Mariana Bracetti Academy

Student Handbook

Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter
2501 Kensington Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125

PHONE: 215-291-4436 FAX: 215-291-4985

Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School assumes that when a parent/guardian registers a student, this registration is an acknowledgement that the parent/guardian and student will abide by and cooperate with all school rules and regulations governing Academics, Discipline, Attendance, Activities, Athletics, and all other aspects of school life.

I have received a copy of the student handbook and understand that the rules and regulations of the school are to be followed at all times

_________________________________________
Student’s Signature Date

_________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date

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STUDENT HANDBOOK

Mariana Bracetti Charter School believes that all students are able to meet and exceed high academic standards regardless of their background or gender. Therefore, the academic standards, teaching methods and materials of the school will address the needs of students with a wide variety of differences in their academic and social preparation. We will also accelerate their learning so that all meet and exceed high academic standards and become life-long learners and well-rounded individuals. The school design is reinforced by a culture of high achievement that supports students and builds their confidence to set more challenging goals. Therefore, the mission of Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School is to establish and maintain a culture of high achievement in which innovative teaching strategies, effective use of data and assessment and use of technology support accelerated learning.

Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School does not discriminate in employment or educational programs, services or activities, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, handicap, religion or age.

SCHOOL HOURS
Early morning procedures are designed to create a calm environment as students arrive and begin their instructional day. The front doors are open for breakfast daily from 7:30 to 7:45A.M. The doors will reopen at 7:50 A.M. for the students to proceed to their first period class. First period begins at 8:00 A.M., therefore students MUST be in their classrooms by 8:00 A.M. The school day ends for the Junior Academy at 3:05 P.M. and for the Senior Academy at 3:15 P.M. Students should be picked up promptly or proceed home immediately.

On minimum days students will have the option to either eat lunch in the cafeteria or to be dismissed.

Please note that students who arrive prior to 7:30 A.M. and who remain on school grounds after school hours (unless involved in a club) will not be supervised. The safety of these students is not guaranteed by Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

School Number 215-291-4436

School Fax Number 215-291-4985

Executive Director ext. 245

Junior Academy Director ext. 261

Senior Academy Director ext. 253

Junior Academy Special Education Coordinator ext. 503

Senior Academy Special Education Coordinator ext. 267

Security/Enrollment Team ext. 251

Discipline ext. 263

Attendance ext.

Junior Academy Office ext. 224

Senior Academy Office ext. 226

Parents must inform the office in writing if you have changed your address, phone number, cell phone number or work number. We also requiretwo accurate emergency phone numbers.

HEALTH CONCERNS
All students are required to be fully immunized in accordance with the requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia in order to be admitted to Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School.

If your child has a specific medical problem, it must be made known to the nurse and should be made known to the village lead each year. If your child has been prescribed medication to be taken during the school day, your child’s doctor must complete a form that specifies the medicine to be taken and the dosage. This form has to be on file at the school before any medication can be administered to a student. (The form is available in the school office.) All medication must be delivered in the pharmacy’s original container to the school nurse or to the office.

Non-prescription drugs may not be sent to school with your child unless accompanied by a note from a parent or guardian identifying the medication, the reason for its use, the proper dosage and time to be taken. If there is no note supplying this necessary information, the child will not be permitted to take the medication. Under no circumstance should the student carry the medication with them. The student must give the medication to the school nurse or the Dean of Students immediately.

VISITORS
For safety reasons the school doors are locked and monitored throughout the day. Visitors must enter through the main entrance. The main entrance for the Junior Academy is on Cumberland Avenue and the main entrance for the Senior Academy is on Kensington Avenue. All visitors must go directly to the main office. Visitors entering the school area must fill out a visitors pass and the pass must be visible at all times. Unless there is a scheduled meeting, teachers and their classes may not be interrupted during the school day.

EARLY DISMISSAL
Students are not permitted to leave school during the day because of sickness, appointments, or any other reason unless a parent/guardian picks the student up from the office. Parents are to avoid scheduling appointments during school hours. Students are prohibited from leaving school early on their own. When an emergency makes it necessary for a child to leave before dismissal, the student’s parent or guardian is required to pick up the student. If a parent or guardian cannot pick up the student, the adult picking up the student must be listed on the emergency card and must provide identification. No early dismissals after 3:00 P.M.; students will have to wait until regular dismissal time to leave the building.

