Student/Parent Handbook

Academic Year 2002-2003

The East Bay Educational Collaborative (EBEC) provides a Regional Alternative Program (RAP) called the East Bay Career Academy (EBCA). The EBCA serves students of high school age who have been either diagnosed as having significant learning, behavioral and/or emotional disability. The EBEC public school districts provide this educational opportunity when a student's needs can no longer be met within his/her public school.

The EBCA program is designed to provide an educational and therapeutic environment that helps students gain the knowledge and skill necessary to be successful in lesser restrictive school, work and community settings. The unique needs of the students are addressed through individualized programming in the areas of curriculum, instruction and assessment and psychological intervention. A team approach is utilized to develop a plan designed to promote a student's academic and behavioral growth. The EBCA team includes the classroom teachers and instructional assistants with the support services of a program director, school guidance counselor, and school psychologist. In addition to the staff, the student's family and appropriate community agencies are vital contributing team members.

The EBCA, in providing a positive learning environment for students whom the �traditional� educational setting has proven inadequate, strives to have all students develop the skills, knowledge and character to be responsible and productive citizens. Students attending the EBCA are provided the opportunity to acquire gainful employment while maintaining academic accountability.

ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL OPTIONS

Students attending the EBCA are provided academic and vocational opportunities that are individually tailored to meet their unique needs. Traditional academic subjects coupled with Vocational Education and On-The-JobTraining provide experiences for students to better understand themselves and their communities. Pre-vocational options include on-site courses that are designed to enlighten students about the various aspects of the working world. The collaboration of the EBCA and the community is essential to the total educational setting. Students may participate in community-based programs, part-time placements, or a work study program as provided by the EBCA. Vocational programs are individually designed to take into consideration the student's cognitive, emotional and behavioral status as they prepare to transition to post-secondary education /training or the world of work.

In keeping with the individualization of student programming, the Academy has a state of the art computer lab. This network of computers contains curriculum that allows students to perform at their own ability level. By infusing and integrating technology into the curriculum in this manner, the Academy is able to successfully offer alternatives to the regular high school curriculum leading to graduation and career preparation.

High school credits earned at the EBCA can be transferred back to the public high schools. Students who successfully complete high school graduation requirements will receive a diploma from their school district.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The East Bay Career Academy Program provides opportunities for students to learn to make

appropriate behavioral choices and to take responsibility for their choices. The school environment is highly structured, a point system, time out and crisis containment interventions are utilized to help students monitor their own behavior. The focus of the EBCA program is to help students develop better control over their own behavior while maintaining academic progress.

The point system is a method of giving students the opportunity to observe the parts of their behavior that could be improved. It helps them to be aware, moment by moment, of the things they do that affect themselves and others. This system allows them to monitor their behavioral patterns on class by class, day to day basis. The system is comprised of three (3) levels of achievement with a specific number of points designated for each level. The student will earn points during each class period. Upon earning a pre-determined amount of points daily the student will acquire rewards and

In addition to receiving points for the 10-targeted behaviors, students may also have the opportunity to earn points for five advanced targeted behaviors. These include behaviors that address anger management, positive social interaction, appropriate attention getting, demonstration of empathy/mediation, and good personal grooming/care of grounds.

Points for any one of these advanced behaviors will we tracked independently of the 10 Targeted Behaviors. Generally, the method of tabulating Advanced Behaviors enables the student to receive a substantial reward in a time framework of 3-10 school days.

Timeout is an area and procedure designed to assist students in regaining control of themselves. It may be a designated area of the classroom partitioned from the total class or outside of the immediate classroom area, yet within the full view of the staff. A student is assigned to the timeout area when he/she displays behaviors signifying the inability to maintain self-control. During this time the staff and student have an opportunity to process his/her behavior. Should a student refuse such an assignment it would necessitate �tolerance time� and the student will be sent home according to procedures as established by the EBCA and parents/guardians.

Crisis containment is a safe, non-harmful behavior management system designed to aid students in the management of disruptive and assaultive behavior during the most violent moments. The program has two components:

Preventative Techniques are non-verbal and verbal interventions that help prevent physical acting out behavior and de-escalate verbal acting out. Also, the use of programmatic preemptive practices such as the establishment of rules restricting activities as �shadow boxing�, �birthday punches�, or �play wrestling�, etc.

Minimal physical restraint is the bodily holding of a student with no more force than is necessary to limit the student�s movement. It is utilized to the minimum extent and duration necessary for the student to regain responsible self-control. Staff employ minimal physical restraint only after less restrictive means of prevention have failed to allow the student the greatest possible comfort, and to avoid physical injury and mental distress. The minimal physical restraint process includes, but may not be limited to emergency situations justifying the use of minimal physical restraints are limited to situations that present substantial risk or actual occurrence of serious self-destructive behavior and/or aggression toward others.

