Student Handbook
Student Handbook
Student Handbook
Principal Message…………………………………………………………………3
Vision, Mission, and Beliefs………………………………………………………4
Alpha Academy Progressive Disciplinary Protocol…………………………….5
Leadership………………………………………………………………………….5
Statement of Diversity………………………………………………………….....5
Daily Schedule……………………………………………………………………..6
Money and Other Valuable Property…………………………………………….7
Parent Conferences……………………………………………………………….7
Progress Reports and Report Cards…………………………………………….7
Candy, Gum, and Toys……………………………………………………………7
Textbooks, Supplies, and Laptops……………………………………………….7
School Uniforms……………………………………………………………………8
Attendance………………………………………………………………………….9
Breakfast and Lunch……………………………………………………………….9
Fire Drills/Evacuations……………………………………………………………10
Health and Safety…………………………………………………………………10
Student Conduct………………………………………………………….……….11
Alpha Academy Behavior Standards……………………………….…………..12
Alpha Academy Critical Behavior Standards…………………………………..18
School Bus Behavior Policy………………………………………………..…….19
Student Expectations…………………………………………………….…..…...20
Transitions……………………………………………………………………….…21
Application……………………………………………………………….…………23
I feel blessed and honored to work with my faculty, as I have already witnessed how awesome they truly are.
I am looking forward to the beginning of a great school year as we continue to mold students and guide them to
achieving their goals.
I am thoroughly excited to be here and I want that momentum to continue as we move through the school
year. We will work this year with the mindset that everything we do must be of benefit to our number one priority –
the students of Alpha Academy. If we focus on that, everything else will fall into place.
It is our objective to help these students develop their talents and abilities in a nurturing, safe environment
with a strong focus on teaching and learning. More importantly, the goal is to facilitate our students in the
development of their academic and behavioral standards.
I would like to encourage you, whether students, parents or community stakeholders, to get involved in our
school in as many ways as possible. Your support is vital as we strive for excellence and continuous improvement
from one year to the next.
Sincerely,
Alex Guilford
Principal
Vision Statement
Our vision for the Alpha Academy, is to continue to mold students to become
productive citizens in society. We customize the learning process for each and every
student, so they can strive to reach their personal and career goals.
Mission Statement
The mission of Alpha Academy, a positive and caring learning environment where
students are motivated to alter negative behavior and improve socially, academically, and
vocationally, is to ensure students are able to become better decision makers, compete in a
global economy and to become productive members of society through:
- Delivery of innovative and differentiated pedagogical approaches.
- A variety of group and one-on-one interventions.
- Positive behavior and support systems which encompasses rewards and incentives.
- Parent/community and base school involvement.
Belief Statements
- WE BELIEVE THAT all students can learn, at various paces, though differentiated
instruction.
- WE BELIEVE THAT safety of staff and students is paramount to the overall
operations of the school.
- WE BELIEVE THAT students deserve another chance through rehabilitation,
redirections, and reconnection.
- WE BELIEVE THAT exposing students to various enriching educational experiences
will increase student success.
- WE BELIEVE THAT strong positive relationships among all stakeholders are
essential to academic achievement.
- WE BELIEVE THAT every person is worthy of dignity and respect.
- WE BELIEVE THAT cultural inclusion and awareness will serve as a pathway to
productive citizenship.
- WE BELIVE THAT state, local and county agencies are vital in meeting the needs of
our students.
Alpha Academy admits students of any race, color, or national and ethnic origin to all the
rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students
at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and ethnic origin
in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and other school-administered
programs.
School Overview
LEADERSHIP
The School’s highly skilled and experienced leadership team is eager to serve you and your
child through the provision of a world-class education. Your satisfaction is the school’s
highest priority, so we hope you will contact the school’s leaders with any questions or
concerns at the following numbers:
8:15-9:00 Homeroom
3:00 Dismissal
Parent Conferences
Formal parent/teacher conferences are scheduled two time per school year to facilitate
open communication between parents and teachers regarding students’ progress. Refer to
the school calendar for specific dates.
