Lionsgate Academy Annual Report

Lionsgate Academy has published its annual report for the 2010-11 school year. The 80 page document outlines the school’s enrollment policies, governance and management, professional development, finances, academic performance and academic goals. The report also contains the results of the students and parents survey.

The Minnesota Department of Education has also released Lionsgate Academy’s report card. Publication of these documents are required by state law.

November 21, 2011 | | No Comments »

Corporal Punishment

  1. PURPOSE
    The purpose of this policy is to describe limitations on corporal punishment of students.
  2. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
    No employee or agent of the school shall cause corporal punishment to be inflicted upon a student to reform unacceptable conduct or as a penalty for unacceptable conduct. As used in this policy, the term “corporal punishment” means conduct involving hitting or spanking a person with or without an object, or unreasonable physical force that causes bodily harm or substantial emotional harm.
  3. EXCEPTIONS
    A teacher or the executive director may use reasonable force when it is necessary under the circumstances to correct or restrain a student or prevent bodily harm or death to another. Other school employees, or other agents of a school, may use reasonable force when necessary under the circumstances to restrain a student or prevent bodily harm or death to another.
  4. VIOLATION
    Employees who violate the provisions of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action as appropriate. Any such disciplinary action shall be made pursuant to and in accordance with applicable statutory authority and school policies. Violation of this policy may also result in civil or criminal liability for the employee.
November 23, 2010 | | No Comments »

Policy 521: Student Disability Nondiscrimination

  1. PURPOSE
    1. The purpose of this policy is to protect disabled students from discrimination on the basis of disability and to identify and evaluate learners who, within the intent of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, need special services, accommodations, or programs in order that such learners may receive a free appropriate public education.
  2. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
    1. Disabled students are protected from discrimination on the basis of a disability.
    2. It is the responsibility of the school to identify and evaluate learners who, within the intent of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, need special services, accommodations, or programs in order that such learners may receive a free appropriate public education.
    3. For this policy, a learner who is protected under Section 504 is one who:
      1. has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including learning; or
      2. has a record of such impairment; or
      3. is regarded as having such impairment.
    4. Learners may be protected from disability discrimination and be eligible for services, accommodations, or programs under the provisions of Section 504 even though they are not eligible for special education pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  3. COORDINATOR
    1. Persons who have questions, comments, or complaints should contact the executive director regarding grievances or hearing requests regarding disability issues. This person is the school’s ADA/504 Coordinator.
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Policy 526: Hazing Prohibition

  1. PURPOSE
    1. The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning environment for students and staff that is free from hazing. Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of the school and are prohibited at all times.
  2. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
    1. No student, teacher, administrator, volunteer or other employee of the school shall plan, direct, encourage, aid or engage in hazing.
    2. No teacher, administrator, volunteer or other employee of the school shall permit, condone or tolerate hazing.
    3. Apparent permission or consent by a person being hazed does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.
    4. This policy applies to behavior that occurs on or off school property and during and after school hours.
    5. A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law in order to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act.
    6. The school will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer or other employee of the school who is found to have violated this policy.
  3. DEFINITIONS
    1. “Hazing” means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a substantial risk of harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization, or for any other purpose. The term hazing includes, but is not limited to:
      1. Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking or placing a harmful substance on the body.
      2. Any type of physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in a restricted area, calisthenics or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
      3. Any activity involving the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product or any other food, liquid, or substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
      4. Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student to extreme mental stress, embarrassment, shame or humiliation, that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from remaining in school.
      5. Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task that involves violation of state or federal law or of school policies or regulations.
    2. “Student organization” means a group, club or organization having students as its primary members or participants. It includes grade levels, classes, teams, activities or particular school events. A student organization does not have to be an official school organization to come within the terms of this definition.
  4. REPORTING PROCEDURES
    1. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing shall report the alleged acts immediately to an appropriate school official.
    2. The executive director is the person responsible for receiving reports of hazing at the building level.
    3. Teachers, administrators, volunteers and other employees of the school shall be particularly alert to possible situations, circumstances or events which might include hazing. Any such person who receives a report of, observes, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing shall inform the executive director immediately.
    4. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of hazing will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades or work assignments.
  5. SCHOOL ACTION
    1. Upon receipt of a complaint or report of hazing, the school shall undertake or authorize an investigation by school officials or a third party designated by the school.
    2. The school may take immediate steps, at its discretion, to protect the complainant, reporter, students, or others pending completion of an investigation of hazing.
    3. Upon completion of the investigation, the school will take appropriate action. Such action may include, but is not limited to, warning, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, transfer, remediation, termination or discharge. Disciplinary consequences will be sufficiently severe to deter violations and to appropriately discipline prohibited behavior. School action taken for violation of this policy will be consistent with the requirements of applicable collective bargaining agreements, applicable statutory authority, including the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, school policies and regulations.
  6. REPRISAL
    1. The school will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer or other employee of the school who retaliates against any person who makes a good faith report of alleged hazing or against any person who testifies, assists, or participates in an investigation, or against any person who testifies, assists or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such hazing. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment.
  7. DISSEMINATION OF POLICY
    1. This policy shall appear be communicated to students, parents and staff and shall be available in the main office of the school.

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD ON: December 16th, 2008

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