Elementary School Handbook

2021-2022

HarlemP:646-701-7117|BronxP:917-473-7528|F:914-462-3435|www.NCSchools.org

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TableofContents

Table of Contents 2

Mission 5

Academic Program 6 Elementary School Schedules and Programming for In-Person, Hybrid, and Remote 7

100% In-Person 8 Remote Learning Program 8

Academic Expectations 9 Class Attendance 9 Homework 100 Assessments, Exams, and Quizzes Error!Bookmarknotdefined.0

Progress Reports, Report Cards, & Parent Conferences Error!Bookmarknotdefined.0 Report Card Grades 111 Promotion Criteria 200 Promotion In Doubt 200

NCS Commitment to Parent Engagement 211 Communications: Scholar and Staff Boundaries 211

Strong Boundaries 211 Communication to Families 211 Contacting Your Scholar’s Teacher 222

Parent/Guardian Responsibility 222 Neighborhood Charter Schools Communication Guide 233 TADS (Student Information System) 255

Attendance/ Grades 255 Parent Association 255

Technology 277 Technology Contract 277

Elementary School Routines and Procedures- Remote Learning 288 Scholar Expectations 288 Parent Expectations 28 Classroom Behavior and Expectations - In Person 29 Bathroom Procedures 300 Cell Phones 300 Student Dress Code - In Person 311

Elementary School Routines and Procedures- In-Person 322 Essential School/Student Procedures 322

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Arrival 322 Snack 322 Lunch and Recess 322 Dismissal 322 After-School Program In-Person Only 333

Community Activities 344 Open Classroom 344 Visitors to the School 344 Field Trips/End-Of-Year Events 344 Emergencies 355 School Closings 355 Fire Safety and Evacuation Procedures 355 Intruder Drills 355 Transportation 366

Criteria for Busing Eligibility 366 Conduct Aboard Busing 366 Busing FAQs 377 Criteria for MetroCard Eligibility 377 Metro Cards FAQs 388

Student Behavior and Culture at NCS 39 Culture at NCS 39

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports 39 Positive Behavior Expectations (Student Code of Conduct) 400 Behavioral Policies & Consequences 433

NCS Behavior Matrix 433 Behavior Matrix Level of Behavior (Intensity Levels) 444 Referral of Students to School Administrators 477 Documenting Behavior Incidents 477 Behavior Incidents and Manifestation of Disability 477 Behavioral Response-to-Intervention 488

Restorative Circle/Logical Consequences 48 In-School Suspension 48 Out of School Suspension 49 Social Probation 49 Crisis Response and Postvention 49

Social Distance Mandate Crisis Response (In-Person with Social Distancing in Place) 50 Mental Health Crisis 500

Remote (Including Online/Social Media) Mental Health Crisis 511 Expulsion 511 Procedures and Due Process for Short Term Suspension 511

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Procedures and Due Process for Long Term Suspension 522 Firearm Violations 533 Provision of Instruction During Removal 533 Freedom of Expression 544 Off-Campus Events 544 Student Records 544 Discipline of Students with Special Needs 555 Provision of Services During Removal 576 CSE Meetings 577 Due Process 587 Appeals Process for Disciplinary Consequence 58 Student Searches 58 Bullying 59

Health and Security 611 Medical Records and Health Services 611 COVID-19 61 School Safety Agent 622

General School Information 622 School Website 622 Nondiscrimination Policy 622 The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) 633 Complaints Policy 644

School/Family Contract - Remote Learning 655

Distance Learning- Acknowledgement and Consent Form 677

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MissionOurmissionatNeighborhoodCharterSchoolsistoprovidethechildrenofNewYorkCitywithneweducationalopportunitiesthrougharigorous,comprehensiveK-8programthatcultivatestheintellectual,social,andemotionaldevelopmentofeachchild.Ourschoolisaninclusivecommunitythatserveshighfunctioningchildrenontheautismspectrum,alongwiththeirneighborhoodpeers.Ourstudentswillbecomeindependentlearnersandcriticalthinkersthatwillacquiretheacademicskillsthattheyneedtosucceedincollegepreparatoryhighschoolsandwillexhibitthesocialandemotionalskillsthatwillallowthemtoreachtheirfullpotential.

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AcademicProgramNeighborhoodCharterSchool’sElementarySchoolsaredesignedtomeetawiderangeofstudentsandprovidethemwithawell-rounded,rigorous,andholisticeducation.Ourkeydesignelementsinclude:

● Arigorousacademicprogram● AspecializedprogramforstudentswithASD● Astrongco-teachingmodel● Dailyscienceinstruction● Alongerschooldayandyear● Afocusonstudentcultureresultinginhighlevelsofstudentfocus● Data-driveninstruction● Strongprofessionaldevelopment● Anemphasisonfamilypartnership

Wehavearigorousacademicprogramforallcontentareasthatcombinesdirectinstructionandafocusondevelopingindependenceandcriticalthinking.Lessonsgenerallyincludeamini-lessonorlaunchwherestudentsgrapplewithnewmaterialandthenmovetoindependentworktime.Studentsworktoapplythenewknowledgeontheirownwithteacherfeedbackandsupport.InstructionisregularlyobservedbythePrincipal,AssistantPrincipal,andourcurriculumteamtoensureourprogramisimplementedwithfidelity.Allacademicclasseshaveaco-teachingmodeltoallowtheschooltorespondtovariousstudentneeds.Thetwoteachersaretrainedtoworktogetherandexecutetheirlessonsusingtheappropriateco-teachingmodelthatbestsupportsstudents.Theschoolputsastrongemphasisonco-teaching,andourspecialeducationteamregularlyobservesandassessesco-teachingpracticestohelpinformthenextsteps.Wehaveanintensefocusonreadingandmath.Therearemultipleblocksandopportunitiesforstudentstolearnhowtoread.Forexample,studentsattendguidedreading,phonics,andreadingworkshop,whichincludesaread-aloudandawritingworkshopdaily.Readingisfocusedonstudentsreadingformeaning,ensuringcomprehensionlevelsarestrongandprovidingkidsarobustphonicsprogram.Formath,studentsattendamathworkshopandaseparate,rigorouswordproblemblockcalledCognitiveGuidedInstruction(CGI).Bothmathblocksarespecificallydesignedforkidstolearnmathconceptually,allowingstudentstothinkcriticallyanddevelopadeepunderstandingofnumbersandnumbersense.Studentsattendsciencedailyinallgrades.Theseclassesaredesignedtobuildkids’contentknowledgeinscienceandensurekidsaredevelopingcriticalthinkingskills.Ourclassesaredesignedtobehands-onandexperiential,allowingkidstoindependentlyhypothesizeaboutourworldandcometotheirconclusions.

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Ourschoolsalsoputaparticularemphasisonajoyousculturethatallowsforhighlevelsofstudentfocusandinvestment.Ourschoolsdothisinseveralways.First,studentsandteachersareclearonexpectationsofhowthecommunitywilllearntogether.Studentsandteachersareclearonhowstudentswalkinthebuilding,sitatdesks,sitatthecarpet,etc.Theschoolsalsoplaceaheavyemphasisonstudentsbeinginvestedintheirlearningandschoolingeneral.Data-driveninstructioniscoretoourschools’success.Theschoolsregularlyassessstudentsformallyandinformally.Forlower-gradereading,werelyontheFountasandPinnellassessmenttotrackhowkidsarephoneticallyreadingwordsandassesscomprehensionlevels.Theseassessmentshappenformallyand/orinformallyeverysixweeks.Formath,werelyoncountingassessments.Thisassessmenthelpsusunderstandandassessourstudents’numbersense.Wealsointegratequizzesandunitassessmentsasnecessarytohelpinformaholisticpictureofstudentprogress.OneofourpointsofprideatNeighborhoodCharterSchoolisourspecializedprogramandsupportsforourscholarswithASD.WecreateenvironmentsthatsupportourscholarswithASDinthefollowingways:

● StudentswithASDareplacedinclassroomswithsmallerclasssizesandcapof3-4otherstudentswithASDintheclassroom.

● StudentswithASDattend“SocialClub”withaSpeech-LanguagePathologist(SLP)tohelpthembuildnecessarysocialskillsforschoolandlife.

● WecreatedevelopmentopportunitiesforalladultsintheschooltolearnbestpracticestoteachstudentswithASD.

ElementarySchoolSchedulesandProgrammingforIn-Person,andRemote

NCSbelievesinprovidinghigh-qualityinstructionacrossallsubjectsaspartofholisticeducation.GiventherealitiesofCOVID-19andthechallengesNewYorkersarefacing,NCShasadaptedourscheduletoensurethatweareprovidinghigh-qualityinstructionwhetherweareinperson,orvirtualforthe2021-2022schoolyear.Aspartofourcommitmenttoourcommunity’shealthandsafety,wehavedevelopedtwomodelsforinstruction.

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100% In-Person Asampleschedulefor100%inpersonisbelow:

Remote Learning Program Asampleschedulefor100%remoteisbelow:

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AcademicExpectations

Inanymodel,wehavehighexpectationsforallstudents.Wewanttoensurethatallstudentshaveastrongyearacademically.

Class Attendance Attendingschool,whetherremoteorphysical,andbeingpresentforclassesisacrucialpartofsucceedingatNeighborhoodCharterSchool.Toensurethatourscholarsarereceivinghighqualityandindividualizedinstruction,ourscholarsmustbepresentforeachandeverylesson.Forourremotepolicy,attendanceistakenineachclass.ForascholartobemarkedPresentinschoolfortheday,theymustattendallclassesthatday.Ifastudentmissesonetotwoclasses,theywillbemarkedTardy.Ifastudentmissesmorethantwoclassesinaday,theywillbemarkedabsent.Ifascholarwillbemissingaclassforanappointment,itisexpectedthatboththeteacherandmainofficeareinformed,andadoctor’snoteisprovidedtotheschool.Inbothvirtualandin-personinstruction,ifascholarhasmissedanunusuallyhighnumberofclassesoverashortperiodoftime,theschoolreservestherighttocallameetingbetweenthefamily,anadministrator,andthechild’steacherstocreateasupportplan.Thisplanwillstipulatethescholar’sacademicresponsibilitiesforeachclassandatimetableforthescholartoreturntoschoolandattendregularly.Thegoalofthisplanistohelpthescholarcontinuetheireducation,giventheabsencesbygettingthembacktoschoolandattendingclassesregularly.Thesuccessofthisapproachreliesheavilyonthecompletecooperationoffamiliesandcoordination/communicationwiththeentiresetofeducatorsassociatedwiththechild.Iftheabsenteeratedoesnotimprove,thefamilywillbeputonthePromotioninDoubtlist(thescholarisinjeopardyofbeingpromotedtothenextgrade).ScholarsmaynotmissmorethantendaysofschoolwithoutautomaticallybeingPromotioninDoubt.Studentswhomissseveraldaysorclassesinashortwindowcanalsoexpectfollowupfromadministrationtocreateasupportplanforthestudent.Theschoolwillreachouttofamiliestocommunicatethisstatusregularly.Whenstudentsareunabletoattendclassforanextendedperiodoftimeduetomedical,emotional,orpsychologicalreasons;aschooladministratorwillmeetwiththestudentand/orfamilytodetermineasupportplan.Pleasenotethatremotelearningisnotoptional;failuretoparticipatecanandwillresultinanegativeimpactonthescholars’gradesandpossibleretention.Formoreinformation,pleasereachouttoyourDeanofStudentsorAssistantPrincipalofCulture.

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HomeworkForthefirstseveralweeks,scholarswillreceivehomework/independentworkthatreinforcesthestructuresandskillstheyarelearning.Additionallayersmaybeaddedonceourstudentsarereacclimatedtotraditionalinpersoninstruction.ForELA,scholarsaretoreaddailyandcompleteareadinglog.K-1scholarswillalsodosightwordpractice.ForMath,thehomeworkwillconsistofFastMath(gradeappropriate)andaMathReflection:“WhatdidIlearninmathtoday?Whatwasconfusinginmathtoday?Aswellasotherinstructionalsupportsasassignedbytheteachers.Assessments,Exams,andQuizzesWeaimtoassessstudentsontheirprogressregularly.Webelievethepurposeofassessmentsistounderstandwhatstudentsknowandthenforteacherstousethatinformationtobestinstructstudentsandensurethattheyprogress.

SubjectArea MeansofAssessment

ELA ● PhonicsAssessments● FountasandPinnellReading

Assessment(4xperyear)● Quizzes● Writing(In-persononly)● InterimAssessments(Grades3-4)

Math ● CountingJar(K-2)● MonthlyMathQuiz(K-4)● InterimAssessments(Grades3-4)

Science/SocialStudies ● InterimAssessments(Grades2-4)● Quizzes

Pleasenotethatteachersarecollectingdatadailythroughclassassignments,workcompletion,andstudentdiscussion.Weusearangeofdatapointstoassesshowtobestsupportandteachourstudents.

ProgressReports,ReportCards,&ParentConferences

Webelieveintransparencyandkeepingourfamiliesverymuchinvolvedintheeducationalprocess.Therefore,progressreports,reportcards,andfamilyconferenceswilltakeplaceseveraltimesduringtheyear.Whenaparentconferenceisscheduled,attendanceismandatory.Ifthefamilyisunabletoattend,theyshouldspeakwiththeclassroomteachertoarrangeatimeconvenientforboththefamilyandtheschool.Thefamilyconferenceschedulewillbecommunicatedtofamiliesatthebeginningofeveryschoolyear.Ifconcernsariseatothertimesthroughouttheyear,ateacherortheAssistantPrincipalmaycalltheparentsorsendanadditionalwrittenreport.Conferenceswillbeconductedeitherinpersonorvirtually.

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EndofQuarter ProgressReports ReportCards

1stQuarterendsOctober29,2021 October8,2021 November12,2021

2ndQuarterendsJanuary21,2022 December10,2021 February4,2022

3rdQuarterendsApril15,2022 March11,2021 April29,2022

4thQuarterendsJune24,2022 May27,2021 MailedJune29th

Report Card Grades Studentswillreceiveamarkingof1,2,3,or4percorecontentclass,includingspecials.TheGradingscaleisasfollows:4-Exceedinggradelevelstandards3-Meetinggradelevelstandards2-Belowgradelevelstandards1-SignificantlybelowgradelevelstandardsForELA,wewilldetermineifascholarreceivesa1,2,3,or4bylookingatthestudent’sprogressinthefollowingareas:

● ReadingLevel● Fluency● Comprehension● Effort● OverallWritingScore● Effort

ForMath,wewilldetermineifascholarreceivesa1,2,3,or4bylookingatthestudent’sprogressinthefollowingareas:

● DailyWork● Assessments● Effort

ForScience,wewilldetermineifascholarreceivesa1,2,3,or4bylookingatthestudent’sprogressinthefollowingareas:

● DailyWork● Assessments● Effort

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ForSpecials,wewilldetermineifascholarreceivesa1,2,3,or4bylookingatthestudent’sprogressinthefollowingareas:

● DailyParticipation● Effort

Pleaseseebelowforthegradingscalesforeachsubject:ElementaryELAGradingGuidelinesK-4

ELA:EnglishLanguageArts

Fluency ReadingLevel

Comprehension Effort

FluencyFluencyscoresarebasedonbothclassobservationsandconferringnotes(asapplicable)duringthe

following:

Classcomponents:Guidedreading,readingworkshop,phonics(K-2)Assessments:FormalF&P

4 Primarilyreadsinlarger,meaningfulphrasesorwordgroups.Expressionisalwayssmoothandexpressionisguidedbytheauthor'smeaningandpunctuationwithappropriatestressandratewithlittletonoslowdowns.

3 Primarilyreadsinlarger,meaningfulphrasesorwordgroups.Expressionisoftensmoothandexpressionisguidedbytheauthor'smeaningandpunctuation,usuallywithappropriatestressandrate,withlittleslowdowns.

2 Somewhatreadsinlarger,meaningfulphrasesorwordgroups.Expressionisrarelysmoothandsomewhatguidedbytheauthor'smeaningandpunctuation,rarelywithappropriatestressandrate,withslowdowns.

1 Rarelyreadsinlarger,meaningfulphrasesorwordgroups.Expressionisrarelysmoothandsomewhatguidedbytheauthor'smeaningandpunctuation,rarelywithappropriatestressandrate,withslowdowns.

ComprehensionComprehensionscoresarebasedononlineclassobservationsandconferringnotes(asapplicable)

duringthefollowing:

Classcomponents:Guidedreading,readingworkshop,readaloud,sharedtext(asapplicable)Assessments:FormalF&Passessment

4 Studentdemonstratesproficiencyinunderstandingthetext.

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3 Studentmostlydemonstratesproficiencyinunderstandingthetext.

2 Studentisapproachingproficiencyinunderstandingthetext.

1 Studentdemonstrateslimitedproficiencyinunderstandingthetext.

ReadingLevelAsoutlinedonthereadinglevelbenchmarkdocument.

