faculty handbook 2009_-_2010_albert_wicker_literacy_final_july23

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2011 Bienville StreetNew Orleans, LA 70112

Telephone: (504) 373-6200Fax: (504) 571-6317

Ms. Sabrina Pence, Principal

*Some sections adapted from the Boston Collegiate Charter School.

Work Hard. Stay Focused. Aim High.

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ALBERT WICKER LITERACY ACADEMY

ROSTER 2009 – 2010

Administrative and Support Staff

Sabrina E. Pence Principal Main Office/Room 3-7Patrice Fletcher Instructional Coach Room 2-11Joan Ulmer Secretary (Office Manager) Main OfficeMaria Jones Data Manager Room 2-11Elbert Cole Counselor Room 2-1Keith Schmidt Social Worker Room 2-1

Instructional Staff

Renee Heinlein 4th Grade, ELA/SS Room 3-2Juliana Persaud 4th Grade, Math/Science Room 3-4

Wilauna Jackson 5th Grade, ELA/SS Room 3-6Christina Habashy 5th Grade, Math/Science Room 3-9

Heidi Bowman 6th – 8th Grade ELA Room 3-11Gary Crosby, III 6th – 8th Grade SS/READ 180 Room 3-10Lisa Giarratano 6th – 8th Grade Math Room 3-5Donald Moore 6th – 8th Grade Science Room 3-10

Kelly Reinker SPED Coordinator Room 3-3Linda Washington SPED Teacher Room 3-3

Troy Mix Physical Education Teacher Court/P.E. AreaWilhamina Stroughter Music/Art Teacher Music Room

Para Professionals/Instructional Staff

Betty McKenzie SPED Para Room 3-3Kendria Rousseve Para-Librarian LibraryGayle Thompson PBISS Para Room 3-8Malita Thompson SPED Para Room 3-3

Operational Support Staff

Nurse Nurse’s Office


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Cafeteria Manager CafeteriaCafeteria Worker CafeteriaCafeteria Worker Cafeteria

Melva Pepp Head Custodian 1st FloorDenise Walker Lead Custodian 1st FloorRolanda Decou Custodian 2nd FloorUngelle Alford Custodian 3rd Floor

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Recovery School District

Main Line 1641 Poland Ave. (504) 373-6200

**All staff can be reached via the main line.

IT Help Desk 1641 Poland Ave. Ext. 24357

IT Email Address [email protected]

Human Resources Ext. 20156

HR Newsletters, Documents, and Forms www.rsdla.net

Employment Inquiries [email protected]

Albert Wicker Literacy Academy

The School 2011 Bienville Ave. (504) 373-6220

The School Fax 2011 Bienville Ave. (504)571-6317

Sabrina Pence Main Office Ext. 22006Principal

Sabrina Pence - Cell (504) 247-7672Principal

Kelly Educational Staffing


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Kelly Automatic Scheduling System (KASS) www.kellyeducationalstaffing.com

Technical Difficulty (866) KELLY-38

Service Representative (504) 367-8367

Substitute Hotline (800) 942-3767

Additional Resources

Louisiana Department of Education

Teaching/Learning (Educators) www.rsdla.net

2009 – 2010 School CalendarRSD Educator’s HandbookRSD Pupil Progression PlanCultural Collaborations GuideSupplemental ResourcesInstructional FrameworkResponse to InterventionPositive Behavior Support


http://www.rsdla.net/

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INTRODUCTION TO ALBERT WICKER LITERACY ACADEMY

This book was created in an effort to record what we do. The three primary purposes of this document are to serve as 1) a resource for all staff, new and veteran alike; 2) a means of further establishing consistency in a growing school; and 3) an informal record of what we do best.In a school that is always growing and changing, this book will undoubtedly evolve. It is certainly not meant to be exhaustive but we did try to make it as comprehensive as we could in order to continue the school’s efforts to make Wicker a highly effective organization. Please note that this document does not supersede the Recovery District Employees Handbook Policies.

VISION STATEMENT


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Albert Wicker Literacy Academy provides a clean, safe, and diverse experience-based learning environment which empowers students to maximize their potential with the support of dedicated staff, parents and the community.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to strive for academic excellence through a variety of learning experiences so that students will become productive citizens.

MOTTO

Work hard. Stay focused. Aim high.

SCHOOL MASCOT

Mighty Wicker Bees

SCHOOL COLORS

Yellow and Black

OUR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE GOAL/JINGLE

“We are the Wicker Bees! We will fly to 75 with ease! How will we get there? (Work Hard.) How do we work? (Stay focused.) Where do we aim? (Aim HIGH!)

Our Three Pillars

Three pillars lie at the foundation of Albert Wicker Literacy Academy:

We believe creativity flourishes within a structured academic environment.


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Good work can not occur unless there is a safe and orderly environment in and out of the classroom.

We have high academic and behavioral expectations.High expectations demand significant amounts of extra support before, during, and after school and on Saturdays.

We know that without great teachers, nothing else matters.Teachers must have the time and professional tools and resources to do their work effectively.

At Albert Wicker Literacy Academy, we do not believe that there is a panacea that makes a school work. Nor do we pretend that what we do is “rocket science” or necessarily innovative. We work hard and use common sense because elevating student achievement and transforming lives requires constant attention to hundreds of different elements – not one, magical 100% solution but rather one hundred, individual 1% solutions. Individually, any one of these solutions is not THEanswer. However, collectively, each of our 1% solutions come together to achieve results. (Please see the Appendix for a list of some of our 1% solutions.)

Core elements of Albert Wicker Literacy Academy’s design include:

Emphasize CollegeFor too many at-risk students, college only exists in the abstract. At Albert Wicker Literacy Academy, we work relentlessly to prepare students to enter a college-prep high school. While our mission discusses preparing students to be productive citizens, the global economy is quickly changing. A college education is necessary for our students to compete at a global level. All teachers should highlight where they went to college in their classrooms to promote this theme, along with discussing where students want to go to college.

Focus on LiteracyA majority of students enter Albert Wicker Literacy Academy reading below grade level. If a school does not address this dramatic and central issue immediately, students will be at a huge disadvantage in all subjects in high school and college.

Target Curriculum Focused on Grade-Level ExpectationsThe RSD develops curriculum directly from the Louisiana Grade-Level Expectations in the form of the Managed Curriculum. The Managed Curriculum ensures students master a core set of basic academic skills before they can master higher-level, abstract material.


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Assess Early and Often to Drive the Instructional ProgramThe most effective schools use assessment to diagnose student needs, measure instructional impact, communicate with parents and students, and build a culture of continuous reflection and improvement.

Provide Structure and Order

Students need a safe and orderly environment to be productive. Albert Wicker Literacy Academy creates a calm, composed, and disciplined environment to maximize the amount of time on-task, including a strictly enforced school dress code, a merit and demerit system that defines clear expectations for and immediate responses to positive and negative behavior, and a common blackboard configuration (BBC) consisting of a Power-Up, Aim/Objective, Agenda, and Homework.


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INSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Teachers regularly rise to the challenge of designing academically rigorous and stimulating lesson plans that instill a love of learning in their students. Our success depends on the work of excellent teachers that care deeply about their subject and their students.

Great Teaching – 5 essential tenantsWhile great teaching cannot be easily defined, there are 5 basic tenants that we will hold sacred at Albert Wicker Elementary School. Great teaching is differentiated for individual students, is rigorous, is engaging, incorporates literacy at all times, and is well-planned. Below is what we believe teachers do to make this happen.

Extraordinary Teachers are Mindful. They are:Aware of what is happening in the classroom at all times and use that awareness to improve instructionRespectful to students, families, and other staff membersReflect on own teaching practice, constantly honing and refining lessons, units, and instructional practicesConstantly asking and answering the questions: What do students need to know? How are students going to learn the skills and content they need to know? How will I know if students master the skills and content that I teach?

Extraordinary Teachers are Achieving. They are:Constantly assessing their own instructional practices using data, reevaluating methods, and re-teaching conceptsPlanned backwards from June to SeptemberStriving to help 100% of students meet Louisiana standards


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Holding high expectations all the time and never underestimate students’ capabilitiesRecognizing and supporting students with special learning needsContinuously work to improve instruction by trying new methods, systems, sequences, or other innovative techniquesTaking initiative, doing what needs to be done whether or not he/she is askedSeeking out professional development opportunities and implement new ideas and best practices in the classroomStriving for mastery of subject-area content and pedagogical methodsSetting and measuring progress towards personal and professional goals

Extraordinary Teachers are Professional. They:Take personal responsibility for student progressComplete all administrative tasks in a timely mannerGive, accept, and use feedback and observationActively collaborate with peers to improve student achievementDress appropriately for the school environmentModel proper language for studentsMaintain a positive attitude, especially about students

Extraordinary Teachers are Prepared. They are:Planned ahead for class using yearly, unit, and daily lesson plans in a manner that supports excellent instruction and the managed curriculumAlways making clear to students what is expected by using established routinesAlways ready with appropriate materials for the next task/classOrganized in their classroom and with lesson materialsOrganized with their curricular materials with up-to-date binders


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I. Overview of Classrooms:The following list of shared ideas that serves as an overview of some characteristics that define great classrooms at Albert Wicker Literacy Academy. While it is not an equation for how to succeedas a teacher at Albert Wicker Literacy Academy, it gives an introductory sense of what is expected and what works.

Move Around the RoomBe aware of what is going on in all areas of the room, teach from any side, front or backBe mindful of not getting “stuck” at the front of the classroomBe a physical presence near some students, it can serve as a silent reminder to stay on taskUse your awareness of what is going on the classroom to improve your instruction

Check In with StudentsDuring class time, monitor overall understanding of class by checking for understanding (i.e., thumbs up, thumbs down, or thumbs to the side to indicate general understanding and readiness to move on, pop quiz, whole-class response


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Outside of class time, informally check in with individual students who may be struggling behaviorally or academically in your classIf individual student behavior or attitude is noticeably different, consult with the Student Support Team (RTI)

Create a Positive RapportModel respect and appropriate behavior with students. Ultimately, treat students the way you want to be treated. The KEY to student behavior is RELATIONSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPSCreate a ‘Community of Learners.’ Reward cooperation, positive collaboration, demonstrations of respect, and students taking initiative – any behavior that enhances and advances the communityKeep negative interactions out of the greater classroom arenaApologize when you're wrong and ask the same of students Emphasize right time, right tone, right place: these are the elements of

having productive conversations between adults, adults to students, and student to student.

Use the BoardAlways display the following on your board: Aim/Objective, Agenda, Power Up, and Homework (see Daily Lesson Planning)Plan what you will write on the board ahead of time, write down key terms and main ideas to ensure student notes are accurateCreate opportunities for students to use the board to demonstrate understanding

Share EnthusiasmDon’t be deterred by students’ initial negative/unenthusiastic response or lack of “buy-in,” they are waiting and want to be convincedBe a cheerleader, enthusiasm is contagiousShare stories from when you were in school


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Laugh at their jokesTalk about learning in a positive light – for example, if you're taking a class, bring in your grades. Learning should not be “if you don’t …, you will fail.”

Foster Professionalism in StudentsThoroughly explain and frequently remind students of the professional behavior expected in classroom (sitting up straight, no slouching, tracking the speaker, speaking loudly and clearly, no mumbling, organized work area, listening to peers, book bags on floor or under desk)Model the kind of professional appearance and behavior expected of studentsEncourage students to greet guests and introduce themselves during breaks or at lunch (firm handshake, clear introduction of who they are, looking guest in the eye)Give students explicit instructions how to walk through the hall without disrupting the learning in other classrooms (example: escorting a class to the Computer Lab, Library, etc.).Monitor student appearance and address uniform issues when they arise


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II. Curriculum Expectations: Building a Standards Driven CurriculumCurriculum development is an important part of what every teacher does, and here at RSD, wespend a lot of time and energy documenting this work in a consistent and useful format.

The Planning ProcessBefore the school year begins, mindful teachers answer three questions about their classes:What do students need to know? How will I know if students master the skills and content that Iteach? How are students going to learn the skills and content they need to know?

