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North-Grand High School Student & Parent Handbook

“A Nurturing Community of Life-Long Learning”

Chicago Public Schools 2019-2020

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Welcome…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………......Page 3

Mission Statement……………………………….………………….........................................................................Page 3

A Great Neighborhood School…………………………………………………………………………….…….………….….……Page 4

Academics and Careers…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………..…….Page 4

History of NGHS……………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..….……….Page 4

Bell Schedule………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..…….………Page 5

Lunches………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….……….…Page 5

Attendance Plan………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….………….Page 5

Coding of Absences………………………………………………………………………………………………..………….…………..Page 6

Graduation Requirements………………………………………………………………………….………..……………..…….…..Page 6

Counseling Services……………………………………………………………………………….…………..………………..………..Page 7

Email/Social Network Policy………………………………………………………….………………..…………………..…………Page 7

Textbooks……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….……………..……….Page 7

Loitering……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….………………..……….Page 8

Elevator Use…………………………………………………………………………………………….….…………….……………………Page 8

Drug Free Campus…………………………………………………………………………….…..………………………………..……..Page 8

Extra-Curricular Clubs and Activities…………………………………………………..………….…………………………….…Page 8

Emergency/Safety/Security Info…………………………………………………………..…………….…………………………..Page 9

Uniform Policy/Dress Code………………………………………………………………..…..…………….………………………..Page 9

Discipline Plan…………………………………………………………………………………..……….….……………………………….Page 9

NGHS Grading Policy………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 10-14

NGHS Senior Academic Commitment……………………………………………………………………….……………..Page 14-16

Table of Contents

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North-Grand High School wishes to extend a warm welcome to all students, parents/guardians, and

community members! At North-Grand, you will develop the skills you need to be successful in your

post-secondary pursuits. We also hope that you will cultivate friendships, participate in clubs and extra-

curricular activities, and truly make the most of your high school experience.

This handbook was prepared to help you and your family understand important policies and procedures

at the school to ensure a smooth and productive school year.

To create a nurturing community of life-long learners who can strive successfully

to achieve their highest intellectual, emotional, social, and ethical potential;

To develop an environment where students construct meaning by actively

participating in the learning process, embracing academic excellence, high moral

values, and proper social behaviors;

To implement an intellectually challenging core curriculum, focusing on reading,

math, and modern technology;

To develop productive partnerships between students, parents, teachers, and

community.

Welcome

Mission Statement

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All students living in the NGHS attendance area have the right to the excellent education offered by North-Grand High School. Students attend NGHS from a variety of elementary schools including McAuliffe, Nixon, Nobel, Northwest Middle, Stowe, and West Park as well as several charter and magnet schools.

NGHS has one of the highest graduation rates and college entrance rates in Chicago. The NGHS counseling staff assists all students with post-secondary pursuits, including applying to colleges, writing college essays, completing FAFSA, and obtaining jobs.

NGHS graduates attend Northwestern, DePaul, Northeastern, University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, UIC, Bradley, Illinois Wesleyan, Carleton, Monmouth, Dominican, Columbia, Sagrado Corazon in Puerto Rico, and many others. NGHS alumni have received full four-year scholarships through the Gates Foundation and Johnson and Wales, in addition to many other honors.

NGHS expects all students to excel in a full range of academic coursework. All students have opportunities to succeed in challenging academic programming, including college level courses (AP and Dual Credit) in math, science, English, social studies, art and foreign language, along with a range of honors-level classes.

North-Grand welcomes students with special needs and those who are new to learning the English language. NGHS provides a full program of Diverse Learner and EL services.

In addition, North-Grand offers unique Career to Education programs including Allied Health, Culinary Arts, and Pre-Engineering,

In the mid-1990s, the population in the West Humboldt Park/Hermosa area grew rapidly. Kelvyn Park

High School was operating on three shifts to accommodate more than 2000 students. North-Grand High

School was created to alleviate the overcrowding and to provide an alternative high school choice for

the area.

A state-of-the-art facility was planned for the site of a former Schwinn bicycle factory. The building

opened in 2004 with a freshmen class of 275 students. A new class was added every year until the

building was at capacity in 2007.

