Discipline and Safety
Questions or Concerns?
Questions or Concerns?
The Vice Principal's office has support for behavior and attendance issues. This is the first stop when you want support for student issues at CCAA. Please contact the Vice Principal's office--located in the front office at each site--for any student issues.
Expectations & Procedures
Expectations & Procedures
Student Behavior Expectations
All students at Creative Connections Arts Academy are expected to respect, adapt to, and comply with school rules, and varying classroom expectations and rules set by each teacher. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to engage in any vulgarity, make racial slurs, or be intolerant of another student. A student may be asked to take responsibility for behavior by writing a Behavior Action Plan (BAP). The parent/guardian will be informed if the teacher deems it necessary at this point.
It is believed that children should learn how to solve problems with each other on their own, using the following strategies:
- Talk it over
- Walk away
- Say “I’m sorry”
- Do something else
- Take turns
- Share
- Ignore it
- Ask for help
Students enrolled in CCAA are expected to follow these strategies and NOT choose, or encourage others to choose, violence or threats as a solution. A student may be placed on immediate probationary status if unacceptable problem solving strategies are chosen. The parent/guardian will be notified. A second incident will result in review by the Executive Committee and may result in the student’s enrollment being discontinued.
Probation
Creative Connections Arts Academy includes probation or level status in various
categories: Academic, Attendance, and Discipline. Probation is not a punishment, but a
way to identify students who need additional support. Some extracurricular and bonus
activities may be restricted when placed on probation or a level status.
When a student is
identified for any category of probation, the following steps may be taken.
- A meeting may be held with the student, parents, faculty, academic department chair (when necessary), counselor and/or an administrator to identify the issues.
- At the meeting, an Action Plan for student support may be created and signed.
- Following the meeting, a formal letter is given or sent to the parents to address all issues discussed.
Level 1
If a student receives three citations, two office referrals, a suspension, or has any serious
rule infraction that does not result in a suspension, the parent/guardian will be informed
and that student will be placed on a Level 1 discipline status. Behavior guidelines will be
set, which if not met, will result in the student being moved to a Level 2 discipline status.
If the goals are successfully met within the specified time frame, the student may be
returned to a Level 0 discipline status. This reduction of discipline level is a one-time
option.
Level 2
After receiving three additional citations, two office referrals, or a suspension, a student/
parent/teacher/Assistant principal, and/or principal conference may be conducted in
which the problem will be defined, expectations outlined, goals set and a deadline set for
improvement. At this time, extracurricular activities will be restricted. If the goals are
successfully met within the specified time frame, the student may be returned to a Level 1
discipline status. This reduction of discipline level is a one-time option. If the same
student is returned to a Level 2 status for subsequent problems, he or she will remain so,
unless advanced to a Level 3, for the remainder of the school year. If the goals of the Level
2 plan are not met, the student will be moved to a Level 3 discipline status.
Level 3
The student will be placed on probation for the remainder of the school year. Failure to
comply will result in review by the Executive Committee and principal and may result in
the student’s enrollment being discontinued.
Behavior that can be cause for immediate disenrollment includes, but is not limited to the
following:
- Any behavior that severely compromises the safety of any student or staff member
- Any illegal activity (smoking, drugs, alcohol, etc.)
- Possession of firearms, knives, or other weapons
Academic Honor Code
Philosophy:
Students of Creative Connections Arts Academy have the right to a fair
academic learning environment where honesty is reflected by consistent submission of
original academic work, and respect is shared among all members of the educational
community.
Student Expectations:
- Students will refrain from acts of dishonesty.
- Students will refuse to aid others in acts of dishonesty.
- Students will notify staff of any cheating or dishonesty by self or others.
Dishonest acts include but are not limited to:
- lying, stealing, and damaging the work or property of another student
- plagiarism (copying of information, works of art, or music without giving credit to the author/source)
- copying the work of another student or allowing another person (tutor, parent, sibling, peer) to copy or complete one’s own work
- theft or unauthorized access to an exam or assignment
- use of unauthorized or commercially prepared materials or equipment, including electronic devices, during an exam or assignment
- changing, altering, or fabricating a grade, score, or any other academic record
- unauthorized communication with any other person during or about an exam
- tampering with or damaging school computer files, disks, materials, or other school property
- unauthorized copying of software or using the data disk of another student.