What do students need to know?The breadth of knowledge and skills that must be taught throughout the year and the order in which the content and skills are presented are outlined specifically in a Managed Curriculum for each class.The Managed Curriculum describes the course standards for each unit and week. The Curriculum Map includes a list of the units, along with the dates for teaching each unit.

From there, teachers approach lesson planning backwards—creating objectives for the unit and day, based on the Managed Curriculum. Finally, teachers create a lesson for each 90-minute class period (please see the Appendix for samples of these forms).

How will I know if students master the skills and content that I teach?When planning units and lessons, teachers are expected to assess students’ mastery of content and skills at daily intervals. This may come in the form of a test, quiz or through other assessments like exit tickets (See Assessment). The final assessment of a unit is written in advance of the start of the unit to set clear and specific goals for the content and skills students are expected to master by unit’s end. Frequent internal assessment of student mastery and performance and preparation for external assessments is crucial to our mission. The district will test students on a quarterly basis through benchmark assessments to assure fidelity to the Managed Curriculum and ensure student learning of essential content knowledge.

How are students going to learn the skills and content they need to know?


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When planning each lesson, teachers are expected to plan with several factors in mind including the different learning styles of students, teaching rigorous, age-appropriate skills required for college and balancing time between direct instruction, guided practice and independent practice. Thought should be given as to what, specifically, students will be asked and expected to do during the lesson. Before each class, teachers should consider their means for checking for understanding and prepare a homework assignment that either supports the learning of the day or connects to the next lesson.

The Writing ProcessFor each unit plan, extraordinary teachers ensure:Review and testing days, research and other long term projects are considered and incorporated into the length of the unitTentative unit beginning and end dates are decided upon to ensure adequate pacing, full coverage of material, and are connected to the Managed CurriculumUnit standards and skills are broken down into weekly topics, standards and performance skills which translate into daily lesson plans (See Managed Curriculum)Coverage and sequence of weekly topics, standards and performance skills are planned backwards, from Friday to Monday to ensure adequate pacing and full coverage of materialFor each daily lesson plan, extraordinary teachers ensure:Clear expectations for student learning are communicated to studentsA clear, achievable aim or objective (i.e., ‘Students will be able to…’) that can be easily assessedAn agenda that includes teacher directed instruction, guided practice and independent practiceThe "Power-Up" and HW reflect and connect to the lesson aim or objectiveDaily lessons advance the goals for what students will know and be able to do set out in the Unit PlanLessons that employ multiple ways for students to engage and then to show what they know and are able to doLessons that leverage multiple learning styles and abilities (verbal, visual, tactile, etc.)

III. Daily Lesson Planning


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When crafted and implemented correctly, the Black Board Configuration (BBC) is a useful tool for shaping and guiding in-class time. The BBC consists of a Power-Up, Aim/Objective, Agenda and Homework assignment. Written clearly on the board before class and in the same place everyday to ensure consistency, students know exactly what is expected of them from the first moment they enter class. The BBC can then be used as a road map throughout the rest of class, to indicate where the class is going and where it has been. At its core, the BBC helps answer the question, “What do I want my students to know and to be able to do by the end of class?”

Essential Elements of the ‘Power Up’Written assignment, pen to paper (not review notes, read a book, take a seat, etc.)Silently and independently completed at the beginning of classTakes approximately 2 minutes to completeAlthough written, still reflects multiple learning stylesEngaging and attractive, encourages students to begin class wellBuilds on previous day’s work or serves as introduction to day’s materialCan incorporate LEAP or iLEAP practice questions that serve as a spiral review of previous content materialExpect students to begin the Power Up when they enter class, they need not wait for the bell to ring

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersHand out at the door as students enterUse a “Week Sheet” for easy collection and documentationInclude the Power-Up at the top of the hand-out for the dayUse a blank piece of paper kept in student notebooks as the Power Up answer sheet, so students can refer back to itGrade Power-Up’s weekly or randomly and incorporate as quiz grade or classworkStudents who finish early read silent reading book or write down homework in their organizer

Essential Elements of the Aim/ObjectiveStates a specific, student-centered measurable goal for class (i.e., “You will be able to identify examples of simple machines in complex machines.”)Travel Bloom’s Taxonomy to move students towards higher order thinking skills


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Introduce and display at the beginning of class, and revisit at the end of class to ensure goal was metBe consistent, always begin with “You will be able to (YWBAT) . . . ”The goal is to have all students demonstrate mastery of the Aim/Objective at the end of Class

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersIncorporate aim/objective of class into opening of lessonStudents write the objective at the top of their notes for the dayGive small rewards to students who are able to tell you the objective without looking at their notes during themiddle of the lesson

Essential Elements of the ‘Agenda’Describes at least 3-4 major components of class period, specifically major shifts in activitiesIncludes sufficient description/details (for example, not simply “Notes” but rather “Note-taking” on Ch. 4, The Phases of the Moon”)Differentiate from the Aim/Objective, the Agenda is a list of major components while the Aim/Objective encompasses what you want students to be able to know and do at the end of the lesson

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersEnsure your agenda leaves enough time to both cover the day’s lesson and assess whether the objective has been metKeep in mind, there is always a lot to cover but sometimes less is moreRegardless of the subject, all lessons should incorporate reading and writing practice (collaborate with an English teacher, perhaps)As a reminder, end Agenda with “Review Class” or “Summarize the Day”


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Essential Elements of ‘Homework’Assign meaningful homework nightly. Lower and middle school students should generally receive a total of 1½-2 hours of homework per nightReview homework guidelines thoroughly before the first homework assignment is dueLink homework with day’s objectives to allow students an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned (and/or preview the next day’s materials)Be thoughtful in your assignments, assess the value of each assignment, and avoid giving busy work.All written responses should be written in complete sentencesEnsure written assignments are attached to reading or “study” assignments (comprehension questions, story diagrams, study guides, etc.) and that students understand how to and what it means to “take notes.” Students should submit something written each dayWrite homework assignment clearly and completely on the board before classInclude specific expectations for each homework assignment (i.e., complete sentences, quantity of sentences, separate piece of paper, in pen, “show your work,” etc.). When possible, model expectations with students before they leave class.Lower and middle school homework assignments should be graded on as 10% of the total gradeEnsure that every student has written down the assignment completely before leaving class (allow time for writing and check student homework notebook)

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersPost and rotate examples of good homework throughout the classroomSelect students to verbally repeat homework assignment to whole class before leavingExplicitly detail elements of “good sentences” versus “bad sentences” and write examples of both


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IV. Instructional ExpectationsStarting ClassStarting class with an established, consistent routine minimizes the amount of time lost during class changes. Consistent routines and expectations among grade-level teachers, and throughout the school, are important for providing students with reliable structures.

Lining Up Outside ClassroomEven if the classroom is empty and the teacher is inside, middle school students should wait at the door to be invited inStudents should be quiet in line

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersSpend extra time throughout the first week of school explicitly and thoroughly detailing expectations for waiting in line. You should not have to remind students after the first few weeksIf specific students are disorderly or loud in line, do not invite those specific students in until they are prepared to learn (this may result in being late to class and receiving a demerit). Do not punish the whole class

Greeting Students at the DoorGreeting students at the door allows the teacher to informally check in with students and gauge the overall energy level and attitude of each class

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from Teachers


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Check the classroom rubric as students enter, and use it to assess the group’s day. Either congratulate or address the need for improvement. Give reminders of how to earn a “4”Check in with specific students who may struggle with the day’s plan (i.e., a student who struggles with upcoming group work) and briefly strategizeShake hands with each student as they enter, make each student feel like an appreciated individual

Maximizing Class TimeAfter entering the classroom, students move immediately to their seats and begin work on the Power-Up before the bell ringsNo student should be talking after the bell ringsAny students not in their seats when the bell rings should receive a demerit

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersThere is no reason class can’t begin before the bell rings; let students know class begins and ends when you say it begins and endsAny students not beginning the Power Up as the bell rings should receive a warning and subsequent demerit

The Lesson

Lessons must ALWAYS be planned in written form. Lesson plans for the upcoming week are due via e-mail to Ms. Pence and Ms. Fletcher by the end of the day Friday. A hard copy must be placed in your teacher portfolio on your desk by 8:00 a.m. Monday.

The Six Parts of a LessonEvery lesson, like any good essay or presentation, has a clear beginning, middle and end and is most effective when organized around one clear objective. When planning daily lessons, exceptional teachers are mindful of each distinct part of the whole. While the instructional activities and timing


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of direct instruction, guided practice and independent practice may vary from day to day, it is crucialthat each part is included. (See Appendix for a format.)

The Overview/Introduction

The teacher establishes objectives/purpose; he/she relates this lesson to previous and future lessons, securing student interest and attention. (Anticipatory/Establishing Set) This explains to students what they are about to learn, why they are going to learn it and hooks the students into the class. Good openings engage students with a question or quick demonstration and set the class up as relevant to students’ lives.

Content Focus (“I Do…”)Activities focus on learning new concepts or skills and begins with the introduction of new material.. This is the “content presentation” portion of the lesson. Teacher modeling occurs during this phase. The activities are not always teacher directed, as when discovery lessons are implemented. Some refer to this as the “I Do” part of the lesson, when teachers do the most direct form of instruction.

Guided Practice (“We Do…”)Students practice newly learned concepts or skills in settings where the teacher can easily monitor for student understanding. Teacher and student complete guided instruction or practice together. Some refer to this as the “We Do” part of the lesson as it can take the form of guided note-taking, reading together or practice problems. Monitoring and feedback are pervasive during this phase of the lesson. (Have they learned what I wanted them to learn well enough to use it/practice it on their own?)

Independent Practice (“You Do…”)Students work independently or in small groups to practice newly learned concepts and skills. The teacher does not lead this activity; students work more independently. Monitoring and feedback occur during this phase of the lesson. Teachers continue to give guidance and support but not direct instruction during this “You Do” part of the class.

ClosureThe teacher engages students in activities that “wrap up” the lesson and emphasize what was learned. This may include a review of the most important concepts/skills learned in the lesson or self-reflection by students. It also sets up homework for continued independent practice. The close of a lesson is in advance of packing up.

Monitoring/Feedback


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Monitoring (informal assessment of learner knowledge and understanding – checking for understanding) can occur during any phase of the lesson. Monitoring involves teacher behaviors and practices designed to provide the teacher with information about what students have and have not learned and understood. Like monitoring, the feedback function cuts across the phases in the instructional process. Feedback occurs wherever a teacher provides a student qualitative information about his/her performance. The hierarchy of feedback should be implemented in order to increase student learning.

Lesson Flow/“Hum of Excellence”All students are engaged and on-task throughout the entire class period – there is a “buzz” of learning in classClasses run fluidly with clear communication between students and teacherStay consistent with rules, always address missteps (for example, students should never eat during class)Beyond what is expected individually by each teacher, every student is prepared with at least a pen/pencil, paper, and silent reading book for every classStudents should know exact procedures for getting a tissue, sharpening pencils, throwing something away, etc.

