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South Carolina Virtual Charter School

140 Stoneridge Dr, Suite 420 Columbia, SC 29210 803-253-6222

High School

Student-Parent Handbook

2014-2015

SCVCS Vision StatementSCVCS Vision StatementSCVCS Vision StatementSCVCS Vision Statement

SCVCS, a highly effective public virtual charter school, utilizes a research-based, world class curriculum to provide an individualized, rigorous, standards-based virtual education to students in the State of South Carolina.

SCVCS Mission StatementSCVCS Mission StatementSCVCS Mission StatementSCVCS Mission Statement

To improve student educational achievement through provision of an individualized, rigorous, standards-based virtual education to students in the State of South Carolina.

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South Carolina Virtual Charter School

2014-2015 School Calendar

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June 2015

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School Closed/ Holidays Teacher in-Service Day (no school for students)

First and Last Day of School End of 1st and 3rd 9-weeks

End of 1st semester

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South Carolina Virtual Charter School 2014-2015 School Calendar

August

18 First Day of School for Students

September 1 Labor Day (Schools closed)

October 17 Teacher Workday/Staff Development (No students) 21 End of 1st Quarter

November 4 Election Day (Schools closed) 26-28 Thanksgiving Holiday

December 22-31 Holiday Break (Schools closed)

January 1-2 Holiday Break (Schools Closed) 5 Teacher Workday/Staff Development (No students) 6 Students return from holiday break 13 End of 1st Semester 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (Schools closed)

February 16 Presidents Day (Schools closed)

March 19 End of 3rd Quarter 30-31 Spring Break

April 1-3 Spring Break

May 25 Memorial Day Holiday (Schools closed) 29 Last Day for students

June 4 Graduation

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Staff Directory Department Teacher Contact Number

Main Office Numbers

Secretary 803-253-6222 Fax Numbers 803-253-6279 Toll Free Number 877-253-6279

Help Desks K12 Customer Service 866-K12-CARE/ 866-512-2273 ExamGuard Help Desk 877-740-2213 Blackboard Help Desk 877-382-2293

Administrators

Dr. Cherry Daniel- Head of School 803-253-6222 Dr. Phil Flynn- High School Principal 803-253-6222 Beth Reid K-8 Principal 803-253-6222 Marggi Rucker-Coordinator of Special Services 803-253-6222 Anita Latham- Director of Student Services 803-253-6222

Advisors

9th 11th Grade Advisors Last Name A-B Tiesha Miller 803-253-6222 Ext. 120 Last Name C-E Darrick Cureton 803-253-6222 Ext. 105 Last Name F-H Chris Walker 803-253-6222 Ext. 127 Last Name I M Justin Wilt 803-253-6222 Ext. 107 Last Name Mc-P Hayley Hylton 803-253-6222 Ext. 130 Last Name Q-S Miriam Sprott 803-253-6222 Ext. 114 Last Name T-Z Angela Young 803-253-6222 Ext. 112 12th Grade Advisors Last Name A-B Gregg Waters 803-253-6222 Ext. 116 Last Name C-M Jennifer Cullop 803-253-6222 Ext. 113 Last Name N-Z Diane Harrill 803-253-6222 Ext. 104

Special Education

Loana Benton 803-619-9589 Jessica Blanton 864-735-7841 Jodie Cromer 803-608-3688 Mark Davis- 864-992-9119 Judy Meggs 864-871-1708 Kasey Spicer 803-563-7470 Colleen White 803-580-9662 Chris Williams 803-609-0937

English Teachers

Holly Sasser Head of English Dept. 843-421-2425 Susan Brewer 803-608-4338 Melissa DAnnunzio 803-609-3405 Rachel Knoerr 803-608-6215 Mary Lowery 843-261-3295 Heather Ray 803-609-4882 Kathy Smoak 803-608-6086 Shannon Team 803-608-4829

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Department Teacher Contact Number

Mathematics Teacher

Tammie Genco Head of Mathematics Dept. 864-977-1326 Jennifer Blankenship 803-608-3911 Sarah Carroll 864-346-4227 Joni Crocker 864-426-0070 Holly Dowling 864-881-8151 Patra Langford 803-609-4289 Cindy Reed 864-554-4787 Jessica Sherbert 803-609-1983 Jeanette Shuler 864-420-2118 Babs Willis 864-941-0370

Science Teachers

Harriet Smith Head of Science Dept. 864-934-5357 Melissa Boyd 803-422-2846 Lynn Brown 843-864-3575 Lorena Hatcher 803-402-3598 Mindy Hawkins 803-608-4986 Andrea Lauricella 803-608-3137 Patricia Morris 803-609-2208

Social Studies

Russ Merritt Head of Social Studies Dept. 803-608-3072 Kerry Boykin 803-608-4789 Kay Chambers 843-319-5857 Lee Ann Forrest 803-413-1797 Martha Mayfield 864-940-3583 Billy Pennington 864-838-6131 Christy Wood 864-328-7020

Electives

Melissa DeWalk (Physical Education)- Head of Electives Dept.

864-977-1580

Donnette Baumann (Spanish) 803-609-2278 Terri Betris (Spanish) 843-304-9878 Roseanne Koellner (Art) 803-984-4929 Kenneth Richardson (Physical Education) 803-600-5405 Jim Wheeler (Music) 803-609-3664 Margaret Young (French) 803-300-3099 Peg Witbeck (Physical Education) 803-609-2208

Business & Technology

Michelle Patterson- Head of Business Dept. 803-726-0522 Meredith Covert 843-212-6353 Frances Howze 864-325-5959 Brooke Nyland 843-368-6234 Julia Folks 803-608-3154

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Table of Contents Welcome & Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 8

SCVCS Team ............................................................................................................................................. 9-11

Advisors/Counselors ................................................................................................................................. 9

Certified Teachers................................................................................................................................... 10

Certified Special Education Teachers ..................................................................................................... 10

Child Find ............................................................................................................................................ 11

Response to Intervention ................................................................................................................... 11

Parent/Learning Coach and Student Roles and Responsibilities ......................................................... 11-12

Grading Policies & Carnegie Credits ..................................................................................................... 13-16

Grading Scale........................................................................................................................................... 13

How do I Find My Grades? ...................................................................................................................... 13

Late Policy ............................................................................................................................................... 13

How do High School Credits Work? ........................................................................................................ 13

Dual Credit Course .................................................................................................................................. 14

Advanced Placement Courses ................................................................................................................ 14

SC Graduation Requirements ................................................................................................................. 14

Grade Classification ................................................................................................................................. 15

Scholarships and Grants .......................................................................................................................... 15

Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................................... 15

Placement of Non-Accredited Private School and Home-School Secondary Students .......................... 16

Admission & Entrance Requirements ........................................................................................................ 17

Immunizations ............................................................................................................................................ 18

School Property ..................................................................................................................................... 18-20

Books and Curricular Supplies ................................................................................................................. 18

Use of Copyrighted Materials ............................................................................................................. 18

Missing Materials ................................................................................................................................ 19

Objectionable Materials Policy ........................................................................................................... 19

Computer Equipment/ Internet Usage ................................................................................................... 19

Terms for Computer Equipment/Internet Usage ............................................................................... 19

Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................... 20

Computer/ ISP Distribution ..................................................................................................................... 20

Typical School Day ................................................................................................................................. 20-24

Ten Steps to Success with On-line Learning ........................................................................................... 21