Students who are 18 years old or older are permitted to sign themselves out as long as they provide a note signed by the parent stating the reason for early dismissal. Notes must be given to the Academy Director the day before the scheduled early dismissal.

SNOW EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
Any snow emergency information will be announced over KYW-1060 radio and Channels 3, 6 and 10. If the media announces, “All Philadelphia Public and Parochial Schools are closed”, Mariana Bracetti Academy is closed. If they announce “Opening Late”, students may not arrive earlier than 30 minutes before the announced opening time. In the event of an early closing, normal dismissal procedures will be followed

FIRE DRILLS AND CODE RED
Periodic fire drills and code red drills are held as required by law and as part of the school safety routine. They are very serious exercises designed to prepare students and staff for an emergency. The objective of these drills is to clear the building as quickly as possible in an orderly fashion.

Fire drills and emergency drills are extremely important because they help students become accustomed to what to do in case of fire. For this reason, running, shoving, pushing or any other kind of thoughtless behavior cannot be tolerated. During a fire drill there is to be absolutely no talking either going from or returning to the classroom. Also there is no time to stop at your locker, for drinks of water or for any personal belongings. Illegally setting off the fire alarm is a criminal offense. Violators will be prosecuted by law.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The faculty and staff at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School are dedicated to the academic and social growth of all students. Therefore, one of our goals is to prepare students for responsible citizenship in our society. Each student must learn to work with, and share the rights and responsibilities of good citizenship with other individuals. It is our belief that character and ethics is a school-wide responsibility centered on the belief that the students are expected to be aware of all rules and regulations. Consequently, they are mandated to comply with school policies and directives, and they must be respectful, courteous and polite to teachers, staff, visitors and other students. Most of all, students are responsible to develop a climate within the school that is conductive to wholesome living and learning. Being a responsible member of the school community includes informing adults when you are concerned about a situation that may be a threat to the health, safety or welfare of any member of the school community. In addition, no student has the right to interfere with the education of his/her fellow students. It is the responsibility of each student to respect the rights of all who are involved in the educational process.

Students are here to learn, therefore they will:

Respect others, their environment and themselves.
Do their best to learn and encourage others to learn.
Act responsibly, safely and with kindness.

Level I Offenses---Classroom Offenses

Rule 1: Disruption of School
Students are expected to act in a courteous and peaceful manner toward staff, visitors and each other. A student may not act in any way that disrupts or disturbs any educational or school-related program. Violations of this rule include, but are not limited to, failure to obey directions from school staff, or disruption of a classroom or other school function by failing to behave in an appropriate, safe and respectful manner.

Rule 2: Disruptive and/or Offensive Use of Language
Students are expected to communicate with staff visitors and each other, as they themselves should expect to be treated. A student shall not curse or use vulgar, obscene, intentionally disruptive or offensive language in any school activity. This rule includes all spoken and written messages. Students shall not send or pass any offensive, sexually oriented, messages or pictures from any source. Sending, passing or having items that are sexually oriented will also be considered a higher-level offense.

Rule 3: Abuse of Computer/Internet Privileges
Students are expected to respect the computer privileges given to them. All students who have permission to use school computers must keep their passwords to themselves. It is against the rules to use another person’s passwords or accounts. Students are also not permitted to break into (hack) other files or systems, to download material that has a copy write, or to conduct a personal business enterprise using the school computer network. Students shall not go into any sites on the Internet, which contain sexually explicit or violent material. Students who damage or destroy computer equipment will be responsible for the cost of the damages. (See Rule 4)

Rule 4: Damage of Private Property
Students are expected to respect the property of others. A student shall not try to damage or deface the private property of others. This conduct is not allowed whether it is on school grounds, during a school activity, function or event off school grounds, or while traveling to or from school. Students will be responsible for repairing or paying for damages.

Rule 5: Tardiness
Students are expected to be on time for both school and all classes. See attendance policy section.

Rule 6: Electronic Equipment
Electronic equipment is prohibited in the school. Possession or use of cellular phones, beepers and pagers is prohibited at all times during school and school sponsored activities. Violations of this rule include but are not limited to walkmans, CD player and electronic games such as game boys. All contraband material will be confiscated and returned ONLY to a parent or legal guardian.
A student may bring a cell phone or telephonic device to school provided that the phone is turned off BEFORE the student enters the building. Upon entering the building and before proceeding to class, the student MUST place the device inside their locker where it is to be kept for the duration of the day until dismissal. If the cell phone is seen or heard, in any way, by any staff member, for any reason during school hours, the phone will be confiscated and will NOT be returned. Parents and guardians must be aware that the school is not responsible for and WILL NOT REPLACE lost and stolen items, whether they were in our possession or not, and we cannot guarantee the security of such devices at any time.

