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New Horizons Program
at
Manchester Regional Academy

665 Wetherell Street
Manchester, Connecitut
647-3495

Click here to see program pictures

Staff

Director: Bruce Thorndike
Assistant Director: Andrew Rockett

Academic Staff - The staff for the 2008-2009 school year will be updated in the coming week, thank you.
Charles Vousden– English
Sharon Valyo --Life Skills
Eric Farno - Science
Kevin Brophy- Mathematics
Tim Lewis- Social Studies

Vocational Staff
Michael Villandry - Culinary Arts
Michael Bergeron – Wood Shop
Mike Kakalow- Physical Education/Health

Counseling
Marie Michael-Rogers
Liama Holmes

Health
Melinda Olson, RN – School Nurse 647-3497
Barbara Asara, RN

Support Staff
Christine Munzo– Secretary
Kevin Boyle – Security
Leon Haberski – Security
Keith Lane– Security
Russel Barnes -- Security

Transportation: First Student 643-2373

Program Description
The New Horizons program is an alternative school for students who have had a difficult time finding success in the traditional regular education environment. Students in New Horizons have demonstrated, through their behavior, that they require more intensive programming. This programming is extended via two fundamental approaches: accountability and support.

Accountability means that students are held responsible for their actions. With a strong program structure, firm behavioral limits, and high expectations, students are guided to become productive students.

Support means that students are taught skills to make the improvements necessary to be successful. Through a variety of modalities, emotional needs are addressed and students are given the tools to be more socially responsible and academically prepared.

Population
New Horizons serves two groups of students: those who have been expelled from Manchester Public Schools and those who have not been expelled but who are at-risk for expulsion as evidenced by serious behavioral concerns and significant disciplinary interventions. It is an inclusive program for children with special needs, for children who are in danger of being recommended for expulsion, and for those who have been expelled.

Program Structure
The program serves between 24 and 30 students.
Academic classes are 1 hour long and meet every-other day.
The program includes group counseling and vocational classes.
Dinner is provided, with students working in the culinary arts program on a rotating basis to assist in dinner preparation and cleanup
Transportation is provided.

Curriculum and Instruction
The curriculum reflects the curricular objectives in the BOE approved district curriculum. Instruction differs in that it is tutorial in many respects to accommodate individual student learning objectives.

Students are exposed to vocational curricula, working in a woodshop, mechanics shop, culinary arts program, and a computer class.

Schedule
The program operates four hours per day, Monday through Thursday, from 4:00-8:00 PM. There is no school on Fridays.

New Horizons follows the Manchester Public Schools calendar, including school cancellations.

Staffing
The program is staffed with experienced teachers who have knowledge and expertise working with high-needs, non-traditional students. This is a paired, co-teaching model of general education and special education teachers working together.

Daily Operations
Expelled Students. Students who have been expelled are placed on a plan whereby every day of success (termed a Green Day) in the program potentially earns one day off of their expulsion. Thus a student who is expelled for one year can, with maximum success in the program and with the approval of the Superintendent, return either to MHS or to one of the other programs in the continuum in 90 days.

A Green Day is measured as full day attendance and 80% of behavior/effort points earned.

Students who are misbehaving are asked to take a Time Out. After a third Time Out, the student is dismissed from the program for the remainder of the day. This day does not count as a Green Day but instead earns a student a Red Day.

Non-Expelled Students. Non-expelled students earn their way back to their sending school when 80% of their days are Green Days. This means, over any 45 day period, 36 of them need to be Green Days.

This ensures that every day is a new day for students, and each day they can begin anew counting toward their 36 Green Days. If a student has a less than successful day, he/she can still return the following day with strong incentive to make this new day a Green Day. This also ensures that students do not merely “do their time” in the program, but that they actively work toward a goal. This kind of incentive for productivity is essential to the success of the program, as one of the program goals is to instill a sense of productivity and accomplishment for students.

Exiting Students
Students exiting the program may transfer to one of the other alternative schools in Manchester, or they may transfer to the regular educational setting. Transfer decisions are made in PPT, for special education students. Transfer decisions are made by review board for students in regular education

Review Board
The review board consists of the New Horizons director, the principals of Manchester Regional Academy and Bentley School, and the Manchester Public Schools Equity Director and Supervisor of Special Education.

Academic Program
As a public school program, the New Horizons places a high value on academic education. Students of all skill levels participate in daily classes covering all core disciplines.

