Family Handbook 21-22

21 family 22 handbook 2 Translations 3 Overview and Mission 4 Instructional Program 9 Student Support Services 12 School Culture 21 Measuring & Reporting Student Progress 24 Governance 26 Health, Safety, & Inclement Weather 30 Communication & Family Involvement 36 Attendance 37 Student Dress & Supplies 39 Student Records 41 Registration and Enrollment 42 School Calendar

Translations The Family Handbook is available in multiple languages upon request. For translation services, please contact our Student and Family Empowerment Coordinator, Fatima Graham, at [email protected]. El Manual para la Familia está disponible en varios idiomas a pedido. Para servicios de traducción, comuníquese con nuestra Coordinadora de Empoderamiento de Estudiantes y Familias, Fatima Graham, en: [email protected] Le Manuel de la Famille est disponible en plusieurs langues sur demande. Pour les services de traduction, veuillez bien contacter notre Coordonnatrice pour l'autonomisation des étudiants et leurs familles, Fatima Graham, à: [email protected] Sổ tay Gia đình có bằng nhiều ngôn ngữ theo yêu cầu. Để có dịch vụ dịch thuật, vui lòng liên hệ Điều phối viên chương trình Student and Family Empowerment của chúng tôi, Fatima Graham, tại [email protected]. 《家庭手册》可根据要求提供多种语言版本。 如需翻译服务，请联系我们的学生和 家庭赋权 协调员Fatima Graham, 电子邮箱：fgraham@ tworiverspcs.org. 2

Overview & Mission Overview Goal CORE VALUES Two Rivers community members Two Rivers Public Charter School embarked on its Our mission is supported by the following goal: are learners who live the following maiden voyage in the fall of 2004. The school is a When students graduate from Two Rivers, they will core values: experience and grow, vibrant educational environment where students have the cognitive and social skills to succeed in give access, be thoughtful, nurture and staff become a community of learners on a high school and college so that they are positioned relationships, and learn better journey of discovery. Founded by an energetic and to have rich and varied options for their future. together. committed group of DC parents, Two Rivers uses EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning), an Guiding Principles educational model that emphasizes interactive, hands-on, project-based learning. The school Our educational philosophy is based on these focuses on the whole child, recognizing the guiding principles, which support the school’s importance of character education and the social- mission: emotional needs of children while helping them achieve academic excellence. 1 A small, diverse student body with a low student-teacher ratio, supported by extensive Two Rivers’ founders and staff share a strong parent involvement. belief that all children can learn and be high achievers. The curriculum at Two Rivers is rigorous, 2 Curriculum that is integrated across standards-based, and provides opportunities disciplines and provides high academic for students to excel in all areas. The school’s expectations. demanding academic program is augmented by an integrated arts program and a content-based 3 Instruction that is interactive, hands-on, and Spanish program. These elements come together project-based. through learning expeditions that allow students to incorporate and apply their classroom learning 4 Teachers who facilitate student self-discovery through real-world experiences. and critical thinking. Two Rivers is a public charter school operating 5 A committed, talented, caring, creative, and outside of DCPS. As a charter school, it functions well-supported staff who are partners in as its own school district, enabling it to select its guiding the school. own curriculum and instructional methods and hire its own teachers and staff. Two Rivers students still 6 An emphasis on literacy, with the goal that participate in standardized testing and are required every student will become a talented author, to meet state standards. an adept reader, and a skilled communicator. Students receive instruction in language arts, 7 Active, engaging social studies, science, and math, science, social studies, music, performing math curricula that allow students to develop and visual arts, and physical education. Special and apply skills in these areas to the world emphasis is placed on Spanish language around them. instruction. Two Rivers also has a strong commitment to special education. 8 A strong commitment to the arts and a second language program. During the 2021-2022 school year, Two Rivers will serve over 1028 students in preschool through 9 An approach to student development that eighth grade across four buildings. nurtures the whole child, focuses on problem solving, and helps children develop social Mission skills and self-confidence. To nurture a diverse group of students to become 10 An emphasis on learning beyond the lifelong, active participants in their own education, classroom supported by community develop a sense of self and community, and involvement, service-learning, field become responsible and compassionate members education, and partnerships with community of society. organizations. 11 A physical environment conducive to learning and exploring. 3

