavior.

Lunch WCPSS Child Nutrition Services provides a full-service cafeteria for student lunches each day. All students must eat their lunch in the commons area unless they have a pass to go to a teacher’s classroom. Students may go to the learning commons during lunch but cannot eat or drink in the learning commons.

Off Campus Lunch (see email with 2015-2016 lunch contracts) 1. Contract 2. Fee 3. Juniors and Seniors only

Textbooks, Supplies, Fees and Fines Many materials necessary for a public school education are provided for students by the State of North Carolina. Textbooks (college and high school) are school and state property. Textbooks become the responsibility of the student the moment they are assigned to the student. If they are lost, damaged, or stolen, the expense for replacement will be charged to the student.

Charges will be assessed for lost and damaged books, materials, supplies, equipment and property in accordance with established replacement or repair costs. Students are responsible for providing their own pencils, paper and other basic supplies needed to take their courses.

All outstanding books and fees must be resolved by the student as a condition of students receiving textbooks for the next semester and/or final transcripts from VMCCA and WTCC or school records before or after graduation. Students with outstanding fines and fees will not be allowed to participate in graduation exercises.

Additional School Fees Any fee or charge due to be paid to any school in the system and not paid at the end of the school year shall be carried forward until the next succeeding school year, as such debts are considered to be debts of the student to the school system and not to a particular school. Fees are to be paid within 30 days after enrollment.

Fees will be charged for the following: 1. Special events (Graduation Cap & Gown, Processing Fee for Graduation/Degree Conference) 2. Lost or damaged books 3. Lost or damaged materials, supplies, or equipment. All outstanding textbook and/or other fees must be resolved as a condition of students receiving textbooks for the next semester. 4. Certain field trips 5. Transcripts 6. Senior Fee (for select activities). 7. Program Area fees associated with WTCC programs.

Overdue fines and fees that are not paid in a timely manner will result in a delay in the releasing of transcripts, participation in graduation, course registration, and approval for graduation.

Transportation Bus Riders VMCCA students who ride buses are assigned routes based on Southeast Raleigh High School transportation, which follows “Express Bus” routes. These routes do not go into neighborhoods; instead, a “hub” at a WCPSS middle or high school or a centrally located site identified by WCPSS Transportation serves as the pick-up and drop-off locations. Wake County buses have scheduled times of arrival for stops on their routes. On a normal school day students should allow a 10-minute leeway before and after their scheduled time of pick-up. They should allow more time throughout the school year on inclement weather days and for delays that may arise due to mechanical problems.

VMCCA bus riders typically arrive on campus at 7:00 AM and should go immediately to the commons area. In the rare case the bus is late and students are tardy, students should report to the main office to obtain a pass to class.

School buses are state property and are the means of transportation provided by the state. Students who ride the buses are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner. The school administration of Southeast Raleigh High School and VMCCA has the authority to suspend pupils from riding the bus for the following infractions as well as any others announced during the year: • Delaying the bus schedule. • Fighting, smoking, using profanity, or refusing to obey the instructions of school authorities or bus driver while riding the bus. • Tampering with a school bus. • Refusing to meet the bus at the designated stops. • Unauthorized leaving of the bus when traveling from home to school or vice versa. • Playing, throwing trash, paper, or other objects while the bus is in operation. • Violation of Wake County Public School Board Rules. • Failure to observe established safety rules and regulations.

*Transfer students and requests for before and after care are not being accepted by Transportation Staff at this time. Look for updates for these types of requests throughout the year.

Riding the bus to school is a privilege and not an inherent right. All Vernon Malone College and Career Academy rules for student behavior apply while riding the bus. The bus driver has full charge over all pupils riding his/her bus. Students may lose this privilege in the event they violate WCPSS transportation policies. Suspension from the bus may last from one day through the remainder of the school year, depending on the nature of the offenses.

Carpool Families who choose to carpool must follow all procedures for drop-off and pick-up as outlined by Vernon Malone College and Career Academy. This includes following procedures for entering and exiting the campus and procedures for waiting for students to exit. Cooperation and understanding will make circumstances much easier for all involved to navigate and reduce conflicts on campus. Students may enter the building at 7:00 am and report to the commons area. See the carpool map mailed home in July for traffic flow information.

