Student/Parent Guide Book

2014-2015

Table of Contents

Beliefs, Mission, and Objectives..................................................................................................................2

Open High School........................................................................................................................................3

Our School Days..........................................................................................................................................3

Transportation.............................................................................................................................................4

Student Storage……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4

Staying Informed.........................................................................................................................................4

Lunch...........................................................................................................................................................4

VCU and J.Sargeant Reynolds Alert Systems...............................................................................................5

Principal's Google Voice Account................................................................................................................5

Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA)................................................................................................6

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences.........................................................................................................6

The Open High School Transcript................................................................................................................7

Attendance/Tardiness.................................................................................................................................7

Dress Code...................................................................................................................................................8

Cell Phone and Other electronics Usage......................................................................................................8

Grade Reports.............................................................................................................................................8

Academic Warning, Contract and Probation...............................................................................................8

OHS Course of Study..................................................................................................................................10

Schedules..................................................................................................................................................13

Standardized Tests....................................................................................................................................13

Student Code of Conduct..........................................................................................................................16

Volunteerism.............................................................................................................................................16

Student Government.................................................................................................................................16

SOME OHS TERMS.....................................................................................................................................17

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Beliefs, Mission & Objectives

We believe that . . .1. Relationships built on honesty and mutual respect create

responsible and effective communities.2. Diversity is our strength; unity is our power.3. Equity is the prerequisite for community vitality.4. Everyone has worth and value and is integral to society.5. Mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health are

essential for optimal learning.6. High expectations are required to achieve goals, hopes,

and dreams.7. High quality education produces responsible citizens and

vibrant communities.8. Teaching and learning are essential to the human

experience of growth and change.9. Embracing change opens doors of possibilities.10.Education is the shared responsibility of the entire

community.

The mission of Open High School, the school without walls, is to develop responsible, creative, independent, college and career ready students who value intellectual inquiry, compassion, and social responsibility in a global society by leading students to pursue challenging academic goals, participate in shared decision making, and form partnerships with their community.

1. Each student will develop a sense of compassion and social responsibility to give back to their peers, school and community through service learning and volunteerism.

2. Each student will graduate ready for college and career as a thoughtful reader, an effective writer, a critical thinker, and a creative problem solver by way of rigorous academic options.

3. Each student will challenge themselves academically and develop a lasting voracity for intellectual inquiry.

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Open High SchoolOpen High School was established in 1972 as an alternative public high school in Richmond, Virginia. Established on the premise that students are self-directed, independent learners, Open High School offers a college preparatory education to approximately 200 high school students in a small personal setting. Successful students develop the initiative, independence and responsibility to manage an individualized schedule and maneuver around the city.

An emphasis on relationship, relevance and rigor guides our program direction. Family groups insure that each student has a multi-generational peer group from the onset of their experience at Open High School. Teachers work collaboratively to make lessons relevant to real world situations. The majority of our classes are geared towards preparation for the upper level rigor of Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment.

Family groups, led by a full time faculty member known as a “Family Head”, include students in all grade levels. Family Heads assist with student advising, scheduling, adjustment to Open High School and school activities. Each family sends representatives to the Student Representative body that plans school events and activities and presides over whole-school Town Meetings.

Open High School utilizes a variety of methods to assess, evaluate and report student progress. Our narrative evaluation system is based on authentic assessment and allows for descriptive and anecdotal feedback for transcripts. This system of evaluation also includes a letter grade and students earn a grade point average with grading based on the 10-point scale established by the Richmond School Board.

Our School DaysSchool begins at 8:05 every day. Students move from class to class on the hour and are expected to be seated and ready to learn by five minutes after the hour.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

Classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday end at 3:00 p.m. Teachers hold open “office hours” for instructional assistance and tutoring in the afternoon. A schedule for teacher availability will be posted to our school web page in September.

Thursday Schedule

Thursdays provide students with the opportunity to learn in different ways than the MTWF schedule. School begins with family meeting at 8:05 on Thursdays. Students are expected in family meeting on time every week. Thursday Classes are scheduled for 9:05, 10:05, 11:05, 12:05, and 1:05. All students should be registered for 4 classes/experiences on Thursdays with

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the exception of: students enrolled in Chemistry. Chemistry students must take Chemistry Lab at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and therefore take 1 or 2 less classes on Thursday to provide time to travel to/from JSRCC. Seniors have the privilege of taking one less class on Thursdays).

