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Essex High School
2 Educational Dr. Essex Jct., VT 05452 | (802) 879-7121

A.C.E Alternative Center For Education

Operating Manual
What follows is a summary of how the ACE Program operates and what a new student might expect when entering the program.

BELIEFS
ACE is designed to help discouraged students complete their high school learning. It is a privilege to attend ACE. Students come here by choice. Students are expected to make good use of the opportunity to attend ACE. (See ACE Beliefs Statement )

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTS

When a new student enters ACE, he or she meets with a teacher to develop learning goals. This general plan becomes the basis for weekly planning. At the beginning of each week, the student meets with a teacher to develop a contract for the week. The contract shows the assignments each day during the week. At the end of the week, the student presents the completed work to the teacher and demonstrates what he or she has learned. Each student is expected to produce school work that shows QUALITY, EFFORT and COMMITMENT. (Please refer to the sample contract that is included below.)

CREDIT EACH WEEK

The student earns credit each week in each course if the work is done on time and shows quality. The student earns 5 points per day each week for work that is completed on time and with an acceptable degree of quality.

CREDIT and GRADES

The student earns credit each week throughout the marking period. There is a quarterly review at the end of each marking period. At the end of the marking period, the student totals the weekly credits earned in each course. The total is used to produce an official grade for the report card and transcript. In addition to earning whole and half credits, a student can earn quarterly credit (.25), and this is reflected on a report card and on the official high school transcript. Please note that the MINIMUM GRADE that can be filed for credit for a marking period is B. Any grade less than a B is entered as incomplete.

MAKING UP CREDIT

The student who does not complete an assignment or who does not earn passing credit during a marking period may choose to write a proposal describing how he or she wishes to recover the lost credit. This process is always worked out on a case-by-case basis and is always subject to the input and approval of the teacher. Students who wish to continue at ACE need to show progress in school work and other areas identified in the learning plan.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is based on the days the student attends the program. The rate of attendance is a factor in the credits the students earns each week and each marking period. For example, if a student who is expected to attend school each day does so and produces excellent work, then the student earns full credit for the week in a given course. If the student is absent for one day, the credit is adjusted down by 20%. At ACE there is no difference between an excused or un excused absence. If the student is not in school when expected, he or she is absent. Illnesses and emergencies are handled on a case-by-case basis.

GET ORGANIZED

The basic rules at ACE are the 3 R's: RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY and RECOGNITION. The student is expected to behave in a respectful way towards himself or herself, towards other students and staff, towards school property, and towards school procedures. The student is expected to take responsibility for showing quality, effort, and commitment in their learning. The student who shows RESPECT and who takes RESPONSIBILITY earns positive RECOGNITION (e.g.,self-respect; praise; good grades; a diploma!) ACE Program rules are developed each year with the help of students and teachers. They are designed to promote a safe, orderly, and productive school. The rules are posted. If a student disagrees with a rule, it is possible to work with other students and the teachers to change the rule. (Please review the rules before you agree to commit to the ACE Program. They are included in the packet.)

GROUP MEETINGS

A group meeting is held once a week. All students are expected to participate in this meeting unless they are taking classes at the high school or the Technical Center or unless they are working at a job that conflicts with the meeting time. Occasionally, other meetings are called on short-notice, and students who are in the building at that time are expected to participate.

CLEAN UPS

The ACE Program doesn't pay for custodial services. All students and staff are expected to share in keeping the building clean. Clean up assignments are posted each week.

FIELD TRIPS

ACE plans a variety of field trips throughout the year. Some of these require that the student place a deposit as an indication of their commitment to participate. Deposits are refunded to those who participate. Often special permission forms must be completed and returned before students can participate. Some activities require special attention to clothing, and only students who are prepared may participate.

WORK EXPERIENCE

A student can earn up to one credit per year for Work Experience. This student can have a part time or full time job. The minimum number of hours for a part time job is 4 hours per week. A W-2 Form must be on file. Regular pay stubs and quarterly Worker Evaluation Sheets serve as proof of acceptable job performance for credit.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ACE provides students with a number of school-sponsored physical education activities each year. Students may complete physical education requirements through independent plans. These plans are developed on a case-by-case basis with students. The goal is to promote life-long interest in physical activity using student interest as a guide. Participating on sports teams (both in and out of school), participating in a fitness club, camping, hiking, and biking are examples of such independent activities.

COMMITMENT STATEMENT

Each new student is expected to sign a commitment statement before entering ACE. Be sure to read this statement and to get answers to any areas that seem unclear before you sign it.


MY COMMITMENT TO ACE

  • I understand how the ACE program operates. I have had the opportunity to meet with ACE staff to discuss my questions and concerns about ACE.
  • I will behave according to the key ideas of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and RECOGNITION.
  • I will attend school according to my schedule.
  • I will meet the expectation of completing challenging assignments with a high degree of quality and according to my schedule.
  • I will abide by the ACE "House Rules" and the School Districts Rules. I understand these rules. If I feel these rules are unfair, I will work with the other students and my teachers to try to make better rules.
  • I will take responsibility to keep my school materials organized and to equip myself with notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, and other necessities.
  • I will participate in school meetings.
  • I will participate in school field trips.
  • I will keep the school clean,
  • I understand that my success at ACE means working cooperatively and constructively with other students.
  • I understand that my success at ACE depends on a partnership between me and my teachers.
  • I understand that it is my choice to attend that ACE program. I freely commit myself to continuing my education at ACE. Name_________________________________
    Date____________________
 
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