ReadingNote:Ifascholar’sreadinglevelisbelowgradelevel(1or2asoutlinedontheabovechart),thentheirfluencyandcomprehensionwouldbebelowgradelevel(1or2),astheyhavenotdemonstratedproficiencyinfluencyorcomprehensionwithinagrade-leveltext.Ifascholarisbelowgradelevel,butdemonstratessolidcomprehensionand/orfluencyontheirF&Passessmentthehighesttheycanscoreincomprehensionand/orfluencyisa2.Ifascholarfailedthecomprehensionand/orfluencycomponentthatwouldbereflectedasa1ontheircomprehensionand/orfluencyscore.

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EffortAstudent’seffortisreflectiveoftheirattendance,engagementandenthusiasm,duringlessons.Effort

canbeaffectedifastudentneedsseveralremindersorredirectionsfromtheirteacher.

ThiseffortscoreappliesacrossallELA:EnglishLanguageArtscomponentsthathappenduringtheELA&Centersblock,pleasenotethatcomponentswillvarybygrade.

4 Studentalwaysactivelyparticipatesandshowsthattheyareactivelyengagedduringlessons.Studentdemonstratesthattheyaregivingtheirbesteffortwhencompletingcomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments,needinglittletonoremindersorredirectionfromtheirteacher.

3 Studentoftenparticipatesandismostlyengagedduringlessons.Studentdoeswhatisneededtocompletecomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments.Studentsometimesneedsareminderorredirectionfromtheirteacher.

2 Studentsometimesparticipatesandengagesduringlessons.Studentcompletescomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments,usuallywithseveralteacherreminders,orredirection.

1 Studentrarelyparticipatesordemonstratesactiveengagementduringlessons.Studentonlycompletescomponentswithinthelessonorassignmentwithseveralremindersorredirectionsfromtheteacher.

ELA:Writing/WritingWorkshop

OverallWritingScore WritingEffort

OverallWritingScoreOverallwritingscoreisbasedonteacherobservationduringthewritingcomponents,aswellasfinalpublishedpiecesduringwritingunits,andin3rd/4thgrade,mainideageneration.Itisimportantto

notethatduringthevirtualyear(20-21),studentsdidnotreceivetraditionalwritinginstruction,soforour1st-4thgradersexpectabitofalearningcurve,andthat’sok!

Classcomponents:WritingWorkshop,SharedWriting,MainIdeageneration(3rd/4thonly)Assessments:Observationsduringwritingcomponents,aswellasfinalpublishedpiecesandgradedmainideas(3rd/4thonly)ForReference-SamplesofGradeLevelRubrics:Kindergarten;1stGrade;2ndGrade;3rdGrade;4thGrade

4 Studentconsistentlydemonstratesanabilitytoproduceabovegrade-levelwritingpieces.Duringawritingworkshop,thiswouldincludestrongideageneration,soliddevelopmentoftheirpiece(i.e.strongbeginning/middle/endthatrelatestothemainideaofthepiece),andgradeappropriatemechanics.Ifthestudentisin3rd/4thgrade,thiswouldalsoincludeconsistentlyachievinglevel2mainideasasoutlinedbythesharedtextmainidearubric.

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3 Studentconsistentlydemonstratesanabilitytoproducegrade-levelwritingpieces.Duringawritingworkshop,thiswouldincludegrade-levelideageneration,grade-leveldevelopmentoftheirpiece(i.e.strongbeginning/middle/endthatrelatestothemainideaofthepiece),andgradeappropriatemechanics.Ifthestudentisin3rd/4thgrade,thestudentwouldalsobealmostalwaysachievinglevel2mainideasasoutlinedbythesharedtextmainidearubric.

2 Studentdemonstratesthattheyareapproachinggrade-levelwritingpieces.Duringawritingworkshop,whenlookingholisticallyatideageneration,developmentandmechanics,thestudentisonthecuspofgrade-level.Ifthestudentisin3rd/4thgrade,thestudentiscontinuingtoworktowardsscoringlevel2mainideas.Oftentimesscoringalevel1asoutlinedbythesharedtextmainidearubric.

1 Studentneedsmoresupportwithgrade-levelwritingpieces.Duringawritingworkshop,whenlookingholisticallyatideageneration,developmentandmechanics,thestudentstrugglestoapproachgrade-levelwriting.Ifthestudentisin3rd/4thgrade,thestudentiscontinuingtoworktowardsscoringlevel2mainideas.Oftentimesscoring0’sor1’sasoutlinedbythesharedtextmainidearubric.

EffortAstudent’seffortisreflectiveoftheirattendance,engagementandenthusiasm,duringlessons.Effort

canbeaffectedifastudentneedsseveralremindersorredirectionsfromtheirteacher.

Thiseffortscoreappliesacrossallwritingblocks(i.e.writingworkshop,mainideagenerationduringsharedtext,andshared/modeledwriting).

4 Studentalwaysactivelyparticipatesandshowsthattheyareactivelyengagedduringlessons.Studentdemonstratesthattheyaregivingtheirbesteffortwhencompletingcomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments,needinglittletonoremindersorredirectionfromtheirteacher.

3 Studentoftenparticipatesandismostlyengagedduringlessons.Studentdoeswhatisneededtocompletecomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments.Studentsometimesneedsareminderorredirectionfromtheirteacher.

2 Studentsometimesparticipatesandengagesduringlessons.Studentcompletescomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments,usuallywithseveralteacherreminders,orredirection.

1 Studentrarelyparticipatesordemonstratesactiveengagementduringlessons.Studentonlycompletescomponentswithinthelessonorassignmentwithseveralremindersorredirectionsfromtheteacher.

ElementaryMathGradingGuidelinesK-4

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Math MathEffort

MathMathscoresarebasedonbothclassobservations(independentwork,classdiscussions,andhomework)duringthefollowing:Classcomponents:MorningMeetingMathRoutine,MathWorkshop,NumberStories,andInterventionAssessments:MathVirtualAssessments4:Established3:Developing2:Beginning1:SupportNeeded

4 ProblemSolving:- Isabletoprovideevidenceofadjustmentand/orconsidersalternativestrategies- Isabletochecktheirsolutionbycomparingmultiplestrategies- Mostlytoalwaysgetscorrectanswers

ReasoningandAnalysis:- Defendsacorrectsolutionusingmultipleapproaches- Generalizesandextendssolutiontoothercases- Identifieserrorsinothers’reasoning(erroranalysis)andusesevidencetosupporttheir

claimUseofTools(ifapplicable):

- Consistentlyidentifiesandcorrectlyusesthemostappropriatetool- Consistentlyusesallonlineresourcestoenhanceandreinforcelearning

AttendstoPrecision:- Consistentlyusesprecisemathvocabulary- Operationalsymbolsandequalsignareconsistentlyandaccuratelyused- Steps,processes,andanswersareallclearlylabeledandorganized(*K&1stgrade-

specific-canbeexplainedcorrectly)- Unitsofmeasureand/oraxesareclearlylabeled(*K&1stgrade-specific-canbecorrectly

stated)- Calculatesaccuratelyusingthemostefficientmethod

3 ProblemSolving:- Plansand/ormonitorscorrectstrategies- Checkstheirsolutionthroughonestrategy- Mostlygetscorrectanswers

ReasoningandAnalysis:- Defendsacorrectsolutionusingoneapproach- Generalizessolutiontoothercases- Identifieserrorbutunabletosupporttheirclaimorreasoningisunclear

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UseofTools(ifapplicable):- Identifiesandusestoolscorrectly- Usessomeonlineresourcestoenhanceandreinforcelearning

AttendstoPrecision:- Mathvocabularyusedthroughout- Operationalsymbolsandequalsignareusedmostofthetime- Steps,processes,andanswersarealllabeledandorganized(*K&1stgrade-specific-can

bepartiallyexplainedcorrectly)- Unitsofmeasureand/oraxesarelabeled(*K&1stgrade-specific-canbecorrectlystated)- Calculatesaccuratelyorwithminorerrors

2 ProblemSolving:- Utilizesapartiallycorrectstrategyorusesthecorrectstrategyforonlypartofthe

problem- Checkstheirsolutionthroughcomputation(i.e.inverseoperation,reasonableestimation)- Answersareincorrect

ReasoningandAnalysis:Attemptstodefendasolutionusinganincorrectapproach

- Attemptstogeneralizebutisincorrect- Attemptstoidentifyerrorbutisincorrect

UseofTools(ifapplicable):- Correctlyidentifiesbutusestoolsincorrectlyorviceversa- Attemptstouseonlineresourcestoenhanceandreinforcelearning

AttendstoPrecision:- Somemathvocabularyused- Operationalsymbolsandequalssignsareusedinconsistently- Steps,processes,andanswersarelabeledorjustorganized(*K&1stgrade-specific-is

incorrectlystated)- Attemptstolabelunitsofmeasureand/oraxesordoessoincorrectly(*K&1stgrade-

specific-isincorrectlystated)- Calculateswithmajorerrors

1 ProblemSolving:- Employsanincorrectstrategy- Doesnotchecktheirsolution- Answersareincorrect

ReasoningandAnalysis:- Doesnotdefendthesolution- Unabletogeneralizeandextendsolution- Unabletoidentifytheerrorinothers’reasoning

UseofTools(ifapplicable):- Cannotidentifyorusethetoolcorrectly- Doesnotuseonlineresourcestoenhanceandreinforcelearning

AttendstoPrecision:- Nomathvocabularyusedorusedincorrectly- Operationalsymbolsandequalsignarenotusedorusedincorrectly

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- Steps,processes,andanswersarenotlabeledandorganized(*K&1stgrade-specific-isincorrectlystated)

- Unitsofmeasureand/oraxesarenotlabeled(*K&1stgrade-specific-isincorrectlystated)- Calculatesincorrectly

EffortAstudent’seffortisreflectiveoftheirattendance,engagement,andenthusiasm,duringvirtuallessons.Effortcanbeaffectedifastudentneedsseveralremindersorredirectionsfromtheirteacher.Thiseffortscoreappliesacrossallmathcontentareas.

4 Studentalwaysactivelyparticipatesandshowsthattheyareactivelyengagedduringmathclass.Studentdemonstratesthattheyaregivingtheirbesteffortwhencompletingcomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments,needinglittletonoremindersorredirectionfromtheirteacher.

3 Studentoftenparticipatesandismostlyengagedduringmathclass.Studentdoeswhatisneededtocompletecomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments.Studentsometimesneedsareminderorredirectionfromtheirteacher.

2 Studentsometimesparticipatesandengagesduringmathclass.Studentcompletescomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments,usuallywithseveralteacherreminders,orredirection.

1 Studentrarelyparticipatesordemonstratesactiveengagementduringmathclass.Studentonlycompletescomponentswithinthelessonorassignmentwithseveralremindersorredirectionsfromtheteacher.

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ScienceGradingGuidelinesK-4

ComponentsforScience:

Participation

Classwork

Labs/Projects

Participation

4 Scholaractivelyengagedandparticipatedtoshowthattheywereengagedduringscienceclass.Scholardemonstratedthattheyaregivingtheirbesteffortwhencompletingcomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments,needinglittletonoremindersorredirectionfromtheirteacher.

3 Scholaroftenparticipatesandaremostlyengagedduringclass.Scholardoeswhatisneededtocompletecomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments.Scholarneedsinfrequentremindersorredirectionfromtheirteacher.

2 Scholarparticipatesandengagesinfrequentlyduringclass.Scholarcompletescomponentswithinthelessonoralliedassignments,usuallywithseveralteacherreminders,orredirection.

1 Scholarrarelyparticipatesordemonstratesactiveengagementduringclass.Scholaronlycompletescomponentswithinthelessonorassignmentwithseveralremindersorredirectionsfromtheteacher.

Classwork

4 Scholarcompletesclassworkthatdemonstratesproficiencyandincludesminimalerrorsandallworkissubmittedinatimelymanner.

3 Scholarcompletesclassworkthatdemonstratesproficiencyandincludesfewerrorsandallworkissubmittedinatimelymanner.

2 Scholarsubmitsclassworkthatdemonstratesminimalproficiencyinconceptsandincludesseveralerrorsand/orworkmaynothavebeensubmittedontime.

1 Scholars'workmayincludemanyerrorsordemonstratethescholarisstillinthebeginningstagesofunderstandingscientificconceptsand/orworkisincompleteornotontime.

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Labs/ProjectsLabsoccuronceaweekormoreandprojectsareattheendofeachunit

4 Scholardemonstratesadvancedproficiencyinunderstandingthescientificmethodandconceptsbeingaddressedinthelaborproject.Scholarhasusedthisproficiencytodemonstratetheirknowledgebyapplyingittothetaskathandortootherscientificconceptslearned.

3 Scholardemonstratesproficiencyinunderstandingthescientificmethodandconceptsbeingaddressedinthelaborproject.Scholarhasusedthisproficiencytodemonstratetheirknowledgebyapplyingittothetaskathand.

2 Scholardemonstratesminimalproficiencyinunderstandingthescientificmethodandconceptsbeingaddressedinthelaborproject.Scholarisstilllearninghowtoapplyknowledgeandconceptstoworkinguseusingthescientificmethod.

1 Scholarhasnotdemonstratedanunderstandingofthescientificmethodandconceptsbeingaddressedinthelaborproject.Scholarisstillacquiringknowledgeandconceptsandhasnotyetbeguntheapplicationphaseoflearning.

Promotion Criteria NCStakespromotionseriouslyandtakesinavarietyofdatapointstodetermineifastudentcanbepromotedtothenextgradelevelornot.Wegenerallylookforstudentsreceiving3sand4sinallsubjectareasasanindicatorofreadinessforthenextgradelevel.Promotiondecisionsarealwaysmadewiththemindsetofwhatwillsetupthestudentacademicallyforthelong-term.NCScommitstopartneringwithfamiliesofstudentswhoaresignificantlybelowgradelevel.NCSmakesthefinaldeterminationforreadinessforthenextgradeandwillcommunicatewithfamiliesthedecisionbyJune1,2022.

Promotion In Doubt PromotioninDoubtisaNeighborhoodCharterSchools’formalprocessfornotifyingfamiliesthattheirchildisatriskofnotmeetingpromotionstandardsandbeingretainedinthesamegradeforthenextschoolyear.IfyourchildisconsideredPromotioninDoubt,youwillbenotifiedinaformalmeetingduringParentConferencesduringQuarter’s1,2,and3.ByQuarter4,ifyourchildisconsideredPromotioninDoubt,youwillbenotifiedbythePrincipalortheAssistantPrincipaltodiscussthenextstepsforthefollowingschoolyear.

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NCSCommitmenttoParentEngagement

Communications:ScholarandStaffBoundaries

NeighborhoodCharterSchoolsiscommittedtopartneringwithourfamiliesandthesurroundingcommunitytoensurescholarswhoattendNCSreceiveawellroundededucationthatpromotesstrongacademics,social-emotionallearning,diversity,equity,andinclusionofallscholarsandfamilies.Toserveourcommunitywemustworktogetherandcollaboratetocontinuetofostereducationalexcellence.WeneedtoplaceimportantguidelinesandpoliciestofosterandmaintainasafeenvironmentforbothScholarsandEducators.Theseboundariescanseemexcessive,withsomeoftheseboundariesrequiringadditionaleffortsandperhapsbeinginconvenienttostaffandfamilies.Whiletheseboundariesarenotneededin99%ofcases,asanetwork,wewanttoensureweproactivelysetupclearnormsandexpectations.Therefore,wemustplacethesestandardsforthesafetyofourscholarsandeducators.Thefollowingexpectationsaredesignedtoensureasafeenvironmentforstudentsandstaffandtomaintainappropriateandproductiveboundariesthroughouttheremotelearningperiod:

Strong Boundaries Contentof1:1CommunicationbetweenScholarsandStaff:Nowmorethanever,weneedtosupportourscholars.Wewillaccomplishthisbyfosteringatrusting,consistent,andprofessionalstudentandstaffrelationships.Theserelationshipswillbedefinedbycareofwell-beingandfocusonacademics.Communicationsshouldalwaysinclude:

● Scholarfriendlyandappropriatelanguage● ProfessionalpresentationIn-PersonZoom/Hangouts(Appropriatedress,visualspacefreeofanyinappropriateimagery,andnon-distractingbackground.

● Afocusonstudentlearning. Communicationsshouldneverinclude:

● Gratuitousdiscussionofpersonallife(Dating,Gossip,etc.)● Anythingthatcanbeconstruedassexualinnuendoorcontent.● ProfanityoroverlycasuallanguagethatblurstheScholar-Educator,non-peerrelationship.

CommunicationtoFamilies

TheSchoolwillcommunicatewithparentsinthefollowingways:

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● FamilyPortal:PleasevisitthenewParentPortalonourwebsite,https://ncschools.org/for-families/.Wewillkeepthispageupdatedwithschoolhappeningsandtoshareacademicresources,familytrainingopportunities,andeverythingelse!

● Newsletter:Eachweekwewillsendanewslettertokeepyouinformedabouteventsandthelatestnewsinourschool.