Student Driver/Parking Vernon Malone College and Career Academy (VMCCA) juniors and seniors are the ONLY students eligible to apply for a parking tag on the VMCCA campus. Request forms may be obtained from the main office and questions should be directed to the Assistant Principal.

Board Policy for Motor Vehicles

7180 PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES 7180

The Board authorizes the establishment and enforcement of regulations and procedures for the parking of motor vehicles and other modes of conveyance on public school grounds. The superintendent is responsible for issuing appropriate regulations and procedures and for supervising local school principals in the enforcement of regulations and procedures. Local school principals shall establish rules for parking on the respective school campuses in keeping with available spaces and needs of the school staff, students, community, and others who have bona fide reasons for visiting the campus. Local school principals shall file any such individual school rules with the Superintendent's office. 7180.1 Any rules governing parking on school grounds shall give first priority treatment to the physically handicapped. 7180.2 Any parking lot on a school campus, which is subject to restricted parking or no parking by duly established rules, must be clearly designated as such by a sign no smaller than 24" x 24" prominently displayed at each entrance thereto. 7180.3 Individual school rules may make individual and/or group assignments to parking spaces. 7180.4 The superintendent, under authorization from the board of education, may establish rules and regulations related to security in and around school parking lots, and may impose a fee for parking. In the absence of such rules and regulations, an individual school may provide for the registration and regulation of motor vehicles as noted in 7180.5. 7180.5 Individual school rules may provide for the registration of motor vehicles and other means of conveyance maintained, operated, or parked on school grounds. The rules may further provide for the sale, issuance, and use of stickers, decals, permits, or other indicia representing the registration status of vehicles or the eligibility of vehicles to park on school grounds. Individual school rules may, also, prohibit the forgery, counterfeiting, unauthorized transfer, or unauthorized use of any official stickers, decals, permits or other indicia. 7180.6 The Superintendent may press charges (misdemeanor) against any person who is in violation of a rule concerning parking on public school grounds in Wake County. A person found guilty on charges is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished as prescribed by law. 7180.7 In addition to or in lieu of any misdemeanor charges which may be brought by the Superintendent as provided in Policy 7180.5, the principal may revoke the parking permits and parking privileges or otherwise limit or temporarily suspend the use of parking privileges of students who are in violation of a rule concerning parking on public school grounds. 7180.8 In addition to or in lieu of any misdemeanor charges which may be brought by the superintendent as provided in Policy 7180.5, the principal may invoke generally accepted means of punishing students who are in violation of individual school rules prohibiting the forgery, counterfeiting, unauthorized transfer, or unauthorized use of any official stickers, decals, permits, or other

42 indicia authorized in Policy 7180.4.

7180.9 Any motor vehicle parked on school grounds in violation of board policy, system-wide regulations, and school rules may be removed from school grounds to a place of storage and the registered owner of such vehicle shall become liable for removal and storage charges. The application of charges or punishment authorized by this policy shall not exclude the removal of any vehicle which is parked in violation of this policy. The individual school principal or administrator designated by the superintendent may request removal of vehicles per the terms of this policy and subsequent regulations, procedures, and rules. 7180.10 This policy, subsequent countywide regulations and procedures, as well as individual school rules governing parking on school grounds shall be made available for inspection by any person upon request and shall be given to each person who obtains a parking permit. 7180.11 Carpooling should be encouraged to the extent possible.

43 Medication

Distribution of Medication Students may receive or self-administer medication at school when the medication is medically necessary for health or learning and must be taken during the school day. Medication must be prescribed by a licensed physician. Alternative medications, such as herbal or homeopathic medications that are not tested by the US Food and Drug Administration for safety or effectiveness, lack safety information and therefore cannot be administered at school.

School staff may administer medication to students only when the “Parent and Physician Order for Medication” form (1702) is completed by the parent and physician and present at the school. Form 1702 is available from the school or on the WCPSS website. No medication will be given by a school official unless it is in a container dispensed by a pharmacy with the student’s name, name of medication, date prescription was filled, and directions clearly marked. A new medication form must be completed if there is a change in medication or medication dosing directions. Parent/guardians are responsible for monitoring medication expiration dates and replacing medication when expired.

Students may not share prescription or non-prescription medications with other students. Students who bring unauthorized substances on school grounds will be subject to disciplinary action.