Student Representative meetings takes place at 12:05 p.m. and Town or Class meeting (depending on the week) run from approximately 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.. T own Meeting usually takes place at the Main Branch of the Richmond Public library (1st and Franklin Streets) and class meetings are held in classrooms in our school building. At least one Thursday afternoon per month is reserved for Staff Meeting—on that Thursday students are dismissed at 2 p.m. Please review the monthly school calendar for specific town, class and staff meeting information.

TransportationThere are no school buses that transport students to and from Open High School. Student transportation is self-directed with GRTC bus tickets provided to students who use public transportation to travel to/from school. GRTC bus tickets are distributed to students by the family heads.

Student StorageStudent storage lockers are located in the basement of the building. These lockers are small spaces where students can store their school and personal items. Locks are not provided, so storage of items is not secure and is at the student’s own risk. Lockers are assigned via families and may be shared depending on the number of available locker space. Students may choose whether or not to use a locker.

Staying InformedThe Open High School Website is the central location for important school information. Weekly announcements, school counseling information, notes from the principal, calendar updates and much more is available on our web-page. Please visit us at http://web.richmond.k12.va/ohs/Home.aspx .

We also make school-wide ParentLink phone calls from time to time and teachers call home to share concerns or inform parents about their child’s progress.

You may also subscribe to the calendar on our website to get alerts about calendar events. Open High School’s Twitter account is @Open_Blaze. A monthly calendar is distributed to students and will be posted to our website.

LunchStudents at Open High School have between 30-60 minutes for lunch and/or travel. There is no cafeteria in our building, but we do participate in the school breakfast and lunch program. Breakfast and lunch is brought into our building from George Wythe High School.

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Additionally, we have a partnership with Virginia Housing and Development Authority (VHDA). Located on Belvidere Street, VHDA shares their cafeteria with our students. Reasonably priced hot and cold items are available at VHDA. VHDA is a professional office building, so professional behavior is required of our students while on the premises. VHDA reserves the right to refuse service to students if they do not comply with behavior expectations. The following are a list of things to keep in mind when at VHDA:

Students have access to a refrigerator and microwave ovens in the basement area student lounge. There is also a snack and soft drink machine with limited hours of usage.

Students are permitted to travel to other lunch locations as long as they return on-time for their afternoon class. Students who do not make it to their afternoon class on-time will lose the privilege of travelling for lunch. Students are not generally permitted to eat lunch in class. Positive behaviors are required at outside lunch locations. Failure to follow expectations may result in loss of privileges.

VCU and J. Sargeant Reynolds Alert SystemsOur students travel throughout the city each day, often passing by or through the Virginia Commonwealth University’s and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College campuses. We encourage our students, parents, and guardians alert students of the potential dangers of traveling in these areas and to also sign up for the alert systems for each school. Details for how to sign up for each school can be found at the links below:

http://alert.vcu.edu/signup/index.php

http://alert.reynolds.edu

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No “horse-play” Inappropriate use of the revolving door will result in dismissal from

VHDA and/or restitution should the door be broken. No sliding down handrails at the front door and along the

handicapped accessible ramp. Noise level must be at a minimum when signing in and leaving the

building. Remember to keep the noise level down in the cafeteria! No sagging pants allowed Do not take the “short-cut” across driveway at VHDA Do not stand in the food line if you are not going to purchase an

item from the line. Do not go to VHDA if you are not buying lunch from VHDA.

Principal’s Google Voice AccountIn the event of an emergency and you cannot reach anyone at the school, or if you need to contact Pete regarding an urgent matter, please utilize his Google Voice system. Simply call (804) – 537 - 0464, state your name, and Pete’s cell phone will be contacted.

Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)

PTSA is our parent/student/teacher organization. Dues for the 2014 – 2015 school year are $7.00 per person. The 2013-2014 leadership is as follows

President Maria Cannady

Vice President Brigette Newberry

Secretary Lisa Krizan

Treasurer Ramonda Pollard

Parent – Student – Teacher ConferencesParent and student participation in conferences is vital for the success of our program. Conferences take place in November, January, March and June.

Parent/Teacher Conferences—November and March

1. Parent/Student receive student’s overall interim progress report from a manned table located on the first floor.

2. Teachers hold “open office hours” to talk to parents/students about student progress.

Counseling/Scheduling Meeting—January and June

1. Parent/Student makes appointment with family head.2. Family head gives overview of student’s semester or year, discusses progress towards

attainment of the Advanced Studies Diploma, shares recommendations and information about any standardized tests.

