The Foundation Academy

THE FOUNDATION ACADEMY SCHOOL POLICIES

School Academic Expectations

1. Students will achieve a grade (or its equivalent) of “B-” or better for promotion. Summer School will be required in order to make up a lower grade.  No credit, NC will be assigned.
2. Students will complete all homework and class work at designated times.
3. Students will complete required assignments on designated “Home School Days.”
4. Students will read a minimum of 30 minutes per day.
5. Students will use proper language at all times.
6. Make up Work:
   1. Individual student make up work may be placed in a make up folder on the student wall.
   2. Individual student work should have the student’s name on the work, and then be placed in the folder on the student wall. Group work need not apply.
   3. Students will know where the folder is, and will quietly go to where the folder is find their work, retrieve it, complete their work at home and return the next day.
   4. Make up work may also be found on Edline.
7. If a student is expelled for poor grades, the following apply:Academic Redemption is a plan implemented at the discretion of the teacher.  To qualify for the Academic Redemption process, a student must demonstrate a minimum of four of the traits listed below consistently for nine weeks.  The first two traits are prerequisites that the student must meet in addition to at least two of the six other traits.A student who qualifies for Academic Redemption will:
   1. Express a desire to change.
   2. Reflect on the need to change and set goals for a course of recovery.
   3. Meet current deadlines.
   4. Meet workplace standards.
   5. Manifest a cooperative attitude toward teachers and classmates.
   6. Involve parents in the process.
   7. Go to tutoring.
   8. Contribute to the school community.In addition to completing current work according to plan, the student must remedy past failure through appropriate work on a project agreed upon with the teacher.

TFA POLICIES OUTLINED

Electronic Device:

1. Electronics may not be used for personal use anytime at school.
2. The first time a student is caught with an electronic device, the device is taken away by the teacher/administrator.
   1. The device will be labeled with the students’ name and the date device was taken.
   2. The device will then be given to administration.
   3. The device may be picked up by the student at the end of the day.
   4. Administration should keep a log of the names of the students who have phones taken away.
3. The second time the student is caught with an electronic device, the device is taken away by the teacher/administrator.
   1. The device will be labeled with the students name, date device was taken.
   2. The device will then be given to administration.
   3. The device must be picked up by the parent at the end of the day.
4. If a student decides to bring a laptop to school – they do so at their own risk. The student alone is responsible for his or her personal laptop. The Foundation Academy is not liable for any personal property.
5. Any other devices that are a potential danger or harm are prohibited. This includes, but not limited to drones, UAV’s, remote controller electronics and any other devices that may disrupt the educational environment are prohibited.

The School is NOT liable for any electronics.

Click here to view a Letter on TFA Cell Phone Policy

Tardy:

1. Students will lose work place standard points for being tardy.
2. Teacher discretion determines when a student is tardy. However, the start of classes will be announced. In most cases, once a classroom door closes, the student will be considered tardy.
3. The tardy count will re-start every 9 weeks. However, the lower work place standard grade remains.

Skipping:

1. Student will be given an absent mark. Students will lose points on their work place standards grade.
2. Attendance must be turned in on time by classroom teacher. The office will handle skipping procedures after class attendance has been sent.
3. The length of time between a tardy and skipping is open to teacher discretion.
4. Once a teacher determines the student was skipping class, the teacher will write a referral for the student, email Independent Study, and send the student to Independent Study with his or her referral.
5. Parent is notified every time student is skipping.
6. Parent must accompany the student to school for re-admittance.

Appointments/Need to leave class early:

1. Students must provide written documentation from parent or appropriate adult to office on the morning of the appointment.

Late Afternoon Pickup:

1. Parents are expected to pick up their student(s) promptly at the completion of the school day. Any pick ups occurring after an established grace period is subject to applicable late fees. If there is an emergency, parents must advise the school as soon as possible so alternate arrangements can be made.

Absent from school:

1. Student must have note or parent call to front office
2. Students must report to their teacher(s) or check Edline to get make-up assignments
3. Consequences for Unexcused Absences (Explained under “Skipping”)
4. Absences:
   1. Excused: These must be approved by the principal and teacher. Student ill still be marked as absent in the attendance record
   2. Unexcused: After 5 unexcused absences in a marking period, the school will report the student as truant to the state.

Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct

All instructional personnel and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators, which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to, Nadia Hionides at 904•241-3515 or 904- 219-8768. Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to Nadia Hinoides at 904-241-3515 or 904-219-8768.

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services.

Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted in the office of The Foundation Academy and on our Website at \Vww.foundationacademv.org.

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at http:/ lw,Nvv. dct. state .fl. us/abuse/report/.

Signs of Physical Abuse

The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, buts, or other injuries, broken bones or bums. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have mutual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact; or run away from home.

Signs of Neglect

The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.

Patterns of Abuse

Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not by significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.

Liability Protections

Any person, official, or institution participating I good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S.39.203)

An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune :from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the form.er or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S.768.O95)

HB 7055 Additional Accountability Measures for

Private Schools Participating in State Scholarship Programs

• Require each owner or operator of the private school to undergo a level 2 background screening as provided under chapter 435. Additional disqualifying offenses (attached).
• Publish on the school’s website, or in a written format, information for parents regarding the school, including, but not limited to, programs, services, and the qualifications of classroom teachers.
• At a minimum, provide the parent of each scholarship student with a written explanation of the student’s progress on a quarterly basis.
• Require that a private school must notify the parent of each scholarship student at least 30 calendar days before a transfer of ownership of a private school.
• An owner or operator of a private school that has been deemed ineligible to participate in a scholarship program pursuant to this chapter may not transfer ownership or management authority of the school to a relative in order to participate in the scholarship program as the same school or a new school.

o             Term “relative” means father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister.