Student Self-Administration of Emergency Medications Students may self-medicate with emergency prescription medication if they have permission to do so documented on Form1702. Senate Bill 663 was enacted in the 2005-2006 school year. This bill allows students who have met certain conditions to carry and self-administer emergency medication for asthma and severe, life-threatening allergies (anaphylaxis) during the school day and at all school- sponsored after-school events including transportation to and from the event(s). Medication includes asthma inhalers and injectable epinephrine. The parent/guardian(s) must provide the school with a completed “Parent and Physician Order for Medication” form (1702). The student must be observed and certified by the school nurse to be able to self-administer the medication.

Controlled Substances Controlled substances may be administered in the school setting with a completed medication form (1702). Controlled substances may be self- administered and self-carried at the secondary level only. Medication should be in a container dispensed by a pharmacy with the student’s name, name of medication, date prescription was filled, and directions clearly marked. Students that self-carry should carry no more than a daily dose at any time.

Computer Use VMCCA students use school computers and internet access as part of their academic program. Students must complete the VMCCA Acceptable Use Policy prior to accessing any technology. This document must be on file in the VMCCA office. Any violation of this policy, including use of technology for purposes other than academic and/or accessing inappropriate websites, will result in disciplinary consequences in accord with the VMCCA Acceptable Use policy and WCPSS Board Policy 6446, Student Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources. This form must be updated and signed each academic year.

Codes of Conduct

Student Conduct All students are responsible for complying with and are expected to be familiar with the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct and school board policies governing student behavior and conduct. All Code of Student Conduct policies are contained in the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook, which is distributed to all students and parents at the beginning of each school year or upon enrollment in WCPSS. If there is a conflict between the rules expressed in this handbook and the Code of Student Conduct policies, the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct policies shall take precedence.

Todos los estudiantes son responsables de cumplir con y familiarizarse con el Codigo de Conducta Estudintil de WCPSS y las politicas de la Junta de Educacion que gobiernan el comportamiento y lo conduct de estudiantes. Todos las politicas del Condigo de Conducta Estudiantil se encuentran en el manual de WCPSS de Estudiantes/Padres, el cual se distribuye a todos lo padres y estudiantes al principio de cada ano escolar o al matricularse en el WCPSS. Si hay un conficto entre las reglas expresadas en este manual de Estudiantes/Padres y el manual de las escuela de su hijo(a) las reglas expresadas en este deben tomar prioridad.

The Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Student

At Vernon Malone CCA, we first seek to help students understand the characteristics we expect them to display. VMCCA students should be:

Respectful Reflective Focused Self-directed Self-advocates Creative Effective Communicators

At VMCCA the faculty and staff will be committed to developing these traits in our students, and they will serve as the guide in all disciplinary interventions. Further, teachers will seek opportunities to recognize students when they exhibit the characteristics of a VMCCA student.

We do understand that the students at VMCCA will sometimes make bad decisions and violate policies and procedures, and we will establish clear consequences for those behaviors. However, it is important that students understand we have high expectations for them, and we will support them to reach those expectations. Further, because all students applied to attend VMCCA, we expect them to have high expectations for themselves as well. It is only through high expectations that students will realize their potential and maximize the opportunities that come with being accepted to VMCCA. Bad decisions and disciplinary problems are not the pathway to graduating college and career ready.

Parents will be a vital part of student success at VMCCA. In applications schools where students take college courses early, students experience rigor and challenges they may not have experienced before. The students must take responsibility for their learning in this type of environment and be self- advocates with VMCCA faculty and their parents. We will rely on parents to support their students and share concerns so that we may support students as well.

Respect for School Environment VMCCA facilities should be respected in every way. Students have access to many areas on the VMCCA Campus. School property is state property and, therefore, belongs to everyone. It should be treated with all due respect and care. Defacing or damaging walls, desks, doors, walkways, books, and other school property is a sign of disrespect and poor citizenship. At VMCCA we respect our school and try our best to see that it is protected from needless abuse. Anyone who damages or destroys school property will be responsible for cost associated with replacing/repairing that property and be subject to additional disciplinary action as warranted.

Tardy Policy Because instructional time is valuable and should be protected, it is very important that student arrive on time to each class every day.

Morning Arrival If a student arrives to school in the morning less than 15 minutes late, the student should report directly to class and the teacher will assign a consequence for the tardy.