Class Connect Sessions ............................................................................................................................ 22

Network Etiquette .............................................................................................................................. 22

On-line Rules and Code of Conduct .................................................................................................... 22

Harassment Reporting ........................................................................................................................ 23

Academic Integrity .................................................................................................................................. 23

Turn It In .............................................................................................................................................. 24

ExamGuard .......................................................................................................................................... 24

Face-to-Face Testing, Field Trips, and Extra-curricular Activities ........................................................ 25-28

Mandated State Testing .......................................................................................................................... 25

HSAP .................................................................................................................................................... 25

EOC ...................................................................................................................................................... 25

Field Trips/Optional Outings ................................................................................................................... 26

Student Clubs and Organizations ............................................................................................................ 26

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Extracurricular and Athletics in the Students Attendance Zone27 Face-to-Face Code of Conduct ................................................................................................................ 27

Dress Code .............................................................................................................................................. 28

Attendance & Truancy .......................................................................................................................... 28-30

Attendance Definition ............................................................................................................................. 29

Truancy .................................................................................................................................................... 30

Habitually Truant Students ..................................................................................................................... 30

Internet Stipend for Habitually Truant Students .................................................................................... 31

Suspensions & Expulsions ..................................................................................................................... 30-32

Suspensions ............................................................................................................................................. 30

Conduct Resulting in Suspension or Expulsion ....................................................................................... 31

Procedures for Suspension or Expulsion ................................................................................................ 32

Expulsions and Withdrawal ..................................................................................................................... 32

Denial of Enrollment- Students Seeking SCVCS Enrollment ................................................................... 32

Voluntary Withdrawal ................................................................................................................................ 32

Re-enrollment of Withdrawn Students ................................................................................................... 32

Student Records ......................................................................................................................................... 32

Change of Contact Information ................................................................................................................. 33

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act .............................................................................................. 33-35

Problem Resolution ............................................................................................................................... 35-40

Technical Support Troubleshooting Guide.35

Troubleshooting Matrix..36-39 How to Contact...40 Program Basics- At a Glance ...................................................................................................................... 41

SCVCS Anti-discrimination Policy ............................................................................................................... 42

SCVCS Indemnification Provision ............................................................................................................... 42

Course Offerings .................................................................................................................................... 43-59

SCVCS School/Parent Compact .................................................................................................................. 60

SCVCS Parent/Students Contract ............................................................................................................... 61

Child Find Query ......................................................................................................................................... 62

How to Print the Signature Pages .............................................................................................................. 63

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Welcome and Introduction

Dear Parents: Welcome to the South Carolina Virtual Charter School (SCVCS). SCVCS is a public, open-enrollment charter school, chartered by the South Carolina Public Charter School District. Our school blends innovative new instructional technology with a traditional curriculum for students across South Carolina. There are many benefits to our unique learning model, including a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum with rich, engaging content; the flexibility of learning anytime and anywhere; the support of South Carolina certified teachers; and an individualized and self-paced learning program that adapts to your child's unique needs. This challenging and engaging curriculum was developed by renowned learning experts, teachers, and instructional designers and is aligned with the South Carolina Academic Standards. The Parent-Student Handbook is a comprehensive guide to SCVCS policies and procedures. Please read it carefully and refer to it throughout the school year as needed. As a charter school of the South Carolina Public Charter School District, SCVCS is subject to S.C. Code Ann. 59-40-10 et seq. (2006), amended from time to time (the Charter Schools Act), the rules and regulations of the South Carolina State Board of Education. Our dedicated staff looks forward to working with your family during the upcoming school year. Please feel free to contact the SCVCS office at any time if you have questions or concerns. Yours in Education, Dr. Cherry Daniel Head of School

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SCVCS TEAM

The SCVCS Team includes the following members: an academic advisor, counselors, course

teachers, learning coach, experts with exceptional children, and SCVCS administrators. These

professionals are always there to help you and your learning coach with advice, assistance, and

encouragement throughout your educational studies.

SCVCS Advisors:

9th 11th Grades 12th Grade

Students with last names beginning: Students with last names beginning:

A B Tiesha Miller A B Gregg Waters

C E Darrick Cureton C M Jennifer Cullop

F H Chris Walker N Z Diane Harrill

I M Justin Wilt

Mc P Hayley Hylton

Q S Miriam Sprott

T Z Angela Young

Advisors and Counselors will assist students in becoming acclimated to the online school

environment from the very beginning at orientation sessions. Once course selections

are made, the advisor will monitor progress and attendance, making any necessary

adjustments along the way. Your advisor will work with you to create an Individualized

Graduation Plan, explore career options, and assist in making post-graduation

educational plans. Your advisor is available by phone or kmail for personal questions or

concerns.

Advisors and Counselors may assist in the following areas:

School Orientation issues

Selection of courses based on your needs, abilities, achievement levels, and future

goals

Monitor progress and attendance, and recommend any necessary course changes

Evaluate absences, determine possible extensions, and communicate decisions with

teachers

Guide you in developing effective study skills

Non-class-related issues

Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP), a personalized program to meet your

individual needs and learning objectives

Help you use college and career planning resource tools

Identify requirements for college admissions or career preparation

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Guidance Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Guidance Department of the South Carolina Virtual Charter School is

to provide a comprehensive guidance program that will assist all students in acquiring

the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to become effective students, responsible

citizens, productive workers, and lifelong learners. The student services program is an

integral part of the schools total program with a commitment to individual uniqueness,

an understanding of multicultural diversity, and the maximum development of human

potential. The program addresses the personal/social, educational, and career needs of

all SCVCS high school students. The departments ultimate goal is for students to

graduate with the competencies necessary to be able to make self-directed, realistic,

and responsible decisions and to be successful contributors to society. (Guidelines

adapted from the ASCA National Model)

SCVCS believes all students

have dignity and worth.

have the right to be served by the school counseling program.

should have information about occupational and educational planning.

have the right to assistance in identifying their needs in the personal/social domain.

should have the opportunity to make choices within the constraints of the

educational system. The student and parent(s) are responsible for monitoring the

students educational progress with the assistance of a professional school counselor.

Certified Teachers

All of our teachers have at least five years of experience teaching and are highly trained in

online learning. Many of them have advanced degrees, and some are National Board Certified.

SCVCS teachers have approximately 250 students each semester. Students will have three to six

different teachers each semester, depending on their class choices. Teachers hold ClassConnect

sessions and provide office help sessions on-line to provide support and guidance for their

students. In addition to guiding you through your courses every day, your teachers will:

Monitor your progress and provide advice and encouragement

Provide regularly scheduled on-line Class Connect sessions

Provide on-line office hours for small group/individual assistance

Check in with you and your fellow students regularly via K-mail or phone

Alert your advisor when you need help or start falling behind in class

Assign grades and provide feedback on performance

Certified Special Education Teachers

Certified special education teachers provide support services as outlined in the Individualized

Education Program (IEP) for any student served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education

Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).

Under the IDEA guidelines, SCVCS will provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the

least restrictive environment (LRE) for students with an identified disability.

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Child Find

Referrals for an initial evaluation to consider a student qualifying for special education may

come from a variety of sources. These include:

General education intervention teams (individual problem-solving teams)

Parents

Self-referral by adult students

A school-aged child would typically participate in a general education intervention process

prior to the referral. As a result of general education intervention, the LEA would have data-

based documentation of repeated assessments of achievement at reasonable intervals, that

indicate the instruction and educational interventions and strategies presented to the child

in the general education setting were not adequate and indicated an evaluation for special

education is appropriate (34 C.F.R 300.309 (c)(1). A parent or adult student may request an

evaluation at any time (Policies and Procedures, SCOEC, 4-22-10).

