Character, Confidence, Cognition
VOYAGER ACADEMY
K-12 Student-Parent Handbook
101 Hock Parc
Durham, NC 27704
(919)433-3301
Voyageracademy.net
Vision: "Inspiring life-long learning in every Viking."
Mission: "The mission of Voyager Academy is to provide students in kindergarten through grade
twelve an academically challenging and supportive learning environment. Staff utilizes
experiential and traditional learning strategies so that students become responsible, engaged, and
innovative members of society."
Values:
Confidence: Trusting in your own ability and being willing to take academic risks.
Curiosity: Eager to investigate and learn about the world around us.
Empathy: Being aware of and respecting another person’s feelings, experiences, and differences.
Reflection: Using past experiences to guide future learning and decision making.
Integrity: Doing the right thing and standing strong in what you believe
Project Based Learning
We are committed to practicing the principles of Project-Based Learning (PBL). PBL addresses
each student's cognitive growth through assignments that develop higher order thinking, require
research and experimentation, and teach critical academic skills and knowledge. Through Project
Based Learning Instruction we train our students to THINK. Project Based Learning is rigorous,
but the quality and depth of cognitive advancement through PBL produces an empowered lifelong
learner.
Essential Project Design Elements include:
●
Key Knowledge, Understanding, and Success Skills - The project is focused on
student learning goals, including standards-based content and skills such as critical
thinking/problem solving, collaboration, and self-management.
●
Challenging Problem or Question - The project is framed by a meaningful problem
to solve or a question to answer, at the appropriate level of challenge.
●
Sustained Inquiry - Students engage in a rigorous, extended process of asking
questions, finding resources, and applying information.
●
Authenticity - The project features real-world context, tasks and tools, quality
standards, or impact – or speaks to students’ personal concerns, interests, and issues
in their lives.
●
Student Voice & Choice - Students make some decisions about the project,
including how they work and what they create.
●
Reflection - Students and teachers reflect on learning, the effectiveness of their
inquiry and project activities, the quality of student work, obstacles and how to
overcome them.
●
Critique & Revision - Students give, receive, and use feedback to improve their
process and products.
●
Public Product - Students make their project work public by explaining, displaying
and/or presenting it to people beyond the classroom.
Section 1: Attendance and Student records
1.0 Attendance
K-12 Attendance Policy
All students must be fully enrolled and should attend school regularly. Voyager does not accept
partial enrollment. Regular attendance is the best way to ensure that students master the
curriculum. Voyager will make every effort to protect instructional time from interruption and we
ask that, whenever possible, parents/guardians schedule appointments (doctor, dentist) after
school hours. For record keeping purposes, a child is marked absent when he or she misses half of
the school day.
Excused Absences (All absences not listed below are unexcused)
· Illness or injury
· Quarantine
· Religious
observance
· Death in the immediate family
· Medical or dental appointment (with a note from the doctor)
· A “once in a lifetime” family activity that would result in significant educational
benefits. Parents must submit a written request for educational leave in advance of the
absence and the Principal must approve the request in writing.
Procedures for Notifying Voyager about Absences
On the day of the absence(s), parents/guardians should email the teacher stating the reason for the absence.
If you do not email the teacher, when the student returns to class, he or she must bring an explanatory note
within three days. If Voyager does not receive the explanatory note within three days, the absence will be
marked unexcused.
Truancy (Recurrent unexcused absences)
If a student is truant, the first step will be a conference with the parents/guardians. Should
this prove unsatisfactory, next steps include possible notification of appropriate legal
authorities and/or possible recommendation for long-term suspension or expulsion. Students
absent more than 20 days may not be promoted and must meet with the Managing Director
to determine next steps, which could result in expulsion.”
Tardiness & Late Pick-up
Tardiness interrupts instruction for the entire class. Students who are tardy must go to the
office to sign in. The only excused tardies are student illness, medical or dental
appointments, and death/illness in the immediate family. All other tardies are unexcused.
Elementary students must be supervised at all times while on campus. Parents who arrive
after carline has ended at 2:50 infringe on the time of the classroom teacher or VAES staff
who must change their afternoon schedule to accommodate. Though emergency late pick-ups
are understandable, routinely picking up students late will receive the same consequences as
tardies.
The table below outlines the consequences for tardies or late pick-ups.
Number of
Occurrence(s)
Action to be Taken
0-4
No Action
5-9
Letter home to parent/guardian and student. Late pick-up
may need to have a conference with an administrator.
10-19
Required conference with the Attendance Committee
that includes the Assistant Principal and the School
Counselor
20+
Parent/guardian and student required to conference
with the Managing Director.
Releasing Students from School
1.2 Parents/guardians are the only people allowed to take a student from school. Prior
arrangements with the principal, however, may allow for others to do so.
K-12 Dress Attire Policy
1.3 The purpose of the Voyager Academy dress attire policy is twofold. As an aspect of a student's
personal education, it helps develop positive self-image and promotes a sense of personal
responsibility. As an organizational benefit, this policy keeps our focus on the academic process,
minimizes disciplinary disruption and assures the safety of our students. In this context, student
dress should demonstrate modesty, be appropriate to an academic setting and contribute to a sense
of school pride. Student attire that is deemed unsafe or otherwise disruptive to the learning
environment will result in a level 1 infraction and students may be required to change. Dress up
days are required for project celebrations, athletic events and other occasions as noted on the
calendar and directed by school leaders or coaches.
Student Records
1.4 School personnel will maintain student records in compliance with federal law, state law and
Board policy.
1.5 Principals shall compile and maintain an official record for each student that shall contain, as a
minimum, a birth certificate, attendance data, standardized test results, and grading and promotion
data.
Section 2: Code of Conduct, Consequences and Interventions
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
Each student in the Voyager Academy Charter Schools is responsible for exhibiting the highest
standards of behavior. The Code of Student Conduct sets out school wide expectations for
student behavior designed to provide the best possible school climate. This code does not restrict
the authority of teachers, site-based teams or principals to make individual school or class rules,
not inconsistent with this code.
All students shall comply with the Code of Student Conduct while on educational property,
which includes any school building, school campus, grounds, recreational area, athletic field, or
other property under the control of the Voyager Academy Charter Schools. Students may also be
disciplined for conduct that occurs off educational property that violates this Code of Conduct if
the conduct has or is reasonably expected to have a direct and immediate impact on the orderly
and efficient operation of the school or the safety of individuals in the school environment.
Definitions
Alternative Education Services – part or full-time programs, wherever situated, providing direct
or computer-based instruction that allows a student to progress in one or more core courses.
Board – the Voyager Academy Charter Schools Board of Directors.
Day or Days – school days excluding teacher workdays, holidays, vacations days and weekends.
Destructive Device – An explosive, incendiary, or poison gas:
a. Bomb.
b. Grenade.
c. Rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces.
d. Missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce.
e. Mine.
f. Device similar to any of the devices listed.
Exclusion pursuant to G.S. 115C-218.60 – exclusion of a student from Voyager Academy
Charter School for violation(s) of this Code of Student Conduct and return of that student to
another school in the local school administrative unit. This exclusion process is different from
suspension or expulsion.
Expulsion – permanent exclusion of a student from registering, enrolling or attending the
Voyager Academy Charter Schools. This exclusion also includes riding in a school-owned or
operated vehicle and prohibits the student from participating in school activities or entering any
school property.
Firearm – Any of the following:
a. A weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to or may readily be
converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.
b. The frame or receiver of any such weapon.
c. Any firearm muffler or firearm silencer.
The term “firearm” does not include an inoperable antique firearm, BB gun, stun gun, air rifle, or
air pistol.
Long-Term Suspension – exclusion from the school to which the student was assigned at the time
of the disciplinary action and from participation in school activities or events for a period in
excess of ten days but not to exceed the remainder of the school year, except that if the offense
leading to the long-term suspension occurs in the final quarter of the school year, the exclusion
may extend to the end of the first semester of the following school year.
Parent – includes the natural parent, legal guardian, legal custodian or other caregiver adult who
is acting in the place of a parent and is entitled under state law to enroll the student in school.
Principal – includes the principal and the principal’s designee.
School Personnel – includes the following:
a. Any Board employee;
b. Any person working on school grounds or at a school function under a contract or written
agreement with the school to provide educational or related services to students;
c. Any person working on school grounds or at a school function for another agency
providing educational or related services to students.
Short-term suspension – exclusion from school and participation in school activities or events for
up to ten days.
Managing Director – includes the Managing Director or the Managing Director’s designee.
Reports to Law Enforcement:
When a principal has personal knowledge or actual notice from school personnel that an act has
occurred on school property involving assault resulting in serious personal injury, sexual assault,
sexual offense, rape, kidnappings, indecent liberties with a minor, assault involving the use of a
weapon, possession of a firearm in violation of the law, possession of a weapon in violation of
the law, possession of a controlled substance in violation of the law, assault on a school
employee, robbery, armed robbery, homicide, manslaughter, or death by vehicle, the principal
shall report the act to the appropriate local law enforcement agency, notify parents/guardians of
any alleged student victim of a violent crime and notify the Managing Director or designee.
Notification must occur in writing or by electronic mail by the end of the workday in which the
incident occurred, when reasonably possible, but not later than the end of the following workday.
The Managing Director must also provide the information to the Board.
The principal may notify law enforcement of any other potential criminal conduct or incident,
which may jeopardize the safety, security, or well-being of the school environment.
CONSEQUENCES AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS
Violation of Board policies, the Code of Student Conduct, regulations issued by the individual
school or an individual teacher, or North Carolina law may result in disciplinary action.
Principals shall inform students at the beginning of each school year of the contents of this policy
and any school rules that may result in discipline. Most disciplinary consequences can occur with
the student remaining in an educational environment. In-school disciplinary consequences
available to principals include, for example: behavior contracts, peer mediation, in-school
suspension, conflict resolution, detention, restitution, loss of privileges, and school or community
service.
When, in the judgment of the school principal, a student’s behavior warrants an out-of-school
suspension, the principal may impose a short-term suspension or, for more serious violations of
the Code of Conduct, may recommend a long-term suspension, a 365-day suspension, expulsion,
or exclusion pursuant to G.S. 115C-218.60.
In determining the appropriate consequence for a violation of this Code, principals shall consider
all aggravating or mitigating circumstances they deem relevant. Examples of aggravating or
mitigating circumstances that may be considered include but are not limited to:
 The student's age;
 The student's intent;
 The student's disciplinary history, including number of infractions and prior discipline for
the same violation;
 The student's academic history;
 Whether the conduct caused a threat to safety;
 Whether school property or personal property was damaged;
 Whether the conduct caused a substantial disruption of the educational environment;
 Whether a weapon was involved and whether any injury resulted.
The Student Code of Conduct Rules are leveled, indicating the severity of the violation and the
type of consequence. The principal shall inform students of local school rules that, if broken,
may result in suspension from school.
Level I – Level I rule violations should generally result in in-school interventions in lieu of outof-school suspensions. In cases where a student refuses to participate in the in-school
interventions or engages in multiple violations of a Level I rule, or other aggravating factors are
present, the principal may impose a short-term suspension. Any short-term suspension for
truancy or tardiness shall not exceed two school days and shall only occur following documented
interventions. Persistent Level I violations may result in exclusion pursuant to G.S. 115C-218.60.
Any exclusion recommendation is subject to the due process procedure contained in Policy 4303.
Level II – Level II rule violations involve more serious misconduct that may warrant short-term
suspension. Principals may recommend a long-term suspension or exclusion pursuant to G.S.
115C-218.60 based upon the presence of aggravating factors. Any long-term suspension or
exclusion recommendation is subject to the appeal procedures contained in Policy 4303.
Level III – Level III rule violations are more severe in nature and support long-term suspension
or exclusion pursuant to G.S. 115C-218.60. The principal may impose a short-term suspension
based on mitigating factors. Any long-term suspension or exclusion recommendation is subject
to the appeal procedures contained in Policy 4303.
Level IV – Level IV rule violations compromise the safety and welfare of students and staff and
require a suspension of a specific length under the North Carolina General Statutes.
