SCHOOL POLICIES
HARVEST Best Academy 2023-2024 PaRent and scholar code of conduct
For complete Harvest Best Academy school policies and code of conduct, please click on this link to our 2023-2024 Student Handbook.
In the Parent and Scholar Code of Conduct, you will find policies regarding Attendance, Discipline, Meals, School Calendar/Weather Closings, Uniform Policy, and Admission and Lottery Policy.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is the first step in ensuring academic achievement. In order for scholars to reach for their personal best, they must show up and give their best effort at school each and every day. At Harvest Best, regular attendance is required.
Harvest Best's school hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday.
Scholars are required to arrive at school on time (by 8:30 a.m.) and to remain in school until dismissal at 3:30 p.m.
All absences - "Excused" and "Unexcused"- are considered absences: Any day your child does not attend school is considered an absence. Only scholar illness (with doctor's note), a death in the family, or a religious holiday (with parent/guardian notes) are considered 'excused' absences, though the scholar is still considered (and marked) absent from school.
See our Parent-Student Handbook for our Tardiness Policy and Consequences for Absences.
behavior management cycle
Our approach to discipline is rooted in a belief that the learning environment is sacred. We will do whatever it takes to make sure that every child is safe (physically, emotionally, mentally, and intellectually) and that every child has the chance to learn without needless disruptions. We have very high expectations for scholar behavior in order to create and preserve a focused learning environment.
The school administrators and behavior interventionists or their designee have the authority to decide on the appropriate consequences for scholar behavior and infractions, including but not limited to; Nia Point deductions, detention, school service, loss of school privileges, and suspension.
NIA POINT SYSTEM
Our teachers use a large array of strategies to promote positive behavior and correct problem behaviors. One of the main strategies is the Nia Point System. A reward system based on one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nia means "purpose").
Scholars are awarded a certain number of Nia points daily, using positive reinforcement whenever possible to "catch" our scholars doing the right things. We use a consequences and problem-solving approach to help scholars address behavioral problems, which may include a deduction of Nia points. Accumulated Nia points serve as the "currency" for scholars to earn various rewards, including field trips and parties. See our Parent-Student Handbook for more information on our Discipline Policy.
student bullying policy
Click here for our Student Bullying Policy.
School restrictive procedure plan
Click here for our Restrictive Procedure Plan (for children with disabilities)
Employee and Board Member Background Chcek Policy
Click here for our Employee and Board Member Background Check Policy
Education
Local Literacy Plan
For more information about our Local Literacy Place, please click here.
Language Instructional Educational Program
For more information on our LIEP (Language Instructional Educational Program), please click here.
Food Service
Breakfast and lunch will be available at Harvest Best. School menus can be found under our Frequently Asked Questions page. All families will need to complete a form that enables the school to participate in the free or reduced-price meal program. For other information concerning health and wellness please review the school's Wellness Policy. If you have a food service complaint, please review the Civil Rights Complaint Procedure.
Families may send lunch to school; however, scholars will not have access to a refrigerator or microwave.
If sending lunch to school with your child, we ask that you send in nutritious foods. Please do not let your child bring unhealthy drinks (e.g., colas or juices heavy in sugar) or unhealthy foods to school.
Junk food cannot be brought to supplement a school lunch.
If you send lunch to school with your child, the entire lunch must be in one bag or container with the scholar's name on it.
Candy, gum, and soda are not allowed to be eaten at school.
Summer Food Service Programs
Use these resources to find an SFSP site near you:
· Download the Free Meals for Kids app provided by Hunger Impact Partners to your phone or device.
· Call the 211 Hotline. From a cell phone – Twin Cities Metro Area: 651-291-0211, Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709, TTY: 651-291-8440.
· Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151, available from Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Central Time.
· Text USDA to texting service. Text Summer Meals to 914-342-7744. Spanish speakers, text Verano to 914-342-7744.
SCHOOL CALENDAR/WEATHER CLOSINGS
Please see the Harvest Best school calendar for scheduled school days.
We will close school only in cases of extreme weather conditions. If you don't know whether we are delayed, closed, or open during inclement weather, please check this website or the local television news channel. At the principal's discretion, any classroom days lost to closure due to inclement weather or other reasons may be made up by adding an equal number of days during or at the end of the school year.
UNIFORMS
Harvest Best Academy requires school uniforms for several important reasons:
Uniforms unite us as a community. When you look at a group of scholars in a Best uniform, it is a powerful visual statement of our community.
Uniforms reduce distractions and clothing competition. They eliminate about purchasing and planning outfits, and eliminate distraction.
Uniforms make us all equal. We all have the same mission. We are all going to college. We all come to school looking the same way.
Uniforms look professional. Scholars look neat when they arrive at school with shirts/blouses tucked in and uniform items clean.
Uniforms provide security. As a security measure, uniforms provide us the ability to identify all of our scholars inside or outside the building.
We ask that all scholars come to school in clean, neat uniforms every day. Scholars may not change out of their uniform at any point during the school day or any school field trips.