An initial evaluation involves the use of a variety of assessment tools and strategies to

gather relevant functional, developmental, and academic information to assist in

determining if the child is eligible for special education services. There is a two-pronged test

for eligibility: (1) whether the child is a child with a disability and by reason thereof, (2) has

a need for special education and related services (Policies and Procedures, SCOEC, 4-22-

10).

If you need assistance please contact your childs advisor or call the Office of Exceptional

Children at 803-253-6222.

Response to Intervention for Grades K-12

To better accommodate the learning needs of all students, SCVCS has adopted a school-

wide approach called Response to Intervention (RTI). RTI is a flexible problem solving model

in which schools provide timely assistance to students that is matched to the level of need.

RTI is an efficient way to deliver educational assistance to at-risk learners to close the

performance gaps with peers. It allows students access to more intensive and individualized

support and in some cases provides evidence that there may be a significant learning

challenge.

PARENT AND STUDENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Parent/Learning Coach

Help student set up learning environment at home (computer, desk, work area, etc.).

Make sure that student has constant, reliable internet access and a back-up plan.

Ensure that student has all necessary materials (textbooks, toner, lab supplies, etc.).

Assist student in creating a daily routine and organization system.

Participate in the Online Learning Course to find out how to check grades and monitor

progress.

Keep contact information current (email address, phone numbers, etc.).

Check grades online at least once a week (more often for struggling students).

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Log attendance in the OLS and double-check to make sure attendance aligns with usage

report on the LMS.

Check school-related k-mail daily.

Take the student to state-mandated testing (HSAP, EOCEP, etc).

Ask your students teachers if you have any questions or if your student needs additional

help!

Student

Get started! Complete the online learning course and orientation activities as assigned.

Read course syllabi and make sure to note the late policies in each class.

Jump in! Commit to working 6+ uninterrupted hours on school five days a week.

Stay organized! Keep a calendar of what is due and plan ahead.

Be there! Attend all of your live ClassConnect sessions unless you have special permission

not to be there.

Take notes! Keep a notebook and take notes as you study your on-line course, during your

ClassConnect sessions, and when completing book work.

Keep everything! Always save your assignments on your computer and keep a back-up

disk. Never delete or throw away an assignment until school is over for the year.

Stay involved! Enjoy getting to know your teachers and classmates and take advantage of

outings, clubs, and school trips.

Do your best! Check your grade-book daily and learn from the feedback that your teachers

give you.

Pay Attention! Check your school k-mail every day and read your class announcements

daily.

Ask for help! Your teachers want to help you be successful. Ask them right away when you

do not understand something or if you need additional help.

Have fun! Enjoy what you are learning and find ways to make studying enjoyable.

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GRADING POLICIES AND CARNEGIE CREDITS Grading Scale

The SCVCS high school program uses the South Carolina mandated Uniform Grading Scale

effective for all students receiving Carnegie units:

A 93-100

B 85-92

C 77-84

D 70-76

F 69 and below

How do I Find My Grades?

The quickest way to see how you are doing is by looking at your grades in your on-line

gradebook. Grades are determined by a number of factors, including computer-scored online

assessments, teacher-scored assessments, and discussion boards. Online multiple-choice tests

and quizzes are computer graded and automatically entered into your gradebook. Written

assignments like short-answers on tests, papers, and reports are teacher-scored and will be

graded within 4 days of the due date. Participation in threaded discussions and timely

submission of your work also have an effect on your grade.

Late Policy

SCVCS wants all of our students to be successful. It is very important that our students follow

the course pacing provided by their teachers.

Due date- Assignments are due on the day listed on the course assignment sheet found on the

course homepage, usually in the Course Announcements. Do not use the To Do list in the

course or on the OLS home page, as these are not usually accurate.

Grace period- Students have until Sunday at midnight to complete an assignment for full credit,

however, students should strive to complete all assignments on the actual due date. The grace

period should only be used to make up work missed due to instances such as a doctors

appointments, auditions, and sporting competitions.

Late penalty- If you do not make up the work by Sunday at midnight, you will have until the

following Sunday to make up the work for 80% credit. Work not completed by the second

Sunday will not be accepted and will remain a zero in the gradebook.

How Do High School Credits Work?

Students earn credit in a class if they pass the semester with 70% or higher.

Students may earn one credit (1.0) per class per year. For semester classes, students may earn

one-half credit (0.5) per class. Please refer to the Course Offering listed on page 24-45 to see if

a course is worth 0.5 or 1 credit.

If a student does not pass a required course, he/she will have to repeat the course.

Freshmen must earn at least four credits (including one math and one English) in order to be

promoted to sophomore status.

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Dual Credit

Dual Credit is an opportunity offered by SCVCS to give high school students (generally juniors

and seniors) the opportunity to take college-level courses at their local technical college or

four-year college. Please contact your advisor for more information.

Advanced Placement Courses

SCVCS offers several Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These courses have the potential for

college-level credit depending upon successful completion of the course and a minimum score

on the AP exam. Colleges determine whether the student receives credit for the AP course.

AP exams are typically given in May and must be taken in a monitored face-to-face

environment. Testing locations will be announced later in the school year. The advisor will

work with the student on placement in AP courses.

SC Graduation Requirements

To be eligible to receive a South Carolina High School Diploma, students must earn twenty-four

Carnegie units, pass all sections of the HSAP, and demonstrate computer literacy. Based on

South Carolina Code of Regulations, 43-234(I) (A), requirements to receive a SC high School

diploma for students in grades 9-12 are as follows:

Required Courses for High School Diploma

English 4 units

Mathematics 4 units

Science (LAB) 2 units

Physical Science 1 unit

US History 1 unit

Economics unit

U.S. Government unit

Other Social Studies 1 unit

Physical Education or JROTC 1 unit

Computer Science (computer literacy) 1 unit

World Language or Vocational elective 1 unit

Additional Electives 7 units

Total 24 credits

Required Courses for Considered Admission to 4-year Public Colleges/ Universities

***Be sure to explore the admission requirements of institutions that you may consider

attending, as some college & university requirements vary.***

English 4 units

Mathematics 4 units

(Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Pre-calculus, Advanced math/Calculus)

Science (LAB) 3 units

Physical Science 1 unit

US History 1 unit

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Economics unit

U.S. Government unit

Other Social Studies 1 unit

Physical Education or JROTC 1 unit

Computer Science (computer literacy) 1 unit

World Language (minimum of 2 in the same field) 2 units

Fine Arts (history, participation, or appreciation) 1 unit

Additional Electives 4 units

Total 24 credits

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education website provides more information:

http://www.che.sc.gov/New_Web/Students&Parents.htm.

Grade Classification

SCVCS high school students are classified based on the number of credits they have earned, not

their age. Therefore, it is possible for a student to have the same classification for two

consecutive years.

