LA SIERRA MILITARY ACADEMY SCREAMING EAGLES CADET HANDBOOK 2019-2020 Revision date: 6.5.19 WELCOME FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear Parents & Cadets, I would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome new cadets and families. I am thoroughly excited to lead the charge for Honor, Courage and Academic Excellence (Decus, Virtus, Doctus). It is my strong desire to work with the families of LSMA to bring stu- dent success to a new level. La Sierra Military Academy is a charter school under the auspices of the Tula- re County Office of Education and governed by the Tulare County Board of Education. We are proud to be a school of “choice” which means parents and prospective cadets choose to enroll and attend after being reviewed and ac- cepted. What makes us unique is that we offer a traditional core curriculum leading students to develop goals beyond a high school diploma. We have adopted the military philosophy as a basis for self discipline, respect and decorum, but are not affiliated or recruit for the military. La Sierra Military Academy has adopted the Tulare County Office of Educa- tion’s CHARACTER COUNTS! Program and the Six Pillars of Character as the basic framework which defines its school culture. In addition, LSMA instruc- tors and staff embrace CHARACTER COUNTS! The Six Pillars of Character and holds itself accountable to the same standards of behavior as its students. As part of the new vision for La Sierra Military Academy, parents will be ex- pected to actively participate in volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Cadets will also need to re-examine their personal commitment to being en- rolled at LSMA. We are looking for cadets who want to lead instead of follow, succeed instead of fail, and cadets who are willing to stand up to make a difference. It is imperative that all parents see LSMA as an opportunity for growth and success for their young cadets. The only true route to success is through a strong and healthy partnership between home and school. Semper Fidelis, Anjelica Zermeño Principal 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5. Rules, Infractions & Disciplinary Actions 7. Military Program 8. Admission/Enrollment, Withdrawals 10 Tattoo Policy 12. Cadet General Rules 13. Cadet Honor Code 14. Cadet Creed/Cadet Oath 15. Textbook/Materials Policy 16. ESS Act 18. Fraternization/Sexual Misconduct/PDA 19. Acts of Violence / Dishonesty 20. Gangs, Drugs & Alcohol, Personal Property / Searches 21. Uniform and Grooming Standards/Civies Policy 30. Contraband/Unauthorized Items 32. Uniform and Grooming Policy 33. Surveillance Policy/Bike Safety Policy/Financial Hardships 35. Community Service 37. Awards 38. Classroom Rules 39. Restroom Policy/Cell Phone Policy 40. Academy Hours of Operation/Student Driving 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 41. Attendance and Tardy Policy 42. Excused Absences 43. Extra Curricular Eligibility 44. Academic Requirements 45. Education Pathways 46. Grading Policy/Homework/Cheating 48. School Meals/USDA Statement 54. Alma Mater 56. Student Use of Technology/Equal Access 59. Medication Policy/Doctor Excuses for Illness and PT 60. Drill and Ceremony Teams 62. Formations/Parent, Visitor Responsibility during Colors 63. Leadership Positions 67. Reporting Procedures 68. Cadet Rank Structure 69. McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act 70. Sexual Harassment Policy 73. Bullying Policy 75. P.T.O/ Parent Involvement 78. Cadet Grievance Process 79. LSMA Chain of Command 80. Media Coverage 82. Cadet Creed 84. Links and Contact Numbers 85. Important Dates 4 RULE INFRACTIONS/DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS Discipline, as utilized in the Academy, is the mental and physical training of both the individual, as well as the group. This training teaches cadets how to obey orders, maintain a proper attitude, and conduct themselves appropriately at all times. The way cadets learn discipline is by paying attention to detail, as well as emulating appro- priate behaviors modeled by cadre (staff and instructors) and Cadet Superiors. Cadets are expected to obey and support all rules and regulations established in this handbook or given to them by author- ized staff members without question. The physical discipline used at the Academy has been tested and used by military forces and in Gym classes throughout the US for over 100 years. Methods used at La Sierra Military Academy are to instruct, train, and enforce discipline are as follows: On-the Spot Correction: Immediate quick information provided to a cadet to correct a problem behavior. (Push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, squat thrust, bend/reach, windmills, motivators, low crawls, gators, bear crawls, crab walk, duck walk, Heisman, Nelson crunch...) Informal Counseling: A face-to-face counseling by staff or instructor. Formal Counseling: A face-to-face counseling by staff or instructor that is documented and retained in the cadet’s file. Restriction: Loss of all extracurricular activities, awards and sched- uled breaks except for the last 5 minutes. Cadets stand in formation during breaks. Extra Duty: Perform general school maintenance tasks in lieu of class work. In/Out School Suspension Dismissal from Academy 5 ACADEMY VALUES AND THEIR MEANINGS: “A Person of Character” Discipline Training that develops self-control. The willingness to do what is re- quired regardless of personal mood. Integrity A strict adherence to a code of moral values or standard of conduct. Courage A mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand dan- ger, fear or difficulty. Honor A keen sense of ethical conduct, where one’s word or signature is given as a guarantee or truthfulness or performance. Commitment An agreement, pledge, or promise to do something in the future. 