Oakland Unity High School Handbook

School Mission

The mission of Oakland Unity High School (Unity) is to provide a college preparatory education to students of diverse or disadvantaged background through a culturally relevant curriculum in an environment that is academically demanding, yet offers high levels of support from faculty, family and fellow students. Unity will be responsive to the developmental and academic needs of students, and allow them to seek success in terms of both academic and social/cultural achievement.

To this end, Oakland Unity High School will provide the following:

• A curriculum and schedule that pushes every Unity student to meet the University of California A‑G college entrance requirements upon graduation.
• A comprehensive support program, provided through a partnership between the School, student families and the broader community, to ensure that every Unity student has the support needed to permit focus on academic growth.
• Learning experiences that allow every Unity student to achieve her or his leadership and academic potential, to become a creative, critical thinker, a compassionate human being, and an effective participant in a multicultural, democratic society.
• For each Unity student, an adult advisor assigned to assist him or her with informal counseling and to help the student resolve the problems she or he will face during the high school years.
• College admissions guidance and counseling for every Unity student, particularly as graduation approaches.

Purpose of this Handbook

The Oakland Unity High School Community recognizes that family and school are partners in the successful intellectual, social and physical development of the next generation. Our students’ growth requires that caring adults, especially their parents and guardians, play an active role in the educational process. This handbook will help the family and the school to work together smoothly by coordinating responsibilities and setting out expectations.

Parent Responsibilities

Parent or guardian responsibilities include:

• Assuring that the student arrives at school on time each day and has a reliable means of transportation home at the end of the school day or after school activities.
• Informing the school as early in the morning as possible each day, if your child will be absent because of illness or other valid reason. In the event of a planned or extended absence notice should be by telephone and in writing. Any student’s absence from school harms the student and the school.
• Attending parent/teacher/student conferences whenever necessary to improve the school parent partnership to benefit the student.
• Attending parent/teacher/administrator meetings to discuss disciplinary action, if necessary.
• Volunteering 10 hours of service each year for the benefit of the school.
• Signing a three-way school-patent-student contract.

Student Responsibilities

The goal of Oakland Unity High School, like the goal of parents, is to help students mature into responsible, respectful and capable adults.

To maintain a school environment that is conducive to learning responsibility, mutual respect, life skills and academic knowledge safe, polite and attentive behavior is essential. Consequently, all Unity students agree to:

• Arrive at school on time and prepared for the day's work.
• Present homework assignments on time as complete and neat as they are able to do through their best efforts.
• Attend all classes each day scheduled, listening attentively and participating fully, but politely in all class discussions.
• Follow the instructions and guidance of teachers to participate in group or individual assignments in class.
• Treat all students, all faculty and all other staff with sincere respect.
• Sign the three-way contract.

Faculty and Administration Responsibilities

The teachers and principal of Oakland Unity High School undertake to do their best to participate fully in the education of every UNITY student.

Teachers and Principal will make every reasonable effort to advise a parent or guardian of unusual difficulties their student may be experiencing at school and to consult about student needs.

Teachers will make every reasonable effort to respond to parent inquiries clearly for the benefit of the student.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Oakland Unity High School prohibits unlawful discrimination against or harassment of a person participating in any program or activity at the School or employed by or seeking employment with the School on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnic or cultural group identification, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion or age. This policy is enforced consistent with the provisions of applicable state and federal law.

Contacting Unity

Parents can contact the school at:

Oakland Unity High School
6038 Brann Street
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 635-7170
(510) 635-3830 FAX

Parent can also contact individual staff by e-mail. Addresses are listed at www.unityhigh.org/staff.

To reach the Board of Directors, parents can write to:

Chair of the Board
Oakland Unity High School
6038 Brann Street
Oakland, CA 94605

History and Plan of Oakland Unity High School

Unity received its charter from the Oakland Unified School District in October 2002 and began operation in September 2003. During the first year Unity enrolled approximately 100 9th and 10 graders.

Successes in the first year of operation were many. One was the establishment of a powerful bond with Jane Goodall’s world-wide Roots and Shoots organization, leading to the revered naturalist’s visit to the school in March. Another was the formation of competitive boys and girls basketball teams in the winter followed in the spring by the formation of two school

soccer teams. An extraordinary scuba diving licensing program was conducted for a dozen students as an extra curricular activity. Unity students also scored above expectations on State-mandated achievement tests.