Alpha Academy maintains an open door policy, and parents are encouraged to visit
their children’s classrooms to see them in action. We do ask that parents notify the office
upon arriving to the school for a visit to a classroom so as to keep disruptions to a minimum.
Informal conferences or conversations are encouraged and may also be scheduled with
teachers or school leaders at any time throughout the year.
Progress reports will be sent to parents during the school year to provide specific information
about student progress in each subject. At the end of each semester, parents will receive
report cards with cumulative data on their children’s performance and progress.
Alpha Academy furnishes textbooks and instructional materials that remain school property.
Also we furnish laptops for each student. These laptops must remain on school property.
Parents may be required to reimburse the school for lost or damaged books, and/or property
damage done to laptops. All students will need to be supplied with pencils and paper Other
supplies may be required and teachers will send home a list of such supplies.
Students are encouraged to leave all money and other valuable property at home, especially
cell phones. If cell phones are brought to school, they must be turned into the office as soon
as you arrive. If not the students cell phone will be kept until Friday, unless a parent comes
in. The School assumes no responsibility for the loss or theft of such articles.
School Uniforms
To help create an environment conducive to learning, students at Alpha Academy are
required to wear uniforms. Our Dress for Success policy is designed to permit students to
focus their attention on academics and on those aspects of their personalities that are truly
important.
Students are required to wear a white collared shirt without emblems that is required to be
tucked in at all times. Students should also have khaki pants with a belt worn at the waist
with tennis shoes or boots. No sagging or tight fitted clothing is ALLOWED. Students should
come dressed in uniform each and every day.
Students may wear an undershirt under their collared shirt. If they choose to do this, the shirt
must be either black, white, or gray. Students will not be permitted to wear any other colors.
A parent/guardian must accompany any student who arrives after 9:00 a.m. to the
office before proceeding to the classroom. The student will be considered tardy and the
incident will be recorded. Being at school on time in the morning and staying in school until
the end of the school day is central to receiving a good education.
Tardy to Classes- Also students should arrive to each class prior to the tardy (2 nd) bell.
Students who report late to class will receive a zero on their point sheet as well as a tardy.
All students will receive free breakfast and lunch, however, all students must submit a
Free and Reduced Priced Meals Application.
Students are advised to refrain from sharing food with other students to minimize the spread
of viruses and the risk of allergic reaction.
All school lunches should be a balanced meal. If students are bring lunch from home
please ensure that the items are sealed upon entering the building. Students are not
allowed to use microwaves and/or snack machines. NO OUTSIDE FOOD, GUM, SODA,
WATER, CANDY, AND SNACKS ARE ALLOWED.
Medication
The principal, student’s teacher, and nurse must be informed of any prescription
medication that a student is required to take at school. To dispense prescription medication
to students, the school must receive a written order from the student’s doctor and a consent
from completed by parent. All medication must be brought to the office in its original
prescription container, labeled with the student’s name, the name of the medication, the date
of expiration, and the proper dosage. If medication needs to be administered to the child
when the principal is not present, a staff member trained by the principal will administer the
medication.
Non-prescription medications: If, during the course of the school day, it is necessary for a
student to receive common, non-prescription medication (e.g., Tylenol), the parent/guardian
must fill out a Medicine Administration Form. Parents/guardians must inform the school of
any allergies to or restrictions on non-prescription medication that their children might have.
Parents/guardians are required to notify the principal in writing if your child has a chronic
illness that may affect his or her performance at school.
Accidents
The principal or a trained staff member will administer initial treatments of minor injuries. The
student’s emergency contact will be notified immediately by phone whenever medical
treatment is administered to a student, and an Incident Report will be kept in the student’s
permanent file. In such cases, it is especially crucial that the school has working phone
numbers for students’ parents and for alternate contacts in the event that a parent is
unavailable. Please be vigilant in keeping the school’s records for your child up-to-date.
Fire Drills/Evacuations
The school will have at least one fire drill per month within the school hours. Specific signals
and procedures have been established for all types of disaster drills, and safety areas have
been designated. Teachers are equipped with instructions, and all drills will be practiced with
students on a regular basis. The entire school will practice weather and security lockdowns.