Instructional Program Educational Program Outcomes for Deeper Learning LEARNING MEANS C O N V E R S AT I O N Two Rivers has structured its educational and Two Rivers recognizes that students need more We believe student character development programs to encompass its than the core content and basic skills that schools conversation is a powerful guiding principles and achieve its stated mission. have traditionally taught. Students need to develop form of exploration. We believe Fundamental to Two Rivers is a strong belief that skills associated with critical thinking & problem- that important learning takes all children can learn and be high achievers in a solving, collaboration & communication, and place when children challenge supportive environment focused on educating the character. one another, ask questions, whole child and grounded in high expectations. share ideas, and build on one Two Rivers has purposefully selected a method Critical thinking & problem solving involve another’s knowledge. of instruction, EL Education, which emphasizes developing a deep fund of knowledge and a set of the achievement of all students and is based on flexible skills that students can apply in a variety PRIMARY SOURCES a belief that individual success is directly related of settings beyond a single discipline. Critical We believe children learn to group success. The EL Education model also thinking & problem-solving skills may be applied authentically by using provides students with meaningful and authentic in a particular way in a biology class, but the same authentic resources. Although experiences by linking classroom learning to skills can transfer to a literature class or to jobs in they have access to some real world experiences and related skill building our modern economy. At the heart of these skills textbooks, students more opportunities, making learning relevant to all is the ability to analyze information and formulate often gather information from students. creative solutions to complex problems. non-fiction books, publications, and the Internet. By reading EL Education Collaboration & communication are interpersonal literature and exploring skills that help people work well with one another. primary sources, children gain Two Rivers’ educational philosophy is exemplified Both collaboration & communication involve information-gathering skills by the EL Education model that forms the basis being able to read the vast number of verbal and that they use to independently of its method of instruction. EL Education was nonverbal cues that we all use to communicate our problem solve and conduct developed by a group of Harvard educators during ideas and emotions. People need to learn to build research. the early 1990s, incorporating the principles and shared understanding, negotiate outcomes, and philosophy of Outward Bound, founded by Kurt cultivate trust to work together to solve problems Hahn in 1941. The model was one of 12 models that no one can solve alone. chosen by New American Schools to develop and evaluate a comprehensive school reform model. Character at Two Rivers is comprised of the intrapersonal skills necessary for success. EL Education is based on 10 design principles and Character involves being able to monitor and direct five core practices embodied in each aspect of your own learning, as well as cultivating positive the school. Learning is, at its heart, an expedition attitudes and beliefs about your academic abilities into the unknown in which personal experience and your identity as a learner. Character involves and intellectual growth promote self-discovery the skills of setting goals, maintaining attention to and construction of knowledge. Children must be detail and precision in your work, and cultivating guided through this journey with care, compassion, a growth mindset. In addition, character involves and respect for their diverse learning styles, personal integrity in both work and relationships. backgrounds, and needs. By addressing individual Thinking about character in these ways values differences, educators can substantially increase how individuals think about themselves both as the potential for learning and creativity of each learners and more broadly as people. student. Throughout the instructional program, Two Rivers The instructional practices in EL Education schools balances an emphasis on the core content and engage children’s natural passion for learning basic skills defined by academic standards with to develop their curiosity, knowledge, skills, and development of skills associated with critical courage to imagine and work toward a better world. thinking & problem solving, collaboration & At the completion of learning expeditions, students communication, and character. participate in a showcase to present the results of their expeditions and detail the progression of their work. Parents and student families attend these events to witness their children’s discussion of their work and view evidence of their learning. For more information about EL Education, please visit their website at eleducation.org. 4

