Student Handbook Webpage

The mission of RBCTC is to collaborate with all stakeholders to provide educational opportunities and support for students as they develop career goals, skills and personal initiative to become productive members of an ever changing, global society.

PHILOSOPHY

The staff at River Bend Career & Technical Center is committed to promoting lifelong learning by providing quality support to a diverse student population and by providing quality education, which reflects current industry standards.

River Bend Career & Technical Center is dedicated to creating a safe and non-threatening environment while maintaining a challenging curriculum through the use of the latest technology and instructional resources.

We are committed to ensuring that students receive the technical and academic skills necessary to secure employment, to continue post-secondary studies, or to pursue a combination of both.

VISION

The vision of River Bend Career and Technical Center is to create a positive educational environment that prepares all students for the rigors of careers and college.

We are committed to:

• Implementation and maintenance of rigorous and technically advanced programming

• Development of student personal qualities

• Identification and integration of rigorous and relevant academic content

• Quality professional development

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Welcome to the River Bend Career and Technical Center. Your decision to enroll in River Bend is one you have not taken lightly.

River Bend provides career, technical, and integrated academic training to students and adults in both New Hampshire and Vermont. The faculty and staff are highly trained and qualified professionals in their curriculum areas. We strive to instill work ethic and employer expectations in all students while we model and teach a respectful work environment. Our regional design brings students from Oxbow High School, Blue Mountain Union School, Thetford Academy, Rivendell Academy, Woodsville High School, as well as home school and adult students from those same communities into the building. Students can expect a rigorous technical program, which includes integrated academics, and lead to industry-recognized credentials, registered apprenticeships, or post-secondary education. Students attending River Bend will be well prepared to enter the workforce in entry-level positions or transition to postsecondary education within their selected program areas.

NONDISCRIMINATION

The River Bend Career & Technical Center is committed to ensuring a working and learning environment that is free from unlawful discrimination. No student or employee will be denied access to, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any of the Center’s educational programs or activities with regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or age in its programs or activities, or any other characteristic protected by Federal or State law.

Please review Annual Public Notice of Non-discrimination on the following page.

August 2023

Annual Public Notice of Non-Discrimination

(As required by the 1979 Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination in Vocational Education Programs (34 CFR part 100, App. B, IV-OO))

River Bend Career and Technical Center is pleased to announce that it is offering, among other programs, the following Career and

Technical Education Programs of Study for the school year 2023-2024: 21st Century Media & Design, Automotive Technology,

Construction Technology/ Residential Energy (CTRE), Cosmetology, Criminal Justice/Public Safety, Culinary Arts, Cyber Security, Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resources, Emergency Services and Fire Management, Health Science Technology, Heavy Equipment Operations and Management, Teacher Education – Multiple Levels.

Admission to these programs is open to all students enrolled in Blue Mountain UHS, Rivendell Academy, Thetford Academy, Woodsville HS, Oxbow HS, and home school students throughout the region.

The Orange East Supervisory Union/River Bend Career & Technical Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and marital/civil union status in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. The Supervisory Union/Technical Center provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

The ORANGE EAST SUPERVISORY UNION/RIVER BEND CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER offers additional services to students with limited English language skills or with disabilities so that they may benefit from these programs. Individuals wishing to obtain information about the existence and location of accessible services, activities, and facilities should contact the 504 Coordinator (information below).

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Tracy Puffer, Title IX Coordinator

Phone Number: 802-222-5212

Address: 36 Oxbow Drive, Bradford VT 05033

Elizabeth Towle, 504 Coordinator

Phone Number: 802-222-5212

Address: 36 Oxbow Drive, Bradford VT 05033

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA 2023-2024

When students successfully complete a River Bend Career and Technical Center (RBCTC) program, they are prepared to continue in their chosen field and for post-secondary educational opportunities. It is important that students who apply to River Bend understand that their academic skills, career aptitude and positive interest are important components for future success. Every River Bend student will participate in applied academic-technical education that meets high school graduation requirements while also focusing on workplace preparation and direct workplace experiences. We are invested in our students and in their success.

We welcome your interest in our school. Your decision to enroll in a technical program is an important one, and it deserves a great deal of thought and investigation on your part. If you decide to apply to a technical program, we suggest that you discuss the program with other students at your home school who are enrolled in the programs you are considering. You should also meet with your sending school counselor who can help you select all the appropriate courses that will help you attain your goals, and most importantly, discuss the technical program with your parents.

Admissions Criteria

River Bend Career and Technical Center follows the recommended guidelines for Vermont career and technical applications to our entitlement programs for grades eleven and twelve.

1. Residency – Students must be a resident of a community that is within the RBCTC designated geographic area. This area includes the following high school communities: Blue Mountain Union School, Oxbow High School, Rivendell Academy, Thetford Academy, & Woodsville High School. Students may also attend RBCTC who are home schooled or attending an independent school.