For the 2004-2005 academic year, Unity added 11th grade and enrolled approximately 200 students.

For its third year, the school expanded with a twelfth grade for continuing students and brought in a new cohort of freshmen. When fully developed with adequate facilities, Unity will accommodate a total of about 400 students in grades 9 through 12.

In 2007, Unity was granted accreditation by WASC, the accrediting agency for schools.  Unity received accreditation for six years with a review after three years, the highest accreditation given.

Governance

Unity Schools, a California non-profit organization, is the parent organization of Oakland Unity High School. The Board of Directors of Unity Schools establishes and approves all major educational and operational policies, approves all major contracts, and approves the school's annual budget. It oversees the school's fiscal affairs, and selects and evaluates the top administrative staff.

The Board currently has five members. Each member is expected to serve for a two-year term and may serve more than one term.

• At least one member of the Board at any time, chosen on the basis of his or her interest and commitment to the mission of Unity Schools, is sought from among the parents or guardians of a student at Unity.
• One member, drawn from among the parents or guardians of a student in the School, is to be nominated to the Board by the Unity school site committee.
• The Board may also include a representative of the Oakland Unified School District, if the District so desires.

Meetings of the Unity Board of Directors are open to the public. All meeting notices and agendas are posted 24 hours in advance of the meetings on the school office door and on our website (www.unityhigh.org). Opportunity for public comment is scheduled early on the agenda. Parents and community members are asked to keep their statements to three minutes or less. Unless otherwise notified, meetings of the Board are held monthly at Unity High School. Date and times of the meetings are posted on www.unityhigh.org.

School Site Council

The School Site Council includes the principal, teachers, parents and students who meet monthly to assist the Principal in developing policies for Board approval, to make recommendations for decisions that affect the school community and to help resolve difficulties within the school community.

Specifically, the School Site Council is responsible for:

• Facilitating school operations
• Helping to develop personnel policies
• Helping to develop student policies
• Helping to develop priorities for school expenditures
• Helping the school to control expenses

The Council will pursue its efforts with the understanding that the Principal is responsible for the day‑to-day management of the school and the implementation of policy within parameters set by the Board. Final approval of all School policies rests with the Board.

Access to Governance Information

Copies of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Unity Schools, Personnel and Student Policies and this Handbook are available for viewing in the school office or online at www.unityschools.org.

Student Academic and Social Requirements

Each year every continuing student at Oakland Unity High School will be required to:

• Complete all required courses successfully
• Participate in the development and implementation of a personal Student Success Plan
• Participate in a student taskforce
• Maintain student journal
• Maintain a student organization system
• Obtain an Oakland Public Library card
• Maintain a Student Work Portfolio
• Complete a Service Learning Project
• Participate in technology and test‑prep workshops
• Complete self, class and school evaluations
• Attend two (2) family conversation meetings
• Develop a Summer Action Plan by the end of the last quarter
• Attend all required summer program activities

In addition 9th graders are also expected to:

• Take the PSAT exam
• Successfully complete the state PE assessment
• Attend the 10th grade summer orientation program
• Serve as mentors to incoming freshmen class

Tenth and 11th graders are expected to:

• Complete two (2) Career Exploration Activities
• Complete two (2) College Exploration Activities
• Develop or further pursue a College or Internship Action Plan
• Take the PSAT and/or SAT exams
• Take the State Exit Exam

Academic Requirements for Graduation

In order to graduate, a student needs to have achieved the following by the end of 12th grade:

• Completion of courses in required subjects for a total of no less than 230 credits (one semester of coursework in a subject is five credits, one year is 10 credits).
• Graduation in good standing requires a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or more. The minimum requirement for graduation is a GPA of 2.0 or more.
• Completion of a minimum of 20 hours of Service Learning.
• Completion of the Senior Project.
• Completion of the State High School Exit Exam. Students have several opportunities to take the test, beginning as early as the 10th grade. Once a student passes a section of the test, that section need not be taken again.

Required Subjects for Graduation

Four‑year colleges may require additional specific or total coursework.

