Merit Academy Safe School Policy Rationale (download)

Merit Academy Safe School Policy Rationale

Merit College Preparatory Academy is committed to fostering an environment in the public schools for students, staff, community, neighbors and visitors, which is safe, conducive to the learning proves, and free from unnecessary disruption.  A safe school environment includes the school and grounds during school hours, and during school sponsored activities and events.  The following policies and procedures have been created for this purpose in accordance with Utah State Law (UCA53A-11-901-909).

Merit Academy’s General Discipline Policies and Procedures

Classroom Standards

Each teacher in every classroom will have posted standards of expected behavior.  Student actions that take away from the learning environment will be termed as disrupting class.  We encourage the use of media and technology at Merit and the use of media or technology (cell phones, computers, I-pods, etc.) are allowed for school use only and will be under the direction and at the discretion of each classroom teacher.  Each teacher has the ability to post classroom specific rules and guidelines as approved by the Director.  General actions that disrupt the class include:

• Tardiness
• Any other activity the disrupts the learning environment
• Any action that does not promote a clean and safe environment

Consequences for Violations of Classroom Standards

1^st offense:  Student receives a warning from the teacher and signs his or her name on a discipline sheet acknowledging his or her behavior.

2^nd offense:  Student receives another warning from the teacher and the parent will be called by the teacher.  The student will also sign his or her name on a discipline sheet acknowledging the second behavior infraction.

3^rd offense:  Student’s parents will be called for a conference that will include the student, teacher and parent.  This conference will be a good faith effort meeting meant to help the teacher and the parent to collaborate with the student on ways to help the student succeed at our school.  The student will once again sign a discipline sheet acknowledging the behavior.  This is the student’s last minor infraction before the behavior turns into a Major Infraction (by the constant repetition of negative behavior it becomes Willful Disobedience).

School Wide Standards

School Wide Standards cover our campus including hallways, locker rooms, gym, offices, buses and grounds.  School Wide Standards also are in effect during all school activities on or off campus.

• Public Display of Affection (PDA) is not allowed.  This includes inappropriate hugging, kissing, holding hands, sitting on laps, or any inappropriate touching.
• Lying, hurtful or slanderous language – written, spoken, or texted is not acceptable.  This includes swearing and disrespectful language.  This type of language may be deemed as harassment:  see Major Standards.
• Rough housing is not allowed.  This includes hitting, pushing, kicking, poking, tripping, holding, throwing inappropriate objects, etc.
• Inappropriate comments (racial, sexual, and/or disrespectful) and/or gestures will not be tolerated.
• Any other actions that can be deemed as not polite or becoming of a student at our school will not be tolerated.
• Dress Code is to be followed on campus at all times.  (See consequences specific to Dress Code.)

Consequences for Violation of School Wide Standards

1^st & 2^nd Offenses:  Student will be detained after school to meet with the teacher and school counselor, will receive a warning and the parent(s) will be called.

3^rd Offense:   Parent(s) and student will be required to attend a conference and a Behavior Intervention Plan (IP) will be signed by student, parent, and administrator.

4^th Offense and beyond:  Student and parent(s) will be required to update the Behavior Intervention Plan and an  alternative placement option will be determined.

Consequences Specific to Dress Code

1^st Offense:  Student will be sent to the counseling office and must change before re-entering the academic environment.  Student will receive an entry slip to re-enter the classroom.

2^nd Offense:  Student will be sent to the counseling office and must change before re-entering the academic environment.  The parent(s) will be called.  Student will receive an entry slip to re-enter the classroom.

3^rd Offense:  Student will be sent to the front office and must change before re-entering the academic environment.  The parent(s) will be called, and a Behavior Intervention Plan meeting will be set up between the student, parent, and an administrator.  The Behavior Intervention Plan will be written and signed by student, parent, and administrator.

4^th Offense:  Student will be sent to the counseling office and the behavior becomes “Willful Disobedience”.  A 3 day suspension will be issued, and a Behavior Intervention Meeting will be scheduled and attended by student, parent(s) and administrator.  The Behavior Intervention Plan will be updated at this time.

5^th Offense:  Student will be sent to the counseling office as the behavior continues to be “Willful Disobedience”.  A 5 day suspension will be issued, and a Behavior Intervention Meeting will be scheduled and attended by student, parent(s) and administrator.  The Behavior Intervention Plan will be updated at this time.

6^th Offense:  Student will be sent to the counseling office as the behavior continues to be “Willful Disobedience”.  An indefinite suspension will be issued and the student and parent(s) are required to attend a Behavior Intervention Meeting with administration.  The options in this meeting will focus on Alternative Placement.

