Doors Open 7:15 Class Begins 7:45 Dismissal 2:45
2437 Parker St NE
Cleveland, TN 37312
Main Office 423.476.0699
Text: 423.641.0103
Fax 423.478.8818
www.goal.bradleyschools.org
Facebook & Twitter:
@GOALAcademyBCS
Remind 101 Text @goala to 81010
Student/Parent Handbook
Bradley County Schools Mission Statement
The mission of the Bradley County School System is to provide an educational opportunity for every student to excel.
Bradley County Schools Vision
Growing Students - Building Futures
GOAL Academy Mission Statement
GOAL Academy’s mission is to change the direction of students who are struggling and unsuccessful on the educational path from which they have come. GOAL students will attain academic, social, emotional and communal experiences through rigorous academic training; personalized social needs development and community/job partnership opportunities.
GOAL Academy Vision Statement
GOAL Academy will Encounter, Evaluate, Elevate and Expand Experiences for “At-Risk” Students.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Absences – The TN Legislators passed new laws for attendance during the 2022-2023 sessions. In these changes, all school districts in the state are required to have a Progressive Truancy Plan. The details of this plan will be distributed by way of the media, on our website, and by our Principals during the summer and at the beginning of the school year. Attendance is mandatory and important to workforce habits that we are attempting to create and conform as our students are working to become work ready. Please see the attendance plan attached.
Tardy – Students are considered tardy any time after 7:45 AM. Students are to sign into the office if they come into the building any time after 7:45 AM. Excessive tardiness will result in disciplinary action.
Leaving Campus – Students who need to leave campus before class is over are to come by the office and sign out. Parent signature is required if the student is under 18 years of age. Parents should make every effort to schedule appointments after school hours. If a student needs to be picked-up before the dismissal time of 2:45 PM., they will only be released to a parent or guardian listed on their application. If that parent or guardian is unable to come to the campus to pick-up the student, the child will only be released to another adult over the age of 18 with a letter from the parent or guardian giving permission to do so.
Please see the Bradley County Schools website for more information regarding Absences & Truancy:
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
GOAL Academy follows the policy of Bradley County Schools for inclement weather. Watch local news, social media or listen to the radio for notification of school closings. If Bradley County Schools are closed, GOAL Academy is closed. Use good judgment regarding travel during bad weather. There is the possibility that the semester may be extended to make up days missed due to inclement weather.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Tornado: When a tornado warning is received, an announcement will be made. Everyone will
seek shelter immediately by following teachers’ instructions. Students will not be allowed to check out during a Tornado warning.
Fire: When a fire is reported, everyone will evacuate the building in an orderly fashion and remain at least 300 feet away from the building until an announcement is made for re- entry. Students are to follow teachers’ instructions for evacuation and re-entry of buildings.
Intruder/Present danger: If there is an intruder or a present danger, a “Lock Down” will be
called. Upon hearing the words “Lock Down”, all doors will be closed and all persons will move away from doors and inside walls. The campus will remain locked down until an “All Clear” announcement is made or law enforcement gives further instructions.
FOOD SERVICE
Students will be served breakfast and lunch each day. Lunch will be prepared at Ocoee Middle School and transported to our campus for our students. Students will have the same access to these meals as they did at their home school, meaning those on free meals will receive their meals free, those on reduced meals will pay the reduced price. All other students will be expected to pay for their meals. Students may bring lunch from home. All meals brought from home must come with them at the time of their drop off. Students will not be permitted to have lunch dropped by any outside party. This is a security issue. Lunches brought from home need to be clearly marked with the student’s name. All lunches brought from home will be taken up during homeroom in the cafeteria and distributed to the students at their lunch time. Students that come into GOAL Academy after 9:00 AM are responsible for ensuring they have a way to eat as lunch orders have already been calculated. ABSOLUTELY NO ENERGY DRINKS.
STUDENT I.D.
Students will receive a new student i.d. upon transfer to GOAL Academy. If the i.d. gets lost or destroyed, the replacement cost is $5.00. The wearing of an i.d. is part of the mandatory dress code. Each day the student does not have and i.d., the student will be deemed to be out of dress code and will lose points.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Students are required to have something to write with and something to write on, and wired headphones that plug into a computer. No bluetooth.