Students do not receive course credit for a course if a final grade of F is earned. Course credit can be made up by repeating the course the following year or, if available, in summer school. Parents should read the student's report card carefully to check that the student is on track for credits earned as well as GPA.

Graduation Policy:

Only students who have completed all the requirements for graduation by the end of the school day prior to graduation ceremonies will be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies.  Students who will receive a Certificate of Completion (completing all requirements except passing both parts of the exit exam) may be excluded from the ceremonies.  Students in this category may appeal to the principal to be allowed to participate.

No students may participate if the above are not met.  There will be no exceptions.

Any student who has been suspended for fighting during the second semester of their senior year may not be permitted to participate in graduation activities.  The student may appeal to the principal and staff to be allowed to participate.

Students who are late to school more than five (5) times or have five (5) unexcused absences from school during the second semester of their senior year may not be allowed to attend the  senior prom or end of the year activities.  Appeals may be made to the principal.

Graduation policy approved by Board December 7, 2005

Non-return to Unity any semester:

Students and parents will be required to attend a meeting where a remedial plan will be developed if any of the items below apply.  Failure to meet the requirements in the remedial plan may result in the student being referred to the Board for expulsion.

• Failing three (3) subjects
• Lower than a 1.5 GPA
• 3 or more suspensions from school per semester
• 5 or more class suspensions in a semester
• More than 10 days of absence per semester*
• Tardy more than 10 days of school per semester
• Failing to earn adequate credits to move to the next grade level
• Not complying with the uniform policy

*Students with 15 consecutive unexcused absences will be dropped.

Course Grades

All coursework at Unity High School will be graded as follows: A= 90‑100%, B= 80‑89%, C= 70‑ 79%, D= 60‑69%, and F =0‑59%.

Class grades and percentage points will be based on the following: writing, reading, projects, work in class, quizzes, tests, overall class participation and homework

Grade Level Standing

In addition to credit requirements, students must meet the following school and grade level requirements:

• Minimum of 50 credits completed for admission to 10th grade standing.
• Minimum of 110 credits completed for admission to 11th grade standing.
• Minimum of 170 credits completed for admission to 12th grade standing.

Typical Course Schedule

Typically, students will enroll in the following courses at each grade level. Students who have already completed certain courses (Algebra, Geometry, Biology, or Spanish) may enroll in the next higher- level course offered, including honors and advanced placement courses.

Grade 9:

• English I or ELD
• Algebra or higher math course
• World Cultures
• Biology 9
• PE
• Spanish I

Grade 10:

• English II
• Geometry or higher math course
• U.S. History
• Life Sciences
• PE
• Spanish II

Grade 11:

• English III
• Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry
• American Government, Economics
• Chemistry
• Creative or Performing Art
• Spanish III

Grade 12:

• Honors English or Advanced Placement English
• Multicultural Studies Options
• Ecology Seminar or Physics Seminar
• Creative or Performing Art
• Spanish Seminar or Spanish Honors

Courses offered at Unity will vary from semester to semester. Course descriptions, schedules and requirements will be published and available to families as early as possible or from individual instructors upon request.

Accreditation

Oakland Unity High School has applied and been accepted by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the principal accreditation body for schools and colleges in the Western United States, as a candidate for accreditation. Accreditation assures both parents and admissions directors at colleges and universities that Oakland Unity High School is providing a college preparatory curriculum that meets rigorous WASC standards.

Advisory

Each student will be assigned to a grade level advisory group during 9th and 10th grade. Advisors serve as academic coaches and provide primary adult guidance to students. Student leadership and Unity Studies curriculum is core to the advisory program. Advisors are responsible for the development of Student Success Plans and act as the primary contact person for students and families.

Unity Studies Advisory

Oakland Unity High School students will participate in a unique curriculum, linked to core academic studies, which promotes student leadership, social responsibility and social action. Students will participate in Unity Studies activities four days per week with their advisory group. Each advisory will function as a student task force and each student in the advisory will share leadership roles and tasks. Each advisory will adopt a community organization involved in social change and justice work.

