Overview3

  1. Letter: statement of commitment for families
  2. Overview: Mission, Vision, Core Values
  3. Guiding Principles
  4. CharterSchool Contract Goals
  5. School Calendar
  6. Daily Schedule
  7. Faculty and Staff
  1. Campus Policies11
  2. Closed Campus Policy
  3. Student Attendance
  4. Arrival and Dismissal
  5. Dress Code
  6. Parents/Guardians and Visitors
  7. Student Telephone Use
  8. Deliveries for Students
  1. Academic Policies14
  2. Academic Honor Code
  3. Academic Effort
  4. Advisory Program
  5. Grading Policy
  6. Report Cards and Progress Reports
  7. Honors and Awards
  8. Promotion Requirements
  1. Core Values and Discipline21
  2. Core Student Behavior Expectations
  3. Rules
  4. Polices
  5. Habitually Disruptive Students
  6. Actions that will Lead to Suspension
  7. Actions that will Lead to an Expulsion Hearing
  8. Discipline Process
  9. Consequences
  10. Expulsion
  1. Facilities and Resources Policies27
  2. School Property
  3. Textbooks
  4. Lap Top Computers
  5. Responsibility for Personal Property
  6. Lost and Found
  7. School Supplies
  8. School Fees
  1. General School Policies28
  2. Non Discrimination Statement
  3. Student Records
  4. Media Release
  5. Distribution of Published Materials or Documents
  6. Commerce
  1. Athletics and Extracurricular Activities29
  2. Participations
  3. Science and Tech Parent (STP) Group
  1. Weather and Emergency Procedures29
  2. Accident and Medical Emergency
  3. School Closings
  4. Fire Alarms and Building Emergencies
  1. Appendices31
  2. Appendix I:2009-2010 Middle School Dress Code
  3. Appendix II:Acceptable Use Policy
  4. Appendix III:Core Value Pledge
  5. Appendix IV:Student and Family Contract
  6. Appendix V:Student and Family Contract Signature Page

August, 2009

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to the 2009-10 school year at the Denver School of Science and TechnologyMiddle School. Community, in its simplest form, is defined as “a group of people who share a common interest.” Our common interest is to provide an outstanding middle school education to each one of our students within a context of shared values. We will pursue this common interest with passion and commitment in the coming year!

This handbook outlines the values, expectations, and policies of the Denver School of Science and Technology. Please familiarize yourself with all of this information and return the handbook signature page to the school office. It is important to note that on the Family and Student Contract and this handbook signature page, you and your family have signed a statement that states that you are familiar with, and will abide by all of the policies in this handbook.

I look forward to an excellent year with all of you. Should you have any questions, please call the school office at 303-320-5570.

Sincerely,

Rich Harrison

DSSTMiddle School Director

Overview

Mission

The Denver School of Science and Technology is dedicated to providing an outstanding liberal arts middle school education with a science and technology focus to a diverse student body. By creating a powerful learning community centered on core values and a shared commitment to academic excellence, DSST will serve students from various backgrounds, and overall, increase the number of underrepresented students (women, minorities and economically disadvantaged) who attain college science and liberal arts degrees. DSST will graduate responsible, engaged citizens who are prepared to be leaders of the future.

Vision

  • To become a premiere secondary school in Colorado where 100% of our students meet state standards in math, science and English by the 10th grade.
  • To create an innovative school where students acquire a rigorous academic foundation that they can apply to the community and world around them in meaningful ways.
  • To be an innovative and model school that helps to redefine the American secondary school experience.

Core Values

Respect Appreciating the value of a person or an object through your words, actions and attitude – treating people appropriately with common courtesy

ResponsibilityAble to be trusted and or depended upon to complete tasks, follow directions and own up to your actions

IntegrityBeing truthful, fair and trustworthy in your words and actions – doing as you say and saying as you do

CouragePossessing confidence and resolve to take risks and make right decisions in the face of pressure, and adverse or unfamiliar circumstances

CuriosityEager to learn, explore and question things to gain a deeper understanding

Doing Your BestPutting your best effort into everything you do

Guiding Principles

Rigorous

  • To create an academic culture which requires students’ best effort daily, expects all students to succeed, and supports their efforts to do so.
  • To create an academic culture where core academic goals apply to all students.
  • To create an academic program centered on the belief that students need a strong foundation in each academic discipline to engage in rigorous project based work.
  • To achieve student mastery in a set of core performance standards (writing, reading, math, science, critical thinking and technology) that enable students to be successful in high school, college, graduate school and professionally.
  • To build thinkers who have the skills to solve real world problems through the ability to understand, analyze, apply, and synthesize ideas and knowledge.
  • To assess student learning in ways that challenge students to demonstrate mastery in a variety of forms, methods and settings.

