Responsibility and Attitude Program

Description and Purpose
The purpose of the RAP program is to provide:

v     A program that is an earned privilege for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

v     An increased level of responsibility for students in their use of unscheduled time.  It is intended that this program will help students develop a higher level of self-discipline through making their own decisions.

v     For seniors, an opportunity for learning through part-time employment.

v     An atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation.

Comparison between a Traditional Study Hall and RAP Study Hall
RAP	Study Hall
Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a 3.8 or higher RAP average	Open to all grades
Students may talk quietly and choose to socialize during the hour	Students may not talk and will be expected to work on academic coursework
Students may quietly listen to personal stereos (MP3s, iPods, and Walkmans)	No personal stereos are permitted
Students may eat and drink in the commons area during RAP	No food or drink (accept water) is permitted
Seniors may leave school for the period	Students are expected to be in the assigned room for the duration of the period
Students may sign into the library or other supervised rooms	Students may sign into the library or other supervised rooms
Cards and other quiet games are permitted	No cards or games are permitted

Privilege
During unscheduled time, seniors who qualify for the RAP program are given the freedom to:

v     Be self-directing in the use of their unscheduled time.

v     Go directly to the planned destination (inside or outside school) without having to report to a study hall for attendance.  Seniors must arrive at the location on time and stay for the entire period.

v     During unscheduled time, sophomores and juniors who qualify for the RAP program are given the opportunity to have study hall in the commons where they may eat and drink, play games, and talk quietly.

Responsibility
Participating students are expected to show RESPONSIBILITY by:

v     Setting an example for other students, particularly with regard to behavior in the school and community.

v     Observing all school regulations, especially those concerning hall-passing times.

v     Using good judgment in their conduct and language in and around the school and community.

v     Seniors:  completing enrollment contracts specifying their individual learning plans each semester.  Participating in meetings regarding student appeals of RAP privileges.

v     Updating their RAP contracts for second semester is required.

RAP Expectations
To be eligible for RAP privileges, students must meet the following guidelines: 

Only one unexcused absence may be made up with comp time.  Additional unexcused absences will make a student ineligible for RAP for that semester.  Students must have any attendance problems resolved before the deadline to be eligible for RAP.  All office and library fines must be paid.  Students must achieve and maintain at least a 3.8 RAP grade average.  Students with an average under 3.8 may reapply at quarter.  Students must maintain classroom or study hall attendance at least six periods per day.

Operational Guidelines for Responsibility Pass
RAP grades will be given every semester grading period for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  Grades will be given for the next semester.  All faculty members will have access to the current list of students who have earned RAP status and may make recommendations for revocation based on factors detailed in the “Grounds for Revocation” section.

RAP Commons
With the exception of fifth and sixth hours, students who qualify will be assigned to RAP hall in the commons.  Students who do not qualify for RAP may not sign into the RAP hall. 

Students have earned this privilege based upon a consistent display of responsible and respectable behavior.  Seniors with RAP will not be on the attendance lists of commons supervisors.  Seniors with RAP may choose to work in the RAP commons or go about their RAP contract business elsewhere.  However, if seniors choose to be in the school for a RAP period, they must obey all school rules, and must remain in one designated area for the entire period.  Seniors returning early from RAP outside the building must remain in the foyer or sit in the Commons opposite the RAP hall students.  Seniors may not be anywhere else in the building prior to passing time.  Senior RAP students must be out of the halls when the bell for class to begin rings.

The following rules apply to any student (Senior RAP or not) who is in the RAP Commons:

v     Students may eat food and drink beverages

v     Students may talk quietly

v     The use of cards, games, and personal audio equipment is allowed as long as they do not create a disruption to the overall learning environment

v     Use of cell phones is PROHIBITED

v     The teacher may limit or suspend privileges for individuals or for an entire group of students

v     The teacher may limit the number of students per table

v     Attendance is mandatory and will be recorded

v     Food and drink will be served from about 10 minutes into the period until about 15 minutes before the ending bell

v     The teacher has the right to manage specific start and stop times

v     Students will be expected to clean any messes they make

v     No students may leave the commons area at any time during the period without a pass (the main office, student services, and restrooms are available without leaving the commons area)

v     Hallways and lockers are not part of the commons area

v     Violations of the above stated rules will cause a student to have his/her RAP privileges revoked

 Guidelines for Responsibility Grading

Grounds for Revocation of RAP

RAP students are responsible for knowing and abiding by ALL school policies to maintain the privilege.  The following factors will affect a student’s RAP status:

v    A single unexcused absence that is not cleared up or made up in five (5) school days

v    Acts of disrespect or vandalism in the school or community shall be grounds for revocation of the privilege

v    Any discipline referral may result in revocation of RAP privileges

v    Teachers may recommend revocation of a student’s RAP privileges based on poor performance, failure to complete homework, cheating, plagiarism, or inappropriate classroom behavior

v    Administration will interpret and administer the provisions of the RAP program and determine the action to be taken or possible revocations when the process is violated

Revocation of RAP

First Offense The student will be assigned to a study hall for his/her RAP period for a minimum of two weeks.  The student is not able to sign into the Commons.

Second Offense The student will be assigned to a study hall for his/her RAP period for minimum of one quarter.  The student is not able to sign into the Commons.

Third Offense The student will be assigned to a study hall for his/her RAP period for the remainder of the school year.  The student is not able to sign into the Commons.

Appeal of Revocation The Appeals Board will consist of: –   Three (3) faculty members –   Two (2) members of the senior class –   One (1) high school building administrator –   One (1) student council officer of the junior class The Appeals Board will attempt to convene within four (4) school days of the receipt of a written request for an appeal.