2. 11th and 12th Grade Entitlement - Students who are 16 years of age and/or who are on track to achieve 11th or 12th grade status in the upcoming school year have an entitlement to attend an RBCTC program.

3. 10th Grade Enrollment - Programs are also open to 10th grade students who demonstrate the maturity and the ability to meet application criteria outlined below.

4. Credits – It is important that students entering a RBCTC program demonstrate through their high school credits that they are on track to graduate. The following levels of credits are needed:

a. Entering 10th grade students– minimum of 5 credits earned by the end of the 9th grade.

b. Entering 11th grade students - minimum of 10 credits earned by the end of the 10th grade.

c. Entering 12th grade students - minimum of 15 credits earned by the end of the 11th grade.

If a student does not meet the required number of credits by the end of the previous school year, it will be required that there be a plan in place to assure that the student will recover the necessary credits (such as summer school, online credit recovery such as Odyssey or A+ Fuel Education, etc.).

5. Diploma Status

a. Any Vermont or New Hampshire resident of the sending or host community who does not have a high school diploma may apply to attend RBCTC through the same process defined in this document.

b. Any Vermont or New Hampshire resident with a high school diploma may apply to RBCTC on a space-available basis by contacting the RBCTC School Counseling Coordinator.

6. Application Screening - We screen applications to ensure that we are an appropriate educational placement for each student, by looking at the following criteria:

a. A reasonable expectation that the student can meet industry standards.

b. A reasonable expectation that the student can access the curriculum. An overview of the skills to be covered is in the

Minimum Expectations for Meeting Industry Standards document

c. The ability to engage and adhere to safety procedures.

d. The ability to meet RBCTC attendance expectations.

e. All students have a twenty-day probationary period, beginning on the first day of attendance. This phase will be used to determine the appropriateness of placement. Students will automatically be granted full standing after the probationary period unless notified of continued probationary status or withdrawal. 7. Priority of Program Placement - Program priority placements will be determined as follows:

a. Selection of a non-traditional (for gender) career program.

b. Juniors

c. Seniors – new to RBCTC

d. Sophomores

e. Applicants without a diploma. *

f. Applicants with a diploma. *

g. Submission of the RBCTC application by stated deadline.

8. Over-Subscription - Partner School Ratios: in the case of over-subscription to a program, a minimum of 2 students per program from each sending school will have priority for placement. A Placement Committee will be formed composed of the following people to determine enrollment for the program based on the admissions requirements and procedures: the School Counseling Coordinator, Instructor of the Program, and the Director or Assistant Director, and the Student Services Coordinator. Student interviews for program placement may be scheduled, if necessary, as determined by the Placement Committee.

9. Returning Students - For a student to continue in his/her program for a second year, he/she must be recommended by the Placement Committee. The review process for recommendations will begin after the third marking period.

Admissions Procedures

1. Visit to RBCTC - Students are required to visit RBCTC prior to acceptance. All interested students will have the opportunity to attend a scheduled visit day through their sending high school or by attending an RBCTC open house. Individual visits can also be arranged through the RBCTC School Counseling Coordinator.

2. Application - Students may apply for admission directly through the RBCTC online application (www.rbctc.org) or download a PDF and submit directly to the RBCTC School Counseling Coordinator.

3. Priority Deadline - The priority application deadline for the 2023-2024 school year is February 16, 2024 and will be posted on the RBCTC website. Applications received after this date will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.

4. Transcripts and Report Cards - Once an online or paper application is received by the RBCTC School Counseling

Coordinator, documentation in the form of a transcript and/or report card are required to be submitted showing the student is on track to meet the minimum credit requirements stated above.

5. Attendance records – Attendance is a very important aspect of being successful at RBCTC. Up to date attendance records are required to be submitted by the student’s sending school.

6. Discipline records - Discipline concerns will be shared between the sending school guidance office and the RBCTC guidance office on an individual basis.

7. Notification of Placement into Programs – Placement letters will be sent out to all qualified applicants within 10 business days of the application priority deadline. Student applications that require further clarification and consultation with the sending school guidance departments will be reviewed and placement decision letters will be sent out as soon as possible.

8. Students with special needs - Students with special needs, including students with IEPs or 504 Plans, are encouraged to apply to RBCTC. Once a student has been placed into a RBCTC program, if they are on an IEP or a 504 plan, a meeting must be held to determine appropriate technical program placement and the accommodations necessary for success in that program.

This meeting must be held before the student begins classes at RBCTC.

SCHEDULING FOR INSTRUCTION

River Bend follows a half-day program format that lasts for approximately two hours and twenty-five minutes, five days per week.

Most half-day programs are developed to last for two school years, broken down into one-year segments.

