FAMILY HANDBOOK Achieve Academy 2021-2022 - An ACHIEVER who CARES, turns into a LEADER who shares!
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Achieve Academy
FAMILY HANDBOOK
2021-2022
Achieve Academy K-8
9100 Poze Blvd.
Thornton, CO 80229
Office: 303-853-1300
School Hours: 8:25-3:35
An ACHIEVER who CARES, turns into a LEADER who shares!
1The purpose of the Family Handbook is to provide students and parent/guardians
with a common understanding of the policies and procedures at Achieve Academy.
It has been prepared to answer frequently asked questions and to develop
consistency in the operations of the school. All students and families are responsible
for carrying out the policies as stated and adhere to the mission and vision below.
Our Mission
To ensure that students and staff are provided a safe environment where everyone is
empowered to achieve and contribute to his or her community, country and world.
Our Vision
To engage and inspire the growth of diverse learners through educational opportunities that are
rigorous, inclusive, and responsive.
2TABLE OF CONTENTS
Our School ………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
Arrival and Dismissal…………………………………………………………………………………..5
Attendance……………………………………………………………………………………….………..5-6
Behavior …………………………………………………………………………………………………....6
Cell-Phone Policy.............................................................................................7
Classroom Visitation…………………………………………………………………………………...7
Communication………………………………………………………………………….……………...7-8
Dress Code Policy at Achieve..........................................................................8
Dressing for Unpredictable Weather ………………………………………………………....8-9
Illness and Injury……………………………………………………………………..…….…………...9
Playground Safety…………………………………………………………………………….………...9
Safety & Security ………….……………………………………………………….………….……....9-10
School Closure Information ……………………………………………………………….……....10
Cafeteria ………………………………………………………………………………………….………...10
Toys, Games, and Electronic Devices……………………………………………………………10
3Our School
Achieve Academy supports a positive learning community that engages and inspires the growth
of diverse learners through educational opportunities that are rigorous, inclusive, and responsive.
At Achieve Academy, students develop skills that will assist them in becoming leaders in the
community through Cooperating with others, being Assertive in and out of the classroom, taking
Responsibility for their actions, displaying Empathy for others and having Self-control in all
situations. This personalized school setting encourages students to lead through action and
become leaders in and out of the classroom.
The Achieve learning community:
• Provides cooperative learning communities that include differentiated learning
experiences.
• Develops assertive learners who are confident and determined to persevere.
• Promotes individual and collective responsibility through targeted instruction.
• Fosters empathetic choices and responses in academic and social settings.
• Models self-control through words and actions that contribute to individual success.
Achieve teachers provide relevant and comprehensive instruction that encourages the whole-
child to reach success and ensure that empathetic decisions are made with the students’
academic and personal needs being the priority.
4Arrival and Dismissal
Staff will be at duty stations at 8:00am every morning. Students should not arrive before
8:00am as there will be no adult supervision.
In the morning, all students in grades K-8 will line up by their designated cone on the blacktop
area which is located in the back of the building (next to playground). In the afternoon, students
will also be dismissed through the doors located on the blacktop.
Free breakfast is available to all students from 8:00-8:20am in the cafeteria.
Attendance
One of the most important factors to a student’s success in school is regular and punctual
attendance. Frequent absences and/or tardies may lead to poor academic work, lack of social
development, and possible academic failure. Regular attendance is of utmost importance for
school interest, social adjustment, and scholastic achievement. No single factor may interfere
with a student’s progress more quickly than frequent tardiness or absence.
Continuity in the learning process and social adaptation is seriously disrupted by excessive
absences and tardies. In most situations, the work missed cannot be made up adequately.
Students who have good attendance generally achieve higher grades, enjoy school more, and are
more employable after leaving school.
Excused Absences:
Parents/Guardians have the responsibility to contact the school to excuse an absence, preferably
the day of the student’s absence, but no later than 48 hours from the time of the absence. The
school may require documentation to support an excuse. The following shall be considered
excused absences:
1. A student who is temporarily ill or injured.
2. A student whose absence is approved by the administrator of the school on a prearranged
basis. Prearranged absences shall be approved for appointments or circumstances of a
serious nature only which cannot be taken care of outside of school hours.
3. A student who is absent for an extended period due to physical, mental, or emotional
disability.
4. A student who is attending any school-sponsored activity or activities of an educational
nature with advance approval by the administration.
5. A student who is suspended or expelled.
5Achieve Academy Attendance Procedures
1. The parent/guardian is responsible for calling the school to make them aware of the
absence and the reason for the absence. If the parent does not call the school, a school
secretary will make every effort to call the parent/guardian to check in.