Rule 7: Uniform
All students are required to wear the school uniform to, from, and in school EVERYDAY. This includes females who are pregnant. Students will not be permitted in class if they are not COMPLETELY in UNIFORM. Students are required to place all outerwear, including coats, jackets, hats, and bandannas, in lockers upon arrival to school. Students must be in uniform—all outerwear placed in locker—before 8:00 A.M. (These items are not to be worn in school, and students who disregard this rule may have their garments confiscated by school personnel.)
The following uniform requirements will be strictly enforced:
Shirts

White dress oxford shirt, button down collar (buttoned) with long or short sleeves.
NO fitted shirts

Ties----All students will wear the school tie
Senior Academy

Striped tie (Boys or Girls)
Striped tie Criss Cross (Girls)
Plaid tie (Girls)

Junior Academy

Plaid tie (Boys or Girls)
Plaid Criss Cross tie (Girls)

Sweater

Students may wear a navy blue v-neck or cardigan

The sweater MUST have the MBA logo embroidered on
No patches will be sold and no other sweater/sweatshirt will be accepted
Sweatshirts are NOT permitted.

Shirts must be tucked into pants or skirts
Shirts worn underneath uniform must be solid white.
Pants must be worn around the waist with button fastened and zippers zipped.
No jeans or any other pants are to be worn under the school pants.
Student’s pants must be worn at the proper length.
Hats, headbands, bandanas sunglasses or any head-coverings are not permitted, unless for religious reasons.
Pants CANNOT have pockets on the side of the leg.
Long pants must be worn everyday—no shorts, capris or cropped pants.
Shoes must be closed toe and cannot be higher than ankle height NO sandals, slippers, flip-flops, high boots, open-back or sling back shoes.
Socks must be SOLID white OR SOLID blue.
Jeans or other pants are not permitted to be worn under skirts. Girls are to wear either the skirt or the pants not both.
Items that contain sharp or jagged edges (such as rings, bracelets, collars, and metal picks etc.) must be left at home. If they are in school they will be confiscated and will not be returned.
Pants should not have visible labels.
Skirts must be no shorter than two inches above the knee.
Excessive jewelry is not permitted

Students may wear one (1) pair of earrings.
No hoop, hanging or dangling earrings are permitted---small post earrings ONLY
Students may wear one (1) ring per hand
Students may wear one bracelet
No gang-related, racist, or excessive tattoos are permitted to be visible in school.

If a student enters the building out of uniform s/he will either have to be picked up from school or someone has to bring a uniform to school for the student. If the student remains for the school day out of uniform a suspension will be issued.

Uniforms are always required for school trips, unless otherwise notified by the Academy Director. If uniforms are not required for a trip then appropriate dress clothes are required. Students not wearing appropriate attire will not be permitted to go on the trip. Appropriate dress is defined as, but not limited to, clothing which is not see-through, low cut or revealing. Clothing bearing obscene, profane or other inappropriate words or pictures is prohibited. Tank tops, halter-tops, shirts that expose the midriff, expose the navel, low-cut tops or shorts above the mid-thigh are also not permitted.

LEVEL I CORRECTIVE ACTION
For any violation of a Level I offense, a student will face one or more than one of the following:

Notice to parents in the form of a letter or a phone call.
Placement on daily report.
Temporary assignment to “time out” or restrictive class setting.
Loss of privileges, including, but not limited to trips, dances other extracurricular activities such as athletic, club or non-instructional programs, or graduation ceremonies.
Detention. A teacher may detain a student after school for misconduct, to make up incomplete work, or for additional instruction. Personal commitments and/or work schedules are NOT valid excuses to miss detentions. Detentions are not optional and failure to attend a detention will result in other disciplinary actions.
Reassignment to another class.
Referral to the SAP team.
A meeting between the teacher(s) and the student to discuss the student’s behavior and expectations for improving his/her behavior.
Mediation between the students involved.
Confiscation of materials.
Student must replace, fix or pay for damaged property.
Saturday Detentions
Suspension

LEVEL II OFFENSES---Serious offenses that need interventions from school administration

Rule 8: Repeated School Violations
A student shall not continue to break any Rules 1 through 8. Nor may a student repeatedly fail to follow directions given by any school staff member.