MEDICATION
Any medication that is to be taken while at school is to be brought by the parent in a correctly labeled prescription bottle or original packaging. Specific directions as to the dispensing of such medication are to be submitted in writing. Students are never to have medications of any kind, prescription or nonprescription, in their possession.
STUDENT
INFORMATION RELEASE
Students’ personal information will not be released to outside persons without written permission of the student (if age 18), or student’s guardian if the student is less than 18 years of age, except where required by law.
DRUG FREE & WEAPON FREE CAMPUS
This is a drug free school. Anyone who appears to be under the influence of or in possession of alcohol or drugs, legal or illegal, will be asked to leave campus, but not under their own power, and may be expelled from school. Law enforcement may, by law or necessity, be contacted.
Possession and/or use of tobacco products are prohibited on school campus as mandated by State law. This is a weapon free school. Weapons of any kind (guns, knives, etc.) are prohibited. Violation of any part of this policy will be grounds for suspension or expulsion from school. Depending on the offense and the age of the offender, law enforcement may, by law or necessity, be contacted.
SECURITY
This building is equipped with a surveillance monitoring system. Cameras are used to view the parking lot as well as the inside of the building and are monitored.
Policies & Procedures
BEHAVIOR
Respectful, cooperative behavior is expected. Students who cannot conduct themselves in this manner will be subject to disciplinary action. Students will be disciplined for defiant or argumentative behavior, or for any behavior that disrupts the learning environment. Students are to treat each other with respect, as well as the school staff. Any student who is determined to be a threat to him, herself or others may be suspended from school for the remainder of the semester. Any personal conflicts students have with one another are to be dealt with away from school. If these conflicts disrupt the educational environment, all parties to the dispute may be subject to disciplinary action
Expectations:
Certain kinds of behaviors will result in immediate suspension from school. These behaviors include, but are not limited to, possession of or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, legal or illegal; possession of a weapon; fighting; threat of danger to self or others; physical or verbal assault of a staff member or other student; accessing inappropriate material on the internet; profane or vulgar language or gestures; etc. This suspension can be for up to one full year depending on the seriousness of the offense. Law enforcement may also be notified.
Behaviors that will result in disciplinary action include, but are not limited to:
Disciplinary actions for expectation violations:
1st offense: Warning
2nd offense: Loss of points, Teacher/student conference
3rd offense: Loss of points, Teacher contacts parent, referral to school counselor
4th offense: Loss of points, office referral, mandatory parent conference, student assigned detention
5th offense: Loss of points, office referral, mandatory parent conference, student double detention
6th offense: Loss of points, mandatory parent conference, suspension
7th offense: Loss of points, mandatory parent conference, suspension, referral to campus court/Juvenile court contacted
LANGUAGE
Students are to refrain from using profane, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate language while on campus. Students who cannot comply with this expectation will be subject to disciplinary action.
DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
Any behaviors that disrupt the learning environment will be considered a cause for disciplinary action. Teachers are in charge of discipline in the classroom and decide what is disruptive and what is not. Fighting/Violence/Threatened Violence – Students who are involved in a fight/violence/threat will be subject to the following:
Please note that these are minimum suspensions and could be for longer periods of time as deemed appropriate by school administration. Also note that law enforcement could be involved.
DETENTION
Students may be assigned detention for policy violations. Detention will be completed at the time of designation with no excuses. We will attempt to make sure that the time of completion is such that fits in with transportation schedules.
REFOCUS ROOM
Sometimes students need to be removed from a situation, but do not need to be removed from school. In these incidents, the school administration may choose to remove the student from the classroom and place the student in the Internal Focus Room. This is a classroom where the student will have the opportunity to calm down, work through issues that may have contributed to the misbehavior, and develop better methods for dealing with situations, while continuing to make academic progress. A staff member will be assigned to the Internal Focus Room to work with the student along with the Counselor and other support staff.
