Arizona Upgrade Academy Student / Parent Handbook
All students are expected to learn, practice and show good character traits including: honesty, integrity, gratitude, friendship, perseverance, self control, respect, and a positive attitude.
Students Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances:
Students may at any time and for any reason ask for a conference with teachers or administrators of Arizona Upgrade Academy.
Parent Conferences: Arizona Upgrade Academy will hold parent conferences as needed. Students and parents are encouraged to attend conferences. Parents may make appointments for conferences with teachers by telephoning the school office any time during the school year.
Resume Availability: A current resume for each full time employee at Arizona Upgrade Academy is available for the asking. Please ask the Secretary or Administrative Assistant, and a copy of any or all resumes will be given or mailed to you.
Progress Reports: Report cards are mailed home at the conclusion of each quarter. Parents and or students may also review student progress with a staff member at any time. (Most student work is also available for viewing on line.)
Report Cards: Are mailed home at the conclusion of each quarter.
Promotion/Retention: Students are expected to cover at least one full year of material within the computerized software. Students not covering at least one year of material in each subject will be continue at the point where they left off in the same grade level within the software the next year. Students who do not reach the appropriate grade level may also be retained in the same grade for the next school year.
Attendance: The ultimate legal responsibility for school attendance rests with parents and students, with the school assisting to fulfill that responsibility. Arizona Upgrade Academy expects parents/guardians to call the office each day a student is absent. Reasonable attempts will be made by the school through telephone calls or mail to inform parents/guardians of student absenteeism.
Students are expected to attend school regularly and on time. Each student is allowed to accumulate only five (5) absences during any nine week quarter. Students for medical and/or bereavement reasons may be exempted from this requirement with proper documentation. Excessive absences may result in the student being retained (repeating the same grade the following year).
Standardized Test Attendance: All students must attend school during the date(s) of standardized testing.
Absence Reporting: A parent must call the school (634-3722) prior to 10:00 a.m. the day of the absence. Absences without this call will be considered truant and parents will be contacted.
Attendance Waiver Request: Students who are absent for more than the five (5) days during a quarter will not receive passing grades in his/her classes. A student that is absent more than the allowed five (5) days during the quarter, may request the absence limit be waived by completing an ATTENDANCE WAIVER REQUEST, and submitting the completed form to the principal. Under most circumstances, special assignments must be completed by the student as part of the Wavier Request.
Sign Out / In Procedures: Parents / Guardians wishing to pick-up their student early from school must check in at the office first and sign their child out, stating reason and time for leaving early. To protect the safety of students, no child will be allowed to leave the school grounds during school hours with anyone except the person who has legal custody of the child or a person authorized in writing by the parent or legal guardian. Identification may be requested by the office staff.
Tardies: Students are expected to be on time to school (8:00AM). Tardy students may serve after school detention. Chronic tardiness may result in retention (not passing to the next grade), or expulsion.
Truancy: A student is considered truant if he/she:
1. Is absent without parental permission or knowledge
2. Leaves school without signing out in the office
3. Is absent from class without permission of a school official
Truancy requires staff to call the police. It is not acceptable and first offense is grounds for expulsion.
Withdrawals: - Students who move or transfer to another school must withdraw in writing from Upgrade. Call the attendance office at 634-3722 for specific information.
Homework: Most work will be completed during school hours. Students will have some homework assignments. These assignments may be a portion of the class grade. Homework is due when indicated. Full credit is not to be expected for late work.
Change of Address / Phone Number:
If a student has a change of address or phone number, the school office must be notified
immediately. This information is very important in case of an emergency. An accurate mailing address is necessary for mailing quarterly grades.
Chronic illness: Students who have chronic, recurring health conditions which require intermittent absences must meet with the principal to make a plan which will ensure the student’s success.
Custody Issues: It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the school office in writing
and maintain the proper documentation whenever a custody problem would change the parent’s ability to check a student out of school.
Closed Campus: Once students arrive at school, they are expected to stay on campus for the entire day. Leaving school during the school day requires a parent or guardian check out.
Visitors: All non-students must report to the office.
Dress Code:
Students are expected to be well-groomed and appropriately dressed for school and school activities. A school administrator may inform students of inappropriate dress. The following guidelines will help students dress appropriately at Arizona Upgrade Academy.