● TextsandCalls:Fromtimetotime,youmayreceivetextorphonecallupdatesfromtheschoolkeepingyouinformedofimportantinformation.

ContactingYourScholar’sTeacher

NCSiscommittedtoastrongpartnershipbetweenourfamiliesandourteachers.Webelievethattheaccountabilitynecessaryforacademicexcellencecanonlybeachievedthroughopenlinesofcommunicationbetweenthehomeandschool.Parentscanexpectfrequentcontactfromtheirscholars’teachersviamultiplecommunicationtypesincludingbutnotlimitedtophone,email,text,TADS(NCS’sstudentinformationsystem(SIS)).Toensurethatwearerespectingourteachers’personaltime,weaskthatparentsandscholarslimitallcallsandtextmessagestoteachersbetweenthehoursof8amand6pm.Intheeventthatateacheriscontactedoutsideofthehours,theywillrespondduringthenextbusinessday.Wemakethefollowingcommitmentstoourscholars,parents,andschools:

● Allemail,voicemail,andtextmessagecommunicationwillberespondedtowithin24hoursduringtheworkweek.

● Teacherswillbeexpectedtokeepincontactwithfamiliesandscholarsthroughoutthe

week.

● Teacherswillprovidetargetedandtimelyfeedbacktoscholarsonsubmittedassignmentsandcompletedassessments.

Parent/Guardian Responsibility Asaparent/guardianofaNCSscholar,itisimperativetounderstandtheresponsibilitiesassociatedwithyourrole.Itistheresponsibilityoftheparent/guardiantoensuretheirchildarrivesatschoolpromptlyeachdayat7:30AM.Ifyou'reawareyourscholarwillbetardy/absent,itistheresponsibilityoftheparenttocommunicatethistoyourchild’steachers.Youmaycontactyourscholar’steacherdirectlyviaemailand/ortextmessagetoanswerquestionsthatyoumayhave.Whenaparent/guardianisconcernedaboutthechild'sperformanceorbehavior,theparent/guardianshouldsetupaconferencewiththechild'steacher.Parents/guardiansshouldalsobeawareoftheirscholar’sprogress;together,theteachersandfamilieswillcreateaplanforthechild’sacademicandeducationalfuture.

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Pleasenotethatweexpectfamiliestorespondtoanyschoolcommunicationwithin24hoursandmaintainrespectfulcommunicationwithanystaffmembers.Weexpectourentirecommunitytorefrainfromyelling,swearing,orthreateninginanymannerviavirtual,phone,orin-personcommunication.NCSreservestherighttodirectanyfamilymembertotheadministrationforclearfollow-upandgiveclearparametersforcommunicationifanymemberofthecommunitydoesnotcomplywithrespectfulstandards.Pleaseseethenextsectionforwheretodirectanyconcernsafteryouhaveaddressedthemwithyourstudent’steacher.

NeighborhoodCharterSchoolsCommunicationGuide

AtNCS,thereisanentireteamofleaders,educators,andstaffmembersdedicatedtothesupport,growth,andachievementofyourchild.Pleaseusethebelowinformationasaguideforcommunicationatourschool.Ifyouhaveaconcern,weaskthatyoutalktothescholar’steacherfirst,thenaDeanoranAssistantPrincipal,andthenthePrincipal.Ourgoalistoensurethatfamiliesandstaffarecommunicatingeffectivelyandoperatingasateamtosupportyourchild.Yourscholar’steachersareyourfirstpointofcontactshouldyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns.Moreoftenthannot,yourchild’steacherswillbeabletoanswermostquestionsoraddressanyconcernsfromtheschoolday.Atthebeginningoftheschoolyear,youshouldhavereceivedthecontactinformationofyourscholar’steachers.Ifyoudonothavethisinformation,youmaycontactamemberofouroperationsteaminthemainoffice.Ifyouneedmoreinformationafterspeakingtoyourscholar’steacherormorespecificinformation,hereisaguideonwhotocontact.

Ineedassistancewith… Icancontact… ContactInformation

● Bussing● Schoolrecords● Enrollment

verification● FieldTrips● NCSHafter

schoolpayment

● NCSOperationsTeam ● (646)701-7117● operations@ncschools.org

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● BusBehavior● SchoolBehavior● OutsideSchool

Behavior● Uniform● Attendance● Participation

duringHybrid/VirtualLearning

● NCSH:K-1Dean:Ms.AlexciaDaniels

● NCSH:2-4Dean:Mrs.JasmineKeitt

● NCSB:K-3AssistantPrincipalofCulture:Ms.RominaCepeda

● NCSB:K-3Dean:Mr.Edouard

● adaniels@ncschools.org

● jkeitt@ncschools.org

● rcepeda@ncschools.org

● eedouard@ncschools.org

● ScholarSchedules

● Reportcardinfo● Questions

regardingclassroomteachers

● NCSB:K-3AssistantPrincipal:Ms.AmyYoung

● NCSH:K-4AssistantPrincipal:Mr.ToddSoper

● ayoung@ncschools.org

● tsoper@ncschools.org

● ELACurriculum ● NCSHK-2ELACoordinator:Ms.RachelleCaiazzo

● NCSH3-5ELACoordinator:Ms.MarshaDupitonbnuez@ncschools.or

● NCSH5-8ELACoordinator:Ms.LaurenCarey

● NCSBK-3AssistantPrincipal:Ms.AmyYoung

● rcaiazzo@ncschools.org

● mdupiton@ncschools.org

● lcarey@ncschools.org

● ayoung@ncschools.org

● MathCurriculum ● NCSHK-4MathCoordinator:Ms.CelinesPinto

● NCSBK-3MathCoordinator:Ms.EmilyHorkan

● cpinto@ncschools.org

● ehorkan@ncschools.org

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● SpecialEducation

● IEP’s● RelatedServices

(OT/PT/Counseling)

● NCSHK-4SpecialEducationCoordinator:Ms.AshanteWebson

● NCSH5-8SpecialEducationCoordinator:Mr.TravisFavis

● NCSBK-3SpecialEducationCoordinator:Ms.ElizabethLarkin

● awebson@ncschool.org

● tdavis@ncschool.org

● elarkin@ncschool.org

TADS(StudentInformationSystem)

Forustobetruepartnersinyourchild’sacademicsuccess,wehavetobetransparentaboutyourchild’sacademicprogress.Asaresult,eachfamilywillhaveaccesstotheTADSFamilyPortalwhereyouwillseeassignmentsandscores(applicabletomiddleschoolonly),currentGPA(applicabletomiddleschoolonly),attendance,andfinalgrades/reportcards.Eachfamilywillreceivemoreinformationwithdirectionsexplaininghowtoaccessthefamilyportal.

Attendance/ Grades YoucanviewattendancerecordsandgradesinTADS.Eachdayyourscholarwillreceiveoneofthefollowingattendancecodes:

● P-Present● T-Tardy● A-Absent● ISS-In-SchoolSuspension● OoSP-OutofSchoolSuspension● ED-EarlyDeparture● AE-AbsentExcused

ParentAssociation

TheNCSParentAssociationisanopportunitytoworkwithotherparentstosupportyourschoolandyourchild’seducation.TheParentAssociationwillholdmeetingsandworkonspecialprojects.ParentAssociationmeetingsarealsoagreatopportunitytovoiceyoursuggestionsorconcernsandtohelpotherfamiliessolveproblems.AllparentsandguardiansareautomaticallymembersoftheParentAssociationandarewelcometoattendmeetings.HerearewaystogetinvolvedwiththeParentAssociation.

● Runforanelectedposition:Theschoolwillannouncewhenelectionswilltakeplaceafewweeksinadvance.ElectedpositionsincludeaPresident,VicePresident,TreasurerandSecretary.

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● AttendaParentAssociationmeeting:Meetingsareusuallyheldafterschool.Aschedulewillbedistributedatthebeginningoftheschoolyear.

● Volunteertohelpwithaneventorproject:Askoneofyourelectedofficersorattendameetingtofindouthowyoucanhelp.

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TechnologyTechnologyContractToreceiveadevicefromtheschool,werequireallfamiliestocompleteaScholarTechnologyContract.Thiscontractcontainsinformationregardingthetreatmentofthedeviceaswellasinformationregardingreplacementintheeventthatthedeviceislostordamaged.Asthesedevicesarevitaltoourscholar’ssuccessinouracademicprogram,westresstheimportanceofpropermaintenanceandcare.Ifascholarisfoundmistreatingtheschool-issueddeviceorviolatingthetermsofthecontract,theschoolreservestherighttoreclaimthetechnologyand/orchargearepairfee.NCSiscommittedtomaintainingtheprivacyofscholars.Tothatend,wehaveinstalledGoGuardianonallNCSchromebookdevices.GoGuardianallowsNCStomonitorwebbrowsertrafficinsideandoutsideofschooltime.Teacherswillbeabletousethisduringandafterclass.GoGuardianalsoproducesreportsonwherespecificusersaregoingandwhetherusersareoff-task.Itcanalsobeusedforassessmentstolockdownscholarsfromusingothersources.Finally,notonlyarewemaintainingtheprivacyandsafetyofscholars,butGoGuardianisalsomonitoringmentalhealthtoincludesuicidepreventionforscholarsgrades3-8.Forexample,ifascholarisshowingapatternofvisitingviolentorself-harmsites,NCSwouldbenotifiedtoworkwithfamiliesandourmentalhealthteamtosupport.

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ElementarySchoolRoutinesandProcedures-RemoteLearningThefollowinglaysoutclearexpectationsforstudentswhilelearningonline.Pleasenotethattheimplementationofthepolicybyschoolleaderswillbeimplementedwithanunderstandingofscholarswhohaveexperiencedemotionalloss,death,andmentalhealthissues.Weknowthatjustasyouareourpartnersinlearning,weareyoursintheemotionalsupportyourchildrenmayneedduringthistime.Belowyouwillfindaclearoutlineofwhatisexpectedofourfamiliestobesuccessfulwithourremotelearningprogram.

ScholarExpectations

1. Studentsshouldbedressedappropriatelyforvirtualclassa. Therearenouniformsrequiredforvirtualclass.b. Pleaseensurestudentsarenotinpajamasandare“readyfortheday”meaningteeth

brushed,hairbrushed,anddressed.c. Pleaseensureanyshirtsstudentsarewearingdoesn'thaveanyoffensivegraphics

ortextonit.2. WorkHard

a. Pleasesupportyourstudentbyhavingthemsittingatadeskortablewheretheycanfocusanddothefollowing:i. Sittingupstraight,handsfoldedii. Thinkingaboutthespeakeriii. Activelylisteningiv. Respectingeveryone

b. Studentsshouldfollowthegroupplanandthedirectionsbytheirteacherc. Pleaseensuretherearenovideogamesortoysd. Pleaseensureyourstudenteatsduringabreakorlunchtime.

3. ZoomEtiquettea. Thelightshouldbeinfrontofthestudentandnotbehindtheircamerab. Camerasshouldbeangledsothatteacherscanseestudents(i.e.donotturnthe

cameraoff)c. Studentsmustusekindlanguagewhenspeakingtomyclassmates.d. Studentsmustuseasilentthumbinthecameraiftheywanttospeak.e. Studentsmustleavetheirbodyandcamera(computer,tablet,phone)inoneplace

andnotmovebetweenroomsorspacesduringclass.

ParentExpectations

1. DuringOne-on-OneZoomSessions:a. MakesuretheIpadandChromebookchargeseachdayproperly.

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b. Makesurethescholarisontime.c. Communicatewithyourscholar’steacherintherareeventthatyouarerunninglate

orcannotmakeit.

2. Establishroutinesandexpectations:Itisessentialtodevelopgoodhabitsfromthestart.Createaflexibleroutineandtalkabouthowit’sworkingovertime.Chunkyourdaysintopredictablesegments.Helpscholarsgetup,getdressed,andreadytolearnatareasonabletime.Everybodymakestheirbeds!Keepregularbedtimeroutines,includingstandardrulesfordigitaldevices.Adjustschedulestomeeteveryone’sneeds,butdon’tdefaulttostayinguplateandsleepingin.

3. Stayintouch:Teacherswillbecommunicatingregularly.Makesurethattheschoolhasyourupdatedandpreferredcontactinformation.Ifyouhaveconcerns,orifsomethingcomesup,letsomeoneknowimmediately.

4. Helpscholars‘own’theirlearning:Nooneexpectsparentstobefull-timeteachersortobeeducationalandcontentmatterexperts.Providesupportandencouragement,andplanforyourchildrentodotheirpart.Strugglingisallowedandencouraged!Don’thelptoomuch.Becomingindependenttakeslotsofpractice.

ClassroomBehaviorandExpectations-InPerson

NeighborhoodCharterSchoolsseekstoinstillinourstudentsaloveofLEARNING,INTEGRITY(honesty,keepingyourpromise,doingthingsthatpromotehealth,notharmtoourbodyandmind),GOODCITIZENSHIP(beingaresponsiblememberofacommunity,concernforothers,respectfortheworld,seeingwhatneedstobedoneanddoingit,peace-making,fairness,sharing,compassion,understanding,forgiveness,andloyalty),HARDWORK(perseverance,initiative,optimism,willingnesstotrysomethingnew)andTEAMWORK(workingtogether,cooperation,flexibility).WeusetheacronymLIGHTasashorthandforthesevalues,andweexpectourstudentstoexhibitthematalltimes.LearningIntegrityGoodCitizenshipHardWorkTeamworkAllstudentshavearighttolearnandsocializeinasafeenvironment.Bullying,name-calling,andotherintimidatingbehaviorswill,undernocircumstances,betolerated.Duringclass,certainnecessarybehaviorsmustbeinplaceforeffectivelearningtotakeplace.Theseinclude:

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1. WholeBodyListening:Studentsareexpectedtolistentotheirteacherandotherclassmatesatalltimes.Learningcannottakeplacewhenstudentsarenotactivelyparticipating.Therefore,everyoneisencouragedtocontribute;wevaluetheinputofallofourstudents.Studentsshouldalwayslookatthepersonspeaking.

2. RaisingHands:Studentsshouldknowthatiftheywanttoparticipateinclassdiscussions,theyshouldraisetheirhandstoofferaquestion.Studentsarenotpermittedtocalloutofturn.

3. Eating:Eatingisonlypermittedduringsnacktimeand/orlunch.Topromotenutritional

awareness,sodaandcandyarenotallowedinschool.

4. GumChewing:Gumchewingisnotallowedinschool.

BathroomProcedures

Therearetimeswhenstudentsarepermittedtousetherestroom,suchasbreakfast,lunch,andbreaks.Ifstudentshaveanemergency,theywillalwaysbeallowedtoleavetheclassroomtousetherestroom.

CellPhones

AtNCS,ournumberonepriorityisscholarlearningandscholarachievement.Cellphonesinschoolcanbecomeabigdistractionforourscholars,andwemustcontinuetoputtheireducationfirst.Studentswhousetheircommunicationdevicesduringinstructionaltimewillbesubjectedtoitemconfiscation.Ifascholar’sdeviceisconfiscated,itwillbelabeled,placedinalockedbox,andonlyturnedovertoaparent.Theusebyscholarsofpersonalcommunicationdevicessuchascellphones,iPads,orothersimilarelectroniccommunicationdevicesisprohibitedduringtheinstructionalday.Duringtheinstructionalday,scholarsmayonlyusethesedeviceswiththeapprovaloftheteacherorprincipal.Ifanuisanceitemisconfiscatedandturnedintothedeans’office,aparentorguardianmustpickitup;itwillnotbegivenbacktothestudent.Thesedevicesmustremainoff,notmerelysilenced,duringinstructionaltimeincludingpassingperiodsandstoredinthesecurelockboxintheirhomeroomclassuntildismissal.

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StudentDressCode-InPerson

Toimprovetheschool’seducationalenvironment,promoteamoreeffectiveclimateforlearning,fosterschoolunity,andpride,andallowstudentstofocussolelyonlearningandnotonattire,theschoolhasadresspolicyforstudentsthatappliestoin-personschooldaysandschool-sponsoredevents.AllshirtsmusthavetheSchool’simprintedlogo.TheschooluniformcanbepurchaseddirectlythroughFlynn&O’Harabycalling1-800-441-4122.DailyDress

BOYS GIRLS

Navybluepants Navybluepants

Babyblueoxfordshirtwithschoollogo:longorshortsleeve

Navybluejumper

Nopoloshirtsforboys.Eithershortorlongsleeveoxfordshirts.

Navyblueskirt

Navybluetie(clip-onortraditional)orbowtie

Babybluepoloshirtand/oroxfordshirtwithschoollogo:longorshortsleeve

Navybluev-necksweaterorcardiganwithschoollogo

Navybluev-necksweaterorcardiganwithschoollogo

Brown,black,orbluebelt(required) Brown,black,orbluebelt(required)

Blackshoeswithvelcro(rubbersolespreferred,sneakerspermitted)

Blackshoeswithvelcro(rubbersolespreferred,sneakerspermitted)

Blackorbluesocks Blackorbluesocks

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ElementarySchoolRoutinesandProcedures-In-PersonIfNCSmovestoin-person,full-timeschoolbelowarecertainexpectationsthatwehavecreatedtoensuresuccess.