The academic programs are designed to reflect, as much as possible, those at the middle schools, and high school in Manchester. Students take courses including English, Math, Social Studies, and Science. In addition, all students take Life Skills, where they learn skills such as banking, job application, etc.

Students who successfully complete courses at the secondary level while enrolled at New Horizons accrue credits as they would at Manchester High School or their hometown high school. All courses lead to a diploma from the student’s high school.

In addition to academic classes and vocational classes, all students participate in physical education.

Support
A licensed school social worker is on staff 2 days per week. Students participate in group counseling on these days. A registered school nurse is on duty each night until 5:30 PM.

Vocational Program
The primary vocational goal is to help students take steps toward achieving economic and social independence. All students explore vocational careers through hands-on classes. Students can learn basic and advanced marketable skills for entry-level employment positions and are encouraged to seek further specific training or education.
Click here to see Culinary pictures

Behavioral Expectations
In order to obtain the maximum benefit from an educational program, students must learn to manage their own behavior successfully. Since many students arrive at our school with difficulties in self-management of behavior, the New Horizons program is designed to externally manage student behavior and concurrently to teach strategies of self-control.

Staff are on hand to help students manage conflict and make healthy decisions.

Students who are not working within these guidelines and are not making efforts to follow staff directions or resolve conflicts will be sent home for the remainder of the academic day.

Some behaviors (smoking, disrespect, minor physical conflicts, repeated disruptions) may require other measures such as parent conference, suspension, and or removal from the program.

Serious behavior incidents (assault, theft, drug possession, property destruction) may result in removal from the program. Such behaviors may also result in criminal charges..

Attendance
In order to provide all students with continuity of instructional experience, New Horizons recognizes the importance of consistent attendance and requires that all students attend school on scheduled days. Frequent absenteeism, regardless of the reason, is detrimental to the overall learning experience. It is the responsibility of all parents/guardians to monitor the attendance of their sons and daughters. The school provides continuous information that will help the families monitor attendance.

All absences, both excused and unexcused, are considered Red Days.Students who are absent (unexcused) will not earn daily credit toward their transition.

Absences for reasons of sickness, court appearance, or religious observation will be excused. All other absences will be considered UNEXCUSED. Our school nurse will call home to inquire regarding all absences.

Four or more UNEXCUSED absences will result in a loss of credit for the quarter.

All absences, both EXCUSED and UNEXCUSED earn a Red Day!

Grading
Teachers grade students based on a formula considering daily classroom performance, test and quiz scores, project completion and homework completion. Work missed due to excused absences can be made up within a week of the absence. Work missed due to unexcused absence cannot be made up. It is possible that a student may get a passing grade in a class, but lose credit due to unexcused absence.

PPTs
Parents of Special Education-identified students can request a PPT at any time. At least one PPT must be held each year. It is very important for parents to attend every PPT meeting.

Report Cards
Midway through each quarter a progress report is mailed home. Teachers will indicate whether work is outstanding (A), above average (B), average (C), marginal (D), or unsatisfactory (F) and comments.

Transportation
New Horizons students are provided with transportation by the Manchester Board of Education. Students are required to use that transportation unless parents provide written authorization to use other means. In that case, parents must sign a consent form which releases the school from any liability. School rules are enforced on the bus. Students who are reported for unsafe behavior, smoking, or disorderly conduct on the bus may be suspended from the bus or receive other disciplinary consequences. Seatbelts must be worn whenever instructed to do so.

BOE Transportation Office: - Deb Arlene, Transportation Coordinator, Telephone 643-2373. This office handles transportation requests and will assist you with any problems or concerns you have regarding your child's transportation.

Transportation to and from school is a privilege. The Manchester Board of Education expects all students to obey the rules and regulations as set forth by the Board and to be aware that inappropriate behavior may result in suspension of bus/van privileges.

Students will contribute to an atmosphere of courtesy and respect on the school bus, as in the classroom, and recognize that the bus driver has the same authority on the bus as the teacher has in the classroom.

Bus Expectations
Riding the bus to school is a privilege, and in order to ensure safety for all
Students and drivers, the guidelines stated in this page must be observed.
Please review this bus plan carefully, and discuss the importance of appropriate
behavior on the bus with your child. Students not observing these safety
guidelines may lose their bus privileges.