Rule 9: Damage of School Property
Students are expected to respect school property. Students shall not recklessly or intentionally cause, or attempt to cause damage to or deface school property. Parents will be billed for the damage and will have 30 days to pay for the damages. Failure to pay for the damages will result in an expulsion hearing. Serious damage or defacement will be treated as an aggravated offense under Rule Twenty-one.

Rule 10: Cutting Class
Students are required to be in their assigned class at the scheduled time. Any student leaving without permission, being out of class for an extended period of time, or attending another class will be in violation with this rule. This includes all expressive arts classes and lunch. Students are also forbidden in the teachers’ lounges, bathroom or offices at any time a day unless they are supervised.

Rule 11: Attempts to do Injury
A student shall not recklessly or intentionally attempt to do bodily injury, or try to ruin the reputation of a student, staff member or visitor in the school. The scope of this rule includes but is not limited to, running, pushing, shoving, horseplay and “play fighting.”

Rule 12: Harassment
No student shall engage in verbal or physical activities, which have the effect of harassing any student, staff member of school visitor. Harassment, includes, among other things

Offensive expressions concerning a person’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

Rule 13: Endangerment or Threats
Students are not only responsible for harmful actions they intend, but they are also responsible for the reasonably foreseeable consequences of their reckless actions. A student may not act in a manner that ignores the health, safety or welfare of any member of the school community by placing them in danger of injury, or pain. No student shall, by physical menace, threat or verbal taunt, put a member of the school community in fear of injury, pain or social ridicule. The intentional posting on networks of the addresses or telephone numbers of fellow students or other members of the school community is a violation of this rule.

Rule 14: Tobacco Products and Paraphernalia
Students are expected to help keep our school safe and healthy. A student may not possess or use any tobacco product. Possession of cigarettes, lighters, matches and/or other such paraphernalia is prohibited.

Rule 15: Smoking
Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School, by law, is a non-smoking building. Smoking is not permitted within the building or on school grounds.

Rule 16: Fighting
All students shall conduct themselves in a peaceful manner. No student may fight, push, strike, hit, or use violence, in any manner, against a fellow student nor may any student encourage another student to violate this rule. In addition, violent or threatening verbal or body language will be considered fighting. Any student that engages in a violent activity that endangers the well being of any member of the school community will be in violation of this rule and will be immediately suspended.

LEVEL II CORRECTIVE ACTION
For any violation of a Level II offense, a student will face one or more than one of the following:

SUSPENSION
Saturday Detentions
Notice to parents/guardians in the form of a letter and/or phone call.
Behavior contract
SAP referral
Counseling
Referral to the alternative program
Referral to outside services
Teacher and/or administrator meeting with parents
Confiscation of contraband material

SUSPENSIONS
Suspension is the disallowance for a period of time to attend classes, activities, and all other privileges of attendance at the Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School. The student is not permitted to be on school property at any time, unless otherwise instructed by administration, during the suspension. If a student has been suspended s/he will be excluded from school until the parent/guardian is present for a reinstatement meeting. This appointment is MANDATORY and must be kept. If you are unable to make the selected time and day you must call to reschedule. Consequently, your son/daughter may not return to class until a parent/guardian attends the Reinstatement Meeting.

Level III Offenses

Rule 17: Repeated Offenses
A student shall not continue to break any Rules 1 through 16. Nor may a student repeatedly fail to follow directions given by any school staff member.

Rule 18: Assault
A physical attack that attempts to cause or causes personal injury to another student, staff member or other person. A student shall not intentionally cause, attempt to cause or recklessly cause physical injury to any school staff member or student.

Rule 19: Possessions of Drugs or Alcohol
A student may not possess, use or be under the influence of any unauthorized prescription, non-prescription, narcotic drug, steroid, growth hormone, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind. Students are also prohibited to possess drug paraphernalia such as rolling papers, bongs, roach clips or other items.
Any prescription medicine must be given to the nurse for distribution.

