Alternative Education

Alternative students must be enrolled in a TSC high school. They must be referred by a high school counselor and approved by their high school principal and the Director of the EAC.

Upon admission to the Alternative Center, the student and parents will meet with the Elston staff. They will review expectations, establish goals, and instructional methods and opportunities will be discussed.

To qualify for consideration as an Alternative Student, the student must:

1. Be recommended by the referring high school Principal and approved by the Elston Director.
2. Be enrolled in a TSC high school.
3. Attend an orientation meeting with his/her guardian.
4. Provide a transportation plan before entry.
5. Sign an Educational Performance Contract along with both parent and teacher.
6. Be seriously committed to earning credit toward a regular high school diploma.
7. Be sufficiently mature and self-disciplined to succeed in an independent-study environment.
8. Adhere to Elston Alternative Center rules.
9. Attend daily.
10. Return to their home high school at the beginning of the next school semester, depending upon criteria established by the referring school.
11. Attend a reentry meeting with a parent, instructor, and counselor/administrator at the home high school if requested.

• Two sessions daily
• Curriculum meets high school standards and student abilities.
• Courses are conducted in an independent study manner and taught by a licensed teacher.
• Student is able to earn credits that will transfer to their home high school, depending upon criteria established by referring school.
• Regular attendance is essential to student success.
• Parents make a commitment to be actively involved as needed.
• Consultation between Elston Alternative Center and the referring high school will guide course selection.
• Courses will be selected, fees paid, and goals established during initial orientation.
• Progress reports as requested.
• A reentry meeting is conducted with the student and the parent if requested by parent, student, home school or Alternative Teacher.

The Elston Education Center receives referred students from the TSC school district for the Elston Alternative Center. Candidates are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We offer courses for grade levels 9 - 12, this includes English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and electives. Foreign languages courses are not offered at this time. Courses availability is based on course content availability via Edmentum, our computer-based instruction program.

Transportation

Tippecanoe School Corporation does not provide transportation. It will be the student's responsibility to get to and from Elston on a daily basis. Before the student may begin, the parent will confirm the student's transportation plan with the instructor.

Attendance

Regular attendance is an attribute that will enhance the employability of an individual. In addition, to ensure maximum continuity of instruction and receive maximum educational benefit, it is vital that a student practice regular attendance. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon the Tippecanoe School Corporation to use every reasonable measure to instill consistent attendance habits in every student. Attendance is required daily as outlined in the TSC policy manual. In addition, Elston Alternative Center requires 100% attendance, time missed for any reason must be made up in order to earn course credit.

Classes meet for three hours during the normal TSC calendar. A copy of the calendar will be given to the student upon enrollment.

Parents please follow this procedure for absences: 1. Student absences must be confirmed daily by telephone prior to the session starting time by the student's parent, (269-8430). 2. A parent note must accompany the student upon return to Elston in order for the absence to be excused. Please see TSC Attendance Policy.

Because of the short daily schedule, doctor and dentist appointments should be scheduled either before or after the school day, and not during normal class time.

Student Dress and Grooming

Grooming and dress are expected to be in good taste and appropriate to the educational environment. Self-discipline and cooperation from home are the goals. Nonetheless, whenever in the opinion of the Elston staff, grooming or dress interferes with the educational pursuits of the building, students will be requested to alter their dress or grooming.

According to TSC board policy, there must be adequate coverage of the body. Muscle, tank shirts, tube tops, spandex shorts and/or bare midriffs are prohibited. Dresses, skirts, or shorts must be of moderate length. Pants should be worn high enough that underwear does not show.

More specifically, a student may not wear items of clothing that advertise or promote actions or products that are illegal or against school rules. This includes but is not limited to, the mention of alcohol, tobacco, and other controlled substances. Please use good judgment and common sense in determining what is worn to school.

Daily Procedures

Upon entering and leaving Elston, please sign in and out on the time sheet provided.

Textbooks will not be taken from the classroom. PLEASE.... put away all books and materials used.

Tests are duplicated and available from the Elston Center staff. No tests are taken open book unless specifically directed to do so. Students are expected to study their assigned subject while in the classroom. Please don't put us in the position of reminding you to stay busy.

Care of School Property

All teaching materials, equipment, and facilities are the property of Tippecanoe School Corporation. The student is expected to exercise care in the use of all corporation property. Abuse shall result in dismissal from alternative school and restitution as allowed by law.

