KIPP Sol Academy
Parent/Family Handbook
2015-­‐2016 Rachelle Minix Principal Welcome KIPP History 5 Pillars & KIPP Beliefs School Mission KIPP LA Schools Mission/Vision School Values Sol Affirmation Commitment to Excellence School Overview Hours of Operations Principal/Staff Office Hours Saturday and Summer School Enrichment + After School School Calendar Staff Facebook General Policies and Procedures Admission Medication Distribution Food Services Special Education Program Student Records (FERPA) Student Transfer/Withdrawals Custodial Circumstances English Language Learner (ELL) Fees Lost and Found Safety Procedures Academic Policies “Blearning” Overview Appropriate Technology Use Student Supplies Agendas Textbooks Homework Make-­‐Up Work Teacher Cell Phone Policy Testing & Assessments Grading & Progress Reporting Promotion and Retention Academic Intervention/Support Independent Study Incentives & Code of Conduct School Rules Sol Glows (School rewards) Field Trips & Field Lessons Attendance Policies Arrival/Dismissal Referrals Suspension/Expulsion Restroom/Water Trips Telephone Usage Cheating/Plagiarism Prohibited Items List Anti-­‐Bullying Policy Uniform Team and Family Volunteering Family/Teacher Conferences Complaint Procedures/Policies Climbing the Mountain at Home Illuminate Carpool Signature Pages & Appendices Handbook Acknowledgement Commitment to Excellence Technology Acceptable Use Policy (Enrollment Packet) Media Release Form (Enrollment Packet) School Calendar (Appendix) Staff Facebook (Appendix) Welcome Dear Parents and Families, Welcome to KIPP Sol! We are so excited that you and your child have chosen to embark on the next stage of the path through college as a Sol Advocate. This handbook has been prepared as a resource for you and your child. We want to ensure that you and your family understand the procedures and policies here at KIPP Sol that will help each child to thrive and for us to provide consistency, safety and an excellent educational experience for your child(ren). We hope this handbook will answer questions you may have. If you have other questions, please call the school and we’d be happy to assist you in any way that we can. After reading this handbook in its entirety, please sign and return the necessary included paperwork to acknowledge that you have read and discussed this handbook with your child(ren). Thank you for your support in helping us to achieve our goals and make good on the promise to prepare each child for success in high school, college and life and to create lifelong advocates! Rachelle Minix Principal, KIPP Sol Academy KIPP KIPP stands for the Knowledge Is Power Program. KIPP began in 1994 when two teachers, Dave Levin and Mike Feinberg, launched the program in inner-­‐city Houston, Texas. Today there are over 130 KIPP schools across the country serving over 40,000 students in 20 states and Washington, DC. KIPP schools are open to all students regardless of academic record, behavioral conduct or socioeconomic background. KIPP Sol Academy is operated by KIPP LA Schools – a nonprofit organization that operates free, open-­‐enrollment, public charter schools in South and East Los Angeles. KIPP Sol is the 5 middle school in the KIPP LA School network and joins our group of 13 schools in the city. KIPP LA Schools in the process of expanding to 20 schools and, when our alumni reach college, we will increase the annual college-­‐going rate in South and East LA by nearly 50%! Pillars and Core Beliefs Five Pillars 1. High Expectations. KIPP Schools have clearly defined and measurable high expectations for academic achievement and conduct. We do not accept shortcuts. 2. Choice & Commitment. Students, their parents, and the faculty of each KIPP School choose to participate in the program. No one is assigned or forced to attend these schools. Everyone must make and uphold a commitment to the school and to each other to put in the time and effort required to achieve success. 3. More Time. There are no shortcuts when it comes to success in academics and life. By extending the school day, week and year, students have more time in the classroom to acquire the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for competitive high schools and colleges, as well as more opportunities to engage in diverse educational experiences. 4. Power to Lead. KIPP school leaders are effective academic and organizational leaders who understand that great schools require great school leaders. They have control over their school budget and personnel, allowing them maximum effectiveness in helping students learn. 5. Focus on Results. KIPP Schools unrelentingly focus on high student performance on standardized tests and other objective measures. Just as there are no shortcuts, there are no excuses. Students are expected to achieve a level of academic aptitude that will enable them to succeed at the nation's best high schools and colleges. Core Beliefs at KIPP Sol 1. We believe each child is unique and should be celebrated and nurtured as so. 2. We believe that education is the path to equity and freedom. 3. We believe excellent skills in reading, writing, speaking and math give us a powerful voice and make us independent. The power is within each of us. 4. We believe that intelligence is malleable. Effective effort is what makes us successful. Growth mindset are essential. 5. We believe we must work to earn trust and build relationships with students, families and teammates in order to best serve the community. Our students are who we are. 6. We believe we must teach our students with love and empathy while always holding them to the highest expectations. Anything less would be a disservice to our students and the community. “KIPP-­‐isms” 1. Work Hard. Be Nice. 2. No shortcuts, No Excuses. (Smartcuts are OK!) th
3. All of us will learn. 4. Find a way, or make one. 5. Assign yourself. 6. Team beats individual. 7. Leave your space cleaner than you found it. In a Word We are on a Mission KIPP Sol The mission of KIPP Sol Academy is to provide an excellent education that ignites hearts as much as minds. By teaching academic skills, fostering intellectual habits and cultivating character strengths we light the spark within each child necessary to explore, advance and succeed on the path to and through college. Our students will transform their lives and the lives of many others as advocates who confidently think, speak and act for themselves, their communities and for positive change throughout the world. KIPP LA Schools The mission of KIPP LA Schools is to teach the academic skills, foster the intellectual habits, and cultivate the character traits needed for our students to thrive in high school, college and life. Through the success of our students, the KIPP LA team and family will serve as a model of excellence and collaboration with others to raise the quality of education in Los Angeles. Character Counts At KIPP Sol, we refer to all of our students as “advocates”. We define advocacy as: “The ability to define ourselves, name ourselves, create think and speak for ourselves so we never risk being defined, named, created, or spoken for by others.” At KIPP Sol Academy, we know that success in school and life means that our students must be sound in mind, body and soul. While we will work hard to prepare students academically, they must also be strong in character. At KIPP Sol we embody the values of ganas, reflection, excellence and love. Sol Affirmation (Fists raised)“I am somebody! I promise to define myself, create and speak for myself so that I never risk being defined, created, or spoken for by others. I am an advocate. I am excited by challenges because I believe in the power of my heart and mind. I use ganas and reflection, show love and strive for excellence. I am unique and that is beautiful but, together, we unite as one team and one family. We are strong in mind (touch head), body (touch shoulders) and soul (touch heart).” School Overview Hours of Operation Daily Schedule Monday Tuesday-­‐Thursday Friday School Opens 7:00 am 7:00 am 7:00 am Breakfast 7:10 am 7:10 am 7:10 am Morning Reading 7:20 am 7:20 am 7:20 am Class Begins 7:30 am 7:30 am 7:30 am Dismissal (non ASES) 1:00 pm 4:00 pm 3:30 pm Dismissal (ASES) ** 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm **Early sign out an option only with parent permission and only if child is going to attend another enrichment activity not offered at KIPP Sol Academy. Principal and Staff Office Hours We have structured times in which parents/guardians can come to talk to the principal and to teachers. Parent-­‐teacher conferences, back-­‐to-­‐school nights, and a host of other school activities are appropriate forums for interaction. Some opportunities to note in our schedule: [] Coffee with the Principal at the beginning of each month in the morning (see yearlong schedule) [] SPA Meetings on the 3 Thursday of each month in the afternoon (see yearlong schedule) Outside of these designated times/events, the principal and our staff will focus on the direct support of teaching and learning in the building and kindly request that you call or email in order to schedule a personal meeting. Only in the case of emergencies will exceptions be made. Please use the value of ‘reflection’ when deciding whether your concerns are emergencies or something that can wait for a scheduled talk. Summer School “Summer School” is a mandatory 2-­‐week introduction to the new school year. It is critical that all students attend the entire summer programming so that they are prepared for learning and behaving at KIPP Sol Academy. For the 2015-­‐16 school year, Summer School will run on the following schedule: [] August 17, 2015 – 1 day of school for 5 graders (Class of 2027) [] August 18, 2015 – 1 day of school for 6 graders (Class of 2026) [] August 19, 2015 – 1 day of school for 7 graders (Class of 2025) rd