Rule 20: Possession of a Weapon
Students shall not have on their person, in their belongings, schoolbag, or in any storage space provided by the school (locker), any tool, instrument, implement or weapon capable of causing injury or death. The definition of “weapon” shall include but is not limited to: any knife, razors, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchaku, firearm, shotgun, rifle, stun guns, BB guns, starter pistols, explosives or devices which may cause a fire or any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury. In addition, any toy, fakes, play or “pretend” weapons will be in violation of this rule and will be subject to similar consequences.

Rule 21: Sexual Misconduct or Harassment
Sexual misconduct and/or harassment include but are not limited to inappropriate physical contact of sexual nature such as touching, patting, and pinching. It can also be defined as inappropriate or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other inappropriate or unwelcome verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature. A student shall not touch any other person or encourage another person to touch him or her on intimate parts of the body, nor shall a student expose his/her genitals in circumstances likely to cause insult or alarm to others.

Rule 22: Aggravated Offenses
A student shall not engage in, or attempt to engage in, any conduct, which endangers the health, safety or welfare of any member of the school community, including but not limited to:

ASSAULT, which includes attacks on any staff member or student, which results in injury, or places the person in danger of serious injury, or involves the use or attempted use of a weapon.
Selling, distributing, or possessing any drugs or alcohol. Attending school high or intoxicated.
Illegally setting off the fire alarm.
ARSON, which is setting fire to any person or property.
Sexual acts that are forcible acts, as to the offender or voluntary acts, as to each student
THEFT, which includes taking, robbing, stealing, threatening to take school or personal property, receiving stolen items, being in possession of stolen items, knowingly being in unauthorized possession of property belonging to another.
Assault on another student or other non-employee, which results on injury.
VANDALISM, which is considered the malicious destruction of, or damage to school property which disrupts, impairs or prevents the school from carrying out any of its programs. There is full restitution of property damages, suspension and/or expulsion.
Retaliation against a school employee, witness or hearing officer for their participation in any investigation, academic or disciplinary proceeding where the student’s action takes form of assault, threats or bodily injury or death, telephone harassment or stalking, or substantial property damage.
BOMB THREATS, which include any action relating to the planting of bombs or other explosive devises, the use of any weapon including biological or toxic substance to kill or seriously injure any member of the school community. This includes Stink Bombs.
Any illegal activities via the school’s computer network.

LEVEL III CORRECTIVE ACTION

For any violation of a Level III offense, a student will face one, or more than one, of the following:

The student shall be detained.

Any incident involving any student 10 years of age or older will be reported to the police immediately.

The parent/guardian will be notified immediately.
An incident report will be filed with the school district and with the Dean of Students.
Student will be suspended and/or will be recommended for placement in the alternative program or expulsion.

EXPULSION
When a student’s behavior becomes so disruptive to normal school processes, or endangers the health, safety or welfare of the school community, or when repeated disciplinary actions have not caused the student to become a constructive school citizen the student may be expelled. At the time of the infraction, the school will invite parents and the student to an Expulsion Hearing, at which time the student and parent can express any extenuating circumstances they feel merit reconsideration. If a student is expelled from Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School, s/he may not return to this school, and must if 17 years old or younger, must register in another school.

LOCKERS
Lockers and locks are the property of Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School. As a condition of providing student lockers, Mariana Bracetti administration reserves the right to enter lockers at all times, without permission of the pupil to whom the locker is assigned. Only locks issued by the school are to be placed on the lockers. Students are not to share lockers or locker combinations. Students who use school lockers totally agree to these terms of use. Any students who do not comply with the terms will loose their locker privilege. Consequently, they will no longer be able to use the locker.

VEHICLES
When school administration have a reasonable suspicion that a student’s belongings contain materials which pose a threat to the health, welfare and safety of the students, faculty and staff the student’s vehicle and the contents in the car may be searched without prior notice. If a student is found with any items of contraband in his or her belongings, those items will be immediately seized by administration or if necessary, the Philadelphia Police Department.

SCOPE OF RULES OF DISCIPLINE
These rules shall apply to any conduct:

On school grounds during, before or after school hours.
On school grounds at any other time when the school is being used by a school group.
Off school grounds at any school activity function or event.
Traveling to and from school, including actions taken on a bus, van or public conveyance.
Off school grounds when the conduct may reasonably be expected to undermine the proper discipline authority of the school, the safety of students or staff, or encourage a disruption within the school.