A Great Neighborhood School

Academics and Careers

History of NGHS

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Period 1 7:45am – 8:35am

Period 2 8:40am – 9:30am

Period 3 9:35am – 10:25am

Period 4 10:30am – 11:20am

Period 5 11:25am – 12:15pm

Period 6 12:20pm – 1:10pm

Period 7 1:15pm – 2:05pm

Period 8 2:10pm – 3:00pm

Freshman Lunch – 3rd Period

Sophomore Lunch – 4th Period

Junior Lunch – 5th Period

Senior Lunch – 6th Period

Attendance is a key factor to your academic success. You need to be here, in school, on time, every

day. That means that you are in your first period class BY 7:45am, with all materials necessary for class.

It is recommended that you arrive to school by 7:15am so that you have time to get through the security

line, grab a healthy breakfast, get your books and materials together, greet your friends, and still make it

to class by 7:45am.

If you are going to be absent for any reason, your parent/guardian needs to call the Attendance Office at

773-534-8537 and speak with Ms. Mercado or another Attendance Office staff member to report your

absence.

Bell Schedule

Lunches

Attendance Plan

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The following attendance symbols are used when attendance is reported in ASPEN:

School Function (SF), constitutes any internal or external school activity which would cause a student to

miss any class or classes, under school supervision of a North-Grand High School staff member.

Home/Hospital (HH), constitutes any absence for a student with prior approval from the doctor

regarding a medical or social situation that would cause him/her to be absent for an extended period of

time.

Medical Exclusion (MEDX), constitutes any absence of a student who has not met the medical

requirements of the Board of Education and/or any other medical situation deemed to fall under

(MEDX).

Religious Holiday (RHOL), constitutes the right of a student to observe a religious holiday (RHOL).

Out-School-Suspension (SUS), constitutes the absence for any student that receives a suspension, as a

result of breaking one or more of North-Grand High School’s or the Board of Education’s policies or

procedures.

Unexcused Absences (AUX), reflects a student who is absent from any class without a legitimate

excuse.

Excused Absence (AEX), reflects a student who is absent from any class with a legitimate excuse.

Credits required for graduation:

English 4

Social Studies (including Civics) 3

Math 3

Science 3

Foreign Language 2

Arts (Art/Music) 2

PE & Health/ROTC 4

Education to Careers/Electives 3

Total 24

Additional requirements for graduation include successfully completing the following: Public Law Exam

Consumer Education

Driver‘s Education

SAT

3 Service Learning Projects

Coding of Absences

Graduation Requirements

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The mission of North-Grand High School’s Counseling Department is to support all students' academic,

personal/social, and post-secondary potential in a systemic fashion by utilizing stakeholder

collaboration, comprehensive curricula, community resources, and technological methods. Regardless of

race, gender, religion, and individual differences, we will foster our students' skills needed to function

and thrive in an ever-changing society.

The Counseling Department is located in the Main Office. As we encourage student access to guidance

and school-wide services, students may seek out counseling assistance during their lunch period with a

pass from a teacher, or by scheduling an appointment with their counselor.

Services

-Enrollment, Individual Student Planning

-Academic, Post-Secondary, Career Planning

-Classroom Guidance, Peer Facilitation

-School-to-Parent Communications

-Consultation/Collaboration with School Staff & Community

-Well-being, Problem Solving (Personal/Social-Emotional/Academics/Future)

-Testing, Student Cumulative Records Management

Students may access their CPS Google email accounts from any North-Grand High School computer in

a designated student lab. Communication or any activity via Internet based Social Networks (i.e.

Facebook, Instagram, Linked-In, etc.) on the North-Grand High School network is prohibited. Violation

of this policy will result in suspended technological privileges and progressive discipline, as defined by

the Student Code of Conduct.

Students are financially responsible for all books assigned to them. Students will not be issued

another book until the lost book is returned or paid for in full. Students who steal or damage books

will be subjected to disciplinary action and the appropriate fee will be added to their account.