st
th
st
th
st
th
Monday – Friday (8/17 – 8/28) School Opens 7:30 am Breakfast Not served Class Begins 8:00 am Dismissal (non ASES) 12:00 pm Dismissal (ASES) ** 6:00 pm ** The ASES program will begin officially on 8/24/2015. Those students who applied and are accepted into the program will begin on that day. All other children will dismiss promptly at 12:00 daily. Lunch on Friday August 28 is the only meal that will be served. Please make sure that your son/daughter eats before and after attending summer school. Failure to attend summer school may result in your child(ren) losing his or her seat at KIPP Sol Academy. th
Saturday School On occasion, students will be invited to attend Saturday school by their teachers. When your child(ren) is/are invited, it is required and they must attend. Teachers will notify parents/families of Saturday School opportunities a minimum of 1 week in advance. Please check the student-­‐family calendar for a preview of planned Saturday school dates. Please note that other dates may be added to those originally planned to accommodate student needs. Failure to attend may result in a loss of privileges. Enrichment and After School Programs (ASES) Part of being prepared for college is ensuring that we have a diverse array of talents, experiences and interests and that those interests and talents are fostered over time and evidenced in committed participation on teams, in clubs, etc. At KIPP Sol, we provide many opportunities for students’ non-­‐academic interests to thrive: [] During the regular school day, all students will have the opportunity to be enrolled in one or more of the following enrichment classes: Physical Education, Art, Performing Arts, or World Language (World Language begins fall 2016, not this year); [] Tuesday – Thursday from 3:00 – 4:00 all students will participate on a team or in a club. These clubs are lead by teachers and staff members and students will rank their preferred clubs/teams with the goal of being placed in one of their top 3 choices. Clubs/Team may include: robotics, soccer, dance, running, DIY, student council, spoken word, etc. [] Monday – Friday we offer a full After School Program (ASES). Some students will participate in the After School program as space is limited. Interested families are able to fill out an interest form at the mandatory Sol Parent Academy meeting in the summer (8/8/2015) and will be notified of their acceptance or waitlist status by Friday of the first week of summer school 8/21. ASES will begin on Monday 8/24 after regular dismissal and will run daily until 6:00 pm. (Please note that consistency in attendance and behavior are considered in ASES enrollment.) [] Sport Teams are available during designated seasons and participation is on a try-­‐out basis. Those students who make the teams are expected to attend practice and games. Commitment to the team throughout the season is essential (and also great for resumes!) School Calendar Please see the attached yearlong calendar. Parents will be notified of any calendar changes that occur during the year via phone, email, newsletter and signage at school. Staff Facebook Name/Subject/Grade/Email 5 Grade Team th
Jeanette Moon ELA 5 Grade -­‐ Fiction [email protected] Maria Santoyo-­‐Borjas (Morfín) ELA 5 Grade -­‐ Nonfiction msantoyo-­‐[email protected] Elsie Franco Math 5 Grade [email protected] Melissa Helguera Science 5 Grade [email protected] Maria Serrano Science 5 Grade [email protected] th
th
th
th
th
6 Grade Team th
Katie Johnson ELA 6 Grade -­‐ Fiction Kenny Park ELA 6 Grade -­‐ Nonfiction Megan Acosta Math 6 Grade Preciosa Cordero Science 6 Grade [email protected] th
th
th
th
7 Grade Team th
Samantha Harvey ELA 7 Grade -­‐ Fiction Erin Whalen ELA 7 Grade -­‐ Nonfiction Arlene Perez Math 7 Grade Kara Montgomery Science 7 Grade th
th
th
th
Enrichment and Special Services Team Cesar Alfaro Physical Education [email protected] Amber Allen Art [email protected] Gregory Spradlin Performing Arts Elizabeth “Libby” Gronquist Student Support Services (Intervention and KTC) [email protected] Steven Almazan Resource Specialist Teacher [email protected] Juan Juarez After School (ASES) Coordinator [email protected] Operational and Administrative Brenda Herrera Business Operations Manager [email protected] Rachelle Minix Principal [email protected] Jesse Melgares Assistant Principal [email protected] Mairin Finn Dean of Instruction [email protected] Karina Alvarez Office Associate [email protected] Eva Cruz Office Associate [email protected] General Policies and Procedures Admission For updated policies about enrollment, admission, and lottery procedures please reach out to our Operational and/or Administrative team. You can also find more information at www.kippla.org/sol. Medication Distribution Students may take medication at school only if a Request for Medication Form is completed by the student’s doctor and is on file at school. All medication, including inhalers, must be in the original prescription container and kept in the front office. Students are not permitted to self-­‐
administer medication -­‐ prescriptions or over-­‐the-­‐counter – while at school. Please contact the school for details regarding this procedure if you anticipate the need for your child to receive medication while at school. If the medication distribution needs of your child change throughout the course of the year, appropriate documentation from your child’s doctor must accompany the requested change. Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks General Etiquette All students will: Talk with your classmates after you have finished chewing your food. Clean up after yourself and others (leave the area cleaner than you found it). Stay seated until directed to do otherwise (in some grades or individual instances, seats will be assigned). Ask permission to use the restroom. Behave in a calm appropriate manner – they will walk (not run, push, cut) to the eating areas and line up quietly. Free and Reduced Price Lunch Applications All families must fill out a federal free/reduced lunch form – this will be completed at our mandatory Sol Parent Academy in the summer (8/8/2015). Families who qualify will receive a free/reduced pricing for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Please inquire for updated pricing for breakfast, lunch and snack. Families may choose to have their children eat breakfast at home and/or send a healthy bag lunch. Students needing to pay for all or part of their meals will be given frequent invoices of spending. Students and families may pay the invoice with cash in the office. In order to provide a healthy food program, we need your help. If you would like to volunteer please contact the front office! Food from Home All students must eat lunch during the day. Students may participate in the KIPP Sol lunch program or bring their own healthy lunch from home. Students who are seen without a lunch or who forget their lunch at home will be required to take a school lunch. In order to promote a healthy learning environment and keep our students brains and bodies clean and highly functioning, we require the consumption of healthy snacks on campus. Students may bring fruit, vegetables, water or single servings of crackers (no chips and no junk food snacks). Students are not allowed to bring sunflower seeds, soda, gum, large bags of crackers, chips, juices, coffee drinks, and any type of candy unless directed by his or her teacher. Chips and junk food are not considered healthy snacks. Students will eat their snack during the designated snack time during the day. If a student brings any of these banned items, they will be confiscated