Level V – Level V allows for expulsion of a student, as provided by state statute, for a violation
of the Code of Conduct, if the student is fourteen 14-years of age or older and the student’s
behavior indicates that his/her continued presence in school constitutes a clear threat to the safety
of other students or employees and the Board determines that there is no appropriate alternative
education program. Additionally, any student who is a registered sex offender under N.C.
General Statute 14-208 may be expelled consistent with state law.
EXAMPLES OF CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATIONS
Level I – In-School Discipline/Possible Short-Term Suspension with Aggravating
Factors/Possible Exclusion Pursuant to G.S. 115C-218.60
I-1 Inappropriate Language. Cursing or use of vulgar, profane or obscene language is prohibited.
I-2 Attendance. Students shall attend school regularly. Students shall be considered truant and
subject to discipline whenever they are absent from class or school without valid excuse.
I-3 Cheating. Cheating includes the actual giving or receiving of any unauthorized aid or
assistance or the actual giving or receiving of unfair advantage on any form of academic work.
I-4 Plagiarism. Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, idea and/or thought of
another and representing it as one's own original work.
I-5 Falsification. Falsification includes the verbal or written statement of any untruth.
I-6 Compliance with Directive. Students shall comply with all reasonable directives of
principals, teachers, substitute teachers, student teachers, teacher assistants, vehicle drivers, and
all other school personnel who are authorized to give directives.
I-7 Disrespect of Other Students. Students shall not mistreat fellow students or act in a way that
interferes with the ability of other students to learn in a peaceful and safe environment.
I-8 Disruptive Behavior. A student may not use any means to interrupt or interfere with teaching
or orderly conduct of school activities.
I-9 Electronic Devices. Except as permitted by this policy, no student shall use, display, transmit
or have in the “on” position on school property any wireless communication device or personal
entertainment device, including but not necessarily limited to: cell phones, pagers, two-way
radios, CD/ MP3 players, and electronic games or similar devices until after the conclusion of
the instructional day. Laser pointers are prohibited. The Voyager Academy Charter Schools is
not responsible for any devices lost, stolen or damaged while on school property or at school
events.
Students may use electronic devices for instructional purposes with the permission and under the
supervision of the teacher. School principals may authorize individual students to possess and/or
use for personal purposes wireless communication devices if, in the opinion of the principal,
there is reasonable need for such communication.
Any device possessed or used in violation of this policy shall be confiscated and only returned to
the student’s parents/guardian. Penalties for violation of this policy are set at the discretion of the
principal.
I-10 Student Dress Code:
The purpose of the Voyager Academy dress attire policy is twofold. As an aspect of a student's
personal education, it helps develop positive self-image and promotes a sense of personal
responsibility. As an organizational benefit, this policy keeps our focus on the academic process,
minimizes disciplinary disruption and assures the safety of our students. In this context, student
dress should demonstrate modesty, be appropriate to an academic setting and contribute to a
sense of school pride. Student attire that is deemed unsafe or otherwise disruptive to the learning
environment will result in a level 1 infraction and students may be required to change. Dress up
days are required for project celebrations, athletic events and other occasions as noted on the
calendar and directed by school leaders or coaches.
I-11 Gambling. Students shall not participate in any unauthorized games of chance in which
money or other items of value may be won or lost.
I-12 Disruptive or Indecent Images, Literature or Illustrations. The possession or distribution of
images, literature or illustrations that are vulgar, indecent or obscene or that significantly disrupt
the educational process is prohibited.
I-13 Misconduct in a School Transportation Vehicle. A school transportation vehicle is defined
as any vehicle used in the transportation of student(s) for a school function, activity, field trip, or
athletic event other than the transportation of a student by the parent/guardian of the student.
While riding in a school transportation vehicle, students shall observe the directives of the driver.
The following conduct is specifically prohibited:
a. Delaying the transportation schedule;
b. Refusing to obey the driver's instructions;
c. Tampering with or willfully damaging the vehicle;
d. Getting off at an undesignated location;
e. Failing to observe established safety rules and regulations;
f. Willfully trespassing upon a school transportation vehicle; and
g. Violating any other rule of the Code of Student Conduct policy while in a school
transportation vehicle.
Level II – Short-Term Suspension/Possible Long-Term Suspension with Aggravating
Factors/ Possible In-School Disciplinary Consequence with Mitigating Factors/Possible
Exclusion Pursuant to G.S. 115C-218.60
II-1 Verbal Abuse. Students may not direct toward any school employee cursing, vulgar, or
abusive language.
II-2 Threat/False Threat. No student shall make any threat through written or verbal language or
act, which conveys a serious expression of intent to cause harm or violence. Furthermore, no
student shall make a false threat of harm or violence, even in jest, which causes or is reasonably
likely to cause fear or a disruption to school activities.
II-3 Bullying and Harassment. No student shall engage in bullying or harassment as defined
under Board Policy 4411.
II-4 Sexual Harassment. No student shall engage in any conduct prohibited by Board Policy
4410, Sexual Harassment.
II-5 Fighting/ Physical Aggression. No student may intentionally hit, shove, scratch, bite, block
the passage of, or throw objects at a student or other person. No student shall take any action or
make any comments or written messages intended to cause others to fight or which might
reasonably be expected to result in a fight.
A student who is attacked may use reasonable force in self-defense, but only to the extent
necessary to get free from the attack and notify proper school authorities. A student who exceeds
reasonable force may be disciplined even though someone else provoked the fight.
II-6 Hazing. No group or individual shall require a student to wear abnormal dress, play abusive
or ridiculous tricks on him/her, frighten, scold, swear, harass or subject him/her to personal
indignity.
II-7 Theft or Damage to Property. No student may steal or attempt to steal or knowingly be in
possession of stolen property or intentionally damage or attempt to damage any school property
or private property while under school jurisdiction.
II-8 Arson. Starting a fire or attempting to start a fire on school property is prohibited unless
specifically authorized by school officials.
II-9 False Fire Alarms. No student shall set off, attempt to set off, or aid and abet anyone in
setting off a fire alarm at school.
II-10 Trespassing. No student may be on the campus the Voyager Academy Charter Schools
during the school day without the knowledge and consent of the officials of the school. Students
who remain after school or come on any school campus after the school day or while school is
closed without permission will be considered trespassers.
Any student who has been suspended from school shall be considered trespassing if she/he
appears on any school property during the suspension period without the express permission of
the principal.
II-11 School Transportation Disturbance. Any physical or verbal disturbance which occurs on a
school transportation vehicle and which interrupts or interferes with the safe and orderly
operation of the vehicle is prohibited. Violations of this rule may result in removal from school
transportation in addition to other disciplinary consequences available under this policy.
II-12 Computer Misuse. Individual users of school-provided Internet service and computers are
expected to abide by Voyager Academy Charter Schools Policy 3040, Technology Acceptable
Use. In addition to the provisions of that policy, the following are specifically prohibited:
i.
Sending or displaying offensive, vulgar, crude, or threatening messages or pictures;
ii.
Using obscene language;
iii.
Harassing, insulting or attacking others;
iv.
Damaging computers, computer systems, software, or computer networks;
v.
Violating copyright laws;
vi.
Using another's ID/password;
vii.
Illegal use of data in folders or work files;
viii.
Intentionally wasting limited resources. This includes distributing mass e-mail messages,
creating and participating in unauthorized news groups, and storing files on file servers
without proper authorization.
ix.
Employing the network for commercial purposes.
In the event a student engages in any of the above-referenced activities, his/her access privileges
will be revoked and other disciplinary measures may result.
Level III – Long-Term Suspension/Possible Exclusion Pursuant to G.S. 115C218.60/Possible Short-Term Suspension with Mitigating Factors
III-1 Assault on School Personnel. No student may cause or attempt to cause physical injury to
any school employee.
III-2 Assault on Another Student. No student may cause or attempt to cause serious physical
injury to another student.
III-3 Coercion or Extortion. No student may use force or violence or threat of force or violence
to obtain money, property, or personal services from another student.
III-4 Weapons and Dangerous Instruments. No student shall possess, handle, or transmit any
weapon or dangerous instrument at school or school events. No student shall possess, handle, or
transmit any weapon or dangerous instrument at any other time when such conduct has a direct
impact on school order or safety. Examples of weapons include, but are not limited to, any
loaded or unloaded firearm, including a gun, pistol, or rifle; knives of any kind regardless of size;
fireworks; BB guns or air guns; pepper spray; electric shock devices; box cutters or any sharp
pointed or edged instrument except unaltered nail files and clips or tools used solely in
instruction. Facsimiles of a gun or other weapon also are prohibited. This policy also shall apply
to any item that is actually used or possessed in the same manner as a weapon. Gunpowder and
ammunition for firearms are weapons for the purposes of this policy.
Refer to Level IV for violations involving firearms or destructive devices.
A student who in any way encourages another student to bring weapons to school also endangers
the safety of others. No student shall knowingly or willfully cause, encourage, or aid any other
student to possess, handle, or transmit any of the weapons or facsimiles of weapons listed above.
This section shall not apply to students who are members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps
and who are required to carry arms or weapons in the discharge of their official class duties; nor
does this section apply to weapons used in school-approved instruction or ceremonies. The
principal must give prior approval for these exceptions to apply.
III-5 Bomb Threats. No student shall make or aid and abet anyone in making a false report
concerning the existence of a bomb or any other dangerous object on school premises or at the
site of school activities. No student shall with the intent to perpetrate a hoax conceal, place or
display on school property or the site of school activities any device or artifact so as to cause any
person reasonably to believe the same to be a bomb or other destructive device.
III-6 Controlled Substances and Drug Paraphernalia. No student shall possess, use, transmit,
conspire to transmit, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug,
amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, anabolic steroids or any other controlled substance, or any
alcoholic beverage, malt beverage, or fortified wine or other intoxicating liquor, or possess, use
or transmit drug paraphernalia or counterfeit drug, or inhale or ingest any chemicals or products
with the intention of bringing about a state of exhilaration or euphoria or of otherwise altering
the student's mood or behavior.
No student shall be at school with the odor of alcohol or illicit drugs about their person.
The proper use of a drug authorized by valid medical prescription from a legally authorized
health care provider shall not be considered a violation of this rule when the drug is taken by the
person for whom the drug was prescribed and in the manner in which the drug was prescribed.
III-7. Threats, Hoaxes, and Other Acts of Terror.
a. No student shall make a report that he or she knows or should know is false, that any
device, substance, or material designed to cause harmful or life-threatening illness or
injury to another person, is located on school property or at the site of a school activity.
b. No student shall, with the intent to perpetrate a hoax, conceal, place, disseminate or
display on school property or at the site of a school activity any device, machine,
instrument, artifact, letter, package, material, or substance, so as to cause a reasonable
person to believe the same to be a substance or material capable of causing harmful or
life-threatening illness or injury to another person.
c. No student shall threaten to commit an act of terror on school property or at the site of a
school activity that is designed to cause, or is likely to cause, serious injury or death to
another person, when the threat is intended to cause, or actually causes, a significant
disruption to the instructional day or a school-sponsored activity.
d. No student shall make a report that he or she knows or should know is false, that an act of
terror designed to cause, or likely to cause, serious injury or death to another person on
school property or at the site of a school-sponsored activity is imminent, when that report
is intended to cause, or actually cause, a significant disruption to the instructional day or
a school-sponsored activity.
e. No student shall aid, abet, and/or conspire to commit any of the acts described in this
section.
III-8. Gangs and Gang Activities. The Voyager Academy Charter Schools believes that gangs
and gang-related activities pose a serious safety threat to students and staff members of the
Voyager Academy Charter Schools. Even absent acts of violence, gang-related activities disrupt
the educational environment and increase the risks of future violence. In light of these serious
concerns, the school will not tolerate any gang-related activities as outlined in this policy. No
student shall commit any act, which furthers gangs or gang-related activities.
The Managing Director or his/her designee shall regularly consult with law enforcement officials
to maintain current examples of gang-related activities, including but not limited to gang names
and particularized examples of potential gang indicators including symbols, hand signals,
graffiti, clothing/accessories, and behaviors.
Each principal shall maintain current examples of gang-related activities in the main office of the
school. In addition, guides shall be included in each main school office to assist students,
parents, and teachers in identifying gang symbols and practices. In providing this information for
students and parents, the Board acknowledges that not all potential gang indicators connote
actual membership in a gang.