Definitions:
- lying – purposefully misrepresenting the truth; this includes the forgery of signatures
- stealing – taking the property of another without permission
- academic dishonesty – knowingly taking, giving, or receiving information or assistance on any graded work, including homework, that is assigned to an individual in a manner that defies the
Honor Code Consequences:
- High School students found in violation of this code may not be eligible for academic honors (i.e. Valedictorian, Salutatorian, etc.)
- Students may receive a zero on the assignment and/or citation per teacher discretion.
Citations
Citations are opportunities to re-teach behavior standards and to inform parents of chronic or serious
unacceptable behavior. “Insubordination” means knowingly choosing to perform an act that should not
be performed (especially after having been warned/reminded of expectations.) One citation at Walerga
earns one detention. Any staff member may issue a citation. We expect students to:
own their mistakes, learn from them, keep parents informed in a timely manner.
Suspension
California Education Code 489000 states that the following issues may be cause for suspension:
- Physical Injury to Another Person
- Caused, Threatened, or Attempted
- Willful Use of Force/Violence Upon Person
- Battery, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Assault on an Employee
- Weapons (Possession, Selling, or Furnishing)
- Controlled Substances
- Unlawful possession, Using, Selling, Furnishing, or Under influence
- Unlawfully Offer or arrange or negotiate to sell controlled substances
- Robbery/Extortion (Committed, or Attempt to commit)
- Damage to (or Attempt to damage) School Property/ Private Property
- Stealing (or Attempt to steal) School/Private Property
- Tobacco on School Premises (Possession or Using)
- Obscenity
- Committing an obscene act
- Engaging in habitual profanity or vulgarity
- Drug Paraphernalia
- Offering, Arranging, Negotiating, or Selling
- Disruption/Defiance
- Disrupting school activities or
- Willful defiance of a valid school authority
- Knowingly Receiving Stolen School/Private Property
- Imitation Firearm Possession
- Sexual Harassment
- Creating an intimidating, hostile,or offensive environment
- Witness Harassment/Intimidation
- Hate violence--Attempt to cause; threaten to cause; or participate
- Hostile Educational Environment
- Intentionally engages in harassment, threats, or intimidation of pupil, or group of pupils
Arutas Campus Grades K-6
Arutas Campus Grades K-6
Cell Phones
Cell phones and electronic devices (ipods, ipads, tablets, notebooks, etc.) are
allowed on campus at a student’s own risk. The school is not liable for any personal
devices.
At Arutas, devices must be “OFF” during school hours unless designated by
teacher for educational purposes. They may not be on “VIBRATE” or “SILENT.”
Students may not text message, send or receive messages during school hours. The
use of a student’s cell phone during school hours will result in it being banned for
the school year for the first offense. If a student is caught using a cell phone again the second
offense will be a suspension. A third offense may result in disenrollment from school for a safety
violation. Parents will be required to come to the school office to retrieve any cell phone that is
confiscated. However, we do not assume responsibility for lost or stolen or damaged equipment.
Dress Code
The purpose of the dress code is to help students develop standards for their personal
appearance and to insure their safety in the school environment. School attire must also support a
safe academic environment free from distraction. If a student comes to school dressed
inappropriately, parents/guardians will be contacted to provide age-appropriate clothing or staff will
provide alternative clothing.
It is the student’s and parents’ responsibility to see that these
standards are followed:
- Students will not wear clothing that shows a bare midriff or back. Tank tops with loose arm holes, crop tops, spaghetti straps, halter tops are not acceptable.
- “Low cut” (revealing) or strapless shirts are not acceptable.
- All shorts/skirts must be fist length or longer when arms are relaxed at sides.
- Students should wear appropriate footwear for running activities every day. No flip-flops, high heels, or wedges. All sandals must have ankle straps.
- Students are to wear clothing and accessories in a safe and proper manner.