Major Standards

Major Standards are part of our Safe School Plan and depending on severity may be deemed at a level of consequence that would deem extended suspension and/or expulsion.

Major Standard Violations may be, but are not limited to:

• Harassment – physical, sexual, verbal, including swearing (f-word), obscene comments, speech and lewd gestures.
• Fighting
• Intent to and/or possession, sale, and/or use of spice and/or drugs (including tobacco)
• Possession of a weapon, including but not limited to knives, guns or anything that can be used as a weapon.
• Gang signing, tagging, wearing of bandannas, headgear, chains, or any article of clothing or jewelry bearing any gang symbols, names, initials, insignia, or anything else which signals gang affiliation and/or is worn for the purpose of signifying gang membership.
• Bullying, Extortion, Threats and/or any form of Intimidation
• Vandalism – destruction of school property
• Stealing
• Forgery, Plagiarism, Cheating on exams and/or assignments
• Gross misuse of media including, but not limited to hacking, illegal use, taking over of others computers
• Willful Disobedience

Consequences for Violation of Major Standards

1^st Major Infraction: The student will receive a minimum 3 day suspension.  Student and parent(s) will be required to meet with an administrator to develop a Behavior Intervention Plan.  The Behavior Intervention Plan will address the student’s behavior and create a plan to prevent further infractions.  This will be written and documented in the student’s file and the student, parent(s), and administrator will sign it.

2^nd Major Infraction: The student will receive a 5 day suspension.  The student, parent(s) and administrator will meet to review and update the Behavior Intervention Plan during the 5 day suspension.

3^rd Major Infraction: The student will be suspended until the student, parent(s) and administration meet to discuss options that may include a longer suspension, an alternative academic placement, or possible expulsion.

Attendance Standards

As an academically based institution, it is our stated standard that students should attend class in order to assist them with their academic goals.  Chronic failure to attend class usually is linked to a student’s academic failure.  We view this as an academic problem because if a student misses class, their ability to pass the class diminishes.

Absences and Tardies

• Students who are absent or late may be excused by a parent.  It is the parent and student’s responsibility to attend school.  Vacations periods, or pre-determined absences may be excused by a parent or guardian.  Parents must excuse their student’s absence or lateness within 5 school days.  After 5 school days the absence(s) become(s) unexcused.
• A student is considered tardy if they are up to 20 minutes late to a scheduled class without a note excusing them.  After 20 minutes, the tardy becomes an unexcused absence.  3 tardies in one class = 1 unexcused absence for that class.
• Our Counseling Department may request an Attendance Intervention Meeting with the student and parent(s) to review academic progress if the Chronic Excused Absences and/or Tardies (more than 4 in a term) are affecting the student’s ability to pass classes.

Unexcused Absences

• Students who intentionally leave or miss school are subject to Utah State Law and Rule regarding Truancy.  Our school will follow these laws and rules in relation to Unexcused Absences.  Chronic Unexcused Absences (4 days in a term) may result in a referral to the Courts as required by rule and law.
• In addition to a referral to the Courts, teachers reserve the right to issue a NG (no grade) for the class following the 4^th unexcused absence in a term.
• Students have the option to reverse an unexcused absences by:

1. Paid Detention:  $5 per hour.  1 hour reverses 1 unexcused absence.
2. School Service:  1 hour reverses 1 unexcused absence.

• Students who have 3 unexcused absences in one class and/or 5 unexcused absences school wide become ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities until the unexcused absences are resolved.

Consequences for Violations of Unexcused Absence Attendance Standards

1^st and 2^nd Unexcused Absence in 1 class or 4^th Unexcused Absence school wide:  A Compulsory Education Violation Concern Letter will be sent to parents.

3^rd Unexcused Absence in 1 class or 5^th Unexcused Absence school wide:  Student and parent(s) will be required to meet with our Academic Counselor to create an Attendance Intervention Plan (AIP).  A Compulsory Education Violation Notice will be sent to parents.  At this point the student becomes ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities until unexcused absences are resolved.

4^th – 7^th Offenses:  Student and parent(s) will be required to meet with our Academic Counselor to update the student’s Attendance Intervention Plan (AIP).  A Compulsory Education Violation Administrative Meeting Notice will be sent to parents.

8^th Offense:  Student and parent(s) will be required to meet with our Academic Counselor to establish an Alternative Placement Plan (APP).

12/10/10