Counseling Services

Email/Social Network Policy

Textbooks

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Loitering, congregating or standing in the hallways between classes and around the building will not be allowed. Students have five minutes to pass from class to class or class to lunch. Students who are not participating in an after-school or athletic program must exit the premise after the final bell rings.

Elevators are not to be used by anyone during fire drills and building evacuations. Elevator usage is

reserved for visitors, faculty, non-ambulatory students or students who obtained written approval from the school nurse or administration. Students in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Drugs and alcohol are not permitted on school grounds or at school functions. These substances

include, but are not limited to: tobacco, any type of alcoholic beverage, illegal narcotics, marijuana,

drugs, or illegal mind-altering substances. Possession or use of these products on school grounds will

result in progressive discipline, as defined by the Student Code of Conduct.

North-Grand High School offers a variety of extra-curricular activities that you can choose to participate

in, including the following sports and clubs:

-Soccer -Swimming -Volleyball -Basketball

-Bowling -Cheerleading/Dance -Football -Debate

-Baseball -Student Council -National Honor Society

-Anime Club -Rock Club -Minerva – Literary Mag. -HOSA

-Senior Committee -Academic Decathlon -Lifeguarding

Please see the website for information on which teachers sponsor these clubs and how you can get

involved!

Loitering

Elevator Use

Drug-Free Campus

Extra-Curricular Clubs and Activities

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North-Grand High School offers a very safe environment for all students and staff. Students and staff

members work with six security personnel and two Chicago police officers on a daily basis to ensure the

safety of all students.

All staff members are made aware of and trained to implement all emergency procedures, and fire drills,

tornado drills, and other types of safety drills are practiced on a regular basis. North-Grand High School

has a crisis management team in place to deal with any and all emergency situations.

North-Grand High School students do not have to wear a specific uniform. The dress code states that all

students must be dressed respectfully and appropriately. That means that no undergarments may be

showing, clothes must not be too revealing, and clothes that demonstrate gang affiliation or gang colors

are not allowed. Ultimately, the administration of North-Grand High School has the authority to decide

whether students’ clothing is appropriate or not appropriate. Hats are also not allowed inside the

building. Students must have their ID’s in their possession at all time and must produce them if asked by

any staff member in the building. ID’s must be from the current school year and cannot be defaced.

The expectation is that students attend school every day on time. Classes begin at 7:45am. Upon

entering the building, students must have their ID’s. If a student forgets his/her ID, he/she can purchase

a temporary ID. Hats and electronic devices must not be seen; they should be secured in the student’s

locker or backpack.

10/10 Rule – Students must not be in the hallway during the first or last ten minutes of any given class

period. This is to ensure that all students are in class on time and learning, rather than wandering the

halls. If a student needs to go to the restroom, office, nurse, etc., the student must ask his/her teacher

for the maroon hall pass. Students in the hall without the official pass will be sent back to class.

Food/Drink – Food and drink are not allowed in the classrooms, with the exception of water. Vending

machines, which are located in the cafeteria, may only be used before or after school or during lunch.

Gang Affiliation – Gang affiliation of any type will not be tolerated. Clothing, shoes, jewelry, and

accessories must not convey gang affiliation.

Emergency/Safety/Security Info

Uniform Policy/Dress Code

Discipline Plan

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Cyberbullying – Cyberbullying is the act of using any computer and/or social media, including text

messages, Facebook, Instagram, etc., to stalk, threaten, harass, bully, or intimidate others.

Cyberbullying will not be tolerated.

Tardies – When students arrive tardy to school (after 7:45am), they will receive a lunch detention.

Teachers and security personnel will monitor student tardies. Detentions and other consequences will

be issued to students who are consistently tardy to class. Un-served detentions will result in various

consequences, including progressive discipline and/or loss of privileges for sports or extra-curricular

activities.

Support – All students will be respected and listened to; all staff members are here to support,

encourage, and mentor students. Not all discipline is punitive in nature; there are many restorative

practices that will be utilized, including mediation, counseling, one-on-one mentoring, peer jury, and the

implementation of peace circles.