NOTE: Internal school discipline actions shall not in any way deprive MBA or an individual victim from pursuing any legal remedies available in the Criminal, Civil or Delinquency Courts of the Commonwealth.

Regardless of age all students at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School are treated equally under school policy. While students who are 18 years or older are adults in society, they are still subject to all school policies, guidelines, and rules as students at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School.

DISCIPLINARY RECORDS
All official disciplinary records for incidents involving the possession of a weapon or acts of violence shall remain in the student’s permanent record (pocket) and be transferred with the student to any public school within Pennsylvania. All incident reports shall be maintained in the student’s permanent record. All incidents involving violence (to a person or to property) or possession of a weapon shall be maintained in the student’s permanent record and transmitted to any K-12 school in Pennsylvania in which the student is enrolled. All other reports not involving weapons or acts of violence may be, removed from the student’s records after two years of excellent conduct.

PROHIBITION OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
The use of corporal punishment, defined as any act of physical force on a pupil for the purpose of punishing that child, is not acceptable in this school and will NOT be tolerated as a disciplinary measure. The term will not apply, however, to the use of reasonable force in the following situations.

Self-defense
To protect the individual or other persons from physical injury.
To protect property of the school or others.
To restrain or control a student that is out of control and is a danger to the physical well being of themselves or others.

By law, unnecessary physical force may not be used by the superintendent, director, supervisor, and teachers and their aids and assistants. This authority extends to any person delegated to supervise children who are enrolled in our school, even if the student is at a school function away from the facility. This authority also extends to bus drivers. Any employee using physical force to control a student must report the incident in writing to his/her supervisor immediately.

RADIOS, TAPE/CD PLAYERS AND ELECTRONIC GAMES
Radios, tape/CD players, cellular phones and electronic games are not permitted in class during the school day. If a student possesses one or more of these items during the school day it will be confiscated. Parents and students MUST understand the possible negative consequences of bringing items of value, either monetary or sentimental, to school because of loss, damage, etc. (Examples: disc players, head phones, radios, cassette players, mini TV's, calculators, card collections, cameras, etc.) Students are requested to bring only those items that are essential for their educational activities. The school is NOT responsible for lost, stolen or damaged student property.

CAFETERIA, FOOD AND BEVERAGES
In order to promote an educational learning environment and maintain a safe and clean building, students may not consume food (including gum) or beverages in the school building except in the cafeteria. Food and beverages will be confiscated from the students who violate this rule, and the items will be thrown away. Students may not order food for delivery to the school.
When students are in the cafeteria the regular school rules still apply and there are the following additional rules to ensure the safety and well being of everyone. These rules apply during breakfast, lunch and any other time students are in the cafeteria.

Students are expected to sit at their tables at all times.
Students are only permitted to get out of their seats to get their lunch.
Students are to form a single file line and take one lunch in an orderly manner.
No yelling, running or horse playing.
No throwing of food or trash.
Students must demonstrate good table manners.
The table and floor must be left clean and orderly.
Students must arrive in the cafeteria on time and remain in the cafeteria until a teacher picks them up or until the person in charge of the cafeteria dismisses them.
Students may bring a brown bag lunch, however, glass bottles are not permitted.

STUDENT SEARCH AND SEIZURE
In order to protect the health safety and welfare of the students, faculty and staff, Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School reserves the right to search students. During a search, students and their belongings (including lockers, book bags, purses, etc.) will be examined for weapons, drugs, alcohol, stolen property and other contraband materials. If a student is found in the possession of items that are illegal or are not permitted in the school, the student will be charged with the appropriate school offense and if the item is illegal the Philadelphia Police Department will be notified. If the police are notified and they deem it appropriate the student will be arrested and charges will be pressed. Any student who refuses a search or refuses to cooperate with school staff is subject to expulsion from Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School.

ATTENDANCE
Success in school and regular attendance go hand in hand. Students are expected to be present and punctual for all classes throughout the year. The only valid excuses for absence are personal illness, medical appointments and family emergencies. Parents must call in and send a note verifying the days and reason for an absence.
Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School places high value on student attendance. We believe that regular school attendance is a primary factor in a student’s successful academic and social development and lays the groundwork for a thriving and productive life beyond high school. Frequent absences disrupt the continuity of the instructional process, which includes classroom participation, and learning experiences in the classroom from teacher and peers. Therefore, consistent daily attendance is necessary in order to successfully complete coursework.