This policy shall be applied in a non-discriminatory manner based on the objective
characteristics of the student’s conduct in light of the surrounding circumstances.
In a situation where a student has violated this policy or is otherwise suspected of gang affiliation
through other circumstantial evidence, the principal shall conduct an intervention involving the
principal/assistant principal, the student and the student’s parent or legal guardian. Such
intervention may also include the school resource officer and others as appropriate. The purpose
of such intervention is to discuss the school’s observations and concerns and to offer the student
and the parents’ information and an opportunity to ask questions or provide other information.
Level IV – Suspensions Required under State Law
IV-1 Firearms/Destructive Devices.
No student shall bring onto school property or possess a firearm or destructive device. A firearm
is any weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to or may readily be converted
to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, the frame or receiver of any such weapon, or
any firearm muffler or firearm silencer. The definition of firearm under this rule does not include
an inoperable antique firearm, a BB gun, stun gun, air rifle, or air pistol.
A destructive device is an explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, grenade, rocket having a
propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge or
more than one-quarter ounce, mine, or similar device.
A student shall not be found in violation of this policy if it is determined that the student took or
received the firearm or destructive device from another person at school or found the firearm or
destructive device at school, provided that the student delivered or reported the firearm or
destructive device as soon as practicable to a law enforcement officer or a school employee and
had no intent to use such firearm or destructive device in a harmful or threatening way.
Violation of this Rule will result in a recommendation for 365-day suspension.
Level V – Expulsion
A student fourteen 14-years of age or older may be expelled for a violation of this Code of
Conduct if the Board determines the student’s behavior indicates that the student’s continued
presence in the school constitutes a clear threat to the safety of other students or employees, and
that there is no appropriate alternative educational program. Additionally, any student who is a
registered sex offender under N.C. General Statutes 14-208 may be expelled.
SUSPENSION/EXPULSION/EXCLUSION
Students may be suspended, expelled, or excluded from school only in compliance with law and
Board policy. Furthermore, the school may develop and implement viable alternatives to out-ofschool consequences. The Board encourages the use of in-school alternatives as preferable to
out-of-school consequences. When student discipline is recommended, the following procedures
shall apply. The Managing Director is authorized to develop administrative procedures
implementing this policy.
In-School Discipline
Most disciplinary matters can be handled by the teacher or principal without use of out-of-school
suspension. When a student is subject to in-school suspension, after-school detention, or loss of
other privileges, the student shall be told the accusation against the student and be given a chance
to respond. The exchange may be informal and need not be in writing. Notice shall be provided
to parents when a student receives a disciplinary referral that results in in-school suspension.
Short-Term Suspension
Principals are authorized to suspend students for periods of 10-school days or less for violations
of the Code of Student Conduct when the principal has notified students that violation of the
local school rule may result in suspension. Principals shall defer the beginning of any suspension
to the day following the decision to suspend, unless immediate suspension is necessary to avoid
disruption of school. In suspending a student for 10-school days or less, the principal shall take
the following steps:
A. Investigate the alleged misconduct promptly.
B. Give the student oral or written notice of the accusation and evidence against the student
and give the student the opportunity to respond and make statements in mitigation of the
charges. If the student denies the conduct or identifies witnesses who could exonerate the
student, the principal shall make reasonable efforts to follow up or contact possible
exculpatory witnesses.
C. Notify a parent/guardian in person, by telephone, fax, email, or any other method
reasonably designed to actually notify the parent that the student is being suspended,
along with a description of the alleged conduct. This notice shall be given by the end of
the workday during which the suspension is imposed when reasonably possible, and no
later than two days after the suspension is imposed. When a principal is unable to contact
a parent/guardian despite reasonable efforts, the principal shall keep a record of attempts
to contact the parent/guardian.
A copy of the suspension notice shall be forwarded promptly to the Managing Director's office.
The suspension notice shall inform the parent/guardian that they are entitled to an informal
conference regarding the suspension with the principal or designee. The parent/guardian is
entitled to bring a representative to the conference. The conference should take place within
three working days of the request. A short-term suspension is not appealable to the Managing
Director or Voyager Academy Charter Schools under this policy.
Any student suspended short-term may be provided:
1. The opportunity to take textbooks home for the duration of the suspension;
2. Upon request, the right to receive all missed assignments and, to the extent
practicable, the materials distributed to students in connection with the
assignment;
3. The opportunity to take any quarterly, semester, or grading period examinations
missed during the suspension period.
Emergency Suspension
In extraordinary circumstances, a principal may suspend a student from school immediately if
the student's presence at school creates a direct and immediate threat to the safety of other
students or staff, or substantially disrupts or interferes with the education of other students or the
maintenance of discipline at the school. The principal shall give the student notice of the charges
against the student and an opportunity to respond as specified under the procedures for short- or
long-term suspension as soon as possible and no later than two days after the emergency
suspension.
If the principal determines that emergency circumstances require that a student be suspended
immediately and sent home during the day, and if a parent/guardian or other responsible adult
designated by a parent/guardian, is unable to come for the student or cannot be reached, the
student must remain at school under the principal's supervision until the close of the school day,
unless circumstances make it unsafe for the student to remain at school and the principal can
arrange for the student to be in a safe setting away from school. The age of the student and the
seriousness of the offense should be considered.
Long-Term Suspension
A long-term suspension is a suspension of greater than ten days and no more than the remainder
of the school year, except that if the offense leading to the suspension occurs during the final
quarter of the school year, the long-term suspension may include a period up to the first semester
of the following school year. The principal may recommend long-term suspension as authorized
under the Code of Student Conduct. Only the Managing Director has the authority to impose a
long-term suspension. No long-term suspension will be imposed by the Managing Director until
the student has been provided with an opportunity for a hearing as provided in this policy.
A. Notice of Long-Term Suspension
In any case in which the principal recommends a student for a suspension of more than
10 school days, he/she shall provide written notice of the suspension to the student's
parent, guardian, caregiver or other person legally responsible for the student, and to the
Managing Director. The notice must include:
1. A description of the incident and the student's conduct that led to the long-term
suspension recommendation, including any aggravating or mitigating factors that
were considered in determining the consequence.
2. A reference to the provisions of the Code of Student Conduct that the student is
alleged to have violated.
3. The specific process by which the parent may request a hearing to contest the
decision, as described in this policy.
4. The process by which a hearing will be held, as described in this policy.
5. Notice that the parent is permitted to retain an attorney to represent the student in
the hearing process, or to have a single non-attorney advocate represent the
student.
6. Notice that the parent has the right to review and obtain copies of the student's
educational records before the hearing.
7. A reference to the Board policy on the expungement of discipline records as
required by G.S. 115C-402.
If school personnel are aware that the parent's first language is not English and foreign
language resources are readily available, this notice shall be provided in both English and
the parent's primary language.
The written notice should be provided to the parent/guardian by the end of the workday
during which the suspension is recommended, but in no event later than the end of the
following workday. A responsible adult, shall deliver the written notice by hand by
certified mail, by telefax, by e-mail, or by any other written method reasonably designed
to achieve actual notice of the recommendation.
B. Alternative Education Services
Any student who is recommended for long-term suspension, with the exception of
students who are charged with a Level IV offense, shall be offered alternative education
services unless educationally appropriate alternative education services are not available
within the school district due to limited resources. Students must comply with the
conditions for admittance and continued enrollment in the alternative educational
program.
The Managing Director will consider whether to offer alternative educational services to
students who have committed Level IV offenses on a case-by-case basis. The Managing
Director will offer alternative educational services to a student suspended for 365-days
unless a significant or important reason exists for declining to offer such services.
Depending on the circumstances, significant or important reasons for denying alternative
education may include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. The student exhibited violent behavior;
b. The student threatened staff or other students;
c. The student substantially disrupted the learning process;
d. The student otherwise engaged in serious misconduct that makes the provision of
alternative educational services not feasible;
e. Educationally appropriate alternative education services are not available due to
limited resources; or
f. The student failed to comply with reasonable conditions for admittance into an
alternative education program.
The Managing Director will notify the student/parent in writing of the reason for
declining to offer alternative educational services. If an alternative education in lieu of
suspension is denied, the student/parent may appeal the Managing Director’s decision to
the Voyager Academy Charter Schools Board of Directors.
While a student who is attending an alternative educational program in lieu of long-term
suspension, the student shall not be on the grounds of any school other than the
alternative program or attend any school-sponsored events without permission of the
principal responsible for that event. Violation of this provision will be considered
trespassing.
C. Request for Appeal of Long-Term Suspension
The parent/guardian or student has three days to appeal the suspension to the office of the
Managing Director after receipt of the written notice of suspension. Upon receipt of the
notice of appeal from the parent/guardian or student the Managing Director shall
promptly convene a three-member hearing panel to hear the student's appeal. The hearing
panel shall serve as the Managing Director’s designee in approving long-term
suspensions and in recommending expulsions. The hearing panel shall not include any
employees under the supervision of the principal who recommended the long-term
suspension/expulsion.
D. Review of Recommendation for Long-Term Suspension in the Absence of an Appeal
If a parent/guardian fails to request a hearing, the principal's recommendation shall be
forwarded to the Managing Director for final decision. The Managing Director/Designee
will review the circumstances of the recommendation for long-term suspension and may
(a) impose the suspension if it is consistent with Board policy and appropriate under the
circumstances; (b) impose another appropriate penalty authorized by Board policy; or (c)
decline to impose any penalty. The Managing Director will notify the parent in writing of
his or her decision no later than the tenth day of suspension.
E. Long-Term Suspension Appeal Hearing Procedures
If the parent/guardian or student appeals the suspension, the Managing Director shall
convene a hearing before the expiration of the 10-day suspension imposed by the
principal.
The Managing Director’s designee shall promptly notify the parent/guardian or student in
writing by mail or hand delivery of the location, date and time of the hearing. A copy of
this letter will be forwarded to the principal. The student or parent/guardian may request
a continuance of the hearing or in writing may waive such hearing. If the hearing is
postponed at the request of the student or parent or is requested outside of the deadline
for submitting a hearing request, the student shall not have the right to return to school
pending the hearing.
The hearing notice shall state that the student and his/her parent/guardian are entitled to
be represented at the hearing by a representative of their choice, who may be an attorney.
The student or parent/guardian must notify the Managing Director’s designee at least two
days before the hearing if they intend to be represented by an attorney.
The hearing shall be informal in nature and conducted by an impartial hearing panel.
Formal rules of evidence for court proceedings do not apply. The Managing Director
shall develop procedures, consistent with state and federal law, for the conduct of
suspension appeal hearings, and a copy of these procedures shall be provided to the
student/parent with the notice of suspension. The procedures shall include the following
information:
1. The student, parent or student's representative has the right to review the student’s
educational records prior to the hearing, as well as any audio or video recordings
of the incident to the extent permitted by state and federal laws regarding
confidentiality of records, and the information supporting the suspension that may
be presented as evidence at the hearing. This shall include witness statements,
except that the principal shall not be required to disclose the names or other
identifying information for witnesses if such information could create a safety risk
for the witnesses. Prior to the hearing, the parties shall exchange any and all
documents and other materials intended to be presented at the hearing, to the
extent not already disclosed.
2. The hearing may be attended by the principal and his/her designee, legal counsel
of the Voyager Academy Charter Schools, the student and parent(s), and the
student's representative as permitted under this policy. Witnesses other than the
student/parent/guardian or school administrators should be present only when
they are giving information.
3. The principal shall present evidence first, followed by the student. Either side may
present evidence including witness statements or oral testimony. The hearing
panel may consider any evidence of a kind commonly relied upon by reasonable
persons in the conduct of serious matters, including hearsay evidence. If the
student intends to call another student as a witness, the student witness must have
written permission from his/her parent to appear during the hearing. The student
must make arrangements for the student’s witnesses to attend the hearing. The
school will not compel staff members or students to testify but will make
arrangements to allow school witnesses to appear if they are willing.
4. Both the principal or school representative and the student or his/her
representative may cross-examine the witnesses presented by the other side. The
hearing panel may limit questioning by any person if such questioning is
repetitive or irrelevant, and to make other procedural and evidentiary rulings.
5. The hearing panel shall maintain an audio recording of any information presented
orally at the hearing and shall maintain a record of any tangible evidence
presented.