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersAcknowledge positives by identifying specific students meeting/exceeding expectations (i.e., “Thank you, ___, for starting your assignment early before the bell has rung.”)Develop non-verbal cues with specific repeat offenders to remind of behavior expectations without disrupting class (standing near student, tap on the desk, paused speech, specific eye contact, nod or shake of the head, etc.)Minimize your time facing the board with your back to the classIf you have a small number of students in your larger classroom, students should sit in a concentrated section of the room rather than anywhere they want

Setting the PaceWhen planning lessons, write times in the margins of lesson plans to help keep pace of activitiesGauge student ability to stay focused on independent seat-work, and plan appropriatelyDesign class work with enough depth so that all students take the time allotted


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Keep students on their toes by constantly asking them questions and moving all around the roomClasses should generally include both teacher-centered and student-centered instructionTake advantage of students’ multiple learning styles

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersBackwards plan your lesson starting with the lesson closeCheck for understanding with specific questions to individual studentsInformally assess student readiness with "hands-up" or "pencils down" signalsInvite students to ‘Rank their own understanding’ on a scale of 1-5 fingers

Teaching Rules and ProceduresProcedures and signals need to be explained, modeled, and enforced clearlyExplain how procedures and routines eliminate wasted time and increase opportunities for creative lessonsInvest students in idea that “this is how we do things” and “in my class this is how we have done things and it works”

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersAt the start of the year, create an Accountability Board with two columns, one on the left titled “Procedures We Need to Learn” and the other “Procedures We Know”. List all procedures on the left and ceremoniously move each to the right column as class successfully demonstrates procedure. If at any point many students do not follow the procedure, the teacher should move it back to the left columnProcedures can be mini-objectives, practiced and mastered by the entire class

Keeping Students EngagedPlan a “hook” to your opening that helps to convey why learning the aim of class is important or one that connects to prior knowledgeDo frequent verbal check-ins with students throughout classChange activities (i.e., switch from note-taking to brief activity)If an activity is taking longer than anticipated, don’t try to rush through just to move on to the next agenda itemWhile there is value in lecture and independent seat work, long stretches of either can be


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unproductive. Stay aware of the ratio of your voice to student voices over the course of a classMake connections between the specific activity, the overall objective of the day, and goal for the unit. Continuously circle back to the BBCBe proactive. Strive for maximum student buy-in and participation during lesson planning

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersIt is not always helpful to simply acknowledge that the group has low energy. Instead, create an opportunity for movement and increased student interaction.Ask students to stand while answering questionsFind opportunities for students to practice their public speakingTry to think of one particularly interesting question, idea, or activity (songs, rhymes, call and responses, trivia, etc.) that will get students engaged, but make sure the activity itself doesn’t replace the point of the lessonDon’t stretch to find relevance between what the class is doing and how it relates to students’ lives but if relevance is there, use it to engage studentsKids like being good at things. The more skills they develop, the more confidence and engagement they will feelModulate the volume of your voice. Incorporate new vocabulary words into the lesson and quiz students on word meaningsIf you’re excited about the material, the students will be excited tooGiven concerns about student health and obesity, we want to limit the use of food as a reward. While food and snacks and access to food and snacks can be a good motivation for students, balance it out with other meaningful rewards and verbal praise

Differentiating InstructionWhile planning lessons, keep in mind that some students learn best seeing and writing, others by listening and discussing, and others by demonstrating and practicing. Especially in the lower and middle school, plan for lesson “chunks” that ask students to experience or use learning in these waysIncorporate into lessons time for students to work alone, in groups and with partnersAsk students to show their knowledge by discussing, writing, performing, drawing, building, etc.


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Be creative with seating arrangements, and mix abilities to encourage peer-to-peer teachingGroup by ability in some activities to allow some students to review and some to move onGroup heterogeneously in other cases to allow higher-performing students to serve as peer tutorsGroup so as to allow students to excel, showing off their learning styles and building confidenceDesign assignments that have different levels for students to choose fromUse assessments that allow some students to go deeper and farther than othersProvide extra credit or advanced work (for enrichment purposes only, not to replace missed work that was expected of everyone)

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersRegularly incorporate into lessons activities such as jigsaws, stations, and think, pair, sharesInformally or formally encourage higher skilled students to go the “extra mile” on written assignments (differentiate expectations)Use assessments that start easy so as to engage and increase in difficultyRequire selected, higher-performing students to complete advanced work, don’t make it optionalIncorporate “Challenge Questions” at the end of daily assignments for extra creditStart an extracurricular opportunity for students to delve deeper into the material

Student SupportRegularly communicate with students that we all learn differently and there is no “right” way to learnWork with your SLC and SPED teachers to know individual students’ strengths and weaknesses and to insure knowledge of the content of IEP’s If an IEP requires, modify tests, quizzes and HW assignments Notify your SLC and SPED teacher in advance of any major assessment to ensure adequate support for students in need of small group setting or test questions read aloudMaintain regular contact with families and liaisons concerning student achievement in class: If a student is in danger of failing a class, there should be no less than 3 instances of documented parent


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contact!

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersShare with your grade level team/SST any information or teaching technique that works best with a particular studentUse graphic organizers for content and note-takingAsk students to repeat back expectations in their own wordsDistribute photocopies of notes to students so that students can focus on listening during classInform students in advance which specific question they will be asked during classTransitioning from One Activity to AnotherDevelop and implement specific procedures for transitioning from one activity to another to minimize distractions and time loss (for example, students know how to break up into group work quickly and quietly)Spend time early in the year practicing transitionsWhen you’re about to do an unusual, non-traditional, or out-of-the-ordinary activity, make sure the parameters have been set with the students and that there is a clear link between the objective and the activity. Younger students especially find the smallest things funny and even the smallest interruption can throw your lesson off track.

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersUse tape to mark desk locations for easy desk rearrangementsAllow one group or one part of the room to transition first, another group second, etc.Require individual students or groups to re-transition if it is done poorly or improperlyGive instructions, and use “count downs” for students to complete tasks. Issue demerits to students not in their seats, with pen and paper out, at the end of the count down

Asking QuestionsAsk questions frequently to gauge student understanding and focuse patient and allow sufficient time for the majority, if not all, of the students to process a question and formulate a response. Avoid calling on the first hands you seeCall on students who do not raise their hands as well as those who doIf just a few of the same students are raising their hands, cold call on other students, do not allow just the few to answer all the questions


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Answers from students who call out should never be accepted. Hands should always be raised in response to questions, otherwise shy or quiet students will be ignored

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersCount the number of hands raised before answering the question. Don’t call on a student until a specific number of hands have been raisedCall out the names of students whose hands are raisedRepeat the question several times until new hands are up“Sit out” certain students who have already responded to questions and encourage others to volunteerSilently count to yourself before calling on a studentAsk students not to raise their hand until a certain amount of time has elapsedAsk students to write down their answers before answering aloudWrite each of the student’s names on a stick/card, and draw from these to call on students or select students for groups

Group WorkGroup work is not simply students doing work in groups, it must be carefully structured and thought out to maximize its effectiveness.Specific responsibilities for these roles must be taught at the beginning of the year and practicedStudents can collaborate together to solve a problem, work together to brainstorm ideas, or allow you an opportunity to work with a particular group of struggling or overachieving studentsSet a pre-determined time limit and ensure all students are on-task, focused, engaged, and participating for the duration of the group workVerify that students have a clear understanding of expectations for group work (focused, quiet voices, respectful behavior, etc.). If necessary, restate expectations during activity and use students and their roles to help monitor thisDevelop a rubric for group work that counts for a significant part of the grade, and provide


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feedback on success

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersKeep the same group and roles for a week/month/quarter in order to save time and increase efficiencyDirections for group work should be both written and verbalOffer both an individual and group work grade to ensure each student contributes equally; do not penalize those who have done the workAssign a specific role to each student (facilitator/peacekeeper, team leader, time keeper, materials manager, data recorder/scribe, gopher) so each student is doing something during the activity. Also, try to keep the work equal. (See Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures.)Circulate through the room to ensure that all groups are on taskEncourage team work. If one student has a question, he or she should first address the group. If the group cannot answer the question, all students in the group raise their hands. The teacher can then hear the question from anyone in the group because they have first attempted to solve the problem together

Independent WorkBefore beginning, give instructions to students in several formats: recite aloud, read together, have instructions written on board or on hand out, call on students to repeat instructions back, put in their own words, explain to class, etcReview behavior expectations thoroughly before beginning independent workUse this time to check understanding of specific studentsAvoid using the majority of the period for independent work

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersCirculate through the room to ensure that all students are quiet and on-taskGive reminders throughout class period of expected progressStudents should know what to do if they finish ahead of others (for example, take out their silent reading book, early finisher work, etc.)If some students need more time, allow them to finish whatever is left for homework


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Using VideosShowing two minutes of a video can be a great hook/focusRefrain from showing videos too frequently or ones that last for more than one periodCreate written assignments for students to complete while watching videosSet clear expectations for behavior during videoClearly assess student comprehension of the video

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersOffer to show students the rest of the movie either afterschool or during lunch periodsStop the movie occasionally to focus students, to ask questions, or to review main pointsAssign HW related to film and include synthesis questions to written assignments and assessments

Student PresentationsModel a great presentation and a not so great presentation days prior to the presentation so students know what they are aiming forEnsure that students are silent and focused during student presentationsExplicitly teach students how to behave during presentations (how to clap, how to track the speaker, how to maintain focus in light of distractions, etc.)Students clear their desks and are not distracted by pens, books, or other materialsAssign written work associated with student presentations (either during or in response to the presentation)Address student behavior which is not respectful of other students’ presentationsSet students up for success by giving them opportunities or avenues through which to Practice

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersStudents are assigned 2-3 presenters and provide specific feedback and constructive criticism to those studentsLet students know you will select students at random after the presentation to ensure listening and comprehensionAll eyes should be on presentersHave students evaluate their own presentations


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Closing a LessonThe last five minutes of class are crucial for wrapping up the day’s lesson and ensuring students areequipped with the information they need to successfully complete the night’s homework assignment.Information conveyed in the last five minutes is just as important as any other point in the period.Students should maintain the same focused attention during this time.

Reviewing Main PointsDo a wrap-up activity with students to review the day’s materialRefer to the aim/objective, have students demonstrate that they understand the objective and can demonstrate masteryEnsure students understand the homework and connect main points to that night or previous night’s homework assignmentMaintain “Check Out” expectations for the room (no trash on floor, materials and resources returned to proper areas, desks back to original positions, etc)

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersHave the same routine each day, set aside the last five minutes for randomly selected students to explain – in their own words – the point(s) of the lessonUse exit tickets as a way of assessing for understandingIllustrate the bigger picture, retrace the path of the class, from concept to conceptAsk students why what was learned might be important or how it might be applied to other situationsAsk students to predict how this might connect to that night’s homework or the next day’s lessonPreview the homework assignment by practicing a problem or question together, allowing students to review the assignment individually, identifying potentially difficult sections, offering an opportunity for help/tutoring, explaining opportunities for extra credit, etc.


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Using Agenda PlannersAllow students time to write homework in planners at the end of classCheck agenda planners to ensure homework is written accurately and completely, as time permits

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersAssign two students to check if HW is recorded in planners at the end of classUse a completed planner as a “ticket” out of classUse planners as a communication tool with parents, for both positive and negative notices (for example, parents sign nightly acknowledging assignment)

Dismissing StudentsLine students up ready to walk to their next class; do not dismiss until it is silentMake sure students remain in class until the bell has rungAssert power over the bells. The bells do not dictate when class is over, the teacher does

If You Finish Class Early…Be mindful of time when planning lessonsKeep students on task until they are dismissed from classIf a student finishes early, he/she should read his/her silent reading bookStudents should never be lined up inside a classroom, waiting for the bell to ring

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersReview main points from day’s lessonReview specific contributions made by students


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Post a challenge question or problem that all are expected to attempt to solveSpend time organizing binder and updating index Do a Fred Jones “Sponge Activity”

V. AssessmentIt is critical that we are always aware of what students know and what they are able to do. Data from assessments should drive daily lesson planning and curricular structure. Design assessments in such a way that they provide information on what concepts are being retained by whom. Analyze assessments to evaluate student understanding of specific frameworks, and plan subsequent units with this information in mind.

Informal Assessment During ClassWhile quizzes, tests, papers, and essays offer tangible evidence of progress and student achievement, it is as important to constantly monitor student understanding during class


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Don’t be afraid to choose students at random – at any point during class – to assess their understanding of the day’s objectivesVary the means of checking for understanding (small white boards, pop quiz, exit ticket, extended response, think alouds, etc)

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersSlightly alter questions that have been already answered earlier in class (at the board or in students’ seats)Call on a few students and ask the same question of each. Ask other students to comment on who is right and who is wrongAsk students how they arrived at their answerPurposely make mistakes and/or put errors on the board, ask students to figure out what’s wrongPoll the class on their answers – make sure every student offers at least one – and put the survey results on the boardIf students are working independently or in groups, choose one problem each is working on to see how well each student or group is answering that particular problemDevelop with students a quick, non-verbal way for them to convey their level of understanding

Quizzes and TestsQuizzes should not take the whole period.Even if they received a failing grade, students should ALWAYS be able to re-take major tests. We want to promote an attitude of “you have not mastered a skill YET…” There should always be an opportunity to show an increased level of knowledge. Students should not grade each others’ tests or quizzes; however, self-grading is appropriateUse a variety of question formats that ask students to select and generate answers (multiple choice, short answer, essays, etc.) in order to capitalize on students’ varying strengths and ability to convey mastery of materialQuestions on written assessments should require students to recall content as well as demonstrate their ability to apply a skillStudents need to know how to study; do not assume that they already know how

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersUse folders, propped up between tables, to squelch would-be cheaters


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Review briefly with students before tests and quizzesSend home “Alerts” that inform families of the date of specific test and the material that will be covered. Require that students study with families and get the “Alert” signedCall specific students the night before a test to remind students to study

Other AssessmentsIncorporate other forms of assessments (labs, oral presentations, seminars, papers, projects, problem based learning, etc.)Make sure these other assessments are as rigorous, reliable, valid, and measurable as traditional examsUtilize rubrics with clear expectations for projects, papers, and presentations. This makes the final grade clearer and students can connect input with final project and gradeInvite families, community members, and other staff to evaluate and observe student presentationsSet high expectations for oral/public speaking assessmentsDisplay and share examples of good student work in classroom and hallway boards

Benchmark Assessments The RSD will supply a set of benchmark assessments every quarter.