1. Decisions as to the appropriateness of dress rests with school personnel and then with the administration, if need be. Violations could result in disciplinary actions. Attire which attracts undue attention to the wearer and causes disruption in the school is not acceptable.
2. By state law, shoes must be worn at all times.
3. There must be adequate coverage of the body. The length of shirts and blouses must extend beyond the belt level and the midriff must not be visible.
4. Shirts must have a modest neckline with no cleavage visible and no bare midriffs at any time.
5. Shirts must cover the shoulders.
6. Torn or cut garments are not permitted.
7. Hats or hoods will not be worn inside.
8. Shorts must cover the leg at least as far as where the longest finger touches the leg when standing.
9. Dresses and skirts must cover the leg at least to the knee when standing.
10. Students wearing dresses or skirts must wear shorts under their dress or skirt.
11. Any clothing that exposes undergarments is not allowed. No pajamas allowed!
12. Clothes must be worn that are sized to fit appropriately. Excessively tight or baggy “low riding” clothing is unacceptable. Shirts must be tucked in with beltline visible.
13. Head “dew” rags are not acceptable.
14. Belts and chains that are longer than six inches are not permitted.
15. Clothing, jewelry or other personal items advertising drugs, tobacco, alcohol, gang,
racial and sexual connotations or violence, are prohibited.
Bullying
No bullying is permitted. When a staff member asks a student to stop a behavior, the student must comply. Bullying includes but is not limited to:
- Provoking another student through words or actions.
- Name calling – either in person or via electronic media.
- Threats – either in person or via electronic media.
- Any physical contact done in anger.
- Throwing any object with intent to harm.
Students may be expelled for the first offense of bullying.
Health Issues
It is critical that the school have an up to date address, and telephone number(s) for parents and guardians. If an emergency arises, timely contact may be critical to the safety of the student. An up to date e-mail address is also valuable. The school health team administers basic first aid to students who become ill or injured at school; parents and emergency services are called if the illness or injury warrants it. Emergency services, the police/YCSO, and/ or Child Protective Services may be called if parents do not pick their child up within 2 hours of notification or if the school is unable to notify the parent/guardian or emergency contact.
Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a communicable disease, or has a fever. If your child has a communicable disorder such as pink eye, strep, head lice, impetigo, etc., school policy forbids your child from attending school until he/she has been on prescribed medication/treatment for at least 24 hours. Medications need to be brought to school by a parent or guardian. We are not able to administer any medications without prior written approval from a student’s parents; this includes pain relievers such as “Tylenol.” If you would like your child to have access to pain relievers, etc., we must have your written permission on the form provided.
Prescription mediations will be given only with a PARENT’S WRITTEN PERMISSION AND A
PHYSICIAN’S AUTHORIZATION. Prescription medications must be provided by a parent in a current pharmacy labeled bottle for the student who is receiving the medication. Students are not allowed to have ANY kind of medicine in their possession. An adult must bring all medicines in their original container and give it to school staff for administration.
It is a violation of Arizona Upgrade Academy policies to carry, transfer or sell drugs or medications. Violators will be subject to disciplinary actions. Arizona State Law requires the school to maintain a file of official certificates of immunization for every child enrolled as a student. The parents are required to provide the school with this information and report any recent changes in their child’s status-this includes immunizations and/or health problems.
Lunch
Each student is responsible for their own lunch. Refrigerators and microwave ovens are available. Each student is responsible to have a closed container of water at their desk, and is permitted to drink water during class. Because of the large number of computers, no food (including candy) or drink other than water is permitted at the workstation.
Bicycles:
Bicycles will be the sole responsibility of the students riding them. The school will not be responsible for stolen or damaged bicycles. Bicycles are to be walked on school property, secured with a lock.
Motorized Vehicles: Motorized vehicles may not be accessed or operated by students during the school day on or off campus. Licensed students may drive to and from school, and do not have access to their vehicle during the school day.