and returned at a later time. Unaccompanied students also may not purchase snacks from vendors outside the school during dismissal. Students caught purchasing any unhealthy items will be asked to use reflection and make a healthy choice. Special Education KIPP Sol’s Special Education Services function in compliance with state, federal, local and judicial regulations and guidelines when providing students with disabilities access to an excellent Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in their Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Instructional and other services provided by credentialed professionals are purposely designed to enable students to advance academically and to support students with disabilities within the general education curriculum, unless the IEP team recommends a more restrictive environment. Our curricular model and responsive school-­‐wide culture system maximize the opportunities for individualized, highly-­‐differentiated instruction, feedback, and support for every single one of our Sol Advocates. We strongly believe that there is no better place for a child to be then with us. We support all students on the path to and through college. Parents of and students receiving special education services are encouraged to participate in annual IEP meetings designed to review progress, develop, and/or revise individualized education program (IEP). We encourage students to participate as part of developing advocacy and agency. Student Records In compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student records are confidential and protected from unauthorized inspection or use. Parents’ or students’ right of access to, and copies of, student records does not extend to all records. Records are maintained for each student from the time students enter KIPP LA Schools until withdrawal or graduation. These records move with students from school to school. When enrolling in KIPP Sol, a formal request for student records will be made for the previous school’s cumulative file. When a student withdraws from a KIPP LA School, the records are forwarded to the new school upon written request from the new school. Student Transfer/Withdrawal Students will not be allowed to withdraw from school until parent/guardian approval has been obtained by the School Leader, all textbooks, technology and other school resources have been returned to the school and all debts to the school (if any) have been settled. Students who leave school without notifying school officials and fail to complete withdrawal procedures, may be dropped from the attendance roster after an absence of 10 consecutive days. No records will be transferred to another school until appropriate withdrawal procedures are completed. Custodial Circumstances If applicable, legal documentation must be on file at the school if requests are made for the school to withhold information from a non-­‐ custodial parent. Further, it is vital that this documentation is accurate and current so that we ensure no child is released to a non-­‐custodial parent/guardian from school. This documentation is a requirement of enrollment packets when applicable circumstances determine the need for it. English Language Learners (EL) Status and Reclassification Policy KIPP LA will comply with all federal, state, and judicial mandates for English Learners. The school is dedicated to providing students with an exceptional education and transitioning any student designated as an English Language Learner into English Proficiency through the use of the school’s services and teaching methods. All students who are identified as English Language Learners will take the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) each year by the end of October. The school also recognizes the importance of valuing students’ native languages, and reinforces an appreciation for the cultures, customs, and languages of all its students through the school’s core curriculum and enrichment programs. Based on the reclassification procedures developed by the California Department of Education (CDE) and set forth in Education Code Section 313(d) as well as KIPP Los Angeles updated ELL Reclassification Policies, KIPP Sol shall utilize multiple criteria in determining whether to reclassify a pupil as proficient in English, including, but not limited to, all of the following: I. Assessment of language proficiency using an objective assessment instrument, including, but not limited to, the English language development test pursuant to Section 60810 of the Education Code: -­‐ The student must demonstrate English proficiency with an overall performance level of 4 or 5 with skill area scores of 3 or higher. II. Comparison of the student’s performance in basic skills against an empirically established range of the performance of English proficient students of the same age in basic skills, that demonstrates whether the student is sufficiently proficient in English to participate effectively in a curriculum designed for students of the same age whose native language is English. Until the California State assessment scores become available, basic skills criteria for students in grades 3 and above include: -­‐ A student’s score on the nationally norm-­‐referenced NWEA MAP assessment on the Reading tests is considered to be at or above grade level. This score suggests that the pupil may be sufficiently prepared to participate effectively in the curriculum and should be considered for reclassification. -­‐ Students with scores at or above the grade level norm on Reading MAP tests should be considered for reclassification. -­‐ For students scoring below the grade level norm, KIPP Sol in accordance with criteria set by the school district and KIPPLA, should attempt to determine whether factors other than English language proficiency are responsible for low performance on the MAP test for Reading and whether it is reasonable to reclassify the student. II. When the California State Assessment data becomes available, KIPP Sol will no longer use the MAP Reading test as a criterion for reclassification. Instead, the basic skills criteria will include: -­‐ A student’s score on the state assessment for English Language Arts is considered to be at least basic grade level performance. This score suggests that the pupil may be sufficiently prepared to participate effectively in the curriculum and should be considered for reclassification. -­‐ Students with scores showing at least basic grade level performance on the state assessment for English Language Arts should be considered for reclassification. -­‐ For students scoring below basic grade level performance, KIPP LA in accordance with criteria set by the school district, should attempt to determine whether factors other than English language proficiency are responsible for low performance on the state assessment for English Language Arts and whether it is reasonable to reclassify the student. IV. Teacher evaluation, including, but not limited to, a review of the pupil’s curriculum mastery: -­‐ KIPP Sol teachers will use student academic performance in core subject areas to inform the reclassification process. -­‐ KIPP Sol teachers understand and note that incurred deficits in motivation and academic success unrelated to English language proficiency do not preclude a student from reclassification. -­‐ For 6th-­‐8th Grade only: a grade of B or better in English Language Arts is required for reclassification. IV. Parental opinion and consultation: -­‐ KIPP Sol will provide notice to parents or guardians of their rights and encourage them to participate in the reclassification process. -­‐ KIPP Sol will provide an opportunity for a face-­‐to-­‐face meeting with parents and guardians to discuss the reclassification process. -­‐ KIPP Sol will notify parents and guardians of reclassification, update the school and school district records, as well as monitor the student’s progress for two years. -­‐ KIPP LA in collaboration with the school district will monitor student performance for at least two years after reclassification in accordance with existing California regulations and the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. KIPP Sol will notify parents and guardians of reclassification, update the school and district records, as well as monitor the student’s progress for two years following reclassification. Fees Students may be subject to fees for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: breakfast and lunch fees, lost or damaged instructional materials, etc. As a general rule, parents have up to 30 days to pay any outstanding fees. When such fees are not paid, children may be denied any services for which the school has to pay an additional amount of money for participation. If