They will consist of 15 – 25 multiple choice items and 1 or 2 constructed response items. A rubric will be provided prior to the exam for teachers.

After the assessment, the scores will be available within 48 hours. Teachers will meet with a member of the Leadership Team to analyze

scores and to plan for needed re-teaching

Data WallsA data wall is a place on the wall that represents student mastery of standards. Each standard should be written in an “I can” statement. EXAMPLE: I

can add three digit numbers. Student names of those who have mastered standards should be placed

on the wall. Updated on a daily and/or weekly basis (at minimum) The goal is have students know what they have mastered and what they

still need to work on. Students should keep a record of the standards that they must master.


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GradesIt seems obvious to say but students should receive the grades they earn. Families want usto be clear with them regarding their children’s academic and behavioral performanceIf students fail a class, they fail a class. It’s important that we are not creative with grading.Grades need to reflect both tangible effort and achievement. All work in the classroom should be linked to standards. Skill mastery is the majority of a students’ grades. RSD policy for grading is as follows:

Grades 4 – 550%: Major grades: Tests, Projects, Essays, Labs, etc.25%: Class Work15%: Quizzes, notebooks10%: Homework and participation

Grades 6 – 825%: Exams25%: Major Grades: Tests, Projects, Essays, Labs, etc.25%: Class Work15%: Quizzes, notebooks10%: Homework and participation

Letter Grade Numerical Grade

Quality Points Quality Point Range

A 93 – 100 4.0 3.5 – 4.0B 85 – 92 3.0 2.5 – 3.4C 75 – 84 2.0 1.5 – 2.4D 70 – 74 1.0 1.0 – 1.4F 60 - 69 0.0 Below 1.0


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No student can earn more than 100 for the quarter. If a student receives a score of 100 for the quarter, this means that the student completed 100% of the work 100% of the time and demonstrated 100% achievement in 100% of what the student was expected to do. Additionally, the lowest F in the grade book is a 60. A teacher must enter a minimum of nine major grades (test, project,

essay, lab, etc.) and nine other grades (homework, quiz, etc.) into the electronic grade book each quarter.

Exam grades for grades 6- 8 will consist of 50% benchmark test and 50% teacher made items.

Teachers will issue Interim Progress Reports from the electronic grade book to parents every three weeks during the year except when issuing report cards.

Student conduct shall NOT be considered when computing the quarterly grade. Conduct should be considered separately and graded “O” = Outstanding, “S” = Satisfactory, “N” = Needs Improvement, “U” = Unsatisfactory

For promotion, students must attend a minimum of 156 days of school.

Classroom Display Requirements Subject specific word wall: Words should be large and bold. When

possible, include a picture next to the word to illustrate the concept. This is particularly useful in non-ELA classes, where many new words are nouns.

Data Wall: See description of a data wall under “Assessment.” Current Student Work: Student work should be posted on a regular

basis. Work should not stay up any longer than 2 weeks, so that it can be replaced with more current student work. Make sure that student work is hung neatly and all edges are mounted/fastened to the board. Additionally, place a descriptor with student work, such as the GLE or skill for the work.

Posters/Bulletin Boards That Reflect What You Are Teaching: Your bulletin boards should reflect what you are teaching at the time. Procedural posters should begin to come down after September, as procedures should be known by students at this point.

Student Discipline Posters (Demerits vs. Wicker Bucks) Work Displayed Outside of Classrooms: Create a bulletin board

outside of the classroom to display student work. Let’s keep our hallways beautiful with items that represent student hard work.


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Tidy your personal space: If we expect students to be organized, we must also model how to be organized.

Black Board Configuration: See BBC under “Curriculum Expectations”

If you create self-made posters or words, please look for the following:

-The paper is evenly cut.-The words are written neatly, straight and bold. If not, please type.-Butcher paper is hung neatly and seams are not clearly visible.-Borders are hung around the outside edges of the work.

MathNumber linePlace-value poster

ELA-Completed Graphic Organizers (Utilize “Thinking Maps”)-Reading Workshop, Guided Reading, and Writer’s Workshop Rules Poster

Science-Scientific method poster

Social Studies-U.S. Map & World Map-Example of a timeline

ADVISORYThe goal of the advisory program is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which each student can develop a strong relationship with a specific teacher who knows him or her best. In this environment, students’ academic, organizational, social, and emotional needs can be addressed. The advisory program ensures that every child at Albert Wicker Literacy Academy is known. Advisors are responsible for both daily administrative tasks and developing personal relationships with advisees.Advisors should review the Student Handbook frequently and periodically throughout the year with their advisees in order to ensure students are kept constantly aware of school rules and expectations.While some staff members do not serve as Advisors, every staff member plays a role during Advisory to be determined at the start of the year with the Principals.

Daily Administrative Tasks


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Morning: 7:45 – 7:50 a.m.Take attendance, enter it into JPAMs and send to office before 8:15 AM.Collect monies and complete the collection log.Collect forms and send to the office.Ensure students are in proper uniform.Make class or school announcements.

Morning: 7:50 – 8:10 a.m.Conduct Morning Meeting (see details below).Check and sign student organizers and check that families have signed it the next morning.

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersAssign a student to check that all homework assignments have names.Post a list, and give students frequent reminders, of what students need in order to be prepared for each day.Ask students to hold up required materials one at a time to ensure they are ready for the day.Have a “Question of the Day” to discuss with advisees in order to provide structure to down time.Provide students with crossword puzzles, brain teasers, or sudoku puzzles to work on after they’ve entered advisory.

Morning Meeting -- Overall Purpose:To create a structured and safe environment to better foster students’ social, emotional, and cognitive development.To set a respectful tone for the class and establish a climate of trust within the group.To increase student motivation by addressing two human needs: the need to feel a sense of significance and belonging, and the need to have positive and fun experiences within a safe group environment.

Format of Morning Meeting, taken from the Morning Meeting book: (Balance of routine and surprise)Greeting – students greet each other in a structured way each morning.Sharing –students share an experience, news or something of interest and students learn to respond to each other, articulating their thoughts and ideas in a positive manner.Group Activity – the whole class participates in a group activity.News and Announcements –teacher and/or students make announcements for the day or week, and get the students focused on the day ahead.

Daily Variations:


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Not all of the components need to be a part of Morning Meeting everyday, but at least one component should happen each day.It should take between 10 and 15 minutes depending on how many components are included on a given day.

Interpersonal TasksAdvisors are responsible for knowing the social and emotional needs of their advisees, as well as their academic and organizational strengths and weaknesses. Advisors ensure the advisory atmosphere is safe and nurturing for all students. Some of the following tasks are formal and systematic; others are done on a more informal basis simply by checking in with students.

Daily TasksBe proactive in trying to prevent conflicts that begin to arise, facilitate mediations and resolutions when conflicts do occur.Share concerns with appropriate staff member(s).Monitor health of students—sick? sad? dressed for weather? clean? rested?Monitor general nutrition of students—eating breakfast? lunch?Encourage respectful behavior among classmates.Learn students’ current family situation.Address students’ individual academic, behavioral, and emotional needs.

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersSet individual and class goals for the day/week/quarter/year.Pair students struggling with organizational skills with students who can help them pack their bags and organize their school work at the beginning of each day.Spend time talking about good movies you saw, things that happened over the weekend, etc.Celebrate birthdays, including students whose birthdays fall during the summer.Frequently ask and chat with advisees about what they are doing in other classes.Bring in a relevant current event article/issue and have a group discussion.Use a central question of the day (Ex: If you were an animal what would you be? What was the craziest? dream you ever had) to guide discussion.Teach students your college cheer.Write or call your college admissions office or college bookstore to get free, college-related materials.Have students make up an advisory song, cheer, or catch phrase, set a time each day when you sing/say it.Have “Joke of the Week” competitions.


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WeeklyContact parents early in the year with positive feedback, continue throughout the year (at least one “positive” parent call a week, logged in the parent contact log). Please plan that Ms. Pence will check this log on a monthly basis.Plan appropriate activities for non-assembly days.Lead advisory group to and from assemblies.Report on advisory’s weekly progress at weekly assembly (perfect homework, goals reached, individual achievements).Share with staff via e-mail and grade-level meetings issues that may be affecting academic and behavioral performance.Contact parents immediately with any concerns, especially students that are habitually late and/or absent or show change in personal and/or work habits.Monitor homework performance.Encourage and track afterschool tutoring and enrichment participation.

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersTarget an organizational goal or study skill each month.Teach students a fun skill or activity or something you wish you had known when you were their age.Post a list of students who have earned the most merits and what they were able to do/buy as a result.

QuarterlySpeak with every advisee’s family, ideally by the end of each quarter. Maintain contact at least 3 more times throughout the year.Call advisees whose progress reports show failure or risk of failure.Call selected advisees’ families before Family-Teacher Conferences to extend personal invitations.Follow up with phone calls to any advisees’ families not attending conferences, especially those failing or at risk of failing on report cards.Review progress reports and report cards with selected advisees.Reward and encourage positive advisee and group behavior and performance.Plan activities with other advisory groups (lunch exchanges, special activities, and other fun


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events).

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersSet up informal rewards for meeting daily goals.Set up fun competitions with other advisory groups in the grade.

End of YearEnsure advisees have returned borrowed items, books, and materials.Discuss and encourage summer plans with advisees.

Lessons Learned/Best Practices from TeachersHave students fill out postcards reminding themselves to do their summer reading, mail them mid-summer.Borrow the summer binder in April and go through it with your advisees during lunch.Work with Program Director, Advisory Coordinator, and Dean of Administration to identify specific programs for students without summer plans and send home literature.

Discipline and Behavior Management

IntroductionPicture this in your mind: walking through the halls of Albert Wicker Literacy Academy during class time is a remarkable experience. In every classroom, teachers are presenting rigorous lessons and students are rising to the challenge. Teachers hold their students to high academic expectations, and are able to focus energy on effective instruction because of consistent classroom management expectations enforced by every teacher. Classes run fluidly with clear communication between students and teacher. Teachers proactively plan to avoid misbehavior. Consistency in application of consequences drives student actions away from negative behaviors. Positive incentives encourage students to succeed. Teachers use school-wide systems, individual techniques, strong student-teacher relationships, and strong teacher-family relationships to promote and reinforce behavior excellence.

Student Achievement as the Primary GoalThe school is proactive in discipline, building a strong sense of community, getting students ready for college, and giving teachers and staff the support they need. The goal is to create a culture of ambition in the school. Together, we place the highest value on student achievement and show students the path to college success. We will create a community where students would rather learn than distract, where the college mission is alive and attainable.

The School is What We Make ItIt is critical that we all hold the highest expectations for ourselves. In holding high expectations for ourselves, we need to first realize that the school is our charge, and that the school is what we make it. We need to accept


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responsibility for what happens in our school. We need to accept also that there are more and less effective ways to assert authority and to strive for effectiveness as a school.We must be firm and positive in our approach to asserting authority. A firm and positive teacher uses the school’s discipline system in conjunction with his/her own systems, non-verbal cues, strong teacher-student relationships, strong teacher-family communication, positive reinforcement, academic motivation, and clear, well taught and re-taught rules and procedures. We must all agree to address and never ignore misbehavior in our classes, in the halls, in the bathrooms, during our planning periods, and outside of the school. Disciplinary situations should never become simply “someone else’s problem”—they are all ours to solve.

