Mrs. M. Williams

What Does a VCS Core Value Look Like? 

Students will receive an E/S/N/U for the Core Values below.  Bullet points are some examples of what would go with each Core Value.   

Hospitality (E/S/N/U)

• Respect adults and peers.

• Listen attentively.

• Work cooperatively with others.

• Respond positively to redirection.

Stewardship (E/S/N/U)

• Use materials appropriately & treat the campus with respect.

• Dress code followed 

Hard Work (E/S/N/U)

• Complete assignments (could include classwork and/or homework).

• Be prepared and strive for quality work.

• Demonstrate self-control.

• Work well independently.

• Follow rules and verbal directions.

Creativity (E/S/N/U)

• Participates in class activities and discussions.

• Use multiple strategies to solve problems

Refresher from the VCS Parent/Student Handbook

BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES

We want all of our students to have a positive experience everyday in an environment of respect.  By providing behavior guidelines we are able to foster an enjoyable, cooperative, respectful and safe environment for learning.  Members of the school community are expected to be polite and considerate of the rights of others.  Our staff encourages students daily to consistently make good choices, and be responsible for their actions.

Students should cooperate with all teachers and staff members.  Substitute teachers, student teachers, visitors, and volunteers are to be treated with the same respect as teachers and staff.  Physical violence and threats are considered to be serious forms of misbehavior and will not be tolerated.

All students are expected to abide by the rules established in their classrooms and by the school. Rules are established to ensure a safe climate that promotes learning. When you make choices that compromise the environment established, you should expect appropriate consequences to be assigned. All incidents of possible threats, signs or discussions of weapons, signs of gang activity, inappropriate use of technology, or the conditions that might invite or encourage violence MUST be reported to an adult.  This may also include, but not be limited to, teasing, name calling, intimidation or spreading of rumors.  

BULLYING/HARASSMENT

Our Code of Student Conduct states that bullying, harassment and/or hazing will not be tolerated.  All incidents of possible threats, signs or discussions of weapons, signs of gang activity, inappropriate use of technology, or the conditions that might invite or encourage violence MUST be reported to an adult.  This may also include, but not be limited to, teasing, name calling, intimidation or spreading of rumors. Informational link on The Villages Charter School website is http://www.stopbullying.gov/

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM

Cheating includes buying, stealing, or otherwise obtaining unauthorized copies of tests or assignments for the purpose of improving one’s academic standing.  During tests, quizzes, or in-class work, cheating includes having unauthorized information, and/or referring to unauthorized notes or other written or electronic information.  Copying from others, either during tests or in the preparation of homework assignments, is a form of cheating. 

Plagiarism is the act of presenting ideas, words, or organization of a source, published or not, as if they were your own.  All quoted material must be in quotation marks, and all paraphrases, quotations, significant ideas, and organization must be acknowledged by some form of documentation acceptable to the instructor for the course.  Plagiarism also includes the practice of employing or allowing another person to alter or revise the work that you submit as your own.  This would also include printing out actual web pages and turning them in as your own work. You may discuss assignments amongst yourselves or with an instructor, but when the actual material is completed, you and you alone must complete it.

All academic work, written or otherwise, submitted by you to an instructor, is expected to be the result of your own thought, research, or self-expression. If you feel unsure about the authenticity of your work, you should consult with a teacher to obtain clarification on the appropriateness of the material in question.  Consequences for cheating or plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment and a possible one-day suspension.

The Villages Charter School (VCS) Disciplinary & Attendance Policy

The design of the VCS Disciplinary Policy enables consistent and uniform enforcement of its provisions. The Administration is responsible for determining the level of the offense as well as determining the appropriate consequence. In all disciplinary actions, the appropriate level of due process shall be observed.  

The factors to consider prior to corrective measures being taken include, but are not limited to:

• Seriousness of offense

• Premeditation or impulsiveness

• Strength of evidence

• Cooperation or remorse

• Disciplinary history

• Age or disability

All students will be held accountable for their behavior during all aspects of the school day, including Buffalo Adventures and any other school-sponsored activity. Any behavior occurring off campus requiring law enforcement action is expected to be reported to school officials so that a full circle of support and an action plan can be created. If the behavior is deemed to be of a nature as to not maintain respect for all stakeholders of VCS the student may be asked to return to their home school.