Grade Classification Criteria

Grade Sophomore- 10th Grade Junior- 11th Grade Senior- 12th Grade

Units Required 4 units earned

(1 math unit, 1 English

unit, 2 additional units)

12 units earned

( 2 math units, 2

English units, 1 science

unit, 1 social studies

unit, and 6 additional

units)

18 units earned

(3 math units, 3

English units, 2

science units, 1 social

studies unit, and 9

additional units)

Scholarships and Grants

The South Carolina General Assembly provides several opportunities for students to receive

scholarships. SCVCS students are eligible to apply for scholarships including but not limited to

Palmetto Fellows, Life Scholarship, Hope Scholarship, SC Need-based Grant, and Lottery Tuition

Assistance. These requirements are subject to change by the state legislature. For more

detailed information, refer to the Commission on Higher Educations website at

www.che.sc.gov and/or speak with your advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard are the high school-level courses? SCVCS offers a very rigorous, college-prep and

honors program. If you experience difficulty, ask for help! Contact your teacher early on, so you

dont get too far behind.

How is my final grade determined?

1 credit courses- There are two types of courses that are eligible for one credit; honors/college

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prep courses and applied courses.

Honors/College prep courses are comprised of two parts, parts A and B, which will be

averaged together at the end of the year. If the course requires an End-of-Course exam,

parts A and B will constitute 40% each of the final grade and the End-of-Course test will

constitute 20% of the final grade.

Applied courses are comprised of one part, part A or part B. The grade in the course

gradebook will be the grade that you will receive for the year. If the course requires an End-

of-Course test the grade in the gradebook will account for 80% of the final grade and the

End-of-Course test will account for 20% of the final grade.

credit courses- The final grade in your course gradebook is the grade that you will receive

for the year.

What if I need to withdraw from a course? SCVCS recognizes that some withdrawals are

unavoidable, but many are due to communication or technical issues. If you have questions or

technical issues, please contact your advisor immediately so that they can help resolve the

issue(s) before course withdrawal is necessary. Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, a

student can only withdraw within the first ten days of the course (for a full credit course) or

five days (for a semester course) to have the class removed from the transcript. If a student

withdraws after this date, the transcript will reflect an F (failure) grade and his/her grade

point average will be adversely affected.

What other kind of help can I get if Im having trouble? If the trouble is related to course

content, contact your teacher for help. If the trouble seems to be technical, call high school

technical support at 1-866-512-2273.

What kinds of grade reports will I get? Parents and students can check grades online any hour

of any day through the course gradebooks. Paper report cards will be sent out by mail at the

conclusion of the year. Teachers will send a K-mail with current grades at the end of each

quarter.

How do I request a transcript? All transcripts must requested in writing to the SCVCS registrar.

The high school registrar prepares and sends transcripts. Unofficial transcripts can be kmailed

or faxed to the parent and student. Official transcripts for students transferring to another

school or a college/university must be sent through the mail and contain a seal and signature.

Please contact the institution that you will be attending and have them submit a request for

transcript form. Official transcripts will be mailed directly to the school requesting the

information. SCVCS requires at two weeks notice to prepare transcripts.

PLACEMENT OF NON ACCREDITED PRIVATE SCHOOL AND HOME-SCHOOL

SECONDARY STUDENTS

When enrolling students from private schools that are not accredited by the Southern

Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or home schools not affiliated with Option 2 or

Option 3 S.C. 59-65-40, school administrators will adhere to the following guidelines:

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Students should provide all course documentation and test scores from the private

school or home-school and comparison with similar courses offered in the Districts

school(s). If a preponderance of the documentation reflects similarities with courses

offered in district schools (title, course description, syllabi, assignments, assessments,

etc.), the principal may award probationary credit for the course(s). The student will be

tentatively assigned to the next level class for a probationary period. During this

probationary period, the student will have to meet any requirements (subject

standards, satisfactory completion of designated assignments, etc.) determined by the

principal or his/her designee before a decision is made granting class placement and/or

Carnegie credit.

Clear and definitive attendance records must be examined to ensure Defined Program

Requirements are met. Home-school or private school students must have attended a

minimum of 84 days per semester.

Mid-semester or mid-year enrollment by students from private school or home-school

requires that their course work align with current available courses at the public school

in order to receive Carnegie unit credit.

Educational records should include, but not be limited to: (a) a plan book, diary, or other

record indicating which subjects are taught, as well as activities and projects in which

the student and the parent-teacher engage; (b) a portfolio of samples of the students

academic work in each subject; (c) a semiannual progress report including attendance

records and individualized documentation of the students academic progress in each of

the subject areas in which Carnegie unit credit is requested.

The student is assigned a class rank and given grades for the credited courses and a

grade point average based on testing and review of students home-school work.

Students will not receive honors or advanced placement weighting regarding the

calculation of grade point averages or class rank.

All course and testing requirements for graduation must be completed, such as physical

education, computer literacy, health and the high school exit exam.

For elective credit, course syllabi from the private school or home-school should be

compared with like courses offered by the district to determine if credit is awarded.

Science courses with required labs may not be credited to the student unless there is

substantial documentation of the same lab work done in the private school or home-

school.

For homeschooling credit to be converted to high school credit for graduation all

provisions of the alternative homeschooling requirements (Section 59-65-47) must be

met. Only those students who have fulfilled all requirements to receive a state high

school diploma, a South Carolina high school certificate of attendance or a special

education certificate will be allowed to participate in the commencement exercises.

Students who pass the South Carolina Exit exam but do not earn the course units

required for the state high school diploma will not be allowed to participate in the

commencement exercises.

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The decision to issue credit for homeschooling work will be the responsibility of the

school principal. His/her determination will be final.

ADMISSION & ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS Students participating in the SCVCS program must be South Carolina residents. State law

requires a child to be five years of age on or before September 1st to start Kindergarten.

Required Documents for Enrollment in SCVCS:

Enrollment Form

Birth Certificate

Proof of Residence (e.g. current utility bill, lease, etc. showing physical address)

Immunizations (contact SC Dept. of Health regarding waiver information)

Agreement of Use of Instructional Property

IMMUNIZATIONS S.C. Code Ann. Section 44-29-180 and 190 and South Carolina Department of Health and

Environmental Control Regulation 61-8 mandate that schools, public and private, require

entering children/students to present a South Carolina Certificate of Immunization (DHEC form

1148) or a Religious Exemption (DHEC form 1126) upon entry. The 1148 must be completed and

signed by a licensed physician. These forms are available at all county public health

departments. The form can be mailed directly to the physician only.

A Religious Exemption form (DHEC form 1126) can be obtained by requesting a form in person

from any county public health department. Contact numbers for county public health

departments can be found at http://www.scdhec.gov/health/county.htm. Forms cannot be e-

mailed or mailed. Follow the instructions on the form. Please do not forget to have the

document notarized.

SCHOOL PROPERTY Books and Curricular Supplies

SCVCS provides materials, books and other curricular supplies. These materials are SCVCS

property and must be kept in good condition. Parents are responsible for the repair or

replacement of all lost, stolen or damaged school property. All property and equipment must

be returned in good, working condition upon completion of the course or withdrawal from

SCVCS.

Use of Copyrighted Materials

All materials in the courses are copyrighted and provided for use exclusively by enrolled

students Enrolled students may print or photocopy material from the website for their own

use but any distribution to others is prohibited unless expressly noted. Unauthorized

copying or distribution may result in revoked access to course(s).

Users shall not upload, download, transmit or post copyrighted software or copyrighted

materials, materials protected by trade secrets or other protections using SCVCS computer

resources. This includes copyrighted graphics of cartoon characters or other materials that

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may appear to be non-copyright protected.