TRANSPORTATION
Parents are to provide transportation to and from school for students. Students are to be dropped off and picked up at the front of the building. To maintain the flow of traffic, we ask that parents do not line up and park prior to 2:45 dismissal.
If a student needs to be picked-up before the dismissal time of 2:45 p.m., they will only be released to a parent or guardian listed on their application. If that parent or guardian is unable to come to the campus to pick-up the student, the child will only be released to another adult over the age of 18 with a letter from the parent or guardian giving permission to do so.
GO’s that earn the privilege to drive to school must possess a Tennessee driver’s license and proof of insurance coverage. Parking will be permitted only in the designated area. A parking permit is to be purchased through the office for a fee of $25.00 and is good only for the time the student is attending GOAL Academy. The parking permit must be surrendered when the student withdraws from GOAL Academy. Parking fines will be assessed for parking violation parking incorrectly, parking outside of designated area, parking in handicapped space without proper permit, reckless or dangerous operation of a vehicle on campus, etc. Parking permits must be visible in the window of the vehicle at all times while on campus.
Parking fines:
1st offense: $5.00 with warning
2nd offense: $10.00 with parent contact
3rd offense: $15.00 with parent contact and revocation of parking privilege
Upon arrival, students are to exit the vehicle and report directly to the building. The parking lot is accessible only before and after school for the sole purpose of arriving or leaving. All other visits to the parking lot require office permission.
****Students that are remanded to GOAL Academy for discipline offenses will not be allowed to drive on campus****
Relative to the transportation of students, Bradley County Schools has enacted the following procedures for reporting unsafe driving by any Bradley County Schools Bus Driver. Incidents may
be reported to the Bradley County Schools Transportation Department by completing the Complaint Form that is posted on our website under Departments> Transportation. After completing the form, you may either drop it by the Bradley County Schools Central Office, email it to transportation@bradleyschools.org, or phone 423-641-1664. The Central Office is located at 800 South Lee Highway, Cleveland, TN 37311.
DRESS CODE
Students are expected to dress appropriately for class. Any manner of dress that offends others or is deemed inappropriate for an educational setting will not be allowed. WHEN IN DOUBT, DON’T WEAR IT.
The Bradley County Dress Code Policy for secondary students is as follows:
All apparel must be appropriately sized and free from rips, tears, cuts or frayed hems.
Sagging, bagging, flagging, or any type of Gang identification or paraphernalia is a dress code violation, including gothic dress.
Any clothing that advertises, depicts, or displays alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, illegal substances, profanity; sexual innuendos, racially/religiously inflammatory language or pictures of any kind are strictly prohibited.
Extraneous metal studs, zippers, or cloth strips which are dangling may pose a safety hazard and are not allowed.
Long, large and.or heavy chains, studded or chained accessories are prohibited, including belt and wallet chains.
No unnatural colored hair or visible body piercings, with the exception of the ear, will be allowed.
No piercing jewelry of any kind may be worn. Students will be asked to remove jewelry not in compliance with this rule. Band-Aid cover-ups and clear space savers will not be allowed.
Head wear worn by both male and female students must be removed and put away once the student arrives at school. Students wearing head wear during the school day will have the item(s) confiscated.
Coats and jackets will be placed in designated areas. Students’ names should be permanently written in the collar of coats and jackets worn to school. Trench coats are not allowed.
All shirts must have a minimum of three inch sleeves and a turtleneck, mock, turtleneck, or standard collar.
All shirts must be solid, striped, or plaid. No other prints are permitted.
Shirts must be tucked in so that the belt or waistline is completely visible.
Clothing must completely cover abdomen, back, shoulders, behind, and cleavage.
Collars must be visible under any items worn over standardized dress code top wear. Sweaters, vests and sweatshirts worn as outer garments must comply with dress code policy.
Hoods may not be worn over the head while in the building.
All bottom wear must be solid color, including denim. Shorts, skirts, skorts and dresses must approach the knee and cover the bottom.
Items deemed unacceptable include, but are not limited to: joggers, jogging pants, stretch pants, nylon, spandex, leather, fleece, suede, velour, sweat pants, overalls, pants with large bell bottoms, parachute cloth, polyester and cargo pants.