Instructional Program Course of Study to mastering a given target master it; and students REVISING WORK IS A HABIT who have already mastered the target are pushed Students at Two Rivers Two Rivers is proud to offer a rigorous, standards- to attain a higher learning target. normally aren’t finished with based curriculum that encompasses many areas pieces of work until they do of study. Field Education multiple drafts of it. This expectation reaches across All students at Two Rivers participate in language Fieldwork or field studies are an integral part grades and disciplines. arts, math, social studies, and science as part of of the EL Education program. Two Rivers uses Teachers guide students their regular classroom instruction. In addition, the natural and social environments of our local from draft to draft. Students students have a variety of classes that enrich their communities as sites for purposeful fieldwork and collaborate to assess the work classroom learning and challenge them to think service connected to academic work. Students of their peers. Rubrics set high and grow in new directions. Grades PS–5 have working in the field are active investigators, standards for finished pieces both Spanish and Physical Education (PE) twice using research tools, techniques of inquiry, and and guide students as they each week and music once each week. Elementary standards of presentation used by professionals in strive to get their work to meet students also have visual arts class twice each the field. Fieldwork is used to cultivate curiosity and these high standards. week for half of the year; they then switch and have background knowledge. Unlike a traditional field drama twice a week for the other half of the year. trip, fieldwork has a clear purpose that furthers 5 Middle school students take Spanish class four the work of the expedition (i.e., students collect times a week. All middle school students have arts data, conduct interviews, do observations). In many classes for two or more periods per week, physical cases, fieldwork takes place over an extended education class four times a week, and daily period of time with several visits to the same site. recess. Students who need significant academic interventions in reading, writing, or math may All parents are asked to sign a general permission receive interventions during Spanish. slip during the registration process. Students are expected to follow the Two Rivers behavior Grades K–8 use the Common Core Standards in guidelines on all fieldwork. Students who Literacy and Math, and Next Generation Standards demonstrate difficulty abiding by the guidelines in Science and DCPS Standards for Social Studies. may be prohibited from participating in fieldwork The Common Core Standards were created or a parent or guardian may be required to through a state-led effort by teachers, school accompany them on the field study. If a student administrators, and experts to provide a clear and is prohibited from participating in a field study, he consistent framework to prepare our children for or she will be given work to be done in another college and the workforce. For more information location in the school. If a student is having a about the Common Core State Standards, please difficult time following the behavior guidelines on visit commoncore.org. fieldwork, parents/ guardians may be asked to pick up the student from the field location. Differentiating Instruction On occasion, fieldwork expeditions may be Two Rivers builds on student strengths. scheduled to locations too far from the Washington, Collaborative work allows each student to shine DC area to facilitate a return by the end of the in his or her area of strength and grow in areas school day. In these cases, parents may be asked that need improvement. In order to serve all to pick up their student from school at a later time. students well, Two Rivers provides differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners within One of the many meaningful ways parents support the classroom. Differentiated instruction means learning at Two Rivers is to chaperone fieldwork. that lessons are designed to allow for students at Teachers welcome parents on field studies. Though different ability levels to improve their skills and there may be occasions when parent participation increase their depth of knowledge without ignoring is limited by space or tickets, in general, the more the needs of students who either are struggling chaperones, the merrier. or are ready for additional challenges. Through the use of problem-based teaching and flexible Math at Two Rivers group structures, instruction and assignments often have a variety of ways for students to engage Two Rivers has three goals in its mathematics with the material at different levels, ensuring program: develop conceptual understanding of that each student is challenged and growing mathematics, build students’ critical thinking in their content knowledge and skills, toward a & problem-solving skills, and promote number deeper understanding. Often within the same sense and computational fluency. lesson, students who are at a beginning level of understanding of a given learning target are We realize these goals through the moved towards mastery; students who are close implementation of the Bridges in Mathematics

Instructional Program curriculum in the elementary schools and through direct instruction in fluency and 6 Carnegie Learning Middle School Math Solution decoding skills. The theory behind this approach in the middle school. Both curricular tools have a has been outlined by Gay Su Pinnell and Irene balance of emphasis on student problem solving, Fountas in their books, Guided Reading and Word activities to develop a deep understanding of Matters. In addition, Two Rivers’ approach to mathematics, and opportunities to build fluency reading has been further developed around the in number sense and computation. practices described in the EL Education book Our program is designed to develop proficiency Transformational Literacy by Ron Berger, Libby in mathematics so that all of our students are Woodfin, Suzanne Plaut and Cheryl Dobbertin. well prepared to succeed in high school. With Literature is used in several distinct ways during that in mind, we offer a credit-bearing algebra the school day. Each of the following strategies course for middle school students who have teaches explicit comprehension and decoding demonstrated that they are prepared for work in skills. First, read alouds allow students to hear more advanced mathematics based on school- fluent reading and models of comprehension wide and state assessment measures. strategies as teachers think aloud. Second, shared reading is an opportunity for students to THE MATHEMAGICAL WIZARDRY PRIZE read chorally to further enhance fluency. Third, guided reading in the lower grades and literature To promote the pleasures of mathematics and circles in the upper grades are structures for develop critical reasoning skills, on a weekly providing targeted direct instruction in reading to basis, Two Rivers introduces a Mathemagical each student. During guided reading, students Wizardry Prize problem for everyone in read literature at their instructional level with a the community to solve. The problems are small group of other students and a teacher. The designed to have multiple solution methods teacher helps the students develop strategies and occasionally feature multiple solutions. for figuring out difficult words and facilitates These types of problems promote flexibility in discussions about the books to help students thinking and provide access to problem solving develop comprehension skills. Guided reading to students with varying levels of mathematical groups allow our teachers to connect students proficiency. For example, drawing a picture, with interesting, meaningful literature while also acting out the situation, creating a table, explicitly teaching reading skills. drawing a graph, or creating an equation can As students’ reading abilities mature, the focus often be used to solve the same problem. No of direct instruction around reading shifts particular method is valued over any other and from the mechanics of reading to independent in fact exploring the similarities and differences comprehension skills. Two Rivers formalizes that between two different paths to a correct solution shift through literature circles as outlined by is a fruitful way to develop mathematical Harvey Daniels in his book, Literature Circles: Voice reasoning. and Choice in Book Clubs & Reading Groups. Both The problems are introduced in community whole class literature study and small group meeting and are available to be picked up at the literature circles are used to read novels, short front desk in each building and from the math stories, informational text, and shorter pieces. teachers in the middle school. Solutions are due Upper grades read longer and more complicated at noon, the day before the community meeting. texts to build background knowledge and Everyone can participate, and we often have understand the nuances of expedition topics solutions turned in by parents and teachers and themes. as well as students. Collaboration is heartily Finally, there are many opportunities for encouraged. Winners of the weekly prize have students to read independently during the day their names called out at community meeting. to practice and hone the skills that they have Celebrating the mathematical thinking of an learned in the other strategies listed above. entire family is a pleasure! So next time you are Nightly reading at home will help middle school in the lobby, ask for the Mathemagical Wizardry students keep up with the reading demands Prize Problem at the front desk, and have fun! as students read both for pleasure and to build background knowledge. Reading at Two Rivers In our younger grades, students develop their letter and phonological knowledge and Two Rivers uses a balanced literacy approach to teaching reading. Reading is taught through the use of authentic, compelling pieces of literature and informational text as well as