• The student may take both years of a half-day program and receive a certificate of completion in the particular subject area.

• The student may take the first-year segment of any of the programs and receive a letter of recognition for effort spent in that particular subject area.

• The student may complete two or three first-year segments in different subject areas and receive a certificate of completion in an Independent Technical Program. This plan allows a student to combine similar skill areas or concentrate in areas that may be important in some third field of study.

River Bend Career & Technical Center recommends awarding credits for each year of completion as follows:

• If a student chooses to withdraw from River Bend Career & Technical Center at the semester break, 1½ credits will be recommended

• In the event that a student only attends one year of a program 3 credits will be recommended

• Half-day program completers will receive 6 credits after two years in the program

• Credits offered are: embedded academic and elective

• All credits awarded may be adjusted depending on individual sending schools and/or special population status.

Note: Attending CTE education is an entitlement of every New Hampshire and Vermont high school student. It is illegal, in both states, for students to be denied access based on scheduling issues that arise at the student’s sending school.

LAB REQUIREMENTS

Programs may require “tools of the trade” that would otherwise be against school policy, such as utility knives. For this reason, such “tools of the trade” are to remain within the designated program area at the end of each school day and are not to be carried to and from the student’s sending school or home. Some programs require students to wear safety equipment. RBCTC will provide head, eye, and hearing protection to all students in hazardous areas. Any other protective requirements are the responsibility of the student/parent.

BEGINNING OF YEAR PAPERWORK

When a new or returning student begins a class, he/she is required to fill out paper work needed by the Center such as a student information card, emergency health form, and a statement verifying that the student handbook has been read. All required forms must be submitted to the instructor before a student may work in a lab setting. It is expected that all forms be returned to the program instructor by the end of the first week of school.

STUDENT RECORDS

Records about each student's technical program are kept in the Career and Technical Center Main Office. These records are confidential and kept according to Orange East Supervisory Union Student Records Policy and the State of Vermont Regulations.

River Bend Career & Technical Center designates certain information as “directory information” and will disclose that information without prior consent. Directory information includes; the student’s name, major field of study, address, parents’ names, date of birth, high school class, extracurricular participation, career plans, awards, honors and photographs of the student.

Parents not wishing this information to be disclosed should notify the Center’s Director.

STUDENT SERVICES

As a Career and Technical Center, we offer various support programs that are available to students:

A. School Counseling Coordinator:

The School Counseling Coordinator has many duties involving the delivery of student services and is the link between the student's home school and the Center. The Coordinator works in conjunction with the sending schools’ School Counselors to develop appropriate program placement, and to assist with post-secondary choices. Resources are available in our Career Center to help students and families with career and college searches.

B. Support Services Coordinator:

Besides the regular program, many students will also need work with applied math and English skills related to the program they have chosen. The Support Services Coordinator works with those students at the Center and with any student who is on an Individualized Education Plan and needs assistance to be successful in his/her Career and Technical Program. Assistance could be in the form of equipment adaptation, program revision, tutorial support, individual instruction or any other form of support that will reasonably accommodate a student. The Support Services Coordinator and/or Instructor are members of the staffing team for each student that has an I.E.P. in his/her home school.

C. Adult Education Coordinator:

The Adult Coordinator helps adults in the specific concerns and needs that they have in relation to returning to school with regular secondary students. Some services provided by the Coordinator include linking transportation, arranging for tutoring and/or classroom help, finding childcare, and job development. The Adult Coordinator also works with industry to make sure that we are meeting their needs by providing appropriately trained graduates or offering customized training programs for specific industries in our area.

D. Cooperative Education Coordinator:

Each program offers qualified second-year students the opportunity to devote some of their class time to working in their particular field; in addition, students may experience work-based learning in a 30 hour non-paid placement. The Co-op Coordinator does the development, overseeing and communication within this job training. This person works individually with each applicant, instructor, and employer.

E. School Nurse:

School health services are available through Oxbow High School. Any medical emergency will be reported to the parent and to the student's home school nurse. All medical problems will be reported to the Technical Center Office as soon as possible after the incident happens or a condition is reported to the teacher. Any student who needs to take daily medications while at RBCTC must see the Director beforehand for proper documentation.

STATE & NATIONAL SPONSORED ORGANIZATIONS:

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)

The goal of the society is to see that deserving career & technical students be recognized and that people of the community become aware of the talents and abilities of the young people and adults who choose career & technical education pathways to a successful future.

