Sec 2 - School Policy Info

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

PARTNERSHIP PHILOSOPHY

Union Academy believes that education takes place both at home and at school, and that parents should be active partners in the education of their children. Our mission is to involve the whole family and the whole community in the education of the whole child. In the context of this partnership, parents and school staff commit to be mutually supportive, working together to enhance each child’s development and to ensure the success of Union Academy. Based upon this agreement, students, parents, and staff accept certain responsibilities as partners in this educational endeavor.

At Union Academy, a Partnership Agreement is not just a philosophy; it is an expectation of students, parents, and staff. As a charter school, run by a volunteer board of parents and professionals, Union Academy can exist only if everyone invests in its operation and supports its mission. Having chosen to create a school, we are collectively committed to its success. The Partnership Agreement includes both an expectation to be involved in the education of one’s children and an expectation that all families support the overall operation of the school through service. Numerous opportunities for parental involvement are available to accommodate different family situations. Your commitment of time and effort to one or more of these volunteer areas of need is critical to our success as a school and is a part of the expectations of and for all parents.

Below are the collective responsibilities which are needed for the success of each child and for Union Academy:

1. Responsibilities of Union Academy

A. To provide an academic program that fulfills the goals expressed in the school’s mission statement.

B. To motivate our children to seek excellence in themselves and their endeavors.

C. To create an educational environment where learning is enjoyable.

D. To instill character values which are fundamental to the well being of the individual, to meaningful relationships, and to a healthy society.

E. To provide a safe and caring learning environment.

F. To communicate honestly and frequently regarding student progress.

G. To inform and collaborate with parents regarding disciplinary problems.

H. To support parent participation in the education of their child(ren).

I. To make a good faith effort to resolve parent and student concerns.

2. Responsibilities of the Student

A. To understand that learning takes work and to give his or her best effort.

B. To come to school prepared to learn with the necessary materials and completed assignments.

C. To make good use of time by:

a. Staying the full day.
b. Arriving on time.
c. Cooperating and concentrating during the learning periods.
d. Exhibiting behavior and attitudes that encourage a healthy learning environment.
e. Using time out of school wisely to further learning.

D. To communicate honestly and respectfully with the school staff.

E. To seek parent support to enhance his or her learning.

F. To complete and turn in assignments, homework, and projects as directed on time.

G. To adhere to the discipline policy for student behavior.

H. To adhere to Union Academy’s dress code.

3. Responsibilities of the Family

A. To model attitudes and behaviors that support Union Academy.

a. Showing respect to the teachers and Union Academy’s staff by word and deed, both at school and away from the school.
b. Modeling effective conflict resolution by handling concerns appropriately, directly, and honestly, and only with those involved.

B. To show respect for the importance of school by:

a. Having students arrive on time and remain the full length of the school day.
b. Having your child comply with the UA Dress Code.
c. Complying with the school calendar.
d. Attending to your child’s health and nutrition needs.
e. Balancing activities outside of school with school responsibilities.
f. Attending to the financial requirements of school, such as emergency lunch fees, damaged textbook fees, lost library material fees, and field trip fees (families may apply to UA for financial assistance).

C. To enhance learning by:

a. Reading, discussing, and signing the daily log, thereby staying informed and demonstrating to your child that you are interested in his or her progress and learning.
b. Monitoring the completion of homework, projects, and class work.
c. Assisting with remedial assignments.
d. Making a plan to obtain make-up assignments and monitoring their completion when necessary.
e. Working with the teachers to plan for absences other than those due to illness.
f. Establishing a time, place, and routine for study at home.
g. Giving positive reinforcement for appropriate attitudes and behaviors.
h. Encouraging your child and praising him or her for doing his or her best.
i. Attending parent-teacher conferences to obtain detailed information about your child’s strengths, weaknesses, and progress, and by fulfilling agreements made at those conferences.
j. Insuring that your child has proper rest, nutrition, and recreation to promote wellbeing and readiness to learn.
k. Providing home consequences for inappropriate behaviors that interfere with learning.
l. Spending time with your child so that his or her emotional needs are met and he or she can focus on learning.