EssentialSchool/StudentProcedures

Arrival

● Studentsaretoentertheschoolbuildingthroughthemainentranceandwillbegreetedbyastaffmember.

● Studentswhoareeatingbreakfastmayarrivebetweenthefollowingtimes:o ElementarySchool(Kindergarten-4thgrade):7:30-7:45AM.o MiddleSchool(Grades5-8):8:00-8:15AM.

● Studentswhoarenoteatingbreakfastmayarriveatthefollowingtimes:o ElementarySchool(Kindergarten-4thgrade):7:45AM.o MiddleSchool(Grades5-8):8:15AM.o Anystudentarrivingatthetimeslistedabovewillbemarkedlate.

Snack Studentswillhaveasnackeachday.Healthysnackswillbeprovidedforstudents.NCSbelievesinteachingourstudentstoliveahealthylife,includingmakinghealthyeatingdecisions.Familiesmaychoosetosendasnackwiththeirchild,butitisnotnecessary.Pleasedonotsendunhealthysnackssuchascandy,soda,orothersugaryitems.

Lunch and Recess Studentswillbeprovidedwithahealthy,cateredluncheachday.Theleadershipteamwilloverseerecess.NCSwillprovidefreebreakfastandlunchtoallstudents,regardlessofafamily’seligibilitytoparticipateintheNationalSchoolLunchProgram.However,forNCStoseekatleastpartialreimbursement,eachfamilywillbeaskedtocompleteaneligibilityapplication.Weurgefamilies—regardlessofwhethertheythinkwillofficiallyqualify—toreturntheform,ascrucialschoolfundingdecisionsaremadebythestatedependingonthetotalityofresponses.

Dismissal

● Studentswillbedismissedfromtheclassroom,gym,orcafeteriaeachday.● OurSchoolSafetyAgentwillopentheschooldoorsattheappropriatetimeandparentsmay

walktotheirchild’sclassroom.● Theparent/guardianoranadultonthepick-uplistmustsignoutallstudents.● Undernocircumstancesarestudentspermittedtowalkhomeontheirownorbereleased

tosomeonewhoisnotlistedinthechild’srecords.

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● Allstudentsaretobepickeduppromptly.

After-School Program In-Person Only In-PersonOnly-NCSisnotofferingaremoteoptionforAfter-SchoolIntheeventNCSrunsanin-personmodel,wemayhavealimitednumberofseatsforourafter-schoolprogram.Admissionisbylottery.Studentswhogainadmissiontotheafter-schoolprogrammayremainatschooluntil5:30p.m.Studentsmustbesignedoutby5:30p.m.byaparentorguardian.Theafter-schoolprogramwillfollowthefollowingschedule.Formoredetailsaboutourafter-schoolprogram,pleasevisitwww.NCSchools.org/our-schools.

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CommunityActivities

OpenClassroom

In-PersonWhenNCShasanin-personprogram,parents/guardiansareinvitedtoattendOpenClassroomsthroughouttheschoolyear.

VisitorstotheSchool

Iftheschoolopensphysically,NCSencouragesparent(s)/guardian(s)andothermembersoftheschoolcommunitytovisitNCS’classroomstoobservetheworkofstudents,teachers,andotherstaff.ThePrincipalsareresponsibleforallpersonsinthebuildingandonthegrounds.Forthesereasons,thefollowingrulesapplytovisitorstotheschool.

1. AnyonewhoisnotaregularstaffmemberorstudentoftheSchoolwillbeconsidereda“visitor.’

2. AllvisitorstotheSchoolmustsigninandreporttotheMainOffice.Visitorswillbegivenapassthatmustbekeptwiththematalltimes.

3. Teachersarenotpermittedtotakeclasstimetodiscussindividualmatterswithvisitors.4. AnyunauthorizedpersononschoolpropertywillbereportedtothePrincipal.

Unauthorizedpersonswillbeaskedtoleavethebuilding.NYPDwillbecalledifthesituationwarrants.

5. Allvisitorsarerequiredtoabidebytherulesforpublicconductonschoolproperty.NCSiscommittedtoprovidinganorderly,respectfulenvironment;therefore,itisnecessarytoregulatepublicconductonschoolpropertyandschoolfunctions.

FieldTrips/End-Of-YearEvents

In-PersonIntheeventwearebackforin-personlearning,theschool’scurriculumincludesoutsidelearningexperiencesandspecialschoolevents.Duringtheseactivities-aprivilegeandnotaright-itisessentialforallstudentstoberesponsiblefortheirbehaviorsincethesiteoftheactivityoreventisatemporaryextensionoftheSchool.Apermissionslipthatallowsstudentstoleavethebuildingonfieldtripswillbesentatthebeginningofeachschoolyear.Thisslipmustbesignedandreturned,orstudentswillnotbepermittedtoleavethebuilding.Familieswillalwaysbenotifiedbeforeafieldtrip.Ifparentsorothervolunteersassistwithsuchtripsorevents,studentsmustaffordthesechaperonesthesamerespecttheywouldprovidetotheteachers.Appropriatebehaviormustbe

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maintainedwhenattendingschool-sponsoredeventsandridingonschool-providedtransportation.Theuseofportableelectronicdevicesisprohibitedonfieldtripsunlessthestaffchaperonesindicateotherwise.

Emergencies

Incaseofanemergency,parentsorguardiansshouldcontacttheMainOfficeeitherbyphoneorinperson.

SchoolClosings

Intheeventofaschoolclosingduetoemergencyorpoorweatherconditionssuchasheavysnow,pleaselistentoyourlocaltelevisionorradiostations,orcall311forrelevantinformationregardingschoolcancellation.NCSfollowsthesamecancellationpoliciesastheNewYorkCityDepartmentofEducation.IfNewYorkCitypublicschoolsareclosedforemergencyorweather,soistheSchool.

FireSafetyandEvacuationProcedures

Pleasenotethatsomeproceduresmaychangeoncetheschoolyearhasofficiallybegun.Studentswillbenotifiedofandtrainedifthereareanysignificantchanges.Incaseofanemergency,ifastudentorstaffmemberseesafireorsmellssmoke,theyshouldclosethedoor.Uponhearinganalarm,theschoolstaffwillassemblestudentsintheirroomsandproceedoutofthebuildingaccordingtothefireevacuationplanpostedineachroom.Studentsshouldfollowthedirectionofstaffmemberswhowillverifythestairwells’safetyandleadstudentsoutsidethebuildingtothedesignatedlocationswhereschoolstaffwilllineupstudentsbyclassandtakeattendance.Frequentlythroughouttheschoolyear,studentsandstaffwillparticipateinfiredrillstoensurethattheentireschoolcommunityisfamiliarwiththeappropriateresponseinanemergency.Incaseofamoreseriousemergency,shoulditbenecessarytoevacuatetheschool,before,during,oraftertheschoolday—anditappearsthatwewillbeunabletoreturntotheschoolforanextendedperiodoftimeorfortherestoftheday--schoolstaffandstudentswillevacuateaccordingtotheschool’sevacuationplan.Staffwilllineupstudentsinasafeandorderlyfashiononthesidewalksoutsideoftheevacuationsite.Afterstafftakesattendance,shouldconditionspermit,allstudentswillreturnpromptlytotheschool.

IntruderDrills

Anintruderdrillisanopportunityfortheschoolstopracticehowitwouldrespondifanintruderweretounsafelyenterthebuilding.NCSwillconductthemandatedtwointruderalertdrillsas

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follows,oneinDecemberandoneinFebruary.Thesedrillswillbeconductedincoordinationwithlocalemergencyresponseandpreparednessofficials.Intheeventofanintruderdrill,amessagewillbesharedovertheschool’sintercomsystemtoalertstaffandscholars.Atthispoint,theschoolswillgointolockdownmodeandschoolleaderswillsweepthebuilding.Onceschoolleadersgiveanallclear,afollowupmessagewillbemadeovertheintercomtoendthedrill.

Transportation

StudenttransportationwillbeprovidedbytheOfficeofPupilTransportation(OPT).ThetablebelowshowshowtheOfficeofPupilTransportation(OPT)determinesstudenteligibilityforbusingandMetroCards.Itisbasedongradelevelandthedistancebetweenthestudent’sresidenceandtheschool.PleasenoteNCSdoesnotdetermineeligibility.

Grade DistanceCodeALessthan0.5mile

DistanceCodeB0.5mileormore,butlessthan1mile

DistanceCodeC1mileormore,butlessthan1.5miles

DistanceCodeD1.5milesormore

Kindergarten-2ndGrade

Half-fareMetroCard

SchoolBusorFull-FareMetroCard

SchoolBusorFull-FareMetroCard

SchoolBusorFull-FareMetroCard

Grades3-6 NotEligible Half-fareMetroCard

SchoolBusorFull-FareMetroCard

SchoolBusorFull-FareMetroCard

Grades7-8 NotEligible Half-fareMetroCard

Half-fareMetroCard

SchoolBusorFull-FareMetroCard

Criteria for Busing Eligibility ● Thestudentmustbeeligibleforfullfaretransportation,asshowninthechartabove.● Thestudent’sresidencemustbeinthesameboroughastheschool.Forexample,ifachild

attendsNeighborhoodCharterSchool:Harlem,theymustresideinManhattan.● StudentsMUSTusethesamestopinthemorningandintheafternoon.

Conduct Aboard Busing Forthesafetyofallchildrenonthebus,parentsmustadvisetheirscholarstoobeythefollowingrules.Misconductonthebuscanandwillleadtodisciplinaryaction.

● Allchildrenmustbeseatedonthebusatalltimes,withaseatbeltfastened.

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● Childrenarenotpermittedtoleanoutbuswindows;handsandheadsmustbekeptinsidethebusatalltimes.

● Childrenshouldspeakquietlyonthebusandshouldnotspeaktothedriverwhenthebusisinmotion.

● Childrenshouldnotthrowobjectsinsidethebusoroutofthebuswindows.● Nohitting,spitting,orfightingisallowedonthebus;noshovingisallowedwhenboarding

orleavingthebus.● Childrenshallboardandleavethebusoneatatime.

Thereareconsequencesforbreakingtherulesaboardthebusdependingontheseverityofthescholar’sactions.Consequencesmayinclude:

● Parentone-on-onemeeting● Suspensionfromtheschoolbusforasetnumberofdays● Terminationofbusingrights● Expulsionfromschool

Busing FAQs 1. Whichbusroutehasmychildbeenassignedto?

Youmaygetthisinformationfromtheschool,bycallingOPToronline.Toaccessyourchild’sbusstopassignmentonline(clickhere).

2. Theschoolbusislate.WhomdoIcall?PleasecontactOPTdirectlyat718-392-8855.Statusreportsonbusesbehindschedulecanalsobeaccessedonline(clickhere).

3. HowcanIchangemychild’smethodoftransportation(e.g.,switchfrombusingtoa

MetroCard)?Pleasecontactthemainofficeat646-701-7117ifyouwouldliketochangeyourchild’stypeoftransportationservice.Itwilltakeapproximatelytwoweeksforthechangetobehonored.Pleaseplanaccordinglyforthattransition.

Criteria for MetroCard Eligibility ● Full-fareMetroCard

o Anystudenteligibleforfullfaretransportationmaybeissuedafull-farestudentMetroCardifthatstudentrequestsacardorifyellowbustransportationisnotavailableforthatstudent.

o FullfareMetroCardsarevalidonMTAsubwaysandbuses;studentsdonotpayanyfare.

o FullfareMetroCardsareonlyactiveonschooldaysfrom5:30am-8:30pm.● Half-fareMetroCard

o Studentsnoteligibleforfullfaretransportationmaybeissuedahalf-farestudentMetroCard.

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o AhalffarestudentMetroCardallowsaneligiblestudenttotraveltoandfromschoolandschool-relatedactivitiesonbusesonlyandisonlyvalidforthreetripsperday.Afterdippingthecardinthefarebox,studentspayhalfthecurrentfare.

Metro Cards FAQs 1. WhatifmyscholarlosesormisplacestheirMetroCard?

Anewcardwillbeissuedoncethelostorstolencardisdeactivated.Pleasecontactthemainofficeat646-701-7117ifyouneedareplacementcardorstopbyduringofficehours.ReplacementcardsareorderedfromOPTandwillbeavailableafterthreeweeks.

2. CanparentsusethestudentMetroCard?ThecardisOnlyforusebythestudenttowhomitwasissued

Ifyouhaveadditionalquestionsabouttransportationservices,pleasecontacttheDirectorofOperationsatyourschool.

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StudentBehaviorandCultureatNCSHighStandardsforAcademics,HighStandardsforBehaviorCultureatNCS

NCSbelievesinallscholars-theirpotentialforsuccess-andoperatesonthepremisethatallscholarswillsucceed.NCScelebratesourscholars’achievementsbothinandoutoftheclassroom.Webelieveinbuildinglong-lasting,caringrelationshipswithkids,whilealwaysthinkingthebestofchildren.Weuse a strengths-based approach, coupled with a growth mindset, as a model for scholarsuccess/achievement.NCSunderstandstherolesofleadingchildrenasaseriousresponsibilityandprivilege.Wepledgetoholdtoourmissionofprovidingarigorous, inclusive,andstructurededucationalprogramtoourcommunityofchildren,includingchildrenofcolorand/ordisabilities.Webelievethateverythingwedowillimpactthefutureofourscholars.Ourcommitmentistoeducatethewholechildtodevelopcitizenswhobecomecontributingmembersofsocietyandthesurroundingcommunities.Perourschool’s2020-2021DEI action plan,weatNCScommittocreatingaschoolinwhichstudentsfeelsafetogrowsociallyandemotionally,whereindividuallearningneedsareembraced,andwherebehavior management practices are fair and equitable regardless of gender, race, disability,orientation,andage.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports NCSimplementsPositiveBehaviorInterventionsandSupports(PBIS)todefineandteachtowardspositive school behaviors. PositiveBehavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based three-tiered framework to improve and integrate all data, systems, andpractices affectingstudentoutcomeseveryday.PBIScreatesschoolswhereallstudentssucceed.Tier1(oruniversal)practices and systems establish a foundation of regular, proactive support while preventingunwantedbehaviors.AtNCS,weprovidesuchuniversalsupportstoallstudents,school-wide.Tier2practices and systems support students who are at risk for developing more serious problembehaviorsbeforethosebehaviorsstart.Thesesupportshelpstudentsdeveloptheskillstheyneedtobenefitfromcoreprogramsattheschool.AtTier3,studentsreceivemoreintensive,individualizedsupport to improvetheirbehavioralandacademicoutcomes.At this level,schoolsrelyon formalassessments to determine a student’s need. See the Behavioral RtI section of this document forfurtherexplanationoftieredlevelsofsupport.

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PositiveBehaviorExpectations(StudentCodeofConduct)Neighborhood Charter Schools seek to instill in our children a love of LEARNING, INTEGRITY(honesty,keepingyourpromise,doingthingsthatpromotehealth,notharmtoourbodyandmind),GOODCITIZENSHIP(beingaresponsiblememberofacommunity,concernforothers,respectfortheworld, seeingwhat needs to be done and doing it, peace-making, fairness, sharing, compassion,understanding, forgiveness, and loyalty), HARD WORK (perseverance, initiative, optimism,willingnesstotrysomethingnew)andTEAMWORK(workingtogether,cooperation,flexibility).WeusetheacronymLIGHTasashort-handforthesevaluesandexpectourstudentstoexhibitthematalltimes.Aspositivebehaviorissubjectiveitwouldbeimpossibletodefineeachexactpositivebehaviorwewantourstudentstoexhibit.Becauseofthis,thebelowchartattemptstooutlinethetypesofpositivebehaviorsthatareencouragedatNCS.

PositiveBehaviorExpectations

Context PhysicallyInSchool Remote

Classroom Scholarswillthinkabouttheneedsofthegroupandensureone’spersonalbehaviorallowsthegroupplanandlearningtooccurwithoutinterruptionthroughself-management(e.g.,quietbody,demonstratingemotionalself-

Scholarswillthinkabouttheneedsofthegroupandensureone’spersonalbehaviorallowsthegroupplanandlearningtooccurwithoutinterruptionthroughself-management(e.g.,

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regulation,self-directingtheirattention).Scholarswillbeattentivetotheinstructionanddirectionsdeliveredbyteachersandwillstrivetomeetthebehaviorexpectationssetbyteachersatthebeginningofeachclassand/oractivityatthepaceandinthemanneroftheirclassmatestoallowhigh-qualityinstructiontoremain.

quietbody/micoff,demonstratingemotionalself-regulation,self-directingtheirattention).Scholarswillbeattentivetotheinstructionanddirectionsdeliveredbyteachersandwillstrivetomeetthebehaviorexpectationssetbyteachersatthebeginningofeachclassand/oractivityatthepaceandinthemanneroftheirclassmatestoallowhigh-qualityinstructiontoremain.Weexpectscholarsinmiddleschooltobegintounderstandtheirownlearningneeds,andtotakepersonalaccountabilityforensuringtheyaremeetingclassroomexpectations.