Student Conduct

Student conduct shall be governed by board policy as outlined in the pamphlet Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities, published by Tippecanoe School Corporation and will be given to the student during the enrollment interview.

In general, students are expected to pursue educational goals independently, without bothering or disrupting other students that may be sharing the facility. Students are expected to honor the educational pursuits of fellow students. Disruptive behavior that interrupts the educational pursuits of other students will result in dismissal from Elston Alternative School and the student must return to his/her home school. Failure to return to the home school will result in truancy.

As per State Law and board policy, SMOKING IS PROHIBITED.

PAGERS AND CELL PHONE ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM. If parents need to contact student, please call 269-8430. During school hours, Elston operates as a closed campus. Students are expected to remain within the building

Class Times

AM Class 7:45 – 10:45 AM
PM Class 11:45 – 2:45 PM
Night Class 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Elston Alternative Center will be closed in the event of emergency cancellation of TSC schools.  When a two-hour delay has been called the AM and PM class will meet:

2 Hour Delay

AM Class 9:30 - 11:45 AM
PM Class 12:30 - 2:45 PM
Night Class 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Local radio and television stations will provide the information for school closings. Parents and students may also register via the TSC website for alerts.

Students will be enrolled in individualized courses of study that are referred by the high school administration.

Credit can only be granted when the student has satisfied course requirements, including successful completion of all assignments, tests, and tutorials, etc.

Each course will be conducted as an independent study. Students are expected to stay on-task, and work quietly and independently. Music devices, such as iPods and CD players, are allowed as long as it doesn't disturb the classroom. Earphones and batteries are the student's responsibility; we do not provide them.

Class fees are $20.00 per credit or $10 per credit if on free and reduced. The course fee for the first credit is expected to be paid in cash or by check. As the student begins each new credit thereafter, the fee will need to be paid in full before the subject is started. A payment schedule may be set up, if needed. Please note that the TSC will assess a $27.50 fee for any NSF or Account Closed check that is returned as unpaid. Please include a driver's license number and date of birth on any checks you issue to the school.

SOAR staff members promote positive behaviors to enhance the following:

• educational achievements
• academic, social, and life skills
• self-esteem
• respect for others

SOAR School offers an alternative education program to middle school students from Tippecanoe School Corporation who have been expelled from school.

Daily Schedule

SOAR students are able to attend one of two sessions: morning from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. or afternoon from 12:00 p.m. till 3:00 p.m. It is the responsibility of the student and the parent to insure the appropriate behavior of the student before and after school hours. Students are not to loiter outside the building.

*2-hr delay AM is 9:30 - 11:45, PM is 12:30 - 2:25

Transportation

It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to provide daily transportation to and from school.

Behavior

Expected Behavior

• Do what your teacher asks immediately
• Work when you are supposed to.
• Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
• Bring books, notebooks, paper, pens, and pencils to class.
• Turn in completed assignments on time.
• Keep hands, feet and object to yourself.
• Submit to random searches

Dress Code

Appropriate dress and grooming shall be the responsibility of students and their parents. If a manner of dress, grooming and/or appearance is disruptive or presents a physical hazard, SOAR staff shall take necessary action to correct the situation. There shall be adequate coverage of the body. For example, muscle tank shirts, tube tops, spandex shorts, and/or bare midriffs are prohibited. Dresses, skirts and shorts must be of moderate length – at least fingertip length. Clothing items (or wording/pictures on them) which, in the opinion of the SOAR staff, promote illegal activities or tend to disrupt the educational atmosphere are not permitted.

Areas of importance are:

Students may not wear or bring to SOAR school:

1. Apparel or articles which denote gang membership
   • bandanas
   • jackets
   • wrist bands
   • chains/medallions
   • any other article specified by SOAR staff
2. Pants/jeans must be worn at waist level and may not drag the ground. SOAR staff may request the student wear a belt if the pants/jeans are too large to be worn appropriately.
3. Any clothing or article that promotes cigarette, drugs, and/or alcohol products/paraphernalia.

Books

Each SOAR student shall be responsible for books issued for classroom and home use. If books are damaged or lost, the student/parent is responsible for the cost of the repair or replacement.

Supplies and Materials

Students are required to bring paper, pencils, and pens to school every day. Two folders will be provided for each student. One will contain his/her classroom work and will remain on his/her desks. The other folder containing all the students' work for the week will be sent home each Thursday. A parent/guardian signature is required when the folder is returned on each Friday of the school week.

