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Unofficial Handbook in html format below:

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Back to the Basics Learning Academy

2007 Handbook

Chapter

Mission Statement:

Back to the Basics Learning Academy will provide Valencia County the service of educating children through hard work and the pursuit of excellence. We will endeavor to achieve high standards and to produce a student who will have the essential skills to be an outstanding addition to our society.

Head Of School: Mrs. Alisha Valencia

Phone: 505-610-7281

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Statement Of Philosophy
Back to the Basics Learning Academy adopts the philosophy of embracing outstanding achievement through hard work and the pursuit of excellence. As the name suggests, Back to the Basics Learning takes our teaching practice back a few years to a time when American schools were an icon to be looked up to as a source of pride for the world to envy with a highly educated population that employed high standards along with strong, caring discipline.

We will teach the three R's – reading, writing and arithmetic. We will set high standards. We will challenge your child to think critically. We will return a sense of patriotism and pride in America and will teach a deeper historical perspective of the United States and the World. Do not sell your children short, they are amazing kids that can achieve far more then you could ever imagine. With strong guidance and discipline, you will be quite satisfied with the results
that their limitless potential can produce. You will be happy with what your child gains from this home-school style education. Welcome one and all to your child's future!

PARENT INFORMATION

Admissions Procedures

1. Read this handbook thoroughly
2. Submit completed application to Head of School
3. Set up interview appointment for the student and with the Head of School
4. Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance from school
5. Pay tuition fees if accepted (non-refundable\non-transferable) are due. Please see payment options and/or discounts if eligible.

Acceptance Policy
All new students to Back to the Basics Learning Academy will be required to take a placement test to confirm grade level best suited for them. This will be conducted by the Head Teacher or other teacher as appropriate. We believe it is in the best interest of the student's academic achievement to be placed at the level he/she is working at regardless of their age. We will
ask for transcripts from previous schools. Please note that prospective students exhibiting a past history of serious, disruptive conduct may not be admitted to the academy.

Nondiscrimination Policy
Back to the Basics Learning Academy admits students of any race, color, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at our school, as long as they meet the criteria stated in the Acceptance Policy. We do
not discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and ethnic origin in our educational policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs.

Tuition

Standard tuition

$3,600 per year; payable in ten monthly installments of $360.

There is a Full Tuition Payment Discount of 15%

Half-year (Semester) Tuition Payment Discount of 5%.

Military Discount: 5%

Multiple student discount
There is a 10% discount for multiple students. The discount will apply to BOTH students and is an ADDITIONAL discount to the Full Tuition Payment Discount.

Tuition payments
The first tuition payment will be due by August 1 or January 5 (as appropriate) of the calendar year, with all consecutive payments due by the first of each month thereafter. A late charge of $50 will be assessed to any tuition payments made after the 5th of each month. All tuition left unpaid after 14 days will result in the suspension of your child(ren) until your account is made current. Any tuition left unpaid after 30 days will result in expulsion from the Academy. As a courtesy to you, tuition statements will be sent each month as a reminder. Please be sure that the Head of School has a record of your current address and phone numbers. We are working with you to offer a solid education by breaking down payments into installments. Please work with us by getting your monthly tuition paid on time.

* No refunds or pro-rated tuition refunds will be given as a result of early withdrawal.
* No student records or report cards will be released if there is an outstanding balance.

Book Fees: are due by upon registration thereafter and include all books for the year.

Elementary grades (K through4th) - $200

Mid-school grades (5th-8th) - $300

*All fees are non-refundable

Parental Involvement

Students will not succeed without parental support and involvement. All attempts should be made to communicate to the child's teacher or Head Teacher any problems as soon as possible.
Parent/teacher/student conferences promote a good understanding between parents and school staff. Every parent is encouraged to participate in these informative meetings. The first such meeting is held at the end of the first quarter of school. Parent conferences can be scheduled at any time during the year.

Parent Responsibility
Back to the Basics Learning Academy's educational mission involves working with the home in the overall education of students. On occasion this cooperation between the school and home may become difficult. The school requires parents enrolling their children to affirmatively support and cooperate with the school.

As a parent you are asked to:

Agree to support the school with a positive attitude.

· Share complaints or negative with the Head Teacher or teacher, and not with the child.

· Understand that if at any time the school determines, in its sole discretion that if parent actions do not support the school, or reflect a lack of cooperation and commitment to the home and school working together, the school has the right to request the withdrawal of the child(ren).

Campus Information

School Hours
Back to the Basics Learning Academy school hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday school hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 pm. Students should not arrive on campus prior to 8:00 a.m. Students must be picked up no later than 3:00 p.m. Monday
through Thursday, and 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

There is a 15 minute late grace period for picking up your child. After that the appropriate discipline procedures will apply towards your child up to and including termination from the school if it becomes a consistent problem. It is also recommended that you call if you are going to be late. You may drop your child off at the school as early as 8:00a.m.

