UPPER CARMEN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL

POLICY

Student and Parent Handbook

A student handbook is given to each parent when they enroll at Upper Carmen Public Charter School. A signature page at the end of the handbook must be returned to the school and is kept on file.

Mission:

Upper Carmen Public Charter School’s mission is to develop each student to their greatest potential academically, socially, and emotionally. Successful students emulate ethics of confidence, productivity, and responsibility. A foundation of success in the primary grades sets the course for continued growth.

Expected Behaviors:

A safe learning environment is established through expected behaviors. Expected behaviors must be consistent, fair, and firm. The basic values of honesty, self-discipline, unselfishness, respect for authority, and the central importance of work are emphasized. These appropriate social and academic behaviors are modeled by the educators and taught to students as the need arises. Students soon become very comfortable with the boundaries of expected behaviors. However, students can be dismissed from Upper Carmen Public Charter School if they consistently use inappropriate language, or inappropriate behaviors that are detrimental to the learning of the student or other students.

Attendance:

Ninety six percent (96%) attendance is required by the Board of Trustees. Regular and consistent attendance results in increased learning. Attendance at school is more than a legal obligation, it is a privilege. Every child of compulsory school age must be in attendance unless otherwise exempted as provided in Section 33-204, 205 of the Idaho Code, or as determined by school authorities. Abuse of the attendance policy could result in removal from Upper Carmen Public Charter School.

Prearranged Absences:

Parents who know in advance that their student will miss more than one day are required to obtain a Prearranged-Absence form, one week before absences. On return, students are required to submit pre-arranged absence form with their parent’s signature and completed missed work. No requests should be made during our examination period in April and May. Extended time missed from school is discouraged.

Parental Involvement:

  1. Parents will be required to help to their children with a minimum of 15 minutes of homework, four days a week.
  2. Parents will be required to attend two of the three parent/teacher conferences throughout the school year.
  3. Parents will be encouraged to volunteer by serving the school in ways that best meet their talents and abilities.

Holidays:

Upper Carmen does not celebrate holidays during the school day. Upper Carmen maintains a consistent learning environment throughout the school year.

Records:

Students will have copies of the immunizations and birth certificate in the permanent files.

Valuables:

Students are cautioned not to bring money or valuables such as rings, bracelets, etc., to school. The school will not be responsible for personal property.

Dress code:

Students will dress modestly and appropriately for all seasons and outdoor activities.

  • No jewelry or clothing that causes disruption on the educational setting
  • No hats in the classroom

Disciplinary Action:

To ensure an uninterrupted learning environment, Upper Carmen maintains a three-strike policy.

1. Warning and explanation of inappropriate behavior

2. Parent/guardian called and asked for intervention help

3. Student suspended for 5 days. All suspension will comply with I.C. 33-205).

If a student receives three suspensions, they will have an expulsion hearing in front of the School Board. All expulsions will comply with I.C. 33-205).

Strikes are issued for the following:

            1. Disrespect to an adult or child

            2. Bullying or fighting

            3. Inappropriate dress

            4. Inappropriate language

            5. Habitual truant

            6. Disruptive to the learning process

            7. Refusal to comply with teacher request

Discipline of Special Needs Students:

Discipline of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with requirements of federal law part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

33-205. Denial of School Attendance:

The board of trustees may deny enrollment, or may deny attendance by expulsion, to any pupil who is an habitual truant, or who is incorrigible, or whose conduct, in the judgment of the board, is such as to be continuously disruptive of school discipline, or of the instructional effectiveness of the school, or whose presence in a public school is detrimental to the health and safety of other pupils, or who has been expelled from another school district in this state or any other state. Any pupil having been denied enrollment or expelled may be readmitted to the school by the board of trustees upon such reasonable conditions as may be prescribed by the board; but such enrollment or readmission shall not prevent the board from again expelling such pupil for cause.

Drugs and Alcohol:

Any student who intentionally sells, gives, possesses, uses, or is under the influence of illicit drugs, narcotics, or alcohol in or on school property, shall be: (1) suspended from school and (2) reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for possible legal action. The use and/or possession of tobacco or tobacco products are prohibited and any student who violates this rule is subject to suspension and will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for possible legal action.

Weapons:

Any student in possession of a gun, knife or any weapon that is a threat to adults or children shall be (1) suspended from school (2) reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for possible legal action and (3) have a hearing before the School Board for expulsion.

Electronic Equipment/Cell phones:

Students are not to bring electronic equipment to campus. Telephones are to be turned off during the school day. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in the electronic device being confiscated and not returned.

I have read the Upper Carmen Public Charter School student handbook and understand its implications.