Cafeteria/LunchRoom

Weexpectalevelofsocializationandactivityduringlunchtime.Thatsaid,whenattentioniscalledforbyschoolbuildingleaders,itisexpectedthatstudentspausetheirconversationsandthinkaboutthemessagesbeingdeliveredquietlyandwithoutinterruption.Scholarswillformlinestoreceivetheirfoodandwillmaintaincalmwalkingorseatedbodiesatalltimes.Thevoicelevelexpectationisalevel3.

N/AinRemoteLearning

HallwayTransitions

Whentransitioningbetweenclasses,scholarswilltransitiondirectlyfromoneclasstoanotherwiththeirteacher.Mosthallwaytransitionsaresilentinelementaryschool.

N/AinRemoteLearning

Bathrooms Scholarsareallowedtousethebathroomduringclasstimewiththepermissionoftheteacher.

N/AinRemoteLearning

OtherSchoolLocations

Attimes,scholarswillneedtoaccessotherareasoftheschoolbuilding,suchastheschoolnurse’soffice,relatedservicetherapyrooms,etc.Whentransitioningthroughouttheschool,scholarsareexpectedtomaintaina

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safe,walkingbody.Scholarsareexpectedtohaveahallpasstotransitiontoschoollocationswithoutanadultescortandareexpectedtogodirectlytotheirintendedlocationwithoutdelay.

SchoolEvents/Trips

WebelievethatscholarsrepresentNCSatalltimesandexpectthemtomodelLIGHTbehaviorduringschooleventsandschooltrips.Weexpectscholarstoshowrespectfortheirclassmatesandmembersofthecommunity,aswellastowardsthephysicalpropertyofNCS’scampusaswellastheplacestheyvisitaspartofourschoolendeavors.

N/A

Off-Campus Off-campusbehaviorhasthestrongpotentialtoimpactinschoolinteractionandinvolvement.Assuch,westronglyencourageourscholarstothinkofthemselvesasanextensionofourschoolcommunitywhenconductingthemselvesinthecommunity.Weasaschoolcommunitybelieveinnon-violence,respectfortheemotionalandphysicalwell-beingofoneselfandothers,aswellasrespectforthephysicalenvironment,andprivateproperty.

Off-campusbehaviorhasthestrongpotentialtoimpactinschoolinteractionandinvolvement.Assuch,westronglyencourageourscholarstothinkofthemselvesasanextensionofourschoolcommunitywhenconductingthemselvesinthecommunity.Weasaschoolcommunitybelieveinnon-violence,respectfortheemotionalandphysicalwell-beingofoneselfandothers,aswellasrespectforthephysicalenvironment,andprivateproperty.Wewillholdstudentsaccountableforoff-campusbehaviorwhenwarranted.

Online/SocialMedia

Socialmedia/internetaccessfrompersonaldevicesisnotpermittedduringschoolhours.Itisexpectedthatstudentseitherdonotbringaphonetoschoolorelseplantostoretheirphonesintheirlockersorthesupervisionofschoolbuildingleaders.Whencomputersorothertechnologiesareincorporatedintoclassroominstruction,scholarsshouldnavigateonlytowebsitesrelatedtothetaskathand.Itisexpectedthatwhenscholars

Giventhedigitalnatureofclassroominstructionduringremotelearning,scholarsareexpectedtotreatdigitalplatformsasextensionsofschool.Chatfeatureswithintechplatformsusedforinstruction(e.g.,GoogleHangouts,ZoomChat,GoogleClassroomwalls)shouldbeconsideredpubliceducationrecord,andanycommentsshouldbedirectlyrelatedtoacademic

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engageonlinewithstudentsintheNCScommunityespecially,theyrecognizethattheircommentsandonlinebehaviorhavereal-liferamifications.ExhibitingLIGHTvaluesonlineandthroughsocialmediaincludesusingrespectfullanguageandusingtheinternetasatoolforpositiveknowledgeacquisitionandconnection.

instruction.Respectfullanguageanddialogueareexpected.Outsideofclasswork,itisexpectedthatwhenscholarsengageonlinewithstudentsintheNCScommunityespecially,theyrecognizethattheircommentsandonlinebehaviorhavereal-liferamifications.ExhibitingLIGHTvaluesonlineandthroughsocialmediaincludesusingrespectfullanguageandusingtheinternetasatoolforpositiveknowledgeacquisitionandconnection.

BehavioralPolicies&ConsequencesBehavior dramatically reduces when students feel empowered, engaged, and respected in theclassroom. Preventing problem behavior therefore begins with incorporating strong Tier I (i,e.,preventative,universal)supportsandbuildingstrongrelationshipswithchildren.Whenincidentsdooccur,wetakearestorativeapproach,believingthatwhenusedeffectivelyalternativedisciplinethatincorporates restoration, reflection, and instruction will be more effective than a traditionaldisciplinemodel.

NCSBehaviorMatrix

TheNCSBehaviorMatrixisatoolweuseatNCStodefineourbehaviorpracticesandresponses.ThefirstsectionoftheMatrixlistsexplicitexamplesofpositivebehaviorsweexpecttoseefromscholarsanddefinestheteachingmethodsweuseaseducatorstoencourageandreinforcesuchacceptableconduct.ThesecondsectionoftheBehaviorMatrixclassifiesstudentbehaviorsintofourintensitycategoriesandliststherangeofschoolresponsesthataccompanyeachbehaviorcategory.Categoriesof behavior are classified by intensity levels based on whether or not a behavior/incident isclassroommanaged (i.e., no violation,minor violation) or referred to administration (i.e., majorviolation).Foreachbehaviorcategory,therangeofpossibleschoolresponsesisdefined.Ofnote,theexamplebehaviorslistedontheMatrixforeachbehaviorcategoryaremeanttobeillustrativeofthetypeofbehaviorthatshouldbeclassifiedatthislevelandarethusnon-exhaustive.SchoolbuildingleadersandNCSteachersaremeanttousetheMatrixasaguideforclassifyingbehaviorinordertoimplementanappropriate,matchedresponse,nomatterwhatbehaviortheyencounter.We at NCS DO NOT believe in a one-size fits all approach to discipline. Just as we differentiateinstruction for each child, we believe it necessary to differentiate preventative and responsiveinterventions.Assuch,theNCSBehaviorMatrixdoesnotlistone-for-oneor“blanket”consequences,butrather,aRANGEofpossibleschoolresponses listedbelow.Each incidentwillbe lookedat in

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detail,takingindividualandcontextualfactorsintoaccount,toapplywhattheschooldeemstobeafair consequencebasedon individual factors. Fairdoesnot alwaysmeanequal. The schools arebound by The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) not to disclose the privateeducationalinformationofstudents.Thismeansthattheschoolisundernoobligationto,norareweallowed to, inform families of the consequences provided to other scholarswho have displayedsimilarbehaviorincidents.

BehaviorMatrixLevelofBehavior(IntensityLevels)

NCSBehaviorMatrix

IntensityI ExampleBehaviors(In-person) ExampleBehaviors(Remote)

IntensityIbehaviorsincludeannoyingorunexpectedbehaviors.Theseareconsidered“lowlevel”offensesthatarenottrueviolationsofourstudentcodeofconduct.Low-levelbehaviorsmaydetractfromclassroomlearning,however,oftenfallintherangeofdevelopmentallyexpectedbehaviors.

ExamplesofIntensityIbehaviorsincludebutarenotlimitedto:

● Blurting/interrupting● Leavingone’sseat

withoutpermission● Day-dreaming● Talkingoutofturn● Failingtoimmediately

complywithteacherdirections

● Orsimilar

ExamplesofIntensityIbehaviorsincludebutarenotlimitedto:

● Joinscalllate● Turnsoffcamera● Endingcallearly● Fidgetyorwalkingaway

fromthecomputer● Playingwithtoys,phone,

gamingsystem,orsimilar● Changinganameon

Zoom● Chatnotrelatedto

academics● Annotatingonscreen● Techoff-task● Blurting/interrupting● Orsimilar

ExampleResponses(In-person)

ExampleResponses(Remote)

Teachersareexpectedtopartnerwithstudentstopromoteself-managementtoseelessenedratesofsuchlow-leveloffensesthroughtheuseofcorrectiveresponses,suchas:

● Givingpromptsandcues

● Emotionalcheck-ins● Teaching/explanations● Individualreflections.

Teachersareexpectedtopartnerwithstudentstopromoteself-managementtoseelessenedratesofsuchlow-leveloffensesthroughtheuseofcorrectiveresponses,suchas:

● Givingpromptsandcues● Positivenarrations● Emotionalcheck-ins● Teaching/explanations● Privatechatinabreakout

room

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IntensityII ExampleBehaviors(In-person) ExampleBehaviors(Remote)

IntensityIIbehaviorsincludedisruptiveordefiantbehaviorsthatareconsideredminorviolationsofourstudentcodeofconductandarerecordedassuchwithinourschool’sbehaviorincidentreportingsystem-EducatorsHandbook.TeachersareexpectedtomanageIntensityIIbehaviorsintheclassroomunlessthebehaviorissignificantlypersistentanddisruptivefollowingmultipleteacherattempts,atwhichpointthebehaviorisescalatedtoanIntensityIII.

ExamplesofintensityIIbehaviorsincludebutarenotlimitedto:

● Defyinginstructions● Cheating● Cursing/useof

profanity● Makinginappropriate

orsexualjokes,gestures,orinnuendos

● Horseplay/roughhousing

● Orsimilar

ExamplesofintensityIIbehaviorsincludebutarenotlimitedto:

● PersistentLevelIBehaviors(i.e.,behaviorscontinueafter2-3IntensityIcorrectiveresponses)

● Inappropriateannotations

● Inappropriateuseofpublicchatorcomments(e.g.,name-calling,teasing,cursing)

● Inappropriateprivatechats(e.g.,name-calling,teasing,cursing)

● ChanginganameonZoomtoinappropriate

● Lying● Cursing/profanity● Inappropriategesturesor

emojis

ExampleResponses(In-person)

ExampleResponses(Remote)

IntensityIIresponsesshouldinclude,atminimum,arestorativecomponent(e.g.,deskchat,real-timecoaching,restorativeconversation,orsimilar)andaconsequence(e.g.,removedfromcurrentactivity,teachernote/callhome,lossofprivilege,orsimilar).

IntensityIIresponsesshouldinclude,atminimum,arestorativecomponent(e.g.,breakoutchat,real-timecoaching,restorativeconversationorsimilar)andaconsequence(e.g.,removedfromcurrentactivity,teachernote/callhome,additionalsessiontomakeuplostinstructiontime,lossofchat/commentprivileges,orsimilar).

IntensityIII ExampleBehaviors(In-person) ExampleBehaviors(Remote)

IntensityIIIbehaviorsarethosesignificantly

ExamplesofintensityIIIbehaviors(non-exhaustive)

ExamplesofintensityIIIbehaviors(non-exhaustive)

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persistentorseverethattheythreatenthesafetyandsecurityofthethelearningenvironmentandthephysicalandemotionalwellbeingofthestudent,otherscholars,andstaff.IntensityIIIbehaviorsareconsideredmajorviolationsofourstudentcodeofconductandarereferredtoschooladministrationforanout-of-groupconsequence.

includepersistentIntensityIIbehaviors,crisisbehaviors,insubordination,physicalthreatsorintimidationand/orphysicalaggression,harassingorderogatorylanguage,bullying,theft,orsimilar.

includepersistentIntensityIIbehaviors,crisisbehaviorsobservedinthehome,insubordination,physicalthreatsorintimidationand/orphysicalaggression,harassingorderogatorylanguage,bullying,theft,orsimilar,includingbullying,harassing,andderogatorylanguageusedonlineandonsocialmedia.

ExampleResponses(In-person)

ExampleResponses(Remote)

SchoolactionincasesofIntensityIIIincidentsmustincludearestorativecomponent(e.g.,at-riskcounseling,restorativeconversation,amendsmaking,studentactionplan,etc.),andaconsequence(e.g.,notifyinghome,lossofsocialprivileges,Restorative/ReflectionWorkshop,in-schoolsuspension[ISS],out-of-schoolsuspension[OSS]),etc.,).Teachersshouldbeinvolvedinrestorativeexerciseswiththestudenttothemaximumextentpossible.

SchoolactionincasesofIntensityIIIincidentsmustincludearestorativecomponent(e.g.,at-riskcounseling,restorativeconversation,amendsmaking,studentactionplan,etc.),andaconsequence(e.g.,School/homeconference,lossoffeatures(e.g.,chat,comments)orprivileges(e.g.,optionalevents),removedfromclasssessionsandinsteadaskedtoattendanalternativeinstructionblock1:1withateachertoreceivecontentoutofthegroup,etc.).Teachersshouldbeinvolvedinrestorativeexerciseswiththestudenttothemaximumextentpossible.

IntensityIV ExampleBehaviors(In-person) ExampleBehaviors(Remote)

IntensityIVbehaviorsareconsidereddangerousand/orillegaloffenses.

IntensityIVbehaviorscanincludefighting,possessingorthreateningtheuseofweaponsordangerousobjects,engaginginsexualactivityorinappropriatetouching,possessingordistributingdrugsoralcohol,arson,orthreateningphysicalinjury,amongothers.

IntensityIVbehaviorscanincludefighting,possessingorthreateningtheuseofweaponsordangerousobjects,engaginginsexualactivityorinappropriatetouching,possessingordistributingdrugsoralcohol,arson,orthreateningphysicalinjury,amongothers.Thisincludesactivityknowntohavehappenedduetostudentpostingonsocialmedia,onlineactivity,etc.

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ExampleResponses(In-person)

ExampleResponses(Remote)

IntensityIVbehaviorsshouldbereferredtoadministrationforrestorativepracticeandconsequencesparallellingIntensityIIIresponses,withtheaddedcomponentofpossiblereferraltooutsideagenciesforpotentialevaluation,treatment,orfurtherconsequence.Teachersshouldbeinvolvedinrestorativepracticestothemaximumextentpossible.

IntensityIVbehaviorsshouldbereferredtoadministrationforrestorativepracticeandconsequencesparallellingIntensityIIIresponses,withtheaddedcomponentofpossiblereferraltooutsideagenciesforpotentialevaluation,treatment,orfurtherconsequence.Teachersshouldbeinvolvedinrestorativepracticestothemaximumextentpossible.

ReferralofStudentstoSchoolAdministratorsIf given implementation of Tier I strategies for preventing behavior, a student’s Intensity III/IVbehavior (including crisisbehavior) significantly impacts classroom learningand safety, teachersshouldreferthestudenttoschooladministratorsthroughtheuseoftheschool’s201sendoutsystem.Bycalling201(theschool’ssecuritydeskline),requestcallsareroutedtoschoolbuildingleadersviawalkietalkieandarerespondedtoimmediately.IncaseswhenIntensityIIIandIVincidentsoccurbutadministratorsupportisnotimmediatelyrequired,staffmembersshouldreferthestudenttoadministrationviaEducatorsHandbook(seebelow)tonotifypertinentschoolbuildingleadersoftheneedforfollowup.ThisincludesIntensityIII/IVbehaviorsoccurringinaremotecapacity.

DocumentingBehaviorIncidentsBehavior incidents at Intensity Levels II-IV must be documented by NCS staff within EducatorsHandbook.EducatorsHandbookistheschool’sinternalreportingsystem.IncidentsloggedintoEHdoNOTautomaticallyenter intoastudent’spermanenteducational file,except in instanceswhennecessaryforobtaininganddocumentingspecialeducationalsupportsrelatingtobehavior.Loggingincidents intoEducatorsHandbookallows theschool to trackbehaviorpatternsat the individualstudentandbroaderstudentcommunitylevels,whichsupportstheschoolininterveningproactivelyandpreventivelyintothefuture.

BehaviorIncidentsandManifestationofDisabilityLookingatbehavior incidentsonacase-by-casebasis inherentlyprotects theneedsandrightsofstudentswithdisabilities.WeatNCSunderstandthewaysinwhichstudentlaggingskills(includingthoserelatedtoastudent’sdisability)maycontributetobehaviorincidents.Theselaggingskillsaretaken into account within restorative consequence discussions. Importantly, the presence of adisability doesNOTpreclude a child frompotentially receiving a consequence, includingbut notlimitedtoin-schoolorout-of-schoolsuspensionsincasesdeemednecessarybyschoolofficials.