Bottom wear must be worn securely around the waist with a belt, if the time has belt loops.
Slits in bottom wear must not extend more than three inches from the hem or expose any inappropriate body parts.
This dress code is a guideline to acceptable attire. The administration has the last word on what is acceptable attire for an educational environment
ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND CELL PHONES
No electronic devices or cell phones should come into the building of GOAL Academy. Only GO's who have earned the privilege are permitted to leave a (turned off) phone in the front office upon arrival, to be returned at the end of the day. A violation of this policy results in the following consequences.
1st offense: Device will be confiscated and kept for 30 school days and then returned to parent.
2nd offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and kept for 60 school days and then returned to parent
3rd offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and kept for 90 school days and then returned to parent.
Bradley County Schools will not be responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of a cell phone or other communication device.
INTERNET ACCESS
Computers are provided for educational purposes only. Internet access for the purposes of research for course through the approved online software will be provided in the classrooms. Any student found abusing this privilege by accessing pornographic, social networking, or other sites deemed inapporpriate will be subject to disciplinary procedures.
COMPUTER RULES
The computer you receive from GOAL will be assigned to you directly and must be taken care of at all times. Computer case, charger, and strap are all to be kept together and returned together at the end of your remand time or end of the year.
No food or drinks are to be set on or be near computer. You are responsible for any damages.
Do not set headphones or other objects inside computer itself, cracked screens have been the result as well as a total screen replacement.
Do not make markings of any kind with pencil, pen, crayon, etc on any part of your computer or case.
No email, instant messaging, or web “surfing” is to be done, unless it is part of course requirements.
Students will follow all guidelines outlined in the acceptable use policy.
Student Health
Please click here to access the BCS Heath Services Policy
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
The Bradley County Board of Education supports the
right of staff and students to have reasonable access
to various information formats and believe it incumbent
upon staff and students to use this privilege in an
appropriate and responsible manner. The following list is not classified as appropriate internet usage:
For more details on the Acceptable Use Policy, please click here Acceptable Use Policy
Credit Recovery
GENERAL
The director of schools shall ensure that credit recovery facilitators receive training regarding course organization, online instruction management, and related technology.
Credit recovery teachers shall comply with all State Board of Education certification requirements.
ADMISSION AND REMOVAL
No student shall be admitted to or otherwise enrolled
In credit recovery courses unless:�1. The student’s parent/guardian gives written consent for the student to enroll in the proposed credit recovery course. Parents/guardians should be informed that not all postsecondary institutions will accept credit recovery courses for credit and that the NCAA Clearinghouse will not accept credit recovery courses for credit;
AND
2. The student has previously taken an initial, non-credit recovery section of the proposed course and received a grade of at least fifty percent (50 %). Change to 60%. Students who receive a grade of below fifty percent (50%). Change to 60% in the non-credit recovery section of the course must retake the course.
If a student is seeking to recover credit for the first semester of a two-semester course, the student may not receive the full credit for the course until he/she has enrolled in and passed the second semester of the course and taken any applicable End of Course examinations.
The board shall track students enrolled in credit recovery courses as directed by the Tennessee Department of Education.
INSTRUCTION AND CONTENT
Credit recovery teachers shall work closely with credit recovery facilitators to correlate class content and instruction.
The director of schools shall ensure that all credit recovery courses:
1. Align with Tennessee’s current academic standards for the relevant course content area, as approved by the State Board of Education; and
2. Differentiate instruction to address individual student growth needs based on diagnostic assessment or End of Course data.
�
Students in credit recovery programs shall:
GRADES�i. Student’s passing credit recovery shall receive a grade of seventy percent (70%).�ii. The student transcript shall denote that the credit was attained through credit recovery.�iii. The original failing grade may also be listed on the transcript, but shall not factor into the student’s GPA, in accordance with the State Board of Education’s Uniform Grading Policy (3.103).�
GRADUATION
Graduation occurs in May. There are fees associated with graduation for diplomas and caps and gowns. All graduating students are encouraged to participate in this celebration and will be notified approximately two months prior to graduation about the costs associated with graduation.
