DSA STUDENT HANDBOOK 2007-2008

 

 

 

Dove Science Academy

Discover Your Future

280 S. Memorial Dr. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74112

Tel: (918) 834-3936

Fax: (918) 834-3352

Homepage: http://dsatulsa.org

E-mail: dsatulsa@dsatulsa.org

 

Dear Students

Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year at Dove Science Academy.  This new school year means a new beginning and new futures.  The administrative team is excited about this coming school year, and the staff is caring, competent, dedicated and willing to assist you.

We believe that education is a shared responsibility and that the successful operation of a school depends on the co-operation of everyone concerned: students, parents, and staff.  The mission of Dove Science Academy is to create a partnership among the members of this triad.  Each of us is responsible for doing our part to make our school a place where we can work and play together in harmony.

Dove Science Academy is a reflection of us all.  All of our policies are intended to provide a safe and orderly environment that will be conducive to learning.  Our faculty and staff look forward to sharing their expertise in academics, special programs, activities, and extracurricular activities.  We encourage you to get to know your school, its programs, activities, and schedule. Become an active participant in our school.  Get involved through classes, clubs, and activities.

This handbook/planner is an overview of our school’s goals, services and rules.  It is an essential reference book describing what we expect and how to do things.  Read it carefully, discuss it with your parents, and let it act as a guide for your effective involvement in all aspects of the school year.  It has been written to provide you and your parents with the information that will make your school year purposeful and rewarding.  Keep this book because you will use it throughout the school year.

On behalf of the entire Dove Science Academy staff and community, best wishes for a great 2007-2008 school year!

Sincerely,

Fevzi Simsek

Principal

 

 

 

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

It is the policy of Dove Science Academy not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap in its vocational programs, services, or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act  of 1973, as amended.

It is the policy of Dove Science Academy not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Dove Science Academy will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs.

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

Dove Science Academy encourages communication. Our web site has a variety of information and is updated frequently.  E-mail addresses for staff members may be obtained from the home page.  Parents may access grades, attendance, homework, and discipline records through the database.  Their child’s personal password gives this access.

NOTICE OF SURVEILLANCE

Dove Science Academy and its grounds are subject to surveillance by cameras.  Students in the act of violating school policy, detected by the security cameras or any other means, will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

 

 

 

DSA’S VISION, MISSION AND SERVICES

Vision Statement

Dove Science Academy will prepare students for college with a focus on science, math, and computers.  We will provide a safe, healthy, and caring environment that shall result in academic excellence, continuous learning, and responsible, accountable citizens through the mutual support of parents, students, school personnel, and the community.

Mission Statement

Recognizing that educational success is in the harmony of the triad of student-teacher-parent, DSA forms a partnership among this triad, which helps our youth fulfill their highest potential intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Counseling Services

Dove Science Academy does offer counseling services.  The school counselor or his/her designee can help plan and succeed in your high school program and help you look ahead to college.  The counselor can also help with personal issues and concerns.  To see the counselor, make an appointment in advance unless it is an emergency.  If he/she is not available, make sure you talk to another administrator.

Special Service Area

Special services students will have an IEP conference during the first semester of school.  Teachers will be aware of the identified special service students.  Psychological testing is available through the special service area for students recommended for this service.

Special service students are subject to the same disciplinary measures as other students.  If a special service student is assigned suspension exceeding 10 days, an IEP/Manifestation Determination/Behavior Plan Conference will take place.  After this conference the recommended course of action will be presented.

Confidentiality

All individually collected records utilized for educational placement, including special education records, are maintained in a confidential folder separate from the student cumulative records.  The records are maintained in a secure manner, which prevents unauthorized access.

 

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

 

  DSA School Calendar 2007-2008

 September, 2007

 3

 Monday

 Labor Day (No Classes)

 21

 Friday

 Progress Reports will be mailed

 28

 Friday

 Teacher-Parent Conference(8AM to 2PM) (No Classes)

 October, 2007

 17

 Wednesday

 First Quarter Ends,

 18

 Thursday

 Professional Development Day (No Classes)

 19

 Friday

 Non-Calendar Day (No Classes)

 22

 Monday

 Second Quarter Begins, Report Cards for First Quarter will be mailed

 26

 Friday

 Honor Roll Ceremony

 November, 2007

 20

 Tuesday

 Progress Reports will be mailed

 21

 Wednesday

 Thanksgiving (No Classes)

 22

 Thursday

 Thanksgiving (No Classes)

 23

 Friday

 Thanksgiving (No Classes)

 30

 Friday

 Teacher-Parent Conference(8AM to 2PM) (No Classes)

 December, 2007

 19

 Wednesday

 Second Quarter Ends, Report Cards for Second Quarter will be mailed

 20

 Thursday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 21

 Friday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 24

 Monday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 25

 Tuesday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 26

 Wednesday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 27

 Thursday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 28

 Friday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 31

 Monday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 January, 2008

 1

 Tuesday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 2

 Wednesday

 Winter Break (No Classes)