Requirements for NTHS are:

• A average in River Bend Program (3.67)

• B average at home school (3.0)

• Display honesty, service, responsibility, citizenship and leadership. • Recommendations

TRANSPORTATION

All of the schools that send students to the Center provide transportation for their students. Students MUST ride to and from the Center on these buses. Students may be allowed to drive private vehicles, provided the situation is prearranged and approved by the sending school and the Technical Center Administration. Career and Technical Center students using private cars will do so only after proper signatures appear on forms provided for this privilege. These forms MUST be submitted to the Career and Technical Director ONE DAY IN ADVANCE, signed by both the Parent and Sending School Administration. Students, who have been granted permission to drive/ride in personal vehicles, must sign in and out through the Center’s main office. The same form must be in place

for a student to ride with another. Students who fail to follow the above procedures will be reported to the sending school’s Administration for disciplinary actions.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Classes are scheduled for morning sessions from 8:00 - 10:25 and afternoon sessions from 12:00-2:25. Some courses are only offered in the morning session and some in the afternoon. Please contact the School Counseling Coordinator for more information concerning precise scheduling.

All Oxbow students who arrive at the Center prior to 8:00 a.m. must report to Oxbow High School and remain in designated areas until released by OHS Personnel.

GRADING SYSTEM

A report card will be issued for every student at the end of each quarter. Grades will be issued for technical program content and embedded academic credit. The Center will also furnish the sending school with student grades each quarter. Approximately halfway through each quarter students will receive a progress report with the purpose of providing a means for students to understand where successes have occurred and where there is room for improvement.

The grading system is as follows:

A+	*99-100*	B+	*91-92*	C+	*83-84*	D+	*75-76*
A	*95-98*	B	*87-90*	C	*79-82*	D	*72-74*
A-	*93-94*	B-	*85-86*	C-	*77-78*	D-	*70-71*
				Homework		F	*0-69*

Students should expect to receive homework from their program instructor that provides differentiated learning opportunities that enrich and reinforces the learning intentions of a specific unit of study. Students spend over two hours each day at the Center. In order to cover all the technical skills, transferable skills and prepare students for career and college readiness, homework will be an integral part of their educational experience at the Center.

Attendance

Good Attendance skills are important in both the world of work and at school. The responsibility for attendance rests upon the parent or guardian and the student. All students are expected to attend regularly and be on time.

Homework Assignments/make-up work

Students are responsible for all material and activities that are missed as a result of being absent. Therefore, River Bend Career & Technical Center will require that all days out of school will be made up with assignments assigned at the discretion of the program instructor. Assignments not completed within the time lines set by the instructor will be included in grades as a zero.

ABSENCES

Notification of Parents/Guardian

Daily absences: Parents will be notified as soon as possible by the sending school to verify absence.

Three Days Absent: Phone call from instructor, letter from administration

Five Days Absent: Letter from administration and referral to EST for review

Maximum Absence Rule

Absences due to college visits, school extra-curricular or co-curricular events, health reasons with valid documentation from a doctor, or other absences deemed appropriate by the director may be considered verified absences. All other absences including In School Suspension and Out-of-School Suspension are counted toward the maximum allowable total.

Tardiness

Parents will be notified of student tardiness by phone and letter after four tardy admissions, or one full day of absence as a result of tardiness, whichever comes first.

Excessive Absenteeism

Absences in excess of five (5) days in a semester are considered excessive. Excessive absenteeism will result in a parent meeting with the EST team and an attendance contract being developed. In some cases, a student may be removed from the center.

Educational Support Team (EST)

The EST consists of the RB School Counseling Coordinator, the Special Services Coordinator, the Assistant Director, and other members as needed. The EST meets weekly to review attendance and other student concerns. If, upon review, the EST feels a parent meeting is needed, one will be scheduled to create a plan to support and facilitate student success.

Program Completion Requirements Gold and Silver Certificates

River Bend Career and Technical Center has implemented a dual level of completion certificates; Gold and Silver. Below are the descriptions and expectations necessary to earn a program completion certificate at these different levels.

Two-Year Program Certificate - GOLD

Possesses key content knowledge and key learning skills and techniques sufficient to begin post-secondary studies in a career pathway and meets the three keys to college and career readiness described below:

• Completes a two-year program and meets the program’s technical skill requirements, state requirements, and state competencies.

• Meets college and career readiness standards through WorkKeys Score of 5 or higher on Workplace Documents and Applied Math

• Successful completion of the RBCTC portfolio documenting state competencies, technical and transferable skills attainment.

Two-Year Program Certificate – SILVER

• Meets basic expectations in workplace behavior and possesses specific training necessary for an entry-level position.

• Completes a two-year program and meets the program’s technical skill requirements.

• Successful completion of the RBCTC portfolio documenting state competencies, technical and transferable skills attainment.

One-Year Program Certificate

• Completes one year of a program and meets the program’s technical skill requirements.

• Successful completion of the RBCTC portfolio documenting state competencies, technical and transferable skills attainment.

• If a one-year student achieves the required academic levels defined in the GOLD program certificate, he/she can earn a oneyear Gold or Silver Certificate.