REQUESTING A TRANSCRIPT
If you need to have a copy of your transcript sent to another educational institution or anywhere else, it will be necessary for you to sign a Request for Transcript form or send a written request, including the name and address of the place to which it is to be sent, by mail to our office. The first copy is free. Each copy after that is $3.00.
CREDITS
Students will receive credit for each course completed successfully. The State of Tennessee requires that students complete the following courses to earn a regular high school diploma:
Total Credits Required: 22
English 9, 10, 11 & 12 4 credits
Integrated Math 1, 2 & 3 and a
fourth higher level math 4 credits
Biology, Chemistry or Physics
and a 3rd lab 3 credits
American History 1 credit
World History 1 credit
Government/Economics 1 credit
Physical Ed and Wellness 1.5 credits
Personal Finance 0.5 credit
Foreign Language 2 credits (can be waived)
Fine Arts 1 credit (can be waived)
Elective Focus 3 credits
Capstone Senior Project Experience
**ACT and Civics TEST are required for a student to graduate from high school.**
Students are also required to take the state-required TNReady End of Course tests to earn the respective course credit for graduation requirement completion.
GRADING SCALE
Grades will be issued to students based on State-approved grading scale below:
A 90 - 100
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69
F below 69
HOMEWORK
Students who are taking courses online are expected to work on those courses outside of the regular school day. This will necessitate having access to a computer with internet access. If a student does not have this, it will put that student at a disadvantage and will require that the student work diligently while at school so as not to get behind in the assigned classes. Computers with internet access are available at the Public Library for public use. The only requirement is that the person has a library card which is free.
DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT/HAZING (Sexual, Racial, Ethnic, Religious)
Students shall be provided a learning environment free from sexual, racial, ethnic and religious discrimination/harassment and hazing. It shall be a violation of this policy for any employee or any student to discriminate against, harass or haze a student through disparaging conduct or communication that is sexual, racial, ethnic or religious in nature. The following guidelines are set forth to protect students from discrimination/harassment/hazing.
Student discrimination/harassment/hazing will not be tolerated. Discrimination/harassment is defined as conduct, advances, gestures or words either written or spoken of a sexual, racial, ethnic or religious nature. Hazing is defined as an intentional or reckless act on or off school property, by one student acting alone or with others, directed against any other student that (1) endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student or (2) induces or coerces a student to endanger that student's mental or physical health or safety. Hazing does not include physical contact associated with athletic events, athletic training, or with competition conducted under a coach’s or sponsor’s supervision.
The following are outcomes relative to the above definitions;
1. Unreasonable interference with the student's work or educational opportunities; or
2. Creation of an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment; or
3. Insinuation that submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit term of receiving grades or credit; or
4. Insinuation that submission to or rejection of such conduct will be used as a basis for determining the student's grades and/or participation in student activities.
BULLYING/INTIMIDATION
Students shall be provided a safe learning environment. It intimidate, haze or create a hostile educational environment for another student. Harassment, bullying, hazing and intimidation occurs if the act takes place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school provided equipment or transportation or at any official school bus stop, if the act either physically harms a student or damages his/her property, or knowingly places the student in reasonable fear of such, causes emotional distress to a student or students, or creates a hostile educational environment. If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, the act shall be considered harassment, bullying, hazing or intimidation if it is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process. These acts may also take place through electronic means. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, text messaging, emails, social networking sites, instant messaging, videos, web sites or fake profiles.
Alleged victims of the above-referenced offenses shall report these incidents immediately to a teacher, counselor or building administrator. Any allegations shall be fully investigated by a complaint manager (as set forth in Student Concerns, Complaints and Grievances 6.305).
The privacy and anonymity of all parties and witnesses to complaints will be respected. However, because an individual's need for confidentiality must be balanced with obligations to cooperate with police investigations or legal proceedings, to provide due process to the accused, to conduct a thorough investigation or to take necessary action to resolve a complaint, the identity of parties and witnesses may be disclosed in appropriate circumstances to individuals with a need to know.