D. To cooperate with specific requests of the school to insure appropriate student behavior and/or an appropriate academic program for your child.

E. To support the overall school program by:

a. Attending Union Academy family meetings and school functions regularly.
b. Providing service to the school through participation in school activities. Union Academy is a union of families. Numerous opportunities for parental involvement are available to accommodate different family situations. Yourcommitment of time and effort to serve in one or more of these areas of need is critical to our success as a school and is a part of the expectations of and for all parents. As a minimum, Union Academy expects of each family a service contribution to the School of sixty hours per year. Expressed commitments to serve in unique and creative ways are welcome, whether these commitments or contributions are made on or away from campus.

4. Responsibilities of Union Academy Staff

A. To prepare lessons that are interesting, challenging, and appropriate for the student.

B. To create a safe and positive school environment by:

a. Designing policies and procedures which stimulate learning.
b. Treating each student with respect and kindness.
c. Modeling an interest in learning and good citizenship.
d. Communicating honestly and frequently regarding student progress and fulfillment of responsibilities.
e. Rewarding appropriate behavior and academic achievement.

5. Responsibilities of the Headmaster

A. To insure the accomplishment of the mission of Union Academy by creating a safe, orderly, challenging, and nurturing learning environment.

B. To insure that Union Academy’s mission is put in place by:

a. A climate which supports learning.
b. A cohesive curriculum.
c. Effective communication.
d. Opportunities to build character and citizenship.

C. To encourage and train staff to strive always for excellence.

D. To support the parents so that they can give their best to the students.

E. To act as a mediator to resolve conflicts.

F. To inform parents of any violation of the Partnership Agreement or student disciplinary problems.

G. To teach and encourage student behaviors which promote learning, good citizenship, and character development.

H. To recognize academic excellence.

I. To work as a team member with staff and parents.

J. To work as part of a team to assist students with special needs.

K. To bring new resources and ideas to Union Academy.

L. To be committed to personal and professional development.

M. To be committed to rich and frequent staff development and training.

6. Termination of the Partnership Agreement

A. Parent Concerns: Parents who are concerned that the school is not complying with the Partnership Agreement will take the following actions in sequence, as needed:

a. Consult directly with the party not fulfilling the agreement. Express your concern clearly and honestly and ask for specific actions that will correct the situation. Allow time for improvement.
b. Notify the party that you continue to be concerned. Make a new plan for improvement and time frame for evaluation of its success.
c. Consult with the Headmaster and parent council to ask for assistance in correcting the situation. Agree upon a time frame for improvement.
d. Notify the Headmaster if you continue to be concerned.
e. In extreme cases, and only after the previous steps have been completed, notify the Chairman of the Board of your concerns.

B. School Concerns: If the school finds that the students or the parents are not in compliance with the Partnership Agreement, the school will take the following actions in sequence, as needed:

a. Notify parents in person or by telephone that the school has a concern regarding the compliance with the Partnership Agreement.
b. Send a Non-Compliance Notification to the parents if the school continues to have concerns about compliance with the Partnership Agreement. Parents will be asked to attend a conference with the Headmaster to discuss a plan for compliance.
c. In the event of continued non-compliance, parents will be asked to attend a conference with the Headmaster, a member of Union Academy staff and a Board representative.

A signature sheet is included in the summer mailing. Please complete this form and return it to your child’s homeroom teacher. Additional forms are available at the front office. A signed Partnership Agreement and sixty hours of service per school year are expected for the continuing enrollment of a student.

School Policies and Information

ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

There are plenty of activities at Union Academy. From community service to after school socials, our mission is to promote knowledge, appreciation of arts, and civic-mindedness, as well as to create an atmosphere of camaraderie between students. We wish to add to the achievement and well-roundedness of every student.

After School Care Program – Kidz Inc. is our after-school care program for students whose parents work. Care is provided from 3–6 PM Monday through Friday on days that school is in session.