If a student arrives late due to the bus, a security officer will provide the student with a late bus pass directly to class.

If a student arrives to class in the morning 15 minutes or more after the morning bell, he/she should report to the main office to check in. The receptionist will provide a pass to class. The student should then go directly to class where the teacher will assign a consequence for the tardy.

Consequences for Being Tardy to Class First Tardy: Warning Second Tardy: Contact a parent/ guardian Third Tardy: Assign lunch detention and contact a parent/ guardian Fourth Tardy: Assign period detention, contact a parent/ guardian, and refer to counselor Fifth Tardy: Counts as 1 absence AND administrative referral

If a student arrives to 2nd – 4th period more than 15 minutes late, the student is considered skipping and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

Hall Passes Students are not permitted in the halls during the school day unless they have their student agenda or office pass signed by a faculty member. For student- initiated requests, students must use their agenda books. For faculty-initiated requests, students will be issued an office pass. Students without a hall pass will be sent back to class and/or receive appropriate disciplinary action. Students are responsible for getting a hall pass from a teacher at all times if they are in the hall during class time.

Locks and Lockers Students will be assigned a locker by the Assistant Principal who will provide the combination for the locker. Students are to use only the locker assigned to him/her by his/her teacher or by the Assistant Principal. Individual personal locks will not be allowed and will be cut off. The school will not be responsible for the security of any item stored in lockers. Books and/or other belongings placed in an unassigned locker or in a locker designated to another student will be removed. In addition, the lock will be removed. Lockers are the property of the school and may be searched at any time by a school official. Students should contact the Assistant Principal in charge of lock to determine the proper procedure to follow to replace a broken or lost lock. If a lock is broken or lost by a student, the replacement cost is $6.00. If the fine is not paid promptly, the teacher will turn in a fine at the end of school.

Dress Code Students should be appropriately dressed at all times. Students should not dress in any manner, which would be disruptive to a climate conducive to serious study or the orderly operation of school. Students are expected to adhere to standards of dress and appearance that are compatible with an effective learning environment. Presenting a bodily appearance or wearing clothing which is disruptive, provocative, revealing, profane, vulgar, offensive, or obscene, or which endangers the health and safety of the student or others is prohibited.

Prohibited dress or appearance include, but are not limited to:

1. No exposed undergarments

2. No spaghetti straps

3. No bare midriff shirts, halter tops or backless shirts

4. No tank tops/undershirts worn alone

5. No pants worn below the hips; no sagging pants

6. No excessively short or tight garments (no “daisy dukes”)

7. No strapless shirts

8. No hats, caps, scarves, head rags, night caps

9. No head covering of any kind (except for religious reasons)

10. No attire with messages or illustrations that are lewd, indecent, or vulgar or that advertise any product or service not permitted by law to minors

11. No adornments such as chains or spikes that reasonably could be perceived as or used as a weapon

12. Shoes are to be worn at all times.

13. No see-through clothing

14. No attire that exposes cleavage

15. No symbols, styles or attire frequently associated with intimidation, violence or violent groups about which students at a particular school have been notified

16. No sunglasses inside the building during the school day

17. No mask or facial covering (except for religious reasons)

Students dressed inappropriately will be given appropriate attire to wear. Inappropriate attire will be returned at the end of the school day.

Wireless Communication Devices, IPods, Bluetooth, CD Players and Laser Pointers During instructional time, no student shall use, display, transmit or have in the “on” position on school property any wireless communication device including all types of cell telephones, paging devices, two-way radios, CD/MP3 players, electronic games, or any laser pointer or similar device. This policy also includes electronic accessories. The only exception is if the teacher gives permission for the students to use a device for instructional purposes. The school is not responsible for any stolen items. Students who violate this policy will have their item held in the office until a parent or guardian can claim it. Students who refuse to cooperate are subject to disciplinary consequences. Students are encouraged not to have electronic devices or accessories visible in their cars to limit the opportunity of thieves.

If a student uses a laser pointer in a way that reasonably could or does cause physical harm, the laser pointer may be considered a dangerous instrument and the student may be charged with violation of Board Policy 6427 and disciplined accordingly. Electronic devices not picked up by a parent by the end of the year will be donated to charity.