Sports & After-School Programs

Unity has, and will continue to develop after-school programs as an integral component of the School mission. Basketball and soccer teams have been established, for both boys and girls. Additional teams will be organized based on the level of interest and support. Students also have the opportunity to participate in other after‑school programs, many of which support the Unity Academic program. We also encourage and support the development of student‑initiated after‑school programming. Parents will be notified of the after-school program schedule. Any student interested in after‑school programs must submit a signed parent or guardian permission form prior to participating.

Supporting Your Student

Parents and teachers are in a unique position to support Unity students. Working together, we provide guidance and encouragement to help your student grow into a confident and capable young adult. Regular communication is essential. Please let us know if personal circumstances - such as illness or death in the family, a learning difficulty, or other stresses - may affect your student's performance at school. We will work with you and your student to create as supportive an academic environment as possible.

Unity communicates your child's progress to you in several ways:

Student work is evaluated or corrected by teachers on a continuing basis. Your student should share and discuss these results with you on a regular basis. This will help you participate in his or her successes on a regular basis.

Progress Reports will be issued twice per year, midway through each semester. Report Cards will be issued twice per year, at the end of each semester. Parent or guardian should look forward to these dates and discuss the current report with your student. Your interest in student performance will confirm to the student the importance of the efforts she or he is making at school. Please sign and return the form verifying that you have received and read the Progress Report or Report Card.

Your student’s advisor and her or his teachers are available to you by telephone. Calls during class time will be recorded so that the teacher can return the call after classes or other activities. The telephone rings silently so the class will not be disrupted. Questions can be discussed by telephone or a conference can be scheduled. Parents and guardians are always welcome to make an appointment to meet with the school principal, teachers or advisors.

Each student will have access to Power School to keep current with assignments and grades in all courses.

At a minimum, your student’s advisor will expect to meet with you each semester.

Homework Expectations

Teachers give homework to strengthen the skills students learn in class. Homework is assigned on a class‑by‑class basis. Typically, high school students should have 30‑60 minutes of homework per course each night. Students are expected to turn in completed homework on time. If you do not see your student working on homework daily, please feel free to contact your child's advisor or teacher to discuss the situation. Unity School offers a number of resources to help students who may be falling behind in their work.

Support Services

Support for English Language Learners: English Language Learners will participate in an initial language assessment and individual language development plans will be implement for them. While instruction will occur in English, support for English language learners will be provided.

Reasonable Accommodation/ Section 504 Services: If your child has a physical or mental disability that substantially interferes with his or her ability to learn, teachers will develop an individualized education plan (IEP) with the student and parent or guardian to provide reasonable accommodation to assist the student's learning. Please contact your student's advisor.

Special Education

Students requiring Special Education services will receive them through the Oakland Unified School District.

Parents Welcome on Campus

Parents and guardians are welcome on our campus. Please sign in at the office whenever you are on campus during school hours.

We request that parents or guardians contribute ten hours of volunteer service at Unity High each year. Needs include:

• Tutoring assistance
• Serve as chaperon on field trips
• Drive on field trips or for team sports (Requires a copy of your current certificate of automobile insurance and of your driver's license on file.)
• Serve as an assistant coach of a school team (Requires approval of coach and athletic director.)
• Clerical support
• School cleanup or repair
• Participate in parent training events
• Participate on school advisory groups
• Attend student performances
• Participate in other school events
• Assist with food sales (requires an up-to-date TB and Hepatitis B test.)

Parents having direct contact with students at Unity should have a fingerprint check on file.  (See the office for information.)

UNITY also invites parent participation through a School-Site Council. This council gives parents a voice in the shaping of the School environment. If you are interested in participating, please contact the principal.

School Rules & Expectations

Guiding Principles: All members of the school community bear equal responsibility for establishing a school culture that promotes academic excellence within a healthy and nurturing community. The principles that should guide all our behavior and interpersonal decisions are: Safety, Respect and Responsibility.