After School Socials – For upper school only. Students are expected to behave in accordance with school rules and school policies will apply to behaviors. Students must be picked up as soon as the social is over. If a student’s ride is more than 30 minutes late, he or she will not be permitted to attend the next social.

Annual Family Picnic – Parents, teachers, staff, and students gather for a relaxed, fun-filled afternoon picnic.

Bridging Ceremony – During the last week of school, a Bridging Ceremony is held for all 4^th and 8^th Grade students. This event signifies their bridging over from the elementary school years to middle school, and middle school years to high school.

Book Fair – Twice a year a book fair is held to help our library grow.

Career Day – This half-day event provides middle school students the opportunity to explore a variety of careers and the necessity of education.

Career Shadow – This full day event allows high school students the opportunity to choose a career person and become their shadow for the day to see if the chosen field is one they would like to pursue.

Character Education / Academy Award Assemblies – These monthly school-wide assemblies promote the importance of developing good character.

Clubs – Clubs are designed to enhance the middle and high school experience. Some examples: M.A.D. (Making A Difference), Book Club, Teens for Christ, Battle of the Books, Chess, Spanish Club, Computer, and many others.

Community Service Program – Students in all grades participate in regular community service projects targeted for their grade level.

Dances - The guidelines for dances are as follows:

1. Parents are to drop off and pick up students at the front entrance of the school. Students do not become the responsibility of the school until they have entered the building.

2. Once inside, students may not leave the building until the end of the dance unless they are accompanied by an adult.

3. Drinks and food are not allowed on the playing court area of the gym floor.

4. There will be no running in the gym or playing with the gym equipment during dances.

5. If it is necessary for high school students to leave the dance early, they must sign out and note time of departure at the door.

6. High School students who leave a dance will not be re-admitted and must leave campus or the site of the dance.

7. Students are expected to behave in accordance with school rules and school policies.

8. Dances are for current Union Academy students only. Exceptions are made only by the Headmaster.

9. Students are to be picked up as soon as the dance is over. If a student’s ride is more than 30 minutes late, he or she will not be permitted to attend the next dance.

10. Outside food or beverages are not permitted at the dance.

DARE Program – For 5^th Graders only: a ten-week drug education program given by specially trained DARE officers; a graduation culminates this course.

Dress Down to Build Up Days – Monthly school-wide dress down days are sponsored by the 4^th Grade and Student Councils to raise money for new facilities.

Enrichment Program – These special classes are offered after school for a fee at the lower campus. These classes are offered on a semester basis and provide high quality learning opportunities in the arts, sciences, music, languages, and sports.

Family Fun Events – Union Academy would not be the same without the involvement of our families. For this reason, we provide opportunities for you to “get together” to get “acquainted.” We do this through annual events like our family picnic, attending sports events, Boo Bash, Talent Show nights, and mother/son or father/daughter events. Our School has a community feel unlike any other.

Field Day / Spring Fling – These are year-end celebrations.

Field Trips – Field trips are planned for each grade level to enhance specific curricular studies for the students.

Growing Up Talk / No Regrets – Human Growth and Development Programs. Beginning in 5^th Grade, programs about the emotional and physical changes of early adolescents are offered. This is an optional program.

Junior Achievement – For Grades 2–4 only, this program educates and inspires students with the value of free enterprise, business and economics. Local business leaders teach in the classrooms. www.jacarolina.org

Most Improved Student – For lower school only: this program celebrates the efforts and perseverance of certain students who show the most improvement in their academic and personal lives throughout the year.

Safety Patrol – This service is provided by 4^th Grade students daily. Duties are assigned to the students to watch the sidewalks and corridors.

Sports – Union Academy provides a full program of sports for students in Grades 7–12 in all three seasons of the school year. Fees are assessed for participation in sports. Amounts are to be determined. All sports fees must be current prior to participation in the next sports season.

Yearbook – This publication records photos, memories, and events for the year.