3. Student and parent review schedule request.

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The Open High School Transcript

Open High School uses both grades and narratives to create a complete picture of student progress. The grading scale for Richmond Public School is:

A 100 - 90B 89 - 80C 79 -70D 69 - 60F 0 - 59

This new grading scale is being implemented per Richmond Public Schools’ Board policy: 5-6.2 - PUPIL EVALUATION AND GRADING

Other information on the transcript includes but is not limited to: attendance and tardy record by year, volunteer hours, and GPA.

Attendance/TardinessStudents are expected to attend school daily on time. Good attendance helps students to keep up with class assignments, and learning opportunities. The RPS attendance policy is enforced for all students each day. When students are unavoidably absent from school, a parent or guardian is required to both call the school to report the absence and also send a note when the student returns to school or within five (5) days. Absence notes are to be turned in to Ryan in the main office.

Attendance and tardy information appears on the student report cards. Poor attendance or excessive tardiness can be detrimental to the college application process and may also result in a failing grade in a course at Open High School.. Additionally, failure to follow attendance guidelines will result in school-based consequences, including detention or in-school suspension.

Per Richmond Public Schools’ new attendance policy:

• Parents/guardians are encouraged to call the school on the day of their child’s absence, but must send a written note requesting absences be considered excused upon returning to schools. All written notes must be submitted to the school within five days of the last absence.

• Any five unexcused tardies to school or early dismissals from school will count as the student missing a full instructional day.

• Following 10 excused absences, the principal or administrator designated over attendance will be required to review, approve or not approve, and sign off on all absences prior to being recorded as excused. Excessive excused absences will be reviewed by the school attendance support team for recommendation of additional services.

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To view the revised policy, visit School Board Bylaws & Policies, Section 8-2.4, available on the district’s website.

Dress CodeOpen High School students are expected to follow the RPS policy regarding the dress code for school. Areas of particular focus for Open High School students are listed below:

No undergarments should be showing No sagging pants No offensive messages on clothing Shirts, shorts, pants, and skirts should be able to be worn during regular physical activity without

exposing body parts.

Students who fail to follow dress code guidelines will be required to change their clothing and will be given appropriate clothing to wear until a parent or guardian arrives at the school with appropriate clothing.

Cell Phone and Other Electronics UsagePer RPS policy, the use of any type of unauthorized electronic or mechanical device that is not part of the instructional program by students is prohibited during school hours. We realize that many students carry cell phones to inform parents of their safe arrival at school or at home. The main office has a telephone for student use if needed.

Grade ReportsStudents receive grade reports throughout the year. The following are approximate dates when we will distribute grade reports:

November 13 and 14, 2014 Nine-Week Progress Reports at Parent-Teacher Conference

Week of February 2, 2015 Semester Report at appointment with family head

March 12 and 13, 2015 Nine-Week Progress Reports at Parent-Teacher Conference

Week of June 8, 2015 Semester/Year End Report at appointment with family head

Academic Warning, Contract and Probation The staff of Open High School meets at the end of each semester to review student progress. When a student’s performance falls below expectations they will be recommended for Academic Warning, Academic Contract or Academic Probation (depending on the severity of the problem). Students who fail to show significant progress will forfeit their placement at Open High School and be required to enroll at their zoned high school.

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Academic Warning

Purpose: To give additional support to students struggling academically.

Requirements vary depending on individual concerns. Some aspects of Academic Warning include, but are not limited to:

Optional attendance at monthly meetings with school counselor to review such topics aso Study Skillso Time Managemento Test-Taking

Family head to “check-in” and discuss academic progress.

Academic Contract

Purpose: To give additional support to students struggling academically.

Requirements vary depending on individual concerns. Some aspects of Academic Contract include, but are not limited to:

Required attendance at monthly meetings with school counselor to review such topics aso Study Skillso Time Managemento Test-Taking

Monthly appointment with teacher assigned to check-in and discuss academic progress with all Academic Contract students.

Tutoring as needed.

Academic Probation

Purpose: To give additional support to students struggling academically.

Requirements vary depending on individual concerns. Some aspects of Academic Probation may include, but are not limited to:

Suspension from off-campus/independent classes such as dual enrollment or Independent Physical Education.

Recommendation that the student take a “Study Skills” class. Monthly appointment with Principal and School Counselor. Bi-weekly appointment with teacher assigned to check-in with all Academic Probation students. Tutoring as needed.

OHS Course of Study

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Students are expected to take classes that will challenge their minds and stretch their experiences. All students enrolled at Open High School are expected to complete requirements for the Advanced Studies diploma. The table below is an overview of the path students take to complete those requirements. Students should expect to enroll in a full schedule every year they are at OHS, even beyond the completion of the Advanced Studies diploma requirements.