During these drills, no one will be allowed to enter or leave the school. Please be patient and
understanding of this important rule. Your child’s safety is our number one concern.
ALPA Expectations:
We are:
R – Responsible
R – Respectful
S-Safe
WE ARE ALPHA!
Helping your child meet these expectations will facilitate the creation of a safe and orderly
learning environment.
ABS1- Students will follow all regulations from the Rockdale County Public School Handbook,
base school handbook, and from juvenile court.
ABS2- Students will work on assigned material and activities at all times. Students will refrain
from sleeping, distracting other students, disrupting the learning environment, compliance
with adult/teacher directives, etc.
ABS3- Students will refrain from producing or being in possession of any drawings or
making/preforming any handshakes or gestures pertaining to gangs, sex, weapons, or drugs
on school property, school bus, or any RCPS school property. (RCPS Rule 14.3/Rule 18)
ABS4: Students will remain in their assigned area unless they have their supervising adult’s
permission.
ABS5: Students will refrain from any inappropriate touching of other students/adults. This
includes but is not limited to horse playing, hitting, brushing, hand holding, hugging, kissing,
fondling, and other displays of affection. (RCPS Rule 1.3/Rule 18.3)
ABS6: Students will adhere to the Alpha Academy Dress Code at all times. All students will
wear the assigned uniform with their shirt tucked into their regulation khaki pants. All
students must wear their pants on their waistline, with a belt, at all times deemed by the
principal. At no time should any part of any student’s posterior be exposed even if covered
by their shirt. No undergarments should be exposed at any time.
ABS7: Students will only wear a plain white, black, or gray undershirt under their uniform with
no distinguishing patterns, emblems, words or markings every day at all times (if a student
elects to wear an undershirt)
ABS8: Students will not bring any electronic devices on school groups, on the bus, or the bus
stop, at any time unless it is approved by an administrator. This includes but is not limited to
iPods, hand held video games, mp3, music devices, cameras, and cellular phones. If student
are possessing an electronic device, they will need to turn it into the office as soon as they
arrive.
ABS9: Students will not use inappropriate language and/or voice towards adults or peers.
This includes but is not limited to slurs (regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion
or creed), profane language, and sexual innuendos. (RCPS Rule 19)
ABS11: Student will be on time. Loitering outside the building will not be permitted. Once the
student arrives at school, he or she will report immediately to the mandatory search area.
(RCPS Rule 24)
ABS12: Students are not permitted on any RCPS property or any RCPS school
event/activities except the Alpha Academy without being escorted by a parent/guardian.
(RCPS Rule 24)
ABS13: Students will only use computers for academic purposes (research, test prep,
teacher assigned projects/websites, etc…) Inappropriate websites/computer usage includes
but is not limited to: importing, exporting, viewing, distribution, printing, or creation of
inappropriate, illicit, or illegal materials including pornography, and materials demeaning
another person or containing lewd, profane or vulgar words, gestures or action or any
records, social network sites such as Facebook, Kick, Instagram, and files or material which
the student should not have access.
ABS15: Students will comply with conference or search by school personnel. This incudes
but is not limited to purses/handbags, wallets, and binders. (RCPS Rule 9.2)
ABS16: Student will demonstrate the ability to resolve conflicts without physical and/or verbal
misconduct.
ABS17: Students will not wear any jewelry of any kind. This includes bur is not limited to
rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, non-standard belt buckles or ornamentation.
Violation of Cellphone/Electronics:
1st offense: surrender phone, parent phone call, phone returned at the end of the day
2nd offense: surrender phone, and phone returned to student on Friday or parent must pick up
phone
3rd offense: 3 days Out of School Suspension
Tardiness:
Chronic Disruption:
Tier 2/Referral: 1-3 days OSS/Parent Conference required before student returns to school;
Develop a behavior contract
Tier 3/Referral: 5 days OSS/ Parent Conference with RTI team required before student
returns to school.
Tier 4/Referral: 10 day OSS/ Student will be referred for long term suspension and/or
expulsion from Alpha Academy.
** If the student is unable to stay for after school detention, then they will receive a one day
out of school suspension. **
Prior to Tier 3, students and parents will be asked to meet with the Response to Intervention
Team to discuss the student issues.
