2015-2016

Student Handbook

Serving students from:

High Schools

Oswego Oswego East

Junior Highs

Bednarcik, Murphy, Plank, Thompson Traughber

District 308

The G.O.A.L. Program

“Granting Opportunities forAlternative Learning”

Mission Statement

“To promote the academic and behavioral success of all students by addressing individual student needs that impact educational progress.”

Philosophy

Through a student-centered, strengths-based approach, educational and behavioral needs are identified and addressed. Interventions targeting the academic and behavioral progress of students are put into place to assist student success and promote engagement in the education process. If given the correct supports, students will learn new skills beneficial to their overall functioning, as well as be prepared for future academic or life opportunities.

Program Description

The GOAL program is primarilya web-based, alternative program thatis centered in three District 308 classrooms. The GOAL Program serves all junior high and high schools within District 308.During the school day, students work independently on a computer to complete their course work, which is also supplemented with bookwork and direct instruction courses. A teacher supervises each classroom and assists students through their coursework and the learning process. In addition, dean’s assistants are also available to address students’ needs.

Criteria for Enrollment

Students eligible for The GOAL Program have displayed the inability to make and/or maintain academic, social-emotional, and behavioral progress in the general education setting.A student may be referred to The GOAL Program by the school administration after any challenges are discussed by the Pupil Personnel Team, as well as at parent-school conferences.

To be enrolled in The GOAL Program, a prospective student must currently be enrolled in a junior high or high school within School District 308,as well as meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • The student demonstrated serious and repetitive behaviors that resulted in accumulating more than 100 demerits
  • The student violated the school’s final warning policy and disciplinary contract
  • The student previously withdrew from school as a result of one of the above criteria, and is now seeking re-enrollment in junior/high school
  • The student participated in an alternative learning program in another school district and subsequently relocated intoDistrict 308
  • The student was referred in lieu of expulsion
  • The student was out placed for an extended period of time
  • The student is a chronic truant
  • The student is credit deficient, placing them at risk of not graduating on time

Referral and Enrollment Procedures

A student is referred to The GOAL Program through an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) that is completed by the administration from the student’s home school. The ILP indicates what behaviors resulted in placement inThe GOAL Program as well as the date of the student’s review. Once the referral process has been initiated by the student’s home school, The GOAL Program Dean of Studentsbegins the intake process. This process includes reviewing the student’s ILP, scheduling the student’s intake meeting, and assigning appropriate course work for the student.

Individualized Learning Plan

Each student enrolled inThe GOAL Program is referred based on the completion of an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP). The administration from the student’s home school completes the ILP, which includes the following information:

  • Student and parent contact information
  • Current credit summary
  • Current courses and grades
  • Schedule of courses to complete while in the GOAL program
  • Reason for referral
  • Review date
  • Discipline summary
  • Summary of related services (if applicable)

During the intake meeting the ILP will be reviewed with the student and his/her parent/guardian.

Individual Education Plan

During a formal IEP Meeting, The GOAL Program may be considered as a placement option. Should the IEP team determine that The GOAL Program is an appropriate placement the services indicated in the IEP will be implemented in order to support the student throughout the school day.

Intake Meeting

Before a student can begin attending The GOAL Program, he/she along with a parent/guardian and possibly a representative from his/her home school must attend an intake meeting. During this meeting, the student’s academic and social-emotional strengths and needs will be discussed. Parents/guardians will receive copies of The GOAL Program Handbook and Behavioral Contract, both of which must be signed by the parent and student prior to the first day of attendance. This contract includes rules that are specific to The GOAL Program and web-based learning in general.

Progress Review

Student progress is reviewed on a formal and informal basis at The GOAL Program. The GOAL Program staff members meet with students on a regular basis to discuss academic progress, behavioral concerns, and any other factor that impacts a student’s success in the program. Ideally, these meetings will identify the cause for concern and a plan will be created to address that concern. However, if the behavior continues and academic progress declines, a parent-teacher conference will be scheduled. The purpose of this conference will be to identify any other area that has not been addressed and brainstorm solutions to the identified problem. If the issue remains unresolved, a conference with the student, parent/guardian, teacher, and administrator from the student’s home school will be scheduled. If all interventions are exhausted, placement in the program will be examined and may result in a student being removed from The GOAL Program.

In addition to informal reviews, each student will be reviewed on a formal basis as indicated on their ILP. If a student has met the criteria to return to his/her home school, the parent/guardian, student, teacher, The GOAL Program Dean of Students and home school administrator meet to review progress, select courses, and complete required paperwork. If a student has not met criteria to return to the home high/junior school, a similar meeting will take place. During this meeting, student progress will be reviewed, and new goals will be identified. In addition, the staff will work alongside the student and parent/guardian to identify why the goal was not met and address the concerns that impact student success.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 Descriptions:

Tier 1:

Operates from 7:30a.m.to 12:30p.m.