- No hoodie/hoods allowed on in the classroom. Sports caps/hats/beanies may be worn in the classroom at the teacher’s discretion.
- Clothing and the manner in which it is worn that suggests or implies a gang affiliation is forbidden.
- Students should not wear clothing with inappropriate or offensive sayings, words, logos, gestures, etc.
- Pants or trousers must be worn at the waist. “Sagging” or allowing pants to hang off the hips or lower is not allowed. No pajamas unless on an approved spirit day.
- Make-up must be applied at home only in good taste and should not detract from the learning environment. No cosmetics or hair products or grooming aids are allowed at school.
- Nail length must be an appropriate, functional length so they do not interfere with work completion.
"Things on Wheels"
- Students may ride their bicycles/scooters/skateboards/heelies to and from school, obeying all traffic laws.
- Wheeled items ARE NOT ALLOWED WITHIN THE CAMPUS. Students must park the bikes at the bicycle rack. All students should have a bicycle lock and use it. All wheeled items are to be walked to and from the street. At no time are these to be ridden on the school grounds.
- State law requires that all students wear safety helmets. Bicycles will be held for the parent if a student is seen riding without a helmet.
- In an effort to accommodate these students who use scooters and skateboards as a mode of transportation, students will drop equipment off in the office or homeroom to be held during school hours. However, we do not assume responsibility for lost or stolen or damaged equipment.
- Confiscated equipment will be returned to the parent only.
Walerga Campus 7-12
Walerga Campus 7-12
Cell Phones
Cell phones and electronic devices (ipods, ipads, tablets, notebooks, etc.) are
allowed on campus at a student’s own risk. The school is not liable for any personal
devices.
At Walerga, devices must be “OFF” before student enters any classroom during school
hours and any time in the bathrooms/locker rooms. Phones should be stored in backpacks at all
times unless given permission by an individual teacher for education purposes to use during class.
They may not be on “VIBRATE” or “SILENT.”
Students may not text message, send or receive messages during classroom time as well. If
a device is on in class/bathrooms/locker rooms, an adult will confiscate the device and give it to
the office. A citation and detention will be issued. Parents will be required to come to the school
office to retrieve any cell phone/device that is confiscated.
If a student is caught using a cell phone/electronic device again (the second offense), the
device is banned from school for the rest of the school year. A third offense may result in an
automatic suspension from school for a safety violation.
Dress Code
Parents or guardians of students at CCAAHS have the primary responsibility
for implementing appropriate standards of dress and grooming in their home. It is
our belief that it is the school’s responsibility to establish and maintain a
classroom and campus atmosphere which creates the appropriate environment for
learning and teaching. The purpose of a dress and grooming code is to facilitate
education, not inhibit any person’s taste in attire or appearance. Clothing that is
distracting, dangerous, profane, inflammatory or offensive to individuals or groups
is considered inappropriate for a school setting. The school will support and
encourage dress and grooming practices that give students a focus to be
successful in the working environment.
Student clothing shall be limited to apparel which is not disruptive to the learning
environment as interpreted by school administration. It must be in good taste and
fit appropriately. Therefore, the following dress code will be strictly enforced:
1. PANTS, SHORTS, SKIRTS, and DRESSES:
- No underwear showing at any time (bras, boxers/briefs, panties, etc.)
- No holes or rips in areas that expose one’s derriere, crotch, or chest areas.
- No “SAGGING PANTS” — waistband must be above one’s derriere at all times.
- Midriff and navels must be covered at all times — no visible skin.
- No “short shorts” or micro mini skirts or dresses; shorts must be fist length or longer
- Pajamas and blankets are inappropriate for school hours.
2. TOPS, SHIRTS, BLOUSES:
- No underwear showing at any time (bras, sportsbras, and/or bra straps, beater type t-shirts, etc. EVEN UNDER LACY/SEE THROUGH TYPE SHIRTS)
- Midriff and navels must be covered at all times—no visible skin.
- No halter tops, one strap tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, off the shoulder tops, backless/bib tops, or bra like tops — straps must be at least half-inch width and must cover bra straps.