 3

 Thursday

 Third Quarter Begins

 11

 Friday

 Honor Roll Ceremony

 21

 Monday

 Martin Luther King Day (No Classes)

 February, 2008

 1

 Friday

 Progress Reports will be mailed

 8

 Friday

 Teacher-Parent Conference(8AM to 2PM) (No Classes)

 18

 Monday

 Professional Development Day (No Classes)

 March, 2008

 14

 Friday

 Third Quarter Ends, Report Cards for Third Quarter will be mailed

 17

 Monday

 Spring Break (No Classes)

 18

 Tuesday

 Spring Break (No Classes)

 19

 Wednesday

 Spring Break (No Classes)

 20

 Thursday

 Spring Break (No Classes)

 21

 Friday

 Spring Break (No Classes)

 24

 Monday

 Fourth Quarter Begins

 28

 Friday

 Honor Roll Ceremony

 April, 2008

 18

 Friday

 Progress Reports will be mailed

 25

 Friday

 Teacher-Parent Conference(8AM to 2PM) (No Classes)

 May, 2008

 26

 Monday

 Memorial Day (No Classes)

 27

 Tuesday

 Fourth Quarter Ends, Report Cards for Fourth Quarter will be mailed

 28

 Wednesday

 Professional Development Day (No Classes)

 

AFTER-SCHOOL DETENTION

This detention is served with the teacher or administrator who assigns it.  It will be assigned for the following day in order to give the parent/guardian 24 hours notice. The detention is for an infraction such as disturbing the class, continuous tardiness to class, cafeteria misbehavior etc. The student will serve from 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the number of detentions already served.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS

Students caught bringing any type of contraband onto the school campus (including in student vehicles), will face long-term suspension.  The suspension will not be less than 20 school days.  The police will be called.

ALTERNATIVE ROOM

This location is used for students who need to be removed from their class for a short time.  It is to enable a student to cool down after a minor upset with another student and/or teacher.  It may be another classroom or the ISS room may be used.  This policy is to give the student a chance to avoid further conflict and possible disciplinary action.  This move will not be recorded on the student’s database record.   

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is very important for the success of school students.  There is no substitute for a child being in class and taking part in the daily lessons. Important information is given during a teacher’s lecture, and students learn from one another during discussions and group projects.

The school year consists of 185 days and if middle school students miss more than 18 ˝ days, they will fail the grade on attendance. High school students’ attendance is counted in classes (subjects).  If more than 18 ˝ classes of one subject are missed, that subject will have to be retaken.  Excused and unexcused absences are totaled together for attendance count.

A.         Excused Absences

            If an absence is excused the student may make up the work missed.

            Absences are excused for the following:

§         Illness of the student (longer than 2 days requires a Doctor’s note)

§         Hospitalization of the student or parent/guardian.

§         Death of a close family member.

§         Doctor or Dentist visit. (Excuse note required from clinic/hospital) 

§         Vacation with permission from Principal

§         Sent home by school Nurse or Administrator for illness or injury.

§         Athletic participation

§         Field Trip

 

B.         Unexcused Absences

            If the absence is unexcused the student may not make up the work missed.

            Examples are: 

§         Illness of more than 2 days without a Doctor’s note

§         Student phones home to be picked up without permission.

§         Student skips class.                                                    

§         Student skips school or leaves campus without permission.       

 

C.         Anticipated Absence

If it is necessary for the student to be absent and there is advance warning, the student may be able to collect his/her work prior to the absence.  A letter should be submitted to the Counselor and the teachers will be notified.

If the absence will be 3 days or more, the letter needs to be submitted to the Principal and permission obtained.

            Without the permission, school work will not be allowed to be made up.

Such absences covered under this policy are: Funerals, hospitalization of the student, vacations which cannot be taken any other time, certain Religious events.

 

D.         Homebound

In extreme cases, students may be required to stay at home and receive their school work.  These students are not counted as absent.

            These cases are usually prolonged illness or injury.  There are also some cases within Special Services.

            All cases of Homebound students are decided by the Administration.

 

 

E.         Tardies

The tardies (to school) which are excused are Doctor or Dentist visits, (excuse note from Clinic required) and students who use the public transportation.

The only tardies to class which are excused are those when a student has been to an office (including Nurse)  The student will be given an excused pass to class by the person they have been seeing.

 

F.         Make-up work

This refers to the school work and/or homework missed due to an Excused absence.  The student is allowed 1 day for each day absent to complete the assignments.    Work not returned on time, will receive a zero.

 

G.         Check-in procedure

If a student arrives after 8.00 a.m. for whatever reason, he/she MUST be signed in by a parent/guardian at the front office.            If the student uses public transportation, he/she must sign themselves in.

Students arriving 20 minutes after the start of any class (for whatever reason), will not be allowed to go to class because it causes disruption.  By that time           the teacher has finished his/her lecture and the class has begun to work on the assignment. The student will wait in the ISS room until the end of the period.

