STAFF: Know that you make a difference!!
From the Merced Sun Star:
I just want to say a huge "Thank You" to Mr. Schroeder for being a great, positive influence on the kids. My son is in his class and talks about how great he is everyday. My son was behind in credits and hated everything to do with school, but since being in Mr. Schroeder's class he enjoys going to school everyday. If it weren't for teachers like him, kids like mine wouldn't have a reason to try when they are so far behind. Everyone thinks that Valley is for bad kids, or for kids whose parents don't care, and that is not the case. My son once said that Valley is not a bad school, and not all the kids that go there are bad either. Thank you Mr. Schroeder again...you are truly making a difference and you deserve all the recognition in the world!!! Keep up the good job... Signed- A very happy parent!
_______________________________________________
07 API Scores Realeased
| 2006 score | Growth? | 07 Score | Growth | |
| ATW | 541 | 104 | 455 | (-72) |
| MER-AM | 514 | 79 | 527 | (-46) |
| MER-7-12 | 559 | 157 | * | * |
| LB | 480 | 77 | 471 | 8 |
| Liv | ^ | ^ | 448 | No Prior |
| Hall | 601 | ^ | * | * |
Unfortunately, we did not fare as well as last year
We'll keep trying!! .
Link to the state DataQuest site: HERE
___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
What is CPM?
Categorical Program Monitoring
Remember CCR? Same thing, new name! State and federal law require the California Department of Education to monitor the implementation of categorical programs operated by local educational agencies. This state oversight is accomplished in part by conducting on-site reviews of twenty-four such programs administered by local educational agencies. The reviews are conducted every year for one quarter of all the local education agencies. This allows for each local education agency to be reviewed once every four years by state staff and local administrators trained to review one or more of these programs. The purpose of the review is to verify compliance with requirements of each categorical program, and to insure that program funds are spent to increase student performance.
_______________________________________________________
POLICIES RELATING TO THE DISCIPLINE CODE
Statement of Policy
Individual self-direction is the goal of rules of discipline, and the majority of pupils in the public schools progress from complete adult direction to self-direction with a minimum application of disciplinary measures. However, there are a few who conform to policies and regulations only when it pleases them or when punishment deters them.
The Board of Education offers a program of education to prepare youth for citizenship and to create an awareness of the individual's responsibility for his own actions in accordance with the rules of socially accepted conduct.
Unfortunately, sometimes it is necessary for school officials to punish students because of misbehavior. California Education Code states that the governing board of any school district may make and enforce all rules and regulations needed for the government and discipline of the schools under its charge and that the governing board shall enforce these provisions by suspending or, if necessary, expelling pupils who refuse or neglect to obey such rules or regulations. The Education Code states also, in Section 48900.5, that suspension shall be imposed only when other means of correction fail to bring about proper conduct, provided that a pupil may be suspended for any of the reasons enumerated in Section 48900 upon a first offense, if the Principal or Superintendent of Schools determines that the pupil violated subdivision (a) - (o) inclusive of Section 48900 or that the pupil's presence causes a danger to person or property or is a threat to disrupting the instructional process, and for any reasons listed in Sections 48900.2, 48900.3 and 48900.4.
The following statements represent a framework of Board of Education policies and administrative regulations for the guidance of students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
General
Every pupil must attend school punctually and regularly, conform to the regulations of the school, obey promptly all the directions of his teacher and others in authority, observe good order and propriety of deportment, be diligent in study, respectful to his/her teacher/s and others in authority, be kind and obliging to schoolmates, and refrain entirely from the use of profane and vulgar language. (Admin. Code, Title 5, Education, Section 300)
Authority of the Teacher
All pupils shall comply with the regulations, pursue the required course of study, and submit to the authority of the teachers of the school. (Ed. Code 48908)
Every teacher in the public schools shall hold pupils to a strict account for their conduct on the way to and from school, on the playgrounds, or during recess. (Ed. Code 44807)
Leaving School
No pupil shall be permitted to leave school at recess or at any other time before the regular hour of closing school, except in case of emergency or with the approval of the Principal of the school. (Admin. Code, Title 5, Education, Section 303)
Proper Dress
All pupils who go to school without proper attention having been given to personal cleanliness or neatness of dress may be sent home to be properly prepared for school or shall be required to prepare themselves for the school room before entering. (Admin. Code, Title 5, Education, Section 302)
As neatness, appearance, and appropriate dress is a part of total education, pupils must conform to standards established by the local school. Deviation from acceptable standards tends to create a disturbing influence on the student body and constitutes justifiable grounds for disciplinary measures.
