“Every student has the ability. We give them the opportunity.”

Table of Contents

Letter from the Principal

Mission/Vision and Core Values

ACRMA#5 Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs)

Faculty and Staff Roster

Important Dates

Daily Life

Attendance Policy

Behavioural Expectations

Case Laws, California Education and Penal Codes

Campus Concerns

Extracurricular Activities

Health Services

Lost and Found

Meals

Messages and Deliveries to Students

Personal Property

Technology and Internet Usage

Textbooks

Uniform Policy

Visitors

Academic Life

School of Choice Provision

School Testing and API Data

School Accountability Report Card (SARC)

Keeping Track Of My Child’s Progress

Advisory

Grades

Progress Reports

Culmination Requirements for ACRMA#5

Graduation Requirements for Alliance College-Ready Public Schools High Schools

Parent Life

Parent Engagement

Volunteering

Letter from the Principal

To the Students and Parents of Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy #5:

Welcome to Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy #5 (ACRMA#5) an Alliance College-Ready Public Schools middle school campus! You are part of an innovative and challenging charter school organization designed to provide a choice for a better education and a better future for students in some of the most underserved communities in California.

Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy #5 is an independent start-up charter school researched and developed by Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, a nonprofit Charter Management Organization (CMO). Our CMO is dedicated to opening and operating a network of excellent, small, high-performing 6-8 and 9-12 public schools in historically underachieving, low income, overcrowded communities in California. We are dedicated to significantly outperform other public schools in preparing students for college admission and success.

This handbook is designed to help keep families informed regarding school operations, expectations for daily student life, and the academic program for the new school year. You will find helpful information so that you can make the most of what our school offers.

In a perfect world, where respect and honesty for humankind is practiced without prejudice and without exception, rules delimiting ones behaviours and expectations would not need to be outlined and maintained. That is the environment we strive to produce within our community. As individuals, we will not always agree, but we must respect our differences and our individual opinions and work towards the common good of educating our students and giving them the skills they need to succeed in our ever-changing world.

To this end, ACRMA#5 is committed to empowering our students and our families and the maintenance of good will and faith must be the basis of our interactions. Rules and expectations simply outline boundaries. As your child grows and matures and becomes more responsible for their choices, they merely become guidance to living a good and happy life.

Please take time to read this handbook with your child. Although our faculty and staff foster individuality, independence and honest dialogue, there must be commonly accepted norms for behavior and effective communication. This handbook will help guide you and your student to function within these expected school-wide norms. It is expected that you and your child will become familiar with our expectations and understand them.

You and your child will learn much in this journey through puberty and adolescence. They will make friends and lose friends, they will grow in spirit, wisdom and develop more distinct personalities. We hope that through the process, in the end you learn to enjoy your child and all that will come with them.

ACRMA#5 grows and evolves with your child and with the demands of our growing population, technological advancements, and educational practices. Much care is placed into creating a handbook that reflects this growth and all that goes into designing our middle school program. Please read the handbook with your child, sign the receipt of notification and return it to the school.

Mission/Vision and Core Values

The mission of Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, a nonprofit charter management organization, is to open and operate a network of small high-performing 9-12 and 6-8 public schools in historically underachieving, low income, communities in California that will annually demonstrate student academic achievement growth and graduate students ready for success in college.

Five Core Values:

  1. High Expectations For All Students
  2. Small Personalized Schools And Classrooms
  3. Increased Instructional Time
  4. Highly Qualified Principals And Teachers
  5. Parents As Partners

The Alliance educational model is based on what the most current research has shown to be the best educational practices and will serve as a research and development model for other public schools.

To achieve this mission, parents must remain actively involved in their child’s education and work in partnership with the school. At Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy #5, “every student has the ability”, and together, “we give them the opportunity.”