All students must adhere to the Chicago Public Schools’ Student Code of Conduct. Failure to do so will

result in progressive disciplinary action.

How we grade and evaluate student learning is critical to the educational experience. It is how we

classify degree of student achievement and award/deny promotion. Further, it is a significant indicator

by which we communicate our educational philosophy and a clear indication of what we value. As such,

a teacher’s grading system greatly impacts the learning environment. Therefore, it is important that our

grading policy is intentional in its design and consistent in its implementation.

We need to ask ourselves the following questions:

1) What level, type of skill(s), and degree of content knowledge is necessary for students to prove mastery of in order to receive a particular grade and/or promotion?

2) What are important and effective ways to access, assess, and evaluate this information?

The answers to these questions should govern our grading policy’s design and implementation.

Concomitantly, there should be agreement within departments and across course teams concerning

these matters, so we consistently communicate a unified message of what we value to our students,

their parents, and our community.

What follows is North-Grand High School’s unified grading policy, which addresses grading scale,

categories, weights, frequency and number of entries, points and expected practices.

NGHS Grading Policy

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Scale All teachers shall adhere to the following grading scale:

A 100% - 90%

B 89% - 80%

C 79% - 70%

D 69% - 60%

F 59% - 0%

* Some IEP’s require a modified grading scale to be implemented. Please note that the

grade(s)/percentage(s) given to these specific students should already reflect said modification.

Categories Departments and course teams shall adopt the following common grading categories:

1) Student professionalism refers to non-academic factors that, although essential to learning, are

not specifically part of the curriculum for a particular subject area. Examples include (but are

not limited to): effort, participation, homework (non-graded) and/or practice assignments

assessed for completion, behavior, dressing for PE, tardiness, etc... Teachers provide the support

necessary to maintain/improve these skills but the grading of these items should have minimal

impact on the overall academic grade.

2) Homework refers to assigned work that students are expected to complete at home. Examples

include (but are not limited to): worksheets, book work, drafts, readings, etc…

3) Classwork refers to anything that a student completes while in class. Examples include (but are

not limited to): labs, journals, presentations, book reports, speeches, notebooks, engaging in

physical activities (PE), in-class assignments, etc…

4) Mastery refers to assessments that are given to students in order to determine student mastery

of curriculum. These are designed to assess whether students know and are able to

demonstrate what has been taught. Mastery assignments can and should take on many forms,

tap into multiple intelligences, assess individual skills or concepts, be ongoing and not just at the

end of a unit/term, and gauge and scaffold learning. Examples include (but are not limited to):

chapter tests, performance tasks (benchmark or otherwise), summative performances, unit tests,

mastery exams, mastery quizzes, term papers, projects, essays, presentations, midterms, finals,

etc…

Weights

Course teams shall agree upon common grading weights that collectively comprise 100% of a student’s

grade. This common weight determination must be submitted by the department chair for

administrative approval by 3:00 PM on Thursday, September 05, 2019. Once approved by

administration, the common weights are expected to be set up accordingly into ASPEN by 3:00 PM on

Friday, September 06, 2020, with each member adhering to its implementation. Although the

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determination of specific grading weights is at the discretion of course teams, these weights, in order to

be approved, shall reflect the school’s belief that student demonstration of curricular mastery is of the

greatest significance, and therefore should be weighted heaviest. As a result, the Mastery category,

which provides direct evidence of student mastery of the curriculum, shall carry the most weight.

Second in weight shall be Classwork because it provides the student direct, rich practice in

demonstrating curricular mastery. Homework shall be weighted third because it is a reinforcement of

Classwork and provides a student extended practice for curricular mastery. Finally, Student

Professionalism shall carry the least weight due to its lack of focus on curricular mastery and, therefore,

shall not account for more than 10% of a student’s grade.

Expected Practices

ASPEN

Teachers are expected to utilize ASPEN as their central grade entry module.

Teachers are expected to set up their ASPEN with the Total Points Logic setting to “yes.”

Teachers are expected to input a minimum of two (2) entries into ASPEN each week.