Closed Campus
Back to the Basics Learning Academy maintains a closed campus policy. Once a student arrives on campus, he/she is not permitted to leave without permission from his/her parents and the authorization of Head of School. No one will be allowed to pick up students except parents and others designated in writing by the parents. Parents must check in before taking students out
of school. Parents are encouraged to come to the campus at any time to observe. Please abide by the school dress code when doing so.

Snow Days
Every year there are at least a couple of days where snow interferes with the normal school schedule. On any day in question, please listen to your radio or TV to learn of schedule modifications. We will follow the Los Lunas Public School's snow day schedule. If there is a delayed schedule, school will begin at 10:15 a.m.

Lunch
Back to the Basics Learning Academy does not offer lunch services. Children will need to bring a lunch. We will have lunch daily at 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parents are welcome to join.

Medical Guidelines:
A medical report must be filled out by your physician and submitted to the office. All students must have up to date immunization records. In instances where a student needs medical attention, the Head Teacher will call the parent and family doctor, (in that order). No staff member will be allowed to administer medicines of any kind for any reason without written permission from the parent. Any medication, including aspirin and Tylenol, will be confiscated from the student unless the student has written permission from the parent to use the medication. Any time a student gives medication to another student, the medication will be taken from both
students.

CHILDREN’S Information

Guiding Principles

In this section, we will be bringing up issues that children can come across in their daily lives and consequences for certain types of behavior. We cannot micro-manage each and every situation that can occur during a school day. As a result, we ask that your children follow certain guiding principles:

Be loving
Be obedient
Be respectful
Be patient
Do not do anything to shame:
- Yourself
- Parents\Family
- School
- Friends

Attendance Requirements

The New Mexico Compulsory Attendance Law requires that all children of school age attend school until they reach the age of 18 or until they have completed the tenth grade or its equivalent and have been legally withdrawn from the school district in which they were enrolled. In keeping with the spirit of this law, it is our desire to cooperate with the families of our students by keeping attendance problems to a minimum. Students should not be absent more than 8 days per semester. A student missing more than 8 days will be subject to having breaks or other free time taken away in order to make up the work.

Definition of Excusable Absence
Excusable absences are those caused by illness, doctor appointments, or family emergencies. Hair appointments, shopping trips, etc., are not considered "excused." Excessive unexcused absences will be grounds for suspension or expulsion. Any unexcused absence will automatically result in the student losing privileges, breaks, etc. No ditching is tolerated. Upon returning to classes following an excused absence, the student is responsible for making up work missed.

Absences
If it is necessary for your child to leave school other than during normal school hours, a parent or designated guardian must come to the office to withdraw the child. No child will be released without parent or guardian. If you know in advance that your child will be absent, please contact the teacher to provide study materials for your child. Eight absences in one semester will result in a parent conference which could result in the student being put on probation. Continued absences or tardies may make it necessary to dis-enroll the student. No one other than the parent or designated guardian will be allowed to pick up a child. If you need your child to be picked up by someone else, please inform the school office.

Tardiness
Any student who is late for school must bring a written note, from their parent or guardian, citing the reason for the tardy and present it to the teacher before they will be admitted into class. The parent may also accompany the student to the classroom and discuss the tardy with the teacher. Three unexcused tardies = one absence.

Classroom information

Classroom Rules

1.   No talking in class unless called upon or during "free talk" time.

2.   No cheating.

3.   No disrespectful talk towards the teacher or other adults.

4.   No swearing.

5.   No name calling or bullying.

6.   No writing on any of the school property (i.e. walls, desks, doors, signs)

7.   No fighting.

8.   No chewing gum in the classroom unless the teacher gives permission.

9.   No running, unless required by physical education class.

10.   No loitering in the bathroom.

Grading Scale

100-90 = A . 89-80 = B . 79-70 = C . 69-60 = D . 59 below = F

Homework
Homework is an integral part of the school experience and provides vital reinforcement of school time instruction. It also helps in aiding the student in learning to be disciplined. Homework is a tool used to allow parents to observe and help their child in developing the study habits
needed for higher education. It has different purposes for elementary and secondary students. The purpose of homework for elementary students is for academic preparation and reinforcement, developing good character and study habits, and building close relationships between school and family. The purpose of homework for secondary students is to prepare for and to extend instruction in their areas of study. Completing homework enables students to
acquire knowledge in their specific subjects, and thus increases their understanding and achievement. Homework will be assigned as deemed necessary by the teacher.

Make-Up Work
Students who are absent from school are required to make up any assignments and/or tests that were missed during their absence. It is the students’ and parents' responsibility to obtain a list of make-up assignments from the teacher. In cases of extended absences, parents should obtain
work from the teacher for the child to do at home. Students will have one day to make up work for each day missed.