Contraband: There is no expectation of privacy. Student backpacks, purses, etc are subject to staff examination at any time. Personal electronic devices are not private and may be inspected by school officials at any time. If property belonging to a parent is confiscated from a student by a school official, it is considered the property of the student and subject to inspection. Order, safety, and security are essential to a productive learning environment. When this environment is threatened by the possible presence of contraband, school officials have a responsibility and the authority to obtain contraband from students. Students are first asked to relinquish these items. If the item is not volunteered, the school officials are given the authority to search and take the items from the student. Articles which are hazardous to the safety of others or interfere with a safe, orderly educational environment are prohibited. Such items include: toy guns, lighters, matches, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes illegal communications on electronic devices, etc. Upgrade staff retains full discretion over the definition of contraband. These items and anything else causing a disruption or hazard at school will be confiscated. The student is subject to disciplinary actions.
Display of affection at school
Affection between students may be displayed by talking and or holding hands. Any and all other displays of affection are not appropriate at school.
Language
Swear words are not appropriate speech in school. If you have a question as to whether a word is OK to use, ask a staff member BEFORE using it.
Admission / Enrollment policy
Arizona Upgrade Academy is a public charter school open to all 5th -12th grade students. Applications for enrollment are accepted throughout the year. However, when the school is full, new students are not selected during the current year unless openings become available. If openings occur during the current year, a random lottery is held from the pool of available applicants. The lottery pool is not ranked according to when applications are submitted.
When more students apply than we can enroll, we utilize a random lottery system based on state law. The lottery will be held during a meeting which is open to the public. All students and parents who are in the lottery pool will receive a personal invitation. This meeting will occur on the day before the first day of fall classes. Siblings of current students and children of staff members receive preference and are exempt from the lottery so long as the total number of students allowed under this exemption constitutes less than 20% of the school's total enrollment. If a student successfully completes the school year, and has a sibling(s) who desires to attend, preference will be given so the family members can attend the same school the following school year if spaces are available. Families must indicate on the Returning Student Enrollment Form (for their current student) that a sibling wishes to attend the following year. An enrollment application for the sibling may be submitted at that time. There will be no restrictions in the admissions process based upon ethnicity, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, income level or proficiency in English. Returning students must complete a Returning Student Enrollment Form by April 12 to ensure their space for the following year. Students who withdraw from Arizona Upgrade Academy will be treated the same as the general public with regards to enrollment. Arizona Upgrade Academy is pleased to accept Special Education students (Students with an IEP), or students who have a 504 plan.
Sexual Harassment Policy
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination and is prohibited by law. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, written, physical, or visual conduct of a sexual nature. Romantic relationships between school employees and students are strictly prohibited. Showing a student under age 18 a computer screen (even by another student) with a pornographic message, graphic, or picture is illegal. Students involved in such activity will be expelled and reported to the appropriate authorities.
Students who believe that they have been subject to sexual harassment are encouraged to come forward with complaints and should inform the Director, or teacher except when it would require presenting a complaint to the alleged harasser. The school will promptly investigate all allegations of sexual harassment and take appropriate disciplinary action.
Students who suspect a fellow student is being sexually harassed or abused are obligated to report their concerns to the Director. All allegations of sexual harassment or sexual abuse of a student will be reported to the student's parents and promptly investigated. Conduct that may be characterized as known or suspected child abuse will also be reported to the appropriate authorities, as required by law.
Computer Rules
Ask an adult before touching or changing wiring or hardware on any computer. Do not download, listen to music, or watch music videos from the internet. These activities use too much bandwidth preventing others from properly using the internet. No internet chat. Any or all computer activity is a privilege which may be removed at any time.
Internet Use in the School
The Internet, much like a public library, is an environment where people can access a wealth of information by computer. Unlike the library, however, the communication can be interactive. In other words, students and teachers can share information and communicate with people in distant places. The Internet can create a very positive learning environment, but parents, students and teachers must be aware that, due to the openness of the Internet, there is the possibility of accessing information that is not appropriate. The school and its teachers will make reasonable efforts to prevent access to such information. Measures include Internet filter, firewall, and tracking. All computer activities are not considered to be private and may be viewed by the administration. Viewing pornography over the internet in the presence of minors (that’s you), is a violation of federal and state law and will be dealt with as such.
Student Discipline Policy
The following are examples of behavior, which will not be accepted:
1. Refusing to work when you are supposed to be working.
2. Conduct that is insubordinate, i.e., failing to comply with the lawful directions of a teacher, school administrator, or other school employee in charge of the student.
