School Policy

Expectations:

In order for all our scholar’s to achieve to their highest potential, we hold these expectations:

EPA Scholars will:

• come to school each day on time wearing their EPA uniform;
• complete all of their schoolwork all of the time;
• follow directions from any EPA adults respectfully and immediately;
• ask questions when they do not understand something;
• conduct themselves in a way that makes them, their family, and their community proud;
• help when they see that help is needed; and
• set goals and work to achieve them

EPA Parents/Guardian will:

• ensure that EPA Scholars arrive at school each day on time wearing the EPA dress code;
• check that scholars have completed their schoolwork each day;
• remain updated on the academic progress throughout the year of the scholar;
• talk to their children often about their goals and help them to achieve them

EPA Faculty will:

• Come to school each day prepared to engage our scholars in challenging lessons;
• Make themselves available to scholars and their families outside of class;
• Keep parents informed about their child’s academic and social progress;
• Act as a role model for our youngsters (by being on time, prepared at all times. and always actively listening/learning about the needs of their scholars, etc.);
• Create units and lessons that are engaging to scholars and prepare them for high school and college to make sure that each scholar is successful.

By holding each other and ourselves to these expectations, and by always putting the needs of our children first, we will ensure that all of our children grow academically, socially, and emotionally, graduating prepared for college to become great leaders and active citizens of our community.

HOMEWORK AND SUPPORTS

The EPA’s curriculum is designed to strengthen basic skills while developing critical thinking and a connection to the wider world. Homework plays a vital role in this progress.

The purpose of homework is:

1. To reinforce and extend skills introduced during class that requires more time to attain mastery than the school hours provide.
2. To provide different avenues for experiencing and understanding that material presented in class.
3. To help EPA Scholars develop intellectual indolence and responsibility.
4. To make a connection between the home and school by providing an opportunity for EPA Scholars to share their work at home.

Expectations

Scholars at EPA are given approximately two hours of homework each night (this breaks up into about 1/2 hour per core subject area). The type and frequency of homework vary from class to class. Teachers are responsible for designing and assigning the homework, and they give specific deadlines. EPA Scholars, need to start organized and aware of upcoming classes and the assignments due. Scholars who come to class with completing a homework assignment should keep in mind that Classwork and Homework total 40 percent of their final grade (see EPA Grading policy).

GRADING POLICIES

You need a 65% to pass a class. You should always have a good sense of what your grade is. Try asking yourself these questions (be honest):

• Have I done all my homework and projects?
• Have I turned in all my work?
• Am I participating in class?

If you’re not sure, ask your teacher what your grade is. If you’re not passing, ask that teacher what you can do to raise your grade. Progress reports are also sent home every four weeks to keep you informed on how you are doing in every class. The grading policy has been broken down in the following manner:

•  10% Homework
•  30% Classwork/Participation
•  30% Projects/Essays
•  30% Assessments

FIGHTING

EPA maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards violence of any kind. This includes (but not limited to): fighting, play-fighting, bullying, and verbal violence such as gossiping, insults, starting rumors, making false accusations, or instigating a fight. Additionally, the school does not tolerate any form of violence through social networking or emails. Any such activity will result in a suspension.

FIRE DRILL PROCEDURES

We have a mandatory, zero-tolerance, NO TALKING policy from beginning to end the fire drill. This is a safety issue. Any student found talking will be suspended and require an adviser/parent conference. The specifics of exiting the building during a fire drill will be explained to scholars by their teachers.

FOOD, DRINKS, AND GUM

We ask that you do not bring these items to areas that are not designated for them. They attract pests such as mice and rats, and they distract from classroom learning time. If the temperature is over 80º F then you may bring a water bottle with you to school. Students are not allowed to chew gum.

GANGS AND GANG-RELATED ACTIVITY

Students are prohibited from gang involvement or gang activities while at school, at any school facility, at any school-sponsored activity, or on a school bus. Gang activities and gang involvement are described as (not limited to):

1. Wearing, possessing, using, distributing, displaying, or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblems, badges, symbols, signs, graffiti, or any other affiliation in any gang.
2. Committing any act or omission, or using any speech, either verbal or non-verbal (i.e.: gestures, handshakes, etc.), showing membership or affiliation in a gang.
3. Using any speech or committing any act or omission in furtherance of the interest of any gang or gang activity, including but not limited to:• Soliciting others for membership in any gang.
   • Requesting any person to pay for protection or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person.
   • Inciting other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.
   • Engaging in concert with others in intimidating, fighting, assaulting, or threatening to assault others.
   • Committing any other illegal act or other violation of schools district policies.

GRIEVANCES

Any student grievances are important to the staff of EPA. To ensure that all grievances can be dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner, students should report any grievances IN WRITING to their adviser, the social worker, or the dean, who will assist the student in dealing with the situation.

HARASSMENT

Every student has the right to attend EPA and school-related activities free from all forms of discrimination on the basis of gender, race, sexuality, disability, or any other reason. EPA considers all forms of harassment to be serious and will consider the full range of disciplinary options, up to and including expulsion.

Sexual harassment: All students are expected to treat one another courteously, with respect for the other person’s feelings; to avoid any behaviors known to be offensive; to stop these behaviors when asked or told to stop. All students are prohibited from engaging in offensive verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed towards one another. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, or other inappropriate verbal, written, or physical conduct a sexual nature directed towards any other individual. Anyone who is harassed in any way should contact his/her adviser, the social worker or guidance counselor, a teacher, the dean, or the principal immediately to report the offense. 

HEALTH SERVICES

Nurse: The school nurse is available for conference with parents/guardians, teacher, and physicians to ensure the health and safety of each student. For a student to be treated by the school nurse, he/she must fill out the Mt. Sinai medical forms. Every child receives the Mt. Sinai medical form in their Orientation Packet in the beginning of the school year.

Medical Office: The school medical office is used for emergencies and student healthcare. Any student who is too ill to attend classed will need to be picked up by a parent or guardian.

Medications: All medication intended for students shall be kept in the school’s medical office. Short-term prescription medication will be administrated only in accordance with the instructions on the prescription container and must be accompanied by a written request from the parent/guardian. Long-term medications to be given all year or for emergency situations, or for chronic situations such as asthma, must have written authorization from both the physician and parent/guardian.

Parents/guardians are to bring the medications to the school nurse (room 107) and pick up any unused medication at the end of the year.

Medications not picked up at the end of the year by the parent/guardian will be destroyed.

The administration of nonprescription medication is permitted only on a very limited temporary basis and with written parent/guardian permission only. The nurse will contact the physician should a question arise regarding any prescription or nonprescription medication/product.