• If the private school received more than $250,000 in funds from scholarships awarded under this chapter in a state fiscal year, the private school must submit the report (Agreed Upon Procedures or AUP) by September 15 to the scholarship funding organization that awarded the majority of the school’s scholarship funds. A school that received more than $250,000 in scholarship funds only through the McKay Scholarship must submit the annual report to the Department of Education.

TFA SEVERE CLAUSE POLICY

The following will result in immediate consequences:

1. Acts of Violence Against Teachers or Students, includes fighting or ANY unsolicited physical contact.
2. Verbal Abuse and/or Threats Against Teachers or Students
3. Theft
4. Vandalism – includes Academy property, Teacher’s and Student’s personal property.
5. Unexcused absence from class
6. Leaving campus without permission: includes lunchtime, break, field trips, and any class or school activity that has not been cleared with the teacher(s) by parent and/or school administration.
7. Use of drugs or alcohol at any time
8. Sexual Harassment, sexual talk
9. Cyber bullying

Severe Clause:

1. Student will be immediately suspended for a period, or immediate expulsion will be applied, as determined by administration.
2. Parents will be notified and  required to attend a meeting before student is admitted back to school.

Dress Code:

The dress code of The Foundation Academy is based upon teaching modesty and appropriateness in an educational environment. It is the intention of the dress code to enable the students to learn in an acceptable academic environment.

1. Bottom of the shorts/skirts must be no more than three inches above the knee.
2. No Cleavage.
3. No Midriff.
4. No tank tops.
5. No drug related material on clothing or accessories.
6. No curse words / or offensive materials on clothing or accessories.
7. No visible undergarments / or lack there of.
8. No sunglasses indoors.
9. No Shoes with wheels.
10. Must be able to see eyes (no hoodies or hats covering the face).
11. No sharp objects on clothing or accessories.
12. No nudity of any degree / No inappropriately placed holes.
13. Inappropriate body art must be covered up.
14. No gang flags (bandanas) / no gang related material.
15. No wearing hoods in class.
16. There is teacher discretion as to what constitutes disruptive or distracting clothing

All of these rules are subject to teacher’s discretion.

If student violates dress code, that student will be sent to Independent study for the rest of the day.

 THE FOUNDATION ACADEMY SCHOOL-WIDE PROCEDURES

Entering the classroom at the beginning of the period:

1. Enter class only if teacher is present
2. Walk quietly into classroom place books, bags and belongings in designated area
3. Sharpen pencils if needed
4. Take assigned seats, take out homework and Student Planners
5. Write the day’s assignments / information / homework in your planner as posted by your teacher and begin the warm-up work on the board as assigned by your teacher

Planners:

1. Student comes in with the planner signed on Monday. Planner will be checked in Advisory.
2. In Advisory on Monday, announcements will be written into the planner for the week/month.
3. In class, planners are used for warm ups, objectives, bible verses, etc.
4. Planners can be replaced for $5.

Restroom:

For everyone’s convenience students are expected to use the rest room before or after class. If student needs to use the rest room during class:

1. Student Raises Hand in “R” form
2. Teacher Nods Head “yes”, or Shakes Head “no”
   1. Student then knows that he/she can go – or that they need to wait for the next person to come back (to keep an eye on the door)
3. Clip Board for sign in/out sheet
4. Bathroom Pass
   1. Student must have the pass in order to leave to go to the restroom. If they do not have the pass on campus, the student will be sent to the Independent Study room. Teacher will be notified.

Getting Student Attention: HIGH FIVE

1. Teacher or Facilitator raises hand
2. All verbal and non-verbal activity ceases
3. Students raise their hands, all eyes on the speaker

Pencil Sharpening:

1. Teachers will have nubbies in a cup ready for students who need  pencils or have broken their tips. The students will get up quietly to get their nubbies to use for the class period. Student does not need to ask to get a nubby, or explain how a pencil broke (or a lack of pencil or pen).

Paper Heading:

1. All students need to include a proper heading on the top right hand side of their paper.
2. An Example Heading:
   1. Student Name
   2. Subject
   3. Assignment
   4. Date
   5. Teacher Name

The TFA Senior

Literacy

1. Able to interpret information
2. Use of multimedia for research and writing
3. Able to write effectively
4. Comprehensive reading
5. Good oral and written communication skills
6. Develop an interest and love for other cultures
   1. And languages
7. Produce an exhibition that displays academic
   1. And creative proficiency
8. Scientific thinking
9. Capable of public speaking
10. Use previous knowledge to build on new knowledge

Ethics/Values/Morals

1. Solid work ethic Leadership skills
2. Work in a team environment
3. Respect for self and others
4. Spiritual understanding
5. Morally and ethically sound
6. Able to accept constructive criticism
7. Socially conscious
8. Environmentally conscious
9. Self-confident
10. Responsibility / Ownership
11. Importance of connecting to global situations

Personal Proficiency

1. Basic Life Skills
2. Proper hygiene and dressed for success
3. Leadership skills
4. Work in a team environment
5. Proficiency in the essential skills
6. To accept and create short term and long term goals with a resulting action
7. Realistic expectations
8. Self-starter
9. Self-disciplined
10. Think critically

15 Essential Skills and Definitions

Habits of the Mind

Communication Skills