Integrated

  • To build a common understanding that each student embraces being a part of our community, sharing in the responsibilities and sacrifices such a commitment brings.
  • To build a unified student body, embracing the challenges of gender, economic and racial diversity, fulfilling our commitment to have a student body of at least 40% students from economically disadvantaged families and 45% women.
  • To create a community truly centered on our six core values where values are lived and shared, not just talked about. And where academic learning and character development are seen as a common endeavor, not separate.
  • To effectively use technology as a tool to enhance learning and integrate it across disciplines.
  • While recognizing that academics always come first, understanding that a strong liberal arts education must include athletic, artistic, service endeavors.
  • To actively encourage parents to partner with DSST and to play significant roles in the daily lives and work of their children.

Personalized

  • To create a community where each student is known and supported to achieve his potential.
  • To create an advisory where each student has personalized adult guidance and understands her unique place in the larger school community.
  • To embrace the positive elements of a small school while recognizing, and within reason, attempting to mitigate the drawbacks of our size.
  • To instill in students the desire and the knowledge of how to pursue independent learning.
  • To teach with the aim of producing outstanding individual student learning results, not to adhere to a particular pedagogical philosophy that dictates how we teach.

Charter Contract Goals

The following section outlines the goals of the Denver School of Science and Technology as agreed upon in the school’s charter contract with the Denver Public Schools:

Goals: The school has adopted the following goals:

  1. Increase the number of underrepresented students who succeed in math, science and technology at the middle school level. Underrepresented students include girls and students from low income families.
  2. Prepare all students to go to the DSSTHigh School.

Educational Objectives: The school shall meet or make responsible progress toward meeting the following objectives:

  1. The school will recruit and retain a student body that is 40% low income as defined by qualification for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.
  2. The school will recruit and retain a student body that is 45% female.
  3. The school will meet or exceed district averages on norm referenced tests.
  4. The school will meet or exceed district averages on the Colorado Student Assessment Program.
  5. At least 70% of students will have a parent or guardian attend a teacher conference at least twice per year.
  6. The school shall earn at least an “average” rating for academic achievement or an academic rating of “improvement” or their equivalents, on school accountability reports developed pursuant to section 22-7-604 C.R.S.

Pupil Performance Standards: The schools pupil performance standards shall be, at a minimum, equal to those of the District.

DenverSchool of Science and Technology (DSST)

Middle School

2009-10 School Year Calendar*

August

5 Department Chair Meeting

7 New Staff Orientation (8:00am-4:00pm)

10 Returning Staff Begins

12 Registration 6th

13 Registration 7th

18-19 Staff Retreat

22 Family Gathering (10:30am-12:00pm)

24 6th and 7th New Student Orientation (1:00pm- 3:30pm)

25 First Day of School Grades 7th Returning Students

September

7 No School: Labor Day

23 Back to School Night (5:45pm-8:00pm)

18 No School: Professional Learning Day and Selected Student Make-Up Day

24 Photo re-take Day

October

23 No School: Fall Weekend

November

6 No School: Professional Learning Day and Selected Student Make-Up Day

18-20 First Trimester Final Exams

20 First Trimester Ends

23-24 No School: Professional Learning Days

25-27 No School: Thanksgiving Break

30 Second Trimester Begins

December

4 11:40am Dismissal: Parent-Advisor Report Card Conferences (1:30pm-6:00pm)

9 1st Trimester Awards Ceremony

17 First Trimester Awards Ceremony (2:40pm-3:30pm)

21-31 No School: Winter Break

January

4 School Resumes

5-6 Alumni Events

18 No School: MLK Day

29 No School: Professional Learning Day

February

15 No School: President’s Day Weekend

19 Second Trimester Ends

22-23 No School: Professional Learning Days

24 Third Trimester Begins

26 11:40am Dismissal: Parent-Advisor Report Card Conferences (1:30pm-6:00pm)

