Introduction .....................................................................................................................................5

Welcome to MaST Community Charter School .........................................................................5, 6

Philosophy .......................................................................................................................................7

Mission ............................................................................................................................................7

Goals .............................................................................................................................................7,8

Board of Trustees/Meeting Schedule ..............................................................................................9

School Calendar ......................................................................................................................10, 11

Attendance Guidelines .......................................................................................................... 15 - 18

Lateness .........................................................................................................................................19

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures .......................................................................................................19

Attendance Officer ....................................................................................................................19

Early Dismissal ..............................................................................................................................20

Inclement Weather .........................................................................................................................20

Two-Hour Delay ............................................................................................................................20

Health Office ................................................................................................................................21

Homework ................................................................................................................................21, 22

Make-Up Work .............................................................................................................................22

Opening Exercises ........................................................................................................................24

Parent/Teacher Communications ..................................................................................................24

Association of MaST Parents ........................................................................................................24

Parent Liaison Committee .............................................................................................................25

Parent Volunteer Hours .................................................................................................................25

Parents/Visitors/Volunteers ..........................................................................................................25

MaST Community Charter School – NHS Selection Criteria ......................................................26

Graduation and Promotion Requirements ...............................................................................26, 27

Telephone Usage ............................................................................................................................27

Cell Phones/iPods ..........................................................................................................................27

Textbooks .......................................................................................................................................28

Cafeteria .........................................................................................................................................30

Classroom and Common Spaces ....................................................................................................30

Right to Know ...............................................................................................................................31

Wellness Policy .............................................................................................................................31

Code of Conduct ................................................................................................................... 31 - 33

Disciplinary Interventions ...................................................................................................... 33 - 37

Discipline of Students with Disabilities ........................................................................................38

Disciplinary Hearings and Exclusions .................................................................................. 38 - 44

Policy Statements ..........................................................................................................................44

General Statement of Non-Discrimination ...................................................................................44

Annual Notice of Special Education Services and Programs

and Rights for Students with Disabilities and Notification

under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ..............................................................52

Child Find Policy and Public Outreach Awareness System .........................................................52

FERPA Notice ........................................................................................................................52, 53

Directory Information ............................................................................................................ 53 - 55

Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy ...................................................................................55

Concussion Management Policy ...................................................................................................55

Digital/Cell Phone Camera Policy ................................................................................................55

Remote Access Policy ....................................................................................................................55

Social Media and Networking Policy and Consent Form .............................................................55

Appendix 4 – Bus Riders’ Rules and Regulations ................................................................. 71 - 73

Appendix 5 – Graduation Requirements ................................................................................ 74 - 76

Appendix 6 – Wellness Policy on Physical Activity and Nutrition ...................................... 77 - 79

Appendix 7 – MaST Community Charter School Parent/Guardian Compact ..............................80

Appendix 8 – Digital/Cell Phone Camera Policy .................................................................. 81 - 83

Appendix 9 – Wireless Reading Device Policy ......................................................................84, 85

Appendix 10 – Concussion Management Policy ....................................................................86, 87

Appendix 11 – Remote Access Policy .................................................................................. 88 - 90

Appendix 12 – Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy ................................................. 91 -105

Student Agreement – Acceptable Use Policy .....................................................104

future students with quality programs. We urge our students to take advantage of the

Our goal is to work with you so that every student has a successful experience at MaST

Community Charter School. We strive to help all students become productive and responsible

members of our learning community now and our society in the future. Please feel free to call us

with any questions or concerns that you might have. We look forward to working with you this

year.

John F. Swoyer, III Karen DelGuercio

Chief Executive Officer President, Board of Trustees

MaST Community Charter School is a comprehensive school that emphasizes intellectual

curiosity, academic accomplishments, personal growth, good citizenship, and healthy and

industrious living. A MaST Community Charter School education prepares students to function

in and contribute to our society and to continue learning throughout their lives.

The staff, students, and parents of the MaST community share responsibility in the educational

process. The staff is dedicated to high expectations for students, while acknowledging the

students’ diverse backgrounds, distinct capacities, and varied interests. Students must commit

group, and promotes life-long learning. The individual should continually determine and assess

personal values and goals in the context of society’s values and expectations. It is the

responsibility of MaST Community Charter School to provide the proper curriculum, personnel,

facilities, and atmosphere to realize these ends.

activities.

1. A program of skill development and mastery in all subject areas suited to the

students’ needs and abilities, as well as opportunities to participate in rigorous and

challenging academic programs.