Grades need to be updated in ASPEN by 7:45 AM each Tuesday. (If a holiday occurs on a Monday, then grades need to be updated by 7:45 AM on that following Wednesday).

Updated student grades must be printed and posted inside or outside the classroom (perhaps in the window facing out to the hall) by the end of day each Tuesday (Wednesday if Monday is a holiday), using student ID numbers.

Please be advised of the following expectation regarding the implementation of IEP-prescribed modified grading scales within ASPEN: Teachers shall not wait until the end of a marking period (i.e. quarter, semester, etc.) to modify these students’ grades. Instead, each grade inputted into ASPEN ought to already reflect the modified grade.

At no point should a grade for any type of assignment be left blank for an extended period of time (more than a few days); this practice can skew grade accuracy and give students a false sense of achievement. Instead, teachers should utilize the following codes: “Exc”, “Msg”, or “0”. Assigning the code “Exc” ensures that the missing assignment will not be counted against the student (this might be employed for students who enrolled late). Conversely, assigning the codes” Msg” or “0” ensures that the missing assignment will be counted against the student (this might be employed for students who failed to turn in an assignment due to absence or the lack of effort).

Each quarter, there should be a minimum of 20 entries. There should be a minimum number of entries within each category as well, as outlined in the following table:

Category Minimum # of entries per quarter

Student professionalism 4

Homework 4

Classwork 8

Mastery 4

Teachers must continually provide opportunities for students to improve their grades throughout the entire semester. At no point shall any teacher communicate to students that

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he/she is no longer accepting work or that any student does not have the chance or option to complete work in order to raise his/her grade.

Teachers must provide time within their instructional units each quarter for the re-teaching of skills not yet mastered by students. Multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery must be provided, and this may include: students re-taking assessments, completing mastery make-up assignments, completing missing or alternate assignments/projects, etc.

When the school or a grade level team hosts opportunities for students to raise their grades (i.e. Boost Your Grade, etc), all teachers are required to submit work for students to do. This includes submitting work for core classes, non-core classes, and electives, and can be in the form of: reading assignments, answering questions, completing packets or practice worksheets, writing essays, completing projects, research assignments, etc.

The use of rubrics is expected for the grading of all performance-based tasks. Rubrics must clearly identify and describe student expectations and provide descriptors for each level of performance.

Late Work

Late work will be accepted from students in accordance with the following guidelines:

Assignments in the Student professionalism category must be turned in on time. Teachers are

not expected or required to accept late work in this category. Failure to submit work in this

category shall result in a “zero” grade.

Assignments in the Homework and Classwork categories will be accepted late as follows: As

determined by the teacher, late work will be accepted when it is submitted within a time

window defined by either:

1.) The date when the assignment has been graded, recorded, and returned to other

students in the class; or,

2.) Four school days after the original deadline.

Work submitted after the window has closed may be accepted at teacher discretion.

Teachers must accept late work for all Mastery assignments within a given quarter OR must

provide an alternate assignment for each graded Mastery assignment for which a student has

earned a score of “0” or “Missing” that is entered into Gradebook.

Work submitted after a quarter has ended may also be accepted at teacher discretion (for

example, if a teacher assigns a mastery assignment toward the end of Q1 and a student

completes it during Q2, the teacher may choose to accept the work.

Full credit for late work may be awarded, at the teacher’s discretion. At most, a teacher can

only lower the grade for late work by one letter grade.

Late work shall not be accepted after final semester grades are submitted into ASPEN.

Students with special circumstances should work with teachers to determine alternate

individualized due dates when appropriate.

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Excused Absence Policy

An excused absence extends the due date and deadline of all assignments and assessments by the

number of days missed. (Note: Suspensions, both in-school and out-of-school, are excused absences!

Teachers must provide and accept work completed by students returning from suspensions.)