Each student should be given the opportunity to face the challenges in his/her life. The SOAR school accepts students who want to experience a learning environment which will allow them to explore academic areas of interest, as well as strategies for developing positive self-improvement.

The process of education requires continuity of instruction, classroom participation, learning experiences, and study in order for a student to attain his/her maximum educational potential. The interactions of pupils under the tutelage of a competent teacher are vital to this purpose. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon the Tippecanoe School Corporation to encourage attendance by every student.

To the extent that provisions of this policy should be in conflict with laws, regulations, or rules applicable to any student who is a handicapped child as defined by I.C. 20-1-6-1, Sec. 1, such laws, regulations, or rules shall be controlling.

1. Parents/legal guardians are to notify the school authorities as early as possible on the day of the student's absence. In instances where the student and parents are aware the student will be missing school for a pre-planned event, written notification should be made to the school prior to the date of the absence. The reason for any student absence must be provided by the parent/guardian in writing, via phone call, or by voice mail prior to the beginning of the next school day.
2. In order to qualify for grade promotion or course credit, a student must be present in class 90% of the class enrollment days.
3. The following are circumstances in which a student is not in school but will be counted as if he/she were present:
   1. Exhibiting at the State Fair, if personal involvement is required for the project exhibition (requires verification by an adult 4-H leader.) IC 20-8.1-3-18
   2. Serving as a page in the State Legislature, when properly arranged in advance (verification of attendance by State Legislature personnel is required.) IC 20-8.1-3-18
   3. Taking a driver's test if this cannot be scheduled after normal school hours or on Saturday. (ID 10-8.1-3-18)
   4. Educational/religious experience under supervision of parent(s)/guardian.
4. The following absences are not counted against the student when determining the attendance requirement beyond the maximum nine (9) days allowed and are to be exempt from attendance requirements.
   1. Illness with physician verification.
   2. Immediate family member funeral with verification. Immediate family is defined as a student's parents/guardian, brother, sister, grandparents, or corresponding step-relatives.
   3. Judicial appointments with verification.
   4. Out-of-school suspension.
5. Make Up Work
   1. Excused absences – the student is responsible for making up work for all absences. Time allowed for completion of make up work is three days. Administrative approval is required for any time extensions.
   2. Out of school suspension – the student is responsible for contacting the teacher to determine assignments. All work is to be completed by the day the student returns to school.
6. Truancy is an unexcused absence. Although they are encouraged to complete work missed, students will not receive academic credit for daily work missed due to truancies.
7. The school may elect to seek additional verification of the reason for absences and/or to hear appeals for extenuating circumstances.
8. The student and the parent/guardian will be contacted each semester when the student has accumulated five (5) absences in a semester or the student's attendance pattern indicates a risk of not meeting Tippecanoe School Corporation's attendance requirement. This guideline applies to all absences from school.
9. If a student is ill, the illness must be reported to the SOAR teacher by 8:15 a.m. for morning session and 12:15 p.m. for afternoon session the day of the illness. The SOAR phone number is included in this handbook.

Tardy

Students are expected to report to school by 8:00 a.m. for the morning session and 12:00 p.m. for the afternoon session. Failure to do so will result in possible dismissal from program and the original expulsion will be enforced.

Fire Drill:

When the fire alarm sounds, students are to proceed to the exit as quickly as possible, as carefully as possible, and as quietly as possible. Once students are outside, the class should remain together, the class roster must be checked, and the teacher should listen and look for the signal to return to the classroom.

Teachers/IAs lead the students out of the classroom. Students should proceed to the nearest exit (the door that they enter/exit each morning). Once outside, students will wait for teachers' instructions to return to the classroom.

Tornado Drill:

A tornado alarm will sound via the intercom. At this point, all students are to follow these instructions.

• Proceed to the arranged location
• Sit on the floor with the students' backs to the wall
• Bring their legs to the chest area and put their heads to their knees while covering their head area with their hands.
• Be as quiet as possible.
• Stay seated and listen for further instructions until told to return to the classroom.

SOAR will be closed in the event of emergency cancellation of TSC schools. When a two-hour delay has been called the AM and PM class will meet:

AM Class 9:30 – 11:45 AM
PM Class 12:30 – 2:45 PM

Local radio and television stations will provide the information for school closings. Parents and students may also register with Eventlink and/or cancellations.com to receive communications.