Student Handbook 2021-2022 Perseverant Resiliency Yes We Can! "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." -Martin Luther King, Jr. Erika Mann DR Head of School JA JAMES M. SINGLETON CHARTER SCHOOL 222 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113 P 504 568 3466 F 504 569 3378 www.dryadesymca.com History of the Dryades YMCA The Dryades YMCA was founded in 1905 as the Colored Young Men’s Christian Association through the efforts of volunteer labor of many local craftsmen. The original Board of Directors included leading business, civic, and educational leaders in the black community. In 1928, under the leadership of William “Bill” Mitchell, the YMCA opened a School of Commerce, the first institution in the black community to provide training in business, clerical, and professional skills. In the 1960’s, Dryades expanded its program offerings to include numerous leadership development programs for the working class communities of New Orleans. For the past 26 years, the Dryades YMCA has been under the leadership of Douglas Evans. Today, the YMCA services over 300 families through daily educational programming in addition to sponsoring 1,800 youth in numerous sports and career development programs. The YMCA is a non-sectarian, community based organization whose mission has always been to practice Christian principles by providing programs that build healthy spirits, minds, and bodies. The YMCA is dedicated to continuing and improving its services to the community in the new century. We are for youth development, for healthy living, for social responsibility. The Dryades YMCA is governed by a Chief Executive Officer and a Board of Directors from the community. The James M. Singleton Charter School is supervised by the Education Committee. Chief Executive Officer Douglas Evans Dryades YMCA Board of Directors Darren Mire, Chairman Barbara Lacen-Keller, Vice-Chairman Ed Shanklin, Treasurer H. Kenneth Johnston, Board Member Mary Joseph, Board Member James Singleton, Board Member Carlos Hornbrook, Board Member Alexis Parent-Ferrouillet, Board Member Jean Torregano, Secretary Thomas Watson, Board Member James M. Singleton Charter School Education Committee Members Darren Mire, Chairperson Barbara Lacen-Keller Alexis Parent-Ferrouillet Cedric Patin Charter School Founder James M. Singleton James “Jim” Singleton has been serving the citizens of New Orleans for more than 45 years in a career that started by educating young people as a math teacher at Carter G. Woodson Middle School in New Orleans in 1954. Following his twelve years in the Orleans Parish School System, Councilman Singleton moved to Mayor Moon Landrieu’s office in 1970 where he served as a consultant to the city and oversaw the business community’s efforts to provide comprehensive health services in the city. The position was expanded in 1971 to include advising and consulting Mayor Landrieu on all health matters. In 1977, Councilman Singleton campaigned and won a position as Councilmember for District B. He served in the position for 16 years. During his tenure as an elected official, Councilman Singleton’s civic work was extensive. He assisted in the planning and development of numerous projects including the Exhibition Hall at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the Aquarium of the Americas, the Riverfront Study for the New Mississippi River Bridge and the renovation of various parks and recreational facilities throughout New Orleans. In addition to providing instrumental assistance in the development of large projects such as Jazzland. Councilman Singleton also served as a champion of smaller- scale, inner-city developments such as the renovation of Stern Tennis Center and the Central City Senior Citizens Center. He also worked on the Regional Planning Commission to help bring about cooperative efforts to improve the lives of people in the entire New Orleans Metropolitan Region. As chairman of the Master Plan Advisory Committee, Singleton oversaw a major overhaul in the zoning procedures for the city. Councilman Singleton works closely with many nonprofit organizations including the NAACP, Dryades YMCA, Urban League, Central City Economic Opportunity and the Broadmoor Improvement Association. He is the chairman of the board for Total Community Action (TCA), a nonprofit, community based agency dedicated to meeting the needs of the disadvantaged. A retired Colonel from the U.S. Army Reserve, Councilman Singleton served in the U.S. Army as well as the Louisiana National Guard. During his military years, he was responsible for the overall operations of Selective Services including registration, training and recruitment programs. Born August 10, 1933, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, Councilman Singleton was married to the late former Allie Mae Young. They have two children, James Jr. and Jacquelyn; two grandchildren, Destinee and Kelsee. He is a graduate of Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge, LA and attended Xavier University and the University of Oklahoma. Councilman Singleton is an avid hunter and fisherman, and he enjoys gardening and playing tennis. JAMES M. SINGLETON CHARTER SCHOOL Our Philosophy of Education James M. Singleton Charter School is based on the premise that all children deserve a quality academic experience delivered in a safe, healthy environment. • We believe that all students should have an enriching learning experience with wide exposure to people, events, and ideas. • We believe that all students must feel safe, supported, valued, and respected. • We believe that the core academic subjects must be intellectually challenging to motivate students to learn. • We believe in establishing positive relationships with all students. • We believe that the foundation of effective culture comes from using a collaborative approach in establishing clear expectations and having fair, equitable processes. • We believe in providing the skills and knowledge students need to function effectively in school, along with the assurance, insight, and understanding that will help him/her to be successful later in life. FORWARD The James M. Singleton Charter School student handbook is designed to provide you with information about the school’s rules and regulations that should make the upcoming school year productive and enjoyable. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Singleton Charter School is to promote quality and sustainable academic achievement for students through technology-based learning experiences, social integration, civic responsibility, and relevant educational practices. Erika Mann Head of School Parents’ Right to Know Dear Parent, SCHOOL Under the Elementary and Secondary Act, ESEA, Title I parents have a right to request professional qualifications of their child’s teacher(s) or paraprofessional(s). This letter is to inform you of your right to ask for the following information about your child’s classroom teachers or paraprofessionals: • Whether the teacher is certified or licensed for the grades and subjects he or she teaches. • Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which licensing criteria have been waived. CHARTER • What the teacher’s baccalaureate degree major is and whether the teacher has any advanced degrees, and if so, the subject of the degrees. • Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications. If you would like to receive specific information about your child’s teacher or paraprofessional, please contact your school principal. Our district is fully committed to the success of your child. We appreciate your partnership in our efforts to provide the best education for your child. Sincerely, SINGLETON M. Douglas Evans Superintendent/CEO JAMES 6 Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) The PBIS pledge is a mnemonic device to aid students in remembering the school-wide rules. Students are expected to recite the PBIS pledge daily during the morning exercise. Singleton Lions always walk with PRIDE Persevere & Prompt to Start all Tasks Resilient & Respectful to Others, Property and Self Intelligent Decision Making to Inspire Others Dedicated to Excellence in all Tasks Engage all Tasks with Enthusiasm Through the PBIS Program, students may earn LION BUCKS to purchase items in the school store. The students may also purchase admittance to the monthly PBIS celebration hosted by the committee. LION BUCKS may be earned for various behaviors such as good grades, positive behavior and attitude, dressed in proper uniform, daily attendance, random acts of kindness, etc. THIS MAY BE ADJUSTED DUE TO COVID-19 GUIDELINES. 7 SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ADMISSION POLICY James M. Singleton Charter School is committed to providing a free, appropriate public education to all students. Students must reside in the Greater New Orleans area to be eligible to attend. Admission to the James Singleton Charter School is open to any student in grades kindergarten through 8th grade, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, exceptionality, and/or intellectual capacity. ADMISSION PROCEDURES James M. Singleton Charter School participates in Enroll NOLA OneApp program. OneApp is the annual school enrollment process. OneApp allows families to apply to up to eight (8) participating schools of their choice, anywhere across the city. The application is open to families who are new to New Orleans, new to public school, or who would like to apply to transfer