ASPIRE CHARTER ACADEMY 4900 W. 15th Avenue Gary, IN 46406 Phone: (219) 944-7400 Parent and Student Handbook 2019-2020 A public charter school managed by National Heritage Academies, Inc. Aspire Charter Academy Parent and Student Handbook 2019-2020 Parent and Student Handbook Table of Contents Board of Directors and Administrative Staff ........................................................ 6 Our Purpose, Vision, and Philosophy................................................................. 7 The Four Pillars of NHA Academic Excellence .................................................................................. 9 Moral Focus ............................................................................................. 9 Student Responsibility ................................................................................. 9 Parental Partnership ................................................................................... 9 Academic Excellence Curriculum .............................................................................................. 10 English Language Arts ............................................................................. 10 Mathematics ........................................................................................ 10 Science .............................................................................................. 10 Social Studies ....................................................................................... 10 Art .................................................................................................... 10 Music ................................................................................................. 11 Physical Education ................................................................................. 11 Library and Educational Technology ............................................................ 11 Moral Focus ......................................................................................... 11 Achievement ............................................................................................ 13 Honors Ceremonies ................................................................................ 13 Student Grade Placement, Acceleration, Promotion, or Retention ........................ 13 Student Support Services and Special Education................................................... 15 Child Find............................................................................................ 15 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – Section 504 (General Education)............................... 15 The Intervention Assistance Team ............................................................... 15 The Individual Education Program ............................................................... 16 Educational Placement of Students with Disabilities ......................................... 16 Parent Participation ............................................................................... 17 Crisis Management: De-escalation, Isolation and Restraint of Student..................... 17 2 Aspire Charter Academy Parent and Student Handbook 2019-2020 Moral Focus Philosophy .............................................................................................. 18 Moral Focus Expectations ............................................................................. 18 Moral Focus Assemblies ............................................................................... 19 Leadership Curriculum ................................................................................ 19 Student Responsibility Homework ............................................................................................... 20 Philosophy ........................................................................................... 20 Guidelines ........................................................................................... 20 Make-Up Work ...................................................................................... 20 Technology Use and Internet Safety Practices and Procedures ................................. 22 General Rules ....................................................................................... 22 Internet Use ......................................................................................... 23 Search and Seizure Practices and Procedures...................................................... 24 Lockers are School Property ...................................................................... 24 Legitimate Use of School Lockers ................................................................ 24 Search of Locker Contents ........................................................................ 24 Seizure ............................................................................................... 24 Search and Seizure of Electronic Devices ....................................................... 24 Search and Seizure of Person and/or Personal Property ..................................... 25 Student Code of Conduct ............................................................................. 26 Acts of Misconduct ................................................................................. 26 Disciplinary Procedures ........................................................................... 28 Due Process Procedures ........................................................................... 29 Definition of Terms ................................................................................ 31 Parental Partnership Communication ......................................................................................... 33 Secure School Website ............................................................................ 33 Parent Satisfaction Survey ........................................................................ 33 Parent-Teacher Conferences ..................................................................... 33 Attendance .............................................................................................. 34 Arrival ................................................................................................ 34 Dismissal ............................................................................................. 34 3 Aspire Charter Academy Parent and Student Handbook 2019-2020 Tardiness and Early Dismissal .................................................................... 34 Absences ............................................................................................. 35 Truancy .............................................................................................. 36 Family Vacations ................................................................................... 36 Family Death or Terminal Illness ................................................................. 36 Illness During the School Day ..................................................................... 36 Voluntary Withdrawal ............................................................................. 36 Dress Code .............................................................................................. 37 Personal Hygiene ................................................................................... 37 All Students ......................................................................................... 37 Boys .................................................................................................. 37 Girls .................................................................................................. 37 Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy ...................................................... 38 Visitor and Volunteer Guidelines ..................................................................... 43 General .............................................................................................. 43 Classrooms .......................................................................................... 43 Field Trips ........................................................................................... 43 General School Procedures Transportation ......................................................................................... 45 Meals .................................................................................................... 45 Snacks ................................................................................................... 45 Recess ................................................................................................... 45 Holiday Celebrations .................................................................................. 46 Field Trips .............................................................................................. 46 Lost and Found ......................................................................................... 46 Personal Items ......................................................................................... 46 Emergency School Procedures ....................................................................... 47 Tobacco Use and Non-Smoking Policy .............................................................. 47 Payments Made to School ............................................................................ 47 Medical Information ................................................................................... 47 Notifications Rights Under FERPA ..................................................................................