Trash Pick up as Punishment
As part of or instead of disciplinary action prescribed by this article, the principal of a school, the principal's designee, the superintendent of schools, or the governing board may require a pupil to perform community service on school grounds or, with written permission of the parent or guardian of the pupil, off school grounds, during the pupil's nonschool hours. For the purposes of this section, "community service" may include, but is not limited to, work performed in the community or on school grounds in the areas of outdoor beautification, community or campus betterment, and teacher, peer, or youth assistance programs. (Ed. Code 48900.6.)Hazing
No student in attendance at any educational institution shall conspire to haze, engage in hazing, or commit any act that injures, degrades, or disgraces, or tends to injure, or disgrace a fellow student or person attending the institution. (Ed. Code 32051 and 48213)
Filthy or Vicious Habits
The Board of Education of any school district may exclude children of filthy or vicious habits, or children suffering from contagious or infectious diseases. (Ed. Code 48211)
Detention
Pupils may be detained in school for disciplinary or other reasons for not more than one hour after the close of the school day.
Parent Mandated Attendance
The governing board of each school district may adopt a policy authorizing teachers to require the parent or guardian of a pupil who has been suspended by a teacher pursuant to Section 48910 for reasons specified in subdivision (i) or (k) of Section 48900, to attend a portion of a school-day in the classroom of his or her child or ward. (Ed. Code 48900.1)Electronic Signaling Devices -
Valley Community School acknowledges the importance of electronic communication between students and parents, particularly in school-wide emergency situations. Further, the district recognizes that instructional time is precious and must be protected from unnecessary disruption. Education Code 48901.5
Therefore, students shall be permitted to have in their possession an electronic signaling device on campus during the school day, while attending school-sponsored activities, or while under the supervision and control of a school district employee. Such devices shall be deactivated and their use strictly prohibited on campus during the regular school day except:
- during an emergency affecting the school or community,
- upon direction from a licensed physician and surgeon if carrying such a device is essential to, and the use is limited specifically to, the health of the student.
Electronic signaling devices include any device that operates through the transmission or receipt of radio waves, including, but not limited to pagers, cellular telephones, and two-way radios. In permitting student possession of such devices, the district assumes no liability for the loss, damage, confiscation or its misuse by another person.
The regular school day is defined as the time between the beginning of school, or the first regularly scheduled class in the morning, through the end of school, or the end of the last regularly scheduled class of the day.
Students may be subject to school discipline for failure to comply with these guidelines.
Laser Pointers:Prohibition on Sales, Possession and Use
Prohibits possession of a laser pointer by any student on any elementary or secondary school premise, unless possession is for valid instruction. Further prohibits directing the beam of a laser pointer into the eyes of another or into a moving vehicle or into the eyes of a guide dog. PC4 17.27
Sexual Harassment
The Merced County Office of Education prohibits unlawful sexual harassment of or by any student by anyone in or from the District. Conduct which constitutes sexual harassment of students impairs the ability of students to make full and effective use of the School District's instructional programs. Sexual harassment can cause embarrassment, feelings of powerlessness, reduced ability to perform schoolwork, and increased absenteeism and tardiness.
PROCEDURES FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Suspension by Principal, Principal's Designee, or the Superintendent
The Principal of the school, the Principal's designee, or the Superintendent of Schools may suspend a pupil from the school for any of the reasons enumerated in Section 48900 of the Education Code for no more than five (5) consecutive school days.
"Suspension" means removal of a pupil from ongoing instruction for adjustment purposes. (Ed. Code 48925)
Specific Offenses for Suspension or Expulsion (Ed. Code 48900)
The student has
(a) Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person.
(b) Possessed, sold, or otherwise furnished any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object unless, in the case of possession of any such object, the pupil had obtained written permission to possess the item from a certificated school employee, which is concurred in by the Principal or the designee of the Principal.
(c) Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, any controlled substance, as defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic bever age, or an intoxicant of any kind.
(d) Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any controlled substance, as defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and then either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to any other person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.
(e) Committed robbery or extortion.
(f) Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property.
(g) Stolen or attempted to steal school property or private property.
(h) Possessed or used tobacco, except as provided in Section 48901.
(i) Committed an obscene act or engaged in habitual profanity or vulgarity.
(j) Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell any drug paraphernalia, as defined in Section 11364 of the Health and Safety Code.
(k) Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, school officials, or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties.
(I) Knowingly received stolen school property or private property.
(m)Possession of an imitation firearm. An imitation firearm is "a replica of a firearm that is so substantially similar in physical properties to an existing firearm as to lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica is a firearm."
(n) Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code or committed a sexual battery as defined in Section 243.4 of the Penal Code.
(o) Harassed, threatened, or intimidated a pupil who is a complaining witness or witness in a school disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of either preventing that pupil from being a witness or retaliating against that pupil for being a witness, or both.
(p) A pupil may not be suspended or expelled for any of the acts enumerated unless that act is related to school activity or school attendance occurring within a school under the jurisdiction of the Superintendent or Principal or occurring within any other school district. A pupil may be suspended or expelled for acts that are enumerated in this section and related to school activity or attendance that occur at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1) While on school grounds.