Grounds for Disciplinary Action: All students are subject to disciplinary action when involved in any of the actions listed below, whether the student is on school grounds, at a school activity, during lunch, or while going to or coming from school or a school activity:

• Causing, attempting or threatening to cause physical injury to another person.
• Willfully using force or violence upon another person, except in self‑defense.
• Committing or attempting to commit sexual assault or committing sexual battery.
• Possessing, selling or otherwise furnishing any firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object.
• Unlawfully possessing, using, selling or otherwise furnishing or being under the influence of any controlled substance, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant.
• Unlawfully offering, arranging or negotiating to sell any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage or intoxicant of any kind and then either selling, delivering or otherwise furnishing that substance to another.
• Possessing or offering, arranging or negotiating to sell any drug paraphernalia.
• Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion.
• Causing or attempting to cause damage to school or private property.
• Stealing or attempting to steal school or private property.
• Knowingly receiving stolen school or private property.
• Possessing or using tobacco or nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets and betel, unless by prescription.
• Committing an obscene act or habitually engaging in profanity or vulgarity.
• Disrupting school activities or otherwise willfully defying the valid authority of supervisors, teachers, administrators, school officials or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties.
• Possessing an imitation firearm (something that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the replica was/is a firearm).
• Harassing, threatening or intimidating a student who is a complaining witness or a witness in a student disciplinary proceeding for the purpose of preventing the student from being a witness or retaliating against the student for being a witness, or both.
• Committing sexual harassment.
• Causing, attempting or threatening to cause hate violence, as defined in Education Code Section 33032.5.
• Intentionally engaging in the harassment or intimidation of another student, when such act is perceived to disrupt the other student's performance at school or in school activities, or creates substantial disorder, or invades the rights of a student or a group of students by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment.
• Making terrorist threats against school officials or school property.

(Education Code Section 48900.1)

In addition to the reasons specified in section 48900, a pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has committed sexual harassment.  For the purposes of this section, the conduct must be considered by a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to have a negative impact upon the individual’s academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

(Education Code Section 48900.2)

Disciplinary Action: The principal will determine the appropriate disciplinary action after considering the severity of the infraction, other factors such as age, health and maturation of the student, and all optional services and alternative measures designed to bring about proper conduct. Parents of English learners have the right to receive written information regarding their child's suspensions in their primary/home language (Education Code Section 48900.1)

Students may not attend any school activities while on suspension, nor are they permitted on any school campus including Unity’s campus during the suspension.

Discipline by Teacher: For any acts of misconduct listed under Grounds for Disciplinary Action, a teacher may:

• Suspend a student from class for the day and the next day.
• Keep a student after school for not more than one hour at the end of the school day.
• Refer the student to the principal.
• Require, following written notice, the student's parent/guardian to attend a portion of the school day in the teacher's class if the student disrupted school activities, willfully defied the valid authority of the teacher or other school personnel engaged in the performance of their duties, or knowingly received stolen school or private property. (Education Code Section 48900 (1) or (k))

Closed Campus Lunch Period: Students are expected to bring lunch with them each day.  If lunch will be available through fund-raisers or parent volunteers, parents will be notified on the web site. Students are not permitted to go off campus for meals or any other reason without permission.

Uniform Dress Policy: The Unity High School dress policy has been established in consultation with parents, students and staff to promote and maintain a positive, professional school culture. Students will follow the uniform dress policy:

• Pants, shirts or skirts must be worn.
  • Pants, shorts, Capri pants, or skirts must be khaki in color, free of text, logo or ornamentation.
  • Pants, shorts and skirts must be worn at the waist.
  • Skirts must be no shorter than one inch above the knee when standing.
  • Shorts must be no longer or shorter than one inch below the knee when standing.
  • Neatness is expected at all times, so pants must be buttoned or zipped. No other pants may be visible if worn underneath uniform pants.
• Shoes must be worn. Belts should be worn if clothing has belt loops.
• Shoes must be plain black or plain white with no colors of any kind on the shoes.
  • Tennis shoes are recommended.
• Shirts and blouses with collars must be worn.
  • Shirts must be plain white or plain black, free of text, advertising, logo or ornamentation.
  • Any undershirt worn must  be white.
  • EXCEPTION – Official Oakland Unity High School shirts (other than blue jerseys) may be worn at school. Blue school jerseys may only be worn during sports.
  • Sweaters and sweatshirts must be plain black or plain white.  Jackets must have no red or blue anywhere.
• Students are NOT permitted to wear:
  • Hats, headbands, headbands, scarves, bandanas, hairnets, head phones, earphones or head covers of any kind
  • Dangling belts
  • Gloves
  • Jewelry or any decoration on shoes, back packs, binders or book covers containing any offensive image or language or reference to drugs, drug paraphernalia or gangs or anything deemed inappropriate by staff.
  • Accessories must be limited to small items. No large chains, stuffed animals, ”grilles” on teeth, or similar extravagance may be worn or carried.
• The Principal will grant exemptions as required to allow students who are confirmed adherents of an established religion to meet the clothing requirements of their faith.
• Decisions of the Principal in any specific case will be dispositive.