2. Opportunities for appropriate intellectual, artistic, and practical challenge.

3. Encouragement of student attitudes which enhance the pleasure of learning.

4. A diversity of teaching methods and materials, providing a stimulating learning

atmosphere with the necessary flexibility to meet individual student needs.

5. Activities which expand the basic curriculum: social, athletic, and artistic programs

and events; field trips, career and educational seminars; contact with community

2. Participate as part of the school community at all levels, from participating in

management teams and serving as exhibition mentors to supporting classroom work

at home.

3. Work with staff, teachers, and educators to support the most positive educational

experience possible for all students.

4. Honor the terms of the parent compact.

2. Opportunities for the contributions of the interested community members to school

In order to deter and detect plagiarism, students may be requested to submit assignments to a

plagiarism detection website or the teacher may conduct an internet search relevant to the paper.

expected to attend school daily. Each day a student misses is a lost day of valuable instruction.

Even a few days absent can cause a student to fall behind in schoolwork.

The following are recognized as legitimate reasons for an excused absence:

1. Illness, health condition, or physical injury

2. Recovery from accident.

3. Mandated quarantine.

4. Required court attendance.

5. Religious observations

6. Family emergency

Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) or are required to leave school for the

purposes of attending court hearings related to their involvement with these agencies will also be

residence for truancy proceedings. All absences beyond ten cumulative days requires an excuse

In addition to the procedures outlined in the table, a student with 15 or more cumulative absence

may be subject to any or all of the following consequences:

Lateness

The Board of Trustees and the administration of MaST Community Charter School believe that

arriving on time for school establishes a pattern that students will carry with them throughout

their educational career and beyond.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that this example is set for their child by

making sure that he/she is on time for school each day. Parents and students who drive to school

must take into consideration the heavy traffic conditions that surround MaST and plan their drive

to school accordingly.

Transportation is not provided by MaST for students in grades 9 through 12. These students are

required to arrive at school on time. The tripper buses are provided by SEPTA as a courtesy to

MaST. If the tripper bus does not stop for your child or is too crowded to pick up your child, this

is not an excuse for the non-attendance of your child at school. It is the responsibility of both the

parent/guardian and the child to see that he/she gets to school.

Excessive Lateness

Parents/guardians may receive a message via our automated phone system each time your child

note) may result in the following:

Special dismissal of students during the school day will be granted only by the Chief Executive

Officer or authorized representatives. Whenever possible, all appointments and activities should

be scheduled after-school hours. If someone other than the child’s parent/guardian is picking up

the child for an early dismissal, said parent/guardian must obtain prior approval for this

arrangement. Only students 16 years or older may leave the building alone for an early

dismissal; however, students must present a written note from the parent/guardian authorizing

the early dismissal. When requesting an early dismissal parents must:

Inclement Weather

days as the School District of Philadelphia due to inclement weather or other citywide

emergency. In the event of bad weather, please listen to KYW News Radio, NBC Channel 10

TV, WPVI Channel 6, and KYW Channel 3 for information. If the School District of

Philadelphia announces an early closing, MaST will also close early.

In addition, MaST Community Charter School utilizes a SMA marketing platform called

TextMarks that allows us to notify parents via a text message within minutes of any emergency

the school day at 10:30 a.m. Grades 1 to 8 will begin the school day at 10:15 a.m., and, and

grades 9 to 12 will begin the school day at 9:40 a.m. Students will not be granted entry into the

school building until 9:00 a.m.

For children riding the yellow buses to school (grades 1 to 8) -If we are following a two-hour

delay and your child’s normal pick-up time is 7:00 a.m., the pick-up time would then change to

Our school’s nurse handles a variety of student medical concerns each day as well as maintaining

medical records on each student. Please inform the nurse of any special health problems. When

the school nurse is not in school, the Chief Executive Officer or designee may administer

medication under the guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Health Services Commission.

If a child becomes ill during the school day, s/he will be given immediate attention. You will be

called if your child is too ill to return to class. Please advise your child that s/he cannot

personally call home if they feel ill but must go to the nurse’s office.

in their original bottles to the nurse and kept in the health office. Over-the-counter drugs –

including cough medicine, aspirin, etc. – must also be accompanied by a doctor’s note. If the

need arises that you must administer the medication to your child personally during the school

day, please go directly to the nurse’s office. Your child will be called to receive his/her

medication. Medication cannot be dispensed at any location other than the nurse’s office unless

an emergency exists. Asthma inhalers may be self administered, if the student has provided the

nurse with a note from the doctor approving self-administration. However, the nurse must be

notified immediately by the student when a student has self-administered asthma medication.

MaST Community Charter School follows the CDC recommendations regarding infectious

with the approval of their respective principal.

