rONI POET’S ASCENSION ARTS ACADEMY, a nonprofit	
ASCENSION ARTS AKADEMY	
SCHOOL POLICY HANDBOOK	

2011-2012	

	

Table of Contents
Welcome Message............................................................................PG. 3
     Academic Calendar Dates.................................................................PG. 3
     Anthem & Vision Statement.............................................................PG. 4
Attendance.......................................................................................PG. 4
Cell Phone Policy..............................................................................PG. 6
     Code of Conduct...............................................................................PG. 6 
     Curriculum.......................................................................................PG. 6
     Discipline Policy...............................................................................PG. 7
     Dress Code Policy.............................................................................PG. 8
     Emergency Policy.............................................................................PG. 8
     Extracurricular Activities..................................................................PG. 8
     Fighting............................................................................................PG. 9
     Fire Drills..........................................................................................PG. 9
     Gifted and Talented..........................................................................PG. 9
     Homework........................................................................................PG. 9
     Immunizations.................................................................................PG. 10
     Meal Policy.......................................................................................PG. 10
     Parent/Family Participation Policy...................................................PG. 12
     Sports..............................................................................................PG. 12
     Teachers..........................................................................................PG. 12
     Tuition.............................................................................................PG. 13

Welcome Message from Executive Director of AAA & Primary Teacher, 
Roni Foster
WELCOME to The Ascension Arts Akademy L.L.C., sponsored by the nonprofit organization Roni Poet’s Ascension Arts Academy! We are so excited to teach you  critical thinking skills, how to learn versus just what to learn. We are a nonsectarian organization, inclusive and welcoming to all whom support a shared goal of spiritual growth. We focus educational lessons on cultures and people that have been ignored in the public education system. Mission: The initiative is a nonprofit PreK-12 grade school primarily for those labeled by society as low-income, “minority”, “at-risk”, and “special needs” students with the following academic objectives: Multi-cultural and Afrikan-centered (communal naturalistic) education, community service, student-tailored integrated curriculum, hands-on arts-based focus, life skills, entrepreneurship innovation, mentorship, Earth stewardship, and holistic healthy living in order to foster self-discovery, self-worth and self-respect. Our eventual goal is to have a residential facility for children who are homeless. Do not hesitate to call me 501-563-1607.

Roni Foster, Executive Director of AAA & Primary Teacher

Academic Calendar Dates to be developed

Anthem & Vision Statement 
Black is beautiful!
Out of the darkness came the light!
Black matter is the father/mother of all!
I am a child of God!
Nothing is outside the mind of God!
No one is above me or beneath me!
There is no competition; what talent God has for me is for me, 
and no man can take it away!
I will live my life with purpose in service to my Earth and all humanity!
To know my purpose I must meditate – sit still, control my breath, 
and let go of thoughts in my mind!
I have the power to create with my choices!
I choose to be what I eat, drink, think, say, and do!
I am one with all creation, so I will treat others with the love I want to receive!
I will seek knowledge and wisdom!
I will honor my ancestors, those whose shoulders I stand upon!
I will conquer fear and ignorance to raise my vibration, 
ascending from this 3D dimension unto 5D dimension
and beyond with the blink of an eye!

Attendance 
Because we are concerned for your child’s safety and well-being, we ask that you notify the school by phone the morning the student is absent by 10:00 AM. Failure to do this will result in the student receiving an unexcused absence.
Types of absences are:
Excused: An absence due to illness, doctor’s appointment, or serious illness or death of family member. Students must go to the teachers and request make-up work. The number of days absent plus one will be allowed for every consecutive day missed for the student to makeup homework. The first five absences will only require a phone call to be excused. However, any absence after five will require a call and a doctor’s note upon the return of the student to be excused.
Explained: An explained absence (not an absence due to illness, doctor’s appointment, serious illness, or death of a family member) is when a parent/guardian takes the student out of school with the principal’s prior knowledge and approval. Students will be required to get assignments for classes to be missed and an assignment form completed prior to leaving the school. The assignments will be due on the day the student returns to school. Failure to follow this policy will result in the absence being recorded as an unexcused absence.
Extra-Curricular Activity Absences: Students are allowed 10 activity absences. Activity absence is any absence that is school related or school sponsored. Extra-curricular activities include, but not limited to, field trips, events, and student activities.
Truancy: A student who leaves school without parental consent or is absent from school on a regular basis without school authorization, or has a high rate of absenteeism shall be reported to the County District Attorney as required by law for private school. Parents/Guardians are compelled to send their child to school and could incur legal liability for failure to do so.
Unexcused: An absence in which the student is out of school that does not qualify as excused or explained. The student will be brought to the office for disciplinary action. In the case of parent not calling to report an absence by 10:00 AM the morning of an absence, the school will attempt to reach the parents at home or work. The principal has the ability to determine or change an absence from excused to unexcused, or from unexcused to excused.
Excessive Absences: A student who has more than 10 days of unexcused absences in a semester may be subjected expulsion. However, a student can serve 15 detention times to make up 1 day of being absent. A letter of notification will be sent to the parent/guardian after 5 unexcused absences occur in a semester and again after 10 unexcused absences. If a student or parent/guardian refuses to adhere to our attendance policy then they may be reported to the County District Attorney. 