Grade Change Policy (per CPS Policy Manual, Section: 605.7; Board Report: 10-0324-PO1)

Teachers’ Responsibilities

Teachers are responsible for evaluating students and for determining students’ grades in the subject

area or activity for which the teacher is responsible. Teachers shall use the approved grading scale and

system to evaluate pupil performance and progress and shall assign grades based upon the teacher’s

professional judgment of the student’s work. The teacher shall keep written, accurate evaluation

records for each student and shall maintain such records in accordance with the Board’s policy and

guidelines on the maintenance of student records. The teacher shall timely submit marking period

grades for each student in ASPEN on or before the published deadline. The teacher shall be prepared to

justify assigned grades. Teachers are responsible for validating their students’ quarter, semester and

final grade(s) before they are posted.

Reasons for Grade Change

Once a quarter, semester or final grade has been issued, that grade may only be changed for the

following reasons:

1. Miscalculation of test or assignment scores (teacher needs to submit documentation to

support this);

2. A technical error in assigning a particular grade or score (teacher needs to submit

documentation to support this);

3. Use of an inappropriate grading/evaluation system (teacher needs to submit

documentation to support this);

4. Failure to meet grade posting deadline causes incorrect grade reporting; or

5. Other valid reason when authorized in writing by the Chief Area Officer or equivalent school

oversight manager (“CAO”).

In order to have a successful academic year, all North-Grand High School students are expected to be in

compliance with Chicago Public Schools’ policies and procedures. This means that students must

maintain a high attendance rate and adhere to the behavioral expectations outlined in the CPS Student

Code of Conduct (SCC). In addition to these general expectations, North-Grand High School seniors are

expected to adhere to the 2019-20 Senior Academic Commitment, which becomes effective on

NGHS Senior Academic Commitment

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September 03, 2020. This commitment will be thoroughly articulated to all seniors, shared with their

parents/guardians and fully enforced by North-Grand administration.

Attendance

Attendance includes arriving to school and class on time and bringing a written note from a

parent/guardian whenever an absence occurs. If a student needs an early dismissal, a parent/guardian

has to pick him/her up regardless of the student’s age, unless the student is officially emancipated. If a

student is emancipated, s/he has to have an official, state-issued emancipation form on file with the

school.

Good Standing

Students are considered in good standing if they meet the following criteria during the current school

year:

1) Have a behavioral record free of any Group 4-6 misconducts as outlined in the SCC

2) Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher

3) Maintain an attendance rate of 90% or higher (Exceptions may be made for students who have

missed extended time from school due to serious medical conditions. These decisions will be made by

administration on a case-by-case basis.)

Students who wish to attend other schools’ events and need our school’s consent to do so will need to

meet the expectations listed above. This also applies to any outside guest or any North-Grand student

wishing to attend a North-Grand High School sponsored event. Any guest who accompanies a North-

Grand student to a school-sponsored event must present a letter of good standing by their designated

school official.

Senior Prom and Senior Luncheon

Students will not be allowed to attend either of these events if any of the following occurs:

1) Have below a 90% attendance rate (Exceptions may be made for students who have missed extended

time from school due to serious medical conditions. These decisions will be made by administration on a case-

by-case basis.)

2) Are suspended for 2 or more Group 4 misconducts or 1 Group 5-6 misconduct of the SCC

3) Receive 2 or more failing grades in any of their current classes

4) Have un-served detentions or in-school suspensions (ISS)

5) Have accrued 11 or more days of out-of-school suspensions (OSS)

6) Are suspended during the time of event(s)

It is extremely important to note that refunds to these events will not be issued to students who fail to

meet the aforementioned conditions.

Graduation

Students will not be allowed to walk on stage for Graduation if any of the following occurs:

1) Fail to complete five college applications and three scholarship applications before the day

of the event

2) Fail to complete the FAFSA or have an opt out form by the day of the event

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3) Fail to meet any of the CPS requirements for graduation

a. Earn the minimum number of credits as outlined in the CPS High School Graduation

Requirements

b. Satisfy CPS’ Service Learning requirement

c. Complete Consumer Education

d. Pass Public Law 195 (Constitution) Examination

4) Suspended during the time of event

5) Fail to attend all graduation practices

Diplomas

Diplomas will not be released to graduating students until the following two conditions have been met:

1) All school fees have been paid in full

2) All detentions/ISS have been served in full

Uniform Policy/Dres