Students’ daily homework assignments will be posted by teachers on their school eChalk page

which can be accessed by going to the MaST website, http://www.mastccs.org and clicking on

teacher pages on the left menu. You can then search down for the student’s teacher and click on

the link to take you to the updated page. Teachers are required to update their eChalk page

The Role of the Student – The student has the responsibility to:

when absent or otherwise not in school. Students have a number of days equal to the number of

days absent to complete the missed assignments, assessments, and/or projects. If a student has

The Board of Trustees of MaST adopted an Anti-Bullying Policy at its meeting of

Extra Curricular Policies

See Appendix 3.

Students in grades 1 through 8 are expected to follow the Bus Riders’ Rules and Regulations that

have been distributed to all students. Students who do not comply with the rules and regulations

will incur consequences as indicated. (See Bus Riders’ Rules and Regulations, Appendix 4.)

Students must ride home on their regularly assigned bus route. Requests to have students ride

home on a bus route other than their own will not be granted.

For your information, a person who enters a school bus without prior authorization of the driver

Student Parking

There will be no student parking on the school premises for the entire 2014/15 school year. Any

student who parks in the school parking lot or garage will have his/her vehicle towed at their

expense. However, there will be parking available at the Fellowship Bible Church on

Worthington Road (at Lindenhurst Rd.). Any high school student who would like to use the

school van service or off-site parking must apply for and be issued a pass. Students without a

later than 7:15 a.m. at the church parking lot. The school vans will not return to pick up students

Pupils attending MaST, on every school day, will be asked to salute the United States flag and

recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, which salute and Pledge of Allegiance shall be

rendered with the right hand over the heart.

If a student has conscientious objections which interfere with full participation in the flag salute

or Pledge of Allegiance, the student shall maintain a respectful attitude throughout the ceremony.

committee of the Board of Trustees and the CEO. All parents/guardians are part of the general

Right to Know Policy

MaST Community Charter School adheres to the state and federal guidelines concerning Right to

Know as outlined in the MaST Community Charter School Policy and Procedures Manual. The

Chief Executive Officer of MaST Community Charter School has been designated as the Right

to Know Officer.

Wellness Policy

The Board of Trustees of MaST Community Charter School adopted The Wellness Policy as

required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Education, Division of Food and

Nutrition. The Wellness Policy is attached as Appendix 6.

themselves in a mature and responsible fashion during school and at all school functions.

Further, when the student is dressed in the MaST uniform, s/he is considered to be a

representative of MaST to the greater community and is, therefore, accountable to the Code. In

addition to the list of possible consequences listed, restitution may be required for any violation

at the discretion of the administration.

Policy Statement

The Board of Trustees of MaST has the authority to make reasonable and necessary rules

creating a safe and positive learning environment wherein students recognize their rights and

MaST complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws in providing equal opportunity

to all MaST students. Consistent with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (43 Pa. § §951 –

963), a student may not be denied access to a free and full public education, nor may a student be

subject to disciplinary action due to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin

or disability.

Scope of Code of Student Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct applies to conduct of the MaST students that occurs:

undermine school authority; (ii) endanger the safety of students, teachers,

administrators or any other member of the school community; (iii) or

disrupt the school; and

the school or district of ownership, or on public transportation.

Responsibilities of Students

within the school that is conducive to wholesome learning and living.

No student has the right to interfere with the education of fellow students. It is the responsibility

of each student to respect the rights of teachers, students, administrators, and all others who are

involved in the educational process.

Students should express their ideas and opinions in a respectful manner and in accordance with

Federal and state laws.

It is the responsibility of the students to conform to the following:

MaST has the right to impose consequences for acts or behaviors that are not specifically

delineated within this Code, if those acts or behaviors threaten the health, safety and/or welfare

of members of the school community, or if those acts or behaviors disrupt the learning

environment.

The Disciplinarian will oversee all discipline problems.

Prior to application of disciplinary measures, teachers, parents, and students are expected to

members, depending on severity or other circumstances surrounding an event. If an after-school

from 2:20-3:05 p.m. (Detention times)

student has completed an at-home suspension, a parent must accompany the student to school to

*Any student who accrues two suspensions or more may be subject to the mandates of a

Program (SAP) or assigned a mentor. Any student who earns three suspensions will meet with

the Discipline Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Level Three -- INFRACTIONS – The following actions may result in a suspension exceeding

three days and can include referral to the Board of Trustees for expulsion. In addition to

suspension, the student may be required to make restitution and the school may also pursue

be defined as:

Any student referred to the Alternate Placement Program shall be placed in the program for a

minimum duration of a quarterly marking period and the remaining duration of the student’s

current marking period unless otherwise specified by school administration.

