T.A.P. 

The Afternoon Program

at

Newtown High School

12 Berkshire Road

Sandy Hook, CT 06482

TAP Office (203) 270 – 6194

Main Office (203)426-7646

FAX (203) 426-6573      

TAP

TAP (The Afternoon Program) is an alternative high school option at Newtown High School. Students who choose TAP have a variety of learning profiles, backgrounds and goals.  They have completed a minimum of one year of high school and, in collaboration with parents and high school staff, it is decided the traditional school setting is not conducive to the student's success. The smaller environment, smaller classes and a condensed school day often is the answer. While each learner is unique, all TAP students have the desire to learn and the potential to succeed.

TAP school hours are 1:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m Monday through Thursday, and 1:00 p.m to 4:15 on Friday.  Students have access to lunch/cafeteria from 1:00 - 1:30. In addition to academic classes, there is a substantial vocational component.  Therefore, most students are at least 16 years of age and work a minimum of 10 hours a week, outside the school day.  Transportation is provided from home or work (if in Newtown).  

Classes are taught by certified teachers.  The curriculum is aligned with Newtown High School curriculum and TAP students must meet the credit requirements and graduation standards to earn a Newtown High School diploma.

Upon graduation, TAP alumni choose a variety of paths which include; full time employment, the military, technical school, community college and a four year college.

TAP provides the following for students:

• Smaller class sizes
• An opportunity to start new and meet with academic success
• A positive school community that promotes the development of healthy relationships
• Class time to assist in establishing and meeting academic, career, social and personal goals
• Vocational Exploration classes and individualized vocational opportunities
• One-to-one technology environment
• Monthly culinary classes and field trips
• Opportunities for periodic units in NHS electives.  Past opportunities include Project Adventure, Ceramics, Music Tech and Computer Science

TAP  Staff Members and Contact Information

The main number for TAP is 203-270-6194

TAP 2022-2023

 Lunch 1:05-1:35

No TAP                       Culinary                Field Trips         Project Adventure

Sept 23rd                         Sept  28th                Sept  21st                        Sept 7th

Nov 23rd                Oct 19th                Oct 12th                         Oct 11th

Dec 23rd                Nov 2nd                Nov 30th                        Oct 17th

Jan 13th                Dec 7th                Dec 21st                        Oct 27th

                        Jan 11th                Jan 18th

How to Earn Vocational Credit

How to Earn Vocational Credit  (Revised 1/22/2020)

Class Participation:  The purpose of the vocational experience class is to develop the soft skills important to success in any career.  These skills include foundation and functional skills.  

• Students earn .25 credits per semester for participation in Vocational Experience class.
• Each vocational experience class is considered an assignment.  You will earn partial credit for attendance and partial credit for participation.
•  Each culinary class is considered as two assignments.  You will earn partial credit for attendance and partial credit for participation.  You must remain in the classroom to earn points for attendance.
• Each field trip is considered four assignments.  Again, students earn partial credit for attendance and partial credit for participation

Applied Learning Opportunities for additional Vocational Experience Credit

Additional Vocational Experience Credit is earned through work-based learning opportunities, activities that support employment, and/or post-secondary education or training exploration.  These opportunities allow students to recognize the connection between their career choices, interpersonal relationships, and their personal goals and values.   This credit is earned based on the number of hours spent either working or participating in an applied learning experience.

• Credit Awarded:
• 45 hours =.25 credit
• 90 hours = .50 credit
• 135 hours= .75 credit
• 180 hours=1.0 credit
• 225 hours=1.25 credits
• 270 hours = 1.5 credits

You can earn the Career Exploration Credit through:

Work

Credit is awarded for verified work hours.  Work hours can be verified by a copy of a paycheck stub or a signed and dated note from your employer verifying hours.

Volunteer Hours

• Hours need to be verified by an adult in writing or by email.
• This includes hours spent with community organizations, such as Boy Scouts.

Drivers Education:  Submit verified hours in an email from parent.

Job Search:

Complete job search form in Friday class documenting job applications, resume work, etc.  Discuss with teachers to determine additional hours.

Testing: Participation in the standardized testing listed below will count towards work experience hours.

• PSAT/SAT
•  ACT
• ASVAB

Taking A Class at a community college:  class time, study hours.  Must receive a C or above in class for hours to count.

Post-Secondary Planning/Applications:   Time spent will count towards vocational hours.  Please send Mrs. Ragaini an email verifying what you have done.

The following opportunities also count as career exploration hours.

Internships:  An internship is thirty hours outside of the school day that is set up and monitored by Mrs. Ragaini.  Open to juniors and seniors.

Job Shadowing:  One day with a professional in a field that interests you.  Open to juniors and seniors and a easy way to see what a job is like.        