3. Conduct that is disorderly, i.e., intentionally causing public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, by: Fighting, making unreasonable noise, using abusive or obscene language or gestures.
4. Conduct which endangers the safety, morals, health or welfare of others.
5. Cheating.
6. Commission of a crime (on or off campus, during or after school)
7. Possession of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, or any drug.
8. Possession of any weapon.
9. Possession or use of any illegal drug, on or off campus, during or after school.
10. Gang activity of any sort.
11. Hazing
PENALTIES
Your signature on the last page of this document means that you understand that obedience to the rules is mandatory for continued enrollment at Arizona Upgrade Academy. Suspension and/or expulsion will be considered for any infraction including first time or minor infractions. Violation of the law warrants the involvement of law enforcement officers.
Student Records:
Designation of Directory Information: During the school year, Staff members may compile
Non-confidential student directory information such as: The student’s name, date and place of birth, grade, school of attendance, most recent school attended, diplomas, awards and honors received, major field of study, and record of participation in officially recognized activities (sports and school events), such as weight, height, and team number. According to state and federal law, this directory information as identified above may be publicly released without permission of parents. However, if you do not wish any or all of the above information released about your son/daughter, you may do so with a written request.
PARENT RIGHTS TO STUDENT RECORDS
You have the right to the following:
1. Inspect and review your child’s educational record. (FERPA 99.4)
2. If you feel the educational record is misleading or inaccurate, you can request an amendment to the part of record that is inaccurate.
3. Give written consent before any personally identifiable information is released about your child.
4. File a complaint with the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., which enforces regulations pertaining to educational records if alleged violations are being made by the school district and you have been unable to resolve those differences at the school district level.
Procedures to Obtain Educational Records
1. Contact the school principal and inform him/her that you would like a copy of your child’s educational record.
2. Allow the school five days to copy and provide the requested information. There may be a small fee to cover the copying.
Procedures for Requesting a Change in Your Child’s Education Record
1. Inform the school principal that you have discovered inaccurate or misleading information and would like it amended or removed.
2. Allow the school district five to 10 working days to decide whether your request is valid.
3. If the school district disagrees with the request, you can file for a hearing with the school district to voice your concerns.
4. If, as a result of the hearing, the school district decides that the information is inaccurate or misleading, the school will amend the record and inform you of the amendment in writing.
5. If, as a result of the hearing, the school district decides the information is accurate and not misleading, they will notify you of the right to place a statement in the record explaining why you feel the information is misleading or incorrect.
6. The school district is obligated to place a copy of your statement in the educational record.
For more information or further explanation, please contact
Allen Smithson (Director)
Arizona Upgrade Academy
327 S. 15th St.
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928)634-3722
TITLE IX - ANNUAL NOTICE
Arizona Upgrade Academy complies with the spirit of the law and the regulations of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities which receive federal funds, extending to employment in and admission to such programs and activities. Questions concerning compliance with Title IX regulations should be referred to the Director.
Arizona Upgrade Academy follows and implements procedures according to Federal and State regulations and Rules regarding the development, implementation, review and revision of the Individual Education Program (IEP). The following is a summary of the procedures:
1. 45 day screening instruments are completed for all newly enrolled and transferring students annually by staff members within 45 days of enrollment.
2. Students who are referred or currently have an IEP are evaluated as to the need for a referral to an IEP/MET team. If determined, a team develops the IEP, which includes participation by a parent of the student. Arizona Upgrade Academy follows and implements procedures according to Federal and State regulations and Rules regarding the full and initial evaluation, and reevaluation, of children who may need special education services. Initial evaluation follows a team referral and within 60 calendar days May be completed only with written parental permission.
3. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): the student’s educational services must be met in the regular classroom and within the general curriculum or as close to that as possible.
4. The IEP is implemented immediately, unless the IEP Team determines otherwise.
5. The IEP is reviewed at least annually and revisions are made according to current assessments and IEP Team decisions.
6. Arizona Upgrade Academy follows all Federal and State required statutes and regulations regarding the adoption of any policies and procedures, including proper public notice, hearings, and comments.
