Rise Academy STUDENT HANDBOOK Stewart Academy of Excellence
FOREWORD This handbook is provided to assist with the orderly operation of the school. Students are expected to read the handbook and keep it for future reference. Obviously, every situation cannot be listed, but an attempt is made to consolidate regulations and provide needed information. It is in no way intended to replace policies or procedures of TISD. If there are questions concerning the content, please call the RISE Academy office at 903-262-3040. TITLE IX Tyler ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap in providing educational services. The Director of Secondary Education has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The purpose of the Act and procedures is to prohibit discrimination and to assure that disabled students have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided for non-disabled students. GOAL AND OBJECTIVES The major goal of RISE is to improve the academic achievement of high school students that will help them graduate with the skills for employment and/or postsecondary education. Students who participate in the program will develop a positive attitude as they accomplish the following objectives: Maintain a 90% attendance rate; Develop and/or improve employability skills; Reduce discipline-related referrals; Take PSAT and SAT and/or ACT as a step toward enrollment in post-secondary education. EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY All students can achieve educational excellence in a positive, challenging educational environment which stimulates interest, channels energies, and develops abilities. We believe each student should be treated with respect and dignity. It is our goal to provide students with opportunities for cognitive and affective development so she/he achieves self-confidence, self-worth, self-discipline and self-acceptance while attaining academic success.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS RISE students must be in attendance 90% of the time that they are enrolled in a class in order to receive credit. Those students who attend less than 90% and greater than 75% will be assigned one assignment equivalent to one class period for each day. This is needed to fulfill the 90% attendance rule and must be completed in the classroom. Class credit will not be awarded until all make up assignments are completed. Those students who have less than 75% attendance will be allowed to makeup attendance before repeating the course. Students may appeal to the campus attendance committee if they feel they have an extenuating circumstance that caused them to miss too many days. Students entering the class more than 5 minutes after the bell rings will be considered tardy. The student is responsible for his/her own learning. RISE is competency-based; therefore, all time requirements are waived. There are no six weeks or semester grading periods. When a student earns credit for a course, she/he enrolls immediately in a new course. CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION Students in Tyler ISD are required to plan their high school studies to meet the expectations of the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program. The Recommended High School Program and the Distinguished Achievement Program will provide the comprehensive background of coursework required by institutions of higher education and major employers in the business world. Additional information concerning graduation requirements can be found by accessing the Tyler ISD Program of Studies link found on the RISE, John Tyler, or Robert E. Lee webpage. COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES A student may participate in home campus graduation exercises if she/he has successfully completed all course requirements as stipulated by the Texas Education Agency, the policies of Tyler ISD, and passed all sections of the appropriate exit level test. No student is allowed to walk across the stage until these requirements have been met. EXPECTATIONS RISE is a program of choice and expectations are high. Students who choose not to meet these expectations will be withdrawn from RISE and other educational arrangements will be made. In general, RISE students are expected to assume responsibility for their learning by committing to five basic rules:
Attend school every day. Be on time. Do assigned work. Show academic progress. Exhibit good behavior. Students are expected to show respect and consideration for faculty, staff and fellow students. Students are expected to make measurable academic improvement and progress. DRESS CODE See the dress code policy!!!!!!!!!! ATTENDANCE Students are assigned to either the morning session or the afternoon session. Students are expected to have 90% attendance and to be punctual. Excessive absenteeism to school may result in dismissal from Rise. All absences are considered unexcused unless the RISE office is contacted (903-262- 3040). Parents or guardians have the responsibility of submitting a signed note giving the reason of each absence incurred by their son/daughter. Excuses for absences must contain the following information: Student s full name Date(s) absent Reason for absence on each date Signature of the parent or guardian A student who has been absent due to a doctor s appointment must bring a note from the doctor confirming the appointment. A student must never sign a parent s name. Such a signature will be considered forgery and will result in disciplinary action. Excessive tardiness to school may result in dismissal from RISE because of the waste of valuable class time. Tardiness disrupts the learning process. Students who arrive after the bell has rung to start school or leave early before the bell rings to dismiss school will be considered tardy. Students who leave school early must obtain permission from RISE personnel. The parent/guardian will be contacted before permission will be given if the student is 17 or younger (at the parent s request, parental contact will be required regardless of age.).
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER The student must immediately notify PACE staff of a change in the following: home address home phone number business phone number Up-to-date information is essential for the school to successfully handle emergencies. EMERGENCY PROCEDURE CARDS Each student is given an emergency card that must be completed, signed and returned. The information on this form provides the staff directions for proper care of the student in case of injury, illness or other emergencies. Accurate completion of this card is an enrollment requirement of the district. COUNSELING A counselor is available to assist students. MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL Whenever possible, medications should be given before and after school hours. If the student needs to take medication during school hours, the following procedures must be followed: All medication must be in the original container, properly labeled, and kept in the RISE office to be administered by a designated person. If the medication is to be administered, the school must receive written permission from both the parent/guardian and physician. Any student who operates a vehicle in an unsafe or disruptive manner shall be subject to disciplinary action and may be denied the privilege of future vehicle operation on school property. VISION STATEMENT FOR RISE ACADEMY RISE Academy will be recognized by our community, students, and their families for effectively providing all students with a foundation for success in academics.
MISSION STATEMENT FOR RISE ACADEMY The mission of the RISE Academy is to stress the relevance of subject matter, to emphasize skills in higher order thinking and communication, and to implement varied methods of instruction and assessment. RISE will foster a positive environment to achieve strong support involving students, families, and the community. Students will graduate with the ability to demonstrate personal responsibility by making good decisions, enabling them to function productively in an ever-changing society. Bell Schedule Period Beginning Ending Morning A1 7:30 8:18 A2 8:18 9:06 A3 9:06 9:54 A4 A5 9:54 10:42 10:42 11:30 Afternoon P1 12:00 12:48 P2 12:48 1:36 P3 1:36 2:24 P4 P5 2:24 3:12 3:12 4:00