Missing Materials

SCVCS provides students with complete sets of materials for each subject. Families are provided

with a packing list for each subject, and it is the responsibility of the parent/responsible adult to

check the packing list against the items shipped. If items are missing, the parent/responsible

adult is responsible for notifying K12 within two weeks of receiving the materials so that a

missing materials report can be submitted to have the item provided. Missing materials that are

reported mid-year may be considered lost and could result in charges to the family for

replacement.

Lost or Damaged Materials - Materials that are lost or damaged should be reported to K12 Inc.

as soon as possible. The parent/responsible adult is responsible for the cost of replacing lost or

damaged materials.

Objectionable Materials Policy

If a parent finds certain lessons, books or materials to be objectionable, he or she should

contact his/her SCVCS teacher and utilize the feedback option within the OLS. The teacher

will work with the parent to find alternative lessons to meet the lesson objectives. The

assessment for the lesson in the OLS must be completed to show that the objectives have

been met.

Computer Equipment/Internet Usage

All SCVCS students and parents are required to abide by the computer equipment/internet

usage policy. You are required to sign and return the parent/student contract on page 66

acknowledging that you have read and understand the computer equipment/internet usage

policy.

Terms for Computer Equipment/Internet Usage

Computer equipment/Internet usage must be used for SCVCS related matters only. Internet

access, K-mail, and all information and software contained on SCVCS computer equipment are

the property of SCVCS and can be viewed and checked at any time by SCVCS. The following is

prohibited:

Any use that violates federal, state, or local law or regulation.

Knowingly or recklessly interfering with the normal operation of computers, peripherals,

or networks.

The use of SCVCS Internet-related systems to access, transmit, store, display, or request

inappropriate materials.

Accessing or creating written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or

aversion toward an individual or group because of race, color, age, religion, national

origin, sex or disability.

Downloading, transmitting, or posting material that is intended for personal gain or

profit.

The use of SCVCS instructional computing resources to sell or purchase any illegal

items or substances.

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Uploading or posting any software on SCVCS instructional computing resources that

are not specifically required and approved for course assignments.

Posting any MP3 files, compressed video, or other non-instructional files to any

SCVCS server.

Illegally posting, distributing, uploading or downloading copyrighted work

(whether music, video, words, images, drawings, pictures, software or

otherwise), or providing any information to circumvent copyright protection

devices or software

Any use that is reasonably deemed to adversely affect SCVCS.

Monitoring

SCVCS reserves the right to review any material transmitted using SCVCS instructional

computing resources or posted to an SCVCS instructional computing resource to determine

the appropriateness of such material. SCVCS may review this material at any time, with or

without notice. E-mail transmitted via SCVCS instructional computing resources is not

private and may be monitored.

COMPUTER/ISP DISTRIBUTION

Families qualifying for Free Lunch according to the USDA Free and Reduced Lunch Income

Eligibility Guidelines may be eligible to receive a loaner computer and printer while enrolled

in SCVCS. A computer request form must be submitted by the parent with required income

documentation. A limited number of computers are available each year and are distributed

on a first come, first served basis.

Multiple computers may be provided to qualifying high school families, based on the

number of students enrolled. Families qualifying for more than one loaner computer must

provide documentation of multiple phone lines or a high-speed Internet access, utilizing an

Internet Service Provider (ISP) enabling multi computer usage of the high-speed line.

To qualify for an ISP stipend, a family must have previously qualified for USDA Free or

Reduced Lunch and have an active student through the last day of school with an

enrollment date no later than February 1. The stipend is $10 per month, prorated according

to enrollment date (i.e. student is enrolled January May the maximum stipend is $50).

Only one stipend is allowed per family and per address. Checks are mailed at the end of

June to the address on file for a family so it is important to keep your address updated with

SCVCS. ISP subsidy checks may not be provided to families who fail to comply with the

attendance, progress, and teacher communication policies.

TYPICAL DAY AT SCHOOL A typical school day with online learning is a very busy one and you should prepare to spend at

least one hour for each class you are enrolled in. First, begin each day by checking kmail for

important messages from teachers, counselors, and advisors. Then, focus on one class for the

first hour of work. Locate the assignments that are due for that day and complete them as best

you can. Contact your teacher should you need assistance. If you have a Class Connect

scheduled for the day, be sure to log in on time and be prepared to takes notes, ask questions,

etc. As the day continues, you should check kmail frequently and stay focused on completing at

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least one hour of work for each class, two hours for a blocked course. The following list

provides helpful hints on how to be successful with online learning.

Ten Tips to Success with online learning

1. Set up an Effective Learning Environment - Establish a quiet and organized place to do your

schoolwork, free from distractions and equipped with good lighting and a comfortable chair.

Textbooks, pencils, paper, etc. should be easily accessible in your work area.

2. Get and Stay Organized - Prepare a desk calendar to highlight dates for major tests, Class Connects, projects, and other important dates. In addition, list teachers office hours for

reference when help is needed.

3. Ask for Help - Online learning requires a high level of effort, commitment, and discipline.

You have a built-in support system that includes your parents, teachers, advisor, and your

school counselor. Depending on the question you may have, contact the appropriate person as

soon as possible. Students should take advantage of teachers online office hours for help in a

particular class and attend any review sessions that may be offered.

4. Manage Your Time Prepare to spend at least one hour for each class you are enrolled in.

Note: This means two hours each day for block classes. Check each course for important daily

and weekly announcements to identify what assignments are due and when. As you are

working on your lessons, train yourself to resist the call of IM or Facebooksave that for break

time!

5. Use Smart Study Skills - Take notes on student guides while you are working through

lessonsit's a great way to help commit the material to memory. Complete the entire

assignment and get all questions answered before taking the quiz or test.

6. Take a Break! If you find that you are not being productive, it's probably time for a short

break. Get up and stretch. Connect with friends on The Big Think12, IM, or Facebook. Read a

book for 15 minutes. Go outside for a jog. Whatever it is, give yourself permission to take a

short break then come back fresh and ready to work.

7. Have a Plan B More than likely, you will experience technical difficulties at some point.

Losing your internet connection or getting a computer virus can be very frustrating. Prepare for

contingencies nowask friends or relatives if you can use their computer in case of an

emergency, find a library with computers, or if you have access to a laptop, find a bookstore or

coffee shop in your area that has internet access. Remember, loss of internet services is not

an excused absence.

8. Attend and Participate in Online Elluminate Sessions - It is important to attend Class

Connect sessions regularly. The sessions provide an opportunity to ask questions and go over

lessons or concepts that you might be struggling with. Be prepared with paper, pencil, etc to

take notes. Since attendance is taken, it is necessary to attend regularly.

9. Connect with Other Teens - There are plenty of ways for you to connect with your local and

school community. Join a club and/or attend field trips and outings, or get involved with a local

youth organization.

10. Work in Every Course Every School Day - Strive to complete all work on the days that your

teacher has assigned. With online learning, it's really hard to catch up if you fall behindand

that can lead to failing a course. It is very important to work at least five days a week in every

course. If you know you will be out a day, you should ask your teacher if you may work on the

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assignment early. If you are absent, you may make up the work over the weekend without

penalty. However, these situations should not be a regular occurrence.