ACRMA#5 Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs)

Be College-Ready

  • Come to School Ready to Think and Ready to Work - Every Day
  • Reflect on Your Learning - Think Critically About It
  • Read, Write, and Study in a Manner That’s Effective for You
  • Meet and Exceed Learning Objectives - Every Class, Every Day

Be A Contributing Citizen

  • Be Honest with, and Show Integrity to Yourself and Your Peers
  • Make Ethical Choices for Yourself and Your Community
  • Show Compassion Even When You Think It’s Not Deserved

Be a Leader

  • Show Respect of Others’ Cultures and Ideas
  • Keep an Open-Mind When Interacting with Your World
  • Take Initiative to Improve the World Around You

Faculty and Staff Roster

2014-2015

Faculty/Staff / Position / Room Number / Conference Period / Outside of the Classroom Responsibilities / Email / Emergency Exit Route
Arreola, Blas / 6th - 8th Grade Physical Education / 112/113/114 / Period 2 / None / / Exit via Broadway
Barraza, Lizeth / Resource Specialist Provider / 103 / N/A / None / / Exit via Avenue 20
Bribes, Donielle / 8th Grade Integrated I /
ALLI Coach / 205 / Math Tutor; Leadership Sponsor; LAT; Leadership Team / / Exit via Broadway
Britten, Matthew / 7th Grade ELA /
ALLI Coach / 208 / BTSA Support; LAT; Leadership Team / / Exit via Avenue 20
Burns, Melissa / 7th Grade Science/History / 210 / Period 6 / 1st Year / / Exit via Avenue 20
Daniel, Julio / Office Manager / 103 / N/A / N/A / / Exit via Avenue 20
Denny, Derek / 6th Grade ELA / 116 / Period 5 / None / / Exit via Broadway
Fuentes, Nicole / 6th Grade Social Science / 115 / Period 4 / None / / Exiting via Broadway
Hernandez, Jesse / 6th - 8th Grade Physical Education / 112/113/114 / Period 2 / None / / Exit via Broadway
Hernandez, Luis / Plant Manager / 119 / N/A / None / Exit via Avenue 20
Lara-Sarmiento, Suzanne / 7th Grade ELA / 208 / Period 3 / None / / Exiting via Broadway
Lewis, Ginneh / 7th Grade Science / 203 / Period 4 / LAT/
Gardening / / Exiting via Avenue 20
Lopez, Douglas / School Psychologist / 103 / N/A / N/A / / Exit via Broadway
Macias, Rocio / Assistant Principal / 103 / N/A / N/A / / Exit via Avenue 20
Mallett, Courtney / 7th Grade Pre-Algebra / 209 / Period 3 / None / / Exit via Broadway
Martinez, Suzette / Principal / 103 / N/A / N/A / / Exiting via Avenue 20
Mendizabel, Christopher / 7th Grade Social Studies / 202 / Period 4 / Google Classroom Expert / / Exit via Avenue 20
Milius, Jason / 8th Grade Social Studies / 207 / Period 1 / Google Classroom Expert / / Exit via Broadway
Veth, Sara / 8th Grade Math / 211 / Period 1 / 1st Year / Exit via Avenue 20
Najera, Nathalie / Instructional Aide / 103 / N/A / N/A / / Exit via Avenue 20
Rosas-Rios, Liliana / 6th – 8th Grade Math / 110 / Period 1 / 1st Year / / Exit via Avenue 20
Ryan, Kelly / 8th Grade Physical Science / 206 / Period 5 / 1st Year / / Exit via Broadway
Sanchez, Elizabeth / 6th Grade English/Technology / 211 / Period 6 / LAT; Yearbook / / Exit via Avenue 20
Vine, Teresa / Resource Specialist Provider / 103 / N/A / 1st Year / / Exit via Avenue 20
Westrup, Ben / 8th Grade English Lang. Arts / 204 / Period 6 / Leadership Team/ Yearbook / / Exit via Avenue 20
Harris, Christie / Itinerant - Speech Pathologist / 103 / N/A / N/A / Exit via Avenue 20 or Broadway
Orduno, Jesus / Parent Engagement Specialist / Lobby / N/A / N/A / / Exit via Avenue 20 or Broadway
Brennan, Josh / Itinerant - APE / 103 / N/A / N/A / Exit via Avenue 20 or Broadway
Angeletti, Ayana / Itinerant - School Psychologist / 103 / N/A / N/A / Exit via Avenue 20 or Broadway
Tobias, Julie / Itinerant - Occupational Therapy / 103 / N/A / N/A / Exit via Avenue 20 or Broadway