March

1 Third Trimester Internship Begins

3 2nd Trimester Awards Ceremony

4-5 MS CSAP Testing

8-12 MS CSAP Testing

18 Second Trimester Awards Presentation (2:40pm-3:30pm)

29-31 No School: Spring Break

April

6 School Resumes

16 No School: Professional Learning Day

16 DSST Gala (5:30pm-8:00pm)

May

7 No School: Professional Learning Day

13-14 12th Grade Final Exams

27 Senior Celebration Night (6:00pm-8:00pm)

29 Senior Class Graduation

31 No School: Memorial Day

June

3 Year End Awards Ceremony

4 Last Day of School (Make Up Exams)

7 Make Up Exams

7-8 Staff Wrap-Up

9-11 Staff Check Out

DenverSchool of Science and Technology

2009-10Sample 6 and 7thth Grade Daily Schedule Template

6th Grade / Time / 7th Grade / Time
M, T, Th, F Schedule / M, T, Th, F Schedule
Homeroom Advisory / 7:45 – 8:05 / Homeroom Advisory / 7:45 – 8:05
Morning Meeting / 8:10 – 8:25 / Morning Meeting / 8:10 – 8:25
Period 1 / 8:30 – 9:55 / Period 1 / 8:30 – 9:55
Period 2 / 10:00 – 11:25 / Period 2 / 10:00 – 11:25
Lunch / 11:30 – 12:00 / Period 3 / 11:30 – 12:25
Period 3 / 12:05 – 12:55 / Lunch / 12:30 – 1:00
Period 4 / 1:00 – 1:50 / Period 4 / 1:05 – 1:55
Period 5 / 1:55 – 2:50 / Period 5 / 2:00 – 2:55
Period 6 / 2:55 – 3:50 / Period 6 / 3:00 – 3:55
Advisory / 3:55 – 4:10 / First Dismissal / 4:00
First Dismissal / 4:10 / College Prep
Clubs/Athletics/Tutoring / 4:00 – 5:00
College Prep
Clubs/Athletics/Tutoring / 4:10 – 5:00 / Second Dismissal / 5:00
Second Dismissal / 5:00
Wednesday Early Dismissal Schedule / Time / Wednesday Early Dismissal Schedule / Time
Homeroom Advisory / 7:45 – 8:05 / Homeroom Advisory / 7:45 – 8:05
Period 1 / 8:10 – 9:00 / Period 1 / 8:10 – 9:00
Period 2 / 9:05 – 9:55 / Period 2 / 9:05 – 9:55
Period 3 / 10:00 – 10:50 / Period 3 / 10:00 – 10:50
Advisory / 10:55 – 11:25 / Period 4 / 10:55 – 11:55
Lunch / 11:30 – 12:00 / Advisory / 12:00 – 12:25
Period 4 / 12:05 – 1:00 / Lunch / 12:30 – 1:00
Period 5 / 1:05 – 2:00 / Period 5 / 1:05 – 2:00
Period 6 / 2:05 – 3:00 / Period 6 / 2:05 – 3:00
First Dismissal / 3:00 / First Dismissal / 3:00
College Prep
Clubs/Athletics/Tutoring / 3:00 – 4:00 / College Prep
Clubs/Athletics/Tutoring / 3:00 – 4:00
Second Dismissal / 4:00 / Second Dismissal / 4:00

DenverSchool of Science and TechnologyMiddle School

Faculty and Staff 2009-10

Administrative Team

Bill KurtzCampus Director

Rich HarrisonMiddle School Director

Vachon BrackettDean of Students

Jessica Degenhart Dean of Students – 6th grade

Jen Behrens Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Peter BarclayDirector of Athletics and Activities

Shaun BryantDirector of Technology

Bret PoppletonDirector of Operations and Business

Kathie Kramer RyanDirector of Advancement

Staff Team

Leslie RaynorSpecial Education Coordinator & English Support

Melody PinacoliOffice Manager

Darlene RosasOffice Assistant

Claudia NortonPara

Tracy ChavezFacility Manager

Cecilia RosasCafeteria Manager/Asst. Facility Manager

Rachel GalvanAccounting Assistant

6th Grade Team
Jamie Kodner Math
Heather Curran Math
Taylor Corley Science
Jeff Osborne Science
Brianna Petrie English
Nicole Russo English
Josh Hugo Social Studies & World History
Jeff Thomsen Art
Jon Liu Technology / 7h Grade Team
Joseph Marik Math
Kathy Zolla Math
Stefan McVoy Science
Tracey NeubrandScience
Kellen O’BrienEnglish
Kelly Schokmiller English
Erin Dillon Social Studies
Jeff Thomsen Art

Campus Tech Team

Shaun BryantDirector of Technology

Roger SiggsSystems Administrator

Jon LiuDirector of Technology Integration

Cindy HancockLaptop Coordinator

Charter Management Organization

Bill KurtzCEO

Larry HesterDirector of Operations

Kathie Kramer RyanDirector of Advancement

Phoebe JiangFellow

Bret PoppeltonDirector of Operations and Business

I. Campus Policies

1.Closed Campus

Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) is a closed campus. DSST hours are between 7:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during which all students must remain on the campus as defined by the school unless supervised by a DSST staff member. Student who are excused at the first dismissal may leave campus if they do not have other obligations (clubs, athletics, homework or discipline consequences). When on campus, students must always be in class and under the supervision of an adult. Students who leave campus without authorization will receive a consequence.