CLASS CONNECT SESSIONS

SCVCS uses Blackboard, a company providing real time online learning, to conduct classes and

tutorials. These classes and tutorials will be referred to as Class Connect sessions. Students will

be able to access a teachers Class Connect session from their Class Connect Sessions page in

the OLS. Students are responsible for following proper internet etiquette and the SCVCS on-line

rules and code of conduct.

*Please note that SCVCS has the capability of identifying the computer from which misbehavior

has occurred.

Network Etiquette

As an SCVCS student, you are expected to follow the rules of network etiquette or

netiquette. The word "netiquette" refers to common-sense guidelines for conversing with

others online. Please abide by these standards:

Avoid sarcasm, jargon, and slang. Swear words are unacceptable.

Never use derogatory comments, including those regarding race, age, gender, sexual

orientation, religion, ability, political persuasion, body type, physical or mental health, or

access issues.

Focus your responses on the questions or issues being discussed, not on the individuals

involved.

Be constructive with your criticism, not hurtful.

Review your messages before sending them. Remove easily misinterpreted language and

proofread for typos.

Respect others privacy. Don't broadcast online discussions, and never reveal other

student's email addresses.

On-line Rules and Code of Conduct

The following Rules and Code of Conduct have been created to provide a safe and enjoyable

learning environment.

Follow all of the Network Etiquette rules- page 22 (above)

Follow Computer Equipment/ Internet Usage Rules- page 19

Practice Academic Integrity- page 23

Do not publicly post your personal contact information (address and phone number)

or anyone elses

Do not publicly post any messages that were sent to you privately

Use only your own user name and password, and do not share these with anyone

except your academic advisor.

Do not impersonate another person

Do not post material that is obscene or defamatory or which is intended to annoy,

harass or intimidate another person. This includes distributing spam mail, chain e-

mail, viruses, or other intentionally destructive content.

Do not promote the use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of tobacco, drugs

or alcohol

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Threats against students, adults, or school staff will not be tolerated.

Solicitation of any kind is prohibited.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE STANDARDS MAY RESULT IN TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT

REMOVAL OF USER ACCESS. Following state law, administration reserves the right to discipline a

student through a behavior plan, suspension, and/or expulsion.

Students eligible for protections under IDEA and Section 504 are subject to the same

disciplinary procedures as their non-disabled peers in accordance with the regulations specified

by IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Harassment Reporting

If you are being harassed in your high school course environment, it is important to report it

immediately to your advisor. Harassment comes in many forms including the following:

spam (unsolicited e-mails not pertaining to the course)

threatening communications

Offensive communications or any other kind of communication that makes you feel

uncomfortable.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

South Carolina Virtual Charter School seeks to establish and maintain academic integrity within

the high school community. SCVCS has identified the following as unacceptable practices,

including, but not limited to:

1. Cheating

Copying another students work

Allowing your own work to be copied

Using unauthorized aids (book, internet, tutor, parent) on an assignment, essay, quiz, or

test

Having someone else complete an assignment, essay, quiz, or test for you and

submitting it as your own

Rescheduling a test on a false excuse

Falsely reporting completion of reading assignments

Submitting the same work for more than one course or assignment without prior

written approval from the instructor(s)

2. Plagiarizing

Presenting the words or ideas of another person as your own including inadequate

documentation of sources (electronic, internet, or print)

Excessive dependence on the language of sources even when documented

Relying on similar order of sentences while altering a few words or word order

Turning in someone else's work as your own

Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks

Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation

Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your

work, whether you give credit or not

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3. Fabricating Data

Falsifying or manipulating data to achieve desired result

Reporting results for experiments not done

Falsifying citations in research reports

Destroying, tampering, or altering another students work to impede academic progress

4. Violating Copyright Laws

Using copyrighted material without appropriate citation

Copying software or media files (such as music, movies, etc.) without permission

5. Abusing Elluminate Code of Conduct

Logging in for another student who is not present

Leaving an Elluminate session without logging off (i.e. not using the away feature)

All students who violate the principles of academic integrity will be reported to the appropriate

administrative authorities. At the instructors discretion, depending on the nature of the

offense, the students grade or ability to earn credit for the course may be affected. Violations

may also lead to further disciplinary action.

Turn it in

Turn It In is a program used to detect plagiarism and prevent students from copy and paste

procedures. Once students submit an assignment requiring written responses, a copy of

their document is automatically submitted to Turnitin.com. Students should be aware of the

school plagiarism policy and strive only for originality.

ExamGuard

To help insure academic integrity, K12 has instituted ExamGuard. ExamGuard is a browser

within a browser that essentially freezes your computer while you are taking a quiz, test,

or exam. While in your assessment you will notice the following changes in functionality:

Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized

Assessments cannot be exited until submitted by users for grading

Task switching or access to other applications is prevented

Printing functions are disabled

Print Screen and capturing functions are disabled

Copying and pasting anything to and from an assessment is prohibited

Right-click menu options are disabled

Browser menu and toolbar options are disabled

Function keys are disabled

Source code for the HTML page cannot be viewed

Screen capture, messaging, screen-sharing, virtual machine, and network monitoring

applications are blocked from running

ExamGuard also prohibits students from unauthorized access and sharing of information on

their computer when reviewing the results of their exam in the eCollege Gradebook. You

will also need ExamGuard to access the exam when reviewing your results in the eCollege

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Gradebook.

The plug-in will remain on the users computer until they remove it. The only time the user

should have to download the plug-in again is if the system informs them that a newer

version of ExamGuard is available.

Your quizzes/tests will not open until ExamGuard has been downloaded.

For download instructions, please see the SCVCS Visual Start-up Guide.

FACE-TO-FACE TESTING, FIELD TRIPS, AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR

ACTIVITIES Mandated State Testing

State mandated tests are required of all public school students. These tests are secure and

must be taken in person. SCVCS provides multiple testing locations to try to accommodate our

students who are located statewide.

There are two state mandated tests for high school students, HSAP and EOCs. These tests will

only apply to certain courses and/or grade levels. Please be sure to read the information below

to see who is required to take these tests. Information on state mandated testing will be

provided during the school year.

HSAP/High School Testing

Effective July 1, 2014, the High School Assessment Program (HSAP) is no longer required and

will no longer be given. There will be a replacement for the HSAP exam. Specific details will be

available as soon as the State Department of Education releases them.

What are EOCs?

The Education Accountability Act of 1998 requires the development of end-of-course

examinations in gateway or benchmark courses. The program is called End-of-Course-

Examination Program (EOCEP).

The examinations, which count 20 percent of the students final grade in each gateway or

benchmark course, currently, include Algebra 1/Math for the Technologies 2, English 1, US

History and the Constitution, and Biology 1/Applied Biology 2.

Who takes the EOCEP tests?

All public school students enrolled in the above mentioned courses.

SCVCS students enrolled in the following courses will take the EOC for the corresponding

course.

Students enrolled in SCVCS Course Code: Will take the following EOC:

MTH 122B, MTH 123B, MTH 124B Algebra1/Math for the Technologies 2 EOC

ENG 102B, ENG 103B, ENG 104B English 1 EOC

SCI 202B, SCI 203B, SCI 204B Biology EOC

HST 302B, HST 303B, HST 304B, HST 500B US History EOC

When are the EOCEP tests administered?

Each examination will be administered to the students at the end of the semester in which

they are scheduled to complete the course. Specific dates will be announced later in the

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year.

What types of items are on the ELA test?

The South Carolina end-of-course examinations are multiple-choice tests based on South

Carolina academic standards.