In accordance with the required compulsory schooling in the state of Pennsylvania, Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School adopts the attendance policy outlined below:

The school will place a student who is absent 5 days under an attendance contract. This contract will indicate to the parent and student that he/she is in danger of receiving no credit for the class and/or is in jeopardy or being dropped from roll.
The school will place a student who is late 15 times under an attendance contract. This contract will indicate to the parent and student that he/she is in jeopardy of being dropped from roll.
A student will not be able to receive credit(s) for a course or courses if he/she is truant.
If a student is more than 30 minutes late to class, s/he will be marked absent from that class. In addition, disciplinary actions may also be taken.
Students who miss ten unexcused days in a row will be in jeopardy of being dropped from roll. Also, a Truancy Repot will be filed.

Excessive Absence
Any student who is absent 20 or more times, late to any class 20 or more times is subject to disciplinary action; this will jeopardize the child’s status for enrollment.

If a student is dropped from roll, parents will be required to re-enroll their child by filling out an application and your son/daughter will go on the waiting list.

This policy will provide for normal and usual illnesses and other valid excused absences such as family emergencies, medical/personal appointments and religious observances. It is the student and parent’s responsibility to ensure that they provide the school authorities with the proper documentation to have absences considered excused. However, it must be noted that the above absence limits apply to excused as well as unexcused absences.

If a student experienced extenuating circumstances during the school year, which affected the amount of absences he/she accumulated and would like to appeal to the school authorities, the student and parent/guardian should contact the school counselor and request a hearing by the leadership members. The Academy Director will notify the student, parent/guardian in writing within 15 days of the hearing whether the absences are justifiable and the student will be able to obtain a credit for the class.

Excused Absences
Parents/guardians must communicate with the school on attendance issues. Students who are absent for a valid reason such as illness must bring a written excuse signed by a doctor, parent or guardian on the day that he or she returns to school and given to the main office to be processed by the attendance officer. The excuse note must be turned in within two (2) days or the absence will be coded as unexcused.
The note must include:

The student’s full name
Grade
Parent’s full name
The date (s) the student was absent
The legitimate reason for the absence
The date the excuse note was written
The parent phone number in case of questions
If for lateness the time should be on the note

Valid reasons for being absent or tardy are:

Personal Illness-An original doctor’s excuse is required for each single period of absence exceeding three (3) consecutive days. If a doctor’s note is not produced the absences will be considered unexcused.

If a student’s exceeds 20 unexcused absences they will be required to furnish a doctor’s note for any days absent from that point on. Absences not covered by a doctor’s note will be charged as unexcused.

Medical / Personal appointments—Such appointments should be made outside of school time if at all possible and documentation must be provided. Please do not schedule appointments during testing periods. Students must provide an original doctor’s note to be excused for the appointment. Students will only be excused for travel time to and from appointment and for time of the appointment.
Religious observances—upon written requests, students may be excused from school for religious holidays observed by a bona fide religious group.
Family emergencies
Death in the immediate family—Five (5) days maximum
All family and educational trips with family member or guardian MUST have prior approval from the Executive Director. Approval may be granted for requests for trips to a maximum of five (5) school days per year.
Required court appearance
Upon written requests, a student may be excused during school hours for the purpose of obtaining professional health care of therapy service if the following requirements are met:

The health or therapeutic services are to be rendered by Commonwealth licensed practitioners
It is not practical or possible for the student to receive the services outside of school hours
The time of necessary absence from school involves a minimum of interference with the student’s regular program.

Students are not permitted to participate in any school or school sponsored activity on days when they are absent from school, regardless of the nature of the absence.

Planned Absences
In order for the absences to be excused, parents need to have prior approval form the Executive Director and must also provide the school with a valid excuse note. Family vacations and other unauthorized absences during the school year will be considered unexcused. In addition, it the student’s responsibility to get his/her work from the teacher and to make up the work from the class he/she missed.

Unexcused Absences
An absence from school, which is not supported by a written note from parents within three (3) days of the student’s return to school, will be charged as unexcused. The following are not considered valid excuses: overslept, missed the bus, car problems, working, babysitting, and helping at home. When a student exhibits a pattern of unexcused or excessive absences, except in the case of serious or chronic illness, the school will notify the appropriate authorities, including the Department of Human Services and to Truancy Court. Any absence of three or more consecutive days requires a doctor’s note if the student was ill. Without a doctor’s note the absence will not be excused. A student’s absences from school and classes without lawful excuse are a violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law of Pennsylvania.

