ADMISSION
Handbook
PARENT & STUDENT HANDBOOK
2010-2011 School Year
Foreword
This handbook communicates The Turning Point Academy's philosophy of a well rounded education and sets forth standards, rules, and procedures that will assist in the educational process. This handbook is intended to change and grow as our school changes and grows. It is designed to foster a mutual understanding of what can be expected from the school, and what the school expects from the student and parents. Parents, you are our partners. Students, you will be treated with respect and are expected to respect yourselves, each other, parents, and all property.
Mission Statement
TPA will provide its students with an impressive advantage in learning, high GPA’s, and a solid foundation for becoming leaders of tomorrow.
School Description
The Turning Point Academy is a non-traditional school. It is a school that develops the skills a student will need to distinguish him/herself in the competitive professional world. Our goal is to lead each student from wherever they currently are to as far as their potential allows!
The NEW College Preparatory Academy Curriculum
The NEW College Preparatory Academy curriculum is focused upon development of the whole child. This involves a highly individualized approach which strives to meet the needs of each child at the individual child’s academic and social level.
Parent Participation
Parents are highly encouraged to participate with school administration. Parental participation develops a stronger bond between the parent and student. This enables the parent to better understand the student’s daily activities.
Enrollment Forms
These forms include basic data about the student and his/her family, as well as contact information. Other forms set forth student and parent responsibilities, provide miscellaneous authorizations, medical information, tuition agreements, school transcripts, recommendations from previous school, and the rules and policies of the school.
The Turning Point Academy Standards
Students may be asked not to return to TPA at any time for reasons of 'good cause' which may include, but is not specifically limited to, disciplinary reasons/disruptive behavior, cheating, lack of academic effort, or lack of attendance. ____________
Tuition
Tuition is due on the first day of each calendar month during the school year and will be considered delinquent on the fifth of the month. This applies to September-May tuition. TPA will not send statements in an effort to conserve paper. The Enrollment Form quotes total tuition for the academic school year showing the starting and ending dates. Tuition is based on a nine month school year. We require a thirty day written notice if you choose to remove your child from school before the academic school year is completed.
Laptops
Each student will be expected to utilize a laptop computer throughout the academic day. It is very important that the laptop perform correctly and efficiently. Parents are responsible for and students are required to have anti-virus protection which is to be updated as needed. A weekly full system scan is necessary for proper maintenance. We highly recommend that the laptop be restricted to school use only. Parents must make that decision for their child, but TPA will not be responsible for any damage to laptops due to downloading from sites the student visits outside the scope of academic sites that are approved by The Turning Point Academy and the NEW College Preparatory Academy. Many websites offer free on-line games. Please do not let you children go to these websites. Games that are purchased are the only games that should be allowed on a student's laptop. TPA reserves the right to check laptops at anytime.____________
Absences
Time missed from school puts the student at a disadvantage. Attendance is taken every day and consistent attendance corresponds directly to overall success. However, The Turning Point Academy believes that school should not be a priority over family. If you feel that you would like to take your child out of school for an educational or family day, all we ask is that you provide prior notice. We expect a doctor's excuse when a student misses three days within the same week. We do ask for a phone call if a student will be absent. Students are required to complete their four subject lessons each day they are absent. Parent and student initial here_____________
Illness
Students with a contagious illness should not be brought
to school. Students must be "fever free" for twenty-four hours before
returning to school. If a student misses school, it is their
responsibility to complete the work required in their four subject
lessons each day they are absent. This work is due by the end of that
week. This will enable your student to keep up in his or her studies.
Parent and student initial here_____________
School Hours
Students are required to have 6 hours of academic school time. Student’s parent may choose the hours from:
8am-3pm______________Parent and student initials required
8:30am-3:30pm_________Parent and student initials required
9am- 4pm_____________Parent and student initials required
The time slot selected will need to be consistent unless provided written permission by a parent to change this selected time.
A student may arrive as early as 8 a.m. Students arriving late are a distraction to others. Pick-up time is by 4:00 p.m. Students may be required to stay later to finish their lessons for that day. This must have approval from the site manager. It is the student's responsibility to inform parents by phone if a late pick-up time is necessary. The student will call his/her parent(s) when all work is completed. The latest pick-up time will be 4:30 p.m. It is The Turning Point Academy’s philosophy that students complete their work at school each day. This philosophy provides a better family environment for both student and parents. However, work not completed by 4:30 p.m., will be expected to be completed as homework.
Note: Times include an extra hour for lunch and social activities.
Lunch
Students are responsible for bringing their lunch each day. We recommend a healthy diet to promote academic and physical success. Students who have had adequate sleep, a healthy breakfast, and healthy food throughout the day will perform much better. We have a refrigerator and microwave for the convenience of the students. It is the student's responsibility to clear out the refrigerator on Friday before dismissal. Snacks may be brought from home. TPA will provide a healthy snack. Students are responsible for cleaning their lunch area in a timely manner.
Dress Code
It is our goal to develop an awareness of style which is appropriate for school and for other activities of life. TPA believes that school should be a relaxed environment where the students can feel comfortable. However, pants that are too low on the hips, clothing that is immodest, clothes that have improper words or images, makeup that is excessive, etc is not acceptable. We will ask on occasion for students to "dress up" for certain events. Ultimately, the judgment of the school administration will dictate what is acceptable in all matters of dress and grooming.
Encouraged Reading
Building a sense of responsibility in each student is an important goal at TPA. The only assignment outside of school is literature and personal growth reading. We recommend that parents encourage their students with these tasks* and provide the correct environment. A proper reading environment is invaluable. Your student should have a regular routine. It is best if reading is accomplished at the same time and in the same place each day. When a routine is established, doing any task becomes as natural as eating breakfast each morning. Your cooperation and encouragement will greatly help your student. They are encouraged to practice their speed reading to become more efficient at it. Note taking is encouraged only as a reminder to themselves of any questions they may have pertaining to readings.