(2) While going to or coming from school.
(3) During the lunch period whether on or off the campus.
(4) During, or while going to or coming from, a school sponsored activity.
(q) A pupil who aids or abets, as defined in Section 31 of the Penal Code, the infliction or attempted infliction of physical injury to another person may suffer suspension, but not expulsion, pursuant to the provisions of this section.
Except that a pupil who has been adjudged by a juvenile court to have committed, as an aider and abettor, a crime of physical violence in which the victim suffered great bodily injury or serious bodily injury shall be subject to discipline pursuant to subdivision (a).
(r) A Superintendent or Principal may use their discretion to provide alternatives to suspension or expulsion, including, but not limited to, counseling and an anger management program, for a pupil subject to discipline under this section.
Sexual Harassment
48900.2 In addition to the reasons specified in Section 48900, a pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the Superintendent or the Principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has committed sexual harassment as defined in Section 212.5 (This section shall not apply to pupils enrolled in kindergarten and grades 1 to 3, inclusive.)
Hate Violence
48900.3 In addition to the reasons specified in Sections 48900 and 48900.2, a pupil in any one of grades 4 to 12 inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the Superintendent or the Principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of, hate violence, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 330.32.5.
Threat and Intimidation
48900.4 In addition to the grounds specified in Sections 48900 and 48900.2, a pupil enrolled in any of grades 4 to 12 inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the Superintendent or the Principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation, directed against a pupil or group of pupils that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to have the actual and reasonably
-expected effect of materially disrupting class work, creating substantial disorder, and invading the rights of that pupil or group of pupils by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment.
Terroristic Threats Against School Officials or School Property, or Both
48900.7 A pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the Superintendent or the Principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has made terroristic threats against school officials or school property, or both.
For the purposes of this section, 'terroristic threat" shall include any statement, whether written or oral, by a person who willfully threatens to commit a crime which will result in death, great bodily injury to another person, or property damages in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), with the specific intent that the statement is to be taken as a threat, even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out, which, on the face and under the circumstances in which it is made, is so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate, and specific as to convey to the person threatened, a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution of the threat, and thereby causes that person reasonably to be in sustained fear for his or her own safety or for his or her immediate family's safety, or for the protection of School District property, or the personal property of the person threatened or his or her immediate family.
Expulsion; Particular Circumstances
48915 Grounds for Zero Tolerance Expulsions
The Principal of a school or the Superintendent of Schools shall immediately suspend and shall recommend expulsion of a pupil that he or she determines has committed any of the following acts at school or at a school activity off school grounds:
(a) Possessing, selling or otherwise furnishing a firearm. This subdivision does not apply to an act of possessing a firearm if the pupil had obtained prior written permission to possess the firearm from a certificated school employee, which is concurred by the Principal or the designee of the Principal. This subdivision applies loan act of possessing a firearm only if the possession is verified by an employee of a school district.
(b) Brandishing a knife, screwdriver, or an ice pick at another person.
(c) Unlawfully selling a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code.
(d) Committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault as defined in Section 261, 266c, 286, 288, 288a, or 289 of the Penal Code or committed a sexual battery as defined in Section
243.4 of the Penal Code.
(e) Possession of an Explosive (i.e. M80-Quarter Stick)
The Board of Education shall order a pupil expelled upon finding that the pupil committed an act listed in subdivision (a, b. and c), and shall refer that pupil to a program of study that meets all of the following conditions:
(a) Is appropriately prepared to accommodate pupils who exhibit discipline problems.
(b) Is not provided at a comprehensive middle, junior, or senior high school, or at any elementary school.
(c) Is not housed at the school site attended by the pupil at the time of suspension.
For a pupil who has been expelled for reasons in this subsection, the Board of Education shall set a date of one year from the date the expulsion occurred, when the pupil shall be reviewed for readmission to a school maintained by the District, except that the Board of Education may set an earlier date for readmission on a case-by-case basis.
The Board of Education shall recommend a plan of rehabilitation for the pupil at the time of the expulsion order. This plan may include, but not limited to periodic review as well as assessment at the time of review for readmission. The plan may include recommendations for improved academic performance, tutoring, special education, assessments, job training, counseling, employment, community service, or other rehabilitative programs.
Suspension by Teacher (from class)
A teacher may suspend any pupil from his or her class, for any of the acts enumerated in Section 48900, for the day of the suspension and the day following. The teacher shall immediately report the suspension to the Principal of the school and send the pupil to the Principal or Principal's designee for appropriate action. If that action requires the continued presence of the pupil at the school site, the Principal or Principal's designee will determine, based on available resources, the appropriate placement and supervision of the student. As soon as possible, the teacher shall ask the parent or guardian of the pupil to attend a parent-teacher conference regarding the suspension. Whenever possible, a school counselor or a school psychologist shall attend the conference. A school administrator shall attend the conference if the teacher or the parent or guardian so requests. The pupil shall not be returned to the class from which he or she was suspended, during the period of the suspension, without the concurrence of the teacher of the class and the Principal.