6. After the evidence has been presented and the hearing adjourned, the hearing
panel shall reach a decision in private. The panel will determine the relevant facts
and the credibility of witnesses based on the evidence presented at the hearing.
The decision will be reached by simple majority and will be based solely on the
evidence presented at the hearing. The panel may (a) impose the suspension
recommended by the principal if it is consistent with Board policy and appropriate
under the circumstances; (b) impose another appropriate penalty authorized by
Board policy; or (c) decline to impose any penalty. The panel shall notify the
Managing Director and the student/parent of its decision in writing.
7. If the student or his/her parent/guardian fails without good excuse to appear for
the panel hearing after receiving reasonable notice of the time and place, the
parent/guardian waives any right to appeal the suspension to the Voyager
Academy Charter Schools Board of Directors, the hearing will not be held and the
recommendation of the principal shall be forwarded to the Managing Director or
designee for final decision.
F. Long-Term Suspension Appeal to the Voyager Academy Charter Schools Board of
Directors
The following rules will govern appeals to the Voyager Academy Charter Schools Board
of Directors from disciplinary decisions of the Managing Director:
1. A decision of the hearing panel to suspend a student from school for a period in
excess of 10-school days may be appealed by the student or his/her
parent/guardian to the Voyager Academy Charter Schools Board of Directors
("the Board") by giving written notice to the Managing Director and the Board
within 10-school days after receiving notice of the hearing panel’s decision. No
particular form is required for giving notice of appeal.
2. The hearing to consider the appeal will be conducted in closed session by a
hearing panel designated by the Board (“Board panel”). The hearing may be
attended by the appealing student, his/her parent/guardian, the student's
representative of their choice, who may be an attorney, if any, the Managing
Director and such of his assistants as he may designate, legal counsel of the
Voyager Academy Charter Schools, and any other persons as the Board panel
may deem necessary or appropriate. The Board panel shall make and maintain a
record of the hearing.
3. The Board panel will hold a hearing to consider the appeal if possible within 10business days after receiving notice thereof and will notify the appealing student,
his/her parent/guardian appeal, the Board panel will review and consider the
entire record of the proceedings before the hearing panel, including all of the
evidence offered by the school administration and the student. Ordinarily, the
Board panel will not hear or consider any additional evidence at the hearings on
appeal. However, in extraordinary circumstances and in the exercise of its
discretion, the Board panel by majority vote may permit either party to call
witnesses or offer additional evidence.
4. At the hearing, each side shall be allotted a total of 30-minutes to present oral
argument. The Board panel may extend the 30-minute time limit if it determines
that additional time is warranted.
5. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the Board panel will consider all evidence in the
record and enter its written decision. The Board panel must adopt the factual
determinations made by the hearing panel unless they are not supported by
substantial evidence in the record. The Board panel may adopt the disciplinary
recommendation of the hearing panel, modify that recommendation, or reject the
panel’s recommendation and impose a different disciplinary consequence or no
consequence. Following the issuance of the Board panel’s decision, the Managing
Director shall implement the decision.
A copy of the Board panel's decision will be mailed via certified mail to the student
and his/her parent(s)/guardian, or to his/her legal counsel, if any, and to the Managing
Director. The decision should be mailed within five working days of the Board
panel's decision, or if the decision is not unanimous, the decision of the full Board.
The decision of the Board under this provision is final, subject only to judicial review
in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
Exclusion Pursuant to G.S. 115C-218.60
The principal may recommend exclusion as authorized under the Code of Student Conduct. An
exclusion is different from a suspension or an expulsion. An exclusion pursuant to G.S. 115C218.60 permits charter schools to “…exclude a student from the charter school and return that
student to another school in the local administrative unit in accordance with the terms of its
charter after due process.” Only the Managing Director has the authority to impose an exclusion.
An exclusion may result from any Level III misconduct, Level II misconduct with aggravating
factors, persistent Level II or Level I misconduct, or any other combination(s) or types of
violation(s) of this Code of Student Conduct. No exclusion will be imposed by the Managing
Director until the student has been provided with an opportunity for a hearing as provided in this
policy.
A. Notice of Exclusion
In any case in which the principal recommends a student be excluded, he/she shall
provide written notice of the exclusion to the student's parent, guardian, caregiver or
other person legally responsible for the student, and to the Managing Director. The notice
must include:
1. A description of the incident(s) and the student's conduct that led to the exclusion
recommendation, including any aggravating or mitigating factors that were
considered in determining the consequence.
2. A reference to the provision(s) of the Code of Student Conduct that the student is
alleged to have violated.
3. The process by which the parent may request an informal hearing with the
Managing Director to contest the decision.
4. The process by which a final decision will be made, as described in this policy.
If school personnel are aware that the parent's first language is not English and foreign
language resources are readily available, this notice shall be provided in both English and
the parent's primary language.
The written notice should be provided to the parent/guardian within five days of the
recommendation of exclusion. A responsible adult shall deliver the written notice by any
method reasonably designed to achieve actual notice of the recommendation.
B. Request for Review of Exclusion
The parent/guardian or student has five days to request review of the exclusion
recommendation to the office of the Managing Director after receipt of the written notice
of exclusion. Upon receipt of the request for review from the parent/guardian or student,
the Managing Director shall schedule an informal review hearing and notify the
parent/guardian and student of the time and place for the review hearing. The review
hearing should be scheduled as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event more than
five days after a request for review of the exclusion.
C. Review of Recommendation for Exclusion in the Absence of a Request for Review
Hearing
If a parent/guardian fails to request review of the exclusion recommendation, the
principal's recommendation shall be forwarded to the Managing Director for final
decision. The Managing Director/Designee will review the circumstances of the
recommendation for exclusion and may (a) impose the exclusion if it is consistent with
Board policy and appropriate under the circumstances; (b) impose another appropriate
penalty authorized by Board policy; or (c) decline to impose any penalty. The Managing
Director will notify the parent/guardian in writing of his or her decision.
D. Exclusion Review Hearing Procedures
The Managing Director shall promptly notify the parent/guardian or student of the
location, date and time of the hearing. The Managing Director shall also notify the
principal. The review hearing should be scheduled as soon as practicable, but in no event
more than five days after student’s/parent’s request for review. The student or
parent/guardian may request a continuance of the hearing or may waive such hearing.
The student shall not have the right to return to school pending the hearing. The hearing
shall be informal in nature and conducted by the Managing Director, who will be the sole
decision-maker. The student or parent/guardian should have the opportunity to review the
student’s educational records prior to the hearing and the information supporting the
exclusion that may be presented at the review hearing.
The Managing Director may receive and consider, in his or her discretion, any evidence
of a kind commonly relied upon by reasonable persons in the conduct of serious matters.
If the student intends to call another student as a witness, the student witness must have
written permission from his/her parent to appear during the review. The student must
make arrangements for the student’s witnesses to attend the hearing. The school will not
compel staff members or students to participate but will make arrangements to allow
school witnesses to appear if they are willing.
After the informal review hearing, the Managing Director will consider the evidence
presented. The Managing Director will determine the relevant facts and the credibility
and quality of the evidence presented at the hearing. The Managing Director may (a)
impose the exclusion recommended by the principal if it is consistent with Board policy
and appropriate under the circumstances; (b) impose another appropriate penalty
authorized by Board policy; or (c) decline to take any action. The Managing Director
shall notify the student/parent and principal of his/her decision in writing.
If the student or his/her parent/guardian fails without good excuse to appear for the
review hearing after receiving reasonable notice of the time and place, the
parent/guardian waives any right to appeal the exclusion to the Voyager Academy
Charter Schools Board of Directors, the review hearing will not be held, and the
recommendation of the principal shall be forwarded to the Managing Director for final
decision.
E. Exclusion Review by the Voyager Academy Charter Schools Board of Directors
The following rules will govern informal appeals to the Voyager Academy Charter
Schools Board of Directors from exclusion decisions of the Managing Director:
A decision of the Managing Director to exclude a student from school may be appealed
by the student or his/her parent/guardian to the Voyager Academy Charter Schools Board
of Directors ("the Board") by giving written notice to the Managing Director and the
Chairman of the Board within 10-school days after receiving notice of the Managing
Director’s exclusion decision. No particular form is required for giving notice of appeal.
The informal hearing to consider the appeal will be conducted in closed session by a
hearing panel designated by the Board (“Board panel”). The hearing may be attended by
the appealing student and his/her parent/guardian, the principal who recommended the
exclusion, and the Managing Director. The Board panel will hold the appeal hearing if
possible within 10-business days after receiving notice thereof and will notify the
appealing student and his/her parent/guardian of the date and time of the hearing. The
Board panel will review and consider the evidence offered by the school administration
and the student in the exclusion review hearing from which the appeal originates.
Ordinarily, the Board panel will not hear or consider any additional evidence.
At the appeal hearing, each side shall be allotted a total of 20 minutes to present oral
argument. The Board panel may extend the 20 minute time limit if it determines that
additional time is warranted. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the Board panel will
consider all evidence and arguments in the record and enter its written decision. The
Board panel may adopt the disciplinary recommendation of the Managing Director,
modify that recommendation, or reject the Managing Director’s recommendation and
impose a different disciplinary consequence or no consequence. Following the issuance
of the Board panel’s decision, the Managing Director shall implement the decision.
A copy of the Board panel's decision will be mailed to the student and his/her
parent(s)/guardian and to the Managing Director. The decision should be mailed within
five working days of the Board panel's decision.
365-Day Suspension for Firearms/Destructive Devices
The procedures for appeal of long-term suspension above shall apply in cases involving the
possession or use of a firearm or destructive device except as follows: The hearing panel shall
only decide whether the student committed the violation and not what length of discipline is
appropriate. Upon receipt of the hearing panel's decision, the Managing Director will review the
case and may impose the 365-day suspension or modify the 365-day suspension on a case-bycase basis. If the Managing Director imposes a 365-day suspension, the student and parent shall
be notified of the Managing Director's decision and of the right to petition the Board for
readmission after 180 calendar days from the first date of the 365 day suspension, following the
procedures in Policy 4304. The Managing Director will also notify the student and parents
regarding whether admission to the alternative school will be offered during the term of the
suspension.
Suspension/Exclusion/Expulsion of Children with Disabilities
"Child(ren) with a disability" as used in this section may refer to a child identified as disabled in
accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or both. Any suspension, exclusion, or expulsion of
children with disabilities will be done in accordance with all applicable laws.
Expulsion of a Student
Upon recommendation of the principal and Managing Director, the Board may permanently
expel a student who is fourteen years of age or older and whose behavior indicates that the
student's continued presence in school constitutes a clear threat to the safety of other students or
employees. Prior to the expulsion of any student, the Board shall conduct a hearing to determine
whether the student's continued presence in school constitutes a clear threat to the safety of other
students or school staff. The student shall be given reasonable notice of the recommendation in
accordance with G.S. 115C-390.8(a) and (b), as well as reasonable notice of the time and place
of the scheduled hearing. The Board's decision to expel such a student shall be based on clear
and convincing evidence. The Board may also consider the State Board of Education guidelines
defining acts and conduct that are considered a clear threat to the safety of students or
employees.
Prior to ordering the expulsion of such a student, the Board shall consider whether there is an
appropriate alternative program offered by the Board that may provide education services to the
student. The decision of the Board under this provision is final, subject only to judicial review in
accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
Maintenance of Discipline Data
The Principals shall maintain data on each student suspended, expelled, or reassigned for
disciplinary purposes, including the race, gender, and age of each student, the school attended,
the duration of each suspension, whether an alternative education was considered or provided
for each student and whether a student had multiple suspensions. The Managing Director shall
report this data to the Board of Directors annually.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
No principal, teacher, substitute teacher, voluntary teacher, teacher assistant, student teacher, or
staff member may use corporal punishment to discipline a student. Corporal punishment is any
kind of punishment inflicted on the body, including, but not limited to, spanking, paddling, or
slapping.
Notwithstanding the policy prohibiting the use of corporal punishment as a means of discipline,
school personnel may use reasonable force to control behavior or to remove a person from the
scene in these situations when necessary:
To quell a disturbance threatening injury to others;
To obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects on the person or within the control
of a student;
For self defense;
For the protection of persons or property; or
To restrain or direct pupils or otherwise maintain order.
