ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM
EL PASO HIGH SCHOOL
XAVIER MIRANDA
[email protected]
(915) 236-2500
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Alternative Learning Program is a student-behavior management system, which entails being assigned to the Alternative classroom that is segregated from the general student population. The length of the term will be determined by the corresponding administrator, and by the severity of the student’s infraction.
An authentic effort will be made by faculty and staff to help the student adjust and return to the regular classroom setting as quickly and effectively as possible. Counseling and assessment of the student will be integrated and will be used as a viable measure to help eliminate future misbehavior.
The structure consists of:
- Classroom instruction by certified content teachers.
- Monitoring of academic progress, through consistent communication with assigned teachers for curriculum pacing.
- Promoting social and behavioral skills that will facilitate in the transitioning to the general education setting.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
It is critical that Alternative classroom procedures include parental involvement. The principal, or designee, will call the parent to inform them regarding placement of their child in the Alternative Learning Classroom. Letters that notify the parent of placement, referral form and information about the Alternative Learning Program will be mailed to the parent. Phone and personal contacts will be made as events dictate. Meetings may be held to discuss Alternative Learning Program proceedings and strategies. Meetings will include parents, principal, student, guidance counselor and the Alternative teacher if requested by the parent and/or school. These meetings carry the main objective of establishing behavioral and academic goals of the student.
COURSE WORK
As soon as placement is determined, a request for course assignments from the student’s respective teachers will be issued. Assignments will cover the number of days that a student is to be assigned to the Alternative Learning Classroom. The assignments and instruction will be similar to those of the corresponding teachers of whom the student is enrolled.
Course work is to be submitted to the Alternative teacher at the end of the school day, and in turn, assignments will be hand-delivered to the corresponding content teacher the following day. Documentation of the process will be conducted to ensure appropriate grades are entered in the TEAMS grade system.
The Alternative teacher will provide texts and resources required to complete assigned tasks for each corresponding subject and grade level. Additionally, the Alternative teacher will enhance the curriculum for Social Studies and Language Arts with correlating current events writing and research assignments.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
EPISD currently requires students to complete 30 hours of community service on an annual basis. Therefore, students in the Alternative Education Program will be provided the opportunity to engage in various community service projects throughout the school day, and on occasion, during after-school hours. Suggested projects include working on our school’s community garden, volunteer at various community organizations, and participate in civic engagement events.
Appropriate documentation and photographs will be required to ascertain student participation in the community service projects.
It is in my belief as an educator, that an experiential education promotes social development and civic engagement---of which ultimately benefits a democratic society.
SUSPENSION FROM EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Unfortunately, students assigned to the Alternative Learning Classroom for an infraction will be suspended from general school activity participation during their assigned term.
SUMMARY
The success of our program depends largely upon an authentic effort by students, parents, teachers, counselors, and our administrators. Classroom teachers are of vital importance throughout the term students are in the Alternative Learning Classroom. As well as appropriate coursework, teachers will provide thorough observations and feedback, critical for Alternative Learning Classroom students to make academic progress and behavioral adjustments which will lead to an effective transition to the General Education classroom. Through this cooperation, the Alternative Learning Classroom can serve as a positive influence, of which will hopefully generate high expectations for students.
The Alternative classroom teacher will also provide support to the student upon completion of their term. This support will entail monitoring of grades, attendance,behavior, tutoring, and contact with parents in order to ensure academic success.
CLASSROOM RULES AND PROCEDURES
Below is a standard set of rules provided by EPISD Alternative teachers, of which will be implemented:
El Paso High School Alternative Education Program Rules and Guidelines
Students placed in the alternative program will:
1. Report to school at 8:40 a.m. and be release at 3:45 p.m. They are to leave school grounds immediately. Students are not allowed to loiter on school grounds before or after school.
2. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian and student.
3. Students are not allowed on campus at times other than when they are assigned to attend classes, without written permission from a campus administrator.
4. Students are banned from all extracurricular activities. This includes both participation in and attendance at any El Paso High School function regardless of the location of the activity – including any EPISD campus or facility.
5. Students must follow the EPHS Dress Code.
6. Students will be allowed to have meals from the school cafeteria. The student will eat in the alternative education room.
7. The student must be accompanied by a staff member whenever they leave the Alternative classroom for any reason, unless specifically authorized to do so by a campus administrator.
8. The student may get a minimum of two restroom/water breaks a day. Students will be escorted as a group on breaks and must remain with the group at all times during breaks. Students will not be allowed to have additional breaks; any additional break will only be granted with doctor’s orders.
9. A student must check out any school-owned books or materials from the Alternative classroom. All course work must be completed during regular classroom hours.
10. Students are not allowed to bring electronic/communication devices unless issued by a teacher for academic work. Students who bring these types of items to school must turn them in the first teacher of the day. They will be locked up and the last teacher of the day will return them to the owner at departure time.
13. Students must follow the alternative classroom rules and the Student Code of Conduct.
14. Students are responsible to keep a clean, neat desk. Any accidental markings on a desk or walls must be reported to the DAEP Teacher. Graffiti and vandalism will be considered a major rule violation, which could result in fines and Raymond Telles Academy placement.
15. Students need to be aware that any disruption of the alternative classroom routine will not be tolerated. Attempts to incite other students to violate rules, and/or physical or verbal confrontations with other students or staff members will result in the filing of appropriate charges.
16. Students must complete a one and a half page essay addressed to the administrator who placed you in the alternative program, including a plan to avoid returning to DAEP.
17. Students need to understand that student conduct will be monitored at all times during the alternative placement term.
18. A respectful and positive attitude is expected at all times regardless of your personal reason for being placed in DAEP. Your goal is to have excellent attendance, great behavior, cooperation, and satisfactory academic progress. Your ability to return to regular classes early will be based on a review of these expectations.
19. Students must be on time.
- Assignments are to be submitted at the beginning of class on the due date..
- Class lectures and homework assignments are to be recorded in the agenda section of your binder.
- Make-up work will be provided for excused absences and you will have a maximum of three days to submit work.
- It is your responsibility to send me an email in order that I may send you the lesson plans for the day(s) you missed; and you will subsequently submit assignments via email.
- Assignments and the daily agenda are posted on the board, and students are expected to record the agenda in their binders. Students may also email me or corresponding subject teachers for the lessons missed during absences.
GRADES AND PARENT PORTAL
- Progress reports will be made available every two weeks, as an enhancement to the Parent Portal. I wish to ensure both student and parents/guardians are updated when pertaining to academic progress.
- It is the student’s responsibility to inform me of any discrepancy regarding a grade; this must take place a week from the time of the assignment due date. No grades will be changed once this time period transpires.
As per assigned teachers of record.
NOTEBOOK AND REQUIRED MATERIALS
This discipline requires skills in writing, critical thinking, interpretation, and organization. To facilitate these processes, the student is required to keep a binder/notebook/Student Interactive format. Additionally, laptops or tablets, pencils, pens (black or blue ink), and highlighters will be required.
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM
Academic fraud is taken seriously in my class. Students are expected to complete their individual work in all facets of this class. Appropriate citation formats are required when submitting assignments. The following websites is recommended for the APA citation form and style:
TUTORING
I am available during the following times for tutoring or make-up sessions:
- Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM-to the start of class; 4:00 to 4:30 PM; additional times may be scheduled by appointment .
Student Name____________________________________________
Student Signature_________________________________________
Parent Signature__________________________________________