6 MILITARY STRUCTURE OF PROGRAM La Sierra Military Academy will be conducted using a framework and methodology that parallels those used by the military services. This model has been shown to provide a constructive, discipline standard that leads to effective self-management. The military structure will use staff controlled, peer pressure, and peer role modeling that will encourage cadets to monitor their own behavior, to make conscious decisions and alternative choices, and to learn to accept the conse- quences of their own actions. Other military related subjects that will be taught during the program are: Drill and Ceremony: Cadets will be taught facing and marching move- ments .They will learn how to form up as a group for various activities. Leadership: Cadets will study leadership techniques using the meth- odology established by military doctrine. Standards of Conduct: All Cadets are expected to look after them- selves, carry their own load, and help their peers. Each day cadets will participate in scheduled activities. These include: classroom work, work projects, fitness training, and community service. Cadets are expected to perform these activities routinely with gradual reduc- tion of supervision and should take pride in their accomplishments. Fitness training will be conducted on most days. Cadets will partici- pate in a progressive fitness-training program designed to improve their well-being and teach them a disciplined approach to life. Cadets are expected to be at the proper place at the proper time. Tardiness or unauthorized absences will not be tolerated. Cadets are expected to work together as a team to make sure all group members follow the daily routine and training schedule. 7 ADMISSIONS/ENROLLMENT/VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWALS Who May Attend La Sierra? Any student in California. Preference will be given to the students who currently live in the county whose parents are interested in a highly- disciplined school environment and where students’ past performance indicate success at La Sierra Charter High School. Preferences shall be extended to students currently attending the charter school and their siblings. Tuition is Free. Lottery La Sierra is a non-sectarian, not for profit, public school that does not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of race, religion, gender, or disability. We admit children from seventh through twelfth grade. If the number of pupils who wish to attend the charter school exceeds the school’s capacity, attendance, except for existing pupils of the charter school, shall be determined by a public random drawing (Education Code 47605) (B)(C). Preference shall be extended to pupils currently attending the charter school and pupils who reside in the district ex- cept as provided for in Section 47614.5. Other preferences may be permitted by the chartering authority on an individual school basis and only if consistent with the law. 8 ADMISSIONS/ENROLLMENT/VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWALS Once capacity has been reached a wait list is developed for loery. In the event of a drawing, the Board shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the growth of the charter school and shall not take any acon to impede the charter school from expanding enrollment to meet student demand. (Educaon Code 47605). If there are more students than seats available, students that are currently aending and their siblings will be exempt from the loery. Each grade level will be maintained daily and notifications to prospective students will be made upon seats availa- ble. Wait lists are live—meaning they are active as names continue to be added and accepted. Upon availability of open seats, a lottery will held from the wait list. Prospective Parents/guardians will be notified of the lottery and status within one week of the drawing via email or phone call. Parents must confirm their status. Enrollment Process • Parent and student complete the application available in the main office. Return application to main office Attend an informational/orientation meeting Await notification for start dates and/or lottery Meet with Academic Counselor for graduate/college/CTE plan and Individualized plans as applicable. Withdrawal Process Parents choosing to withdrawal enrollment from La Sierra must con- tact the front office. The front office will generate the withdrawal re- quest form and any outstanding fees/materials and forward notifica- tion to the school of residence.