WorkKeys Assessment

River Bend Career and Technical Center (RBCTC) is an approved WorkKeys Assessment Test Center. WorkKeys is an assessment designed to evaluate students’ skills in reading and mathematics. These assessments are used by many employers for evaluating career readiness and to place students in appropriate work/job roles.

Each student who enters RBCTC is required to take two WorkKeys assessments: Applied Math and Workplace Documents. Testing schedules will be set each fall in accordance with state requirements. When a student scores proficient in both assessments, they will be given a third assessment: Graphic Literacy. Testing with all three assessments gives students the opportunity to earn a National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC) at various levels, depending upon their scores. This certification measures aptitude of math, reading, and thinking strategically -- which tells an employer the likelihood of success in a particular job role. Additionally, if a student earns an NCRC at Gold or Platinum level, they will earn a Tier II Industry Recognized Credential (IRC). This post-secondary level IRC can transfer to many post-secondary institutions for college credit, with CCV committing to awarding enrolled students 2 elective college credits.

Accuplacer Testing

River Bend Career and Technical Center (RBCTC) is an approved Accuplacer Test Center. Accuplacer is an assessment designed to evaluate students’ skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. These assessments are used by many of our state/community college partners for evaluating students’ college readiness and to place students in the appropriate college level class.

Each RBCTC student who is pursuing a Fast Forward college course through us and the Community College of VT (CCV) is required to take three Accuplacer assessments: Next Generation Writing, Next Generation Reading, Next Generation Arithmetic. This helps both the student and RBCTC staff evaluate students’ academic skill levels, and helps CCV evaluate college readiness. As a student at RBCTC, regardless of whether or not they are pursuing a Fast Forward course, they are allowed to take Accuplacer tests multiple times at no extra cost.

Edmentum Credit Recovery On-line Courses

River Bend Career and Technical Center has partnered with Edmentum to offer online academic courses. Through collaboration with our students’ sending schools, these academic courses can be used for credit recovery, remediation, or in special circumstances, standalone credit earning options. These courses are offered at no cost to all River Bend students. The courses are available online and accessible outside of class time. Currently, the following sending schools have partnered with us to offer Edmentum courses: Blue Mountain Union School, Oxbow High School, and Rivendell Academy.

Student Portfolios

All Career Center students must develop and complete a portfolio for River Bend Awards Night. Portfolios are due at the end of March each school year.

What is a Portfolio?

A portfolio is a purposeful collection that documents learning and achievement. It is a demonstration of who you are, what you know, and what you have done. The format the Career Center has chosen involves a list of required elements that are directly linked to common competencies among all programs. All students also have the opportunity to add elements that reflect and highlight individual strengths and achievements. A portfolio is not a project, it is an ongoing process.

Content needs to be:

Ø appropriate and professional

Ø current

Ø edited and proofread—SPELLING AND GRAMMAR COUNTS

Ø accurate and complete

Ø your ‘Best Work’

The portfolio process helps you:

Ø increase your `marketability' with prospective employers, and post-secondary placements

Ø achieve greater academic success

Ø learn and practice information technology skills

Ø develop and maintain a long-term goal and career plan

Ø collect your significant academic and experiential work in one place

Ø develop organizational and time management skills

Ø develop critical thinking and problem solving

What materials/resources will the Career Center provide?

Ø A storage folder on the network

Ø The use of current technology at the Career Center (computers, printers, digital cameras, scanners, etc.)

Ø Assistance from program instructors, the co-op coordinator, and the support services staff at the RBCTC

Code of Conduct

Oxbow Unified Union School District

River Bend Career and Technical Center expects good citizenship from all members of the school community. Individual responsibility and mutual respect are essential to a productive school community. True discipline is self-discipline. Self-discipline is a learned behavior. One of the major functions of River Bend Career and Technical Center is to help students progress from dependence upon imposed discipline to independence and the development of personal responsibility as a function of citizenship. Personal responsibility requires that students be given appropriate opportunities and guidance to exercise responsibility and to learn how to take responsibility for their own actions, behaviors and education. This essential understanding is a one of the fundamental elements in our mission statement.

We believe that there are three guiding values in the Code of Conduct: BE RESPECTFUL, WORK HARD, AND BE KIND TO OTHERS. These three values encompass all that is expected of students and staff as they strive for excellence. Furthermore, these three values should guide all interactions of students and staff on a daily basis. The administration and staff of River Bend Career and Technical Center will use these values to teach the skills that are a part of becoming a good community member and citizen as they implement and use this code of conduct.