7. Arizona Upgrade Academy identifies, locates, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services. This applies to children attending private schools, highly mobile children (such as migrant and homeless children), and children who are suspected of having a disability even though they are advancing from grade to grade.
8. The Special Services office: a) sends notice of available services to all area private schools, local doctors, and newspapers annually, b) notifies local newspapers of available services and screenings, c) contacts local private schools regarding child find activities, and d) conducts monthly screenings for preschool children.
9. Child Find: Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) that requires states to locate, identify, refer and evaluate all children with disabilities, aged birth to 21 years, who are in need of early intervention or special education services. Arizona Upgrade Academy works with Arizona Early Intervention Program (AEZIP) to provide child find and transition services for children ages 0-21. Child Study Team procedures are followed at all campuses Arizona Upgrade Academy assures access to all identification, evaluation, placement and services for children attending private schools as guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Arizona Upgrade Academy follows and implements procedures according to Federal and State regulations and Rules regarding the full and initial evaluation, and reevaluation, of children who may need special education services. If you have children who may need special services (no matter what age, and no matter whether they attend Arizona Upgrade Academy) please bring that child to our attention so that we may take appropriate action.
Arizona Upgrade Academy hereby provides parents with a copy of the Procedural Safeguards Notice in order to ensure that children with disabilities and their parents are guaranteed procedural safeguards with respect to the provision of free appropriate public education (FAPE).
(1) Parents of a child with a disability have the opportunity to examine all records relating to their child and to participate in meetings with respect to the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of their child, and to obtain an independent educational evaluation of the child.
(2) Procedures to protect the right of the child whenever the parents of the child are not known.
(3) Written prior notice to the parents whenever Arizona Upgrade Academy proposes to initiate or change; or refuses to initiate or change; the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child or the provision of FAPE.
(4) Procedures designed to ensure that the notice is in the native language of the parents, unless it clearly is not feasible to do so.
(5) An opportunity for mediation.
(6) An opportunity to present complaints with respect to any matter relating to the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child or provision of FAPE.
(7) Procedures that require the parent of a child with a disability to provide notice to the school that includes the name of the child, address of the residence of the child, description of the nature of the problem of the child relating to such proposed initiation or change, including facts relating to such problem and a proposed resolution of the problem to the extent known and available to the parents at the time. Parents are obligated to inform the LEA when they intend to remove their child from public school and place the child in a private school at public expense; and when parents intend to file a due process complaint. Complaints can be handled through a voluntary mediation process, which occurs before a due process hearing.
Annual Notification to Parents Regarding Confidentiality of Student Records
Student records are maintained in the office of the school. Student records are available only to the
Parents, teachers and staff working with the student. If a student transfers to another school, these records will
be sent to the new school upon their request. Records are not released to most agencies or persons without
prior written consent of the parent. Parents have the right to inspect and review any and all records related
to their child including a listing of persons who have reviewed or have received copies of the information.
If parents believe information is inaccurate or misleading they have the right to request a correction and to add comments.
Model Notification of Rights under FERPA for Elementary and Secondary Schools:
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the School
receives a request for access Parents or eligible students should submit to the School principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The School principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
(2) The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask the School to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the School principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the School decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the School will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional
information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s
education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the School has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if
the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the School will disclose educational records to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by
the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that
administers FERPA are:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Further information regarding Arizona Upgrade Academy is available at http://www.azupgrade.com
STUDENT SIGNATURE AREA:
I have read the contents of this handbook and under-stand the rules and policies it contains. I am willing to abide by the school rules. Most importantly, I will attend school regularly, practice honesty, integrity, gratitude, friendship, perseverance, self control, respect, have a positive attitude, and I am willing to learn.
Student signature & Date:_____________________________________________________________
(Signature) (Date)
PARENT SIGNATURE AREA:
Publication Authorization: During the school year, staff members may compile student information to be published in local newspapers, school yearbook and school web site.
_____Please do not use information regarding _______________________________________
For any publication. Student Name
_____I give my consent for the school to use information regarding ______________________
(Student Name)
_____ My child may use the Internet while at school.
_____ I understand the contents of this handbook and realize the rules and policies it contains have been designed to provide ALL students with the most positive and safe learning environment possible.
I have read this handbook and agree to abide by the contents, and help the student to abide by it.
__________________________________________ __________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date