Although the minimal physical restraint allows the student to regain control, it does not address the problem that led to the Non-violent Physical Crisis Intervention. It is essential that the staff member(s) who are involved in the minimal physical restraint, remain with the student in a reassuring, supportive posture, in order to bring the problem to a temporary resolution. It is often necessary to rebuild the student�s self-image, address his/her wounded dignity and remove the negative feelings toward the staff members that may have developed during the minimal physical restraint. This process may require more time than the actual physical intervention as it is the most significant part of the experience, in that it allows the student an opportunity to learn positive alternative behaviors.

The EBCA program shall maintain appropriate documentation of all physical interventions, including the lesser restrictive means attempted. This documentation shall include:

6. The name of the staff member who initiated the intervention and the names of any other staff members who participated.

7. The nature and extent of any injuries to the student or staff involved in the Minimal physical restraint.

The EBCA program director, the School Psychologist, the EBEC Director of Special Education, and the Executive Director of the EBEC, shall be informed of each minimal physical restraint. It is anticipated that the Director of the EBCA and the School Psychologist will determine if the student requires additional contact with the counseling program. If a student requires the repeated or prolonged use of minimal physical restraint, the Program Director will initiate a review process including all relevant team members, staff, parents/guardians, LEA Special Education Director, etc., to review the program�s ability to meet the needs of the student.

PROGRAM PROCEDURES

In order for students to benefit from the East Bay Career Academy program it is expected that they will attend school on a daily basis and actively participate in the educational activities. The following sections outline student responsibilities, program procedures and consequences for infractions to East Bay Career Academy program rules.

1. Students are required to be present in school at the designated starting time daily.

2. An absence or tardiness is excused only if a parent/guardian contacts the EBCA staff.

3. The staff reserves the right to request a physician�s note for absences of five (5) or more days.

4. Students that do arrive late will be required to make up the missed class work.

5. Students will not be admitted after 8:15am unless accompanied by a parent to the Director�s office. It is the responsibility of the student to make up missed classroom assignments.

7. All absences must be excused by a parental/guardian phone call the morning of the absence.

8. Students will not be allowed to leave school grounds once they arrive on campus for the school day. Infraction of this rule would result in (1) the implementation of this attendance policy, (2) the student not being allowed to return for the remainder of the day at the Academy, and (3) immediate parental/guardian notification.

9. A student suspended from the bus, who does not attend school, is considered unexcused.

A. Zero points in each subject missed until such work missed has been completed;

B. Zero points given for the day and/or time missed toward the attainment of privileges.

12. A truancy petition will be recommended to be filed by the public school district for

Continued infractions to any of the stated rules may result in convening a meeting to review the student�s behavioral profile and behavioral management plan.

Driving a motor vehicle to school is a privilege extended to students by the East Bay Career Academy. While the Academy makes every effort to provide security for vehicles, students are ultimately responsible. Students are reminded that items left in the vehicles are considered in the possession of students. Vehicles may be searched if there is a need to do so. The following terms /conditions must be followed for a student to maintain this privilege.

5. Student does not arrive to school under the influence of any drug or alcohol.

7. Student will not use the vehicle during the school day except when specifically requested by parent/guardian. Parent/guardian must call or provide written permission to the Academy staff.

B. If a student drives a vehicle to school without permission or illegally, the student will not be allowed to leave the school grounds unless accompanied by a responsible adult.

C. If a student does not comply with the above stated conditions, his/her driving privilege to school will be revoked.

D. No vehicle will be allowed to park within 50 feet of the building itself. This is because the building is considered as a school building and must provide a Bus Drop-off Area at the front door. All student vehicles must park in designated student parking area.

Notice

Driving Privileges Can Be Suspended or Revoked For Violating the Above Standards or Any Other School Regulation(s).

One means of assisting students to improve and/or change their behavior is for the East Bay Career Academy program to provide clear consequences for unacceptable school behavior.

Leaving the assigned area within the building or on the campus grounds, will result in an immediate level drop that they have attained through the Academy�s Behavioral Point System. If the student refuses to return to his/her assigned area after being told, the student, at the discretion of the staff, be asked to leave for the remainder of the day. Parent/guardian will be notified and the student will be allowed to return the next day with at a Level I status.

Students may not leave school grounds once they arrive on campus without permission.

Infraction of this rule would result in (1) the implementation of the attendance policy, and (2) the student not being allowed to return for the remainder of the day at the Academy, (3) an immediate drop in their Level status as earned through the Academy�s Behavioral Point System, (4) immediate parental/guardian notification.

Willful destruction of Academy property, or property of others, will not be tolerated. Students may not deface or destroy materials, furniture or the building in any way.

Loss or privileges, drop to Level I status, and student and/or parent/guardian may be required to assume financial responsibility for damages incurred.

The East Bay Academy Program has established a NO SMOKING POLICY within the confines of the building and the areas surrounding the building for all students.