All MaST attendance regulations are in effect at the MaST Alternate Education Placement as in

MaST Community Charter School. Students who arrive late to the Alternate Education Program

may be subject to detention, home schooling, or dismissal from the Alternate Education

Program.

Student progress and success in academics, attendance, and behavior will be reviewed regularly

a Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP). If at any time school

administration believes the Alternate Education Program no longer meets a student’s individual

needs, an IEP meeting should be called and further interventions and supports should be

developed consistent with MaST policy and procedure.

aiding, abetting or assisting in possession of any substance* on school

well as the use of any substances prior to participation in activities listed

hormones, amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates, marijuana, inhalant, or

limited to, glue containing a solvent having the property of releasing toxic

vapors or fumes. No violation of this rule will occur where the student is

specifically allowed to possess such drug or inhaler by the student’s

physician, upon receipt of documentation from the student’s physician and

approval by the school nurse.

Discipline of Students with Disabilities

MaST Community Charter School shall comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education

Improvement Act (IDEA 2004) and any applicable federal and state statutes or regulations when

disciplining students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who engage in inappropriate

behavior, disruptive or prohibited activities, and/or conduct injurious to themselves or others

shall be disciplined in accordance with their Individual Education Programs (IEP), behavioral

intervention plan, Title 22, Chapter 711 and relevant portions of Chapter 12 of the State Board of

Education Regulations, IDEA 2004, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and any other applicable federal or state law.

school.

reasons for the suspension and given an opportunity to respond. Prior

notice of the intended suspension need not be given when it is clear that

the health, safety or welfare of the school community is threatened.

while being disciplined by suspension and shall be permitted to complete

these assignments within guidelines established by the governing board.

expulsion case, the student shall be placed in his normal class except as set

forth in subsection (b).

normal class would constitute a threat to the health, safety or welfare of

others and it is not possible to hold a formal hearing within the period of a

suspension, the student may be excluded from school for more than 10

school days. A student may not be excluded from school for longer than

15 school days without a formal hearing, unless mutually agreed upon by

(i) The initial responsibility for providing the required education rests

with the student’s parents or guardians, through permanent

placement in another school, tutorial or correspondence study, or

another educational program approved by the district’s

superintendent.

(ii) Within 30 days of action by the board, the parents or guardian shall

submit to the school written evidence that the required education is

to do so. If the parents or guardians are unable to provide the

education and attendance).

Exclusions from classes – In-school suspension

informed of the reasons for the suspension and has been given an opportunity to

respond before the suspension becomes effective.

The right to confidentiality, both of the complainant and of the accused, will be respected

consistent with the school’s legal obligations and with the necessity to investigate allegations of

misconduct and to take corrective action when this conduct has occurred.

Procedures for Making Complaints

The student may seek either an informal or formal resolution of his/her complaint.

B. Formal

An individual who believes that s/he has been harassed or a parent who believes that his/her

child has been harassed can file a complaint requesting an investigation into the allegation.

Formal complaints shall be taken in writing and signed by the complainant. A thorough and

complete investigation shall be conducted by the Principal. Copies of the complaint and the

record of the investigation will be forwarded to the CEO and Board President.

confines of the investigation of the alleged prohibited behavior. All parties will be treated with

alleged to have been responsible for the harassment, the Board President will conduct the

investigation.

B. Conducting Investigations

The Principal receiving a complaint of harassment shall take the details of the complaint in

and Board of Trustees. All complaints of harassment against an employee or student shall be

received, investigated, and disposed of in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Policy,

and complainants shall be notified of the final disposition/action taken.

If the complaint involves sexual assault, rape or conduct of a criminal nature, the Philadelphia

Police Department shall be contacted and a report of the incident made. If there is any question

of whether the conduct complained of constituted criminal activity, the school’s solicitor should

be contacted and consulted.

The Principal shall attempt to secure statements from all participants in and witnesses to the

alleged incident. The accused, if s/he is a student, shall have the right to have his/her parent

but not limited to, discharge or suspension without pay, or suspension or expulsion. Any

disciplinary action shall be subject to the requirements of the Public School Code, State Board

regulations and other applicable law. All complainants shall be guaranteed protection from

reprisal of any type, including, but not limited to, continued employment, promotion, work

assignment, grades awarded, etc., unless it can be proved such accusations were known to be

false and malicious in their intent. If such malicious intent is proved, the complainant shall be

subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Anti-Harassment Policy and Grievance Procedures

Definition –

inappropriate behavior include, but are not limited to, significant instances of:

counselor(s), principal(s), supervisor(s) or the CEO.