Instructional Program word attack skills through the Words Their Way intensive research, reading, writing, scientific SERVICE AND CHARACTER program. Words Their Way lessons emphasize exploration, and real-world application. In DEVELOPMENT ARE PART word study as a method for students to addition, the school places particular emphasis OF OUR CURRICULUM independently develop their decoding skills with on development of the arts and social We focus on character and guidance from the teacher. They encourage development. Two Rivers’ curriculum offers service as well as academics. students to make their own discoveries about challenging, interesting content for students of Quality academic work is how letters and words work. all ages and ability levels. mirrored by the quality of the In addition to the strategies listed above, Two ways in which we treat one Rivers places a heavy emphasis on vocabulary Homework Guidelines another, our community, and development at all grade levels. We place our environment. Students instruction in vocabulary on a continuum of tiers Two Rivers believes that homework should are encouraged to be to differentiate our vocabulary instruction as be meaningful and connected to the school compassionate, disciplined, suggested by Isabel Beck, Margaret McKeown, day experience by linking home to school and courageous, and responsible. and Linda Kucan in their work, Bringing Words to reinforcing skills already learned. Establishing For example, your child’s class Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction. We begin with good homework habits at an early age is an may take time to discuss why the most common words in the English language important way to develop personal responsibility a class member has been that form the first tier of vocabulary. These words as students prepare for future assignments and mistreated. They may take are taught in kindergarten and first grade as projects as they grow academically. Homework twenty minutes to pick up litter sight words or power words with the expectation is an opportunity for parents and teachers at a neighborhood park. They that every student be able to recognize them on to be partners in their student’s education. may be a reading or math sight. In addition, emphasis is placed on subject Parents are encouraged to monitor homework buddy in an elementary school knowledge specific words in math, science, and completion and offer assistance if needed. They classroom. social studies. These technical terms fall into are also encouraged to teach routines for where the third tier of vocabulary. However, there is a and when to do homework and how to pack 7 second tier of vocabulary words between the their backpack each day. Parents should help most common words and expert language of students set up a designated place and time for tier three that is made up of terms that are used homework that is well lit and free of distraction. frequently in educated speech and writing but Homework assignments are designed to be are general enough to apply to multiple settings. developmentally appropriate for the grade. These tier two words are often synonyms that Homework will not always be given every night provide a greater level of sophistication and and new skills are not introduced through nuance to language than traditional speech and homework. Children may be expected to make are taught at all grades. up or complete unfinished work. Communication regarding homework between home and Science and Social Studies school is important and encouraged. If you have any questions or your child is regularly Expeditions are the primary way that Two Rivers having difficulty completing or understanding delivers social studies and science instruction. homework, please contact your child’s teacher. Expeditions are 10-to 12-week in-depth studies Two Rivers follows the guidelines from the of a specific topic. Studying something in depth National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will help students develop life-long learning skills regarding the appropriate volume of homework. more successfully than studying a broad range The National PTA suggests as a general of topics in less detail. The topics for expeditions guideline assigning approximately ten minutes are selected from the curriculum framework that of homework per night, per grade. That means outlines the essential areas of study in science that a third-grade student should have, on and social studies that will be covered in each average, approximately 30 minutes of homework grade level. Through the curriculum framework, per night. Teachers use homework in two Two Rivers ensures that by the time a student primary ways at Two Rivers. Some teachers use graduates from eighth grade, he or she will have homework as an opportunity to practice skills studied the critical aspects of each discipline: that have already been introduced and taught. physical science, life science, and earth science This means that homework will involve no new in the sciences, and in social studies: geography, information, only skills that they are practicing civics, history, and economics. in order to secure. Second, teachers also use The curriculum is structured in this way to homework as an opportunity to extend learning. provide an interdisciplinary framework on which This means that a student may have to take a all children can build their understandings concept that has been introduced in class and year after year. All units of study involve think about new and novel ways to apply that skill/ knowledge.