2. After the third absence, two consecutive absences, or excessive tardies, the teacher will
make every effort to contact the parent/guardian.
3. If a child has been absent six times (excused or unexcused), the first attendance letter will
be sent to formally document the attendance concern.
4. If a child had been absent ten times (excused or unexcused), the second attendance letter
will be sent to further document the concern and clearly explain compulsory attendance
laws.
5. At eleven absences (excused or unexcused), the third attendance letter will be sent to
schedule a truancy intake and Attendance Contract meeting with administration. The goal
of the contract and meeting will be to find interventions that help the family and the
student overcome the obstacles faced in attending school and to find ways to assist the
student to improve his/her attendance. School personnel shall make reasonable efforts
to review and evaluate the reasons for truancy with the family.
6. Attendance will be closely monitored following the creation of an Attendance Contract.
If attempts by the school to mediate the situation fail, and if the student’s goals on the
attendance contract are not met, the student will be referred to the District Attendance
Officer to meet for a Pre-Court conference.
Behavior
Mapleton Public Schools believes that effective student discipline is a prerequisite for sound
educational practice and productive learning. The objectives of disciplining any student must be
to help the student develop a positive attitude towards self-discipline and socially acceptable
behavior.
Our Achieve leadership philosophy is to ensure that students become leaders in the community
by Cooperating with others, being Assertive in and out of the classroom, taking Responsibility
for their actions, displaying Empathy for others and having Self-control in all situations. Across
classrooms, the Achieve students demonstrate CARES to ensure behaviors are safe, respectful,
and inclusive, so that teachers can teach, and students can learn.
All Families can view the Mapleton Public Schools “Student Behavior Standards,” which
includes detailed information on the conduct and discipline codes, on the Mapleton website.
6Cell Phone Policy
Students are not allowed to use cell phones or any electronic devices in class. It is the student's
responsibility to keep his or her cell phone in the backpack or give it to the teacher to keep it for the rest
of the day. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones. If a student is found using his or
her cell phone during school hours, the adult may:
1st offense: The adult will confiscate the cell phone and it will be returned to the student at the
end of the school day.
2nd offense: The adult will confiscate the cell phone and the student must pick it up from the
office at the end of the school day.
3rd offense: The adult will confiscate the cell phone and turn it to the School Director. The
student must pick it up from the Director at the end of the school day.
4th offense: The adult will take the cell phone and give to the School Director. The student’s
parent must meet with the Director to pick it up.
Classroom Visitation
Parents are encouraged to visit classrooms. Please schedule your visit with the teacher.
Visitations not only provide an opportunity to observe a classroom or group situation, but also
present an opportunity for parents to observe their child’s work habits and interactions with
classmates and teachers. During classroom visitations, teachers will be working with students
and will not be available for conferences. All visitors are required to sign in at the office and
receive a visitor’s sticker to be worn throughout the visit. If you wish to volunteer in the
classroom or school, please visit the school secretary to obtain the necessary paperwork. Thank
you!
*VISITOR INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED TO REFLECT NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS AS THEY
BECOME AVAILABLE!
Communication
Achieve Academy is a Class Dojo school. Classroom teachers and administrators will use the Class
Dojo app to share student celebrations and important information with families. It’s important
that families join the app to stay connected.
We welcome your questions and feedback. Please, feel free to call, e-mail, or make an
appointment. Please also visit the Achieve website “Staff Directory” for specific teacher contact
information.
Attendance Line 303-853-1358
Monica Barhydt, School Secretary 303-853-1305
Noemi PonceDeLeon, Health Assistant 303-853-1303
7Viviana Orozco, Office Clerk 303-853-1300
Achieve Kitchen 303-853-1308
Chua Vue, Director 303-853-1301
Sharon Forbes, Assistant Director 303-853-1302
During regular school hours, teachers are with students and may not be able to return messages
immediately. They will make a concerted effort to return communication within 24 hours.
Dress Code Policy at Achieve
▪ All shirts (short and long sleeved) need to be collared and in a solid color of: black, blue,
green, gray or white. With the exception of an Achieve Academy name/logo, shirts may
not contain a logo larger than a half-inch by one and a half inches on the front of the shirt.
▪ All pants/skirts/dresses need to be in a solid color of: black, blue or tan (khaki). NO BLUE
JEANS will be allowed. Pants must be secured around the waist, should touch the outside
top of the shoes (not drag on the floor), and have no holes.
▪ Hoodies will not be allowed in the classroom. They may be worn to school but must be
taken off during school hours.
