Sankofa Academy (Pre-school-8): New Year, New Beginning

Effective August 2014

Sankofa Academy Family & Student Contract

Sankofa Academy’s discipline policy was developed with input from staff, students and families. The purpose of the discipline policy is to immediately put an end to student misbehavior that interrupts learning so that we may all focus on educating our students for the future.

Please read all of the information in this packet carefully and review with your child. Once you and your child have a clear understanding of our policies, please sign the final page of the contract and return to your child’s teacher (this contract counts as a homework assignment grade). By signing the contract, you and your child agree to abide by these rules and to continue to support Sankofa Academy.

Discipline Policy Information

Sankofa Academy is serious about education and we will not tolerate disruptions, defiance, or disrespect. Our plan is designed to support all students so that they are able to focus on learning and meeting grade-level standards.

Classroom Management Plan: Every classroom has a similar classroom management plan. This plan includes classroom rules that must be followed at all times, including tenets of the Sankofa “Guiding Principles,” and are based on Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) expectations:

Respectful:

  • Listen to the teacher, speaker
  • Appropriate voices
  • Calm, quiet bodies

Responsible:

  • Do your best work
  • Listen attentively, follow directions
  • Stay on task
  • Use materials as instructed

Reflective:

  • Adjust your behavior when needed
  • Work toward your goals

When a student breaks a rule or is disruptive, he/she will receive a classroom consequence. Each classroom has five levels of consequences. Consequences may include: time-out, behavior essay, parent contact/conference, removal from class, etc. If a student reaches Level 5 (which means they have had four chances to correct their behavior), he/she will be referred to the office. Office referrals may result in a suspension.

Severe Clause: While we understand that students sometimes need re-direction from the teacher in order to correct their minor misbehavior, there are certain behaviors that will not be tolerated. These severe behaviors include: fighting, vandalism, extreme defiance, extreme disruption that stops the class from functioning, etc. Any severe misbehavior will result in an automatic office referral.

Suspension: Students will be assigned a Work Alternative Suspension (WAS) and/or Home Suspension, as determined by an administrator. A Work Alternative Suspension (WAS) is a detailed work assignment completed at the school. Parents/guardians must sign the WAS notification form before the student returns to school. When a student is assigned a Home Suspension, the parent/guardian must return to school with the student after the suspension and may need to remain with the student for the entire day. Parents may request a letter from the office documenting the time spent at school during their work time (see attached information regarding the California Family School-Partnership Act).

Classroom & School Rewards: We also offer several rewards that students may earn by demonstrating positive behavior daily. Teachers offer classroom reward systems that are appropriate for their grade level. School rewards may include: recognition and appreciation, pizza/popcorn parties, movie parties, dances, etc. Participation in any special event will have to be earned by positive school behavior.

Code of Conduct: All of the policies outlined in our code of conduct apply to all students during all of their time at school (including their travel to and from school). Please post the Sankofa Academy Code of Conduct in your home and review with your child(ren).

Village Keepers: To assist us with supervision on the school campus, we are starting a “Village Keepers” Family Group. All “Village Keepers” volunteers must attend three hours of training. Our first “Village Keepers” Training Sessions will be held on Wednesday, September 17th (4:30-6:00 pm) and Thursday, September 18th (4:30-6:00 pm). Please join us if you are interested in serving in this role.

Thank you for your support of our discipline policy. We know that when we work together, your child will be successful.

Code of Conduct

Students are expected to conduct themselves as Sankofa Scholars at all times, demonstrating the Guiding Principles:

Sankofa Scholars are:

Respectful Individuals

Responsible Leaders

Reflective Achievers

Students will:

  • Attend all classes every day, on time
  • School begins at 8:15 a.m. everyday for Middle School, 8:30 a.m. for Elementary students. Students who arrive after 8:15 a.m. (Middle School) and 8:30 a.m. (Elementary) are marked tardy.
  • Breakfast is served from 8:00-8:30 a.m.
  • Breakfast Supervision begins at 8:00 a.m.
  • Follow classroom rules and procedures as outlined by teachers
  • Follow common area rules and procedures as outlined by school staff
  • Respond to questions from any Sankofa staff member/Parent Patrol member, including giving first and last name, and class/advisory
  • Respectfully and immediately follow any instructions given by any Sankofa staff member/Parent Patrol member
  • Wear uniform daily (following OUSD dress code policies)
  • Wear hats and headgear outside of the building only
  • Walk when in the school building
  • Use inside voices when in the school building
  • Sign out when leaving the classroom or other common area
  • Have a hall pass when out of class
  • Treat other students, staff and other adults with respect
  • Play safely on the yard
  • Sit and use inside voices while in the cafeteria
  • Eat healthy foods in the cafeteria only (candy, gum and sunflower seeds are not allowed at Sankofa)
  • Clean up after themselves and treat Sankofa property as if it were their very own
  • Keep toys, cell phones, and electronic equipment at home (items that are used during school time will be confiscated)


Sankofa Academy Family & Student Contract

I have read the family packet of information about the Sankofa Academy Discipline Policy that is effective August 25, 2014. I understand the Discipline Policy and have reviewed the policy carefully with my child.

I will support the education of my child and all children at Sankofa Academy by ensuring that my child follows all school and classroom rules and procedures. I understand that if my child does not follow all school/classroom rules, he/she will be assigned consequences that may result in At-Home Suspension. I also understand that if my child is suspended from school, I will be required to return with my child to school after the suspension, and may have to remain with him/her for the entire school day.

I understand that I am invited and encouraged to participate in school groups such as the “Village Keepers”, United Sankofa US/PTO, School Site Council, Mom’s Club, Dad’s Club and volunteer projects to help improve our school.

Please sign one form for each student attending Sankofa Academy.

Student Name ______Grade ______

Parent/Guardian Signature ______

Student Signature (Grades 2-8) ______

Office Use Only
Date Received:
______
Initials: ______

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA FAMILY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP ACT

What is the Family-School Partnership Act?

The Family-School Partnership Act is a California law that allows parents, grandparents, and guardians to take time off from work to participate in their children's school or child care activities. The law (Labor Code Section 230.8) first took effect in 1995. Its provisions were expanded in 1997 to add licensed child day care facilities to the kindergarten-through-grade-twelve levels included in the original legislation.

What opportunities am I offered under this law?

If the following criteria are met, you may take off up to 40 hours each year (up to eight hours in any calendar month) to participate in activities at your child's school or day care facility:

  • You are a parent, guardian, or grandparent who has custody of a child enrolled in a California public or private school, kindergarten through grade twelve, or licensed child day care facility.
  • You work for a business that has 25 or more employees at the same location.

How should I account for my time off work?

The law allows you to use existing vacation time, personal leave, or compensatory time off to account for the time you use participating in your child's school or child care activities. You may also use time off without pay if permitted by your employer. The employee, not the employer, chooses from the options that are available.

How can I take advantage of these opportunities?

Let your employer know in advance that you would like to take time off to participate in activities at your child's school or child care facility. Although the law does not say how far in advance you should inform your employer, it is likely that rules are in place at your work site about reasonable notice for planned absences. And, if your employer requests, you are required to provide written proof of having participated at your child's school or child care facility.

If both parents of a child are employed by the same employer at the same work site, does the law allow them to take time off together for the same school or child care activity?

The parent who first gives notice to the employer has priority for the planned absence, although the other parent may also participate if the employer approves.

Does the law apply to parents who work the night shift or only to those who work the day shift? What about part-time employees?

All parents working full time, regardless of the shift they work, are allowed up to 40 hours per year. Because a night worker normally sleeps during the day when school is in session, that employee might ask for approval of an absence during the night shift in order to rest adequately for participating in activities at his or her child's school or child care facility. Part-time workers are allowed a proportionate number of hours. For example, half-time workers may take up to 20 hours a year. Teachers, even though they might work only ten months out of the year, are considered full-time employees and may take up to 40 hours per year.

What kinds of school or child care activities may I participate in with my child?

Under the law any activity that is sponsored, supervised, or approved by the school, school board, or child care facility is acceptable. Examples might be volunteering in your child's classroom; participating in parent-teacher conferences, Back-to-School Night, Open House, field trips, or extracurricular sporting events sponsored by the school, school board, or child care facility; and assisting in community service learning activities.