STUDENT SEARCHES
To maintain order and discipline in the schools and to protect the safety and welfare of students
and school personnel, school authorities may search a student, student lockers, or student
automobiles under the circumstances outlined below and may seize any illegal, unauthorized,
stolen, or contraband materials discovered in the search.
As used in this policy, the term "unauthorized" means "any item dangerous to the health or safety
of students or school personnel or disruption of any lawful function, mission, or process of the
school, or any item described as unauthorized in school rules available beforehand to the
student."
A student's failure to permit searches and seizures as provided for in this policy will be grounds
for disciplinary action.
Personal Searches
A student's person and/or personal effects (e.g., purse, book bag may be searched whenever a
school authority has reasonable suspicion to believe the student is in possession of illegal, stolen,
or unauthorized materials.
If a pat-down search of a student's person is conducted, it will be conducted in private by a
school official of the same sex and with an adult witness of the same sex present. If the school
official has reasonable suspicion to believe the student has on his or her person an item
imminently dangerous to the student or to anyone else, a more intrusive search of the student's
person may be conducted. Such a search may only be conducted in private by a school official of
the same sex with an adult witness of the same sex present and only upon the prior approval of
the Managing Director or his designee, unless the health or safety of students will be endangered
by the delay which might be caused by following these procedures.
Locker Searches
Student lockers are school property and remain at all times under the control of the school;
however, students are expected to assume full responsibility for the security of their lockers.
Periodic general inspections of lockers may be conducted by school authorities for any reason at
any time without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant.
Should it be necessary to enter a locked locker, local school administrators are authorized to
break a lock if no key or combination is readily available.
Automobile Searches
If a student parks on school property, the school retains authority to conduct routine patrols of
student parking lots and inspection of the exteriors of student automobiles on school property.
The interiors of student vehicles may be inspected whenever a school authority has reasonable
suspicion to believe that illegal or unauthorized materials are contained inside. Such patrols and
inspections may be conducted without notice, without student consent, and without a search
warrant.
Metal Detectors
A hand-held or walk-through metal detector may be used to check a student's person or personal
effects whenever a school authority has reasonable suspicion to believe that the student is in
possession of an illegal or unauthorized metal-containing object.
If a hand-held metal detector check of a student's person is conducted, it will be conducted in
private by a school official of the same sex and with an adult witness present, if feasible.
Metal detector checks may be conducted without reasonable suspicion on students as a group if
there is evidence that a general problem with weapons in the schools exists, and the metal
detector checks are conducted in a minimally-intrusive, non-discriminatory manner (e.g., on all
students or every third student entering the building) in accordance with a procedure developed
by the Managing Director.
Metal detector checks that are conducted without reasonable suspicion may not be used to single
out a particular student or category of students (e.g., students residing in a high crime zone).
School Computers
School computers and any data they contain remain under control of the school and are subject to
inspection at any time.
INVESTIGATIONS AND ARRESTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
If law enforcement officers need to come to a school for official business, they first should
contact the school administration. Contact between the school and law enforcement on matters
involving students shall be made through the office of the principal or Managing Director.
Law enforcement officers are encouraged to interview students away from the school regarding
non-school related matters.
When law enforcement officers must interview or arrest a student at school, all attempts should
be made to avoid embarrassing the student before teachers and peers and to avoid disrupting the
educational program of the student and the school.
If law enforcement officers have a warrant for the student's arrest, they must be permitted to
arrest the student; however, whenever possible the arrest should be conducted in the principal's
office out of the view of other students.
Law enforcement officers normally should remain in the administration office while school
personnel seek out the student unless immediate intervention by the officer is necessary to
prevent injury, a serious crime, or flight of the student.
If possible, law enforcement officer questioning should not cause a student to miss class time.
Any questioning by law enforcement officers should be conducted in a private room or area
where confidentiality can be maintained. This should be an area removed from observation by or
contact with other students and school personnel.
Before law enforcement officers may question a student, a reasonable attempt shall be made to
notify the parent/guardian, except in cases of suspected child abuse or child neglect involving
the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian should be given the opportunity to come to the
school prior to questioning.
REFERRAL OF DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS
If, after a teacher has requested assistance from the principal two or more times because of a
student's disruptive behavior, the teacher finds that the student's disruptive behavior continues to
interfere with the academic achievement of that student or other students in the class, then the
teacher may refer the matter to a school committee designated by the principal. The teacher may
request that additional classroom teachers participate in the committee's proceedings.
4325.1 The committee shall notify the student's parent/guardian or legal custodian and shall
encourage that person's participation in the deliberations of the committee.
The committee shall review the matter and shall take one or more of the following
actions:
A. advise the teacher on managing the student's behavior more effectively;
B. recommend to the principal the transfer of the student to another class within the
school;
C. recommend to the principal a multidisciplinary diagnosis and evaluation of the
student;
D. recommend to the principal that the student be assigned to an alternative learning
program; or
E. recommend to the principal that the student receive any additional services that the
school or the school unit has the resources to provide for the student.
The principal may accept or reject the committee's recommendation. If the principal rejects the
committee's recommendation, the principal shall provide a written explanation to the committee,
the teacher who referred the matter, and the Managing Director of any actions taken to resolve
the matter and of the reason the principal rejected the committee' s recommendation.
USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT
It is the policy of the Voyager Academy Charter Schools to ensure the safety of all students,
staff, and visitors in its schools. To further this policy, school personnel may, in compliance with
G.S. 115C-391.1 and state and local policies and procedures, employ reasonable restraint or
seclusion techniques with students.
While the use of temporary prone (facedown) restraint may be required in exceptional cases to
protect a student or others, the use of prone restraints is strongly discouraged. Appropriate
personnel, as identified by the Managing Director/designee, shall be provided restraint training
that explains the risks involved in using prone restraints, strongly discourages it use and provides
instruction in alternative methods of restraints.
The Managing Director or designee shall provide copies of this policy and G.S. 115C-391.1 to
school personnel and parents/guardians at the beginning of each school year. Principals shall
notify parents of any prohibited use of seclusion, restraint, or aversive techniques and shall
provide a written incident report within 30-days of any such incident as required by G.S. 115C391.1 and applicable policies and procedures. The Managing Director or designee shall annually
provide a record of reported incidents to the State Board of Education. The Managing Director
shall develop rules and procedures to implement this policy in compliance with G.S. 115C-391.1
No employee of the Voyager Academy Charter Schools shall retaliate against another employee
for making a report alleging a prohibited use of seclusion, restraint, or aversive techniques,
provided, however, an employee may be disciplined for making such a report if the employee
knew or should have known that the report was false.
4330 - DISPOSAL OF CONFISCATED WEAPONS, DRUGS OR ALCOHOL
Any school employee who confiscates a weapon, drugs, or alcohol from a student shall promptly
deliver the item to the school principal, or secure the item in a safe manner and immediately
notify the principal. The principal shall maintain and dispose of the material in the
following manner:
4330.1 Weapons
Any firearm confiscated from a student shall be delivered to law enforcement within twentyfour
(24) hours of its receipt. Any firearm facsimile, other than an obvious toy (e.g., a plastic water
pistol), or any other weapon as defined in the Code of Student Conduct shall be delivered to
law enforcement within thirty (30) days of its receipt. If a facsimile firearm or other weapon
other than a firearm is needed as evidence in a school disciplinary hearing, it shall be
delivered to law enforcement within thirty (30) days after the final disciplinary hearing.
4330.2 Drugs
Any controlled substance or counterfeit drugs confiscated from a student shall be delivered to
law enforcement within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt. If the drugs are needed as evidence
in a school disciplinary hearing, the principal shall request that law enforcement officials hold
the evidence until needed. If drugs are discovered on school grounds but the owner is
unknown, the drugs shall be promptly disposed of as recommended by law enforcement.
4330.3 Alcohol
Any alcohol confiscated from a student shall be destroyed as soon as it is no longer needed as
evidence in any school disciplinary hearing.
4330.4 Maintenance of Confiscated Items
While storing any of the items described above, the principal shall keep them in a secure
location, not immediately accessible to any student or staff member.
Section 3: Technology and Internet Policies
3.0 Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Voyager Academy provides students with Internet access to support education and research.
Access to the Internet is a privilege subject to restrictions set by the Board of Directors.
Violation of any provisions in the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) may result in disciplinary action
and/or cancellation of student access to the Voyager Academy network. This policy applies to all
Internet access on Voyager property, including Internet access using mobile devices.
3.1 Access to Information
The Internet gives students access to sites all over the world. Voyager Academy cannot
completely control the information available to students. However, Voyager Academy will
monitor the online activities of students and use content filtering software to provide Internet
monitoring and content filtering for all students, staff, and visitors on the Voyager network. The
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filtering software is intended to allow valuable Internet content, while prohibiting access to
obscene material, including pornographic and other content that is harmful to minors. Although
it may be possible for a student to find inappropriate material, Voyager feels the educational
benefit provided by the Internet outweighs any possible disadvantages. We encourage parents to
talk with their students about sites and material which the parents believe are inappropriate.
Voyager cannot accept responsibility for enforcing specific parental restrictions that go beyond
those imposed by the school. Furthermore, students who bring their own devices to campus are
encouraged to take reasonable precautions to ensure the security of those devices. This includes
operating system updates and virus scanning.
3.2 Acceptable Uses
All Internet use by students at Voyager Academy must have an educational purpose and comply
with student behavior guidelines. Acceptable uses for students include:
Visiting websites or databases that pertain to classroom activities or lessons.
Creating or maintaining school or individual web pages or conducting email communications, all
under the direction of staff
Using search engines to access information, websites, or pictures that pertain to classroom
material or projects
3.3 Unacceptable Uses
The transmission of materials that violate state/federal law or Voyager policy is strictly
prohibited. Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to:
Taking any actions that may disrupt the Voyager network; this includes knowingly introducing a
virus and “hacking”
Disclosing, using, or disseminating personal information about any minor on the Voyager
Academy network
Accessing threatening or obscene materials
Using language that threatens another individual
Violating copyright laws and/or clickable licensing agreements
Accessing personal email accounts or other forms of direct electronic communication including
chat rooms for non-educational purposes
Using the name and password of another user
Additionally, students may not use personal cellular connections to access the internet while on
Voyager campus. All student access to the internet must be via Voyager’s network.
3.4 Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy
Voyager Academy provides Internet access to support education and research. Access to the
Internet is a privilege subject to restrictions set by the Board of Directors. For students and staff,
violation of any provisions in the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) may result in disciplinary action
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and/or cancellation of access to the Voyager Academy network. This policy applies to all
Internet access on Voyager property, including Internet access using mobile devices, and
including access by staff, students, and visitors to the Voyager campus.
3.5 Access to Information
The Internet allows access to sites all over the world. Voyager Academy cannot completely
control the information available. However, to the extent practical, Voyager Academy will
monitor and filter all online activities that utilize the school’s network resources. Online activity
that utilizes a cellular connection, such as 3G or 4G, and takes place on campus cannot be
electronically monitored or filtered, however it is still subject to this policy, as well as the AUP.
The filtering software is intended to allow valuable Internet content, while prohibiting access to
obscene material, including pornographic and other content that is harmful to minors. Although
it may still be possible to access inappropriate material, Voyager feels the educational benefit
provided by the Internet outweighs any possible disadvantages. We encourage parents to talk
with their students about sites and material which the parents believe are inappropriate. Voyager
cannot accept responsibility for enforcing specific parental restrictions that go beyond those
imposed by the school. The filtering parameters may be changed on a case-by-case basis at the
discretion of the Principals, Managing Director, and IT personnel for bona fide educational or
other lawful purposes. Bypassing or attempting to bypass the filter without permission is strictly
forbidden. Furthermore, students who bring their own devices to campus are encouraged to take
reasonable precautions to ensure the security of those devices. This includes operating system
updates and virus scanning.
3.6 Staff Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of Voyager staff members who have direct contact with students to
educate students on online safety and cyberbullying prevention. Education related to online
safety and cyberbullying prevention may include in-class discusses and assignments, webinars,
parent meetings, or online courses. Voyager staff members are also responsible for supervising
students during class time internet use.
3.7 Student Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of Voyager students to abide by the school AUP and participate in online
safety education offered by the school.