FRESHMAN YEAR SOPHOMORE YEAR JUNIOR YEAR SENIOR YEARWorld Literature I World Literature II or

American LiteratureAmerican Literature or AP Language

AP Literature, Dual Enrollment English, or Senior Level English

World Geography World History US History US GovernmentAlgebra II Geometry Pre-Calculus/Dual

Enrollment CalculusAP AB Calculus or AP Statistics

Biology Chemistry AP Biology or AP Environmental Science, Physics, or Dual Enrollment Physics

AP Biology or AP Environmental Science, Physics, or Dual Enrollment Physics

YMCA PE Online or Driver’s Education (age and permit requirement)

PE Online or Driver’s Education

PE Online or Driver’s Education NOTE: If a student has not completed the required 2.0 credits of PE by the senior year they will be required to take Y-Get Fit in the Fall and Spring semester or until the requirement has been fulfilled

World Language (must complete 3 years of one language or 2 years each of 2 languages)

World Language (must complete 3 years of one language or 2 years each of 2 languages)

Economics and Personal Finance (class of 2015 and beyond only)

World Language (must complete 3 years of one language or 2 years each of 2 languages)

World Language (must complete 3 years of one language or 2 years each of 2 languages)

Fine Arts such as Drawing, 3-D Exploration or Ceramics

Fine Arts such as AP Art History or AP Studio Art or other art classes

Fine Arts such as AP Art History or AP Studio Art or other art classes

Dual Enrollment Class(es)

Dual Enrollment Class(es)

Richmond Technical Center Classes

Richmond Technical Center Classes

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Advanced Studies Diploma Requirements (8 VAC 20-131-50.C)Discipline Area Standard Credits:

effective with first- time 9th graders in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011

Standard Credits:Effective with first – time 9th graders in 2011-2012 and beyond

Verified Credits –Effective with 9th graders in 200-2001 and beyond

English 4 4 2Mathematics(Note 1)

4 4 2

Laboratory Science(Note 2)

4 4 2

History & Science(Note 3)

4 4 2

Foreign Languages(Note 4)

3 3

Health & Physical Education

2 2

Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education

1 1

Economics and Personal Finance

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Electives 2 3Student Selected Test(Note 5)

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Total 24 26 9(NOTE 1)■For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall be at or above the level of algebra and shall include at least three different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II. The Board may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.■For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least three different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.

(NOTE 2)■For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: earth sciences, biology, chemistry or physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The Board may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.■For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different science disciplines

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from among: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.

(NOTE 3)■For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and two courses in either world history or geography or both. The Board may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.■For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and two courses in either world history or geography or both. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.

(NOTE 4)■Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include three years of one language or two years of two languages.

(NOTE 5)■For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2003-2004 through 2010-2011: A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career or technical education or other areas as prescribed by the Board in 8 VAC 20-131-110.■For students entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2011-2012 and beyond: A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career or technical education, economics or other areas as prescribed by the Board in 8 VAC 20-131-110.

Electives ■Fine Arts and Career and Technical Education – The Standard, Advanced Studies, and Modified Standard Diplomas each contain a requirement for one standard unit of credit in Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education. The Standards of Accreditation do not require that courses used to satisfy the requirement of Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education be approved by the Board. Therefore, local school officials should use their own judgment in determining which courses students take to satisfy this requirement.■Foreign Language—The Advanced Studies Diploma contains a requirement for either three years of one foreign language or two years of two languages. In March 1998, the Board of Education approved the provision of three years of instruction in American Sign Language (ASL) for foreign language credit toward an Advanced Studies Diploma; other foreign languages will satisfy this requirement as well. Details of this action are available in: Superintendent's Memo, Interpretive, #1, June 12, 1998.

Beginning with students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2013-2014, a student must successfully complete one virtual course, which may be non-credit bearing, to graduate with an Advanced Studies Diploma.

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SchedulesDuring the second semester, students work with their school counselor and their family head to create their schedule for the upcoming school year. Most Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday classes are year- long and do not change at mid-year. Thursday classes, however, change every semester. Options for Thursdays and the few single semester classes that exist on the MTWF schedule will be made available in early January and students will work with their family heads to make their Spring Semester schedule.

Students taking dual enrollment classes at JSRCC must follow the correct procedures for enrolling each semester. Contact Akilah Sami for more information.