Important Dates

August
8/4 First Day of School/Fall Semester
September
9/1 Labor Day HOLIDAY
9/5 Progress Report (5-wk Parent Conf)
Q1 9 wks (39 days of instruction 8/4-9/26)
October
10/6-10/10 Q1 Benchmarks
CAHSEE 10/7-10/8
10/10 Progress Report (10-wk Parent Conf)
10/13-10/14 Pupil Free Day Prof Dev
November
11/10-11/11 Veteran's Day HOLIDAY (2 days)
11/27-11/28 Thanksgiving
11/14 Progress Report (15-wk Parent Conf)
December
12/15-12/19 Q2 Benchmarks
12/1-12/17 FINALS
12/19 Last day of Fall Semester
12/19 FINAL FALL SEMESTER GRADES
12/22-1/9 Winter Break
Q2 9 wks (45 days of instruction 10/13-12/12)
January
1/12-1/13 Pupil Free Day Prof Dev
1/12 First Day of Spring Semester
1/14-1/16 Reteaching Standards
1/19 MLK Birthday HOLIDAY
February
2/11 Progress Report (5-wk Parent Conf)
2/16 Presidents Day HOLIDAY
March
Q3 10 wks(48 days of instruction 1/20-3/20)
3/18 Progress Report (10-wk Parent Conf)
CAHSEE 3/17-18
3/23-3/27 Q3 Benchmarks
3/30-4/3 Spring Break
SBAC Testing Window OPEN (Specific dates TBD)
April
4/5 Easter Sunday
4/6 Cesar Chavez Day, Observed
4/7-4/8 Pupil Free Day Prof Dev
4/13 CST Window OPEN (8th & 10th Gr. Science)
4/29 Progress Report (15-wk Parent Conf)
May
AP Exams 5/4-5/15
5/15 CST Window CLOSED (8th & 10th Gr. Science)
5/25 Memorial Day HOLIDAY
June
Q4 9 wks (42 days of instruction 4/7-6/4)
6/9-6/11 FINALS
6/12 Last Day of Instruction
6/15-7/10 Summer Session

Parent Workshops are held the first Wednesday of every month.

Parent /Community Town Hall Meetings (PCTM) are held the third Wednesday of every month.

School Advisory Council (SAC) Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month, following the PCTM.

Daily Life

Attendance Policy

Student success has a direct correlation with consistent and punctual attendance in class and school related events. Students with good attendance records achieve higher grades, enjoy school more, are more successful in their pursuit of higher education, and are more employable after leaving school.

California law states that every student shall attend school punctually and regularly and conform to the regulations of the school. It is ACRPS policy that students attend class regularly; that work missed because of school related activities or illness must be promptly made-up; that truancy is unacceptable; and that other absences approved by the parent be minimized or avoided whenever possible.

Alliance schools strive to achieve at least a 95% attendance rate each month and for the year.

Absences

Parent notification of student absence

A staff member will call home within the first forty-five minutes of the start of the instructional day if a student is not present. Parents should call the school to explain the reason for the student absence, if possible, before 7:45 a.m.

Procedure for clearing absences

When a student returns to school after being absent, he/she must provide the Main Office with a dated note from a parent/guardian explaining the reason for the absence and the duration.

Absences longer than 3 days due to illness require a doctor’s note to excuse the absence. A student may not participate in any after-school extracurricular activity if he/she is absent from school on the day of the activity.

Excused absences

Absences are those that are recognized by the state as legal excused absences:

  • If a student is personally ill, and his/her attendance in school would endanger his/her health or the health of others;
  • Serious illness or death in the student's immediate family necessitates absence;
  • Special/recognized religious holiday observed by student's faith;
  • A required appearance in a court of law.

School-related absences

  • Field Trips
  • Academic Events
  • School Office Appointments
  • Suspension

Unexcused absences

Absences not defined above as “excused” are unexcused absences, also included are:

  • Unverified absence
  • Truancy
  • A Tardy of fifteen minutes or more
  • Absence due to taking an early vacation or extending a vacation.

Long-term absences

Learning works best when each student attends every day. Although occasional absences are unavoidable, long-term absences pose a special challenge to learning. Class participation and group projects are vital components of the educational program, and a student’s long-term absence will seriously impact his/her mastery of important course concepts and skills. Parents/guardians of a student who is absent for an extended period due to illness, injury, or family emergency should contact the Main Office with an estimate of how long the student will be absent. Periodic updates would be appreciated.