A pupil suspended from a class shall not be placed in another regular class during the period of suspension. However, if the pupil is assigned to more than one class per day, it shall apply only to other regular classes scheduled at the same time as the class from which the pupil was suspended.
A teacher may also refer a pupil for any of the acts enumerated in Section 48900, to the Principal or the Principal's designee for consideration of a suspension from the school. (Ed. Code 48910)
Expulsion
"Expulsion' means removal of a pupil from (I) the immediate supervision and control, or (2) the general supervision, of school personnel.
Upon recommendation by the Principal, the Superintendent of Schools, or by an administrative panel appointed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48919 of the Education Code, the Board of Education may order a pupil expelled upon finding that the pupil violated Section 48900, subdivision (a) through (e) or that the pupil violated subdivision (f) through (I), and either of the following conditions exist; that other means of correction are not feasible, or have repeatedly failed to bring about proper conduct, or, due to the nature of the violation, the presence of the pupil causes a continuing danger to the physical safety of the pupil or others. (Ed. Code 48915)
Upon finding that a pupil violated subdivision (a) through (o) and Ed. Code 48900.2, 48900.3 and 48900.4, in a matter involving a pupil with previously identified exceptional needs who is currently enrolled in a special education program, the Board of Education may order the pupil expelled only if the Board also finds, based upon a determination by an individualized education program team, that the misconduct was not caused by the pupil's identified handicap or by an inappropriate placement.
The Principal or the Superintendent of Schools shall recommend a pupil's expulsion for any of the following acts, unless the Principal or Superintendent finds, and so reports in writing to the Board of Education, that expulsion is inappropriate, due to the particular circumstance, which shall be set out in the report of the incident:
(I) Causing serious physical injury to another person, except in self-defense.
(2) Possession of any firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the pupil at school or at a school activity off school grounds.
(3) Unlawful sale of any controlled substance, as defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code, except for the sale of not more than one avoirdupois ounce of marijuana, other than concentrated cannabis.
(4) Robbery or extortion.
A student suspension may be extended pending expulsion proceedings only if the Superintendent or his/her designee makes specific findings that the return of the student to the classroom or in an alternative school placement would endanger persons or property or disrupt the instructional process.
A hearing will be held with the pupil and pupil's parent or guardian to make the determination. The Superintendent or his/her designee will make the decision as to extension of the suspension or placement of the student in an educational alternative. The pupil and pupil's parent or guardian will be notified of the decision in writing.
Exclusion
The Board of Education of any school district may exclude children of filthy or vicious habits, or children suffering from contagious or infectious diseases.(Ed. Code 48211)
The Board of Education of the School District may exclude from attendance in regular school classes any child whose physical or mental disability is such as to cause his attendance to be inimical to the welfare of other pupils. (Ed. Code 48212)
Reporting Assault by Pupil Against School Employee
Whenever any employee of a school district or of the office of a County Superintendent of Schools is attacked, assaulted, or menaced by any pupil, it shall be the duty of such employee, and the duty of any person under whose direction or supervision such employee is employed in the public system who has knowledge of such incident, to promptly report the same to the appropriate law enforcement authorities of the county or city in which the same occurred. Failure to make such report shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200).
Any act by any member of the Board of Education of a school district, a County Superintendent of Schools, or any employee of any school district or the office of any County Superintendent of Schools. which is designed directly or indirectly to influence or urge a person under a duty to make the report prescribed by subdivision (a) not to make such report, shall be a misdemeanor, and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than two hundred dollars ($200). (Ed. Code 44014)
Parent Liability for Personal Injury and Defacing of District Property
The parent or guardian of any minor whose willful misconduct results in injury or death to any student or any person employed by or performing volunteer services for a school district or who willfully Cuts, defaces, or otherwise injures in any way any property, real or personal, belonging to a school district, or personal property of any school employee shall he liable for all such damages so caused by the minor. The parent or guardian of a minor shall be liable to a school district for all property belonging to the School District loaned to the minor and not returned upon demand of any employee of the District authorized to make the demand. The School District may, for student involved in such acts, and after affording the pupil his or her due process rights, withhold the grades, diploma, and transcripts of the pupil responsible for the damage until the pupil or pupil's parent or guardian has paid for the damages. (Ed. Code 48904)
Pupils are expected to use books carefully and to keep them in good condition. Principals shall assess fines in payment for willful or negligent damages to or loss of books.
If expulsion of a pupil or pupils has resulted from enforcement of this section, satisfactory arrangements for restitution must be presented to a review panel as a consideration for readmission.