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BehavioralResponse-to-InterventionPartoftheschool’stieredmodelofbehaviorinterventionisarobustBehavioralResponse-to-Intervention(RtI)programthatrunsparalleltoouracademicRtIprogram.TherearethreepathwaysforreferralintoBehavioralRtI.Firstly,studentsrecordinginthetop10%ofbehavioralincidentsperEducatorsHandbookdatawillbeautomaticallyflaggedintoTierIIprogramming.Alternatively,studentsmaybereferredbyteachernominationviatheschool’sBehaviorRtINominationForm.Teacherreferralsarevettedbytheschool’sBehavioralSpecialistandneedisconfirmedthroughbehaviordataanalysis.Lastly,studentsmaybereferredforBehaviorRtIbasedontheseverityofindividualincidentstheyareinvolvedinandthepotentialimpactofsuchincidentsontheirphysicaloremotionalwell-being.TierIIprogrammingincludesshorttermbehavioralplansandinterventionsaimedatbuildingstudentskillstoreduceoverallratesofbehaviorincidents.StudentswhoareunresponsivetoTierII(i.e.,short-term,at-riskinterventions)orwhosebehaviorisconsideredsignificantlydangerousordisruptivetoclassroomlearningmaybereferredforTierIIIInterventions.TierIIIinterventionsaredata-informedandrequirethecompletionofaFunctionalBehaviorAssessment(FBA)todevelopaformalBehaviorInterventionPlan.FamilyconsentisrequiredtoconductFBAsexceptforstudentswithpre-existingIEPs.Astudent’saccesstoTierIIIbehaviorsupportisNOTinofitselfconsideredspecialeducationsupport,thoughFBAsandBIPsmaybeattachedtoachild’spre-existingcondition.

RestorativeCircle/LogicalConsequences

NCSisinvestingintrainingstaffonlogicalconsequences.Yourchildmaybeaskedtojoinateacherorgroupofstudentstodiscussanincident,itsimpactonindividualsandtheircommunity,andcreateaplantoensurethatitdoesnothappenagain.Weseektoteachstudentsabouttheirbehaviorratherthantakeapurelypunitiveapproach.

In-SchoolSuspension

In-schoolsuspension(ISS)isadisciplinaryactionNCScanimplementincasesofsevereorpersistentIntensityIIIorIVbehaviors.ThepurposeofISSistoprovideastructuredopportunityforscholarstoreflecton the incident, restorerelationshipswith fellowscholars/teachers,andcontemplatehowsuchincidentscanbepreventedinthefuture.Italsoprovidestimeandspaceforthestudentandothers affected to heal from the harm done through short-term physical separation. ISS at NCSinvolves an automatic restorative component, full-day supervision by NCS staff, andwork/instructional load comparable to their in-class counterparts. ISS is administered at thediscretionofschool-basedleaderswithadvisementfromDeansandAPCultureand/orprincipalsasneeded.IninstanceswhereascholarwithanIEPisbeingconsideredforISS,advisementfromtheBehavior Specialist and/orDirectorof SpecialEducationmustbeobtainedbefore the ISS canbeadministered (See NCS Suspension Approval Process - Appendix <Insert>). Families of studentsreceivingISSconsequencewillbeprovidedwithdocumentationoftheincidentresultinginISS,as

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wellasanIn-School-SuspensionandRe-EntryPlanoutliningthespecificuseofscholartimeandplanforrestorativeactionsneedingtooccur.

OutofSchoolSuspension

Out-of-SchoolSuspension(OSS)isadisciplinaryactioninwhichascholarisnotallowedtoreceivephysicalinstructionatschoolbasedontheseverityoftheIntensityIIIorIVincidentthattookplace.OSSdecisionsarenottakenlightlybyschool-basedofficialsbutmaybenecessaryforspecificextremecircumstanceswhere thephysicalandemotionalwell-beingofother studentsandstaffwouldbeimpactedbythepresenceoftheoffendingscholarwithintheschoolbuilding.OSSdecisionsaremadein accordancewith the NCS Suspension Approval Process. Students receiving OSS consequencesrequire an in-person family conference before a student’s return to school. Families of studentsreceivingOSSshouldexpectdocumentationoftheincidentfromtheschoolandaStudentRe-EntryPlanoutliningtherestorativeactionsthatwilloccurwhenthestudentreturnstotheschoolbuilding.Restorativeactionscouldinclude,butarenotlimitedto,restorativecircleswithimpactedstaffandstudents,referraltoNCSoroutsidementalhealthorbehavioralservices,andorrepairinganyharmdone.

SocialProbation

NCSscholarsarenotautomaticallyentitledtoparticipateinallschoolevents,includingschooltrips,sportinggames,dances,orafterschoolactivities.NCSreserves theright tosetminimumstudentbehavioralexpectations(e.g.,nomorethanaspecificnumberofrecordedminorormajorinfractionsand/ornorecentISS/OSS)forscholarstoparticipateinsuchactivities.Theschoolreservestherighttoplacescholarsonsocialprobation,meaningtheyeitherarenotpermittedtoattendormayonlyconditionallyattendcertainschooleventsforaspecifiedperiodoftime,basedontheirin-orout-of-schoolbehavior.

CrisisResponseandPostvention

AtNCS,wetakeseriouslythephysicalandemotionalwell-beingofallscholarsandarecommittedtousingverbalde-escalationtechniqueswhereverpossible.Thatsaid,incaseswherestudentsexhibitphysicalbehaviorsthatputthemselvesandothersatrisk,physicalmanagementmayberequiredtomaximizethesafetyandsecurityofmembersofourschoolcommunity.Membersofourschool’sCultureTeamaswellasmanyschoolbuildingleadersandteachers(10%ofourtotalstaff)arecertifiedinNon-ViolentCrisisInterventionthroughtheCrisisPreventionInstitute.CrisisResponseTeammembershaveundergonerigoroussafetytrainingemphasizingdecision-makingskillstomatchtheleveloftheresponsetotheriskofthecrisis,focusingontheleast-restrictiveresponsetoensuretheCare,Welfare,Safety,andSecurity℠ofthoseintheircare.Thisincludesrecognizingthestagesofanescalatingcrisisandlearningevidence-basedtechniquesto

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appropriatelyde-escalate.Allinstancesofcrisisinterventioninvolvearigorouspostventionprocessinwhichallmembersinvolvedinthecrisissituationmeettoreviewincidentleadupandsafetyprotocols,culminatinginthedocumentationoftheincidentinourschool’sinternaldataserver(EducatorsHandbook)andcompletionofaCrisisPost-VentionReport.Familiesofstudentsinvolvedincrisissituationswillbecontactedassoonaspossiblefollowingthecrisisincidentandwillbeprovidedwithacopyofthecrisispostventionreportonthesameday.Ininstanceswhereachildcansuccessfullyreintegrateintotheclassroomandsafelyremainatschoolfollowingacrisisincident,theymaydosowithspecialistsupportandfollowingcompletionofarestorativeconversationorotheractivity.Ininstanceswherethechildcontinuestoremainescalatedandexhibitbehaviorsthatthreatenthesafetyandsecurityoffamiliesfollowinganinitialcrisisbehavior,theschoolreservestherighttoseparatethechildfromthelearningcommunitytemporarilyandmayaskthefamily/caregiverofthechildtocometoretrievethemfromthebuildingsameday.IfachildissenthomeinthismanneritisNOTcodedasasuspensioninthemajorityofincidents.

SocialDistanceMandateCrisisResponse(In-PersonwithSocialDistancinginPlace)PleasenotethatphysicalmanagementisalwaysconsideredalastresortandthevastmajorityofpotentiallyharmfulbehaviorsexhibitedbyNCSstudentsaresuccessfullymanagedentirelythroughverbalde-escalation.Wewillassumethiswillalsobethecaseinascenarioinwhichtheschoolmovestoahybridlearningmodelwithsocialdistancingguidelinesinplace.Thatsaid,NCShasamandatetocomplywithstatesocialdistancingmandates,whichimpactsourschool’scrisisresponseandpostventionprocess.Specifically,ifastudentrequiresphysicalmanagementbyourCrisisResponseTeamwhenthereisasocialdistancingmandateineffect,therespondingmembersmayelecttophysicallymanagethebehaviorregardless,favoringmaneuversinwhichtherespondingadultsfaceawayfromthechild(e.g.,Standing/SeatedHighorChild’sHighhold)wherepossible.Inthisinstance,filteredmasks(i.e.,N95orsimilar)arerequiredtobewornbyCrisisTeammembersatalltimes.Ofnote,asfacecoveringscouldpotentiallyobstructtheairflowofstudentsincrisissituations,masksmayberemovedoffofstudentspresentinginbehavioraldistress.Foranystudentsexhibitingoneormorecrisisincidentswhilephysicallyinthebuilding,theschoolreservestherighttotransitionthechildtoafullyremoteschoolingoptionforatimeperiodtobedeterminedbytheschoolprincipalincombinationwiththeDirectorofSpecialEducation.Inthiscase,thestudentcanbeexpectedtoreceivecomparableeducationalopportunitiestotheirpeersbutreducingrisktostaffhealth.Suchdeterminationsarenotcodedassuspensionsasthestudentwillstillbeexpectedtoparticipateintheschool’sacademicprogramtotheextentoftheirclassmates.

MentalHealthCrisis

NeighborhoodCharterSchoolsworkswitharangeofmentalhealthprofessionalstoensurethewellbeingofscholarsinourcare,includingtwoNCS-staffedmentalhealthcounselors.Studentscan

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accessmentalhealth(i.e.,counseling)servicesasmandatedbytheirIndividualEducationPlan(IEP),ormaybeapprovedtoreceiveat-riskcounselingservicesorotherbehaviorsupportservicesbytheDirectorofSpecialEducationbasedonthenatureandseverityofpresentingconcerns.InstanceswhereNCSstudentspresentinmentalhealthcrisis-includinginstancesofobservedorreportedsuicideideation-aretreatingwiththeutmostcareandurgency.Ourmentalhealthcounselorsaretrainedandcompetentintherecognitionofandprovisionofsuicidecare.Mentalhealthcrisisreferralscanbemadeatanytimebythestudentdirectly,NCSstaffmembers,familymembers,orstudentmembersoftheschoolcommunity.ReferralscanbemadebycontactingNCSmentalhealthcounselorsdirectly,orbynotifyingtheDirectorofSpecialEducation,Principals,orschoolBehaviorSpecialist.Oncereceivingareferral,counselorswillconductabasictriageorscreeningtoknowwhetherornotafullassessmentisneededusingTheColumbia-SuicideSeverityRatingScale(C-SSRS)orsimilarlystructuredassessment.Thisscreeningmayincludedirectlyspeakingtothechildand/orfamilymembersofthestudent.Familieswillbenotifiedinallinstancesofastudent’sreferralforamentalhealthcrisis.Thementalhealthcounselorwilldecidethestudent’soverallriskandmayreferforfurtherassessmentasneeded.ReferralsmaybemadetoNewYorkCity’s24-hourmentalhealthreferralnetwork(NYCWell),tooutsidementalhealthserviceagencies,orforpsychiatrichospitalcare.Incaseswherethechild’shealthorwellbeingappearstobeinimminentdangeroriftheschoolandfamilyaremisalignedonthelevelofriskbeingexhibitedbyachild,theschoolreservestherighttorequestwelfarechecksbeconductedbyeitherACSorcommunitylawenforcementtoensurethewellbeingofthechild.

Remote(IncludingOnline/SocialMedia)MentalHealthCrisisNCScaresdeeplyaboutthewellbeingofstudentsevenwhentheyarenotphysicallyinthebuilding.Ifachild’swellbeingisinquestionduringanextendedperiodofremotelearning,orifthepresentingincidentoccurredinadigitalcontext(e.g.,viapostingonsocialmedia),ourschool’sMentalHealthreferralpolicyandprocessremainineffect.Inthiscase,screeningbyourmentalhealthcounselor(s)willtakeplaceremotelyviaphoneorsecurevideolinetodetermineifafullassessmentiswarranted.

Expulsion

Expulsionisreservedforextraordinarycircumstances,includingbutnotlimitedtocircumstanceswhereastudent’sconductposedorcontinuestoposeadangertothesafetyandwell-beingofotherstudents,schoolpersonnel,oranyotherpersonlawfullyonschoolproperty,attendingaschoolfunction,oronschool-providedtransportation.

ProceduresandDueProcessforShortTermSuspension

ThePrincipalmayimposeashort-termsuspensionandshallfollowdueprocessproceduresconsistentwithfederalcaselawpursuanttoGossv.Lopez(419U.S.565).Beforeimposingashort-termsuspension,orother,lessseriousdiscipline,thePrincipalshallprovidenoticetoinformthestudentofthechargesagainsthimorher,andifthestudentdeniesthecharges,anexplanationof

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theevidenceagainstthestudent.Achancetopresentthestudent’sversionofeventsshallalsobeprovided.Beforeimposingashort-termsuspension,thePrincipalshallimmediatelynotifytheparentsorguardianinwritingthatthestudentmaybesuspendedfromschool.Writtennoticeofthedecisiontosuspendshallbeprovidedbypersonaldeliveryorexpressmaildeliverywithin24hoursatthelastknownaddress(es)oftheparentsorguardian.Wherepossible,notificationalsoshallbeprovidedbytelephone.Suchnoticeshallprovideadescriptionoftheincident(s)forwhichsuspensionisproposedandshallinformtheparentsorguardianoftheirrighttorequestanimmediateinformalconferencewiththePrincipal.Suchnoticeandinformalconferenceshallbeinthedominantlanguageormodeofcommunicationusedbytheparentsorguardians.Theparentsorguardianofthestudentandthestudentshallhavetheopportunitytopresentthestudent’sversionoftheincidentandtoaskquestionsofthecomplainingwitnesses.Suchnoticeandopportunityforaninformalconferenceshalltakeplacebeforethesuspensionofthestudentunlessthestudent’spresenceintheschoolposesacontinuingdangertopersonsorpropertyoranongoingthreatofdisruptiontotheacademicprocess,inwhichcasethenoticeandopportunityforaninformalconferenceshalltakeplaceassoonaspossibleafterthesuspensionasisreasonablypracticable.ThePrincipal’sdecisiontoimposeashort-termsuspensionmaybechallengedbytheparent(s)orguardianinaccordancewiththeSchool’sgrievancepolicy.

ProceduresandDueProcessforLongTermSuspension

ThePrincipalmayimposealong-termsuspension.Suchasuspensionmaybeimposedonlyafterthestudenthasbeenfoundguiltyataformalsuspensionhearing.Inextremecircumstances,thePrincipalmayexpelthestudentfromschool.Upondeterminingthatastudent’sactionwarrantsapossiblelong-termsuspension,thePrincipalshallverballyinformthestudentthattheyarebeingsuspendedandisbeingconsideredforalong-termsuspension(orexpulsion)andstatethereasonsforsuchactions.ThePrincipalalsoshallimmediatelynotifythestudent’sparent(s)orguardian(s)inwriting.Writtennoticeshallbeprovidedbypersonaldelivery,expressmaildelivery,orequivalentmeansreasonablycalculatedtoassurereceiptofsuchnoticewithin24hoursofsuspensionatthelastknownaddress.Wherepossible,notificationalsoshallbeprovidedbytelephoneiftheschoolhasbeenprovidedwithacontacttelephonenumberfortheparent(s)orguardian(s).Suchnoticeshalldescribetheincidentorincidentsthatresultedinthesuspensionandshallindicatethataformalhearingwillbeheldonthematterthatmayresultinalong-termsuspension(orexpulsion).Thenotificationprovidedshallbeinthedominantlanguageusedbytheparent(s)orguardian(s).Attheformalhearing,thestudentshallhavetherighttoberepresentedbycounsel,questionwitnesses,andpresentevidence.IfthePrincipalinitiatesthesuspensionproceeding,theyshallpersonallyhearanddeterminetheproceedingormay,inhisorherdiscretion,designateahearingofficertoconductthehearing.Thehearingofficer’sreportshallbeadvisoryonlyandthePrincipalmayacceptorrejectallorpartofit.

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ThePrincipal’sdecisiontoimposealong-termsuspensionorexpulsionmaybechallengedbytheparentorguardianthroughanappealprocesstotheExecutiveDirector,thedetailsofwhichshallbedetermined.NOTE:InanyinstancewherethePrincipalisdirectlyinvolvedintheinstance(s)atissueforasuspensionorexpulsion,theExecutiveDirectorshallhandleanyinvestigation,hearing,anddetermination.