a child is not eligible for free lunch, for example, the school may deny children with outstanding fees from participating in the school’s enrichment program, field lessons, etc. Students with outstanding fees may also be denied re-­‐admittance at the beginning of a new school year until all outstanding fees are paid. In the event that such fees prove a hardship to the family, a good faith effort must be shown and an individual agreement must be established between the school administration and the family in order to reinstate all student privileges. Please be an Advocate if faced with this challenge – let us know what is going on and we can work together to find a solution. Lost and Found Students are responsible for their belongings and the items checked out from school and classroom libraries. The school will not replace nor be responsible for items that students misplace, lose, or that are stolen while in the child’s possession. To ensure clothing and items are found when lost, please WRITE the child’s name clearly on the item (or sew names onto tags, jackets, etc.) All books, textbooks and technology that students check out that are lost will be billed to the student account. The lost and found will be housed in the main office. At the end of every month all unclaimed items will be donated to a non-­‐profit shelter serving woman and children. Students may check the lost and found during at designated times throughout the day (before breakfast, the last 5 minutes of lunch, or after dismissal). Safety Procedures Emergency evacuation routes are posted by the exits in each classroom and office. Fire and earthquake drills are held monthly to prepare students in the event of an actual emergency. Any student violating this procedure is jeopardizing the safety of our school and may face consequences. Emergency Evacuation Procedures Posted in every room is a map detailing the required evacuation protocols. Students are to follow their teacher outside in the event of a fire drill, fire, or natural disaster and to stay with their class. Students must proceed directly to the designated area and wait for instructions. School Call Chain for Emergency Communications Our technology department has purchased the School Messenger call out system. In addition to the School Messenger system, we may use call chain and email notifications. Please ensure the campus has a current emergency information card on file, including email addresses.. Academic Policies Personal Learning Personal (or blended) Learning at KIPP Sol means that we expertly mix learning environments, technologies, teaching methods, and structure cross-­‐curricular learning opportunities to ensure that students are challenged as individual learners. In order to honor our students’ growth and development over time as learners and people, we have divided our instructional model into the Lower School (5 -­‐6 grades) and Upper School (7 -­‐8 grades). To learn more about this, please check out this link: https://vimeo.com/43274102 Appropriate Use of Policy for Technology At KIPP Sol, we are preparing students for the rigors of college and life. The world is changing and proficiency in technology is increasingly important. We cannot permit inappropriate use of school technology including but in no way limited to: cyber-­‐bullying, the use of blocked/banned websites during school hours, stealing or defacement of property, signing in or assuming the identity of another person online, etc. Please read and sign KIPP Sol’s attached Technology Acceptable Use Policy (included in the enrollment packet). Student Supplies Teachers may ask students to bring specific materials to class. Please keep a steady supply of school related materials (paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, colored markers, notebooks, binders, scissors, erasers, glue, etc.) at your home to help your child complete projects and homework to the best of their ability. It is important that your child has a library card and a quiet place where they can work and read on a daily basis. A comprehensive list of requested school materials will be provided to you during Sol Parent Academy. Banned Items White out, permanent ink markers (Sharpies, etc.), paint markers are NOT allowed as part of student materials. Normal, #2 pencils and a personal sharpener are required for each student. All banned items will be confiscated and will not be returned. Electronic Devices Cell phones and other electronic devices (such as tablets, handheld games, music devices, iPods, eReaders, SmartWatches, etc.) are NOT allowed at school. In some cases, we understand that parents/guardians would like their child to have a cell phone for their walk home and in case of emergency. This phone must be off and out of site during all school hours (including bathroom, lunch, and after school enrichment). If the devices are seen or heard, the student’s parent/guardian is required to pick up the device from the office during office hours only. Each child will be extended one warning and the opportunity to reflect. If the child violates this rule a second time, his or her parent/guardian is required to pick up the device from the office AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. KIPP Sol is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen electronic items or for phone/internet charges or plans on personal devices. Personal Chromebooks In 5th and 6th grade, our Advocates have a 1:1 student:computer ratio, but the computers and other hardware devices will not travel with the students from room to room; instead, the students will travel and the devices will remain. th
th
th
th
Beginning in 7th grade, we endeavor to have students earn the privilege to carry their own KIPPLA Chromebook with them throughout the Instructional Day. Each child would, therefore, become responsible for the care of a single laptop during the instructional day. Once earned, upper classmen/women will check out their individual laptop during Advisory and check the same laptop in before leaving. If laptops are missing, dismissal will be delayed. More information around these procedures will be shared during Parent Orientation in August 2015. Agendas Students receive a daily planner/agenda at the beginning of each school year. Parents or guardians must sign the agenda daily as part of their child’s complete homework. Even if a child has completed his/her assignments, a missing agenda signature will result in an ‘incomplete’ homework for the day. A replacement agenda costs $10.00. Textbooks Textbooks and library books are checked out to students for use during the school year. It is the responsibility of each student to keep these items in good shape. Students who lose school materials may be required to pay for their replacement. Library books will be checked in and out to students with a due date. Parents will receive invoices for lost or damaged books checked out via the school’s libraries. Homework and Make-­‐Up Work Policy Homework and classwork are fundamental components of KIPP Sol’s academic program. Each day, Sol Advocates will have homework and are encouraged to make sure they understand their homework before leaving for the day in order to advocate for their learning needs and ask questions. For all of the make-­‐up policies below, please note that only excused absences are eligible for make-­‐up credit. Homework policy 1. Students will thoroughly complete homework five-­‐seven days a week to be returned on the due date; 2. Students will have no more than 2 hours of homework per night (reading 30-­‐35 pages at home every single night is an expectation; students are not exempt from this requirement even if they are in the ASES program. Do not accept the excuse, “But I already read at school”). 3. Homework/Assignment completion can be tracked in real time via our ClassDojo application as well as our Iluminate Parent Portal. We strongly encourage parents to use all available resources in order to monitor the performance of their child. 4. Late homework is not generally accepted (unless there is an emergency or a valid excused absence has been recorded.). Colleges do not accept late work; we must prepare our students appropriately. Each grade level will release their specific late HW policies. 5. If there is an excused absence, the child will have the equivalent amount of days to make up work as days absent. For example, if a child misses three days, he or she will have three days to make up the missed work. 6. ADVOCACY Policy: If a child advocates for an extended deadline within the window of the assignment’s due date, an extension will be considered on a case by case basis. No extensions will be given if a child or family member requests extra time after the assignment is already due. Please note that all appropriate ‘more time’ accommodations will be in place for students with IEPs in accordance to their individual needs. Classwork and Projects (assignments with long-­‐term deadlines) 1. All of the above conditions for make-­‐up HW apply. Please note that it is the responsibility of the student to request missed classwork. Teachers will make this work available in a timely fashion. 