Student Handbook 2015-16
Tokata Learning Center
Table of Contents
About the Tokata Learning Center 3
Contacting the TLC 3
Daily Office Schedule 3
Daily School Schedule 3
School Year Schedule 4
Curriculum 5
Seat-Based Courses 6
Independent Study 6
Credit Recovery 6
Attendance 6
Attendance Requirements & Considerations 6
Attendance for Students 18+ 7
Withdrawing from School 7
Behavior Expectations 7
Basic Rules of Conduct 7
Behavior and Academic Contracts 7
Respecting Our Neighbors 8
Use of Technology 8
What NOT to Wear 8
Getting to Graduation 9
Grade Level 9
Grading & Credits 9
Honor Roll 9
Monitoring Student Progress 9
Credit Requirements for Diploma 9
Assessment Requirements for Diploma 10
Celebrations of Success at the TLC 10
Walking in the SHS Graduation Ceremony 10
Additional Information for Students 10
Activities 10
Closed Campus Policy 10
Emergencies & School Closures 10
Health Services 11
Illness and Injury 11
Immunizations 11
Medications 11
Procedure for Students with Severe Allergies 12
Lockers 12
Smoking 13
Transportation & Parking 13
Visitors 13
Rights Regarding Pupil Records 13
Tennessen Warning 14
Compliance Statement 14
Notice of Nondiscrimination 14
About the Tokata Learning Center
Contacting the TLC
Dial 952-496-5982 for attendance, questions, concerns, and contacting teachers and staff. Please leave a voicemail if the line is not answered; your call will be returned as soon as possible.
You can visit us on the Internet at www.shakopee.k12.mn.us/tlc. We update our website regularly.
Staff Contact Information
Eric Serbus / Principal / 952-496-5982 /Arine Condon / Secretary / 952-496-5982 /
Ms. Carol Geesey / Social Worker / 952-496-5756 /
Mr. Scott Doran / Social Studies / 952-496-7315 /
Mr. Dave Froehlich / Fine Arts / 952-496-7303 /
Ms. Kelly Holstine / Language Arts / 952-496-7301 /
Ms. Autumn Lee / Work Study / Phy Ed / Health / 952-496-6277 /
Mr. Kyle Ryan / Mathematics / 952-496-7302 /
Mr. Lucas Schramer / Science / 952-496-7316 /
Ms. Michelle Collins / Language Arts / 952-496-7334 /
Megan Miller / Special Services Coordinator (float) / 952-496-5083 /
Mr. Steve Lingenfelter / Special Services / 952-496-7319 /
Peggy Nerdahl / School Health Nurse(float) / 952-496-5073 /
Dee Buros / Native American Cultural Liaison (float) / 952-496-5790 /
Karla Chavez / Spanish Cultural Liaison (float) / 952-496-3404 /
Daily Office Schedule
On school days, the front desk (952-496-5982) at the TLC is open as follows:
Monday 7:45am-4:15pm Tuesday 7:45am-3:30pm
Wednesday 7:45am-4:15pm Thursday 7:45am-3:30pm
Friday 7:45am-12:30pm
Teachers are generally available 7:30am-3:30pm, except on days when students are not in school.
On days when there is no school for students, please call ahead (952-496-5982) before stopping in to ensure someone is available, as the school may be closed. Voicemails may be left at any time and will be returned as soon as possible.
TLC Day Program Schedule
The TLC Day Program operates on a 4 period block schedule with an additional skinny block for interventions and opportunities to earn an additional .5 credit each quarter.
Start/End Times
Monday – Thursday 8:10 am-3:10pm
Friday 8:10am-12:10pm (bus pickup will be at 12:30pm)
Bell Schedule (Mon-Thur) Bell Schedule (Fri)
Period 1: 8:10 – 9:30 Period 1: 8:10 – 9:05
Skinny Period: 9:35 – 10:25 Period 2: 9:10 – 10:05
Period 2: 10:30 – 11:50 Period 3: 10:10 – 11:05
Period 3/Lunch: 11:55 – 1:45 Period 4: 11:10 – 12:05
Period 4: 1:50-3:10 Lunch: 12:10– 12:25 (Bus will pick up students at 12:30)
TLC Recovery Program Schedule
The TLC Recovery Program is designed to be an education setting for students who are in need of earning additional credits (credit recovery), a flexible scheduling option, or an independent learning environment with teacher support.
Start/End Times
Monday – Thursday 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm
The TLC Recovery Program is a flexible afternoon academic setting which is designed to provide students with more individualized support and a simplified schedule. Students in the TLC Recovery Program complete one course at a time before moving on to their next course. Instruction in the TLC Recovery Program is based on an independent study model. Students who successfully meet all of the expectations of the TLC Recovery Program (listed below) for one quarter can be considered for enrollment in the TLC Day Program.
TLC Recovery Program Expectations
· attend school 90% of the time, either excused or unexcused
· earn at least two academic credits this quarter.
· comply with all program behavior expectations.
School Year Schedule
The TLC operates on the same school year schedule as the other schools in District 720, including start/end dates and holidays. Please find our school website at www.shakopee.k12.mn.us for the most updated information. Please review the calendar below for important dates.