ChoicesAt Albert Wicker Literacy Academy, there are positive incentives for when a student chooses to follow a rule or procedure and negative consequences for when a student chooses to break a rule or procedure. Students can choose to follow the rules or they can choose to break the rules. Students quickly learn that every positive contribution results in a positive consequence and conversely every negative infraction results in negative consequence. This is the basis of our Code of Conduct. Therefore, students who choose not to meet the school community’s clearly defined standards for reasonable and acceptable behavior will not be permitted to disrupt the education of others.

ConsistencyStraightforward rules coupled with consistently applied consequences make clear to students what is expected of them and what is unacceptable. No misbehavior can go unchecked at any time for any reason. We must acknowledge misbehavior, address it, and offer a consequence every time; it is not the severity of the punishment that deters people from breaking rules, but the consistent application of consequences.

Reinforcement of the PositiveIn order to succeed, our discipline system must contain more positive incentives than negative consequences. Students who choose to follow the rules choose academic success, opportunity, positive recognition, and individual merits and Wicker Bucks. Classes who choose to support each other in being responsible, being respectful, being safe, working hard, staying focused, and aiming high earn recognition, privileges, and rewards.

FamiliesFamilies are our partners. Students know that we communicate frequently with families, reporting on their successes and missteps. The school staff enlists family help in modifying student behavior. Families and students are accountable for continued poor behavior.

Our Community


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We believe in a community where students know what is expected of them, using structure and predictability to allow students to feel supported, safe, and included. In this community they can thrive as students and as people. It is our job to provide this. This sense of community will come from showing and earning respect, being firm and positive, and sharing the commitment to students and their achievement that brought us to this school, even when issuing consequences.

I. Prevention and Positive ReinforcementThe more we can prevent incidents from happening in the first place, the less we have to worry about addressing misbehavior and administering consequences later on. Good classroom management is a means to an end, not an end in itself.

A Ten-Point Plan for successful classroom management:1. Make expectations about proper classroom behavior clear and explicit (develop mini-lessons on how you want your classroom to run)2. Expect 100% in everything students do, 100% of the time3. “QTIP”: Quit Taking it Personally4. Move around; be a presence5. Use common sense (and instinct)6. Be consistent7. Avoid warnings and individual deals with students that undermine everyone’s authority8. Let the punishment fit the crime9. Take the time to listen – emphasize right time, right tone, right place10. Remember, you are the authority in the classroom

Prevention—Long Term:Enter every class with a well-prepared lesson that engages students for the entire periodAdult-centered lessons leave students sitting and inactive. Students like to be active and engaged; they


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make up their own actions if not given the opportunity to be constructively engagedKnow the Student Handbook inside and outUse routines, have structure, and give detailed instructionsBe confident; be fair but firmAlways project a caring attitude and actively show your deep concern for students. Model what you expect of students: be responsible, be respectful, be safe, work hard, stay focused, and aim high.Have a sense of humor, be able to laugh at yourself and admit when you are wrong. Students will appreciate you being genuine and being yourselfMake sure students focus on their progress and performance, not on anyone else in the classroomReview with students at the beginning of the year your behavioral expectations, both during class and during advisory. Revisit the rules periodically during the year, and offer students strategies and tools so they can deal appropriately with difficult situations, including their response to frustration, authority, gossiping, cheating, arguments that could escalate, working with others, etc.Practice your three levels of “Excuse Me.” By changing your tone, you can effectively communicate the following three sentiments:“Pardon me.”“I beg your pardon?”“This will not be tolerated in my class.”The more vigilant we are in the hallways, classrooms, and during lunch, the fewer behavioral issues will ariseWe owe it to students and families to provide a safe environment for all students. At any point during the day, think about whether shy, quiet, or nervous students feel safe. Be vigilant about bullying

Prevention—In the Moment:Use proximity control: walk towards students who are about to break rules. No need to make obvious what you are doing, just stroll overBe aware of what’s happening in every part of the room – including the back and when student hands/materials are below the desktop – and what’s happening in the hallways and during class changesUse the inherent power of a look or glare (or even silence) as a non-verbal way of communicating: “are you sure you want to do that.” Practice “the look.”Regulate your volume. Sometimes you getting quieter is exactly what is needed to quiet the class.


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Punctuate sentences with loud words to pull students back from day dreams. Sudden silence from you causes students to re-evaluate behavior.Never talk over students, it shows you are willing to be disrespected. Simply letting them know that you will wait for them to be quiet can work. Use this in conjunction with giving Wicker Bucks in recognition of those who are doing it right.Always demonstrate control over your own temper as we expect students to control theirs.

Reinforcing Good BehaviorAcknowledge it when you see it; praise good behaviorTry to give out as many or more Wicker Bucks than demeritsSay “thank you”Practice the “great job” lookSet up behavior goals with individual students or classes; create class challengesCall home to praise students or send a note home

II. Responding to MisbehaviorTo support our effort of acknowledging and addressing misbehavior, it is crucial to respond consistently and apply consistent consequences. It can’t be “If I do this, I might get caught.” It must be, “If I do this, I know I will get consequence X.” The eventual goal is to move beyond the power of consequences to an internalization of the difference between appropriate and unacceptable behavior.

Pause and Consider the Motivation for the Behavior. Is it . . .Attention seeking?Power seeking?Revenge seeking?Motivated by a need to avoid failure?Due to specific special needs?

Delivering ConsequencesIt’s all in the delivery. A demerit can be a punitive, insulting consequence. It can also be a pause, an acknowledgment of digression, a redirection and a starting point for positive choices.


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Consider the following: “Mark, guess what? Another demerit, how many times do I need to tell you not to get out of your seat?”As opposed to: “Mark, as you know in our class before you get out of your seat, you need to get permission from the teacher. You have not followed the procedure so you have earned a demerit. Please try and make sure that doesn’t happen in the future. Let’s get back to work.”

Best Practices for Delivering Consequences:Deliver consequences consistently and respectfully so that no one loses faceGive students control over the outcomeMake it clear that every behavior is a choicellow students to choose to do it right if they would prefer not to get additional consequencesDon’t make idle threats or argue with a student. Students who feel powerless or trapped are not happy studentsDon’t back a student or yourself into a corner.void escalating a minor problem into a major oneGet mad at the behavior, not the studentIn some behavioral situations, check to see if a student is on an IEP or 504 plan. If you have any questions, check with the Special Education CoordinatorIt’s tempting to say more when angry or facing a difficult behavioral situation, but it’s often better to make your points calmly and succinctly and get on with class. Students respond better to terse directions that correct their behavior than longer explanations that put them in the spotlightClearly identify to the student the inappropriate behavior; don’t assume the student knows what he/she did wrongIf you see a violation outside the classroom, act on it, don’t ignore anything, even if you don’t know the studentsWhen in doubt, ask a fellow staff member or the Principal

Promoting Respectful DisagreementA student may disagree with a consequence. It is important to give students an avenue through which they can disagree, but do so with respect for themselves and the adult. An acceptable response to a consequence is: “Mr. Ferrara, I respectfully disagree with you and would like to talk with you about it later.” (Right time, right tone, right place.)


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If a student chooses this response, he or she has chosen respect. The staff member should welcome a conversation at a later time. It is the responsibility of the student to take initiative in arranging the meetingIf the student chooses another, disrespectful response (verbal or physical display) to the issuing of a consequence (demerit or detention), he or she will receive an additional demerit for that disrespectIn order to prevent escalation, before the auto is issued, you can give the student an “out,” and suggest the later conversation. For example, “Sally, you know the policy for disagreeing. The way you chose to respond to the demerit was disrespectful. This, as you know, warrants and automatic demerit. If you would like to talk about why I issued either the demerit, we can do so after class. Now, however, it’s time to get back to work.”Students who continue to argue should NOT receive yet another automatic detention. The staff member should remind the student that he/she will be contacting the family that night and that he/she can choose to show respect at this point to give the staff member something positive to report in the call tonight.

Approaches to AvoidMaking individual deals with students has an adverse effect on the entire school cultureAlways avoid attacks on dignity, no matter how smallCollective punishments of a class for the transgression of one student are not fair – they don’t work, and families strongly object to them. However, having a class repeat a procedure if it is done incorrectly or questioning whether or not a class is ready to do a project because of a few students’ poor behavior choices can be effectiveWhile consequences for students who are always in trouble may seem to have little effect, it’s important for the rest of the school to see the code of conduct being consistently enforcedThere are never exceptions to student disrespect

How an Adult’s Actions Might Inadvertently Contribute to Student MisbehaviorIssues that could be resolved with a look, a demerit, a redirection, or a smile can be escalated by the staff member who responds rashly rather than in a way aligned with his or her own behavior plan


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Confusion is created when the adult is unable to/does not communicate expectations clearlyIf an adult has not set and reinforced procedures, students will not necessarily do things the way the adult wants. After this happens multiple times, the adult can become frustrated and express frustration with a student who was really trying to follow directions. The teacher may also resort to increasingly severe consequences and run out of headroom, when the entire interaction could have been avoided with a good procedure

When Student Behavior Becomes a DisruptionThese strategies are best used in-between infractions, not at the time of the next infraction. This gives you additional strategies to use that do not undermine your consistency.Use hallways or another part of the classroom as a space for a discussion to reinvest the student, show concern, and remind the student of how he/she can do betterAsk students to change seats to an extra desk or another part of the room

Privately remind the student that while you will be calling home tonight, he/she can still greatly influence the content of the call, a big change now on his/her part will mean a big change in the tone and specifics of the call

The Last Resort: When to Send Students Out of Class and How to Follow-UpIt should be the last resort – cases of gross disrespect, continual disruptions, refusal to follow teacher’s directions, and safety issuesThe student should immediately be sent to the In-School Suspension Room with either a Time-Out Request or a Office Referral, depending on the offense. The student will write out why he or she was asked to leave class, using a prompt or writing about the incident from scratchThe student will remain in the ISS room for the remainder of class. The student will return to his/her next class, unless the offense is severe enough to warrant suspension (examples: fights, bullying, etc.)The teacher will phone the student’s parents that day. If the offense is more serious and requires further action (i.e., in- or out-of-school suspension), the Dean of Students will make the call to the familyIf the offense was serious enough to be sent out of class, students sent out should receive an automatic


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detention. The Principal will determine if a suspension is warranted

III. What To Do If…Many behavior situations require on-the-spot analysis and decisions. It’s difficult to know exactly what to say or how to act when conversations with students and families lead to confrontational situations. There is no one “right” response, it depends heavily on what works for a particular teacher and for that specific student. However, it is useful to develop a general plan for dealing with these situations. Below are some suggested responses to various difficult situations:

Student will not leave the classroom when askedo Try to diffuse situation, and give minimal attention to the studento Call the Principal as backup

Student continues to argue after you have ended the conversationo Before you make your final point, calmly let student know that once you are done with this statement, you are done with the conversation for the momento Do not otherwise engage the studento Do not allow the student to think he/she has pushed your buttons. Respond with an air of “there will be consequences for your actions but now is not the time”

Student walks out of classroomo Don’t give the student the reaction that he/she might expect. Give the situation and the student minimal attentiono Call the Principal to track student and continue on with classo Call the family that evening

Student won’t worko Check in with student individually and inquire why—there might be a good reasono Issue a demerit and try to reinvest the student with a private conference if possible. Show concern that he/she is missing the opportunity to learno Continue on with lesson and require student to complete missed work during lunch or afterschool

Parents side with the student even when the student is clearly at faulto Explain to families that it is clear there is a big gap between what you are saying and how they feel and it’s probably best for all to schedule another time to meet or get other staff involvedo Turn situation over to Principal

Student safety is a concerno If you suspect that a student’s personal safety is in question, or if there has been a behavioral incident that has taken


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place late in the day, please make sure the student has not left school before the situation has been addressed

IV. Family RelationsLet families know early on that your door is always open and if they have any questions, they should feel free to contact youCommunication is critical, provide frequent and ongoing feedbackBe positive and genuineNever argue with families; if the discussion becomes tense, involve the PrincipalIf you find a situation escalating, stop the conversation and schedule a time to meet againAsk families questions that might help resolve the situationNever talk down to families, they should be treated as partnersDon’t take what families say or do personally. They are doing what they think is right for their child. Often times, they are just as frustrated as you areWork with families to develop a plan of improvement which will focus on the appropriate behavior expected of the studentStart the year with a “positive” phone call so that subsequent negative phone calls carry more weight. Continue the positive phone calls throughout the year, whenever possible

V. DocumentationDocument contact with families according to school proceduresSee the Appendix for a parent/teacher contact logFor on-going issues, keep a log of student behavior in class and refer to this in conversations with parents. Let the students know that you are keeping a log of their behavior at the beginning of class, during class, and at the end of classIf you feel a situation will become progressively sticky, it’s best to keep a detailed record of exactly what happened when (including any backup documentation, phone conversations, etc.)