Students riding the bus will:
Speak politely to the bus driver at all times.
Find the next available seat.
Remain seated for the entire time on the bus, keeping their feet out
of the aisles.
Keep all personal belongings inside their backpacks.
Refrain from shouting to other students on the bus or from shouting
out of the windows.
No eating is allowed on Vans or busses.
Tell the bus driver or the teacher if there is a problem on the bus.
Fasten seat belts, if provided.

DANGEROUS & INAPPROPRIATE ITEMS NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL
Dangerous and Inappropriate Items Prohibited: In general, students should only bring to school those items which have an educational purpose and use in school. While a comprehensive list of dangerous items can never be compiled, the following items are banned from school:
GUNS, MATCHES, TOBACCO PRODUCTS, FIRECRACKERS, SLING SHOTS,
CAP GUNS, WATER BALLOONS, BOX CUTTERS, FACSIMILES OF A WEAPON,
CIGARETTE LIGHTERS, RAZOR BLADES, KNIVES, WATER PISTOLS, BB GUNS,
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, PLAYING CARDS, CHAINS, SPIT BALLS, MACE OR
MACE-LIKE SUBSTANCES, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, STINK BOMBS, CAPS AND/OR POPPERS, DRUG FACSIMILES.

DRESS CODE
New Horizons prohibits the following from being worn during the academic school day:

Coats, jackets or other attire normally worn as outerwear. Outerwear includes: coats, jackets, windbreakers, down vests, gloves and other clothing the administration deems inappropriate.

Head or face coverings of any kind. Coverings worn as part of a student’s religious practice or belief shall not be prohibited under this policy, but such items must be approved by the religious leader of the congregation (clergy, etc.). Head or face coverings shall not be worn, carried, hung around belts or around neck or kept in the classroom during regular school hours. This includes headbands, “doo- rags”, and scarves. No pajamas, slippers, or curlers allowed.

See-through clothing, shirts and/or blouses which reveal the abdomen, chest, or undergarments are not allowed. Pants must be worn so that underwear is not showing.

Shorts, miniskirts, or pants which reveal the upper thigh or undergarments. Spandex garments are allowed only if covered by shorts or skirts.

Sunglasses are not allowed.

Attire or accessories – including book bags – which contain offensive or disruptive writings or pictures likely to disrupt the educational environment, or attire and/or accessories which depict logo or emblems that encourage the use of drugs, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages.

Spiked or studded bracelets, oversized or multi-finger rings, piercings, belts or any other article of attire with spikes or spikes attached, or any other clothing item that may present a safety hazard to student, other students or staff.

Physical education attire will not be worn in any other class or part of the building during regular school hours.

Any other items which present a disruption to the school environment and/or to the learning environment.

Students should come to school dressed in a way that allows everyone to concentrate on learning. Students who do not follow the dress requirements listed above may be sent home and/or suspended.

Vocational departments, Physical Education and the Science departments reserve the right to require specific clothing, footwear, and safety equipment for the protection of students in those courses. We may also prohibit unsafe clothing or accessories.

Drugs/Alcohol
Drugs/Alcohol are prohibited: Board of Education policy prohibits drugs, alcohol possession in school or coming to school under their influence. See detailed Board of Education policy on Drugs and Alcohol

Electronic Devices
The following electronic devices should not be brought to school: pagers, laser pointers, walkie talkies, 2-way radios, radios. They will be confiscated and held for pick-up by a parent. If repeated violations occur, additional disciplinary consequences will be applied. Students who bring walkman type CD players and walkman type cassette players to school must lock them in their locker for the school day. Teachers may allow their use in certain class activities.

Cell Phones
It is understood that many parents allow their students to carry cell phones outside of school. When in school, students are required to store cell phones in their locker during the school day. They may not carry them or use them during the school day. If a student is seen carrying a cell phone, the phone will be confiscated and held for a parent to pick up. Repeated violations may result in additional disciplinary consequences.

Emergency Card Information
Board of Education policy #5125.1, adopted in April 1989, requires that parents provide and maintain accurate emergency information for any student attending Manchester public schools. At Manchester Regional Academy, this information is requested on two cards which are filed with the Health Office and the school office. Change of Address/Telephone: Parents are asked to inform the school secretary of any change in address or telephone numbers. Such changes may be written on a note or called in to the Main Office. MRA also requires that parents keep school staff informed of changes in home, work, and emergency telephone numbers so that we can reach parents/guardians when necessary.

Gang-Related Behavior
The administration of New Horizons , in an effort to insure a safe and secure learning environment, fosters an attitude of respect for the rights of others, adopting a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY towards gang-related behavior. Violation of this policy will lead to suspension and/or expulsion.