Electronic Devices: Students will not be permitted to use electronic devices during the school day with the exception of portable radio, CD player or tape player with earphones during the lunch break. Such devices will be confiscated if used outside of the lunch period. Pagers and other electronic devices will be confiscated. Cell phones will be confiscated if they are seen or heard on campus before, during, and after school hours.  If the cell phone is taken, it will not be returned until June. (No exceptions).  (Board approved Dec. 7, 2005)

Unity is not responsible for an electronic device once it has caused class disruption and been confiscated.

Lockers: Lockers are used at student’s own risk.  Unity is not responsible for items taken or stolen from lockers.

Illness, Absences, Emergencies & Tardies: Students are expected to attend school every day. If a student's attendance rate falls below 90%, a family conference will be scheduled and a plan to support improved attendance will be developed. If a student is ill or cannot attend school, a parent or guardian should call the school office to report the absence by 9 a.m. If the school does not receive a phone call excusing the absence, the school will call the parent or guardian.

Students must bring an absence excuse note, signed by a parent or guardian, to the front office upon return to school. Any student missing more than three consecutive days of school must bring a medical absence excuse note showing contact information, signed by a health professional, to the front office upon return to school. If a student is absent, parents and students may check on Power School for missed assignments.  The student will be dropped from Unity if absent 15 or more consecutive days with no parental contact.  If a student is late to school more than three times, a parent or guardian will be contacted and a plan to avoid future tardiness will be developed. 

Student Health and Safety

Student health and safety is of paramount importance to the UNITY community. To protect students the School prepares for both mundane and disastrous situations. Please review all the information below.

Medications: If your child needs minor medical attention during the school day, staff will provide immediate care. If your child needs to take medication (prescribed or not) on a continuing basis for a chronic condition, please submit to the office a written indication of the requirement from your child's physician, along with your signature. The medication must be in its original container.

Major Emergencies & Disasters: In the event of a major emergency, such as an earthquake, the school staff will be responsible for your student until you or a previously designated emergency contact person personally picks up the student. It is important that you keep the student's emergency card up to date. Students will only be released to those people listed on the emergency card.

Emergency Cards: Each year when school begins, parents are legally required to complete an emergency card. This card contains vital information should we need to contact you in an emergency or disaster. Please be sure to alert the principal should important information (place of work, phone numbers, home addresses) change during the school year.

School Safety Plan: Unity School has developed a school safety plan to ensure the safety of students and staff on campus. A complete copy of the plan is available in the office.

Student Health Record: Your Student's Health Record at the School must be kept up‑to‑date. State law requires that UNITY have on file your student's latest immunization records. By high school, students should have been immunized for the following:

• Mumps
• Rubella (German Measles)
• Measles
• Polio
• Diphtheria
• Haemophilus influenzas
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Tetanus
• Chicken pox
• Hepatitis B

Student’s without complete immunization records will not be admitted.

Child Custody Court Orders/Restraining Orders

School staff will comply with child custody and restraining orders whenever those orders do not conflict with Federal or State Education Code requirements or other statutory duties imposed on the school. Parents who want school staff to comply with child custody or restraining orders must submit complete copies of the orders to the principal.

Dissection of Animals

A student who has a moral objection to dissecting or otherwise harming or destroying animals has a right to refrain from participating instruction that involves such actions. The parent or guardian needs to provide a note to the principal indicating the objection. The teacher may work with the student to develop and agree on an alternative project. The student shall not be discriminated against based upon this decision.

Drug Education

The state requires that instruction on the effects of the use of tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, dangerous drugs and other dangerous substances be given.