Sale of Items Students are not to engage in the sale of items to other students unless the sale is school- sponsored. Any sale of an item for the purpose of raising funds for school activities by the students shall have prior written approval by the principal and the superintendent. All fundraising activities should be coordinated with the administrator in charge of this assignment,

Card Playing, Dice Throwing and Gambling No student or group of students is to engage in card playing, dice throwing, or gambling on campus during the school day. Students shall not participate in any unauthorized event, action, or statement which relies on chance for the monetary advantage of one participant at the expense of others. Playing cards on campus violates School Board Policy.

Trespassing on Another School’s Campus No student shall be on the campus of any school except the one to which the student is assigned during the school day without the knowledge and consent of the officials of Vernon Malone College and Career Academy and that school.

Smoking and Possession of Tobacco Products No student shall possess, smoke, or otherwise use any tobacco product in any school building or school vehicle at any time or on the school premises or while attending or participating in a school function. Possession of the above mentioned items will result in disciplinary action as outlined by School Board Policy.

Narcotics, Alcoholic Beverages, Controlled Substances, Chemicals, and Drug Paraphernalia No student shall possess, use, distribute, sell, possess with intent to distribute or sell, or conspire to attempt to distribute or sell, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, anabolic steroid, other controlled substance, any alcoholic beverage, malt beverage, fortified wine, other intoxicating liquor, drug paraphernalia, counterfeit substance, any unauthorized prescription drug, or any other chemicals or products with the intention of bringing about a state of exhilaration, euphoria, or otherwise altering the student’s mood or behavior. Any student violating this School Board Policy shall receive disciplinary actions.

48 Seniors and ACE Seniors who violate Policy 6429 and are recommended for ACE (Alternative Education Counseling) must satisfactorily meet the agreed upon conditions prior to the school’s deadline for commencement. Failure to do so will preclude the violator from participating in graduation ceremonies. Diplomas will only be issued upon satisfactory completion of the agreed upon program.

Possession of Weapons and Dangerous Instruments No student shall possess, handle, or transmit any weapon, facsimile of a weapon, or other object that can reasonably be considered or used as a weapon or dangerous instrument.

Wake County Public School System’s Code of Conduct defines a weapon as any firearm, BB gun, stun gun, mace/pepper spray, air rifle, air pistol, ammunition, power loads, fireworks, knife, slingshot, leaded cane, blackjack, metallic knuckles, razors, razor blades (except cartridge razors used solely for personal shaving), box cutter and any sharp-pointed or edged instrument except instructional supplies, unaltered nail files and clips and tools used solely for preparation of food, instruction, and maintenance.

A dangerous instrument is defined as any object that is possessed, handled, transmitted, or used for the purpose or intent of causing or attempting to cause physical injury. A student violating this policy is subject to disciplinary action.

Fighting No student shall hit, shove, scratch, bite, block the passage of, or throw objects at another person. No student shall take any action or make comments or written messages which might reasonably be expected to result in a fight. In addition to school disciplinary consequences, students who are involved in a fight may be arrested and charged with an affray, assault, and/or disruption.

Students who do not fight back will not be subject to punishment Those students should report the incident immediately to an administrator or teacher. Students should not take matters into their own hands but should allow an adult to handle the situation. Students who instigate fights but are not actively involved (for example, students who carry rumors back and forth between other individuals who subsequently fight) are subject to disciplinary action. Students who are intimidated or harassed by another student should report the incident to a teacher or an administrator. In conclusion, fighting will not be tolerated on this campus or on school buses.

Gang and Gang Related Activities The WCPSS does not support or condone gang membership or gang activity. No student shall commit any act that furthers gangs or gang-related activities. Conduct prohibited by this policy includes: • Wearing, possessing, using, distributing, displaying, or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblems, badges, symbols, signs, visible tattoos and body markings, or other items, or being in possession of literature that shows affiliation with a gang, or is evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang or that promotes gang affiliation • Communicating either verbally or non-verbally (gestures, handshakes, slogans, drawings, etc.) to convey membership affiliation in any gang or that promotes gang affiliation • Tagging or otherwise defacing school or personal property with gang or gang-related symbols or slogans • Requiring payment of protection, money or insurance, or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person related to gang activity

49 • Inciting other students to intimidate or to act with physical violence upon any other person related to gang activity • Soliciting others for gang membership • Conspiring to commit any violation of this policy or committing or conspiring to commit any other illegal act or other violation of school district policies that relates to gang activity

Bomb Threats No student shall make, aid, and/or abet in making a bomb threat or hoax by making a false report that a device designated to cause damage or destruction by explosion, blasting, or burning is located on the school premises or at the site of school activities. Any student violating this School Board Policy will be subject to receiving a disciplinary action.