CONSEQUENCES

Students are faced with a barrage of choices each day. These choices come with consequences, good or bad. In an effort to provide the best environment for learning to take place, it is anticipated that everyone will behave and abide by the expectations previously stated. When students make choices that do not follow school rules, appropriate consequences will be assigned. The consequences may include, but are not limited to:

• Conferences – Conferences are scheduled meetings that will serve to inform all stakeholders of behaviors and possible solutions.

• Contracts – An agreement between the school, the student and the student’s family identifying the future possible dismissal of the student if specified requirements are not met. Contracts are used to improve behavioral choices as well as attendance (including tardies and early check outs).

• Detentions – Detentions will be scheduled before or after school. Students will not be admitted late into detention. If students are late or do not show up for detention they will have additional consequences assigned. Students will work on academic or behavioral assignments. Detention may also include campus maintenance activities.

• Felony Transfer –The Villages Charter School has the ability to deny access to our educational system based on felony charges from the Judicial System.

• In-School Suspensions – Students will be in a supervised area and be expected to be on task with assigned school work at all times during the day. Full credit will be given as earned for completed work. Failure to attend or comply with all rules during in-school suspension will result in additional disciplinary action.

• Loss of Privileges – The Administration has the authority to exclude students from participating in school-related activities if the conduct at school or outside of school, is deemed unacceptable. The period of time is to be established by the Administration.

• Out-of-School Suspension – Students are not to be on school property on the day(s) assigned and this/these absence will be considered unexcused (please see attendance policy). This includes any sporting, extra-curricular, or other after-school activity. All schoolwork missed while serving an out-of-school suspension is due the number of days out of school plus one.

• Restitution – Students will restore or pay for damaged or stolen property.

• Saturday School – The session runs from 8:00 a.m. – noon. Students will not be admitted late

into Saturday School. If a student is late or does not show up for Saturday School, further consequences will be assigned.  Students will be participating in a variety of activities and must complete the entire scheduled day. Some of the activities include completion of homework, reading, and campus maintenance. 

• Temporary Removal from Setting – Students will be removed from an academic setting for a specific amount of time to be established by the Administration.

• Work Detail – Students will be assigned age appropriate work on the school campus as determined by the Administration.

If students are referred to the office for behavioral choices, the following events will occur to ensure that they are treated fairly and that an appropriate consequence is decided upon and carried out: 

• Students will be given the opportunity to explain their behavior.

• If additional information is needed, it will be obtained in the most efficient manner possible.

• The Administrator will evaluate the severity of the infraction and associated corrective measures outlined in the disciplinary policy.

• Parents will be notified verbally as well as provided a copy of the discipline referral. In order to maintain timely and efficient communication with parents, school personnel rely on the provision of current and accurate phone numbers including cell, home, and work phone numbers and email addresses.

Students’ individual needs will be considered and appropriate actions will be taken to ensure the integrity of the school and learning environment are protected. The disciplinary policy is created to address each situation as unique and to determine actions that will deter the behavior from repeating itself. The listing below is grouped in levels, with the minor levels listed first.

The level of the infraction and the corresponding and appropriate corrective measure is coded according to the Sumter County Schools Conduct Report from PP-SR-004 for Elementary and PP-SR-037 for Secondary.

Multiple Level III infractions may result in dismissal from The Villages Charter School. The Director of Education of The Villages Charter School has the authority to dismiss students for cause including, but not limited to, failure to maintain eligibility per Board policy or failure to comply with school rules and regulations that are found in the VCS Disciplinary & Attendance Policy. Dismissal and re-enrollment of students who have been previously dismissed or have withdrawn from school is at the discretion of the Director of Education of The Villages Charter School after consultation with the building principal. Additionally, the building principal and the Director of Education may deny enrollment to new students based upon a review of their discipline & attendance records from their previous school using the VCS Disciplinary & Attendance Policy as a guide. Any previously dismissed student, who is approved for re-enrollment will automatically be placed on a behavior and/or attendance contract. An appeal of any dismissal of a student may be made to the Board of Directors of The Villages Charter School, Inc. by written request within ten (10) days of the dismissal date. 

Sumter County School Board will be notified when dismissal of a Sumter County student occurs as a result of discipline infractions. All appropriate discipline documentation will be forwarded to the receiving school when applicable. 

Mrs. M. Williams

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