Presented by: Roxanne Archibald, M.ED

Director of Student AffairsProvidence School Department

August 15, 2012

STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE

OVERVIEW OF STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE (SAO)

Falls under the Division of Teaching and Learning Located at 182 Thurbers Avenue, Providence- Juanita Sanchez

Educational Complex First Floor Provides student support services for all Providence students in

grades K-12 Student disciplinary hearings/Code of Conduct Level 2 & 3

student violations Student Truancy Oversees Rhode Island Family Truancy Court Within the Schools

Program Home School Residency Verification, Student Work Permits (Ages 13-17) Alternative Education Programs Central Records Office

Student Affairs Office Personnel:

For the 2012-2013 academic year, The Student Affairs Office employs the following certified personnel:

One (1) Home Visitor & four (4) Social Workers/Truancy Officers One Guidance Counselor/Hearing Officer One School Psychologist Two (2) Bilingual Paraprofessionals who translate and interpret

Spanish and Cambodian for non-English speaking families and students 100%

Truancy Officer Assignments: Rhode Island Family Court / Elementary Schools Schools with Truancy Courts A-8 Investigations @ Middle & High Schools SAO clerical Staff – 3 CRO Clerical Staff- 2

STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE MISSION

The Student Affairs Office works closely with all Providence Public School employees, community agencies, Providence Police, RI Family Court, and parents to assist in educating Providence children to become productive members of society.

All Student Affairs proceedings are conducted in a legal and positive manner adhering to the civil and due process rights of all parties.

Rhode Island Education Law: Title 16 that apply in Discipline/Truancy Cases

Title 16-21 Health & Safety of Pupils16-21-21 Student Discipline Codes16-21-21.1 Zero Tolerance Offenses16-21-27 Alternative Education Programs

RIDE Discipline Procedures & Requirements for All Students

Title 16-19-5 Work CertificatesTitle 16-19-1 Compulsory Attendance

RI ATTENDANCE LAW: Title 16-19-1

16-19-1 Compulsory Attendance: Every child who has completed 6

years of life on or before Sept.1 and has not completed 18 years of life shall regularly attend school

This law fails to recognize 5 year olds who are in Kindergarten and have excessive absenteeism

16 to 18 year olds can now be referred for truancy

New Law Relating to Compulsory Attendance

16-19-1 Compulsory AttendanceNo school shall use a student’s truancy or

absenteeism as the sole basis for using an out of school suspension as a disciplinary action.

State law now forbids out-of-school suspensions for attendance-related infractions.

RIDE is working on sending new procedures to school districts with a list of all the infraction codes to be in place.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

SAO prepares the Annual RIDE Suspension Report for the district-

Schools must record into REG. a student disciplinary infraction for out of school & in school suspensions as they occur

SAO prepares and emails a Monthly Student Suspension Report to the schools

School administrators can use this report to track and monitor student discipline

Student Discipline Definitions

Out of School Suspension- In accordance with the Code of Conduct Policy and at the discretion of the school principal, a student may be denied to attend school classes or school functions not to exceed ten (10) school days. The student will continue to do assigned work during the suspension.

Exclusion – In accordance with the Code of Conduct and at the discretion of the Providence School Board, a student may be denied to attend school classes or functions for a period of ten (10) to one hundred eighty (180) school days.

Suspension Guidelines

A principal and/or SAO Director may suspend a student for an out of school suspension up to and including 10 school days for one incident

A student with a disability cannot be suspended for more than 10 school days without a Manifestation Meeting

A student may be disciplined by the school for misconduct that has a direct and significant impact on school operations

SAO DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

Building Principal thoroughly investigates alleged offense against the student

The allegation will be explained to the studentThe student has the right to provide a written

statement School administration interviews witnessesNotify parent/guardian of alleged offenseNotify parent and/or student of the date, time

and place of fact-finding conference in writingSuspend studentSubmit Behavior Referral Packet to Student

Affairs Office 2 days prior to the hearing date

SAO DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

Discipline Behavior Referral Packet includes: - Behavior Referral Form - Grades and Attendance Sheet - SAO Student Report/Teacher Comments - Statement of Problem - School Administration Recommended Corrective

Action - School Suspension Letter - Discipline Referral Form - Witness Statements - Student Statement - Police Report (if applicable) - Weapon Seizure Report (if applicable)

SAO Director’s Recommendations

Return student to school under a contract

Student transferAlternative education placementProvide support services to the student

and family- i.e. counseling referralsConduct a FBADevelop intervention plan/safety plan

School Strategies for Truancy & Chronic Absenteeism

Rhode Island Family Court should be the last resort

Intervention should include meeting with the student, parent meetings, contacting the parent through a telephone call, making a home visit, and sending student absentee letters to the home

Referrals to community agenciesAttendance incentives

Student Residency Verification

Student who moves out of Providence district during first two quarters of school has the right to attend school until the end of First Semester.

Student who moves out of Providence district during 3rd & 4th Quarter has the right to attend school until the last day of school.

Seniors may complete their senior year regardless if they move out of Providence

Homeless students are exempt from this law

Questions & Answers Session

Please feel free to contact me @ theStudent Affairs Office182 Thurbers AvenueProvidence, RI 02905

Phone Numbers: (401) 456-9293/94/95

Email address: Roxanne.Archibald@ppsd.org THANK YOU!!!