3.8 Safety and Ethical Use
Any internet user must take reasonable precautions to protect him or herself online. Students,
staff, and visitors should use the following guidelines:
Email, forums, instant messaging, and other online messaging
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Never share personal information online. This includes, but is not limited to: real full name,
postal address, social security number, and passwords. Sharing the information of another
individual, especially minors, is unethical, strictly forbidden by the AUP, and may be unlawful.
In the case of students, the privacy of student educational data is protected by the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). When in doubt, do not release student data and
consult a school administrator for further advice.
Special care must be taken when sending mass emails. Email addresses themselves are private
information, and improper mass emailing can result in inadvertent sharing of addresses.
Improper mass emailing can also allow recipients to reply to the mass message and send their
own messages to the entire group. This is preventable by using a blind carbon copy (Bcc) feature
or a mass emailing service. It is the responsibility of all Voyager staff and students to use Bcc or
a mass emailing service and to protect private information and data when sending mass emails.
Unauthorized access / hacking and general unlawful activity
Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to Voyager resources, or using Voyager
resources to gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to outside systems is unethical,
unlawful, and forbidden by the AUP. This includes bypassing the internet filter without
permission or purposefully gaining access to material that is harmful to minors. Assuming the
online identity of another individual for any purpose is unethical and forbidden. Use of Voyager
resources for any unlawful purpose, including, but not limited to, copyright infringement, is
unethical and forbidden by the AUP.
Academic integrity
Students are expected to follow all Board and school handbook policies regarding academic
integrity when using technology.
Harassment and Cyberbullying
Cyber bullying may involve any of these behaviors:
1. Accessing, producing, posting, sending, or displaying material that is offensive in nature on
the internet
2. Harassing, insulting, or attacking others on the internet
3. Posting personal or private information about other individuals on the internet
4. Posting information on the internet that could disrupt the school environment, cause damage,
or endanger students or staff.
5. Concealing one’s identity in any way, including the use of anonymization tools or another
individual’s credentials/online identity, to participate in any of the behaviors listed above.
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The principals will determine whether or not specific incidents of cyberbullying have impacted
the school’s climate or the welfare of its students and appropriate consequences will be issued.
Schools are not responsible for electronic communication that originates off-campus.
Section 4: Academics, Curriculum, Testing, Accountability, Grading and
Promotion
4.1- Curriculum Alignment, Accountability and Assessment
The Voyager Academy Charter School's education plan will provide the framework for
curriculum alignment and accountability; as well as provide firm direction for the curriculum as
programs change and evolve, and personnel change. This framework will ensure quality control
over the Voyager Academy Charter Schools curriculum while providing for the flexibility to
adapt to new state mandates and local adjustments made based on changing student needs,
abilities and interests.
Testing accommodations are available for students with disabilities as well as for some students
who are English Language Learners. The need for accommodations must be documented in the
student’s Individualized Education Plan, Limited English Proficient Plan, or Section 504 plan.
4.2 End-of- Course (EOC) Tests
EOC’s are designed to assess student competencies in the following subject areas: Biology,
English II and Math I (formerly called Algebra I/Integrated Math I). These assessments will be
administered within the final five days of a semester course or the final ten days of a yearlong
course.
The ACT
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has entered into a partnership with ACT, a
51–year old not-for-profit organization that provides educational assessment, research,
information, and program management services. North Carolina 11th graders will take the ACT®
test and 10th graders will take the PLAN®test, and 8th graders will take the EXPLORE® test.
Some students will also take the WorkKeys® assessment. These assessments will measure what
students have learned in their courses and help educators identify the information that students
still need to learn to succeed in college or a career.
4.3 The PSAT/SAT
The PSAT test prep North Carolina courses designed by the Educational Services Center
emphasize a results-driven approach that is proven for success. Our PSAT test prep North
Carolina courses equip students with test-taking techniques that give them the self-confidence
and the ability to take the PSAT in a more relaxed and assured manner. With an extensive review
in all three PSAT components, our PSAT prep North Carolina courses immerse students'
understanding in vocabulary building, sentence completion, critical reading, grammar usage, and
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essay writing.
The educational program shall provide for the continuous progress of students.
In order to be promoted to the next grade levels, students in all grades should be proficient in
reading and mathematics, which may be demonstrated through North Carolina End-of-Grade
tests, school assessments, student portfolio of work, and report card grades. A promotion
decision should not be made solely on the basis of a state assessment.
If a student appears likely to be retained, then the parent/guardian of the student shall receive at
least two (2) notices. The first notice may be a conference; the second notice must be in writing
and must be provided by the end of the third quarter. The principal’s office must provide in
writing an official notice of retention to the parent/guardian by the last day of school.
4.4 Students with Disabilities and Limited English Proficiency Students
Students with disabilities who do not have the ability to participate in the Common Core State
Standards and North Carolina Essential Standards may be exempt from the promotion standard;
however, exempt students must be enrolled in a functional curriculum and demonstrate evidence
of progress on alternate assessments.
All recommendations regarding special needs students will be made in conjunction with the IEP
Committee or the Section 504 Committee. Students of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) as
identified by state and federal standards shall meet the same standards as all students; however,
in accordance with federal law, English language proficiency cannot be the factor that
determines whether a student has not met performance standards. All retention recommendations
regarding Limited English Proficient students should be made in consultation with the English as
a Second Language teacher.
The Occupational Course of Study is available for those students with disabilities who are
specifically identified for this program.
4.5 High School Credit for Course Taken in Middle School
Students in Sixth through Eighth Grades may earn credit towards high school graduation by
successfully completing courses that are described in the North Carolina Course of Study
Requirements for Grades Nine through Twelve. Any such courses offered in middle school must
be aligned to the Common Core State Standards and the North Carolina Essential Standards, and
be explicitly approved by the State Board of Education. A student’s high school GPA will be
calculated using only courses taken during grades 9-12.
High School course credit may be earned for courses taken in middle school through approved
online programs.
4.6 North Carolina Scholars Program
The Board of Directors encourages participation in the North Carolina Scholars Program.
Students who successfully complete the requirements of the Scholars Program will receive
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special recognition of that achievement.
4.7 Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions
The Voyager Academy Charter Schools shall accept any full or partial unit of credit earned in a
high school having state or regional accreditation toward graduation. The Voyager Academy
Charter Schools reserves the right to evaluate units transferred from non-accredited institutions.
4.8 Eligibility for Participation in Graduation
To meet the academic needs of high school students, principals are encouraged to permit
students to take college courses while they are enrolled in high school.
With the principal's approval, credit toward graduation may be awarded for college courses
completed.
Students taking courses from colleges under the concurrent enrollment plan may not take courses
from the college that are offered in the high schools. All students who wish to receive concurrent
enrollment must get permission from the principal before registering for their college classes.
4.9 Advanced Placement Courses
The Board of Directors encourages the inclusion of advanced placement courses in the high
school curriculum. Students who take these courses are required to take the appropriate
Advanced Placement examinations.
4.10 NC READY Accountability Program
READY is the name of the new North Carolina accountability initiative, formerly known as the
ABC’s of Public Education. READY is not an acronym. READY is a goal-to prepare our
students for college, careers, and adulthood. The READY accountability model provides a
picture of how well students are learning the curriculum and identifies where improvements are
needed. The READY program sets growth and performance standards for each elementary,
middle and high school. The READY accountability results will be released in October 2016 for
the 2015-2016 school year. More information regarding the READY accountability model can
be found at http://www.ncpublicschools.org
Textbooks
Voyager Academy provides textbooks on loan to students. Students are expected to return
textbooks in good condition. Textbooks are to be returned at the end of the semester, the school
year or at the time of withdrawal. Fees will be charged for lost or damaged books.
GRADING:
4.11 Grading Scale
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In all grade levels in which letter and/or numerical grades are given, the grading scale shall be as
follows:
● A = 90-100 Excellent >4.0
● B = 80-89 Above Average > 3.0
● C = 70-79 Average >2.0
● D = 60-69 Passing >1.0
● F = 0-59 No Credit
4.12 GRADING SYSTEM
The policy of the Board of Directors is to strive for a consistent and just evaluation of each
student in the Voyager Academy Charter Schools. To ensure the effectiveness of this policy, the
Board of Directors endorses these beliefs and best practices:
·
Student grades should reflect academic achievement.
·
While attendance and behavior may influence a student’s learning, they should be reported
separately, not included in the student’s grade.
·
Teachers should compare each student’s performance against pre-set standards, not against
the performance of other students.
·
For missing work, teachers should provide reasonable opportunities to complete make-up
assignment(s) in order to demonstrate the targeted learning
·
Teachers should provide students and their parents with a clear explanation of their
grading practices including the weighting of formative and summative assessments and rubrics
as appropriate.
·
All assessments and assignments, including teacher-made tests should be aligned with the
Common Core State Standards, North Carolina Essential Standards, and/or the Voyager
Academy Charter and education plan and be designed to assess student achievement accurately.
4.13 Grading for Kindergarten through Third Grade
On-going assessments drive instruction and act as tools to guide teachers in their efforts to make
instructional decisions, differentiate instruction and promote student learning at the highest level.
Teachers use a variety of assessment techniques including project rubrics, performance-based
tasks, anecdotal notes based on oral discussion and/or written responses, cooperative group
work, portfolios, and the more traditional paper-and-pencil tests.
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Kindergarten through Third Grade will not receive traditional letter grades; however, they will
receive a Standards Based Report Card. This approach allows parents and student to understand
more clearly the educational program, as well as strategies to support student success.
Teachers use the results of on-going assessments to determine a student’s present level of
performance and in relation to the mastery of grade level content. Report cards provide
meaningful and relevant information, detailing each student’s social/emotional and academic
development. The Standard Based Report Card reflects four levels of performance:
/E/ - Exceeds grade level expectations with consistency and accuracy;
/S/ - Meets grade level expectations with consistency and accuracy;
/P/ - Making progress/developing;
/C/ - Concern
4.14 Grading for Fourth Grade through Twelfth Grade
Students earn grades based on material outlined in the Common Core State Standards and the
North Carolina Essential Standards. For the first three grading periods (quarters), the minimum
grade is 50.
In Sixth through Eighth Grades, percentage grades will be used on report cards, cumulative
folders, and transcripts.
The policy of Voyager Academy is to strive for a consistent and fair evaluation of each
student. To ensure the effectiveness of the policy, Voyager Middle School believes that
students’ grades should reflect their academic performance. While attendance and
behavior may influence a student’s learning, they should be reported separately and not a
part of the student’s grade.
Teachers shall compare each student’s performance against the standards and not against
the performance of others. Opportunities for making up missing work shall be consistent
with Board policy as it relates to absences. Teachers shall provide students and their
parents a clear explanation of their grading practices including the weighting of all student
products and assessments. All assessments and assignments shall be aligned with the
standards outlined by North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction.
The following grading parameters are in place for the 2016-2017 school year and will be
followed by the middle school staff.
 Make-up policy – when a student is absent, the student has 3 days to turn in missed
work upon returning to school.
 Late work – students have 3 days after the due date to turn in work. Each day the
work is late, 10 points will be deducted from the grade. At the end of the third day, a
zero will be given for that assignment.
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Test corrections – students may review the tests and make corrections as the
questions are reviewed and discussed BUT the initial grade does not change.
The final grade for the first three quarters will not be less than 50.
Teachers will determine the % of the grade for each assignment.
If homework is a component of the grade, it will be 10% of the grade.
Class participation (not classwork) related to the content not the behavior of the
student will be 10% of the final grade based on whether or not the teacher includes
participation in the grading rubric.
When completing team/group assignments, students shall not be penalized for the
incomplete work or others. In some situations, the student could receive a group
grade and an individual grade. Teachers will determine whether they assign a
group and individual grade.
The final grade may include tests, quizzes, projects, group work, labs, research
papers, homework, class participation, classwork, etc.
Your child’s teachers will provide the % each assignment will have on the final grade. The
rubric that is provided by each teacher is for the school year. The rubrics vary depending
on the subjects. Elective teachers have also created rubrics for their subject.
Semester Averages are utilized to determine Athletic Eligibility.