False Fire Alarm No student shall set, attempt to set off or aid and abet anyone in giving a false fire alarm. No student shall interfere with or damage any part of a fire alarm, fire detection, smoke detection, or fire extinguishing system. Any student violating this School Board Policy will be subject to receiving a disciplinary action.

Threat/False Threat No student shall make any threat through written or verbal language, sign, or act which conveys a serious expression of intent to cause harm or violence.

Furthermore, no student shall make a false threat of harm or violence, even in jest, which causes or is reasonably likely to cause fear or a disruption to school activities.

Hazing Hazing is prohibited. No group or individual shall require a student to wear abnormal dress, play abusive or ridiculous tricks on him/her, frighten, scold, beat, harass or subject him/her to personal indignity. For example: This includes extra-curricula activities during Homecoming, Spirit Week, etc.

Intimidation/Disrespect/Bullying Verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct that interferes with an individual’s learning environment is prohibited. Intimidation, bullying, repeated teasing or taunting, or the use of offensive or degrading language including but not limited to, remarks that demeans a person’s race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, intellectual ability or physical attributes are specifically prohibited. This includes cyber-bullying. A student who violates this School Board Policy is subject to receive a disciplinary action.

Harassment It is the priority of the Wake County Board of Education to provide each and every student in the Wake County Public School System with a safe, orderly and caring learning environment. To this end, the Board prohibits bullying and harassment under any circumstances. This policy is in addition to the Board’s sexual harassment policy.

Harassment means any offensive verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive to interfere with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational opportunity or activity. Prohibited conduct may include, but is not limited to, abusive jokes, insults, slurs, name-calling, threats, bullying or intimidation.

50 Sexual Harassment The Wake County Board of Education believes that all employees and students are entitled to work and study in school-related environments that are free of sexual harassment. To this end, the board prohibits employees and students from engaging in sexual harassment and advises employees and students that when evidence of sexual harassment is established, disciplinary action may be taken, up to and including dismissal (for employees) and suspension or expulsion (for students). Independent contractors and volunteers are likewise prohibited from engaging in sexual harassment and are subject to removal from their duties or activities with the school district for violations of this policy.

Please refer to Board Policy regarding sexual harassment located in the Wake County Employee Handbook and on the Wake County Public School website.

Consequences for Unacceptable Behavior Each student has a role in helping his/her peers, teachers, and administrators maintain a safe and orderly school environment. So that one may gain the most from his/her experiences in the classroom and participation in school activities, every student has the responsibility of exhibiting appropriate behavior. A student has the right to learn in a classroom free from distractions caused by inappropriate behavior of others.

Integrity Any student who engages in or attempts to engage in plagiarism, falsification, violation of software copyright laws, or violation of computer access shall be subject to disciplinary action. The following actions are specifically prohibited:

Cheating – giving or receiving any unauthorized assistance on academic work Plagiarism – copying the language, structure, or idea of another and representing it as one’s own work • Falsification – verbal or written statement of any untruth • Violation of software copyright laws – unauthorized duplication of computer software (computer piracy), printed material related to computer software, and/or the use of pirated computer software • Violation of computer access – willfully, directly, or indirectly, accessing or causing to be accessed any computer, computer system, computer network, or any part thereof without proper authorization or otherwise violating School Board Policy 6446: Student Internet Access and Electronic Mail.

51 Possible Behavior Related Consequences/ Loss of Privileges

Faculty/Staff Response Parent/Guardian Administration Involvement

• Verbal Reprimand • Written Notification to • Lunch Detention Parent/Guardian

• Removal from Class • Period Detention • Conference with Parent/Guardian • Phone Call to • ISS/ALC Parent/Guardian • Parent/Guardian Accompanies Student • Short Term • Loss of Privileges to Class Suspension

• Teacher Conference • Student Contract • Alternative Online School

• Confiscation of Items • Attendance Contract • RLT/Long Term Suspension • Period Detention

• Expulsion • Lunch Detention

• Counselor Referrals

52 Additional Processes

Flowers, Balloons and Other Gifts School personnel will not accept delivery of flowers, balloons, or other gifts for a student. Due to the limited amount of space, please bring only your books, notebooks, paper, pencils and other academic materials with you every day.