The student will be suspended for the remainder of the day and be dropped to Level I status in the Academy�s Behavioral Point System. Parent/Guardian will be immediately notified. Repeated offenses of this policy will result in a convening of the Academy Team to discuss the assessment of further appropriate penalties.

For very serious violations of rules or for long standing behavior problems, students may be asked to sign a contract committing him/herself to make changes in his/her behavior which the staff prescribes. The consequences for not signing the contract and/or not living up to the requirements of the contract may mean the reconvening of the IEP Team and a review of the ability of the EBCA program to meet the student�s needs. It may be necessary for contracts, regardless of an affixed student signature, to be carried out by the EBCA as the staff deems appropriate.

Any student who brings items to the Academy, which are not a necessity for class, is responsible for those items. Should the goods be damaged, lost or destroyed, the liability will not be that of the Academy or other student(s). The Academy, however, will apply its rules and regulations regarding any infractions that do occur regarding such items appropriately. It is also at the discretion of the Academy staff as to what items may be allowed at the Academy.

G. Use of Walkmans, Radios:

The use of Walkmans and radios during class teaching time will not be allowed. They may be used on breaks, during a student�s free time, and at other times that will be determined appropriate by the Academy staff.

Pagers and cell phones are not promoted by the Academy as something that students should have in their possession during the Academy�s educational programming time. They should remain out of sight and not be detrimental to the educational programming at the Academy. If they do become detrimental, at the discretion of the Academy staff, they will be confiscated for the remainder of the day.

The Academy phone(s) is designated for school business only. At times, students will be allowed to use a specific designated phone when granted permission by a staff member for an appropriate purpose.

The Academy expects, and encourages, students to dress and groom themselves in an appropriate manner. Clothing with drug related or obscene material will not be permitted. Further, any dress or appearance which clearly constitutes a threat to the health and safety of students, or disrupts the educational process, is prohibited. The Administration and Academy staff will determine what is appropriate to the educational environment.

Student will be asked to cover or turn inside out, offensive clothing. Other apparel in violation may be confiscated by the Academy staff and returned to the parent/guardian. Repeat offense, student will be sent home, dropped to Level I status, parents/guardians notified.

In an educational environment, such as the one established at the Academy, inappropriate language will not be tolerated. Swearing, abusive language, and verbal assaults upon others will be termed inappropriate. Students will be initially be warned, second offense to be dropped a Level in the Academy�s Behavioral System. If the inappropriate action continues, the student may be asked to leave for the remainder of the school day. Parent/guardian will be notified.

Blackmailing, threatening, intimidating, stalking, sexually harassing, physical or verbally abusing school staff or other students will not be tolerated. Students will be suspended immediately for such actions until it can be determined by the EBCA team, the severity of the infraction. This will determine if a hearing needs to be held to determine further consequences. These further consequences may include expulsion.

The Academy allows students to earn a �break time� between classes that are conducted throughout the day. If outside, students must be visible at all times or at a designated approved area to be determined by the Academy staff.

Students will be given a schedule of �break times�. Students will be given a warning when the �break� is about to end and must report promptly to their next assigned class.

Students who fail to report promptly to their next class will lose their next �break� for the day, loss of �breaks� for the remainder of the day, or loss of �breaks� for a longer period of time depending on the particular circumstances.

4. Behavior which is out of control and has not subsided by the usual Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Procedure.

Major incidents will result in the student being sent home for the remainder of the day with the parent/guardian notified. The incident will be reviewed by the Academy staff to determine what further appropriate consequences are to be assessed. Following the assessed consequences, the EBCA Team, student, parent/guardian, and possibly a representative from the sending district, will convene to determine the status of the student involved regarding the student�s placement at the Academy. A possible consequence could result in the dismissal of the student from the Academy.

DRUG/ALCOHOL POLICY

It is the policy of the East Bay Career Academy Program that drugs, alcohol and/or paraphernalia are prohibited on school property. In addition to the legal ramifications, substance abuse is destructive to the school program and to the student�s ability to learn and grow. The use of drugs and/or alcohol will not be tolerated in school. If a student is involved in, or reasonably suspected of being involved in, a drug related activity, immediate action will be taken.

A. Any student arriving on campus at the Academy, before the start of the school day, suspected of, or exhibiting evidence of being under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or narcotics, will be found in violation of the �Drug/Alcohol Policy�.

B. After the official beginning of the Academy school day, any student exhibiting evidence of being under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or narcotics, will be found in violation of the Academy�s �Drug/Alcohol Policy�

4. A re-entry meeting will be held with the EBCA Team, student, parent/guardian to allow the return of the student. In most cases the student will be expected to participate in a substance abuse program.

C. The unauthorized possession of dangerous drugs, narcotics, or alcohol, in the Academy or on the academy grounds is a violation of the Academy�s Drug/Alcohol Policy�.

5. A re-entry meeting will be held with the EBCA Team, student, parent/guardian to allow the return of the student to the Academy.

A Regional Secondary Alternative Program