2. ADVOCACY Policy: If a child advocates for an extended deadline within the window of the assignment’s due date, an extension will be considered on a case by case basis. No extensions will be given if a child or family member requests extra time after the assignment is already due. Please note that all appropriate ‘more time’ accommodations will be in place for students with IEPs in accordance to their individual needs. Make-­‐Up Test All students have ONE opportunity to make up tests and quizzes to try to achieve a higher score (we will input the highest of the two scores) if the following criteria are met: 1. Absence has been excused; 2. Student signs up for the make-­‐up test with the appropriate teacher (make up test dates will be publicized); 3. Student attends any mandatory office hours and/or completes any mandatory preparatory work (may include obtaining parent signature); 4. Student arrives on time to make-­‐up testing session on the date/time assigned If the above criteria are not met, student forfeits eligibility for make up. Teacher Cell Phone Policy Students and parents will have the cell phone numbers of the School Leader, their teachers, and school office faculty. Calling teachers is encouraged if there is a question regarding expectations or general school issues, a question or issue regarding homework completion, or an issue regarding attendance. While parents are more than welcome to call, the student should be the individual calling the teachers as part of their developing advocacy. Each teacher will communicate the hours that they will accept a call in the evening. Please call the Principal if all deadlines have passed and there is an emergency that cannot wait until the next morning. It is the expectation that all homework related calls and texts are answered within 24 hours. All other inquiries (calls, texts, and emails) will be answered within 48 hours. Testing and Assessment Standardized + Summative Assessments Each year, our students will participate in formal, standardized state-­‐mandated testing in addition to KIPP national testing. These tests are cumulative and are intended to show students’ growth over time and comparative growth to samples of students of the same age and grade across the state and country. We take these tests very seriously and will encourage you to support our efforts around testing by ensuring your son/daughter gets enough sleep, eats foods that support healthy brains, studies hard, and remains optimistic (and stress free) about their abilities to showcase their learning on these tests! 1. California State Testing (CST and SBAC) – in May 2016, students are expected to take: a. 5th grade only: CST for Science b. 5 – 8 grades: Beginning in 2014-­‐15, students will take the NEW Smarter Balance Common Core Assessment. Please see http://www.smarterbalanced.org/smarter-­‐balanced-­‐assessments/ for more information about the new computer adaptive testing. We will have parent information meetings about how to support our Advocates through this transition. th
th
2. Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) – students will take the MAP test for English and Math a minimum of 2 times a year (fall and spring). This test will help us to compare our Advocates’ progress from fall to spring and their growth compared to KIPPsters across the country. MAP scores will also be predictive indicators of future SAT and ACT scores and the types of colleges to which a child is predicted to be academically prepared to apply. Formative, Ongoing Assessments Data drives the decisions we make around learning in our building. Therefore, we must collect data on a very frequent basis to inform the type of feedback and learning opportunities we present on a daily basis. In addition to standardized assessments, we use standards-­‐aligned formative tests to make good decisions about each Advocate’s progress and skills mastery. All of our testing is completed online. 1. Skills Assessments -­‐ Beginning in October, all students will take skills assessments on three-­‐week cycles. These standards-­‐based assessments are included in their grades; as well, they serve as a predictive indicator for their success on the California Standards Assessments. 2. Common Assessments – Every quarter (4 times/year), our Advocates will take a “common” assessment. These assessments are given across our KIPP Los Angeles region and allow us to compare our students’ growth to the growth of KIPPsters in the same grade/subject at each KIPP LA School. Time for some healthy competition! 3. Accelerated Reader Lexiles – We will use the Accelerated Reader program to hold students accountable for personal reading. This program will allow us to track their reading fluency and comprehension by designating a Lexile score. Here are the lexile range expectations for the Common Core: a. Grade Span Lexile Band K-­‐1 N/A 2-­‐3 420L-­‐820L 4-­‐5 740L-­‐1010L 6-­‐8 925L-­‐1185L 9-­‐10 1050L-­‐1335L 11-­‐College/career Ready 1185L-­‐1285L b. For more information about Lexile conversions to other reading program equivalents, please see: http://www.readingseed.org/wp-­‐content/uploads/2009/09/Comparison-­‐chart-­‐for-­‐
leveled-­‐books1.pdf (Note that the Lexile ranges on this document are not at the level of the new Common Core expectation. Use the graph above for the new ranges.) 4. Software/Online Assessments-­‐ As part of our Personalized Learning model, students will use a variety of adaptive online standards-­‐aligned programs. These programs will allow us to track student mastery and skills progress on a real-­‐time basis. Reports from these programs will be generated daily and students can log into their programs to check progress at any time. Grading and Report Cards
Progress Reports The school will distribute progress reports in the middle of every grading period that provide information on how students are performing on specific academic standards and assessments. Progress Reports are an opportunity to communicate with parents/guardians about how students are doing at the halfway point in the marking period. If a student is in danger of failing a class at the time progress reports are released, the teacher or parent may request a Student Success Team Meeting. Monitoring Student Progress Monitoring the progress of a middle school student requires advocacy from parents and students. Here are some highly encouraged ways in which to independently monitor student progress in between progress reporting periods: [] Log in to Class Dojo with a parent account and track behavioral and academic progress in real time; [] Log in to Iluminate via the parent portal and check the scores on tests, quizzes, homework and classwork assignments on a weekly basis; [] Sign weekly progress updates; [] Speak with your child about his or her progress. Have him/her log into Iluminate and show you their assignments and grades; [] Check the agenda on a nightly basis and have your child show you the completed assignments before signing off; [] Read the weekly parent bulletin and ask your child whether he or she is qualifying for any of the academic or behavioral incentives Report Cards The school year is broken into four (4) grading periods. The marking periods are long enough to allow students several opportunities to demonstrate mastery of specific skills. At the end of each marking period, students will receive grades in all core academic classes. Please note that work during Summer School is included in Quarter 1 grades. Grades are scored on a letter system: A (90% or above), B (80-­‐89.9%), C (70-­‐79.9%) and F (69% or lower) (We do not give D’s as colleges do not accept D’s as passing grades). Grade Weights Grades reflect both content mastery and academic habits. KIPP Los Angeles middle schools are using a normative grade weighting scale to ensure that all KIPPsters who graduate from a KIPPLA middle school have competitive transcripts for high school matriculation. The following are the gradebook components and breakdowns: Grade Level and Weight in Gradebook Grading Component 5th 6th 7th 8th Assessments (Skills Assessments, Common Assessments, Unit Assessments) 45% 45% 45% 45% Quizzes (including exit tickets) + Projects 25% 25% 25% 25% Classwork (including participation) 25% 25% 25% 25% Homework 5% 5% 5% 5% 100% 100% 100% 100% Total Promotion and Retention Promotion Policy When high academic