SEE APPENDIX FOR CONSEQUENCE SYSTEM AND REWARD SYSTEM

FAMILY CONTACTContact with families is an important part of the life of an Albert Wicker Literacy Academy teacher. It can also be one of the harder aspects of the job. Usually, the more positive and simple your interaction with parents, it’s the better.


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Make two “positive” phone call to families per week (it helps so much for families to hear out of the blue how well their child is doing)Send personalized notes to let families know how things are going in classGive tips to help families help their children with their homeworkCall families back within 24 hours of receiving a messageIf an unscheduled meeting with a family has the potential to turn uncomfortable, ask for use of Mrs. Pence’s office for privacyIf you find yourself in a confrontation with a family member, end it as quickly as possible and call the PrincipalIf you see a colleague in an uncomfortable situation, please let the Principal knowPlease keep in mind that students and parents may be in earshot of staff conversationsIf you need to send a letter home to families, please send it first to the Principal so another pair of eyes can take a lookPlease document any contact with families regarding disciplinary action or general academic concerns on the parent/teacher contact log (See Appendix)

Family-Teacher ConferencesNo matter how experienced you are, family-teacher conferences can sometimes cause some anxiety. Everyone develops his or her own systems for making them positive conversations, but below are some strategies for coming prepared and feeling confident:Use JPAMS to print out a copy of each student’s homework, class work, and quiz and test averages in addition to their overall quarter average. Basing the conversation on the numbers helps keep it professional and focusedPost a sign-up sheet outside the door to help establish that the meeting times are set so that families don’t feel their time with you is unlimitedPut a watch on the table in plain view so you can monitor the length of your conversationsSit across from the family member facing the door so that you can monitor the door and other waiting familiesConsider starting the conversation with a question. How do you feel about your child’s performance this quarter? Are you proud? Do you feel like there are areas for improvement?With families, be prepared to brainstorm students’ specific strengths and weaknesses and to set goals for the next quarterAnalyze your students’ entire report cards in advance of the conferences to deduce patterns so the conversation can be about classes in general instead of your specific classIf you encounter frustrated families, do what you can to resolve the issue. If it seems irresolvable, keep


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it professional, and refer the family to the Principal.

OBSERVATION AND FEEDBACK

Informal Observations/Rounds

The administrative team will complete informal observations or ‘Rounds” in order to further assist teachers with appropriate professional development. The focus of these informal observations will be the use of appropriate strategies that effectively differentiate instruction for students as well as improve the overall classroom climate. At times, other teachers, members of the area office staff or other members of the RSD hierarchy will join in on the rounds. An opportunity to sign-up for peer observations will occur within the first week of PD. Since feedback from these informal observations will be continuous, all monthly faculty meetings, weekly team meetings, and monthly professional development days will focus on the needs of our staff. This professional development model recognizes that each of us is a learner in this school. We are all in a state of reflective practice.

WEEKLY CLUSTER MEETINGSEach subject team will meet one day a week during planning time to coordinate their team efforts. Consistency is the key to successful practices. Teams are required to complete a team meeting agenda for each meeting. The team meeting agenda template is located in the appendix of this faculty handbook.

COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION AND STUDENT CLUBS

Each faculty member is asked to take on two committees as part of sharing professional responsibilities in the school. During the first week back, faculty will be able to sign up to be part of two of the many committees making this school a great place to learn and work. One “committee” can be to sign up for a club. After school clubs are purely voluntary. However, in an effort to provide a comprehensive school program, teachers may want to sponsor after school clubs.


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NUTS and BOLTS: ALBERT WICKER LITERACY ACADEMY PROCEDURES

ABSENSES AND SUBSTITUTINGNo matter how great the substitute and the lesson plan, a class covered by someone other than the actual teacher is never as good. As a teacher, the best thing you can do is to leave lots of meaningful work for a substitute or a covering teacher to teach.

If you know you are going to be out sick, contact the Principal as soon as possible (preferably the evening before). Make sure you leave a voice mail message and text message for the Principal. Ms. Pence will ALWAYS respond to you to let you know she has received your message.Leave all substitute plans in a clearly labeled folder on the teacher desk in the room where the class takes place.Please avoid absences in the first and last weeks of school and near testing.Please do not plan personal days just before or just after a vacation.

How to contact Kelly Educational Services Teachers are required to report absences 24 hours a day, seven

days a week, up until 6:45 am on the day of the absence. Please notify Kelly as soon as you know there will be an absence. If you miss this time, KES at (504) 367-8367.

Teachers KASS I.D. is the school office telephone number (504) 373-6220 and a four digit PIN number that is computer generated and will be issued by at Wicker by Administration.

The KASS Teachers’ Guide at www.kellyeducationalstaffing.com will show you how to:

o Record an absence o View your schedule o Change your profile/update personal information o View your absence history


http://www.kellyeducationalstaffing.com/

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o Obtain assistance

Teachers are required to report half-day absence in KASS, select Half Day A.M. or Half Day P.M.

If you experience technical difficulty when using KASS, call 866-KELLY-38 between the hours of 8:00 AM. and 8:00 P.M. ET.

ACCIDENT REPORTSEmployee: An employee must notify administration and the school in the event of an accident which occurs on the job. This procedure is to be followed even if there is no apparent injury at the time of the accident. The employee should complete an accident/injury form as soon as possible. All accidents should be reported, even minor ones. (See Appendix for forms.)Student: In the event of an accident to a student while on school premises, or on the way to or from school, in an activity sponsored by the school, or as a passenger on an authorized bus, the Student Accident Report must be completed immediately and submitted to the school nurse. All accidents should be reported, even minor ones.

Notification of the accident should be reported to the administration at the time of the occurrence. The parent/guardian must be called immediately. Please document your call in your parent/teacher contact log.

ATTENDANCE/LEAVE PROCEDURES

All employees are required to follow the school calendar and holiday schedule during the school term and to comply with the RSD Time and Attendance policies.

The regular workday is 7:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., Monday – Friday Faculty and Instructional Staff are due at work by 7:30 A.M. After

7:30 A.M. you are considered tardy. All employees who are fifteen (15) minutes to 30 minutes late will

be assessed “leave without pay” for 30 minutes. Leave slips may apply.

You must sign in upon arrival and sign out at the end of each day. All faculty and staff are expected to promptly attend all

professional staff meetings.

A leave slip must be completed if you are going to be absent. The leave slip must be submitted to administration prior to your absence. In cases of emergencies you should complete the leave slip immediately upon your return to work. Leave slips must be submitted to administration prior to the close of the payroll


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period of your absence. Failure to follow policy will result in a in a delay of paid leave until the following payroll.

Leave slips are subject to approval. Extended leave must be approved by Human Resources.

Employees may not leave school premises without permission of administration.

Employees must sign out in the Faculty/Staff Sign-out Book if leaving campus for lunch (30 minutes).

Employees who take more than 30 minutes for lunch must complete a leave slip immediately upon returning to work. All employees who can not return to work within the 30 minutes allotted for lunch are required to call the office for class coverage.

Teachers who leave campus during their planning time must complete a leave slip for approval and sign out in the payroll book prior to leaving the building..

BREAKFASTBreakfast is served for students from 7:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Teachers are to take their students directly to class to begin Advisory at 7:45 a.m. Students will eat in assigned seats during breakfast. Classes will exit the cafeteria beginning with 8th grade and ending with 4th grade.

CAFETERIA PROCEDURES

The cafeteria is maintained as a service to all students of Albert Wicker Literacy Academy. While in the cafeteria, students should observe the following procedures:

1. We always walk.2. We sit with our feet under the table.3. We remain seated unless we are lining up or returning trash.4. We speak in low tones to others at our table.5. We line up politely.6. We raise our hand if we want assistance7. We leave the cafeteria with permission.8. We obey the silent signal.9. We clean up after ourselves.10. We have outside time when safety allows.


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The principal will establish additional procedures as necessary to operate the cafeteria in a safe and orderly manner.

CELL PHONESFaculty and staff members are not to use cell phones during instructional time, except in the event of an emergency.

CLASS PARTIES AND/OR CHILDREN WITH ALLERGIES AND/OR DIABETES

As you begin to think about having classroom parties this school year, please be mindful that all parties must be approved by a member of the administrative team. Also keep in mind that non-instructional time should be kept to a minimum. Therefore, party times, once approved, should be kept to thirty minutes. If you chose to have birthday treats in the cafeteria, it is the teacher’s responsibility to notify the assistant principal and the lunch aides at least one day in advance. No food can be served to students before they receive their lunches. There should be treats for everyone in the class and no excessive disruptions in the cafeteria.

Also keep in mind: more and more children are being diagnosed with allergies and diabetes. It is absolutely necessary for teachers to be certain that students are not exposed to food allergens or any foods that may cause sickness. Be sure to look at emergency cards, talk to the school nurse, and talk to parents to ensure our children are safe from any possible foods that may cause severe reactions.

CLASS SCHEDULESA positive school climate may be created when all faculty and staff follow the same rules and policies. By being respectful to one another, we are able to establish a positive school climate. We are all very busy professionals in this building. In order to recognize this idea, it is necessary that our staff follow a few simple rules-of-thumb. The first rule: when taking students to related arts/P.E. classes, begin taking them 2-3 minutes BEFORE your scheduled time. After team planning and personal planning time, arrive at the related arts classroom 2-3 minutes BEFORE the end of the class. They need as much cooperation from all other teachers as possible. Classroom teachers should always arrive early to pick students up from related arts/P.E. classrooms. Classroom teachers should always bring students to related arts/P.E. classrooms and wait with them earlier than scheduled times. Teachers should refrain from keeping students back from Related Arts/P.E. classes as punishment or to complete work. On rare occasions it is necessary to hold a student back, please notify the Related Arts/P.E. teacher in advance.

COLLECTION OF FUNDS


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A receipt must be written for all monies collected. Use the collection log sheet to document any money collected. Collection logs must be completed fully. Money and collection logs should be turned in daily after 12:00 noon to the Data Manager. Teachers are responsible for money collection; do not send students/parents with money to the office.

COPY MACHINESThe photocopier for staff use is located in the teacher’s lounge. Each teacher will receive a copier code to gain access to the copier. Please plan for your copying needs well in advance. Do not send students to the office or library to request last minute copying. Students are NOT to use the copier. Do not leave your class to go make copies. Designate a “buddy” teacher for copies. This should be someone who has a planning period when you do not. That person can help you get copies in a pinch. Please clean up the area after you are done; do not leave the copies there for an extended period of time. If able to, clear jams. If not, please notify the office of any problems with the copier or if there is a need for toner. Staff members will be provided with paper.

DISMISSALWe must work together to ensure that all students are dismissed in an orderly manner. Prior to dismissing whole classes, there will be an all-call for students in the upper grades who have siblings in lower grades. We will dismiss through the following staircases/times:

Grade Staircase Time4th Grade Front Staircase 4:12 p.m.5th Grade Back Staircase (Library) 4:12 p.m.6th Grade Back Staircase (Library) 4:14 p.m.7th Grade Front Staircase 4:15 p.m.8th Grade Front Staircase 4:14 p.m.

As students exit the building, they should walk in straight lines on the right side of the hallway/stairs. As students arrive on the ground floor, they should proceed to the back exit to the playground. Teachers should walk their class to the busses, where students will file onto the busses.