More Information on EOCEP

http://ed.sc.gov/agency/programs-services/41/

Field Trips/Optional Outings

SCVCS teachers sponsor optional outings for students and families on a regular basis that

enhance the K12 curriculum and South Carolina State Curriculum Standards. While attendance

is not mandatory, it is an opportunity to meet other students and their learning coaches, have

conversations, and share practices that work. Parents/learning coaches are responsible for

transportation and any entrance fees associated with optional outings. A responsible adult will

be asked to accompany each student who attends. Siblings may or may not be allowed to

attend based on the venue and availability of open slots.

Students and adults participating in these activities are to adhere to the dress code for any

Face-to-Face meetings. Students are to conduct themselves properly. Any student causing a

disturbance will be removed from the activity.

To attend a field trip that requires a fee, send a money order or cashiers check only (cash and

checks are not accepted) to the address below with the teacher provided form or information

by the stated deadline. Send to Attn: Business Ops Mgr, 140 Stoneridge Drive Suite 420,

Columbia, SC 29210.

Student Clubs and Organizations

The South Carolina Virtual Charter School will provide student participation opportunities that

are designed to meet the students academic, recreational, and social interests. Activities may

include, but will not be limited to, virtual clubs, service projects, and scholastic activities such as

spelling bees or science fairs. An adult sponsor, approved by the Academic Administrator, will

supervise each school-related club/organization.

Students are encouraged to participate in organizations endorsed by the school, which are

formed to share common interests or are an integral part of the educational program of the

South Carolina Virtual Charter School. All student organizations will operate according to

approved guidelines and procedures and will not discriminate based on race, sex, religion,

disability or national origin.

Students will be contacted via K-mail with information regarding club/organization

participation. A monthly calendar will be sent through K-mail that lists all student activities for

the month. Some events require students to pre-register. Please read the calendar for details

on how to sign up.

Some of the clubs/organizations offered by SCVCS are listed below. Watch your K-mail for new

clubs to be added this year: National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, Tri-M Music

Honor Society, French Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, National Science Honor Society,

Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honors), FCA, Red Cross Club, Book Club, and Writers Roundtable.

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Extracurricular and Athletics in the Students Attendance Zone

A charter school student is eligible to compete for, and if selected, participate in any

extracurricular activities not offered by the students charter school which are offered at their

zone attendance area, the public school he/she would otherwise attend. A charter school

student is eligible to compete for, and if selected, participate in an activity governed by the

South Carolina High School League offered at their zone attendance public school he would

otherwise attend if the league governed activity is not offered at the students charter school.

(c)A charter school student is eligible for extracurricular activities at the students resident public

school consistent with eligibility standards as applied to full-time students of the resident public

school.

(d)A school district or resident public school may not impose additional requirements on a

charter school student to participate in extracurricular activities that are not imposed on full-

time students of the resident public school.

(e)Charter school students shall pay the same fees as other students to participate in

extracurricular activities.

(f)Charter school students shall be eligible for the same fee waivers for which other students are

eligible.

Extracurricular activities are defined as activities offered outside the school day to any student

who resides in the schools attendance area or resident schools. Examples would be

afterschool clubs, choral groups, etc.

Athletic activities are also viewed as those physical activities outside the regular school day; b-

teams, extramural sports, junior varsity and/or varsity teams.

If you have questions pertaining to your son or daughter, our SCVCS staff has been directed to

have you contact your local public school as the rules and regulations vary from school district

to school district and in some cases from school to school. We do not want to disseminate

erroneous information so we urge you to directly make contact to your zoned attendance area.

Face-to-Face CODE OF CONDUCT

As an SCVCS student/parent/learning coach, you are subject to the following rules and

restrictions.

The following are behaviors punishable by suspension or expulsion:

Disregard or disrespect for the instructions of teachers or administrators.

Disruption and/or interference with the normal and orderly conduct of school and

school-sponsored activities.

Use of profanity, vulgar language, or obscene materials.

Engaging in insults, verbal abuses such as name calling, ethnic or racial slurs or using

derogatory statements to other students, school personnel or other individuals.

Bullying behavior that is intended to harass, intimidate, ridicule, humiliate or instill fear

in another individual.

Weapons are not allowed on school property or at school sponsored events.

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Threats against students, adults, or school staff will not be tolerated.

The use of tobacco, controlled substances, or alcohol on school property or at a school

sponsored event is prohibited.

The Safe School Act 2004 requires principals to report to the police crimes committed by

students on school campuses or while under school supervision.

Dress Code

South Carolina Virtual Charter School is concerned with health, safety, and well being of

students and the avoidance of distractions to learning. For these reasons, students are

expected to dress appropriately for face to face testing, field trips, and other outings that

are held throughout the school year.

No clothing that may be used as a weapon. Examples: sharp object jewelry, dog collars

with spikes, any other spiked clothing, and wallet chains more than 10 in length.

Clothing, apparel, or jewelry that by words, signs, pictures, or any other combinations

thereof, advocates or promotes sexual activity, violence, death, suicide, or the use of

alcohol or drugs

No clothing, apparel, or jewelry that degrades, or intimidates another because of race,

sex, religious persuasions, national origin, disability

No Headbands, bandanas, or other accessories that could be representative of a gang

No spaghetti straps, tube tops, plunging necklines, see-through apparel, or other

revealing clothing.

No apparel that reveals midriff

No tight clothing

No exposed undergarments including boxers, thongs, undergarment straps, etc.

Skirts/Shorts need to be at least as long as the tip of the students fingers when hands

rest at their sides

Pants for both boys and girls must be worn at hip level or higher.

No apparel with guns, tobacco, alcohol, offensive language, or comments that could be

interpreted in an offensive or derogatory way.

Consequences: Students will be asked to change or be removed from testing or school

related outings.

ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY POLICY School attendance is required by law for students up to 17 years of age. SCVCS is one of the

public school options available to parents to fulfill this obligation. Parents should understand

that SCVCS is a public school alternative, not a home school alternative. As a part of the public

school system, SCVCS has responsibility to account for the attendance and progress of each

individual student enrolled and for which SCVCS receives public funds.

This policy relates not only to attendance issues, but also delineates the procedures by which

students can be suspended, expelled and reenrolled, as well as the appeal process.

It is necessary to carefully track and document attendance in the On-Line School (OLS) of

SCVCS.

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Attendance Definition

Attendance is defined as actual hours attendance in the public virtual school.

Public charter schools in South Carolina are required to have at least one hundred eighty (180)

days of school each school year (S.C. Regs. 43-601(II)(D)[5]). In addition, public charter schools

are required to provide six hours of instruction per day, grades K-12 (S.C. Regs. 43-

234(VI)(C)[1]). Students must average a minimum of thirty (30) hours per week of attendance.

Parents are responsible for logging attendance time daily in the K12 Online School (OLS).

Parents access the OLS by clicking on the OLS Login button on the schools webpage, located

at www.scvcs.org, using the username and password created during the online enrollment

process. If a parent does not know his/her username and/or password, he/she should contact

K12 Customer Care at 866-512-2273.

While SCVCS requests that parents enter attendance daily, attendance must be entered every

school week by midnight Saturday or the attendance will not be counted. SCVCS teachers and

administration will monitor student attendance and progress, which will be a determining

factor in student continued enrollment in SCVCS.