achievement is evident, the Principal or designee may recommend a student for acceleration into a higher grade level. The student’s maturity level shall be taken into consideration in making a determination to accelerate a student. As our school grows, it is possible that a student may be accelerated for some content areas and not others (example: a 5 grader may take all 5 grade content classes with the exception of being accelerated to 6 grade math). Retention Policy Students shall be identified on the basis of grades and standard mastery. The following other indicators of academic achievement shall also be used: ● Failure in one or more classes ● Excessive (10) absences and/or tardies (3 tardies/early leaves = 1 absence) ● Scoring basic or below on standards based assessments and/or not meeting grade level goals ● The school’s decision regarding promotion and retention will be based on the totality of the circumstances and will be final and binding. ● STAR and MAP testing can be used in combination with school performance to recommend retention prior to the next school year. ● Students independent reading levels (lexile) will be considered when determining whether to retain Students who are at risk of retention will have a minimum of two (2) Student Success Team meetings prior to retention. The Principal or designee will notify the student’s parent or guardian prior to end of 3rd quarter if the student is at risk of retention. Upon the conclusion of the school year, the student’s teacher(s), in consultation with the parent or guardian, shall determine if the student shall be retained. The parent or guardian may appeal the decision to retain the student to the Principal or designee, who will meet with the parent/guardian and review the decision of the teacher(s). The Principal or designee’s decision shall be final. As our school grows, a student may be offered the possibility of “moving to the next grade” pending the completion of summer school (offered during June and July) and/or repeating the failed math or English classes from the previous year (example: a “7 grader” may take both 6 and 7 grade math classes if he or she failed 6 grade math but passed all other subjects). Academic Intervention + Support Student Success Teams (SSTs) The Student Success Team is a positive school-­‐wide early identification and early intervention process for students who are identified to have needs or struggles that require further support. Working as a team, the student, parent, teachers and school administrator identify the student's strengths and assets upon which an improvement plan can be designed. Concerns are seen as obstacles to student success and not descriptors of the student or his/her character. As a regular school process, the SST engages with school and community support to compose a practical improvement plan that all team members agree to follow. Follow-­‐up meetings are planned to provide a continuous casework management strategy to maximize the student's achievement and school experience. Intervention The Intervention Program provides students with the foundational knowledge and remedial instruction they need in order to access grade level content successfully. Students are referred to Intervention by their classroom teachers for reasons such as low reading fluency or comprehension, low assessment scores, or failing grades. Students work in small groups during th
th
th
th
th
th
th
their regular academic periods and study hall in order to receive individualized instruction that will help them be successful in their core classes. We will use a host of online programs and iPad applications to individualize intervention for each Advocate’s identified needs. Independent Study The Board of Directors of KIPP Los Angeles (the “Board”) recognizes its responsibility for the education of all students in the KIPP LA network of schools. The board authorizes independent study as an optional alternative instructional strategy by which enrolled students may achieve curriculum objectives and fulfill requirements for grade promotion and graduation. The primary purpose of independent study is to offer a means of individualizing the educational plan for students whose needs may be met best through study outside the regular classroom setting. Independent study entails a commitment by both the parent/guardian and the student. As the student gets older, he/she assumes a greater portion of the responsibility involved. The School Leader shall determine that the prospective independent study student understands and is prepared to meet the KIPP LA school’s requirements for independent study. Independent study may be offered only to students who can achieve in this program as well as or better than they would in the regular classroom. A complete Board Policy for eligibility for Independent Study is available upon request. Incentives & Code of Conduct School Rules 1. Be nice. 2. Be on time. 3. Look your best. 4. Be prepared. 5. Model the school values and classroom norms. 6. Follow directions the first time they are given. 7. Keep the environment clean or leave it cleaner than you found it. 8. Gum, candy, soda, or junk food of any kind is not allowed on campus. 9. Personal electronics are not allowed on campus. If they are seen or heard, they will be confiscated. 10. Students may not leave campus after school and return without parent/guardian permission. Sol Glows (School Rewards) The following is a non-­‐exhaustive list of incentives for working hard and being nice at KIPP Sol. Recognition for Positive Behavior and Academic Achievement Classroom and school level recognition programs that promote good behavior and reinforce our vision: 1. Attendance Awards a. Monthly and annually 2. Academic Awards a. Principal’s Honor List (GPA 3.7+) b. Honor Roll (GPA 3.5 – 3.69) c. Accelerated Reader Goal Crushers (monthly) d. Millionaires Club (ongoing basis) e. Math Masters f. Olympic Champions g. ETC. 3. Character Awards a. Advocate of the Week (nominated by teachers and/or peers) b. Values Award winners (semester/year) c. Dojo Classroom Points Winners d. Free Dress Fridays for 80% positive character points on Dojo e. ETC. 4. Classroom rewards and incentives a. Each teacher will have his or her own system for their classroom. Candy will not be used an incentive in classrooms unless noted as a special occasion by the teacher. Field Trips and End-­‐of-­‐Year Field Lessons Field trips and end of the year field lessons are educational activities that are intended for students who fully participate in the educational program at KIPP Sol. Field Trips Students will have the opportunity to participate in field trips during the school year. A student’s behavior, attendance, and academic performance will serve as indicators on whether or not he/she will be able to attend Field Trips during the school year. End of the Year Field Lessons End of Year Field Lessons are opportunities for students to practice independence while engaging in fun and educational activities. Typically, students have attended trips to San Diego, Utah, Catalina, and Washington, D.C. while they are middle school students in KIPP LA Schools. At Sol, we will continue to search for highly applicable, affordable, engaging EOY field lesson opportunities. In some cases, extreme achievement/excellence will earn a child a spot on a trip that is not otherwise available. In order for a student to attend the EOY Field Lessons, they must meet the following requirements: 1. Attendance (Beginning in Summer School and Ending the day before the End of Year Field Lesson) a. Absences: Fewer than 10 (excused and unexcused) absences for the year and fewer than 4 truancy events for the year. i. Tardies: 3 tardies= 1 absence ii. Leaving early: 3 pullouts= 1 absence iii. Late pick-­‐up from After School Program; 3 lates = 1 absence 2. Referrals (Beginning in Summer School and Ending the day before the End of Year Field Lesson) a. Behavior: no more than 2 referrals for the year and/or one or more suspension days 3. Grade Point Average a. 3.0 cumulative (meaning all three quarters combined), Quarters 1-­‐3 b. Students who maintain a 4.0 cumulative GPA average may become eligible for further travel/learning opportunities Special Education Requirements for EOY Field Lessons Qualifications for EOY trips for students will 504 plans and IEPs will be determined based on each student's individual needs. Arrival/Dismissal Please make the necessary arrangements to pick up your child(ren) on-­‐time. Parents/Guardians picking up or dropping off their child in a car, MUST follow the designated arrival and dismissal policies. These policies will be strictly enforced. Safety of our Advocates is our primary concern. Please be an active part of our Team and Family and