Discipline

Retention
It may be the recommendation of the school that a student repeat a grade level. This decision will only be made after talking with the student and parent. This situation however, is highly unlikely if the appropriate discipline is practiced in achieving educational success.

Physical Contact
Physical displays of affection are not allowed between boys and girls. This includes: kissing, holding hands, “snuggling,” etc. Each teacher will implement their own form of discipline for violation of this rule. For example, verbal warnings may be given in some incidences, and detention in others. More extreme cases will result in suspension. This will also depend
on the child's age.

Disciplinary Action

One of the most important lessons for any student to learn is how to properly respond to authority. The students must be guided to a proper response to their parents and teachers. In order to accomplish this goal, we must set discipline standards that are enforced fairly, consistently and lovingly. Since the teacher is the one who works closest with the children,
he/she carries the bulk of the discipline responsibility. It is important that the teacher works closely with the parents in these matters, and the teachers will contact parents about any problems that they have on a continual basis. It is very important that the parents support the teacher in matters of discipline, and it is equally important that the teacher keep the parent informed of any problems.

Occasionally there is a child who does not respond to our discipline. Therefore, we reserve the
right to remove any child from the school at any time. A student will be automatically expelled for possession of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or weapons and will be automatically suspended for two days for cheating, fighting, stealing, and vandalizing or defacing school property. Two suspensions in a semester will result in expulsion.

We expect students to live up to our community expectations each day, as they are designed to create a positive learning environment. Falling short of these expectations will result in warnings, detentions, loss of privileges (i.e. free time, field trips, parties), or -most seriously - suspension or dismissal from school. Such choices as cutting class, leaving campus without permission, being dishonest, cheating or plagiarizing, exhibiting violent or harassing behavior, and possession of illegal drugs, alcohol, or weapons on campus or at school-sponsored events will demand a response from the school. In certain cases, students may be placed on Behavioral Probation.

Probation may also include suspension from school, and of course, parental notification. During the probationary period, further violations will result in more severe disciplinary consequences. In severe cases, students may be asked to leave school for a period of days while the matter is reviewed. Students who are suspended from school are not allowed on campus and are not allowed to participate in any school-sponsored events or activities. The school will not automatically impose an academic penalty for a disciplinary infraction. However, in cases of academic dishonesty, the work involved will receive a grade of zero. We withhold Enrollment Contracts of students who are on probation until the end of the school year, at which time an evaluation will be made of the student's status. At all times, the safety and welfare of our students is of the utmost importance. The school reserves the right to suspend or dismiss a student whose conduct represents, in the judgment of the Head of School, serious disregard for other people and their safety.

Dress Code

A uniform is not required, however your child's dress needs to be respectful to others. There will be no midriffs showing and shorts and dresses need to be at least as long as the child's arms to their side to the middle finger. There will be no tolerance of gang attire or foul language on clothing. Days that we have PE, athletic shoes must be worn. If you would like to keep a pair of extra shoes at the school for your child that would be acceptable. It is also recommended that you send gym clothes for your child.

P.E Clothes
PE clothes will be required for all students in Grades 1-8. These will be worn during PE classes and other sports or outdoor activities. Athletic shoes are required for PE. The uniform includes a loose fitting jogging suit, (sweat pants and T-shirt or sweatshirt). T-shirts must be a solid
color, and must be loose fitting and modest. No other slogan shirts will be allowed. T-shirts with holes, see-through shirts, half shirts, or shirts that are torn for style are prohibited. Tank tops are not acceptable. Shirts are not to be worn inside-out.

FINAL DECISIONS ON THE INTERPRETATION OF THE DRESS STANDARDS RESIDE WITH THE HEAD OF SCHOOL.

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Parent/Student Handbook Sign-Off

After reading the Parent/Student Handbook , please discuss with your
child(ren) all of the information that is appropriate to your child(ren)'s
level of understanding. Please sign the

acknowledgement below (both parents and legal guardian when applicable) and
return this page to the Head Teacher by ________________. Failure to
sign and return this form may result in the suspension of enrollment of your
child(ren).

I have read the Parent/Student Handbook and agree to be bound by the

terms contained therein. I have discussed all of the appropriate information
with my child(ren).

Parent or Legal Guardian's Signature ___________________________________

Print Name ________________________________________Date ___________

Parent or Legal Guardian's Signature ___________________________________

Print Name ________________________________________Date ___________

Please have your child(ren) sign below if they are 12 years of age or older.

I have read the Parent/Student Handbook and agree to be bound by the

terms contained therein.

1. ________________________________________ Date ___________________

2. ________________________________________ Date ___________________

3. ________________________________________ Date ___________________

4. ________________________________________ Date ___________________

Child(ren)'s Name(s), Grade(s), and Homeroom Teacher(s)

Print Name Grade Homeroom Teacher

1. ________________________________ _______ ____________________

2. ________________________________ _______ ____________________

3. ________________________________ _______ ____________________

4. ________________________________ _______ ____________________