A discrimination/harassment/hazing statement referencing this policy shall be distributed to students annually through the parent/student handbook and/or posted to each school's website. Building administrators are responsible for educating and training their respective staff and students as to the definition and recognition of discrimination/harassment. Coaches and other employees of the school district shall not encourage, permit, condone or tolerate hazing activities.
Bradley County Policy 6.304/T.C.A. 49-6-4501
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
It is the policy of the Bradley County Schools GOAL Academy not to discriminate on the basis of sex, national origin, creed, age, marital status, or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Title VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendment and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Students and employees shall be provided a learning and working environment free from sexual, racial, ethnic, and religious discrimination/harassment. It shall be a violation of this policy for any employee or any student to discriminate against or harass a student through disparaging conduct or communication that is sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious in nature.
Inquiries regarding compliance with, or reports of discrimination/harassment, may be directed to the
Principal of GOAL Academy or Bradley County Schools Secondary Supervisor, Compliance Manager of Bradley County School System.
The following contact information is provided to parents and guardians who may need to contact the Tenn. Department of Education for information on student rights or other information.
In addition to the state and local resources available to parents and children, there are many agencies and organizations that offer support, information, training, and help in advocating for persons with disabilities in Tennessee. A few of these organizations are:
Legal Services Division Department of Education
toll-free 888-212-3162 or visiting https://www.tn.gov/education/legal-services.htmls
Support and Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) http://www.tnstep.org/
West Tennessee: 901-726-4334 Middle Tennessee: 615-463-2310
East Tennessee: 423-639-2464
Tennessee Voices for Children http://www.tnvoices.org
West Tennessee:
1920 Kirby Parkway Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38138
(p) 901-758-2522
(f) 615-269-8914
Middle Tennessee:
701 Bradford Avenue
Nashville, TN 37204
(p) 615-269-7751
(f) 615-269-8914
East Tennessee:
P.O. Box 20847 Knoxville, TN 37940
(p) 865-523-0701
(f) 865-523-0705
Disability Law & Advocacy Center of Tennessee http://www.dlactn.org/ 615-298-1080
1-800-287-9636
1- 800-342-1660
TTY: 1-615-298-2471
Legal Aid of East Tennessee Johnson City
800-821-1312
423-928-8311
Knoxville
865-637-0484
Chattanooga
800-572-7457 423-756-4013 http://www.tennlegalaid.com/
Vanderbilt University Legal Clinic
615-322-4964
West Tennessee Legal Services 731-423-0616 800-372-8346 http://www.wtls.org
A more extensive list of service organizations can be accessed via the Disability Pathfinder Database: http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/pathfinder/
University of Tennessee Legal Clinic 865-974-2331
The Arc of Tennessee
615- 248-5878
800-835-7077
The administration and staff of Bradley County Schools are dedicated to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all children, visitors and staff. We believe in partnering with our parents and community to combat bullying, school violence, and any behaviors disruptive to schools. Bullying at school affects and is affected by what happens after school, at home and even online. We must work together to take immediate actions and help our students, whether they are a bully, a victim of bullying or a bystander.
Bradley County Schools has implemented a web-based incident reporting tool called TIPS. TIPS is a comprehensive platform for reporting, tracking and documenting incidents and concerns. TIPS empowers students, parents, teachers and community members to be heard and to anonymously report warning signs and trouble. The goal of TIPS is prevention and to help identify red flags and warning signs before an incident occurs or escalates.
If you or your child would like to report a concern, please visit the Bradley County Schools’ website (www.bradleyschools.org) and click on the TIPS Incident Report button. All reports are confidential and your name will only be shared if you provide your contact information. As soon as a report is made, all of the appropriate school personnel will receive an instant notification, review the incident and take appropriate actions.
By working together, we can help prevent incidents from occurring and ensure the safety and security of our students. With TIPS students and parents can report:
Bullying
Theft
Cyber bullying
Violence
Threats to Harm
Drug/Alcohol Abuse
Suicidal Threats
Weapons
Discrimination
Harassment
And much more