 

H.         Checkout procedure

Sometimes it is necessary for a student to be picked-up early from school.  The parent/guardian has to sign-out the student in the front office. Students will not be allowed to leave to meet the ride in the parking-lot. If someone other than the parent/guardian is to pick-up the student, the person’s name must be on file in the office. Students who have permission to leave early to catch public transportation, are exempt from this policy.

 

CLOSED CAMPUS

DSA has a closed campus policy.  This means that no student may leave at lunchtime, for any reason, unless signed out by parent/guardian.

CAMPUS SECURITY

Students and parents are asked to cooperate with the school by following the security procedures.  All visitors to the school are requested to check in at the main office and wear a visitor’s pass.  Any adult observed by students, faculty or staff not wearing this pass, will be challenged.  The only entrance that may be used after 8.00 a.m. is the front entrance in the new building.

CARE OF PROPERTY

Please refrain from damaging desks, tables, lockers, walls or floors.  Students are responsible for all books and materials checked out to them.  Any act of vandalism or destruction of any school property may result in suspension from school and payment for the damaged property. DSA is not responsible for any loss of student’s personal belongings.

CELL PHONES

Students may bring cell phones onto campus for use before and after school only. It is to be stored in student’s locker.  Use of cell phone any other time will result in confiscation until parent collects it, and disciplinary action.

CHEATING

Students found cheating on an assignment or a test, will receive a zero and disciplinary action.  Parents will be notified.

CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE - SEE ATTENDANCE

COUNSELORS AND SUPPORT STAFF

Guidance services are provided by the school counselor.  His/her purpose is to aid students in solving problems and making adjustments to various life situations, such as personal problems, careers, testing, and college information.

DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Students will be informed of any changes to the daily schedule, assemblies, and any other pertinent information each day before going to class.

DAILY TIME SCHEDULE

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

08:00 - 08:45

Period-1

Period-1

08:45 - 08:50

Break

08:50 - 09:35

Period-2

09:35 - 09:40

Break

Break

09:40 - 10:25

Period-3

                                   Period-2

10:25 - 10:30

Break

10:30 - 11:15

Period-4

11:15 - 11:20

Break

Break

11:20 - 12:05

Lunch

Period-3

12:05 - 12:50

Period-5

Lunch

12:50 - 12:55

Break

Break

12:55 -  1:45

Period-6

Period-4

 1:45  -  1:50

Break

Break

 1:50  -  2:40

Period-7

Period-5

 2:40  -  2:45

Break

Break

 2:45  -  3:30

Tutoring or Activity

Tutoring or Activity

 

 

 

DANCES

School dances will be held periodically throughout the school year. The sponsor teacher will provide all information, guest permission slips, behavior/dress codes, and tickets. All students must be picked up immediately following the dance otherwise the deposit will not be refunded. Students not adhering to the school policies of behavior and/or dress, will be asked to leave.  Parents will be contacted. Students under suspension (ISS or OSS) are not permitted to attend.

DATABASE

DSA has electronic monitoring available to parents via the school database.  Parents are able to see attendance, grades, homework assignments, and the discipline record of their student. The parent uses their student’s password to gain access to this feature.

DELIVERIES

Students are not permitted to call for meals to be delivered to them at school (pizza etc).  Parents only may bring

food to the front office. Students who choose to ignore this policy will lose cafeteria privileges and eat in the ISS room for 3 days.

DISCIPLINARY POLICY

DSA prides itself on providing a safe, learning environment for its students and faculty.  There are 3 kinds of detentions for minor violations, lunch detention, after-school detentions and Saturday detention.  There are 2 suspension options (In-school suspension and Out-of school suspension) if the violations require them.  The most extreme cases may result in expulsion.

The following are examples of behavior which will result in a short-term suspension, long-term suspension or possibly expulsion.

1.         Possessing a weapon on school grounds or at a school sponsored activity.  This includes any item which can be used as a weapon, produce an electrical charge, and items such as mace and pepper spray.

 

2.         Possession or use of tobacco products, lights, or matches.

 

3.         Use, possession, or distribution of alcohol or other drugs, simulations of drugs, or paraphernalia.

 

4.         Disrespect, intimidation, or harassment toward teachers, students, or other staff members.

 

5.         Fighting

 

6.         Assault and/or battery upon student or staff member.

 

7.         Leaving campus at any time without permission.

 

8.         Possession of fireworks, explosive devices or any simulation of such.

 

9.         Activating false fire alarms

 

10         Arson or attempting to commit arson.

 

11         Use of inappropriate language, cussing, and racial slurs in any situation.  This includes verbal and written.

 

12         Committing an act that is dangerous or potentially dangerous to students or staff members.

 

13         Stealing or being in possession of stolen items.

 

14         Vandalism and destruction of property

 

15         Hand gestures, including simulation of a weapon as a threat, harassment, intimidation, or defense.