Credit for High School Courses
4.15 Credit for High School Courses
For high school level courses, a student shall receive credit toward graduation for courses in
which the student earns an average of 60 or above. The student's final grade in all courses shall
be determined by calculating 80% of the grade as the course average and 20% of the grade as the
final exam. This policy applies to all courses earning credit toward high school graduation with
the exception of approved dual enrollment college courses.
4.16 Final Examinations
The Board of Directors requires that a final examination be given at the end of each course
earning credit toward high school graduation. These may include NC EOG. EOC, NCFES AP, or
other approved final exam that demonstrates course mastery and approved for course credit.
4.17 Curriculum Alignment and Accountability
The Voyager Academy Charter Schools shall have a well-developed, articulated and coordinated
curriculum that is effectively monitored by the administrative and teaching staffs. These
curriculum documents will be based on the Common Core State Standards, North Carolina
Essential Standards and the Voyager Academy charter and education plan; and will reflect a
sequential progression of knowledge and skills throughout the K-12 program. Development of
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the school curriculum documents shall be a collaborative effort between the administration and
classroom teachers. School-level administrators will monitor the delivery of the curriculum to
ensure that all students are being taught the school's curriculum. Alignment and implementation
of the curriculum shall be the responsibility of the classroom teacher with support from the
Managing Director's office and school-level administrators. The goal is for learning to occur for
all students on a daily basis.
4.18 Local Assessments
Local assessments will measure student mastery of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study
Standards which include Common Core Standards and North Carolina Essential Standards.
Teachers will use the results to plan corrective instruction and enrichment opportunities for
students.
4.19 State Testing, K-8
Grades 3 - 8 Tests
Students in grade 3 take the Beginning-of-Grade 3 English Arts/Reading Assessment during the
first 11 - 15 days of school. This test is referred to as the BOG3 and consists of multiple choice
items. It is designed to give a baseline assessment of a student’s English Language Arts/Reading
Skills. Students in grades 3 - 8 take and English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics test.
Report Cards and Promotion Standards
4.20 Report Cards
Teachers shall keep parents/guardians informed of student progress at school. In addition to the
report card that is sent home, additional information may need to be sent to the parent/guardian,
or individual conferences may need to be scheduled.
Report cards shall include the number of days absent and the number of days tardy.
4.21 Each student receiving exceptional children's services will receive an assessment of the
student's progress toward goals on the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) at the end of
each grading period, including whether the student is likely to reach IEP goals by the end of the
school year. The student's IEP shall state how the child's parent/guardian will receive this
assessment.
Academic Standards and Promotion for Grades K-8
The goal of Voyager Academy Charter Schools is to develop academically proficient students.
The progress of students will be monitored at each grade level to determine appropriate grade
assignment. Promotion standards are based on the belief that students must perform at grade
level or above to be successful in school.
4.22 Promotion Requirements
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Students are required to meet promotion standards in grades K-8 that include demonstrated grade
level proficiency on local assessments, standardized tests, report cards, and student work. In
determining the best educational interests of a student's, appropriate grade placement decisions
shall be based upon the mastery of critical knowledge and skills including reading and
mathematics.
4.23 Final Examinations
The Board of Directors requires that a final examination be given at the end of each course
earning credit toward high school graduation. These may include NC EOG. EOC, NCFES AP, or
other approved final exam that demonstrates course mastery and approved for course credit.
4.24 Graduation Requirements
The Board of Directors encourages a rigorous and fair standard for student performance. To be
awarded a high school diploma, students must successfully complete the course and credit
requirements in addition to any local requirements.
4.25 Course Requirements
Ninth graders entering high school in 2009 and later must pass the Future-Ready Core course of
study as defined by the State Board of Education. A listing of the requirements for the FutureReady Core course of study is available in the guidance office of the middle and high school and
posted on the Department of Public Instruction website.
Students who meet all graduation requirements and wish to graduate early are encouraged to
notify their guidance counselor.
Students who meet specific eligibility criteria and have the approval of a school-level team, the
principal, and the Managing Director or his/her designee may participate in the General Diploma
program. General Diploma students must meet North Carolina graduation requirements. The
Managing Director shall adopt procedures to monitor the implementation of the General
Diploma including regular reporting to the Board. A listing of the requirements for the General
Diploma is available in the guidance office.
No senior shall be permitted to appear in cap and gown and take part in the graduation exercises
unless that student has completed all requirements for a diploma or a certificate.
4.26 Graduation Certificates
1. Are enrolled in the Occupational Course of Study (OCS), and have met the course
requirements but may not have successfully completed all testing requirements.
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2. Are enrolled in the OCS, and have met the course requirements for graduation but may To be
awarded a high school diploma, students must successfully complete the requirements of one of
the North Carolina Courses of Study, and earn any additional unit credits as set forth in 3235.1.
4.27 Student Access To High School Courses
Based on registration data, the principal shall decide whether the course can actually be offered
at the high school. The principal shall consider State law and regulations.
4.28 Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs)
Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs) are annual targets for the percentage of students whose
test scores demonstrate proficiency on End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests.
AMOs are established in compliance with federal law that states as its goals: closing
achievement gaps and holding schools accountable for all students. More information regarding
AMOs in North Carolina is available at www.ncpublicschools.org
4.29 Graduation Requirements
The Board of Directors encourages a rigorous and fair standard for student performance. To be
awarded a high school diploma, students must successfully complete the course and credit
requirements in addition to any local requirements.
Section 5: Parents, Families, Volunteers and Visitors
1. All visitors must check in at the school office.
2. Principals may delay visits during student testing or at other times when visits may disrupt
school activities.
3. Parents/guardians wishing to discuss individual student progress should request a meeting
with the teacher in advance. Such meetings should take place outside of regular classroom hours.
4. Any person who disrupts school operations, is disorderly, damages school property, threatens
students or staff, or otherwise poses a risk to safe and orderly school operations may be asked to
leave school property. A school principal may prohibit such persons from attending school
events or coming on school property. Unless necessary to ensure school safety, such prohibitions
may last for no longer than the remainder of the school year. Unless inconsistent with safe and
orderly school operations, a principal shall make reasonable allowances so that a person
prohibited from coming onto school property may participate in the education of children for
whom the person is legally responsible.
Parent/Family Involvement
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5.1 The Voyager Academy Charter School Board of Directors recognizes that parents/guardians,
families, caregivers, schools, and the community share the responsibility for the education of our
children. Creating positive home, school, and community partnerships is essential to carrying out
this shared responsibility successfully. To promote high student performance, school
administrators, teachers and parents/guardians must work as knowledgeable partners.
5.2 Voyager Academy Charter School Board of Directors believes that schools must create an
environment that is conducive to learning and supports strong family partnerships. Collaboration
between all school personnel and parents/guardians is essential to support student learning.
School personnel will encourage and involve parents/guardians of children at all ages and grade
levels by providing a variety of opportunities for involvement, while recognizing and respecting
the diverse needs of families in their community.
School Volunteers
The Board welcomes persons who wish to volunteer their time in schools. Screening, training
and supervision of volunteers is the responsibility of the school principal, following rules and
procedures established by the Managing Director.
5.3 Volunteers are bound by the standards of conduct applicable to school employees. The
principal may terminate the services of a volunteer if the principal deems appropriate.
School Visitors
5.4 The Board encourages parents/guardians and others interested in public education to visit
schools. To ensure that school campuses are safe and orderly, the Managing Director or school
principals may establish rules governing school visitors, consistent with this policy.
Parents, guardians and visitors are expected to:
·
Respect the caring spirit of our school.
·
Understand that both teachers and parents need to work together for the benefit of their
children.
·
Demonstrate that all members of the school community should be treated with respect and
therefore set a good example in their own speech and actions.
·
Use effective communication with school staff, administration, and board members that
cultivate open dialogue while seeking peaceful solutions to issues.
·
Engage the school with an open mind to help resolve any issues of concern
In order to support a peaceful and safe school environment, the school cannot tolerate parents,
guardians and visitors exhibiting the following:
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·
Disruptive actions which interfere or threaten to interfere with the operation of a
classroom, an employee’s office, board meeting, school event, field trip, car line or parking lot,
office area or any other area of the school grounds (including social media postings or
discussions with community members regarding the school or a staff member).
·
Using loud/or offensive language, swearing, cursing, using profane language or displaying
temper on or in the sight of campus.
·
Threatening to do actual bodily harm to school staff, board member, visitor, fellow
parent/guardian or student regardless of whether or not the action constitutes a criminal offence.
·
Damaging or destroying school property.
·
Abusive or threatening emails, texts, voicemails, phone messages or other written
communication.
·
Defamatory, offensive or derogatory comments regarding the school or any of the pupils,
parents, staff, or board on Facebook or other social sites. Any concerns you may have about the
school must be made through the appropriate channels by speaking to the class teacher, or the
administration team, so they can be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all
concerned.
·
The use of physical aggression towards another adult or child. This includes physical
punishment against your own child on school premises.
·
Approaching someone else’s child in order to discuss or chastise them because of the
actions of this child towards their own child. (Such an approach to a child may be seen to be an
assault on that child and may have legal consequences).
·
Carrying weapons, smoking, and consuming alcohol or other drugs whilst on school
property.
·
Animals/pets brought onto school premises without permission. Service dogs are
permitted at all times.
All media utilizing the Voyager Academy name or brand (e.g. logo, mascot, etc.) must have
approval by the Board of Directors and shall be linked to the school’s official websites.
5.6 Misuse of the Brand (Defined):
The Board of Directors encourages parents and students to voice their concerns. It is important
that any concerns you may have be made through appropriate channels as set forth in the
student/parent handbook which includes speaking to the class teacher, the principal or the Board
of Directors, so they can be dealt with fairly, appropriately and effectively for all concerned. We
considers the use of social media websites used to fuel campaigns and complaints against the
school, board, staff, students, and in some cases other parents not in the best interests of the
children or the whole school community.
Parent/Guardian and Booster Organizations
The Board welcomes the participation of parent/guardian organizations or booster clubs in the
school. Administrators should educate such organizations on the goals of the charter and seek
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their assistance in improving student success within the education plan.
5.7 Parent/guardian organizations or booster clubs that are involved with school activities or
students should establish a document that sets forth the purposes of the organization and the
general rules and procedures by which it will operate.
5.8 Parent/guardian organizations, such as the PTA, and booster clubs shall secure the advice
and approval of the principal in planning any function in which students will participate while
under the jurisdiction of the Voyager Academy Charter Schools.
5.9 In the event that any pupil or parent/guardian of a child/ren being educated at Voyager
Academy is found to be posting libelous or defamatory comments on Facebook or other social
network sites, they will be reported to the appropriate 'report abuse' section of the network site
and may be disinvited or otherwise prohibited from the School’s official social media pages,
including Facebook.
All social network sites have clear rules about the content which can be posted on the site and
they provide robust mechanisms to report contact or activity which breaches this. The school will
also expect that any parent/guardian or pupil removes such comments immediately.
In serious cases, the school will also consider its legal options to deal with any such misuse of
social networking and other sites. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, is the issue of
cyberbullying and the use by one child or a parent to publicly humiliate another by inappropriate
social network entry. We will take and deal with this as a serious incident of school bullying in
accordance with the student/parent employee handbook and any other School policies.
We may take any of following steps if a parent/guardian or visitor does not follow the policy:
1.
Request a parent meeting on campus
2.
Ban the parent from campus for a period of time.
3.
Contact the appropriate authorities.
Parents or visitors that receive consequences based on their behavior shall follow the school’s
grievance process as set out in the student/parent handbook or any other policy established by the
School. Students engaged in such activity will be addressed in accordance with the School’s
student handbook.
Section 6: Exceptional Children
Services for Exceptional Children
6.1 A free appropriate publicly supported education will be provided, in the least restrictive
appropriate environment, to every disabled child with special needs ages four (4) through twenty
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(20). The Voyager Academy Charter Schools will comply with the State Board of Education's
Procedures Governing Programs and Services for Children with Special Needs, and the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and its implementing regulations.
6.2 The term "special education" means specifically designed instruction, at no cost to the
parent/guardian, to meet the unique needs of the exceptional child. Each disabled child will have
access to the variety of educational programs and services available to nondisabled children. This
includes but is not limited to physical education, art, music, industrial arts, consumer and
homemaking education, vocational education, and general interest electives.
6.3 Every child suspected of having a disability is entitled to a multidisciplinary diagnosis and
evaluation.