Please listen to voicemails, check emails, and keep an eye on your mailbox at home to receive notifications of schedule changes. Parent / Teacher conferences are from 4pm-7pm on: Tuesday Oct. 6th , Thursday Dec. 10th, Thursday March 3rd, Thursday May 5th
M / T / W / TH / F / M / T / W / TH / F
1 / 2 / 3 / 1
6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29
August 2015 / February 2016
M / T / W / TH / F / M / T / W / TH / F
3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19
24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26
31 / 29
September 2015 / March 2016
M / T / W / TH / F / M / T / W / TH / F
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11
14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18
21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25
28 / 29 / 30 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31
October 2015 / April 2016
M / T / W / TH / F / M / T / W / TH / F
1 / 2 / 1
5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22
26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29
November 2015 / May 2016
M / T / W / TH / F / M / T / W / TH / F
2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13
16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20
23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27
30 / 30 / 31
December 2015 / June 2016
M / T / W / TH / F / M / T / W / TH / F
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 2 / 3
7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17
21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24
28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30
Key
No School - Students and Staff
No School - Students
First/Last Day of School
Quarter/Semester Change
Early Release Fridays
Curriculum
The curriculum at the TLC follows the same Minnesota state standards and requirements as the curriculum at Shakopee High School. The assessment and credit requirements for graduation are the same at the TLC as they are at SHS (48 Semester Credits).
The quality of education provided at the TLC is comparable to that provided at SHS. However, smaller class sizes, block scheduling, a focus on academic power standards and an emphasis on teacher-student relationships ensures that the education experience is different than at SHS. The following types of courses are provided as educational options for students at the TLC:
Seat-Based Courses
Seat-based courses are also known as “traditional” courses; students come to school each day and rotate through classes assigned to specific periods – teachers provide some combination of direct instruction, guided practice, and independent work time.
Independent Study
Students work on a course at the TLC for a required minimum number of hours and can complete the rest of the required coursework outside of school – most course options involve online curriculum.
Credit Recovery
Students have the opportunity to complete more credits after the school day ends by taking a credit recovery course through our online curriculum delivery system or through independent study curriculum developed by TLC teachers – both options require a minimum number of hours of coursework completed at the TLC, with the option for the student to complete the rest of the work at home.
Attendance
Attendance Requirements & Considerations
A parent/guardian is expected to call the secretary at 952-496-5982 when you are going to be absent or tardy for any reason. Attendance calls are sent to parents/guardians when prior notification to the secretary of an absence/tardy is not provided. Attendance letters are sent home regularly for students who are absent.
Attendance according to your Continual Learning Plan is expected, as is adherence to the following attendance policies (unless your CLP states otherwise):
Individual Attendance Goal: Regular student attendance directly correlates to higher student achievement.
Therefore – we expect students to be in attendance at school at least 90% of the time.
Steps to Address Poor Attendance:
1. Daily phone call home to students who are not present in school.
2. Daily phone call home to students who leave school early without permission.
3. After 3 absences in any class –a teacher phone call home communicating attendance concerns.
4. After 5 absences in any class - a truancy letter will be sent home and a personal phone call will be made to discuss attendance concerns. In addition, a staff member will discuss attendance concerns and solutions with the student.
5. After 7 absences in any class – a second truancy letter will be sent home and a truancy plan/ referral will be made if applicable. In addition, student schedule modification will be considered, which may result in the loss of credits. A parent meeting will need to take place with Mr. Serbus to create an attendance plan.
· Students are expected to make up all work and time missed to the satisfaction of the teacher when absent/tardy.
· Students who fail to meet attendance expectations may result in an altered or reduced schedule for the next grading period based on your academic and attendance record. This may mean being reduced from full-time to part-time enrollment and/or the ability to take ONLY computer-delivered curriculum or independent study courses.
Positive Attendance Incentives:
· Students with 90% weekly attendance will be put into a drawing for an item from the school store (drawing held every Friday)
Attendance for Students 18+
If you are 18 or older, administration may allow you to call in for yourself if you are going to be absent or late, but administration also reserves the right to notify your parent/guardian and to verify your reason(s) with your parent/guardian, before or after the absence/tardy.
Withdrawing from School
If you intend to withdraw from the TLC for any reason, the TLC secretary can give you a withdrawal form to complete with your teachers and take home for a parent/guardian signature. Please give as much notice as possible of your intent to withdraw.
Behavior Expectations
Basic Rules of Conduct
While you are welcome to read the entire Behavioral Expectations & Consequences (Secondary Students) handbook that forms the basis of District 720 discipline policies, please keep the followi.ng in mind to help maintain a healthy, friendly environment in school:
1. SHOW UP - 90% attendance goal
2. TRY– do what is expected, when it’s expected to the best of your ability.
3. Be RESPECTFUL yourself, classmates, staff, and all property (give respect to get it).
4. Be HONEST
5. Act with INTEGRITY – do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do, even when nobody is watching.
6. Be CLEAN - Do not bring drugs (illegal, prescription, over-the-counter, or otherwise), alcohol, weapons, potentially dangerous items, or nuisance items (e.g., laser pointers, silly string) to school. Do not have these items in your car, your locker, your pocket, your bag, or anywhere else on or near school grounds.
If you engage in behavior that disrupts the learning environment and/or threatens your safety or the safety of another person or group of people, you will be disciplined according to District 720 policy, up to and including removal from the TLC program, suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement.
Your locker, vehicle, personal items and person are subject to search. You will be notified of a search of your locker, possessions, or vehicle after it has concluded.
Behavior and Academic Contracts
The TLC uses a contract system to help students modify behaviors that do not meet the behavior and academic expectations of the Tokata Learning Center. A student will be placed on a behavior contract when a staff member identifies a behavior that a student needs help modifying. A student will be placed on an academic contract when a student does not complete an assignment or assessment to a satisfactory level within the time permitted by the teacher. The terms and length of behavior and academic contracts depend on individual circumstances. If a student violates an initial behavior or academic contract they will be placed on a “terminal” contract. Students who violate a terminal contract may be removed from the class and given an alternative schedule for the remainder of the grading period or be removed from the day program and given an alternative schedule in the TLC Recovery Program for the remainder of the grading period. Students who violate a terminal contract will be reinstated the following grading period if they meet the requirements of their re-entry contract.