Student Name: _________________________________________________________________

Student Signature: ______________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________

Date: _________________________________

ACCEPTABLE USE OF INTERNET, COMPUTER, AND NETWORK RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

Upper Carmen Public Charter School (UCCS) recognizes their responsibility to provide confidential security of student information.   They also identify the importance of providing positive, productive educational experiences through the school’s Internet, computer, and network services.  To promote this objective and protect its staff and students, the Board of Directors authorize the Administration or designee to:

  1. Provide care in handling of confidential student information. The privacy of students and the use of confidential student information is protected by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Idaho Accountability Act.
  2. Prohibit and prevent school computers and other school owned technology-related services from sending, receiving, viewing or downloading materials that are deemed to be harmful to minors, as defined by Idaho Code Section 18-1514.
  3. Prohibit and prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personally identifiable information of students.
  4. Select and employ technology protection measures on the school’s computers to filter or block Internet access to obscene materials, materials harmful to minors, and materials that depict the sexual exploitation of a minor, or other information that is determined to be in violation of UCCS policies.
  5. Establish and enforce appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken against persons violating this policy.
  6. Handle complaints regarding the enforcement of the school’s Internet use policies and procedures.
  7. Establish procedures to remove a user’s files without prior notice after an account has been inactive for a specified period of time.

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UCCS will limit Internet access to materials that enrich and support the curriculum and educational needs of users, contribute to the delivery of efficient and effective business or educational functions, and expedite professional school communications.

PRIVACY
Use of the school’s technology resources is a privilege and not a right.  Access has not been established as a public access service or a public forum.  UCCS reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review, delete, and/or store at any time and without prior notice any and all results of usage of the Internet, computers, network resources, and any and all information transmitted or received in connection with such usage. All such information will be and remains the property of the school and users have no expectation of privacy regarding such materials.  UCCS has the right to place restrictions on the use of the school’s Internet, computers, and network resources and may also deny access to staff and students who violate related policies and procedures.

INTERNET SAFETY FOR STUDENTS
The school’s instructional program will include a component of Internet safety for students, including interaction on social networking sites and cyberbullying awareness and response.

UCCS will take appropriate steps to protect all students from access, through the school’s computers, to visual depictions that are obscene, contain child pornography, are harmful to minors, or depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, as defined in Idaho Code Section 18-1507, by installing and utilizing specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to such visual depictions.

The Administrator or designee may authorize the disabling of the Internet filter system only for the purpose of enabling access for bona fide research or other lawful purpose. Disabling of the Internet filter system by any other staff member or student will result in disciplinary action.

PROHIBITED USES
The school’s Internet, computers, and network resources may only be used for approved school activities and educational purposes.  All users must fully comply with this policy and immediately report any violations or suspicious activities to the classroom teacher or Administrator. Prohibited uses of school technology include, but are not limited to:

  1. Causing Harm to Individuals or to Property
    1. Use of obscene, profane, vulgar, inflammatory, abusive, threatening, disrespectful language or images.
    2. ​Making offensive, damaging, or false statements about others.
    3. Posting or printing information that could cause danger or disruption.
    4. Bullying, hazing or harassing another person.
    5. Deleting, copying, modifying, or forging other users’ names, e-mails, files, or data.
    6. Disguising one’s identity, impersonating other users, or sending an anonymous e-mail.
    7. Posting personal information (e.g. phone numbers, address) about oneself or any other person, except to responsible agencies.
  2. Improper Use or Care of Technology
    1. Accessing, transmitting, or downloading large files, including posting chain letters, or engaging in spamming.
    2. Attempting to harm or damage school technology, files or data in any way.
    3. Alteration of configured equipment, including the addition of unauthorized passwords and user accounts.
    4. Leaving an account open or unattended.
    5. Attempting to remedy a security problem and not informing a school official.
    6. Failing to report the abuse of school technology.
    7. Installing, uploading, or downloading unauthorized programs.
    8. Copying school software for personal use.

CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE USE
Failure to comply with this policy or inappropriate use of the school’s Internet, computers, or network resources may result in usage restrictions, loss of access privileges, and/or disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. The Administrator or designee may also report the violation to law enforcement where appropriate.  

Users are responsible for damages to the equipment, systems, and software resulting from deliberate or willful acts.

NOTICE
UCCS will inform staff, students, parents/guardians, and other users about this policy through posting on the school website and by publishing in the student handbook. A copy of this policy will be available for review at the school office and will be provided in writing to parents/guardians upon request.  The school will also file this policy with the state superintendent of public instruction every five years.

By accessing the school’s Internet, computers, and network resources, users acknowledge awareness of the provisions of this policy and awareness that UCCS uses monitoring systems to monitor and detect inappropriate use.

All students and staff are required to sign a technology user agreement that signifies their understanding and agreement to follow these regulations.