DUTYTeachers are expected to assume reasonable duties over and above the regular classroom responsibilities. The principal shall have authority to make such assignments, which shall be distributed as equitably as possible.

All faculty and staff members are assigned morning and afternoon duty.

Morning bus duty begins at 7:30 a.m. All staff members are expected to be on their post at that time.


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During afternoon duty, teachers and paras will escort students out of the building in lines directly to their busses. Staff members should not leave their assigned duty post until all students have left the premises.

To be on duty means to be vigilant. This is not a time to talk and catch up with colleagues. Staff should watch students at all times, scanning their assigned duty station.

ENTRY IN THE MORNINGAs students enter the building in the morning, they will walk in a line from the bus or car directly to the entrance off the playground. At this time, the line is not expected to be 100% silent; students may talk in reasonable voices as they wait for security. Students will proceed through security and will then go directly to the cafeteria. When eating breakfast, students must go directly to the line to pick up their food and then to their assigned table to eat. If a student is not eating breakfast, the student will proceed directly to their assigned table. Students should proceed to classrooms at 7:45 a.m.

EMAILAll staff are expected to check their RSD e-mail at least once daily.

EMERGENCY LESSON PLANSEmergency plans and a substitute folder will be collected during the first month of school for review. These are due to the administrative team by August 20. The plans must include:

Daily academic, lunch and resource schedule Class roster for each class Seating chart for each class Names of grade partner(s) to assist with details Relevant learning activities for a full day of instruction including:

o Power-Up to Begin the Day (Run off in advance)o Objective and Skill for Each Assigned Subjecto Materials for Each Assigned Subject (Run off in advance)o Location of All Materials Needed for Lessonso List of Classroom Procedures

Fire drill exit plan Faculty roster Map of school Students who need medication.

Please do not plan to use emergency lesson plans on days that you have requested leave. This is not an emergency. Appropriate classroom work should be left on the board and/or on the teacher’s desk for a substitute to use during this time. Emergency plans should be placed in the box labeled emergency plans and should be completely visible for the substitute or administrator covering your classroom.


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FACULTY/STAFF LOUNGE

Students are not allowed in the Faculty/Staff lounge. Please keep the lounge clean. The refrigerator and microwave are for the use of all faculty/staff members. Please clean after each use. Any food placed in the refrigerator should be labeled. Food items should not be left in the refrigerator for more than a week. At the end of the week all food items will be removed. There is a phone in the lounge.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

In keeping with the Family Rights and Privacy Act, student information and family information are completely confidential. Student names, addresses, phone numbers, and other personal information may not be shared with others without parent permission. Consent from either parent is sufficient unless a court order precludes one parent, or indicates both parents must sign. Discussion of details regarding student progress and personal problems will occur only with staff directly serving the student and/or the family. Educational or medical information about a student can only be obtained from or shared with other agencies after the appropriate forms have been completed and placed in the student’s file. Upon request, it is the right of every parent/guardian and of every eligible student to read or have read, explained, and interpreted to them each and every portion of the student’s record.

FAXINGThe secretary will place faxes in your box once a day. The secretary will forward faxes related to school business each afternoon. A Fax Cover Sheet should be completed and the faxed items clipped to the cover sheet; the package should be submitted to the secretary. The school fax number is (504) 571- 6317.

FIELD TRIPS

Philosophy: Educational field trips are a unique opportunity to provide practical cultural experiences which enrich our students’ academic and social development. They are also serious events which should be linked to classroom activities both before and after the trip. Remember that parent permission DOES NOT release the teacher or the school from all responsibilities. The law expects us to take all reasonable precautions in dealing with our students and their safety.

General Information: Each grade level may have 2 field trips per year, with the possibility of additional trips if teachers find extraordinary field trip


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opportunities. It is recommended that one trip take place in fall and the other in spring. Field trips must support the Louisiana Grade-Level Expectations and the current instructional program. Teachers taking field trips MUST get approval from the administrative team before making plans and must notify the cafeteria staff as well. In addition, teachers must be responsible for making all arrangements: collecting money, securing transportation, gathering a ratio of 1:7 chaperones to students, and contacting the school nurse for student medications.

Permission and Procedures: The permission slip is also a responsibility of the teacher. The permission slip must contain all vital information and the rationale for the trip and how it supports classroom instruction and student learning. Please see the permission slip template and the process sheet for ensuring successful field trip planning form that each teacher must use. It is located in the appendix of this handbook.

Ensure that the following details have been taken care of: Funding for buses and admission fares (if applicable) Sufficient number of adult chaperones (1:7) Permission slip that has been pre-approved by the principal Details of trip on master calendar List of participating students with emergency numbers to the

secretary Coverage arranged for students not participating

You are required to complete the Field Trip Request Slip before going on a field trip AT MINIMUM 3 weeks prior to the start of school. This slip and all required materials should be turned in on the morning of the trip before you leave.


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PRIOR TO THE TRIP: HAVE I

Checked the school calendar? Identified the site? (Do I need to visit it ahead of the trip?) Completed the Field Trip Request Form? Received permission from principal (Sign off required) Made necessary reservations? Set the date and time for departure and return? Accounted for all costs involved in the trip? Worked with Secretary to make all transportation arrangements?

Are they confirmed in writing? (Sign off required) Obtained chaperones? Made plans for students remaining behind? Described the trip to the students? Distributed and retrieved all permission slips? Collected and deposited all funds with the School Secretary 10 days

prior to the trip? Obtained PTO checks to pay transportation, entrance fees, etc.? Told the cafeteria manager how many students will not be eating

lunch because of the trip one week ahead of time? (Sign off required)

Placed notice of the trip in the bulletin?

ON THE MORNING OF THE TRIP: HAVE I:

Turned in a copy of the Field Trip Request Notice with all signatures and a copy of alphabetized permission slips to the office?

Turned in trip cell phone number. Assembled all participants in a staging area? Taken role? Reviewed the itinerary with the participants? Reviewed rules of behavior expected on the trip?

DURING THE TRIP: HAVE I:

Take role every time students are ready to move to a new location?


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Reminded students of expected behavior?

AT THE END OF THE TRIP: HAVE I:

Reminded students to remove all belongings from the vehicle? Made certain that students have a way home?

FIRE DRILLSFire Exit Procedures

Team Teacher’s Name Exit Exit Procedures

Team 1

Circle Area Exit

Exit using the Kindergarten and 1st grade Exits. Exit thru the Prieur Street Gate. Cross street walk down Prieur to Bienville. Walk down Bienville 1 block away.

Fire Escape I via Seminar Room 2-1

Exit through doors in seminar room (Rm. 2-1). Walk down the RIGHT side of the steps. Exit using the Prieur Street Gate. Cross street and walk to corner of Prieur and Conti. Walk 1 block away.

Fire Escape II via Seminar Room 2-5

Exit through doors in seminar room (Rm. 2-5). Walk down the RIGHT side of the steps. Exit using the Prieur St. Gate. Cross street and walk to corner of Prieur & Conti. Walk 1 block away.

Back Stairwell Exit using the back stairwell. Exit to the playground and exit using the Conti Street gate (bus gate). Cross street and walk down to corner of Prieur St. 1 block away.

Team 2

Fire Escape III via Computer Lab Seminar Room 2-9

Exit through computer lab seminar room. Walk down the RIGHT side of steps. Exit through the Johnson Street gate. Cross Street and walk to corner of Johnson and Conti.


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Make a left and walk down Conti 1 block away.

Team 3

Ms. Heinlein – 4th Grade (3-2)Ms. Reinker - (3-3)Mrs. Washington - (3-3)Mrs. McKenzie - (3-3)Mrs. M. Thompson - (3-3)

Fire Escape I via Seminar Room 3-1

Exit through seminar door room 3-1 in teacher’s lounge. Walk down LEFT side of steps. Exit to corner of Bienville and Prieur. Cross Street and walk 1 block down Bienville.

Mrs. Persaud – 4th Grade (3-4)Ms. Giarratano–6th-8th Gd. (3-5)Ms. Jackson – 5th Grade (3-6)

Fire Escape II via Seminar room 3-5

Exit through seminar room number 3-5. Walk down RIGHT side of steps. Exit to corner of Bienville and Prieur. Cross street and walk 1 block down Bienville.

Team 4

Mrs. G. Thompson – ISS (3-9)Mrs. Habshy – 5th Grade (3-8)Mr. Crosby –6th/8th Grade (3-10)Ms. Pence (Principal) (3-7)

Fire Escape III via Seminar Room 3-9

Exit through door in seminar room number 3-9. Walk down the LEFT side of the steps. Exit using the Johnson Street Gate. Cross street and walk down Conti.

Team 5

Mr. Moore - 6th-8th Grade (3-10)Ms. Bowman-6th -8th Gd. (3-13)

Fire Escape IV via seminar Room 3-13

Exit through door in seminar room number 3-13. Walk down right side of steps. Exit using the N. Conti Street gate. Cross street and walk down Conti Street 1 block away.

Team 6

Mr. Mix - P.E. Exit via Playground gate

Exit using the Johnson Street gate. Walk to corner of Johnson and Conti. Cross street and walk 1 block down Johnson.


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Team 7

Mrs. Stroughter - Music Exit via Front door

Exit using the front door. Cross Bienville and walk to N. Prieur one block away.

Team 8

Librarian – Mrs. Rousseve

Front Door Exit Make clean sweep of the 2nd Floor. Exit building and monitor the corner of Bienville and Prieur.

Mrs. Fletcher – SLC Leader

Mrs. Jones - Data Manager

Side Parking lot Exit

Make Clean sweep of the 3rd floor. Exit building and monitor the corner of Bienville and Johnson.

Mr. Coles – Counselor

Mr. Schmidt - Social Worker

Circle Area Exit

Assist with Kindergarten Classes.

Ms. Ulmer Front Door Exit Make sure office area is secure. Exit using the front door and monitor the front of the building.

Team 9

Cafeteria Staff Cafeteria Exit Make sure cafeteria is secure. Exit using the cafeteria exit to Johnson Street. Cross street and walk down Johnson to Bienville.

Team 10

Custodial Staff Nearest Exit Make clean sweep of the building.

Team 11

Security Staff/NOPD Nearest Exit Make sure building is secure. Security Guard should be located in the front and rear of building.

Team 12

Mrs. PenceMr. AdriannMr Gangopadhyay

Nearest Exit Make sure building is secure. Principals will monitor the front and rear of the building.

Floor Captai

ns

Mrs. Rousseve – LibrarianMrs. G. ThompsonMrs. WashingtonMrs. M. Thompson

Bienville/ClaiborneBienville/JohnsonConti/Johnson

Floor Captains will make sure that all rooms on the assigned floor are clear and will assist in making sure that all classes are one block away from the school.


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Conti/Prieur

SPECIAL NOTES

Special Education and Elective Teachers should follow the exit procedures of the class they are in at the time of a drill or emergency.

Teachers on Planning Periods should immediately report to the assigned area for your class and monitor your class.

ALL CLASSES should always cross the street immediately upon

exiting the building and then walk to corner.

INCLEMENT WEATHERIf there is inclement weather, we will move to a “rainy day” schedule. Instead of taking your students to recess, keep them inside and allow 15


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minutes of free time in the classroom. Please take care to make sure that the volume is reasonable.

JPAMS ROLL BOOK

JPAMS roll books will be checked weekly by administration. JPAMS roll books are LEGAL DOCUMENTS and should be legible, accurate and kept in a secure place at all times. When leaving the building for any type of emergency (i.e. fire drill, evacuation) you should bring your JPAMS roll book with you. JPAMS roll book should NEVER be left at home on school days.

LUNCH/RECESSTeachers will walk their students down to recess each day at the following times to the following locations:

Direction Sound Level First Lunch:(4A, 5B, 6A, 8A, 8B)4th/5th: Playground Area6th/8th : Basketball Court Area

Second Lunch(4B, 5A, 7A)

4th/5th: Playground Area7th: Basketball Court Area

Walk to Playground from class

Silent 11:55 a.m. 12:40 p.m.

Playground Time Outdoor Voices

11:56 a.m. 12:41 p.m.