Standardized TestsOctober PSAT for all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students

(Practice Standardized Aptitude Test)

PSAT is used as a tool in student enrollment in Advanced Placement courses. Though our AP program has open enrollment, we use PSAT to make specific recommendations to students who through that test show “AP Potential” for a particular course or courses.

November ACT/PLAN—Sophomores Only

May AP Testing; SOL Testing

SAT 2014 - 2015

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Test Dates Test U.S. Registration Deadlines

Regular Late(a fee applies)

October 11, 2014 SAT & Subject Tests

September 12, 2014

September 30, 2014

November 8, 2014

SAT & Subject Tests

October 9, 2014 October 28, 2014

December 6, 2014

SAT & Subject Tests

November 6, 2014 November 24, 2014

January 24, 2015 SAT & Subject Tests

December 29, 2014 January 13, 2015

March 14, 2015 SAT only February 13, 2015 March 3, 2015

May 2, 2015 SAT & Subject Tests

April 6, 2015 April 21, 2015

June 6, 2015 SAT & Subject Tests

May 8, 2015 May 27, 2015

ACT 2014 – 2015

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Date Registration Deadline (Late fee Required)

September 13, 2014 August 8, 2014 August 9 – 22, 2014

October 25, 2014 September 19, 2014 September 20–October 3, 2014

December 13, 2014 November 7, 2014 November 8–21, 2014

February 7, 2015 January 9, 2015 January 10–16, 2015

April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 March 14–27, 2015

June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 May 9–22, 2015

Student Code of ConductOpen High School students are expected to follow the guidelines for acceptable behavior as outlined in the Richmond Public School’s Code of Student Conduct for Secondary students.

VolunteerismStudents in the class of 2015 and beyond will be required to complete 120 hours of volunteer service with 30 completed by the end of each school year until their senior year, the last 30 must be completed by April. We encourage students to complete volunteer service far exceeding the minimum

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requirement, but even if a student reaches 120 hours before their senior year they must still complete 30 within each school year they attend Open High School.

Brigette Newberry coordinates the student volunteering program. Volunteer forms and a listing of volunteer opportunities can be found on the volunteer bulletin board on the first floor of Open High School next to the writing lab. Should you have questions about volunteering, or have a volunteer opportunity you would like to share please email her at bnewberr@richmond.k12.va.us .

Student GovernmentThe main body of student government at Open High School is Student Representatives. Student Reps meet every Thursday at 12 p.m. in Room 12. Each family group sends 2 representatives to the meeting and maintains 2 alternates should the family representative be unable to attend the meeting.

Student Reps organize school wide activities such as Day in the Park, Winter Fest, Family Fun Day and the Year End picnic. They work in conjunction with Open’s Volunteer Coordinator (Brigette Newberry) and Partnership Coordinator to organize school wide volunteer projects like Winter Project and Field Day at RPS elementary schools. The “Student Reps” are the voice of the student body charged with discussing student concerns with policies/programs/initiatives, proposing actions to improve the overall student experience and working together with the principal to make the Open experience positive for the entire school.

Student Reps are sponsored by Chad Ingold chadingold@yahoo.com and led by co-chairs elected by the group within the first few weeks of the school year.

SOME OHS TERMS

ART AND AWARDS SHOW

Showcase of the arts in all forms. This event includes a fundraiser for the Art Department, and has typically provided a forum for student awards.

CLASS MEETING

Meeting of Class groups to organize class fund-raising and other initiatives.

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DAY IN THE PARK

A fun afternoon, usually before Halloween. Students play “field day” games and families organize a shared lunch for their group.

FAMILY MEETING

Weekly meeting in which students, grouped in multi-grade level families and led by a family head. Families discuss school issues, review announcements, work on community-building activities, and

organize initiatives.

OHS CONSTITUTION

Guiding document for Open High School that provides structure for students and staff to contribute to the school’s high-level functioning. You can find a copy here.

RAM BHAGAT UNITY DAY

A special day set aside for the students and staff of the Open High School community to learn more about one another, develop a better understanding of differences, and celebrate our shared experience.

Ram Bhagat Unity Day will take place in November 2014.

TOWN MEETING

Whole-school meeting presided over by Student Representatives.

WINTER FEST

A mid-year celebration in which family groups showcase their unique talents to the community at large. A pot-luck dinner is part of this event typically held at an off-site location in the evening. Parent

attendance highly encouraged!

WINTER PROJECT

Volunteer project organized by family groups in which Open High School at large gives back to a group or organization. Event culminates on the last day of school before Winter Break.

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