If a student commits an offense that is considered critical (Alpha Academy Critical Behavior
Standards), they will automatically move to Tier 4 of the protocol.
ACBS1: A student shall not share nor be involved in transmission of his/her over-the-counter
medication with anyone else.
A student shall not possess or attempt to possess, buy or attempt to buy, use or be under the
influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana,
inhalant, anabolic steroid, or any drug requiring a prescription controlled by the Georgia
Pharmacy, or substance represented to be a drug.
A student shall not possess consume or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage of
any kind or any substance represented to be alcohol.
A student shall not sell, attempt to sell, transmit, or attempt to transmit drugs or substances
represented or thought to be drugs by the buyer, on school property, or at a school function,
or on any property used by the school with the permission of the owner or within 1000 feet of
school property.
ACBS2: A student shall not possess, handle, or transmit a knife with a blade less than 2
inches in length, an ice pick, or any other bladed instrument unless authorized by the teacher.
(See 7.3 for knife with larger blade)
A student shall not possess, handle, or transmit any firearm. A firearm is considered to be
any weapon (including a starter gun, shotgun, stun gun, taser or other hunting or sporting
gun) which will or is designed to or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by action of
an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm
silencer; or any destructive device, including, but not limited to, bombs, grenades, rockets,
mines, or any other explosive material. Antique firearms are not included in this term when
used for class work as authorized by the teacher. (O.C.G.A.20-2-751)
A student shall not possess, handle, or transmit any object which could reasonably be
considered a weapon, to include but not limited to such items as dirk, bowie knife,
switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other knife having a blade of two or more inches,
straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, metal knucks, blackjack, any bat, club, or other
bludgeon-type weapon, or any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts
connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a
nunchahka, nunchuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of whatever
configuration, having a least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or
propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any weapon of like
kind, and any stun gun or taser as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 16-11-106 of
official Georgia law, explosives to include bullets of any type, fire crackers, caps, or cap
pistols, smoke or odor bombs, BB or pellet guns, loaded canes or sword canes, or machetes.
This paragraph excludes any of these instruments used for classroom work as authorized by
the teacher.
ACBS3: A student shall not indecently expose himself or herself, or engage in any
inappropriate heterosexual or homosexual act on school property, during school functions, or
on any property used by the school with permission of the owner, or while under school
supervision
The proper behavior among students while being transported on a bus is fundamental to
safety. The lack of appropriate behavior on the bus has an effect on every student’s safety.
The most dangerous aspect of unruly behavior is the distraction it causes to the bus driver,
whose main focus in concentrating on traffic and traffic conditions, not on discipline. Any
behavior that causes the driver to shift their attention from traffic to discipline will not be
tolerated. Safe student transportation for all students is our goal.
Staff members are expected to follow, model, teach and re-teach each of
these behavior expectations.
All classrooms must remain safe and orderly, provide students with a
supportive learning environment and maintain a high level of academic
functioning. Students and staff are expected to follow the school-wide
expectations and rules in order to facilitate this belief.
I. Actions That May Prevent You From Transitioning from Alpha Academy
Although you may have completed the requirements of Section I of this document, you still
may not be eligible to transition to your home school if you do any of the following:
1. You have 6 or more unexcused absences (not including suspensions) during a semester.
In addition to possibly not being able to transition to your home school, the District may send
you the Student Disciplinary Committee for committing any of these offenses, which may result in
your permanent expulsion from all Rockdale County Public Schools.
Once you meet the requirements to have a transition meeting, the transition team will determine
if you have successfully completed the Alpha Program and are ready to return to your home school.
You and your parents will be invited to attend and participate in the meeting. Transition meetings only
occur at the end of a semester and the decision of the transition team is final.
Some students may be prohibited from returning to their home school or attending any other
Rockdale County Public School. If you are not eligible to transition from Alpha Academy, then this
policy is not applicable to you.
Documents include but are not limited to decisions made by the Board of Education, the
Superintendent (or designee), Student Disciplinary Committee, Student Placement Committee, or a
Disciplinary Waiver signed by the parent and/o student.