Selling or Soliciting on Campus No student is allowed to sell any items or to solicit business for individuals or any group for any reason without the express written consent of the principal or assistant principal.

Visitors No student may bring guests on campus at any time between 7:25 A.M. and 2:18 P.M. during a school day.

Vending Machines VMCCA students have access to vending machines in the commons area. While the vending machines remain operable throughout the day, students SHOULD NOT USE VENDING MACHINES other than in the periods before or after school or at lunch. VMCCA will not be held liable for any currency lost in a vending machine located on the school campus. Student use of vending machines is at their own risk. Vandalism of any of the vending machines may result in disciplinary action in accordance with Wake Tech policy.

Pledge of Allegiance WCPSS Board Policy 6880 states: Each school shall include a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. The school shall not compel any person to stand, salute the flag, or recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but each person shall maintain proper decorum while others participate.

Each day VMCCA students will recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the school day.

Contacting Parents/Families/Students during the School Day If a family member must contact a student or be contacted by a student during the school day, students use the VMCCA phone in the main office. VMCCA staff will ensure that students receive all messages in a timely manner.

53 Safety Drills

Fire Drills Fire drills at regular intervals are required by law and are an important safety precaution. Routes for the nearest fire exit are posted in each room. All students and staff should vacate the building in an orderly manner. Students must remain with the class so that the instructor may take roll. Students must return to class after a fire drill. Not returning to class will be considered skipping and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Lock Down Drills Periodically, throughout the year, lock down drills will occur in order to ensure the safety of students in the event of a real emergency. After the drill has occurred, Dr. Thompson will notify parents.

Tornado Drills VMCCA administration will signal tornado drills. All personnel will congregate in the designated areas. Classes are to remain together and under the supervision of the instructor. Students are to sit in a crouched position. Students must sit close together and remain quiet throughout the drill.

Areas Off Limits During the School Day

1. Any of the parking lots except for juniors and seniors with lunch passes who are leaving for or returning from lunch. 2. Shrubbery and tree areas around the school campus. 3. Unoccupied classrooms or office areas where an instructor is not present.

Students who are found in any of these areas can be treated as trespassing according to WCPSS and Wake Tech policies and may have the appropriate disciplinary consequence applied to them.

54 Acceptable Uses of Technology

The Vernon Malone College and Career Academy (VMCCA) students will use Wake County Public School System internet access and they may also access to the world-wide web without content filtering being provided through Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). Although accessing Wake Tech webservers is encouraged, accessing Wake Tech administrative servers is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, email, student information servers, switches, routers, or access points This deviation from the WCPSS policy requires acceptance by the student and his/her guardian as to the risks of exposure to content deemed unacceptable by WCPSS standards, including but not limited to accessing MySpace.com, YouTube.com, Facebook.com, any site exhibiting nudity, pornography, threats of violence, hate groups, etc. Adherence to the WCPSS’s Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources Policy still applies.

The use of the Vernon Malone College and Career Academy (VMCCA) computers is a privilege. Use computers wisely and for academic purposes. The same applies to Wake Tech computers found in their Media Center. The settings including but not limited to: desktop image, wallpaper, icons, cursors, etc. are to be left unchanged. Downloading software of any kind without permission from the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences administration is strictly prohibited. If software is to be downloaded for a class, permission MUST first be granted in writing.

Saving documents and files (including pictures) is to be limited to saving these on recordable CDs or USB flash drives; they are not to be saved anywhere on the computers. Downloading music or pictures that are not academic in nature is prohibited. Downloading music will result in a minimum penalty of 15 days without the use of laptop privileges.

Visiting sites or performing searches for sites that are not approved by Wake County Public School System (this includes any site that portrays nudity, obscene gestures, contains obscene language, messages of racism or hate based on gender, race, ethnicity, etc., or any site that is for gaming, or social networking (including, but not limited to Facebook.com, Myspace.com, Bebo.com, or YouTube.com) is not allowed. Accessing inappropriate websites is an automatic 30 day penalty without the use of computers. Multiple offenses will result in more stringent policies in accordance with WCPSS guidelines.