▪ Leggings can only be worn if they are under a solid colored skirt/dress or if the
shirt/blouse is mid-thigh in length. All leggings must be in a solid color of: black, blue, or
gray.
▪ Sweatshirts need to be in a solid color of: black, blue, green or gray.
To enforce any violation of this policy, we have established four simple guidelines:
1st Offense: The teacher gives a verbal warning to the student.
2nd Offense: The office is informed of the dress code violation and the Director or
Assistant Director gives a verbal warning to the student and makes a call to the parent.
3rd Offense: The student is sent to the office and a parent is called and asked to bring the
student clothes.
4th Offense: The student is given a formal consequence by the Director or Assistant
Director.
Dressing for Unpredictable Weather
Our weather can, and often does, change quickly. We believe that children benefit from being
outside, therefore; unless there is precipitation present or the temperature is below 25 degrees
8(per board guidelines), we will take children outside for recess. We ask parents to make sure
children always have appropriate outdoor clothing with them.
Illness and Injuries
If a minor injury occurs at school, the student will be taken to the health office. For any serious
injury, the school will make every effort to contact the parent/guardian. If contact is
unsuccessful, an administrator may use reasonable discretion in securing medical aid for the
student, including calling 9-1-1. When a student is ill he/she will be referred to the health office.
If a student is evaluated as being ill, a parent/guardian will be notified. If your child has a pre-
existing condition that would warrant his/her dismissal without a temperature, please indicate
this on her/her health records. Please make sure that the school has an updated health
questionnaire on file in order to ensure the best care possible for your child.
Symptoms that may warrant keeping a child at home include:
• Fever over 101 degrees
• Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Unexplained rashes
Students may not administer any medication to themselves. This includes all prescription drugs
and over-the-counter drugs (including cough drops, aspirin, antibiotics, inhalants, etc.). All
medication is to be administered through the school health office, including prescription drugs
and over-the-counter drugs. In order to administer any medication, the health office must have
a medication authorization form for each medication with written permission from the parent
and the healthcare provider with prescriptive authority to administer the medication. The
permission form is only valid for the current school year. All medication will be securely stored
and administered in the health office. If a parent chooses, they may come to school and
administer the required medications themselves.
Further health, immunization and allergy information can be found in the Mapleton Public
Schools “Student Behavior Standards.”
Playground Safety
Students will be supervised by an adult while using the playground during scheduled recess times.
School staff will review playground rules and safety with students. It is very important that these
rules are followed. Students will go outside for recess if the weather isn’t severe (high wind,
extreme cold, precipitation); please make sure your child is dressed appropriately. There will not
be any adult supervision on the playground after school.
Safety and Security
Student safety is a priority at Achieve Academy. We need your assistance in keeping our school
safe. Please help us by following the procedures below:
9• Parents should enter the building through the main entrance only.
• Visitors should check in the main office before entering the school.
• All visitors must sign in on the clipboard and obtain a visitor’s sticker that must be worn
at all times.
• Parents & visitors should not congregate in the hallways as it can be a disruption to the
learning environment.
School Closure & Delay Information
In the event of a school closure or delay, information will be posted on the Mapleton website at
www.mapleton.us as well as on all major news stations. In the event that there is inclement
weather, we may operate under a 2-hour delay. This means school will begin at 10:25am and end
at 3:35pm.
Cafeteria
The school cafeteria works to encourage good nutrition and offers free breakfasts and paid
lunches at a reasonable price. Students are expected to follow expectations and procedures.
• Deposit all lunch litter in trash barrels provided.
• Return all trays and utensils to the dishwashing area.
• Leave the table and floor around their seat in a clean condition.
• Clean-up after themselves.
• Stand in line orderly and politely - Do not push or cut in line.
• Maintain good table manners.
• Keep voices at a conversational level at all times.
Parents can add money to their children’s accounts through the cafeteria or at
www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain.actionons.com. Menus can be found on the
Mapleton Public Schools website, www.mapleton.us. For families needing assistance, there is a
"Free and Reduced Lunch" program offered by the Federal School Lunch Program. Forms are
available in the school office and must be filled out each fall. All requests are kept confidential.
Toys, Games, and Electronic Devices
Students should not bring toys, trading/game cards, games, fidget spinners or electronics from
home unless they are for a scheduled time that has been approved by the classroom teacher.
The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. They can also interfere with the
educational process and may be confiscated. If confiscated, the item may be picked up at the
end of the day. The use of personal cell phones and other wireless electronic communications
devices is not permitted during instructional hours unless approved by the supervising teacher.
If a student does not comply with the above policy, parents will be contacted, and next steps will
be discussed.
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