- No “beater” type t-shirts, tank tops or muscle shirts — shirts that expose the torso. Sleeveless sweaters and jerseys or tank top jerseys that have large arm holes are acceptable as long as a sleeved shirt is worn under it.
- No low cut tops or excessively tight — no “cleavage” at any time.
3. Shoes must be worn at all times. No house slippers.
4. Sunglasses must be removed while indoors and upon request from school staff.
5. No hoodie/hoods allowed on in the classroom. Sports caps/hats/beanies may be worn in the classroom at the teacher’s discretion.
6. Clothing and the manner in which it is worn that suggests or implies a gang affiliation is forbidden.
7. Students should not wear clothing with inappropriate or offensive sayings, words, logos, gestures, etc.
Possible consequences: citation/change clothes to something school appropriate from the school clothes closet.
Public Displays of Affection
As our dress code will be enforced to ensure an appropriate school atmosphere, so shall this policy for appropriate public displays of affection. The guidelines for the appropriate public display of affection are as follows:
- Students cannot be pressed up against each other for extended periods of time, walls or any other objects while hugging. Heads cannot be laying in others’ laps.
- Holding hands is acceptable at all grade levels.
- Having hands under or in any article of clothing of another person is not permissible.
- Sitting on another person’s lap or straddling them is not allowed.
- Showing any form of affection in the classroom and during class time is not allowed.
- Students’ bodies may not be pressed against another person in the vertical or prone position or under any materials/blankets together.
- No kissing at any time on any school property or any school trip.
- Students must stop the activity when asked to by any staff member.
Violation of this PDA policy may result in a citation and detention assigned. These rules apply at dances and skate nights and other school functions, as well.
"Things on Wheels"
Bicycles / Scooters / Skateboards
- Students may ride their bicycles/scooters/skateboards/heelies to and from school, obeying all traffic laws.
- Wheeled items ARE NOT ALLOWED WITHIN THE CAMPUS. Students must park the bikes at the bicycle rack. All students should have a bicycle lock and use it. All wheeled items are to be walked to and from the street. At no time are these to be ridden on the school grounds.
- State law requires that all students wear safety helmets. Bicycles will be held for the parent if a student is seen riding without a helmet.
- In an effort to accommodate these students who use scooters and skateboards as a mode of transportation, students will drop equipment off in the office or homeroom to be held during school hours. However, we do not assume responsibility for lost or stolen or damaged equipment.
- Confiscated equipment will be returned to the parent only.
Student Drivers:
- Drivers must complete necessary paperwork in the office and receive permission from school administration before driving on campus.
- Student vehicles are only allowed to park in designated STUDENT PARKING spots and must display a CCAA Student Driver Placard at all times.
- Permission will be granted based on correct paperwork completion/ submission, grade point average, and CCAA behavior standards.
Detention
Detention is a supervised period held for one hour directly after school on Thursdays. Detention
can be assigned by teachers and administrators. Staff members assigning the detention may
contact the parent via phone, email or a note sent home with student.
If a student fails to attend an assigned detention, it may result in (per admin discretion):
- rescheduling the detention to later date
- assigning 3 lunchtime detentions in lieu of 1 afternoon detention session
- repeated absences from assigned detentions may result in a suspension and/or increasing behavior level status
Students are required to come to detention with study materials prepared to study. This is a silent
work period after student completes a form reflecting on reason(s) detention earned. Students
must complete the reflection in order to earn credit for time served. Students may not participate in
any extra-curricular activities while assigned to detention. Late students may not be admitted
unless cleared by staff member.
The following detention rules, regulations, and expectations are explained to the students:
- No talking
- Stay on-task, take out work and/or reading material
- No use of electronic devices, unless given permission for academics
- Head up and sitting forward (no sleeping)
- No disruption of class; ie, inappropriate questions
- Bathroom breaks should occur before detentions starts or after it ends
Violation of detention rules may result in:
- Student warned once and/or seat change
- Student brought to the phone to call parent and explain that there was a violation of detention rules.
- Student sent out of detention for rule violation, which will result in further consequences, including but not limited to additional detention days assigned and/or administration referral/suspension.