New Horizons has identified gang-type activity and/or gang involvement as:

Wearing, possessing, using, distributing, displaying, or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblems, badges, symbols, signs, graffiti, or other items that are evidence of membership in or affiliation with a gang.

Committing any act or using any speech, either verbal or non-verbal (gestures, handshakes, etc.).
Showing membership in or affiliation with a gang.

Using any speech or committing any act to further the interest of any gang or gang activity, including but not limited to:

Soliciting and/or initiating others for membership in any gang.
Requesting any person to pay for protection or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person.
Committing any illegal act or violation of school district policies.
Inciting other students to act with physical violence upon any other person.
Engaging in concert with others in intimidating, fighting, assaulting, or threatening.

Insubordination
Refusal to follow reasonable directions from staff and the administration is very serious. A typical example of insubordination is a student refusing to go to the Mediation Center when asked or refusal to leave a classroom area. Insubordination may result in suspension from school.

Students should not bring valuables or large amounts of cash to school. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Physical Aggression
Physical aggression is unacceptable in school. Fighting and assaults will result in criminal charges as well as school disciplinary measures. Threatening may result in criminal charges as well. See Appendix B for details.

Smoking
Smoking and possession of smoking materials in school, on school grounds, on a school trip, or in the vicinity of school are prohibited. In addition to school disciplinary consequences, offenders may be subject to a $60 fine. Smoking materials will be confiscated.

Telephone Use
Urgent incoming phone messages will be given to students. Students may use a school phone ONLY WITH PERMISSION FROM THE PRINCIPAL.

Vandalism
Vandalism and deliberate property destruction will result in criminal charges. See Board of Education Discipline policy for details. Restitution in the form of cash payment or work for the school will be required for damage to school property.

Disciplinary Interventions
Ultimately we trust that students will display appropriate social behavior and work hard to achieve academic success because it is important to them. All students work toward individual social, behavioral, and academic goals. Students are guided to self-evaluate their achievement of these goals. They may be encouraged toward these goals through a level system with rewards and consequences, use of a daily planner, daily goal sheets, a daily report card, advisory group discussions, and counseling sessions. Specific strategies will vary depending on the individual needs of a student. Parent conferences in person and by phone may be required. Serious or repetitive infractions may require a PPT meeting.

Physical Restraint
The staff is annually trained and certified in non-violent crisis intervention techniques which includes verbal de-escalation and physical restraint. Although physical restraint will be used only as a last resort, the administration reserves the right to physically restrain a student who represents a safety concern to themselves, others, or who seriously disrupts the school environment. See Board of Education Discipline policy.

Search and Seizure
Board of Education policy details the schools right to search students. Given suspicion that a student may be in possession of a dangerous weapon, drugs, alcohol or other prohibited material, the administration will conduct a search of the student(s) person, their locker, book bags, coats.

Health
The health and safety of our students are of utmost concern and require close cooperation between parents/guardians and the school nurse. The school nurse is available if you have any health issues or concerns that you would like to discuss. Please help keep us informed by following the instructions below.

Parents/Guardians are asked to call the school:

A. If a student will be absent.
B. If a student needs to be excluded from Physical Education due to injury, illness, or other health condition. A doctor’s note may be required for a student to return to physical education classes after recovery from an illness or injury.
C. To record any change in the student information data (address, home or business telephone number, etc.)

Exclusions for Health Reasons
Students will be excused from school for the following health reasons:
1. Communicable diseases (i.e., strept throat, chicken pox, etc.)
2. Undiagnosed skin rashes
3. Untreated eye infections
4. Temperature of 100 degrees or higher
5. Vomiting
6. Doctor, clinic, or dentist appointments. We encourage that these appointments are made after school hours whenever possible.
We appreciate your cooperation in these important matters. Please do not hesitate to call the nurse if you have questions.

Medications
Prescribed medications may be given by the nurse in school. Contact the nurse for details and the required procedures. Over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol of Ibuprofen can only be given by the school nurse and only with written authorization from the parent. Students must not carry any medication (prescribed or over-the-counter) with them during the school day unless specific documentation is completed.

To Contact The School Nurse
If you have health concerns/issues that you need to discuss or if your student does not have health insurance coverage and you would like some information about the Husky Plan, you may contact the school nurse at: Phone # (860) 647-3497 or Fax # (860) 647-3506.