Be Kind to others	Be Respectful	Work Hard
Be encouraging, courteous and polite	Use language that is appropriate and respectful	Do your own work and complete it on time
Allow others to learn	Respect now, question later and disagree respectfully	Stay present and engaged in your work
Help and protect self and others peacefully	Respect others property	Be prepared and on time.
Have the courage to live a healthy lifestyle	Be honest and demonstrate personal integrity in all interactions	Challenge yourself, set high expectations
Stand up to injustice, advocate for self and others	Wear appropriate clothes that demonstrate respect to self and the school.	Be open to new ideas
	Protect others rights, respect others beliefs and practice tolerance.	Advocate for yourself and others for a quality education

All students should strive to meet these expectations in the code of conduct. If they embrace the fundamental aspect of this code, they will meet success in the academic and social arenas of the school.

When students act irresponsibly the school has the responsibility to impose appropriate guidance and/or discipline upon them. Oxbow Unified Union School District/River Bend Career and Technical Center, believes that all reasonable effort must be made to prevent discipline problems through the effective use of education and communication. A student who engages in any behavior that disrupts the safe and orderly environment of the school will be subject to disciplinary action. Discipline problems will be handled with consistency and consequences will be dealt with a view to the education and or rehabilitation of the student so that she/he may learn productively from the situation.

The following is a non-inclusive list of minor offenses:

Dress code	Tardy	Public Display of Affection
Minor property damage/Misuse	Inappropriate Language	Disruption
Defiance/Disrespect/Non-compliance	Physical contact/ Physical aggression	Technology Violation

The following is a non-inclusive list of major infractions:

Fighting/Assault	Unauthorized Area/Leaving School Grounds	Theft, Forgery
Bullying	Cutting class/unexcused absence from an individual class	Illegal substances/Tobacco
Harassment	Lying/cheating	Technology Violation
Hazing	Property damage	Truancy
Abusive Language, Profanity	Arson/Possession of Combustibles	Dress Code Violation
Disruption	False Alarms	Inappropriate Display of Affection
Defiance/disrespect/ insubordination/non-compliance	Weapons	Tardy

Minor Incidents Defined

Dress code – student wears clothing that is near, but not within the dress code guidelines defined by the school.

Tardy – student arrives to class after the bell, less than three times.

Public Display of Affection – Student engages in inappropriate (as defined by school) verbal and or physical gestures/contact, of a sexual nature to another student/adult either consensual or non-consensual.

Minor property damage/Misuse – Student engages in low-intensity misuse of property.

Inappropriate Language -- Student engages in low intensity instance of inappropriate language.

Disruption – Student engages in low intensity, but inappropriate disruption.

Defiance/Disrespect/Non-compliance – Student engages in brief or low intensity failure to respond to adult requests.

Physical contact/ Physical aggression – Student engages in non-serious, but inappropriate physical contact.

Technology Violation - Student engages in non-serious but inappropriate use of cell phone, page, music/video players, camera and computer as stated in the technology use agreement.

Other – Student engages in any other minor problem behaviors that do not fall within the above categories.

Major Incidents Defined

Fighting/Assault – Actions involving serious physical contact where injury may occur.

(Ex. Hitting, punching, hitting with an object, kicking, hair pulling, scratching, etc.)

Bullying – Student delivers disrespectful messages (verbal or with gestures) to another person that includes threats and intimidation, obscene gestures, pictures, or written notes. (See below the line chart for further descriptions

Harassment – Means an incident of verbal, written, visual, or physical conduct based or motivated by a student’s or a student’s family member’s actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Hazing – any act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student in connection with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, or holding office in, or maintain membership in any organization which is affiliated with an educational institution: and, which is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, humiliating, intimidating or demeaning the student; or endangering the mental or physical health of a student.

Abusive Language, Profanity – Verbal messages that include swearing, name calling or use or words in an inappropriate way Disruption – Behavior causing an interruption in a class or activity. Disruption includes a sustained laud talk, yelling, or screaming, noise with materials; horseplay or rough housing; and/or sustained out-of- seat behavior.

Defiance/disrespect/ insubordination/non-compliance – Refusal to follow directions, talking back and or socially rude interactions.

Unauthorized Area/Leaving School Grounds – Student is in an area that is outside of school boundaries (as defined by the school) Cutting class/unexcused absence from an individual class – Leaving class without permission, unexcused absence, and being in an unauthorized area during an assigned class period.

Lying/cheating – Student delivers message that is untrue and/or deliberately violates rules.

Property damage –Student participates in an activity that results in destruction or disfigurement of property.

Arson/Possession of Combustibles – Student plans and/or participates in malicious burning of property. Student is in possession of substances/objects readily capable of causing bodily harm and/or property damage (matches, lighters, firecrackers, gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.)

False Alarms – Students delivers a message of possible explosive materials being on-campus, near campus, and/or pending explosion Weapons – Student is in possession of knives or guns, (real or look alike), or other objects readily capable of causing bodily harm. Theft, Forgery – Student is in possession of, having passed on, or being responsible for removing someone else’s property or has signed a person’s name without person’s permission.