Students, who need to leave campus early, must have a written note signed by a parent/guardian presented to the main office in advance or must be picked up by a parent/guardian or authorized individual. Parents/Guardians/Individuals authorized must sign the student out in the Sign In/Sign Out log before the student leaves.

2.Student Attendance

Daily Attendance: The high expectations DSST has for each student makes it imperative that students are in school each day. Daily participation in class and community is critical to student learning and growth. More than 15 absences due to illnesses or repeated unexcused absences will result in academic and disciplinary consequences that may include repeating an academic year. Students who are absent must take the responsibility for getting make up assignments and bringing them completed the day he/she returns, or at the latest, the following day.

In the event of a necessary absence, a parent/guardian must call the attendance line (303.320.5570 x7402) or the main office and report the absence by 8:00 a.m. The parent/guardian needs to include the child’s name, date of absence, the reason for the absence and a contact number for the parent/guardian. The notification and explanation of the absence is only that and does not automatically excuse the absence. Excused absences are granted in accordance with school policy (see Excused/Unexcused Absence Policy).

Should your child need to be excused early for a doctor’s appointment or other circumstances, the parent/guardian must deliver a signed note a prior to the appointment detailing the time to be excused, reason for leaving, approximate time of return and a phone number to reach the parent/guardian. The student will be given an early dismissal slip to be excused from class. The student will be excused from class when a parent/guardian or authorized individual comes into the main office to sign the student out. Upon return, the student must bring in a doctor’s note to give the main office that verifies the appointment.

Standardized Testing and Interim and Performance Assessment (IA/PA): To assess the effectiveness of the rigorous, integrated and personalized academic curriculum, students are required to be present and take various scheduled standardized tests and final exams. Attendance is required and promptness is expected in all classes and is essential for assessing progress of the student. The opportunity to adequately assess learning is lost due to absences

Excused/Unexcused Absence Policy

  • Excused Absences: Excused absences are those resulting from: illness, injury, physical disability, mental disability, emotional disability, family emergency, or absences excused by the Director through prior requests of parents/guardians, absences which occur when a student is in custody of a court or of a law enforcement authority, and any other absence approved by the Director or Dean of Students. The school may require suitable proof of an excused absence including written statements from medical sources.
  • Unexcused Absences: Unexcused absences are those absences deemed unacceptable by the Dean of Students regardless of the prior approval or knowledge of the parents. Unexcused absences include those resulting from suspensions and recommendations for expulsion. Absences not properly reported by the parent are unexcused.

Other Attendance Policies

  • Notification of Absences: When a student is truant from school or from assigned classes, the school office will make a reasonable effort to notify parents, guardians, or legal custodians by phone as quickly as possible. If a student’s academic progress is compromised because of absence, reasonable effort will be made to notify the parents/guardian in advance so remedial action can be taken.
  • Academic Consequences: Students with excused or unexcused absences are responsible for work missed and are expected to make it up for their own benefit. Teachers are not required to provide opportunities for students to make up missed work.
  • Habitually Truant Students: Truancy is an absence from school without the permission of the student’s parent/guardian, the teacher in charge or the Director. Students who have achieved the age of seven but are under 16 years of age, who have three or more unexcused absences from school or from class on three or more different days in a one-month period, or 10 or more unexcused absences from school or from class on 10 or more different days in a school year, are considered to be “habitually truant” under state law. Absences due to suspension or recommendation of expulsion will not be considered for purposes of determining habitual truancy. Once a student is determined to be habitually truant, the Director or the Dean of Students will notify the student’s parents/guardian in writing of the student’s unexcused absences and of the fact that the student is habitually truant. At that time, the school will develop a plan with the goal of assisting the child to remain in school. School personnel will make reasonable efforts to meet with the parent/guardian to review and evaluate the reasons for the child’s truancy. Further unexcused absences will result in the student’s withdrawal from DSST and return to his/her home school.
  • Tardiness: Being prompt to all school commitments is an important expectation of each student. Students are required to be at school on time. Should a student arrive late during the morning meeting, he or she is required to apologize to the community for being late.

If a student is late to school or to class 2 or more times in a week, the student will be assigned to a Refocus Session. A parent/guardian will be notified of this problem and the parent/guardian will be expected to implement a plan to correct the problem. Should there be an emergency that prevents a student from being on time, a parent/guardian may call the office or send a signed note which will excuse the tardy.