Informational Interviews:  Typically, one hour one-on-one asking a professional questions about a career of interest.  This can be done at school or the workplace and is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  

TAP Attendance Policy

Attendance Philosophy:

Consistent with the Newtown High School day program, TAP teachers and staff believe learning experiences that take place in the classroom are meaningful and essential to the entire educational process. Absence from class represents an irretrievable loss in terms of opportunity for interaction and exchange of ideas among students and between students and teacher. Therefore, classroom attendance is an integral part of the student's course of study. The purpose of the policy is to emphasize the importance of being in class and to decrease the number of absences from class and school.

On the 11th absence from a class (non-ISS/OSS/SRA absence), a student’s numerical grade will change to a  P(pass) for the semester if they passed the class and an F if they were failing. Students who accrue 21 or more absences in a semester will lose credit for the course.  Students who have between 11 and 20 absences will have the opportunity to make up absences in order to receive a numerical grade. Students must make up time and work so their total absences are fewer than 11. A P (pass) will be posted on the report card and on the permanent transcript. Students with a P due to absences are ineligible for the honor roll during the semester.  Extenuating circumstances are at the discretion of TAP SAT (Student Assistance Team), 504 Team or PPT.

0-10 = numerical grade

11-20 = P with opportunity to make up time and work

21 or more = loss of credit

Reporting Absences 

On any day when the student is not in school, the parent or guardian is responsible for calling or emailing one of the TAP Directors. The TAP Office number is 203-270-6194. If the parent/guardian does not call the school, the student has an Unexcused Absence.

Behavioral Expectations

TAP uses the NHS Code of Conduct as a guide for consequences for poor behavior. The possession and/or use of drugs/alcohol and/or paraphernalia is strongly prohibited and may be met with strict consequences including referral to police. Safety from harm and a Zero Tolerance Policy exists in regards to the possession of any type of weapon that could cause danger to another. Strict consequences, including police referral and/or expulsion could be explored. Due to the lack of an in-school suspension program at TAP, the use of other strategies, including re-direction for appropriate behavior, individual consultations with students and/or parents, lunch detentions and/or other individualized consequences can be implemented.  TAP has the ability to tailor disciplinary action to respond to individual needs and circumstances. All students are expected to demonstrate respectful behavior in school at all times. Mean behavior behavior will not tolerated.

Cell phone use is a major distraction to learning therefore we are highlighting the cell phone policy and asking for parental support.  Your support will help your child be more engaged, learn more and achieve higher levels if they are not distracted by their phone in the classroom. We also feel strongly that this is a typical expectation of an employer, therefore good practice for “the real world”.  Student use of cell phones or other electronic devices are permitted outside of instructional areas and only at the discretion of the teacher in classroom.  Students should not leave a classroom to make or receive a phone call/text message.  Students can check their phones between classes and during breaks.  If there is an emergency parents can contact one of the co directors at 203-270-6194 or via email.

• The first time a student is seen using their phone  in a classroom for non-instructional reasons, they will receive a warning and a directive to put the phone away until the end of class/class break.
• If there is a second offense, the classroom teacher will direct the student to turn off the phone and place it on the teacher’s desk.  Student may pick up device in the TAP Office at the end of the day.
• If there is a third offense, the device will be returned only to the parent/guardian at the end of the day.
• Consequences for defiance of authority will be issued if a student refuses to put the phone away or turn it over to the teacher or co-director.
• Repeated consequences violating the cell phone policy will result in a referral for in-school counseling and or a parent meeting.

The expectation for appropriate attire is also important to our positive learning environment.  Students should only wear clothes that would be considered appropriate for a professional work environment.  Please see the NHS Student Handbook for details or contact one of the

co- directors with any questions.

Technology 

Please review the Newtown Public School Student handbook Technology Policy found in the student handbook -Section IV( f,g and h)

Students are responsible for the care of the chromebook when in their possession which will include:

TAP Chromebook Rules

• Treat technology with respect
• Do not Draw on or place any adhesive materials on chromebooks.
• Place Chromebook back into the correctly labeled location and be sure the power supply is plugged in properly

TAP Handbook Student Parent/Guardian Sign-off Sheet

I have read the        1. TAP Schedule 2021-2022

                        2. TAP Attendance Policy

                        3. Behavioral Expectations

                        4. Technology use Expectations

and I understand what I must do to succeed in TAP this year.

Student name printed _________________________________________

Signature _________________________________Date______________

I have read the        1. TAP Schedule 2021-2022

                        2. TAP Attendance Policy

                        3. Behavioral Expectations

                        4. Technology use Expectations

and I understand what is expected of my student in TAP:

Parent name printed__________________________________________

Signature _________________________________Date______________

Please return to Mr. DeJulio or Mrs. Ostar