Students are allowed to drive to school, unless excessive tardiness/absenteeism becomes a concern.

Students are allowed to return to their home school for social and sporting events, as long as they have permission from The GOAL Program Dean of Students

Students may join sports teams and clubs at their home school, unless they have been placed on social suspension

Tier 2:

Operates from 8:30a.m.-1:30p.m.

Students are required to use parent drop off or D308 Transportation

Students are on social suspension from their home school and any other school within D308

Students are not permitted to participate in sporting events, clubs or athletics

Merit and Demerit System

In order to remain consistent with the students’ home schools, The GOAL Program will follow the merit system currently utilized in each high school and junior high school in District 308. This system is described and outlined in the district’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, which is published in the student planner. However, some variations in the system exist to meet the functional needs of The GOAL Program. Information regarding the merit system as it relates to The GOAL Program is as follows:

All students in Tier 1 will begin the school year at The GOAL Program with zero (0) demerits. All students in Tier 2 will begin the school year at The GOAL Program with fifty (50) demerits.

The merit system used at The GOAL Program is ONLY SPECIFIC to The GOAL program. Once a student returns to his/her respective school, he/she returns with 50 demerits and on final warning (if previously issued.)

Students are able to earn merits for acts of service, Character Counts! related behaviors, and other acts identified by the team. In addition, students may earn merits based on successful completion of school work groups or individual sessions. Students will be issued five (5) merits each week for meeting ALL of the following achievements:

Perfect attendance (including no tardies)

No discipline referrals

Reaching weekly academic goals (teacher discretion)

For more information, contact The GOAL Program Dean of Students or School Social Worker.

Administrative Interventions

  • Conference with a student………………………………………………………… 1 Demerit
  • Tardy to School……………………………………………………………………… 1 Demerit
  • Unexcused absence………………………………………………… 1 Demerit (1st Offense)

**Unexcused absences are subject to progressive demerits.

2ndOffense………………………………………………………………… 2 Demerits

3rd Offense………………………………………………………………… 4 Demerits

4th Offense………………………………………………………………… 6 Demerits

5th Offense and all following…………………………………………… 8 Demerits

  • Take home detention essay……………………………………………………… 2 Demerits
  • Conference with Parent…………………………………………………………… 4 Demerits
  • In-school Intervention……………………………………………………………… 6 Demerits
  • Out-of–school suspension………………………………………………8 Demeritsper day
  • Failure to reach identified academic goal……………………………………… 1 Demerit

*If a Tier 1 student earns more than 5 tardies, they may lose their driving privileges for the semester.

**Please note: Deans reserve the right to issue demerits when no other consequences are issued.

Additional -LEVELS

20 Demerits

  • Conference held with student, parent, teacher, and administrator
  • Discussion regarding the consequences that occur at 40 demerits
  • Behavioral contract review

40 Demerits

  • Conference held with student, parent, teacher, and administrator
  • Discussion regarding the consequences that occur at 50 demerits
  • Review of interventions and behavioral contract
  • Loss of privileges (ex. vending machines, school store, driving privileges)

50 Demerits

  • Conference held with student, parent, teacher, and administrator
  • Behavioral contract review
  • Alternative placement change to Tier 2 or Premier Academy

60 Demerits

  • Conference held with student, parent, teacher, and administrator
  • Discussion regarding the consequences that occur at 80 demerits
  • Behavioral contract review

80 Demerits

  • Conference held with student, parent, teacher, and administrator
  • Discussion regarding the consequences that occur at 100 demerits
  • Review of interventions and behavioral contract
  • Loss of privileges (ex. group activities, classroom rewards and incentives)

100 Demerits

  • Conference held with student, parent, teacher, and administrator
  • Alternative placement change to Premier Academy
  • Recommendation for possible expulsion
  • Recommendation for exclusion from the GOAL program

Please note that actions violating a final contract may result in an automatic change of placement. Examples of this include: weapons at school, physical altercations, possession/distribution of controlled substances, destruction of school property, theft, gang representation, and gross disrespect/insubordination. For more information please contact The GOAL Program Dean of Students.

Student Extensions

A student who has not met the behavioral, attendance or academic progress indicated in his/herILP may request an extension to remain in his/her current program/tier. In order for an extension hearing to be considered, a student must complete the Extension Referral paperwork, which includes a narrative explaining the rationale for the extension. Student extension meetings include the student, teacher, the GOAL Program Dean of Students, and home school administrator (if applicable). Once the extension meeting takes place, the student will be notified as to whether or not the extension is granted. Student extensions will NOT exceed a maximumof nine weeks. Once the extension is granted the student will begin with 25 demerits in Tier 1 and 75 demerits in Tier 2. During this extension period the student must meet the academic, attendance, and behavioral goals indicated in the contract. A meeting will be held at the completion of the extension period to determine the student’s progress and any program changes thatshould result. Only one extension hearing and final contract (if granted) will be offered per school year.