I am a teacher. Is my employer required to pay for a substitute teacher during my absence?

Because teachers generally get neither vacation nor compensatory time off during the school year, their only options under this law are time off without pay and possibly personal leave, unless their collective bargaining agreement provides for other alternatives. The school district would cover the cost of a substitute teacher through the salary savings gained from the classroom teacher's time off without pay. Check with your personnel director.

Does my employer have the right to refuse my request for time off to participate in activities at my child's school or child-care facility?

If your employer has 25 or more employees at the same location, he or she cannot refuse the request. All such employers must comply with the law and allow you to take off up to 40 hours a year to participate in your child's school or child care activities. At least one of the options-using vacation, personal leave, compensatory time off, or time off without pay-must be provided to the employer.

My employer has an incentive bonus program for employees who take no unpaid leaves of absence. If I take time off to participate in activities at my child's school or child care facility, will my doing so count against me?

Probably. Labor Code Section 230.8 contains no clear answer to this question, but it seems reasonable that an employer would apply an incentive bonus program equally to all unpaid leaves of absence, regardless of the reason for the leave.

What should I do if I feel that my employer has discriminated against me for taking time off to participate in my child's school or child care activities?

Your employer may not fire you, demote you, take away your benefits, deny you a promotion, or in any other way discriminate against you because you have chosen to participate in activities at your child's school or child care facility. The law provides for civil penalties and compensation to the parents if such discrimination occurs. The law does not, however, give enforcement powers to a specific governmental agency. If you feel you have suffered discrimination, contact the United States Department of Labor at 1-866-4USADOL or consult an attorney.

Title I Policy and Partnerships Office
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 6208
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 319-0854

CALIFORNIA CODES

LABOR CODE SECTION 230.8

(a)(1) No employer who employs 25 or more employees working at the same location shall discharge or in any way discriminate against an employee who is a parent, guardian, or grandparent having custody, of one or more children in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or attending a licensed child day care facility, for taking off up to 40 hours each year, not exceeding eight hours in any calendar month of the year, to participate in activities of the school or licensed child day care facility of any of his or her children, if the employee, prior to taking the time off, gives reasonable notice to the employer of the planned absence of the employee.

(2) If both parents of a child are employed by the same employer at the same worksite, the entitlement under paragraph (1) of a planned absence as to that child applies, at any one time, only to the parent who first gives notice to the employer, such that the other parent may take a planned absence simultaneously as to that same child under the conditions described in paragraph (1) only if he or she obtains the employer's approval for the requested time off.

(b) (1) The employee shall utilize existing vacation, personal leave, or compensatory time off for purposes of the planned absence authorized by this section, unless otherwise provided by a collective bargaining agreement entered into before January 1, 1995, and in effect on that date. An employee also may utilize time off without pay for this purpose, to the extent made available by his or her employer. The entitlement of any employee under this section shall not be diminished by any collective bargaining agreement term or condition that is agreed to on or after January 1, 1995.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in the event that all permanent, full-time employees of an employer are accorded vacation during the same period of time in the calendar year, an employee of that employer may not utilize that accrued vacation benefit at any other time for purposes of the planned absence authorized by this section.

(c) The employee, if requested by the employer, shall provide documentation from the school or licensed child day care facility as proof that he or she participated in school or licensed child day care facility activities on a specific date and at a particular time. For purposes of this subdivision, "documentation" means whatever written verification of parental participation the school or licensed child day care facility deems appropriate and reasonable.

(d) Any employee who is discharged, threatened with discharge, demoted, suspended, or in any other manner discriminated against in terms and conditions of employment by his or her employer because the employee has taken time off to participate in school or licensed child day care facility activities as described in this section shall be entitled to reinstatement and reimbursement for lost wages and work benefits caused by the acts of the employer. Any employer who willfully refuses to rehire, promote, or otherwise restore an employee or former employee who has been determined to be eligible for rehiring or promotion by a grievance procedure, arbitration, or hearing authorized by law shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount equal to three times the amount of the employee's lost wages and work benefits.

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Sankofa Academy emphasizes student empowerment and academic excellence. All students are empowered to master standards in literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, and technology. Our students become critical thinkers,

strong leaders, and positive members of their local and global communities.