GATE CITY CHARTER ACADEMY 123 Flemingfield Road Greensboro, NC 27405 Phone: 336-617-5900 Parent and Student Handbook 2020-2021 A charter school managed by National Heritage Academies, Inc. Gate City Charter Academy Parent and Student Handbook 2020-2021 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 The Multi-Tiered Systems of Support ............................................................. 15 Child Find Responsibilities ......................................................................... 16 The Individualized Education Program ........................................................... 16 Educational Placement of Students with Disabilities .......................................... 17 Parent Participation ................................................................................. 18 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Section 504 (General Education) ............................... 18 Crisis Management: De-escalation, Isolation and Restraint of Student. .................... 18 2 Gate City Charter Academy Parent and Student Handbook 2020-2021 Moral Focus Philosophy ................................................................................................ 19 Moral Focus Expectations .............................................................................. 19 Moral Focus Assemblies ................................................................................ 20 Student Responsibility Homework ................................................................................................. 21 Philosophy ............................................................................................ 21 Guidelines ............................................................................................ 21 Make-Up Work ........................................................................................ 21 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.................................................................................. 32 Parental Partnership Communication .......................................................................................... 33 Secure School Website .............................................................................. 33 Parent Satisfaction Survey ......................................................................... 33 Parent-Teacher Conferences ...................................................................... 33 Attendance ............................................................................................... 34 Arrival ................................................................................................. 34 Dismissal .............................................................................................. 34 Tardiness and Early Dismissal ..................................................................... 34 3 Gate City Charter Academy Parent and Student Handbook 2020-2021 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 Uniform Preferred Vendor Information .......................................................... 37 Uniform Requirements .............................................................................. 37 General Expectations. .............................................................................. 37 Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy ....................................................... 39 Visitor and Volunteer Guidelines ...................................................................... 44 General ................................................................................................ 44 Classrooms ............................................................................................ 44 Field Trips ............................................................................................ 44 General School Procedures Transportation ........................................................................................... 46 Meals ...................................................................................................... 46 Snacks ..................................................................................................... 46 Recess .................................................................................................... 46 Holiday Celebrations ................................................................................... 47 Field Trips ................................................................................................ 47 Lost and Found .......................................................................................... 47 Personal Items ........................................................................................... 47 Emergency School Procedures ........................................................................ 47 Tobacco Use and Non-Smoking Policy ............................................................... 48 Payments Made to School .............................................................................. 48 Medical Information .................................................................................... 48 Notifications Rights Under FERPA ................................................................................... 50 Right to Know Under Federal Law..................................................................