*Please note that requesting an extension does not guarantee it will be granted. Each circumstance is evaluated on an individual basis.

Transitioning

A goal for many students is to transition back to their home high school or junior high school. Students are eligible to transition at the start of a given term/semester. Transition may be full/part-time as indicated on their ILP and educational team. In order to be eligible to transition back to their home school, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Attendance: The student must attend 90% or more of his/her classes.
  • Behavior: The student must have no major disciplinary actions that result in an in-school intervention or out-of-school suspension.
  • Grades/Credits: The student must be passing all courses and must be on track with course work progression (ex.: a high school student must have completed a minimum of 3.5 credits per semester.)
  • Social Work: Complete an assessment and recommendations prescribed by the school social worker.

All students will be assessed for transition (as indicated on their ILP), according to this criteria and based on individual needs.

Transportation

Depending on their placement, students attending GOAL can choose to ride the bus or drive to school.Students placed in Tier 1 are eligible to drive to school. Students placed in Tier 2 are not eligible to drive. Students choosing to drive must purchase a parking pass from their home high school if they would like to park in the spaces provided in front of O3C. Parking passes are sold at both Oswego High School and Oswego East High School. Please contact the Dean’s Office if you are interested in and eligible to purchase a parking pass. If a parking pass is not purchased, students may park their cars on side streets near O3C.

A parking pass must be displayed in the vehicle while it is parked on District 308 property. Vehicles parked without proper parking passes may be towed.

Transportation to The GOAL Program is provided by District 308.Students are picked up and dropped off at their homes. Students participating in The GOAL Program will not be permitted to switch buses, and will only be allowed pick up and drop off at their residences. Transportation dispatch can be contacted at (630)636-2970.

Curriculum

The GOAL Program utilizes a web-based curriculum called Edgenuity, which is supplemented with book work, as well as direct-instruction curriculum. In order to utilize Edgenuity, each student is provided a user name and password to access the online courses. Students who attend The GOAL Program consistently also may complete course work at home. The GOAL Program staff is available to assist students working from home during school hours.

The following procedures and expectations are related to the use of Edgenuity:

1)Note taking may be mandatory for all LECTURES and COURSES if the student is not able to pass the identified quiz/test, and could become a graded portion of the student’s coursework for that subject.

2)Only Edgenuity and approved websites may be open on the computer. If other sites are open it may result in work being reset, suspension from the web-based curriculum, or being asked to leave the program.

3)Students are placed in automatic progression, which means they must submit their quizzes and tests. It will be up to the teacher’sdiscretion (based in class participation and quality notes) whether a retake on a specific test or quiz will be allowed. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL STUDENTS BE ALLOWED THE OPTION OF RECEIVING THE INCORRECT ANSWERS PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF A QUIZ OR TEST.

4)Students may listen to music on district computers only while they are working. Websites must be approved by the educational staff, along with remaining appropriate and not a distraction to other students in the classroom. Listening to music is a privilege that can be lost if work, behavior, and/or attendance begin to impact student achievement.

Physical Education (P.E.) opportunities are offered in two different settings. Traditional P.E. classes are offered in all classrooms. Students are also able to obtain their P.E. credits via e2020 courses. The courses that are accepted at both high schools include: Introduction to Personal Wellness, Healthy Living, and Lifetime Fitness.

In addition, some courses will be taught via direct instruction. These courses will change each term/quarter and will be determined based on student need. For specific courses being offered each term/quarter please ask The GOAL Program staff.

Lastly, high school students enrolled in GOAL are eligible to earn vocational credits by participating in The GOAL Vocational Program. High school students may earn .50 credit each term by meeting the following criteria:

1)Maintain employment after school and/or on the weekends

2)Complete the required paperwork

3)Submit weekly/bi-weekly pay stubs

4)Complete the required course work

More information, including the specific course requirements,is available through the Dean of The GOAL Program.

Building Conduct

When students arrive they must enter The Oswego 308 Center through Door #3. This is also the door that guests and visitors must utilize, as well as parents/guardians picking up and dropping off their students. For student safety and security, the doors are locked. Please be prepared to show a picture ID in order to pick up your student. A doorbell is located on the right hand side of the door to notify staff that someone has arrived.

Once students enter the school, they are to put their belongings in their lockers and report directly to their respective classrooms. At that time, and with staff permission, they will be allowed to use the restroom and drinking fountains. Students will be dismissed at the conclusion of the day through Door #3 if they a driving, walking, or being pick up from school. All bus riding students will be dismissed through Door #16.

Students are to remain in their assigned areas at all times. The District 308 Center houses many community and District 308 programs. Your student will be made aware of what areas are included in The GOAL Program. Entering other unauthorized areas will result in disciplinary action.