Line Up (Hands-Up, Freeze)

Silent 12:05 p.m. 12:55 p.m.

Enter Cafeteria & Line Up in Cafeteria Line

Indoor Voice 12:06 p.m. 12:56 p.m.

Conversation Indoor Voices 12:08 p.m. 12:58 p.m.Wrap Up Silent 12:23 p.m. 1:10 p.m.

Teachers must arrive ON TIME to pick up their students.

This year, we will have several aides as well as the Dean of Students, the SLC, and the Principal monitoring lunch and recess times.


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MAINTENANCEAs a teacher, you have some responsibility for maintaining a clean and orderly classroom. You and your students should make sure the room is picked up and maintained each night before you leave school. This will make the custodian’s job much easier and allow him or her to do a better job maintaining the whole school.

Here are some tips to maintain your classroom and the nearby hallway:

Turn off lights and close windows when you leave your classroom at the end of the day.

Check the room at the end of the day. Make sure that you and your students have:1.) Picked up paper or materials from the floor2.) Place desks in rows or your current classroom setup3.) Place chairs on tops of desks (for night when the floor will be cleaned)

Assist in the supervision of restrooms used by your students. You should enter restrooms before and after your students have used them to check for cleanliness or any maintenance problems.

Check the hallway in the area of your classroom. Make sure no chairs, desks or papers have been left in the hallway.

Avoid moving heavy furniture across the prepared floor surfaces, as they scratch easily. Request custodial help if you decide to rearrange bookcases, filing cabinets or your desk.

Avoid taping items to painted walls. Ask the custodian or principal if you should use special fasteners or nails to hang pictures or shelves.

Plan to clean up any messes associated with special activities in your classroom such as a birthday party, a messy art activity, etc. You are responsible for cleanup if you leave messes involving food, if you paint on window surfaces or if you have a pet in the classroom.

Report heating, electrical, natural gas or plumbing problems to the principal’s office immediately.

MAKE-UP WORKStudents who have excused absences will be allowed to make up any work missed during the absence. All make-up work must be completed within the time frame prescribed by the teacher. Teachers should be reasonable in their time limits for make up work, but a student should not gain an


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advantage on his fellow classmates by being absent. Teachers will be responsible for notifying students of all work missed. A student with an unexcused absence will not be allowed to make-up any work missed during the absence.

PHONE CONTACT LOG

Phone calls made to parents should be documented on the phone contact log. Parents should be contacted on a regular basis. Phone calls must be made every day for students who are absent.

SCHOOL NURSE

The nurse’s primary role is to improve the physical and mental health of students based on campus. This includes emergency care, providing for a student who becomes ill at school, dispensing medication according to policy, and maintaining proper immunization and other relevant medical records. The nurse gives first aid only. She does not diagnose illness, but will take note of symptoms and notify parents of observations. If a child does become ill or is injured at school, he/she will be given first aid and the parents will be notified if the severity of the injury or illness warrants such action. Please alert the nurse of all students who appear to e affected by an illness that is contagious.

STAFF DRESS

All employees are required to dress appropriately and professionally while on duty, as discussed in the RSD employee handbook. Remember: how we as the staff dress models how to dress professionally for our students!! Styles of clothing shall be modest and tasteful; there is no excuse sloppy dress.

Women shall wear professional dresses (knee length minimum), suits, skirts (knee length minimum), blouses, and slacks.

Men shall wear professional slacks and collared shirts with sleeves; shirttails shall be tucked in unless the garment is tailored to be worn outside. Men are encouraged to wear ties. Pants worn below the waist are not permitted.

The following are inappropriate: shorts, blue jeans (except on spirit days as designated by the Principal), t-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, sweatpants, exercise wear, or jogging suits (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE P.E. teacher), high slits in dresses/skirts, low necklines,


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sundresses, bare midriffs, beach thongs, shower shoes, house shoes, athletic shoes, torn/ripped clothing, hats/caps

Other than earrings for females, no employee shall wear any type of facial jewelry or visible body piercing

Teachers may choose to wear the school uniform.

STATE AND DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS

Benchmark Test are a given district-wide each quarter to all students. The state administers several large-scale testing programs. The

iLEAP tests are used to evaluate student performance in grades 5, 6, 7. The term integrated refers to the integration of standards-based tests (CRTs) and norm-referenced tests (NRTs) into one program.

Louisiana’s criterion-referenced testing program for grades 4 and 8 is known as LEAP. Louisiana’s high stakes testing policy is an important part of Reaching for Results, an educational reform system designed to improve student achievement. The LEAP 21 tests are designed to ensure that grades 4 and grade 8 students have adequate knowledge and skills before moving on to the next grade.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE RECORDS

Our goal is to meet or exceed the state standard for excellence in attendance. Daily attendance should be entered into JPAMS by 8:15 a.m. and attendance sheets must be sent to the main office no later than 10:00 a.m. daily. Any written notes should be enclosed with the attendance sheet and will be maintained by the school as verification of reason for absence. Students reporting to school after 8:00 a.m. will be marked tardy. A late pass must be picked up in the main office after this time, which will mark if it is unexcused or excused. If a child arrives at your room after 8:00 a.m., please send them to the main office immediately for a late pass. The only exception to these rules will be if there was a school related delay that the student could not avoid (e.g. a late bus, breakfast began late etc.) The office will notify teachers if this has happened.


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Each day, after attendance has been turned in, the office secretary will verify the reason for student absences, via the phone.

Each month students who have excessive absences (more than five days within a month) or show an odd pattern of absence (e.g. every Friday) will be identified. These students will receive phone calls and letters home from the Attendance Committee to follow-up on their attendance habits.

Additionally, if a student has missed 5 days in a marking period without evidence of an excused absence, an incomplete grade will be issued if the work has not been made up. The student is allowed to make-up the work during the next grading period. If s/he fails to do so, the incomplete grade automatically becomes a “U.” It is the responsibility of the teacher to inform the student of the deadline for any make-up work.

Students must be present 156 days of the school year in order to be eligible for promotion. Students not attending school as a result of a suspension shall be counted as absent and considered unexcused and shall be given failing grades for work missed.

Individual students and classes will be recognized and rewarded for perfect attendance during quarterly student recognition assemblies and daily P.A. announcements.

Excused AbsencesPersonal Illness

Prior approved travel for educationDeath in the family (not to exceed 1 week)

Natural catastrophe or disasterParticipation in a school approved activity which necessitates the child

being away from schoolReligious Holiday

Other Health Related Issues: See Student Handbook

JPAMS Homeroom Attendance Sheets should be printed and kept by classroom teachers.

Use the proper format to indicate attendance:

o Present = -----o Tardy = To Absent = l


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STUDENT DATA FORMS

All homeroom teachers MUST have a completed student data form for each student. A copy of the data form should be submitted to the office after every update. Student Data Forms should be kept in a binder in a secure place. During any emergency, drill, or field trip teachers must take the binder with them. (See Appendix.)

STUDENT RECORDS

Discussions with others based on information from students records or for the purpose of generating a record should be conducted in a manner, which maintains privacy for the information. Specifically, if student and/or parent conferences are being conducted to discuss grades, test scores, or other data contained in the records, the session should not be held where others can hear. The same is true of meetings to generate student performance plans, individual education plans, or limited English proficient plans. Cautions should be used in discussing or sharing information from records with anyone other than the parent who controls access to the records. Except for exceptions noted in the law, access to or the release of any personally identifiable information without the written consent of the parent or eligible student is prohibited. Students should never be involved in tasks that grant them access to the records of other students. Students should not grade tests, enter grades in the grade book, file graded papers, file documents in cumulative folders, handle standardized test results, or be assigned similar jobs.

STUDENT ROSTERS

Students must remain in the class in which they are assigned. Please do not exchange students at anytime during the school year. If the spelling of a student’s name is incorrect please notify the office.

SUBSTITUTE FOLDER


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All teachers are expected to prepare a substitute folder which will be kept in the office for use by a Substitute Teacher. This folder should include material for a minimum of three (3) school days. These lessons should consist mainly of review and practice in all academic areas. Included in this folder should be a copy of your schedule, seating charts, and class lists. When returning to school each teacher must update and prepare a new set of lesson for any material used during your absence.

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS

Students must be supervised at all times. High expectations for student behavior must be clearly communicated to all students by all staff members. All staff members are expected to support and encourage a healthy, safe school climate.

All children are to be supervised at all times. All teachers are should escort their classes in a quiet, orderly and

efficient manner while passing through the halls. During the exchange of classes teachers should stand near the entrance to their classroom and monitor student movement and assist in clearing the halls.

Teachers are to escort their classes to P.E., Library, Computer Lab, Art and/or Music and pick them up at the end of those class periods.

SUPPLY ORDERING

Requests for instructional supplies should be given to the secretary in writing, along with the reason it is needed. The principal will approve / disapprove the order. The secretary will e-mail whether it has been approved or not to the teacher.

TEACHER ASSESSMENTS/QUARTERLY EXAM REVIEW

Informal and formal classroom assessments should be done on a weekly basis. Record all grades in a timely manner. Weekly test and quizzes should be aligned with state and district curriculum. Quarterly exams should reflect the format of the state standardized test including constructed responses, reading comprehension and critical thinking questions.


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TEACHER DETENTION

Give the parents an opportunity to correct the behavior. Contact them by telephone or letter asking for their help in correcting the inappropriate behavior. If the behavior does not improve, keep the parents informed as you move toward the after school detention. The following procedures must be followed when issuing a student an after-school detention.

Notify the parents at least one day prior to the day the student is to stay after school. This is necessary to inform parents of the infraction, previous attempts to correct the behavior, and the day and length of the detention. Detention should not last more than 1 hour.

Use the official Teacher Detentions form when issuing a detention. The student and parent MUST sign the detention form. A copy of the Teacher Detention must be submitted to the office to be filed in the student’s discipline folder.

The Teacher Detention Roster should be submitted to the office on the day of the detention so that the office will be informed of which students are being held for detention.

The District is proposing to pay one-two teachers to hold after school and Saturday detentions. Further discussion is forthcoming.

TEACHER PORTFOLIOS

All teachers are required to complete a portfolio. The portfolio will be checked by administration and district personnel weekly. The following sections must be contained in the portfolio:

Biography Lesson Plans Assessment Long Term Plans State Testing Information Staff Development Emergency Lesson Plans Parent Contact Log


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TECHNOLOGY

The school is well equipped with computers, software and hardware. There are Internet connections in all the classrooms, the computer labs and the library. Teachers should incorporate technology into your instruction. Any problems with computer hardware or the Internet should be reported to the office. Teachers should actively monitor students use of technology.

UNIFORM POLICY

Students are to wear the school uniform at all times. The policy is as follows:

GIRLS: -Yellow polo shirt-Black pants, skirts, or shorts (knee length)-Solid Black Shoes-Solid Black Belt (no large buckles)-Earrings: Studs only-No bangle bracelets or necklaces

BOYS:-Yellow polo shirt-Black pants or shorts (knee length)-Solid Black Shoes-Solid Black Belt (no large buckles)-No earrings or other jewelry

ALL STUDENTS:Pants and shirts should not be over-sized, baggy, or worn below the waist.Shirts must be tucked in at all times.All students wearing pants or shorts must wear a belt.Shorts must be knee length only.No hooded jackets or pullovers. Yellow, black or white jackets ONLY.Backpacks are required.

USE OF TOBACCO


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Smoking is not allowed on campus or in the immediate vicinity of the building. Teachers/Staff members that smoke should cross the street to smoke. Smoking should never occur in front of students.

WICKER BULLETIN

Each week the Wicker Bulletin containing information regarding important dates, policies and procedures will be emailed to you. Please read and adhere to the bulletin. If you have an item of interest that you would like in the bulletin please submit it to the school secretary.

Albert Wicker Literacy Academy

Faculty/Staff Handbook 2009 - 2010

Receipt Acknowledgement

I acknowledge receipt of and will adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the

Albert Wicker Literacy Academy Faculty/Staff Handbook for 2009 - 2010. It is my

responsibility to contact administration if I do not understand the contents or have

any questions and concerns.

______________________________ (Print Name)

______________________________ _________________________

Teacher’s Signature Sabrina Pence, Principal


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