FirearmViolations

FederalandNewYorklawrequirestheexpulsionfromschoolforaperiodofnotlessthanoneyearofastudentwhoisdeterminedtohavebroughtafirearmtotheschool,ortohavepossessedafirearmatschool,exceptthatthePrincipalmaymodifysuchexpulsionrequirementforastudentonacase-by-casebasis,ifsuchmodificationisinwriting,inaccordancewiththeFederalGun-FreeSchoolsActof1994(asamended).“Weapon,”asusedinthislawmeansa“firearm,”asdefinedby18USC§921,andincludesfirearmsandexplosives.(NewYorkEducationLaw§3214effectuatesthisfederallaw.)Thefollowingareincludedwithinthisdefinition:(a)Anydevice,instrument,material,orsubstancethatisusedfororisreadilycapableofcausingdeathorseriousbodilyinjury.Kniveswithabladeoftwoandhalfinchesormoreinlengthfallwithinthisdefinition;(b)Anyweapon(includingastartergun)whichwillorisdesignedtoormayreadilybeconvertedtoexpelaprojectilebytheactionofanexplosive;(c)theframeorreceiverofanyweapondescribedabove;(d)Anyfirearmmufflerorfirearmsilencer;(e)Anydestructibledevice,whichisdefinedasanyexplosive,incendiary,orpoisongas,suchasabomb,grenade,rockethavingapropellantchargeofmorethanfourounces,amissilehavinganexplosiveorincendiarychargeofmorethanone-quarterounce,amine,orothersimilardevice.ThePrincipalshallreferastudentundertheageofsixteenwhohasbeendeterminedtohavebroughtaweaponorfirearmtoschooltoapresentmentagencyforajuveniledelinquencyproceedingconsistentwithArticle3oftheFamilyCourtActexceptastudentfourteenorfifteenyearsofagewhoqualifiesforjuvenileoffenderstatusunderCriminalProcedureLaw§1.20(42).ThePrincipalshallreferanypupilsixteenyearsofageorolderorastudentfourteenorfifteenyearsofagewhoqualifiesforjuvenileoffenderstatusunderCriminalProcedureLaw§1.20(42),whohasbeendeterminedtohavebroughtaweaponorfirearmtoschooltotheappropriatelawenforcementofficials.

ProvisionofInstructionDuringRemoval

HLAwillensurethatalternativeeducationalservicesareprovidedtoachildwhohasbeensuspendedorremovedtohelpthatchildprogressintheschool’sgeneralcurriculum.Forastudentwhohasbeensuspended,alternativeinstructionwillbeprovidedtotheextentrequiredbyapplicablelaw.Forastudentwhohasbeenexpelled,alternativeinstructionwillbeprovidedinlikemannerasasuspendedstudentuntilthestudentenrollsinanotherschoolforareasonableperiodthereafteroruntiltheendoftheschoolyear.Alternativeinstructionwillbeprovidedtostudentssuspendedorexpelledinawaythatbestsuitstheneedsofthestudent.Instructionforsuchstudentsshallbesufficienttoenablethestudentto

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makeadequateacademicprogressandshallprovidethemtheopportunitytocompletetheassignments,learnthecurriculum,andparticipateinassessments.Instructionwilltakeplaceinoneofthefollowinglocations:thechild’shome,acontractedfacility(e.g.,intheschooldistrictoflocation),orasuspensionroomorotherroomattheschool.Duringanyremovalfordrugorweaponoffenses,additionalservicesshallincludestrategiesdesignedtopreventsuchbehaviorfromrecurring.Instructionwillbeprovidedbyoneormoreofthefollowingindividualswhoshallbecertifiedorqualifiedinaccordancewith§2854(3)(a-1)oftheEducationLawandthefederalNoChildLeftBehind.

FreedomofExpression

Studentsareentitledtoexpresstheirpersonalopinionsverbally,inwriting,orbysymbolicspeech.Theexpressionofsuchopinions,however,shallnotinterferewiththefreedomofotherstoexpressthemselves,andwrittenexpressionofopinionmustbesignedbytheauthor.Anyformofexpressionthatinvolveslibel,slander,theuseofobscenity,orpersonalattacks,orthatotherwisedisruptstheeducationalprocess,isprohibited.Allformsofexpressionalsomustcomplywiththestudentdisciplinarypolicyandtheschooldresscode,violationsofwhicharepunishableasstatedinthedisciplinarypolicy.Studentparticipationinthepublicationofschool-sponsoredstudentnewsletters,yearbooks,literarymagazines,andsimilarpublicationsisencouragedasalearningandeducationalexperience.Thesepublications,ifany,shallbesupervisedbyqualifiedfacultyadvisorsandshallstrivetomeethighstandardsofjournalism.Tomaintainconsistencywiththeschool'sbasiceducationalmission,thecontentofsuchpublicationsiscontrolledbyschoolauthorities.NopersonshalldistributeanyprintedorwrittenmaterialsonschoolpropertywithoutthepriorpermissionofthePrincipal.ThePrincipalmayregulatethecontentofmaterialstobedistributedonschoolpropertytotheextentnecessarytoavoidmaterialandsubstantialinterferencewiththerequirementsofappropriatedisciplineintheoperationoftheschool.ThePrincipalmayalsoregulatethetime,place,manner,anddurationofsuchdistribution.

Off-CampusEvents

Studentsatschool-sponsoredoff-campuseventsshallbegovernedbyalltheguidelinesoftheschoolandaresubjecttotheauthorityofschoolofficials.Failuretoobeythelawfulinstructionsofschoolofficialsshallresultinalossofeligibilitytoattendschool-sponsoredoff-campuseventsandmayresultinadditionaldisciplinarymeasuresinaccordancewiththestudentdisciplinarypolicy.

StudentRecords

TheSchoolwillmaintainwrittenrecordsofallsuspensionsandexpulsionsincludingthenameofthestudent,adescriptionofthebehaviorengagedin,thedisciplinaryactiontaken,andarecordofthenumberofdaysastudenthasbeensuspendedorremovedfordisciplinaryreasons.HLAwill

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complywithNYSED’sVADIRdatacollectionrequirementsanddisciplinarydataandsubmitthatinformationtoNYSEDbyrequireddeadlines.CharterschoolsaresubjecttothefederalFamilyEducationRightsandPrivacyActof1974(FERPA)thatrequiresaschooltoprotectastudent’sprivacy.HLAwillnotdiscloseanyinformationfromthestudent’spermanentrecordsexceptasauthorizedpursuanttoFERPA,orinresponsetoasubpoena,asrequiredbylaw.Theparent(s)orguardian(s)ofastudentunder18yearsofage,orastudent18yearsofageorolder,isentitledtoaccesstothestudent'sschoolrecordsbysubmittingawrittenrequesttothePrincipal.FurtherinformationconcerningthedisclosureofstudentinformationandlimitationsonsuchdisclosuremaybefoundinFERPAandtheschool’sFERPApolicy.

DisciplineofStudentswithSpecialNeeds

Inadditiontothedisciplineproceduresapplicabletoallstudents,NCSshallimplementthefollowingdisciplinarypolicyprocedureswithrespecttostudentswithdisabilities.Astudentnotspecificallyidentifiedashavingadisabilitybutwhoseschooldistrictofresidenceorcharterschool,priortothebehaviorwhichisthesubjectofthedisciplinaryaction,hasabasisofknowledge—inaccordancewith34CFR300.527(b)—thatadisabilityexistsmayrequesttobedisciplinedinaccordancewiththeseprovisions.HLAshallcomplywithsections300.519-300.529oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)andthefollowingprocedures,exceptthatintheeventthatthefollowingproceduresareinconsistentwithfederallawandregulations,suchfederallawandregulationsshallgovern.IfastudentviolatestheSchool’sdisciplinecodeandisbeingconsideredforasuspensionorremoval,NCSmustensurethefollowingdueprocessprotectionsareprovidedtothestudentandtothestudent’sparent(s)inadditiontothosesetforthintheregulareducationdisciplinecode.Forsuspensionsoffiveschooldaysorless,thestudent’sparent(s)orguardianmustbeprovidedwithawrittennotice,andafollow-uptelephonecallifpossible,within24hoursoftheincidentleadinguptothesuspensionwhichdescribesthebasisforthesuspensionandexplainsthattheparentorguardianhastherighttorequestaninformalconferencewiththePrincipalandappropriatestafftodiscusstheincidentandquestionanycomplainingwitnessagainstthestudent.Forsuspensionsinexcessoffiveconsecutiveschooldays,thestudent’sparent(s)orguardianmustbeprovidedwithawrittennoticewhichindicatesthatthedistrictproposestosuspendthestudentfromschoolinexcessoffiveconsecutiveschooldays,describesthebasisfortheproposedsuspension,explainsthatthestudenthasanopportunityforafairhearingconductedbythePrincipalorhisorherdesigneeatwhichthestudentwillhavearighttoquestionanywitnessesaccusinghim/herofcommittingthemisconductchargeandtopresentwitnessesonhis/herbehalf.Wherepossible,notificationmustalsobeprovidedbytelephone.Inaddition,NCSmustprovidealternativeeducationtothestudentduringthesuspensionassetforthbelow,includinganyspecialservicesrequiredbytheIndividualizedEducationProgram(IEP)preparedbytheCommitteeonSpecialEducation(CSE)wheretheschoolislocated.Finaldeterminationonasuspensionorremovalofastudent,followingdueprocess,shallbemadebythePrincipal.

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TheSchoolshallmaintainwrittenrecordsofallsuspensionsandexpulsionsofstudentswithadisabilityincludingthenameofthestudent,adescriptionofthebehaviorengagedin,thedisciplinaryactiontaken,andarecordofthenumberofdaysastudenthasbeensuspendedorremovedfordisciplinaryreasons.StudentsforwhomtheIEPincludesaBehaviorInterventionPlan(BIP)willbedisciplinedinaccordancewiththeBIP.IftheBIPappearsnottobeeffectiveorifthereisaconcernforthehealthandsafetyofthestudentorothersiftheBIPisfollowedwithrespecttotheinfraction,thematterwillbeimmediatelyreferredtotheCSEwheretheschoolislocatedforconsiderationofachangeintheguidelines.Ifastudentidentifiedashavingadisabilityissuspendedduringtheschoolyearforatotalofeightdays,suchstudentwillimmediatelybereferredtotheCSEwheretheschoolislocatedforreconsiderationofthestudent’seducationalplacement.SuchastudentshallnotbesuspendedforatotalofmorethantendaysduringtheschoolyearwithoutthespecificinvolvementoftheCSEwheretheschoolislocatedpriortotheeleventhdayofsuspension,becausesuchsuspensionsmaybeconsideredtobeachangeinplacement.Inconsideringtheplacementofstudentsreferredbecauseofdisciplinaryproblems,theCSEwheretheschoolislocatedisexpectedtofollowitsordinarypolicieswithrespecttoparentalnotificationandinvolvement.NCSshallworkwiththedistricttoensurethattheCSEwheretheschoolislocatedmeetswithin7daysofnotificationofanyofthefollowing:(1)Thecommissionofaninfractionbyastudentwithadisabilitywhohaspreviouslybeensuspendedforthemaximumallowablenumberofdays;(2)Thecommissionofanyinfractionresultingfromthestudent’sdisability;(3)Thecommissionofanyinfractionbyadisabledstudent,regardlessofwhetherthestudenthaspreviouslybeensuspendedduringtheschoolyearif,hadsuchinfractionbeencommittedbyanon-disabledstudent,thePrincipalwouldseektoimposeasuspensioninexcessof5days.Also,NCSwillensurethatwhenthesuspensionorremovalofastudentwithadisabilitywillconstituteadisciplinarychangeofplacement,theCSEwillbeimmediatelynotifiedsothattheCSEcanmeetitsrequiredobligationsto:

1. ConveneaCSEmeetingwithin10schooldaystomakeamanifestationdetermination2. ConveneaCSEmeetingwithin10businessdaystodevelopaplantoconductafunctional

behavioralassessmentorreviewanexistingfunctionalbehavioralassessmentorbehavioralinterventionplan.

3. Providethestudent’sparentwithacopyoftheirproceduraldueprocessrights4. WorkcloselywiththeCSEwheretheschoolislocatedindeterminingeducationservicesor

theinterimalternativeeducationalsettingconsistentwiththeFAPErequirements.

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ProvisionofServicesDuringRemoval

Thosestudentsremovedforaperiodfewerthantendayswillreceiveallclassroomassignmentsandascheduletocompletesuchassignmentsduringthetimeofhisorhersuspension.Provisionswillbemadetopermitasuspendedstudenttomakeupassignmentsortestsmissedasaresultofsuchsuspension.TheSchoolalsoshallprovideadditionalalternativeinstructionwithreasonablepromptnessandbyappropriatemeanstoassistthestudent,sothatthestudentisgivenfullopportunitytocompleteassignmentsandmastercurriculum,includingadditionalinstructions,phoneassistance,computerinstructionand/orhomevisitsandone-on-onetutoring.Duringanysubsequentremovalthat,combinedwithpreviousremovalsequalstenormoreschooldaysduringtheschoolyear,butdoesnotconstituteachangeinplacement,servicesmustbeprovidedtotheextentdeterminednecessarytoenablethechildtoappropriatelyprogressinthegeneralcurriculumandinachievingthegoalsofhisorherIEP.Inthesecases,schoolpersonnel,inconsultationwiththechild'sspecialeducationteacher,shallmaketheservicedetermination.Duringanyremovalforaweapon,drugorinflictionofseriousbodilyinjury-relatedoffensespursuantto34CFR§300.530(g)(1),(2)and(3),respectively,serviceswillbeprovidedtotheextentnecessarytoenablethechildtoappropriatelyprogressinthegeneralcurriculumandinachievingthegoalsofhisorherIEP.TheseservicedeterminationswillbemadebytheCSEwheretheschoolislocated.TheschoolwillplacestudentsininterimalternativeeducationalsettingsasappropriateandmandatedbytheIDEA.Duringanysubsequentremovalthatdoesconstituteachangeinplacement,butwherethebehaviorisnotamanifestationofthedisability,theservicesmustbeprovidedtotheextentnecessarytoenablethestudenttoappropriatelyprogressinthegeneralcurriculumandinachievingthegoalsofhisorherIEP.TheCSEwheretheschoolislocatedwillmaketheservicedetermination.

CSEMeetings

MeetingsoftheCSEwheretheschoolislocatedtoeitherdevelopabehavioralassessmentplanor,ifthechildhasone,toreviewsuchplanarerequiredwhen:(1)thechildisfirstremovedfromhisorhercurrentplacementformorethantenschooldaysinaschoolyear;and(2)whencommencingaremovalwhichconstitutesachangeinplacement.Thestudent’sspecialeducationteacher(orcoordinator)andthegeneralclassroomteacherwillattendallmeetingsregardingthestudent-initiatedbytheCSEwheretheschoolislocated.Subsequently,ifotherremovalsoccurwhichdonotconstituteachangeinplacement,theSchoolwillworkwiththeCSEwheretheschoolislocatedtoreviewthechild'sassessmentplananditsimplementationtodetermineifmodificationsarenecessary.IfoneormoremembersoftheCSEwheretheschoolislocatedbelievethatmodificationsareneeded,thentheCSEisexpectedtomeettomodifytheplanand/oritsimplementation.

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DueProcess

Ifdisciplinewhichwouldconstituteachangeinplacementiscontemplatedforanystudent,thefollowingstepsshallbetaken:(1)notlaterthanthedateonwhichthedecisiontotakesuchactionismade,theparentsofthestudentwithadisabilityshallbenotifiedofthatdecisionandprovidedtheproceduralsafeguardsnoticedescribedin34CFR§300.504;and(2)immediately,ifpossible,butinnocaselaterthantenschooldaysafterthedateonwhichsuchdecisionismade,theCSEwheretheschoolislocatedandotherqualifiedpersonnelshallmeetandreviewtherelationshipbetweenthechild’sdisabilityandthebehaviorsubjecttothedisciplinaryaction.Ifuponreview,itisdeterminedthatthechild'sbehaviorwasnotamanifestationofhisorherdisability,thenthechildmaybedisciplinedinthesamemannerasachildwithoutadisability,exceptasprovidedin34CFR§300.121(d),whichrelatestotheprovisionofservicestostudentswithdisabilitiesduringperiodsofremoval.Parentsmayrequestahearingtochallengethemanifestationdetermination.Exceptasprovidedbelow,thechildwillremaininhisorhercurrenteducationalplacementpendingthedeterminationofthehearing.Ifaparentrequestsahearingoranappealtochallengetheinterimalternativeeducationalsettingorthemanifestationdeterminationresultingfromadisciplinaryactionrelatingtoweaponsordrugs,thechildshallremaininanyinterimalternativeeducationalsettingpendingthedecisionofthehearingofficeroruntiltheexpirationofthetimeperiodprovidedforinthedisciplinaryaction,whicheveroccursfirst,unlesstheparentandNCSagreeotherwise.

AppealsProcessforDisciplinaryConsequence

Thefollowingprotocolhasbeenestablishedshouldaparent/guardianwishtoappealadisciplinaryconsequence:

● Level1:Appealthedecisionwiththestaffmemberthatassignedthedisciplinaryaction● Level2:AppealthedecisionwiththePrincipal● Level3:AppealthedecisionwiththeChiefofSchools● Level4:AppealthedecisionwiththeExecutiveDirector● Level5:AppealthedecisionwiththeBoardofTrusteesinaccordancewiththeComplaints

Policybelow.● Level6:AppealthedecisiontotheSchool’sAuthorizer,theNewYorkStateEducation

DepartmentinaccordancewiththeComplaintsPolicybelow.Additionally,beforeachildisreturnedtoclass,afamilymemberwillberequiredtoattendapost-suspensionconferencewiththePrincipalorhisdesignee.