The reporting of an alleged incident shall remain strictly confidential, within the bounds of any

legal and investigative requirements. The confidentiality and rights of the accused shall be

similarly respected.

All alleged incidents shall be investigated as promptly as possible, but not later than five (5)

school days of the reporting of the incident. Where appropriate, criminal action may also be

taken.

In the case of an alleged student-to-student incident, investigative procedures shall follow all

All students and employees shall be made aware of this policy and their rights to protection

against harassment and against any type of retaliation for reporting alleged harassment. They

also shall be informed of counseling services, where appropriate.

Procedures for Making Complaints

The student may seek either an informal or formal resolution of his/her complaint.

The student or his/her parent may request the Principal to intervene by notifying the alleged

offender that the specific offensive behavior(s) will not be tolerated. In such case, the Principal

must discuss the matter with the alleged offender, and if warranted, require that s/he participate

in non-disciplinary counseling. The Principal shall document actions taken in writing. Copies

will also be forwarded to the CEO. The accused, if s/he is a student shall have the right to have

his or her parent present during the interview.

B. Formal

An individual who believes that s/he has been harassed or a parent who believes that his/her

confines of the investigation of the alleged prohibited behavior. All parties will be treated with

dignity and due process.

Procedures for Investigating and Resolving Complaints

The Principal shall be the EEO Officer capable of conducting a thorough and complete

investigation. The Principal shall seek advice and assistance from the CEO and Board of

investigation of the alleged misconduct. If the CEO or Principal is the alleged harasser or is

If the complaint involves sexual assault, rape or conduct of a criminal nature, the Philadelphia

Police Department shall be contacted and a report of the incident made. If there is any question

of whether the conduct complained of constituted criminal activity, the school’s solicitor should

be contacted and consulted.

alleged incident. The accused, if s/he is a student, shall have the right to have his/her parent

present.

All investigations shall be completed by the assigned investigator within ten (10) days from the

filing date of the complaint.

A substantiated charge of harassment shall result in appropriate disciplinary action, including,

but not limited to, discharge or suspension without pay, or suspension or expulsion. Any

disciplinary action shall be subject to the requirements of the Public School Code, State Board

regulations, and other applicable law. All complainants shall be guaranteed protection from

reprisal of any type, including, but not limited to, continued employment, promotion, work

assignment, grades awarded, etc., unless it can be proved such accusations were known to be

false and malicious in their intent. If such malicious intent is proved, the complainant shall be

program. The Board of Trustees and/or its employees will recognize the complaints of the

students of MaST Community Charter School provided that such complaints are made according

to procedures established by Board policy.

Steps in a Complaint/Grievance Procedure:

been adversely affected;

chooses to have representation shall provide advance notice of such in writing to the authority at

the respective procedural level at least two (2) days prior to the hearing on the grievance.

Parental Complaints

It is the intent of the Board of Trustees and the school staff that concerns should be resolved as

quickly and amicably as possible with the best interests of the students held firmly in mind. The

procedures will be known by staff and parents so that communication about concerns can be

carried out in an open and convenient way.

should be followed:

(a) The parent should request to discuss the concern with the classroom

(b) If the informal discussion does not resolve the concern, then the parent

Disabilities and Notification under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The above-mentioned notice can be found on the MaST Community Charter School website and

is available in the office of the coordinator of special education.

Child Find Policy and Public Outreach Awareness System

These rights are briefly summarized below and are explained more fully in the Board’s Student

Records Policy which is on file at the school and is available upon request:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or

Directory Information

Directory information includes information contained in the educational record of a

student, which is not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed, so that it may be

disclosed without prior parental consent, unless you have advised School to the contrary in

accordance with School procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow

school-related publications or notices.

As part of the School’s annual notification under FERPA, we designate for the school

year 2014-2015 the following types or categories of information as “directory information”:

Examples of how and where the School may disclose directory information include

disclosing the directory information in the following, by way of example:

members

Please submit any refusal, with the types of information you wish removed from the list

of directory information, and mail your written objections on or before September 26, 2014, to

the CEO through mastccs.org.

Please note that an opt out of directory information disclosures does not prevent the

School from identifying a student by name or from disclosing a student’s electronic identifier or

institutional e-mail address in class. The right to opt out of directory information disclosures

does not include a right to remain anonymous in class, and may not be used to impede routine

classroom communications and interactions, whether class is held in a specified physical location

or on-line through electronic communications.

Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy and Student Agreement and Parent

Agreement Forms

See Appendix 13.

Concussion Management Policy

See Appendix 10

Digital/Cell Phone Camera Policy