Arizona Cultural Academy

Student Code Of CONDUCT

ACA Principal will establish regulations governing the conduct of students in school and school functions. In establishing these regulations, the ACA Principal may consult with the student body and/or staff committees. In addition to compliance with these regulations, students are expected to obey all rules and regulations adopted by ACA Principal and Staff, and to obey any order given by a member of the faculty relating to school activities.
Student at ACA and ACA functions and events shall not engage in:

Any conduct intended to obstruct, disrupt, or interfere with teaching, administrative, or disciplinary functions, or any activity sponsored by ACA.
Physical abuse or threat of harm to any person on ACA property and or school activities and events.
Damage or threat of damage to property of ACA.
Forceful or unauthorized entry to ACA facilities and grounds.
Unlawful use, possession, distribution, or sale of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs or other illegal contraband on ACA property or ACA sponsored events.
Conduct or speech that violates islamically accepted standards and has no redeeming social value.
Failure to comply with lawful directions of ACA Principal and Staff acting in performance of their duties.
Knowing violation of ACA rules and regulations. The students’ enrollment in the school whether signatures on the Parent-Student handbook exist or not will be considered proof that the violation was done knowingly.

In addition to the general rules set forth above, students shall be expected to obey all policies and regulations for student conduct adopted by ACA Principal and Staff. Any student who violates these policies and regulations may b e subject to disciplinary action in addition to other civil and criminal prosecution.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The right and privilege of attending a private school carries with it certain responsibilities on the part of parents and students. It is important that parents and students recognize the direct relationship between academic success and regular school attendance.
Students should remain out of school only when absolutely necessary. Much classroom activity cannot be replicated; class discussion and participation is lost forever to those who are absent. ACA is not responsible for the student’s under expected academic achievements due to excessive absence. Our school day starts at 8:00 am and ends at 3:10 pm. Regular daily attendance is required of all students.

Arizona Law requires parents to send children to school. Failure to send your child to school may result in criminal charges. Stay in school--It's the law!

ARS 15-802 requires that a person having custody of a child between six and sixteen years of age must ensure that the child is in school full time when the school is in session, unless statutorily excused.

ARS 15-803 has been revised to read that "a student is considered 'habitually truant' if truant for at least five school days." Additionally, "truant" is now defined as "an unexcused absence for at least ONE class period during the day."

Failure to ensure that a child attends school is a criminal offense. The consequences may include

• A fine of up to $500.00 AND
• A possible jail sentence of up to 30 days
Parents of truants may also be charged with contributing to the dependency or delinquency of a minor.

ARS 13-3613 requires that parents not commit any acts contributing to a child's dependency or delinquency. This includes failing to send a child to school. Contributing to the dependency or delinquency of a minor is a criminal offense. The consequences include

• A fine of up to $2500 AND
• Two possible jail sentences of up to six months

The parents/guardians are expected to call the attendance line or email to the school on or before the day (s) of the absence.

To report absences or tardiness please notify the School Office at: 602-454-1222 between 8:00 and 9:00 AM on the morning of the absence. The school must receive notice before 9:00 AM. Otherwise, the absence will be considered unexcused.

State law mandates that the school record reasons for all students absences; therefore, all messages must include parent name, student name, date, time and reason for absence.
The school office is responsible for informing the teachers about the student’s absence in a timely manner. Any student who misses 15 minutes of a class will be marked as absent for that class.
Middle and High school/College Prep have more specified expectations stated in later section.

Excused absences:

All excused absences shall not exceed ten days.
1. Mandatory civic duty: Duty notice shall be submitted to the office.
2. Personal illness: Only a doctor’s note or a maximum of ONE day signed and dated parental note will be honored as an excused absence for personal illness. If a student does not bring a parental or doctor’s note, the absence becomes unexcused.
3. Visit to the school infirmary: The student will only be admitted back to class after receiving a note from the School Nurse/Secretary. A maximum of ONE class period can be granted as excused.
4. Hajj: Up to 5 additional school days beyond Eid Holiday posted on the school calendar.
5. In School Suspension: Course assignments for students on in school suspension will be provided by the teachers before each class begins with the purpose of enabling students to remain current in their assigned course work. Credit will be given for the work assigned on in school suspension. If a student fails to serve In School Suspension, he or she will be assigned an automatic out-of-school suspension.
6. School related absence: If a student misses class due to a preapproved school related activity, such absence shall be counted as the equivalent of regular attendance. Upon returning to school from such absence it shall be the responsibility of the student to consult with his/her teacher(s) regarding arrangements to make up missed work, assignments, and/or tests in accordance with the time schedule specified by the teacher(s).

Unexcused absence:

All other absences than the above mentioned excused absences are unexcused. Unexcused absence must not exceed five days. It will be reported to the proper authority when the limit is reached.

Prayer attendance:

Prophet (PBUH) said in an authentic Hadith, “Order your kids to pray at 7 years old…”
Prayer attendance is recorded as class attendance. All attendance policy applies. Athan is called at 12:55 PM (12:40 PM on Fridays). Attendance will be recorded at 1:05 PM (12:50 PM on Fridays).
A parent note must be submitted to the Advisor Ms. Samah Bkhaitan for girls to be excused from attending the Prayer. A total of three tardies is equivalent to one class unexcused absence.

Tardy:

1. All students shall be in the class at 8 AM. Students will be marked tardy after 8:05 AM.
2. Any student who enters the class after the 2nd bell rings is marked tardy.
3. A total of 3 tardies is equivalent to 1 day unexcused absence.

Heavy traffic and traffic accidents are an expected occurrence on valley freeways and roads. Such tardiness shall not be excused.

Leaving School Early:

In the event that the student leaves early from school, such early departure shall be recorded as excused or unexcused in accordance with the standards articulated in this policy. Early departure shall be signed out by parents/guardians at the time of departure. Students, who drive to school, will NOT be allowed to leave without parent’s note.

All absences whether excused or unexcused shall not exceed 15 days. The parent will be notified that the student’s readmission in the following academic year is jeopardized due to excessive absence.

Perfect Attendance

Perfect attendance will result in incentives for the student as set forth by the school administration and teachers.