If day(s) are missed, parents must notify the students advisor in writing. Students will be given

until the second Sunday following the absence to make up the missed days and work before an

absence is recorded. If a student knows of an upcoming absence, he/she may check with

his/her teachers to see if the work can be completed ahead of time.

There are two types of absences in South Carolina public charter schools: lawful and unlawful.

(S.C. Regs. 43-274(I)). In SCVCS, an absence is counted for any school day during the week that a

student does not log an average of six (6) hours of attendance per school day. For example, if a

student logs only twenty-four (24) hours of instructional time for the week instead of the

required thirty (30) hours, one absence will be recorded for the student for that week (six hours

= one day of school attended). The SCVCS advisor will be required to document the reason for

lawful (i.e. excused) absences.

Lawful absences include:

Absences caused by illness of the student (more than 3 consecutive days will require a

doctors note)

Absences due to appearance in court

Absences due to doctor and dental appointments

Absences due to a recognized religious holiday of the student's faith

Absences due to activities that are approved in advance by the principal

Unlawful absences are absences that occur without a reasonable excuse. Absences due to computer

problems or disrupted internet service are not considered lawful absences. Be sure to have an

alternate plan in place in case of an internet outage.

State attendance statutes and regulations require SCVCS to keep an accurate record of daily

attendance and progress for all enrolled students. An SCVCS student will be considered non-

attending if he/she accumulates ten consecutive unlawful absences. On the eleventh

consecutive day of unlawful absences, the student will be withdrawn from SCVCS for non-

attendance.

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The students time computation must include the actual time the student is engaged in

activities of the K-12 curriculum under the direct supervision and/or monitoring of the

identified responsible adult (learning coach) who is working with the student on the SCVCS

educational program. This time can also include activities with the teacher directly interacting

with the student, to include ClassConnect sessions, academic assistance sessions, K-12 online

and off-line activities.

Truancy

If recorded and reported attendance falls below the above-defined acceptable standards, the

Head of School or designee may take initial action to suspend the student for truancy.

Habitually Truant Students

SCVCS will make all possible attempts to contact students and families of students who are not

attending classes (not logging attendance); or not attending Class Connect sessions or

Elluminate sessions as assigned to the student; or who are logging attendance, but not actually

attending classes or producing work. However, when students do not respond by attending and

producing work as required in our model, SCVCS will begin the process of denying the student

enrollment according to state regulations and school procedures.

Prior to actual withdrawal, the following actions will be taken:

If a student does not login on a school day and has not contacted his homeroom

teacher/Advisor about the absence.

Day 1 A K-mail is sent inquiring about the absence.

Day 2 A second K-mail and an email will be sent.

Day 3 A phone call will be placed.

Day 4 A truancy warning will be sent via K-mail

Day 5 A truancy warning will be sent via USPS and the withdrawal process will begin.

Internet Stipend for Habitually Truant Students

In the event that a student is withdrawn from SCVCS for habitual truancy, to the extent the

family qualifies for possible internet stipend, the family shall forfeit the entire amount of the

stipend.

Suspensions and Expulsions Suspensions

The Head of School or High School Principal may temporarily suspend any pupil for disciplinary

reasons or for conduct that is disruptive to the instructional effectiveness of the school.

The Head of School or High School Principal may temporarily suspend a student for up

to five (5) school days.

The Head of School may extend this suspension for an additional ten (10) school days.

Any student who has been suspended may appeal to the high school administrator for

readmission.

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Conduct Resulting in Suspension or Expulsion

Violations which may lead to suspension or expulsion are listed below. This list is not all

encompassing but is illustrative of the types of activity which could lead to a suspension.

Disregard or disrespect for the instructions of teachers or administrators.

Disruption and/or interference with the normal and orderly conduct of school and

school-sponsored activities.

Use of profanity, vulgar language, or obscene materials.

Engaging in insults, verbal abuses such as name calling, ethnic or racial slurs or using

derogatory statements to other students, school personnel or other individuals.

Bullying behavior that is intended to harass, intimidate, ridicule, humiliate or instill fear

in another individual.

Weapons are not allowed on school property or at school sponsored events.

Threats against students, adults, or school staff will not be tolerated.

The use of tobacco, controlled substances, or alcohol on school property or at a school

sponsored event is prohibited.

Habitual truancy

The Safe School Act 2004 requires principals to report to the police crimes committed by

students on school campuses or while under school supervision.

Procedure for Suspension or Expulsion

1. Student/Parental Notification:

a. By Telephone or K-mail: The High School Principal shall make a good faith effort

to notify the parent by telephone or K-mail of the students misconduct and the

proposed disciplinary action.

b. By Written Notice: Regardless of whether there has been communication with

the students parent by telephone, the High School Principal shall, within twenty-

four (24) hours of taking disciplinary action, send written notice to the parent.

describing the disciplinary action imposed and the reason for the action taken.

2. Initial Conference: An initial conference (in person or by tele- conference) shall be

conducted by the High School Principal.

a. Charges and Evidence: The Head of School shall confer with the student,

explain the charges and evidence against the student, and allow the student

an opportunity to present his or her side of the story prior to imposing

disciplinary action.

b. Parental Assistance: The Head of School shall make a good faith effort to

employ parental assistance or other alternative measures prior to

suspension. The Head of School may suspend the student immediately. The

Head of School will take into consideration the seriousness of the breach of

conduct; whether the conduct is disruptive enough to require immediate

suspension and/or if an emergency situation exists.

3. Appeal or Challenge: The student and or parent(s)/guardian(s) may request a formal

hearing before the board if they are still unsatisfied with the decision of the Head of

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School or designee. This formal hearing will follow the same pattern as those required

for expulsions. This hearing should take place within thirty (30) days unless the student

and/or parent(s)/guardian(s) request more time.

Expulsions and Withdrawal

The SCVCS administration may withdraw or expel a student:

who is habitually truant. Any student who is suspended on more than one occasion in a

six (6) month period for inadequate attendance, whose attendance at school violates

the attendance regulations of the school, or whose attendance is of a sporadic and

inadequate nature without justification or extraordinary circumstances may be

determined by the administration to be an habitual truant and may be withdrawn after

notice.

who is incorrigible.

who is in violation of the Code of Student Conduct, or any conduct which in the

judgment of the board is considered to be continuously disruptive of school discipline,

or of the instructional effectiveness of the school.

whose presence in a public school is detrimental to the health and safety of other

pupils.

who has been expelled from another school district in this state or any other state.

Denial of Enrollment Students seeking SCVCS enrollment

SCVCS may deny enrollment and attendance to any student who has been expelled from

another public school district (LEA) within the state of South Carolina or any other state. A

student must be in good standing with his/her previous school in order to be considered for

enrollment with SCVCS.

VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL Occasionally, a parent and student may determine, based upon the availability of the identified

caring adult/Learning Coach and the students commitment to schooling at home, that SCVCS is

not the better alternative for the education of the student. This decision should be discussed

with the students advisor. If the decision is made that the student should withdraw, the

advisor will provide information regarding withdrawal procedures and transfer to another

school within the students residential district.

Reenrollment of Withdrawn Students

Any student who has been withdrawn from the South Carolina Virtual Charter School may

appeal to be reenrolled in the school. Approval must be granted by the High School Principal.

The conference may be via telephone or a face-to-face meeting

STUDENT RECORDS Student records are maintained by the SCVCS registrars office. Unofficial transcripts can be

emailed or faxed to the parent/student. Official transcripts for students transferring to another

school or a college/university