Illegal substances/Tobacco – the use, possession, distribution or sale of any illegal substance and/or related equipment while on school grounds or attending a school activity elsewhere.

Technology Violation – student engages in inappropriate (as defined by school) use of cell phone, pager, music, video players, camera, and/or computer period.

Truancy – refer to attendance policy

Dress Code Violation – Student wears clothing that does not fit within the dress code guidelines practiced by the school/district. Inappropriate Display of Affection - Student engages in inappropriate (as defined by school) verbal and/or physical gestures/contact, of a sexual nature to another student/adult, either consensual or non-consensual.

Tardy - Student is late to class more than three times.

Other –Student engages in any other major problem behaviors that do not fall within the above categories.

Behavior Consequences Defined

The administration my assign the following consequences:

Recommendation for Expulsion/Removal – students may be recommended to the board of education for expulsion from school.

Referral to Law enforcement – in all cases, student will be referred to law enforcement when their actions have broken the law.

Students will be informed when law official have been contacted.

Out of school suspension ranging from 1-10 days – students may be removed from school for up to ten days. Students that are suspended from school may not be on campus and may not participate in extra-curricular activities and athletic events, including but not limited to: dances, proms, games, practices, and graduation. All suspensions earned are reciprocal and will be enforced at both River Bend Career and Technical Center and sending high schools.

In-school suspension from 1-10 days – students may be placed in an in school suspension room for up to ten days. Students that are in school suspended may not participate in extra-curricular activities and athletic activities. All suspensions earned are reciprocal and will be enforced at both River Bend Career and Technical Center and sending high schools.

Loss of extracurricular privilege/leadership opportunities – students may lose extracurricular privileges and may have leadership roles revoked on a temporary or permanent basis. (Events might include but are not limited to: dances, proms, games, practices, and graduation.)

Loss of driving privilege – students driving privilege may be revoked on temporary or permanent basis

Loss of off campus privileges – students that qualify for off-campus privileges may lose that privilege on a temporary or permanent basis.

After school detention – Student may be required to attend after school detention as assigned by the administration. Detention usually takes place from 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM.

Loss of bus transportation privileges – Students may lose bus transportation privileges for up to a year for incidents that take place on the busses.

Loss of course credit – Students may lose credit for a course.

Teachers may assign the following consequences:

After school detention

Temporary removal from class

Change in seating arrangements Referral to Administration

Teacher and administration may initiate some of the following supports for students struggling with behavior problems, these supports may include but are not limited to:

Parent notification

Conference with student

Conference with parent and student

Referral to guidance

Referral to student support system

Referral to School Psychologist

Possible Disciplinary Actions

(Based on frequency and severity of actions)

Seating arrangements	Conference with student	Parent notification
Conference with parent and student	Referral to guidance	Temporary removal from class
Office discipline refer	Referral to student support system	Directed study
Loss of bus transportation privileges	Revoke of off campus privileges	After school detention
Office detention	Classroom removal	Revocation of driving
Revoke extracurricular privilege/leadership opportunities	Loss of course credit	In-school suspension from 1-5 days
Out of school suspension ranging from 1- 10 days	Referral to Law enforcement	Expulsion/Removal

Cell Phone Usage

Our goal is to create a classroom environment conducive to focus on the learning objectives of the class and eliminate distraction and off task behavior. Safety is paramount at River Bend and the use of cell phones and other connected devices and earbuds can lead to unsafe situations. Feedback from area businesses is that students are inappropriately on their phones in the workplace. At River Bend, we like to treat classes like a workplace as much as feasible, so we are training our students on employment skills. Staying off their phones and other connected devices while at work (school) is an important skill for us to teach.

These devices must remain turned off and out of sight at all times, unless the classroom instructor has granted specific permission. Should cell phones be observed, teachers and/or administrators have the authority to confiscate them and submit them to the appropriate administrator.

If you need to contact your child, please call the office at River Bend and staff will give your student a message or the opportunity to call you if necessary. If a student needs to contact their parent, they can ask to go to the main office to make a phone call. Students will not be allowed to step out of class to make a call. They need to come to the main office where we will provide them with privacy to make their phone call.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Safety is something we take very seriously at River Bend. Students are accessing and using equipment considered hazardous under OSHA rules and as such, all students are required to complete safety training prior to using any hazardous equipment and before they can access those areas deemed hazardous. It is mandatory that everyone wear all required safety equipment while working in or visiting a shop area or off-site work area. The instructor will make all required safety equipment available in all shops or areas where required by OSHA regulations. All visitors shall be required to wear safety equipment when in the shop areas as well.

Students who do not follow safety rules at River Bend will be asked to leave the class and go to the office. A behavior referral will be completed and the program instructor will contact parents/guardians to inform them of the safety violation. Multiple safety violations could lead to a student being asked to leave the Center.