The computers made available to you are expensive to maintain. Your cooperation in the maintenance of these is much appreciated. Failure to adhere to any of the above listed items will result in losing privileges for a minimum of 30 days on all VMCCA computers in addition to disciplinary and legal action based on the offense. Multiple offenses will result in more stringent policies in accordance with WCPSS guidelines.

By having an Acceptable Use of Technology Contract on file you agree to abide by all policies set forth by Wake County Public Schools System (WCPSS), Wake Technical Community College, and Wake Early College. Students will only be allowed to use WCPSS’ computers only after submitting this contract with the appropriate signatures. Computer use located on Wake Tech campuses as well as those located on other Wake County School campuses will be held to the same expectations as those listed above.

55 Should you decide to bring your own personal laptop to school, you must also have a Contract on file to access it within a classroom setting. Access to your computer will also be at the Principal’s and teacher’s discretion. Students with their own laptops will also be regulated by all guidelines set forth by the Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement.

Any questions of comments regarding Technology should be directed to the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences administration. Refer to the Acceptable Use Agreement provided on the first day of school.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Definition and Purpose of “Technology”

BYOD technologies are privately owned wireless and portable electronic devices that can be used for wireless Internet access, word processing, image/video capturing, sound recording, and information transmitting. Students unable to bring own devices to school have ample access to technology.

Technology Requirements for Primary Devices 1. Wireless connectivity 2. Internet Browser 3. Google Docs/Moodle Accessible 4. Flash Drive or HD Storage 5. Keyboard ( Laptop, computer, tablet, netbook, etc.) 6. Headphones

A SMARTPHONE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AS YOUR PRIMARY TECHNOLOGY DEVICE

Security and Damages

Vernon Malone College and Career Academy is not liable for any device that is stolen or damaged. Responsibility to keep the device secure rests with the individual owner. Students are required to keep their devices with them at all times. We recommend using skins (decals) and protective cases for an easy identification, differentiation, and protection of personal devices.

56 Bring Your Own Device FAQs

How does Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) work?

BYOD allows students to turn their personal devices into learning devices while freeing up access to school computers for those students who might not have their own.

What types of devices may students bring?

Any device that is portable and can provide Internet access can be used. That would include mostly smartphones, tablets and laptops.

Why is it advantageous for students to bring devices from home?

Students in BYOD see their own personal devices as something more than just a toy or a phone. They will now be able to appreciate them as learning devices. Also, we are seeing a lot of creativity going on. Students are excited and motivated to perform learning tasks on the devices they bring from home. It’s a “familiarity” thing for them.

What about equity? Will students who cannot bring their own devices from home be at a disadvantage?

All learning activities that students can do with their personal devices will also be able to be performed with devices the school provides. Full access is made available to each and every student. BYOD will encourage students to see their personal devices as tools for learning and not just as “toys” for gaming, texting, etc. This can foster collaboration among students, as well.

What about Internet safety?

Safety and security measures are in place for personal devices just as they are for equipment provided by the school. Wi-fi access will come with the same security walls, etc., that are in place for all school devices.

How is BYOD being introduced to WCPSS?

Thirteen schools are participating in a pilot that kicked off in December 2014. Expansion to other schools will begin in fall 2015.

Is this one more thing for teachers to have to worry about? How are they supported in this?

WCPSS is working in partnership with the NC State University Friday Institute to offer professional development for BYOD teachers. Teachers are pleased that more school-provided devices are available for instruction, and that makes their jobs easier, and more rewarding.

57 Frequently Asked Questions

What if Wake Tech is open but WCPSS is closed? We have tried to align both schedules to minimize these scenarios. Most of students choose to attend their WTCC classes, but in the event they are not able to do so, they will not be held responsible and will be allowed to make up the work. There are no “excused” absences; WTCC students are required to make up missed work (online). Refer to the VMCCA calendar for specific dates.

What athletic programs does Wake Tech offer and can VMCCA students participate? Interested in playing sports? Check out the Southeast Raleigh High School athletics website http://www.srhs.net/. Please note that many sports hold meetings and workouts before school starts. Check the site or call the Athletic Director, for complete information. Students may participate with available programs on Wake Tech Campus. Transportation and any associated fees/costs are the student’s responsibilities.