look out for children and pedestrians when driving/parking around KIPP Sol. Arrival and Dismissal Updates It is possible that KIPP Sol will implement a late pick up fee if your child is consistently (3 or more times) picked up late (15 minutes or more after dismissal). If this fee is implemented, your child’s account will be charged $1/minute late after the 15-­‐minute grace period. (See payments) Gate Hours Gates are open at 7:00 a.m. and close promptly at 7:30 a.m. KIPP Sol is a closed campus. Students arriving late are to report to the front office for a late pass. A child will be marked Tardy if he or she arrives at 7:31; a child will be marked Truant if he or she arrives after 8:00. Morning Arrival All students must remain seated at the lunch tables in the assigned lunch areas. Morning work is expected to be completed before 7:30 while students eat breakfast. Students may not enter the building for any reason before 7:30 a.m. Alternative Transportation (Bikes/Skateboards) Bicycles, roller blades/roller skates, skateboards, and scooters/skateboards are not permitted onto the KIPP Sol campus. Students must park listed items in the designated areas in order to prevent injuries, accidents, and theft of personal property. Please make sure that these items have the proper identification and locking devices. Wheelie shoes are not permitted. Visitors and Volunteerism All visitors, including families, must check-­‐in at the front office. You will be asked to wear an identification badge so that you can easily be identified as a visitor to our campus. Visitors not wearing an identification badge issued by the KIPP Sol office will be escorted off campus. The safety of our students is a non-­‐negotiable. Any parent wishing to accompany a student to class must enter the campus through the main entrance and follow the visitor sign-­‐in procedure. Parents are welcome to visit a child’s classroom by making arrangements with the teacher for a visit. Unless a parent or visitor has arranged to sit in a class and/or volunteer on campus, parents and visitors need to exit the campus by 7:30 a.m. in order to enable students to fully focus on their studies. While KIPP LA encourages parents/guardians and interested members of the community to visit KIPP LA and view the educational program, KIPP LA also endeavors to create a safe environment for students and staff. To ensure the safety of students and staff as well as to minimize interruption of the instructional program, KIPP LA has established procedures, pursuant to California Penal Code Section 627, et seq., to facilitate visits during regular school days. The Conditions for Classroom and School Visitation and Removal Policy is available upon request. Attendance Policies Absences Attendance is key to learning and therefore mandatory. All students are expected to be on time and present for the entire day. Excused absences are for illness, medical or dental appointments, or bereavement. Be sure to refer to the school calendar when planning family outings and vacations so that they coincide with designated school vacation dates. Parents, guardians, or individuals listed on the student’s emergency cards can sign students out early. You must also send a note with your child when he/she returns to school that explains the reason for the absence and lists the date of the absence(s) or early pull-­‐outs. Students with an excused absence will be able to make-­‐up missed work or homework within 24 hours of returning from school or an amount of time approved by the Principal. Please note: 1. There are plenty of opportunities to take a family vacation (Winter, Spring and Summer breaks are great examples) that do not interfere with school. 2. There is a direct link between poor attendance and poor performance in school 3. Please make other plans if your primary transportation is not available 4. If one sibling is absent, it does not necessarily mean the other(s) must also be absent 5. Much of our school’s funding is directly tied to daily student attendance. Failure to attend school not only results in a loss of learning, but in a loss of revenue for the school. Loss revenue = a reduction in resources, staff and opportunities for students L A detailed attendance policy is on file with the front office. Excessive Absences Any student who has been absent from school (excused or unexcused) for 10% or more of the total days of attendance for that school year may be required by the School Leader to provide an official medical or judicial verification in order to excuse an absence. Students with such an excess of absences will be notified in writing of the official verification requirement. Students with excessive absences may be referred to the school’s Truancy Abatement Program as a way to remedy the excessive absences. The abatement program may include Weekend Makeup School. In addition, a student who misses a significant amount of school is at risk for retention. Tardy A student who arrives to school later than 7:30 am is considered tardy. Students who are late must sign the tardy log in the front office to receive a tardy pass to enter class. A detailed tardy policy is on file with the front office. Truancy A student is considered truant when the student is: 1. Absent from school without a valid excuse three days in one school year, or 2. Tardy or absent for more than 30 minutes during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or 3. Any combination thereof. A detailed truancy policy is on file in the front office. Attendance Review The school’s local School Attendance Review Team (SART) and the KIPP LA School Attendance Review Board (SARB) will work with families and students to resolve attendance and truancy problems. If, after repeated interventions, the student continues to be truant and does not follow the SART or SARB’s directives, the matter will be referred to the District Attorney for prosecution and other appropriate action may be taken by the school up to, and including, a recommendation for expulsion. A registered/certified letter must be sent to the parent/ guardian informing them of this action. (Education Code §48260, 48261, 48262) Referrals If a child repeatedly misbehaves or commits a serious offense, the child will be sent to the office with a discipline referral form. A decision regarding disciplinary action will be made based on the specific conduct and the offense. If appropriate, the child will be sent home with the discipline referral form. Please review, sign, and send back this form the following day. Suspension and Expulsion Students will be subject to discipline for misconduct occurring a) on school grounds; b) while going to or coming from school; c) during the lunch period, whether on or off the school campus, d) during, going to, or returning from a school-­‐sponsored activity; or e) in cyberspace whether during or after school time according to enumerated offenses listed in the California Code of Education. Statutory grounds for suspension and expulsion are on file in the front office of the school. Hallways (Restrooms and Water Trips) Hallways Students are expected to move quietly (cannot feel any vibration in their throat when you hold your hand to it) with their teammates from class to class. Students are expected to have a hall pass to be in the hallway at any other time. It is the student’s responsibility to get a pass before leaving a room and to sign in and out with a time stamp. Students may not simply choose to go to the restroom, office or anywhere else without permission. Restroom and Water Trips Students are expected to use good judgment when asking to use the restroom or go to the drinking fountain. Students should not ask right before or after lunch or the first or last ten minutes of class. Students must sign in and out when leaving the classroom for any reason. Unless in the case of an emergency, only one child per class is permitted to leave the room at a time. Telephone Policy Students may not carry electronic devices on campus including cell phones. Students are only permitted to use office or teacher telephones in case of an emergency. Please make pick-­‐up arrangements with your child prior to dropping him/her off at school. Cheating/Plagiarism Any student who, in the opinion of KIPP Sol, is found cheating could face severe disciplinary action. Academic honesty is the expectation for all students, staff members and families. Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Plagiarism is a serious breach of academic trust. It is the act of presenting somebody else's work and claiming it as your own. Any student caught cheating will receive a zero for that assignment in addition to disciplinary action. It is important that students learn the difference between synthesizing someone else’s thoughts, directly quoting and citing referenced material, and plagiarism. Colleges and universities do use software programs to test every single paper submitted by a student for the percentage of the words that can be found online, in other texts, or other student’s submitted papers. A student caught plagiarizing in college will be kicked out, thus, we must hold our students to the same high expectation for producing their own work. Prohibited Items List The following is a non-­‐exhaustive list of prohibited items: firearms/weapons, drugs, tobacco, any device or paraphernalia reasonably intended for the consumption of drugs or tobacco, cell phones and other personal electronic devices, permanent markers, paint markers, white out, junk food, gum, non-­‐KIPP Sol branded clothing, etc. If you are in doubt about an item, please call the school before bringing it. Anti-­‐Bullying and Anti-­‐Harassment Policy At KIPP Sol, we believe that all children have the right to a safe and healthy learning environment. Students are expected to live up to their signed Commitment to Excellence policy which reads: “I will show love and respect the rights and interests of all members of the KIPP community regardless of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, disability, lifestyle, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or national or ethnic origin to help promote a safe learning environment.” In accordance with the law, bullying and harassment are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disciplinary action. KIPP Sol will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any student. A student shall not intimidate, harass, or bully another student through words or actions. Such behavior includes: direct physical contact, such as hitting or shoving; verbal assaults, such as teasing or name-­‐calling; and social isolation or manipulation. In person and online bullying and harassment will be treated with the same swift consequences. Additional examples of bullying/harassing behaviors include but are not limited to: -­‐ Physical: hitting, kicking, grabbing, spitting, giving wedgies, etc. -­‐ Verbal: name calling, racist/sexist/general derogatory remarks, put-­‐downs, extortion, etc. -­‐ Indirect: spreading rumors, wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice, exclusion from peer group, taking and hiding/destroying others’ possessions, etc. -­‐ Written: Notes and/or graffiti containing harassing or bullying messages -­‐ Electronic: using websites, e-­‐mail, blogs, texts, and/or other social media platforms to distribute/post negative/harassing or bullying comments. Also sending or forwarding harassing/bullying text messages at any time using cell phones or other messaging devices. Uniform All Students Uniforms must be clean, crisp, neat, and not tattered. Choice of: All grades -­‐ Khaki uniform 4-­‐pleat skirt (or skort) no shorter than 2 inches above the knee -­‐ Khaki uniform shorts -­‐ Khaki uniform pants Choice of: Lower School (5 and 6 Grades) -­‐ KIPP Sol white polo shirt, tucked in (brown or black belt optional) -­‐ KIPP Sol blue polo shirt, tucked in (brown or black belt, optional) Upper School (7 and 8 Grades) -­‐ KIPP Sol white button down shirt/blouse, tucked in -­‐ KIPP Sol cross tie and/or regular tie Choose any/all (please put first/last name inside or embroider on the outside): -­‐ KIPP Sol sweatshirt -­‐ KIPP Sol navy sweater vest (optional but recommended) -­‐ KIPP sol navy cardigan sweater (optional but recommended) -­‐ KIPP Sol outerwear jacket (optional but recommended and cannot be worn inside) Acceptable Accessories/Shoes: -­‐ Knee highs or tights in the following colors: blue, orange, yellow, white, or navy (stripes and polka dots are not permitted, even if in only these colors) -­‐ Hair accessories in blue, orange, yellow, white or navy, khaki or plaid (good judgment) th
th
th
th
-­‐ Appropriate school shoes that do not exceed 2 inches above the ankle. (No sandals, boots, heels, or opened-­‐toed shoes.) Not allowed: skinny pants, baggy pants, cargo pants, jumpers, thigh high tights, leggings, long sleeve undershirts in non KIPP-­‐Sol colors, non-­‐KIPP sweatshirts or sweaters, unprofessional hair or hair that obstructs the eyes, unprofessional facial piercings, earrings larger than a quarter, makeup, fake nails (nail polish OK), excessive bracelets or necklaces (limit 2). Physical Education All students Orange KIPP Sol T-­‐shirt with name on it Navy KIPP Sol athletic shorts with name on it Navy KIPP Sol sweatpants with name on it KIPP Sol sweatshirt Appropriate athletic shoes Athletic towel with name on it Water bottle with name on it Changing for PE Please note that our students will change for PE on the days in which they have PE. They will be timed for urgency and will be monitored by a same-­‐gender staff member to ensure safety. Team and Family Volunteer Hours At KIPP Sol Academy we strive to create a warm and welcoming school environment for parents. We view our work as a partnership among school leaders, teachers, students, parents, and the community. Because of this, we encourage parents to get involved in our schools, through volunteering and other opportunities. While we encourage parents to volunteer, it is not a requirement of enrollment. You will receive information throughout the year about volunteer opportunities. Parents who are interested in volunteering in classrooms and/or helping serve breakfast, lunch, and snack should contact the front office. All parent volunteer hours must be recorded in the Parent Volunteer Binder located in the front office in order to receive awards, prizes, and invitations to special events as a thank you for your partnership. Family/Teacher Conferences Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend all family/teacher conferences so that you can learn about the progress your child is making in school and speak individually to your child’s Homeroom teacher about his or her general performance in school. Your meeting time will be scheduled well in advance and you are expected to be there on the day/time of your meeting. Comments, Concerns, and Complaint Policy and Procedures KIPP LA has formally outlined the steps to be used by a parent, guardian or community member who has a suggestion, question or concern about a KIPP LA school, policy or team member. KIPP LA Schools encourage families and staff to resolve problems collaboratively and respectfully. Teamwork, respect, and prompt resolution of conflicts are very important to KIPP LA Schools. Resolution of questions and concerns should always start with the person or school in concern. If the concern is unresolved, it is essential that the school leader be included in the resolution process. We will go over this policy live during our SPA meeting on 8/8/2015. For access to the 7-­‐step resolution process, please request a copy from our main office. Climbing the Mountain to College (at home) We know that the strength of our school-­‐home connection will support our Advocates on their climb to and through college. We will host Parent information sessions in which we demonstrate techniques and strategies for supporting learning in your home. Parents are also encouraged to observe their child’s classrooms and ask questions to all staff members regarding best practices for extending the learning environment in the household. More information on these events will be broadcast on our website at www.kippla.org/sol and sent home weekly via our Parent Bulletin on Thursday afternoons. Illuminate Illuminate is the online grading tool used by teachers. Parents and families may check their child(ren)’s grades online. Illuminate is also available via cell phone if you have internet access on a SmartPhone. Libraries also offer free Internet access. Carpool While many of our students will walk or drive to school, we recognize that commuting in Los Angeles can be cumbersome. We encourage families who are willing to drive nearby students in a carpool to ensure that all of our Advocates get to school safely each day. Participation in the carpool lists is completely voluntary and your personal information will not be shared with anyone outside the our KIPP Sol team and family. Signature Pages & Appendices Please Sign and Return to the School: I have thoroughly read the policies and procedures as listed in the KIPP Sol Academy Handbook. I understand that if any information is still unclear, I can contact the office staff regarding any questions. Parent /Guardian’s Name (printed):____________________________ Parent /Guardian’s Signature:____________________________ Date:______________ Student’s Name (printed):____________________________________ Student Signature:____________________________________ Date:______________