The following safety equipment will be supplied by the Technical Center to its employees and students: safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hats, rubber gloves and other safety equipment as deemed necessary by the program instructor.

The following areas are deemed hazardous: Automotive Technology Shop, Construction/Woodworking Shop, Heavy Equipment Shop, Diversified Ag off site areas as identified by Instructor, Emergency Services practical sites as identified by Instructor.

Oxbow Unified Union School District

RIVER BEND CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER

CODE C10P Model Procedures on the Prevention of Harassment, Hazing & Bullying of Students

Model Procedures on the Prevention of Harassment, Hazing and Bullying of Students Date Warned: 07-16-19

Date Adopted: 08-21-19

I. Reporting Complaints of Hazing, Harassment and/or Bullying

A. Student Reporting: Any student who believes that s/he has been hazed, harassed and/or bullied under this policy, or who witnesses or has knowledge of conduct that s/he reasonably believes might constitute hazing, harassment and or/bullying, should promptly report the conduct to a designated employee or any other school employee.

B. School employee reporting: Any school employee who witnesses conduct that s/he reasonably believes might constitute hazing, harassment and/or bullying shall take reasonable action to stop the conduct and to prevent its recurrence and immediately report it to a designated employee and immediately complete a Student Conduct Form.

Any school employee who overhears or directly receives information about conduct that might constitute hazing, harassment and/or bullying shall immediately report the information to a designated employee and immediately complete a Student Conduct Form. If one of the designated employees is a person alleged to be engaged in the conduct complained of, the incident shall be immediately reported to the other designated employee or the school administrator.

C. Other reporting: Any other person who witnesses conduct that s/he reasonably believes might constitute hazing, harassment and/or bullying under this policy should promptly report the conduct to a designated employee.

D. Documentation of the report: If the complaint is oral, the designated employee shall promptly reduce the complaint to writing in a Student Conduct Form, including the time, place, and nature of the alleged conduct, the identity of the complainant, alleged perpetrator, and any witnesses. Both the complainant and the alleged perpetrator will have the right to present witnesses and other evidence in support of their position.

E. False complaint: Any person who knowingly makes a false accusation regarding hazing, harassment and/or bullying may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and expulsion with regard to students, or up to and including discharge with regard to employees. There shall be no adverse action taken against a person for reporting a complaint of hazing, harassment and/or bullying when the person has a good faith belief that hazing, harassment and/or bullying occurred or is occurring.

F. Rights to Alternative Complaint Process: In addition to, or as an alternative to filing a harassment complaint pursuant to this policy, a person may file a harassment complaint with the Vermont Human Rights Commission or the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education at the addresses noted below:

Vermont Human Rights Commission

14-16 Baldwin Street Montpelier, VT 05633-6301

(800) 416-2010 or (802) 828-2480 (voice)

(877) 294-9200 (tty)

(802) 828-2481 (fax)

Email: human.rights@state.vt.us

Office for Civil Rights, Boston Office U.S. Department of

Education

8^thFloor 5 Post Office Square

Boston, MA 02109-3921

617-289-0111 (voice)

877-521-2172 (tdd) 617-289-0150 (fax)

Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov

II. Responding to Notice of Possible Policy Violation(s)

A. Upon notice of information that hazing, harassment and/or bullying may have occurred the designated employee shall:

i. Promptly reduce any oral information to writing, including the time, place, and nature of the conduct, and the identity of the participants and complainant.

ii. Promptly inform the school administrator(s) of the information;

iii. If in the judgment of the school administrator, the information alleges conduct which may constitute harassment, hazing or bullying, the school administrator shall, as soon as reasonably possible, provide a copy of the policy on hazing, harassment and bullying and these procedures to the complainant and accused individual, or if either is a minor, cause a copy to be provided or delivered to their respective parent or guardian.

B. Upon initiation of an investigation, the designated employee shall:

i. Notify in writing both the complainant and accused individual (or if either is a minor inform their respective parent or guardian) that:

1. an investigation has been initiated;

2. retaliation is prohibited;

3. all parties have certain confidentiality rights; and 4. they will be informed in writing of the outcome of the investigation.

C. All notifications shall be subject to state and/or federal laws protecting the confidentiality of personally identifiable student information. Pursuant to 34 CFR Part 99.30, a school administrator may seek the consent of the parent/guardian of the accused student, or the accused eligible student (if 18 or older, the accused student has the ability to consent), in order to inform the complainant of any disciplinary action taken in cases where the school determined that an act(s) of harassment, hazing, and/or bullying, or other misconduct occurred. The parent/guardian or eligible student shall provide a signed and dated written consent before an educational agency or institution discloses personally identifiable information from the student's education records.