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StudentSearches

TheSchoolauthorizesthePrincipal,AssistantPrincipals,DirectorofOperations,andDean,ortheirdesigneetoconductsearchesofstudentsandtheirbelongingsiftheauthorizedschoolofficialhasreasonablesuspiciontobelievethatthesearchwillresultinevidencethatthestudentviolatedthelawortheSchool’sCodeofConductorotherwiseconstitutedathreattothehealth,safety,welfareormoralsoftheSchool,otherstudents,schoolpersonnel,oranyotherpersonlawfullyonschoolpropertyorattendingaschoolfunction.Anauthorizedschoolofficialmaysearchastudentorthestudent’sbelongingsbaseduponinformationreceivedfromareliableinformant.Individuals,otherthantheSchool’semployees,willbeconsideredreliableinformantsiftheyhavepreviouslysuppliedinformationthatwasaccurateandverified,theymakeanadmissionagainsttheirowninterest,theyprovidethesameinformationthatisreceivedindependentlyfromothersources,ortheyappeartobecredibleandtheinformationtheyarecommunicatingrelatestoanimmediatethreattosafety.Schoolemployeeswillbeconsideredreliableinformantsunlesstheyareknowntohavepreviouslysuppliedinformationthattheyknewwasnotaccurate.Beforesearchingastudentorthestudent’sbelongings,theauthorizedschoolofficialshouldattempttogetthestudenttoadmitthattheypossessphysicalevidencethattheyviolatedthelawortheschoolcode,orgetthestudenttovoluntarilyconsenttothesearch.Searcheswillbelimitedtotheextentnecessarytolocatetheevidencesought.Wheneverpractical,searcheswillbeconductedintheprivacyofadministrativeofficesandstudentswillbepresentwhentheirpossessionsarebeingsearched.Studentshavenoreasonableexpectationofprivacyrightsinschoollockers,cubbies,desks,orotherschoolstorageplaces.TheSchoolexercisesoverridingcontroloversuchschoolproperty,whichmaybeopenedandsubjectedtoinspectionatanytimebyschoolofficials.

Bullying

NSCpromotesanurturingschoolculturethathasrespectfordiversityamongstudentsandbetweenstudentsandstaff.Weprovideallstudentswithasupportiveandsafeenvironmentinwhichtogrowandthriveacademicallyandsocially.Theabilityofstudentstolearnandmeetourhighacademicstandardsandourabilitytoeducateourstudentsarecompromisedwhenstudentsengageindiscriminationorharassment,bullying,orintimidatingbehaviortowardotherstudents.Bullyingandharassmentcantakemanyformsandincludesbehaviorthattargetsstudentsbecauseoftheiractualorperceivedrace,color,nationalorigin,ethnicity,citizenship/immigrationstatus,religion,creed,disability,sexualorientation,gender,genderidentity,genderexpression,orweight.Schoolemployeeswhowitnessharassment/bullyingordiscrimination,orreceiveoralorwritten

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reportsofsuchacts,mustpromptlyorallynotifythePrincipalnolaterthanoneschooldayaftertheemployeewitnessorreceivessuchacts.ThePrincipalortheirdesigneewillleadorsuperviseathoroughinvestigationofallreportsofharassment/bullyinganddiscrimination,andensuretheinvestigationiscompletedinatimelymanner.Whenaninvestigationverifiesamaterialincidentofharassment/bullyingordiscrimination,thePrincipalordesigneewilltakepromptaction,reasonablycalculatedtoendtheharassment/bullyingordiscrimination,eliminateanyofthehostileenvironment,createamorepositiveschoolcultureandclimate,preventrecurrenceofthebehavior,andensurethesafetyofthestudentorstudentsagainstwhomsuchbehaviorwasdirected.ThePrincipalordesigneewillpromptlynotifytheappropriatelocallawenforcementagencywhenitisbelievedthatanyharassment/bullyingordiscriminationconstitutescriminalconduct.Retaliationbyanyschoolemployeeorstudentisprohibitedagainstanyindividualwho,ingoodfaith,reportsorassistsintheinvestigationofharassment/bullyingordiscrimination.

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HealthandSecurityThereareanumberofbasicrequirementsthatNCShasinordertoensurethesafetyandsecurityofitsstudentsandstaff.Cooperationoneveryone’spartwillgoalongwayinguaranteeingthatpurposeofelementaryschools—teachingandlearning—cantakeplace.

MedicalRecordsandHealthServices

NCSprovidesthehealthservicesrequiredbylaw.Studentswithseriousinjuriesaretakentothehospitalforemergencymedicalcareandtheparent(s)orguardian(s)arenotifiedimmediately.Ifastudentrequiresmedicationofanykind(includingTylenol,orasthmainhalers),thestudent’sparent/guardianmustsubmitanAuthorizationtoDispenseMedicationformandmustgivethemedicationintheoriginalcontainertothenurseorMainOffice.Theparent/guardianofanystudentwhoisrequiredtocarryanasthmainhalermustprovideanAuthorizationtoDispenseMedicationformspecifyingthatthestudentneedstocarrytheinhalerwithhim/herandasecondinhalerthatiskeptinthenurse’soffice.NCSabidesbyallNewYorkStateimmunizationrequirements.Eachnewstudentmusthaveacertificateofimmunizationatthetimeofregistrationornotlaterthanthe14thdayofschool.Parent(s)orguardian(s)mustpresentdocumentationshowingthattheirchildrenhavereceivedallrequireddosesofvaccinesorarewaitingtoreceivethesubsequentdosesattheappropriatetimeintervals.ParentsseekingtowaivetheimmunizationrequirementsshouldsubmittheirrequestinwritingtotheschoolnurseorMainOffice.

COVID-19

Thehealthandsafetyofourstudentsandstaffareourtoppriority.NeighborhoodCharterSchoolwillberandomlyselectingscholarstotakeasalivabasedspittesttotestforCOVID-19.Theschoolwillbetestingat20%whichmeansthattherewillbeaselectgroupofscholarsandstaffmembersfromeachgradethatwilladministeraspittestonsiteonaweeklybasis.WeareusingMirimustoobtainthetestkitsfortesting.Ifascholar/staffmemberdoestestpositiveinourcommunity,theparentwillbenotifiedimmediatelyandtheproperstepswillbefollowed.Weencourageallstaffandscholarstocontinue:

● Completingthedailyhealthscreeningquestionnairepriortoarrivingattheschoolbuilding● Theuseoffacecoverings● Enforcinghand-washingandusinghandsanitizerwheneversoapandwaterarenot

available● Thoroughlydisinfectingtheschoolmultipletimesadaywithmajorfocusonhightrafficand

hightouchareas● Followingsocialdistancingrecommendations● COVIDtestingourcommunityat20%onaweeklybasis● Stayinghomeifthey’refeelingsickand/orexperiencingCOVIDsymptoms

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IfyouoryourscholararesickorhavebeenincontactwithsomeonewhohastestedpositiveforCOVID,pleasereportthistousimmediately.

SchoolSafetyAgent

NeighborhoodCharterSchool:HarlemTherewillbeaschoolsafetyagentstationedonthefirstfloorofthebuilding.Theywillserveasthefirstpointofcontactforscholars,families,andvisitors.Furthermore,fortheprotectionofourstudentsandstaff,wehaveinstalledacomprehensivesecuritysystemthatincludesavideodoorentrysystem.NeighborhoodCharterSchool:BronxFortheprotectionofourstudentsandstaff,wehaveinstalledacomprehensivesecuritysystemthatincludesavideodoorentrysystem.

GeneralSchoolInformation

SchoolWebsite

Familiesshouldregularlychecktheschool’swebsiteatwww.NCSchools.orgforrecentnews,updates,andupcomingevents.Weencourageyoutoregularlyviewtheschoolcalendaronthewebsiteforanuptodatelistofeventsandschoolclosings.Inaddition,weurgefamiliestoregularlycheckwiththeirchildren(andintheirbookbags)toseeifanynoticeshaverecentlybeendistributedtobringhome(includingschoolnewsletters).Atthestartoftheschoolyear,everystudentisgivenaspecificfoldertousetobringhomelettersandupdatesfromtheschool.

NondiscriminationPolicy

NeighborhoodCharterSchoolsdoesnotdiscriminateinadmissionto,accessto,treatmentin,oremploymentinitsservices,programs,andactivities,onthebasisofrace,color,ornationalorigin,inaccordancewiththeCivilRightsActof1964(TitleVI);onthebasisofsex,inaccordancewiththeTitleIXoftheEducationAmendmentsof1972;onthebasisofdisability,inaccordancewithSection504oftheRehabilitationActof1973(Section504)andTitleIIoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990(ADA);oronthebasisofage,inaccordancewiththeAgeDiscriminationinEmploymentActof1974(ADEA).Inaddition,nopersonshallbediscriminatedagainstinadmissiontoNCSonthebasisofrace,sex,color,creed,sex,ethnicity,sexualorientation,mentalorphysicaldisability,age,ancestry,athleticperformance,specialneed,proficiencyintheEnglishlanguageoraforeignlanguage,orprioracademicachievement.

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TheFamilyEducationalRights&PrivacyAct(FERPA)

TheFamilyEducationalRights&PrivacyAct(FERPA)isaFederallawdesignedtoprotecttheprivacyofastudents’educationrecords.FERPAgivesparentsrightswithrespecttotheirchildren’seducationrecords.Thoserightsinclude:

● Parentsoreligiblestudentshavetherighttoinspectandreviewallofthestudent’seducationrecordsmaintainedbyNCS.Forrecordsincludinginformationonmorethanonestudent,parentswillbelimitedonlytoinformationabouthis/herchild.Schoolsarenotrequiredtoprovidecopiesofmaterialsineducationrecordsunless,forreasonssuchasgreatdistance,itisimpossibleforparentsoreligiblestudentstoinspecttherecords.Schoolsmaychargeafeeforcopies.

● Studentrecordsorotheridentifiableinformationaremaintainedinasecurelocationtoensureconfidentiality.Recordsthatarenolongerrequiredorneedtobedisposedwillbedonesoinamannerthatensuresconfidentialityandsecurity.

● Parentsandeligiblestudentshavetherighttorequestthataschoolcorrectrecordsbelievedtobeinaccurateormisleading.Iftheschooldecidesnottoamendtherecord,theparentoreligiblestudentthenhastherighttoaformalhearing.Afterthehearing,iftheschoolstilldecidesnottoamendtherecord,theparentoreligiblestudenthastherighttoplaceastatementwiththerecordcommentingonthecontestedinformationintherecord.

● Generally,schoolsmusthavewrittenpermissionfromtheparentoreligiblestudentbeforereleasinganyinformationfromastudent’srecord.However,thelawallowsschoolstodiscloserecords,withoutconsent,tothefollowingparties:

o Schoolofficialswithlegitimateeducationalinterest;o Otherschoolstowhichastudentistransferring;o Specifiedofficialsforauditorevaluationpurposes;o Appropriatepartiesinconnectionwithfinancialaidtoastudent;o Organizationsconductingcertainstudiesfororonbehalfoftheschool;o Accreditingorganizations;o Tocomplywithajudicialorderorlawfullyissuedsubpoena;o Appropriateofficialsincasesofhealthandsafetyemergencies;ando Stateandlocalauthorities,withinajuvenilejusticesystem,pursuanttoaspecific

Statelaw.Schoolsmayalsodisclose,withoutconsent,“directory”typeinformationsuchasastudent’sname,address,telephonenumber,dateandplaceofbirth,honorsandawards,anddatesofattendance.However,schoolsmusttellparentsandeligiblestudentsaboutdirectoryinformationandallowparentsandeligiblestudentsareasonableamountoftimetorequestthattheschoolnotdisclosedirectoryinformationaboutthem.SchoolsmustnotifyparentsandeligiblestudentsannuallyoftheirrightsunderFERPA.Theactualmeansofnotification(specialletter,inclusioninaPTAbulletin,studenthandbook,ornewspaperarticle)islefttothediscretionofeachschool.

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ComplaintsPolicy

ComplaintsshouldbeaddressedinitiallytothePrincipal.IfthecomplaintinvolvesthePrincipalorifthePrincipaldoesnotprovideasatisfactoryresponse,acomplaintmaybeescalatedtotheExecutiveDirector.IftheExecutiveDirectordoesnotprovideasatisfactoryresponse,acomplaintmaybeaddressedbytheBoardofTrustees.Anysuchcomplaintmustbeinwriting,addressedtotheChairoftheBoardofTrustees.Onreceiptofanycomplaint,theChairwilltakesuchactionastheythinkfittoresolvethecomplaint,includingappointingacommitteeoftheBoardtoinvestigatethecomplaint.TheChairwillpromptlycommunicatehisorherfindingsandtheresultsofanyinvestigationtothepersonmakingthecomplaint.Ifthepersonmakingthecomplaintisnotsatisfiedwiththeresolutionofthecomplaint,theymayaddressacomplainttotheSchool’sAuthorizer,theNewYorkStateEducationDepartment.ThecomplaintshouldbeaddressedtotheCharterSchoolOffice.

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School/FamilyContract-RemoteLearningCOMMITMENTTOOURSTUDENTSANDFAMILIESWelcometoNeighborhoodCharterSchools!Wearecommittedtoprovidingourstudentswithasafe,orderly,andnurturingenvironmentinwhichtheyenjoystudying,learning,andmakingfriendsandwheretheywillgrowintoresponsibleandcaringyoungpeoplewhoarepreparedtosucceedincollegeandbeyond.Weviewfamiliesascriticalpartnersinourstudents’educationalsuccessandaskthatyousupportoureffortsbyagreeingtothefollowing:ATTENDANCE

▪ Iwillensurethatmychildcomestoschooleverydayatthedesignatedstartedtime.▪ IunderstandmychildneedstoattendallclassestobemarkedPresent.▪ Iunderstandthatattendancewillimpactacademicsandpromotiondecisions.▪ Iwillmakesurethatmychildpromptlymakesupmissedworkfollowingabsences.▪ IunderstandthatanabsenceisexcusedonlyifIhavecontactedtheschoolandwrittena

detailednoteregardingstudentillnesses,familyemergency,orreligiousobservance.HOMEWORK

▪ IunderstandthatmychildwillhavehomeworkeverynightandIwillensurethatitiscomplete.

CODEOFCONDUCT▪ IagreetopromoteandsupporttherulesofbehaviorasoutlinedintheFamilyHandbook

andacceptresponsibilityasapartnerinmychild’slearning.▪ Iagreetopartnerwithmystudent’sschoolwhenaninfractionoccursandworkwiththe

schooltoimprovebehavior▪ IacknowledgethattheconsequencesforotherstudentscannotbesharedduetoFERPA▪ Iacknowledgethatifseriousinfractionoccur,mychildmaybesuspendedfromschool

PROMOTIONPOLICIES

▪ Iunderstandthattheschoolmakespromotionaldecisionsbasedonavarietyofdatapointsthroughouttheyear.

▪ Iunderstandthatitismandatorytoattendallfamilyconferencestodiscusstheacademicprogressofmychild.

SCHOOLDRESSCODE

▪ Iwillensurethatmychildisdressedappropriatelyforvirtualclassasdescribedinthishandbook.

FAMILYSUPPORT

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▪ Iagreetosupportmychild’sacademicworkbycommunicatingregularlywithmychild’steacher.

▪ Iagreetoattendfamilymeetingsandotherschool-sponsoredeventsonaregularbasis.▪ Iagreetorespondtophonecallsfromschoolstaffmemberspromptly.

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DistanceLearning-AcknowledgementandConsentFormIunderstandandacknowledge:

● Mychildhastherighttoconfidentialityasitpertainstodistancelearning.● Iunderstand,bylaw,thereareexceptionstoconfidentiality,includingmandatedreportingof

child,elder,anddependentadultabuseaswellassafetyconcernsrelatedtodangertoselfanddanger to others. I understandmyprovidermayhave tobreak confidentialityunderthesecircumstances.

● Myteacherand/orserviceproviderwillconducteducationally-relatedinstructionbywayofdistancelearninginaconfidentialsetting.

● MychildwillremaininaconfidentialsettingduringreceiptofdistancelearningtotheextentpossibleandwithintheDistrict’scontrol.

● Ifurtherunderstanditisillegaltorecordanyinstructionoreducationalsessionwithoutthepriorwrittenconsentoftheprincipalandteacher/serviceprovider.

● I understand that it ismy responsibility to communicate in a timelymanner in the rareoccasionthatmychildisunabletomakeittoclass

● Ihavetherighttodiscussanyofthisinformationwiththeteacher/serviceproviderand/orprincipalandtoaskquestionsImayhave.

● I acknowledge and reaffirm my agreement to monitor, regulate bullying, and setsexpectationsforgoodbehaviorwhileusingthisplatform.

Ihavereadandunderstoodtheinformationprovidedinthiscorrespondence.Mysignaturebelowindicates I have read this consent form,understand, andagree to theDistrict’sdistance learningguidelines,useof technology, includingonline, virtual, andcommunicationsplatforms toprovidehigh-qualityeducationalopportunitiestomychild.