Community‑based Activities & STUDY Trips

As part of the Unity curriculum, teachers may schedule study trips to add to classroom instruction. As our school will use a number of local resources to support our academic program, some regular school activities will take place outside of school grounds under adult supervision. Parents will be asked to sign a general permission slip for community‑based activities.

In the case of special study trips that require travel and/or scheduling changes, only students who have a signed permission slip will be eligible to participate. If you drive on a study trip, you will need to provide a copy of your current automobile insurance coverage and your driver's license.

Students are expected to attend all study trips unless illness or lack of parental permission prevents them from attending.  A parent or guardian may be required to accompany a student who has had disciplinary issues.

Sex Education

Unity School teaches sex education, including AIDS prevention, as part of our standard curriculum beginning in the 9th grade. When we offer these classes, parents are notified in writing and are provided the opportunity to inspect and review the instructional materials, and to request in writing that their children not attend the class. You may withdraw such requests at any time.

Obtaining School Records

According to federal and state law, parents and others authorized by law have the right to inspect and review any and all official records, files and data concerning the student (the “pupil record”), and to deny access to those records to anyone not so authorized. Pupil record means any information directly related to an identifiable pupil, other than directory information, compiled and maintained by a school employee.

• Oakland Unity High School will make any and all school records, files and data related to a minor child available for inspection by the parent or other legally authorized individual no later than five school days following the date of request.
• The custodial parent may request that any information in the files alleged by the parent to be inaccurate, an unsubstantiated personal conclusion, or inference, a conclusion or inference outside of the observer's area of competence or not based on the personal observation of a named person with the time and place of the observation noted, be removed or corrected.
• Parents may obtain up to two copies of their child's academic transcripts at no cost. Copies are available at $.25 per page.
• Parents who have physical custody of their child may consent in writing to the release of their child's records to any person or institution. Unity will notify the recipient that transmission of such information to others without parental consent is prohibited.

Registering Complaints

If you or your student has a concern that cannot be resolved with the teacher involved, please, contact the Principal. The Principal will conduct an informal review of the situation and try to resolve the concern.

If the concern still is not resolved, parents may register a formal complaint, in writing to the Board of Unity Schools. The written complaint should include the following details:

• The facts, circumstances, and violations that led to this formal complaint, including times, dates, events, and locations relevant to this dispute.
• The policy, procedure, practice or law, or any combination of them, that is, or are, alleged to have been violated and, which is, or are, the basis of the complaint.
• The names of all individuals involved in this dispute.
• The actions that were already taken to resolve this dispute including discussion of what was or was not resolved up to the time of the written complaint.
• The specific recommendations and remedies that the complainant is seeking.
• Justification for the remedies.

Computer and Internet Usage Policies

The following policies apply to all students, parents, faculty, and other staff who use the computer resources of the school and affiliated organizations:

• Passwords are private and must not be shared with others. Students may not allow anyone else to use their accounts since they are responsible for what happens in their own accounts.
• Student accounts are subject to monitoring at any time and should not be considered private. This means that we may remotely observe what web sites a student is accessing, the documents in student folders and what a student types onto a screen.
• Students may not install any software on any school computer. Students may not copy or download executable files to the local hard drive without authorization from school personnel. Software may only be installed by authorized school personnel.
• Students may not save personal files on the local hard disk unless directed to do so by the authorized instructor. Student materials may be saved to a data disk, or to a personal My Documents folder or to a class My Documents folder.
• A student may not use the Internet without a signed permission from a parent.
• A student may not shut down, restart or turn off any computer or printer unless directed to do so by school personnel.
• Any computer-based activities deemed by the school to be non-educational may be disallowed. Downloading, installing or playing unauthorized games of any kind is strictly forbidden. Students may only use the Internet to visit sites that are relevant to authorized educational purposes. Students do not have a school assigned email account, nor are they allowed to access home or web based email from school computers.
• A student may not attempt to change any computer settings or properties unless authorized to do so by the authorized instructor. This includes, but is not limited to, any changer to screensavers, wallpaper, resolution and colors or file and folder permissions.
• Printers are to be used for single copies. Multiple copies should be made on a copy machine.
• No person may at anytime visit, or attempt to visit, any site associated with pornographic materials. No person may visit a chat room (except with permission for specific projects), game site or music site, except as specifically authorized by school personnel.