Lateness
A student who arrives late for school will be considered late unless a doctor’s note is presented on the day the student arrives late. No parental notes will be accepted ---only a doctor’s note. Students arriving after 10:30 and/or miss 3 or more classes will be considered absent and will have and unexcused absence on their attendance record.

Being punctual is a necessary habit that becomes increasingly important in life, especially when one enters the workforce. We believe teaching students to be responsible and punctual is a part of their educational experience. Each lateness within a grading period (without a written excuse from a parent) shall be subject to detentions. Failure to serve consequences as directed will be considered insubordination and will constitute grounds for action as outlined in the student discipline policy. Students who are habitually late to class will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the student code of conduct (See Rule 18).

Early Dismissal
Students leaving school before 1:00 and/or miss 3 or more classes will be considered absent and will have and unexcused absence on their attendance record. Students should only be picked up by parents/guardians if a student becomes ill or needs to leave the school because of an emergency. The students may be excused ONLY by the Academy Director, Nurse, Dean of Students, or School Counselor. Students who are excused to leave early by either of the aforementioned individuals must be picked up by a parent/guardian. We will not allow any student to leave the school premises without the presence of a parent/guardian or an emergency contact listed in the student file. Anyone picking up a student must present proper identification.

Special Education Program
The Special Education Program at Mariana Bracetti Academy provides a full continuum of services to students with special needs who require specially designed instruction. What that means is that depending on the needs of your child, he/she may receive support within the general education classes, receive additional resource support outside of the general education classes, or receive their instruction in the learning support classes for all or some of the academic subjects.

A certified special education teacher supports students within the general education classes by collaborating and co-teaching with the general education teachers. The special education teachers may also do “pull outs” to provide specific skill building, extended time for test taking, pre-teaching of content, or Direct Reading Instruction.

For those students who cannot make adequate progress in the general education curriculum, specially designed instruction is provided in the Learning Support Classes. A student may be assigned to learning support classes for one or more academic subjects.
Each Learning Support Class has an enrollment capacity of 15 students.

MBA currently contracts the services of a school psychologist, speech therapist, and occupational therapist and hearing therapist.

We highly recommend prior to enrolling your child that you contact the Special Education Coordinator in the Junior or Senior Academy to discuss your child’s current Individual Education Program.

Does My Child Need Special Education?

Determining Eligibility:
Your child may qualify for special education (be eligible for special education) if your child:

Has a physical, sensory, mental or emotional disability and
Needs special education as determined by a team of people. This team of people is called the IEP team.

Your child must meet both qualifications in order to be eligible for special education. Eligible children have the right to a “free and appropriate public education” (FAPE). These students must have individualized education program (IEPs) plans. The IEP is a document that is written and developed by the IEP Team.

NOTE: Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, children who have disabilities that substantially limit their participation in or access to school programs, but who do not need special education, may qualify for reasonable accommodations in the regular classroom.

Indications of Physical, Sensory, Mental or Emotional Disability:
Some signs that your child may have a disability and meet the first eligibility requirement are:

Evidence of emotional disturbance over a long period of time that affects your child’s ability to learn
Consistent problems in getting along with others
Difficulty communicating
Lack of interest or ability in age-appropriate activities
Resistance to change
Difficulty seeing or hearing that interferes with the ability to communicate
Health problems that effect educational performance

Need for Special Education
Your child may need special help not needed by other students in the regular education classroom. This need for special education is the second part of the two-part decision to qualify a child as an eligible child.

What Should You Do if You Have Concerns about Your Child’s Academic Progress?
You are an important member of your child’s educational team. Contact your child’s teacher/teachers and express your concerns. Mariana Bracetti has a screening process, Family and Student Support Team (FASST) in place that identifies students who may need special education. That process may include:

A review of the student’s records including attendance and report cards.
A review of the student’s vision and hearing.
An assessment of the student’s performance in the curriculum.
A systematic observation of the student’s behavior in the classroom or area in which the student is displaying difficulties.

For students with academic or behavior concerns, an intervention plan is developed based on the results of the screening. The student’s response to the interventions is looked at closely and if interventions have produced little or no improvement, the student will be formally referred for evaluation for special education.
At any time in the process you, the parent, may request the evaluation for special education.