Cell Phone Policy
Students are permitted to carry their cell phones, but they should not have them out at any time unless there is an emergency. Students are allowed to use their cell phones in an emergency situation. Students abusing this policy will have their cell phone taken until the end of the school day.
Code of Conduct 
 While at all school-sponsored activities, students are expected to follow these rules:
1.	Be in assigned place with appropriate materials, ready to LEARN at the designated time that class begins. 
2.	Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 
3.	Use school appropriate language and behavior at all times. 
4.	Be polite and respectful. 
5.	Follow instructions and class rules. 
School attendance and participation in class are an important part of the educational process. Regular attendance at school is necessary for students’ success and to achieve the maximum possible benefits from their educational experience. All students are encouraged to be present and prompt. School attendance is the responsibility of parents and students. It is our hope at AAA that you share this same commitment.
Curriculum Requirements 
AAA does not use the letter grading system used in public schools. It is our belief that that system is ineffective. Instead, we will use the KALU AKADEMY (http://www.mineyourmind.com/) curriculum sash system which awards students with ankhs and sashes for the achievement of academic objectives. The fun self-esteem building ritual makes the students strive for the obtainment of knowledge.
AAA has partnered with the successful KALU AKADEMY and will primarily utilize their curriculum: 
•	Calculus & Vedic Math 
•	Etiquette
•	Languages 
•	Geography 
•	The Mind & Human Nature 
•	Nubian History (Ourstory) 
•	Nubian Literature
More Courses
•	SCIENCE (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Metaphysics, Astronomy, and others) Critical thinking skills will be a primary basis in our discernment. 
•	DANCE (Afrikan, Hip Hop, Jazz, & others)
•	MUSIC (Afrikan Drum, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, and others) 
•	Art
•	Theater
•	Holistic Healthy Living (Diet, Exercise, Meditation, Herbs, Hygiene, and other healthy alternatives to drugs)
•	Earth Stewardship (Gardening, Conservation, Recycling, Fair Treatment of Animals, Survival in Nature, and other forms of stewardship ) 
•	Community Service

Pre-k students, children older than 36 months, 3yrs old to 12th grade will learn in the same class with lessons being tailored to each individual student. The older students will mentor and tutor the younger students. 

Students will take standardized tests only to report their scores to the State. If students wish to transfer back to a public school, the same would be the process if a homeschooler was to do the same. The student will test into the school and will have mastered the required academic objectives plus many more objectives as to be proficient or advanced in public school classes.

Discipline Policy
Administrators will never use corporal punishment. Administrators will use voice admonishments to reprove gently but earnestly, to counsel against something to be avoided; caution and to remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility. If disciplinary problem continues the Administrators will use time-out having students stand in a corner or sit in a designated chair in isolation from other students. The length of time a child is placed in time out shall not exceed one minute per year of the child's age. If disciplinary problem does not cease, the parent will be contacted for prompt removal of the student for the rest day.
At the Administrator’s discretion, students may also be assigned detention time to remain after school for an hour doing extra school work assignments.
At the Administrator’s discretion, if disciplinary problems are a daily occurrence, and it has been determined that the student is continuously disrupting the class environment, the student will be suspended or expelled. 
Acceptable behavior guidance techniques include:
a. Look for appropriate behavior and reinforce the children with praise and encouragement when they are behaving well.
b. Remind the children on a daily basis of the rules by using clear positive statements regarding how they are expected to behave rather than what they are not supposed to do.
c. Attempt to ignore minor inappropriate behavior and concentrate on what the child is doing properly.
d. Use brief supervised separation from the group only when the child does not respond to a verbal command which instructs the child as to how he or she is supposed to behave.
e. When a misbehaving child begins to behave appropriately, encourage and praise small positive steps rather than waiting until the child has behaved for a long period of time.
f. Attend to the children who are behaving appropriately and other children will follow their example in order to obtain your attention.
Dress Code Policy
Parents must purchase AAA school t-shirts which will be ordered at the beginning of the school year in bulk by AAA in order to take advantage of cheaper prices. 
In warmer weather girls are to wear knee length skirts with AAA school t-shirts, no pants. In cooler weather girls can wear ankle length or layered skirts with AAA school t-shirts, no pants. No cartoon characters or associated symbols are allowed.
Boys are to wear pants or shorts with AAA school t-shirts. Belts are to be worn when sagging could occur. No cartoon characters or associated symbols are allowed.
On AAA special event days and on every Friday, students are allowed to wear Afrikan or other traditional cultural attire. No cartoon characters or associated symbols are allowed.
Emergency Policy
In the case of emergency, the parent and/or emergency contact shall be notified immediately. If severity has been determined, 911 and an ambulance will be called immediately. Staff is CPR certified and will provide emergency care deemed necessary until ambulance arrives. Parents are responsible for paying for hospital ambulance service. If a contact cannot be reached, staff will accompany child to hospital.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities, as defined by public schools, are an important part of AAA. Students are not lectured to in a desk all day but instead will be doing things in the community such as community service, fieldtrips, etc.
Fighting
Fighting is unacceptable for any reason at AAA and will not be tolerated. A fight is defined as a physical altercation occurring between 2 or more students. The physical nature of a fight could include but is not limited to hitting, punching, slapping, poking, grabbing, pulling, tripping, kicking, and pinching.
AAA will notify the parents immediately to remove students from the school for the rest of the day.
It will be left up to the administrator’s discretion regarding the severity of the altercation at which time suspension or expulsion may be considered. 
It will be left up to the administrator’s discretion as to whether an individual’s participation in a fight will be considered self defense. If the administrator deems the actions as self-defense, then a lesser punishment will be issued to that participant.
Fire Drills
A fire drill will be conducted monthly.
Gifted and Talented
All children are gifted and talented. Our entire program at AAA is equivalent to what public schools reserve for classes labeled as “gifted and talented.” 
Homework 
Homework is defined as the time students spend outside the classroom in assigned learning activities. AAA believes the purpose of homework should be to practice, reinforce, or apply acquired skills and knowledge. We also believe, as research supports, that moderate assignments completed and done well are more effective than lengthy or difficult ones poorly done.
 Homework serves to develop regular study skills and the ability to complete assignments independently. AAA further believes completing homework is the responsibility of the student, and as students mature they are more able to work independently. Therefore, parents play a supportive role through monitoring completion of assignments, encouraging students’ efforts, and providing an environment for learning. Homework contributes toward building responsibility, self-discipline and lifelong learning habits. It is the intention of the AAA teachers to assign relevant, challenging and meaningful homework assignments that reinforce classroom learning objectives. Homework should provide students with the opportunity to apply information they have learned, complete unfinished class assignments, and develop independence.
Actual time required to complete assignments will vary with each student’s study habits and academic skills. If your child is spending an inordinate amount of time doing homework, you should contact your child’s teachers.
Immunizations
As part of AAA’s holistic health curriculum, it is our belief that immunizations are extremely harmful. Research can be provided that outlines the ingredients and affects of shots. We encourage and aid our students in the process to file an exemption from the law that states immunizations are required for school. We will provide you with our legal contact to complete this process. Children who lack immunizations are not a threat to other children, and are in fact sick less often.
Meal Policy
AAA will provide parents with a monthly meal menu to approve by the last Friday of the Month. AAA believes that children must be trained over time to acquire tastes for certain foods in order to develop healthy eating habits. 
AAA believes that you are what you eat, drink, think, say, and do. AAA enforces this meal policy because it is against the work we do in the classroom if the students do not adapt the lessons as a lifestyle.  Students who attend AAA are expected to maintain a healthy diet while at school and WHILE AT HOME.  The diet can be adapted and made affordable to different household incomes. AAA will offer guidance and recipe suggestions. The diet is based on factual research by renowned health expert Dr. Sebi and countless others on what is best for our body, blood, and cells. The diet requirements that the student agrees to try to follow as an AAA student are as follows:
•	No meat. Seafood can be used as a meat substitute for those transitioning into a meatless diet, but should be used minimally or not at all.
•	No milk. Creditable research shows that milk is harmful. Milk substitutes such as rice, almond, hazelnut, or hemp milk, but not soy.
•	No soy. Soy is mostly genetically engineered, and has other harmful effects.
•	High in vegetables, the darker the better. Low in pesticides.
•	High in fruits, the darker the better. Low in pesticides.
•	High in nuts.
•	Zero to Very Little Sugar. Use honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup. Never use aspartame sugars which are very harmful.
•	Very Little Starch.
•	Zero to Very Little Salt
In summary, the drug known as CRACK is 95% sugar and starch. These ingredients have a bad effect on your mind and your body no matter the form. If you want your child to be successful in the classroom, it begins at home, and it begins at the dinner table. 
We encourage parents to uphold a positive example and set the goals for the whole family for this to work effectively.
The student is expected to bring his/her own food with meal policy guidelines or to purchase the provided meal. 
AAA is not a public school and thus, does not receive any government funding. Therefore, it is important that parents avoid charging/not paying for meals as it will put a financial burden on AAA.
No meal will ever be denied.
If you would like to help with a meal, such as to cook food for the whole class please do not hesitate to volunteer, as your help is always welcomed, encouraged, and expected.  To do this, please get with the administrator in advance. You must have a tuberculosis test on file to serve food to children. 
Daily Breakfast Meal Cost: $ 1.25
Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. and will end at 7:50 a.m. every morning. Classes are expected to begin promptly at 8:05.
Daily Lunch Meal Costs: $2.50
Lunch will be served at 12:00 every afternoon for $2.75. Parents who qualify can apply for reduced or free lunch through Dept. of Human Services Child Nutrition Program.
Daily Snacks: $0.50 optional
Parents are encouraged to pay this if they are able but it is not required. Snacks will be provided regardless.
Fruit, crackers, nuts, and other light items will be provided in between breakfast and lunch or after lunch.
Meal Budget
$3.75 per day X 5 days a week = $ 18.75 a week
At least $75.00 a month
You can pay this daily, weekly, or monthly according to your preference. Parents who qualify can apply for reduced or free lunch through Dept. of Human Services Child Nutrition Program.
Parent/Family Participation Policy:
AAA will administer a monthly parent teacher conference in which a parent or other member of family must attend.
When parents are scheduled off from work, they are encouraged and expected to visit the student at school and to assist with his/her education.
Parents who would like to have direct decision making in the school are encouraged to join our Parents Board.
Sports:
There are no competitive teams but students will participate in daily “Just-for-fun” activities such as basketball, and other sports.
Tardiness
Important daily lessons begin immediately each morning. Tardies interfere with the teaching and learning of all students by disrupting the classroom environment. Students are considered tardy at 8:05 a.m. After 5 tardies, an unexcused absence will be assigned to the student. Each additional tardy will also result in 3 detention times for the student.
Teachers
Teachers have professional degrees and/or professional experience with a love for teaching and self-development. Teachers have background checks on file.
Roni Foster, Bachelors of Liberal Arts in creative writing, studio art, and nonprofit professional studies; University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Masters in Education in Instructional Design; Western Governors University
Pharie Greer, Bachelors in Education, National Louis University. Early Childhood Education, Malcolm X College
Neb Nyansapo Noopooh, Philander Smith College

Tuition 
Meals are not included in these fees.
Registration: $100.00 per family includes books and school uniforms
Weekly Tuition: $65.00 per family
Or
Monthly Tuition: $250.00 per family (SAVE 10$ A MONTH, SAVE $120 A YEAR) 
Amounts listed must be paid in advance. Fees are subject to change but advance notice will be given in the event of any changes.
Note: After much consideration, these fees have been determined necessary for this valuable school to be in operation. If there is an economic hardship, please discuss with administrator.