Faculty and staff will work on a case-by-case basis with parents/guardians to help keep an extended-absent student from falling behind. A student must obtain a long-term absence study contract from their teachers if leaving the school for an extended period. A student returning from an extended absence may require supplemental tutoring and/or remediation beyond the school to attain proficiency.

Make-up Assignments

Students must make up all assignments, tests, and quizzes upon returning to school. Students should always try to get his/her assignment(s) from their classmates while they are absent to prevent them from falling behind. Upon the first day of his/her return to school, it is the student’s responsibility to check in with the teacher about missed work and due dates. Teachers will set their own class policies for returning work when absent. Please note teachers may have a no late work policy. Additionally, missing due dates will result in zeros.

A student who will be absent for three consecutive school days may get his/her assignments by contacting the Office or emailing the office manager. When requesting assignments, please keep the following in mind:

  1. Upon a request for missed work, teachers will submit the assignment to the student office within 24 hours of the request.
  2. Please do not request assignments for students who have been or will be absent fewer than three consecutive school days.
  3. Issued at discretion of Principal.

Tardiness Policy

The instructional day begins at 7:40 a.m. with the ringing of the warning bell. Students are expected to be in seats ready to engage in the instructional program by 7:45 a.m. A student who does not meet this expectation is considered tardy and will be detained in the office until parent notification has been made.

To provide our students with the best possible education, each Alliance campus has adopted aTolerate No Tardies(TNT) Policy. In the Parent/Student/Staff School Compact which states “students can and will achieve when there is a collaborative effort between staff, administrators, parents and students…” students and parents are expected to plan their time effectively in order for students to arrive to school on time at 7:40 a.m. It is our belief that each child should be entitled to maximum instructional time each day, each period; therefore a tardy policy will be implemented which supports and reinforces our school’s mission. Unexcused tardies to school are cumulative for the duration of one semester with the following consequences in place for tardiness:

1:Warning and a phone call home.

3:Call home and conference, followed with a restorative assignment agreed upon by all parties.

4:Call home and conference, followed by a recommendation to outside agency for family support.

4:Call home and administrative conference, followed with reporting of tardy pattern to Alliance SARB Board for additional family support.

Under the Tolerate No Tardies Policy a student who arrives at school after the 7:45 a.m. bell is considered tardy. All tardy students must report to the main office, log into the Tardy Log indicating the time of their arrival. A tardy may be excused ONLY with written verification from a parent/guardian upon THE STUDENT'S ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL or if a parent accompanies his/her child into the school building to sign him/her in with a valid excuse. Students may be required to make up missed time after school.

Behavioural Expectations

Discipline Policy

The School has developed a comprehensive student discipline policy; it will be maintained, and implemented. The discipline policy will not be discriminatory, arbitrary, or capricious, and follows the general principles of due process. The due process will adhere to the policy and procedures described in the California Education Code. The School intends to follow all procedures of the Education Code related to student discipline. The policy adapts as needed in regard to the discipline of a student with special needs as determined by the provisions of the IDEA. The School will follow LAUSD policy and the law regarding the discipline of special education students and notifies the appropriate LAUSD office responsible for student discipline proceedings if it expels any student whose home school is a LAUSD school. The discipline policy includes the input of parents, students, and school site staff once students are enrolled and school is in session.”

The discipline policy will be reviewed with students and parents upon admission to the school and signing of the parent/student compact. By signing the parent/student compact, the students and parents will acknowledge their understanding of and their responsibility to the standards set forth in the discipline policy. The discipline policy will define student responsibilities, unacceptable behavior, and the consequences for noncompliance.

Code of Conduct

Student responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

  • Following all rules of behavior and conduct.
  • Respecting fellow students and school personnel.
  • Attending classes regularly and on time.
  • Completing all assigned work (to the best of the student’s ability).
  • Being prepared for class (bring materials e.g. books, homework).
  • Participating in all assessment measures (e.g. tests).
  • Respecting the property of the school and others.
  • Keeping the campus clean.
  • Wearing school uniform. Parents will be called regarding the school uniform policy.

Unacceptable student behavior will include, but not be limited to: