Chavez Scholars

Cesar Chavez PCS considers scholar safety, order and discipline fundamental to learning. Cesar Chavez PCS is therefore committed to maintaining a positive, consistent, safe school environment where each scholar has an equal and appropriate educational opportunity; and, shall provide a fair and consistent approach to scholar discipline, within the context of scholars’ rights and responsibilities.

Cesar Chavez PCS will employ a school wide behavior management system, routines, procedures, Restorative Justice Practices, values instruction, and language to support the creation and reinforcement of a positive, consistent culture.

 

Safety, order, and scholar discipline are fundamental to learning at Cesar Chavez PCS. In addition to a challenging curriculum, dedicated teachers, and proper materials, a secure learning environment is also vital to scholars’ academic success.

Cesar Chavez PCS does not tolerate the following behaviors: bullying, harassment, fighting; classroom distractions; possessing, using, or threatening to use weapons; and, possession, use or distribution of drugs whether such conduct occurs:

Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to: suspension, expulsion, and/or exclusion from school and all school-sponsored activities. Cesar Chavez PCS will also notify our School Resource Officers (SROs) and/or MPD for any action that violates local or federal laws.

 

NON-VIOLENT COMMUNITY AT CESAR CHAVEZ PCS
Cesar Chavez's legacy is one of strong, compassionate non-violence. In light of that, safety is an absolute priority and necessity at Cesar Chavez PCS. Accordingly, all scholars who attend Cesar Chavez PCS agree to abide by the non-violence contract:

I agree not to use violence for any reason what-so-ever at Cesar Chavez PCS, while representing Cesar Chavez PCS, or with any members of the Cesar Chavez PCS community. I understand this non-violence pledge applies to all parties involved in any fight, no matter whether I am “right” or “wrong,” or whether I am acting in “self-defense.” Scholars are officially under the jurisdiction of the school, as it relates to adherence to school rules and expectations for behavior, from the time that they depart for school in the morning until they reach home in the afternoon. This means the school may issue disciplinary actions in response to infractions that take place as a scholar is transitioning to school and from school back home.

Failure to abide by the non-violence contract will result in disciplinary action.

Violence may include and is not limited to fighting, verbal/physical abuse towards other scholars or staff members, threats, intimidation, provocation and pre-fight, facilitating violence, bullying, cyber-bullying, gang initiation or any type of gang involvement

Cesar Chavez PCS is committed to providing scholars with a high-quality education. Daily attendance in school is essential for scholar academic success. We strongly request that scholars and their parents make every effort possible to be on time and minimize the number of days they miss school.

 

All scholars who are five (5) years or older on or before September 30th of the current school year are legally required to attend school each day until they meet Upper School graduation requirements or turn 18 years old. Scholars must be present for 60% of the school day to be considered present, per DC Code § 38-202.

Cesar Chavez PCS recognizes there are certain days throughout the school year (i.e. upon the completion of commencement) when scholars are not expected to attend. On such days scholars will be considered “present” for reporting purposes.

Scholars who are absent from school are not permitted to:

 

EXCUSED ABSENCES
An absence is excused when a scholar (a) has a valid excuse, and (b) provides a written note from a parent/guardian (or doctor) within five (5) days of the absence. All excused absence notes are subject to monitoring and verification. Here are some examples of excused absences:

If a valid excuse note is not provided within five (5) days of the absence, the absence may be considered unexcused.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
An absence is unexcused when a scholar fails to attend school without a valid excuse (whether or not they have parent/guardian approval). Some examples of unexcused absences include:

DOCUMENTATION OF EXCUSED ABSENCES
When a scholar returns to school after an absence, s/he should bring a note to the Registrar. The noteshould include the date(s) of the absence, the reason for the absence, and any required documentation. An original doctor’s certificate should be provided for medical appointments scheduled during the school day or absences due to illness totaling three or more days. Any scholar who is absent 10 or more days, unexcused, is defined as a truant. Cesar Chavez PCS follows the District of Columbia policy for reporting truant scholars to court services or the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA).

SUPPORTING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
Families and guardians can help establish consistent and on-time attendance for their scholars.

 

TARDIES/SCHOLAR LATENESS
Classroom instruction and work time is essential for scholar academic success. Arriving at school late is considered tardy. Morning tardiness is inexcusable (unless it meets the requirements of an excused absence). Cesar Chavez PCS scholars who are marked tardy unexcused to any class including first period may be required to make up their work virtually by the end of the day in order to receive credit for the assignments.

In the event that your child is going to be late or absent, please call ahead to inform the school’s front office administrative assistant, even if you have informed your child’s teacher(s). Scholars that arrive after 40% of the academic day is completed will be marked “absent” from school as scholars do not meet the OSSE regulated in seat time.

EARLY DISMISSAL
Cesar Chavez PCS will honor early dismissal for scholars only after written or verbal notification by a parent/guardian of the scholar, on file. A parent/guardian letter that identifies and authorizes another adult to pick up the scholar must be submitted before the scholar will be dismissed early. Cesar Chavez PCS reserves the right to deny an early dismissal. Scholars are expected to pick up work that they are missing and work with their teachers to submit missed assignments.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES AND DISABLED SCHOLARS
Cesar Chavez PCS attendance policies apply to disabled and non-disabled scholars alike; the only exception is when a scholar’s absences are directly related to his/her disability. Parents/guardians should contact the Director of Special Education for an individualized determination regarding the appropriate documentation to excuse an absence.