Physical Fitness
TPA is equipped with an indoor gym that has a treadmill and an elliptical trainer for cardio workouts. TPA’s gym has free weights and a weight machine. Weather permitting; students can shoot hoops in the driveway. Today’s research suggests students should have movement and exercise to assist retention in learning. The students also have access to the gym as a place to earn their PE credits when needed.
Student Responsibility
We seek to develop independent learners, not dependent on an institution, a school, or a teacher to advance their education. Students are expected to read, understand, and articulate the learning material independently. Remembering to bring all necessary supplies to have a productive day is the student's responsibility. ____________
Tutoring
The Turning Point Academy has a different approach to tutoring. We feel that tutoring must be handled very delicately. Our mentors, employed by the NEW College Preparatory Academy, will give advice on certain subjects. However, we do not offer tutoring to our students in the traditional sense. We feel that students are in charge of their assignments and should take responsibility to learn the material. However, if a child’s parent(s) feels compelled to have tutorial services offered to their child, we may be able to provide or assist in finding suitable services.
Testing
Testing will be done at the end of each course. We do not force a student to take a test if not prepared. However, the facilitator may expect a student to take a test on a specific day to help the student achieve optimal success. Each student is expected to score 90% on World Book courses and 80% on all Aleks & Omega Math courses. If a student does not reach the required score the student will take an additional (different) test to ensure mastery of the materials. This will be at the instruction of the student's mentor, not the site manager.
Grading Method
TPA uses the NEW College Preparatory Academy curriculum which has a modern approach to grading. As each student completes their lessons, they will send it in for correcting. The mentor will critique the lessons and send the work back to the student to correct. The student will take the test only when he/she shows mastery of the course. A grade of 90% is expected before the student can move on to their next course. A grade of 80% is expected before the student may move on in math. Parents will receive grades every 9wks. Mentors send an updated Academic Plan with their comments and a place for the site manager's comments each month. A final transcript entailing completed courses will be sent to parents at the end of the school year.
Progress Report
Due to the nature of our grading method that ensures scoring 80% or higher, Progress Reports are not based on grades. Reports will be based on goal setting, motivation, individual accomplishments and social development, Progress Reports will be e-mailed to parents. If parents would like a conference, one may be scheduled at the parents' request.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parents may request a conference when they feel it is necessary. The Site Manager may request a conference if further communication with parents is deemed necessary.
Miscellaneous Changes
Please notify TPA of any changes in address, phone number (cell, home or work) or marital status.
Medication Policy
A school Medication Authorization Form must be filled out completely for all medications, including over the counter medications. All medications need to be supervised by the school staff, including herbal medications. Parents must provide written instructions from the prescribing physician regarding daily and weekend dosages. Any changes in medication type, dosage, and/or frequency must be ordered by the prescribing physician and sent to the school. Failure to follow this policy may result in disciplinary action. It is the parent's responsibility to insure that the school has an adequate supply of the prescribed medication. Parents should communicate regularly with the school to confirm the supply.
ALL PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL FROM THE PARENT (NOT THE STUDENT) IN THE ORIGINAL BOTTLE, PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE STUDENT'S NAME AND DISPENSING INSTRUCTIONS. MEDICATIONS WILL BE RETURNED IF THEY ARE NOT RECEIVED IN THE ORIGINAL BOTTLE.
Our goal is to collaborate with you to provide the best and safest medical care for your child. Please do not hesitate to call with any questions or concerns about this policy.
Conduct Referral
Parents will be notified of inappropriate behavior. Conduct Referrals are not sent home unless offenses are flagrant, such as ignoring the teacher, rudeness, fighting, disrespect, etc.
Working with Behavioral Challenges
The following sequence of corrective action will be taken by the school as it works with students needing special attention:
- The facilitator conducts a private conference with the student.
- The facilitator requests cooperation and assistance from parents.
- TPA reserves the right to institute probation, suspension or expulsion of the student.
Discipline Policy
TPA has a zero-tolerance policy. TPA reserves the right to expel any student for disciplinary reasons. In the event of expulsion, continuing studies with NEW College Preparatory Academy curriculum at home might be a possibility. This will be determined by Dr. Kuni Beasley, founder of NEW College Preparatory Academy.
Traumatic Experiences
Traumatic experiences outside of school can have a great impact on a student's behavior and/or performance in school. Please notify TPA should your child suffer a traumatic experience.
Questions
Questions concerning the curriculum, tuition, extended day, dress code, or any school policy should be addressed to The Turning Point Academy. Please do not ask another parent.
Games
Please do not allow your children to bring games, puzzles, music, etc. to school. ____________
Cellular Phones
Cell phones are allowed at school; however, they must be silenced or turned off during school hours. The Turning Point Academy phone number should be used for communication purposes.
Lost & Found
All articles found at The Turning Point Academy should be turned in to school administration. They will be placed in the Lost and Found. Anyone losing an article should check the Lost and Found.
Care of School Property
All books and furnishings provided by TPA are to be handled with care. Loss or damage beyond normal wear will be charged to the student.
Field Trips
Students will participate in various field trips. These outings are both educational and enjoyable. It is important for students to take pride in their appearance and learn to make good choices when dressing for special occasions. Parents wishing to attend field trips must contact school administration. Parents will need to fill out a field trip permission form annually.
Non-Discrimination
The Turning Point Academy is operated on a non-discriminatory basis and no one shall be excluded from enrollment because of race, color, sex, religion or national origin. However, we may wish not to accept students for reasons which include, but are not limited to, merit in conduct, previous academic record, attitude, etc.