6.4All testing and evaluation materials and procedures shall be nondiscriminatory and
administered in the child's native language.
6.5 Parents/guardians shall be provided in writing with the results, findings, and proposals based
upon the evaluation.
6.6 An Individualized Education Plan shall be developed for each disabled child whose
parent/guardian consents to special education placement.
6.7 Special education and related services shall be provided in the least restrictive appropriate
environment to each child with special learning needs based upon the Individualized Education
Program.
6.8 Written notice shall be given to parents/guardians of exceptional children a reasonable time
before the school system proposes to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or
educational placement of a child with special needs. The written notice shall give a full
explanation of all of the procedural safeguards available to parents/guardians.
Voyager offers a free and appropriate education to every enrolled disabled child with special
needs between the ages of three and 21, in compliance with state and federal regulations. A
parent or guardian who believes his/her child has a disability may request assistance through the
Student Assistance Program. Children who might have a disability are entitled to a
multidisciplinary diagnosis and evaluation provided at no charge by Voyager. The
multidisciplinary team will use the evaluation results to determine eligibility for special
education services under federal and state regulations. Parents/ guardians will receive
notification of the evaluation results.
If the results confirm an Exceptional Children’s classification (diagnosis), and Individualized
Education Program (IEP) will be designed to meet his/her unique needs. Parents must consent to
the child’s placement in the special education program. The student will be placed in the least
restrictive environment based on his/ her IEP. Parents/ guardians will receive advance notice in
writing if there is proposed change regarding their child’s identification, evaluation or placement.
Policy 3400
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Services for Handicapped Students Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
6.9 No child will be excluded from any educational program or be subject to discrimination
because he is an "individual with a handicap," as the term is defined in The Rehabilitation Act of
1973. Protected individuals include any person who has a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities, has a record of such
impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment.
6.10 The Principal will appoint a school employee to serve as school coordinator for the
provision of services under Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A Section 504
contact also shall be designated at each school to serve as a resource for parents/guardians and
staff.
6.11 Any student, or his parent/guardian, may file a grievance if they believe their rights under
this policy or Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 have been violated.
6.12The Managing Director shall establish procedures for implementation of this policy. These
procedures shall be available through the Section 504 coordinator at each school.
Services For Academically or Intellectually Gifted Students (AIG)
6.13 The school administration shall develop a plan to identify each academically or
intellectually gifted (AIG) student attending the Voyager Academy Charter Schools and to
provide appropriate educational services to such students. The plan shall be presented to the
Board for review and approval. Each plan approved by the Board shall remain in place for a
maximum of three years. The administration shall be responsible for presenting new or revised
plans to the Board..
The plan shall include the following components:
1) Screening, identification, and placement procedures that allow for the identification of specific
educational needs and for the assignment of AIG students to appropriate services.
2) A clear statement of the program to be offered that includes different types of services
provided in a variety of settings to meet the diversity of identified AIG students.
3) Measurable objectives for the various services that align with core curriculum and a method to
evaluate the plan and the services offered. The evaluation shall focus on improved student
performance.
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Section 7:Student Health and School Wellness
7.1 Student Health/Administration of Medication
A. The Voyager Academy Board of Directors discourages the use and administration of
medication at school but realizes it may be sometimes necessary for the health of the student. All
medications and medical procedures, which may be taken or given outside school hours without
adversely affecting the health of the student, should not be administered at school during school
hours. The parent or guardian should make reasonable efforts to obtain permission from the
child's health care provider to adjust the dosages of prescribed medication so such may be
provided at home before and/or after school hours.
B. In accordance with N.C.G.S. 115C-375.1, the Voyager Academy Board of Directors
authorizes school personnel to administer prescription and over-the-counter medications upon
receipt of the written authorization of the health care provider and the written authorization of
the student's parents or guardian. With prescription medications, possession of the original
prescription container with the appropriate name and dosage information shall be deemed to be
written authorization of the health care provider.
C. The responsibilities of the parent or guardian are to:
a. Provide the school with each different medication in a separate appropriately labeled
container:
b. Prescription Medication shall be placed in a prescription container indicating the child's name,
the name of the medication, the unit of dosage to be given, the number of dosage units, the time
the medication is to be given, and how it is to be administered. It is recommended the parent ask
the pharmacist to provide two properly labeled containers - one for home and one for school.
c. Over the Counter Medication shall be placed in the original container that includes the
manufacturer's recommendations and labeled with the student's name.
d. Provide to the school the "Medication Permission Form" and ensure the form is completed,
signed by the health care provider and parent/guardian, and returned to the school. The health
care provider may use another format (letter, computer printout, etc.) to authorize the
administration of medication as long as all information requested in the Medication Permission
Form is provided.
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e. Provide new containers with appropriate labeling each time the child's medication changes,
and to remove from the school grounds any medications discontinued by the child's health care
professional.
f. Remove all medications from school premises at the end of each school year. If not removed,
the school will dispose of all medications in its possession on the last school workday at the end
of the school year for students.
g. Parents/guardians are encouraged to bring medications directly to the school office and avoid
sending the medications to school via the student.
h. The authorization for administration of medication will be valid for the current school year or
the ending date listed on the medication form.
i. No medication (either prescription or nonprescription) will be administered by school
personnel without written order from the health care provider and the signed consent of the
parent/guardian.
j. If the completed form is not received and it is necessary for the medication to be given, the
parent may come to the school and administer the medication.
k. A secure (locked) storage area will be provided at each school for storage of medication. A
staff member appointed by the principal shall be responsible for this security and administration
of medication. An alternate person shall be identified to fill in when needed.
l. The designated individual for each student receiving medication and/or procedure shall
maintain a daily medication/procedure log. The individual shall record on the log the name of the
medication, date, dosage, and time of each administration or date and time of a procedure.
m. Students will not be allowed to self-administer medication except as stated in NC law for
Diabetes, Asthma, and Anaphylaxis.
n. Voyager Academy discourages students from bringing prescription and over-the-counter
medications to school and administering such to themselves without the assistance of school
officials. Students will not be allowed to possess or to self-administer prescription medications,
other than asthma medications, diabetic medications, and/or medications for the treatment of
anaphylactic reaction, except in cases of extreme health conditions properly documented in an
individual health care plan developed by the student's health care provider. The Voyager
Academy Board of Directors and its employees are not responsible for the improper selfadministration of over-the-counter or prescription drugs at school by students. The unauthorized
possession or use of any medication during the school day is not allowed and in violation of the
Voyager Academy Drug Policy.
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7.2 School Wellness
Building nutrition knowledge and skills help children make healthy eating and physical activity
choices. To make a difference, nutrition education for children should be appropriate for the
students’ age, reflect their cultures, and provide opportunities for them to practice nutrition skills
in a positive environment.
7.3 Physical Activity
Physical activity is critical to a child’s healthy weight and healthy lifestyle, as well as to his/her
ability to focus in the classroom. To ensure that all children are staying active, physical activity
needs to be incorporated into the daily school curriculum and prioritized as essential to each
child’s social and academic achievement.
A. Physical education courses will provide an environment in which students learn, practice and
are assessed on developmentally appropriate motor skills, social skills and knowledge of
personal fitness goals and practices.
B. Voyager Academy Charter Schools will seek to obtain state-certified physical education
instructors to teach physical education classes.
C. Structured/unstructured recess and other physical activity (such as, but not limited to, physical
activity time, physical education or intramurals) shall not be taken away from students as a form
of punishment or for any unapproved reason. In addition, severe and/or inappropriate exercise
may not be used as a form of punishment for students.
Section 8: Before and After School Care
Before school care Hours: 6:45am-8am- $40 flat fee for students
After School care Hours: 3:00pm-6:00pm-$
After School will operate on early release days
Please email [email protected] for questions about registration, scheduling and
payments.
Section 9: Emergencies, Crisis Management, School Hours, Contacts,
Miscellaneous
9.1 Crisis Management Plan
A Crisis Management Plan shall be developed, maintained, and implemented to identify potential
hazards, mitigate contributing factors, and prepare our staff and students to respond quickly and
responsibly to emergencies. The Board recognizes that the safety of students and staff is best met
by a plan that minimizes disruption to the education program, while at the same time provides
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necessary exercises and drills to train students and employees to respond to emergency
situations.
9.2 Emergency Preparedness
Voyager Academy works closely with emergency management, law enforcement, public health
and other officials at the local, county, state and federal levels to develop plans for handling
emergencies. Each school has an Emergency Preparedness Plan which includes guidelines on
how to respond to severe weather, fire, chemical related incidents, and security related incidents
during school and business hours.
Emergency Closings
The Managing Director shall be responsible for making provisions for and administering
procedures for the temporary closing of school because of inclement weather or other unforeseen
occurrence that presents a threat to the safety of students, staff, or property. Voyager Academy
will follow the inclement weather advisories of DPS and may implement additional closings or
delays if deemed necessary to ensure safety for the students and staff of Voyager Academy,
many of whom reside in counties outside of Durham.
9.3 Special Occasions
If you choose to provide snacks for your child’s class please adhere to the following guidelines:
A. Principals should assist parent/guardian organizations and/or booster clubs in planning
activities, not limited to fundraising, that serve school needs and involve significant
numbers of interested parents/guardians in meaningful service to schools and their
students.
B. Parent/guardian organizations and booster clubs are responsible for maintaining adequate
financial records and ensuring that such records are accessible to parents/guardians and
school officials on request.
C. Any property that a parent/guardian organization or booster club donates for a school or a
school activity shall be the property of the Voyager Academy Charter Schools, and the
organization should receive prior acceptance of the principal before purchasing such
items.
9.4 Media and Community Relations
The Board of Directors endorses free communication between the public. In the interest of
effective school/community communication and media relations, the Board recognizes the
public's right-to-know within the limits of established rules of confidentiality, and expects the
Managing Director to provide information accurately and in a timely and appropriate way.
9.5 Student Fees
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Voyager Academy may not charge fees that would not otherwise be statutorily acceptable
charges in the LEA. Voyager strives to offer its instructional programs without charging fees.
Fees, however, are necessary on occasion. Before any fee is charged, it must be approved by the
building principal.
Special school activities requiring costs to students that might prevent some students from
participating are prohibited. No student will be prevented from participating because of an
inability to pay. Fees may be waived or reduced in accordance with established procedure.
9.6 High school students who drive to school should park in assigned spaces.
9.7 Hours of Operation & School Contact information
Doors open to students 30 minutes prior to school starting. All students are expected to be in
class by or before the posted start times. All students are expected to be picked up at dismissal
unless they are attending After Care. If you are more than 10 minutes late to pick up, students
will be moved into the After Care program for their own safety. You will be required to sign
your child out from the After Care staff. We know that emergencies can happen! However, if
you are consistently late for pick up there will be escalating fees due to the After Care. If your
child is a student driver in the High School, they are expected to dismiss when school dismisses
unless they are attending a sponsored club or activity. If students are attending a club or school
event, they are remanded to our care. If they are not attending a club or other school event, it is
their responsibility to leave campus at dismissal. The School is not responsible for students who
do not exit the campus as appropriate. All of our front offices will close 30 minutes after carline
is completed in each building unless we are hosting an after school event. Once the front office
closes, all correspondence will run through our After Care Program
High School After School:
High School Students must exit the building at1:45pm on Mondays and 4:15 pm on Tuesday Friday unless they are working with a teacher, coach or other faculty member. If high school
students are disruptive inside of the building they will not be allowed to stay after school for
activities. After high school students exit the building at 4:15 pm they are not supervised. If a
student reenters the building after 4:15 pm they may be prosecuted for trespassing.
Early Sign Out:
If a high school student must leave campus early a letter or phone call must be made to the
school by the parent or guardian. The student must go to the office and complete the sign out
form. A school official will open the student parking lot gate and check the students sign out
pass.
Contact Information
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Voyager Academy Elementary School
4210 Ben Franklin Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
Phone: 919- 433-3301 ext 4
Fax: 919-471-3932
Voyager Academy Middle School
101 Hock Parc Durham, NC 27704
Phone: 919-433-3301
Fax: 919-433-3305
Voyager Academy High School
4302 Benjamin Franklin Blvd. Durham, NC 27704
Phone: 919-354-0010
Fax: 919-620-0554