Instructional Program An important part of every child’s life is recreation and exploration beyond schoolwork. We encourage families to take their children outside to play and get exercise, go to museums, and read together, as these are other opportunities for learning outside the school day. 8

Student Support Services As a school that is committed to the success of Parents will be notified when SST meetings are 9 every student, Two Rivers embraces all students scheduled and are strongly encouraged to attend – including students with disabilities, English and participate in SST meetings. Student support Learners (ELs), and students experiencing plans are most effective when parents are active homelessness -- and provides the necessary members of the SST process. support to ensure their success as learners and community members. Our continuum of support For additional information about the SST process, services begins with our Student Support Team, please contact via ParentSquare or at: which is available to any student needing additional support. Nichel Bryant Senior Director of Student Support Students who have disabilities that substantially 202-543-8477 limit a major life activity or that adversely impact [email protected] their educational performance may be eligible for accommodations and/or services under Section Weke Andrews 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) Student Support Counselor- Young or the Individuals with Disabilities in Education 202-388-1360 Act (IDEA). Students who speak a language other [email protected] than English at home may also be eligible for our EL program. For both students with identified Sasha Clayton-Shapiro disabilities and ELs, Two Rivers uses an inclusion Student Support Counselor- Middle School model of teaching in which students with special 202-388-3177 needs are educated alongside their peers. [email protected] RSteuspdoennsteStuopIpnotretrvTeenatmion / Darrius Mooney Student Support Counselor- 4th Street In order to help students achieve their maximum 202-546-4477 potential, Two Rivers uses a Response to [email protected] Intervention (RTI) framework. Students who are not meeting academic targets, or who are experiencing Special Education at Two Rivers social-emotional challenges, are provided with short-term intervention services to address their Two Rivers’ Responsive Classroom and needs. Parents are notified when a student is Expeditionary Learning models, which emphasize receiving intervention services. respect of individual differences and active hands-on learning and problem-solving, as well Additionally, Two Rivers uses a Student Support as our classroom co-teaching structures, which Team (SST) process, a collaborative approach to balance whole class with flexible group activities help a student reach his/her maximum potential. are particularly well suited to the inclusion model, The SST process addresses academic, social- in which students with disabilities are educated emotional, health, or behavioral concerns that may alongside their non-disabled peers. not have responded to initial interventions. The intention of the team is to explore the needs of Research has shown that co-teaching – in which the child and create a plan to provide the supports general and special educators collaborate in necessary to ensure success throughout the planning and delivering instruction -- improves the academic day. quality of instruction for all students. Not only does co-teaching provide additional support for students After the initial meeting, one or more follow-up with disabilities, but students without disabilities meetings will be held to ensure that the student benefit, too. is making progress, and to refine the plan to add additional supports if sufficient progress is not Two Rivers embraces co-teaching in a variety of occurring. ways. In the elementary grades, every classroom has an assistant teacher, ensuring a minimum of The Student Support Team is led by an SST two adults are teaching throughout the school day. Coordinator and includes the student’s classroom In most classrooms, Special Education teachers teacher and Assistant Principal of Instruction, provide specialized instruction and additional along with other school personnel as appropriate, classroom support to our learners with special including a school counselor, and Assistant needs, with caseloads kept small so that students Principal of Culture; and, if appropriate, the student. have multiple opportunities to receive both

Student Support Services individual and small-group support as needed. child qualifies for special education services is made Several classrooms ae co-taught, which means the by a Multidisciplinary Team that includes parents, general education and special education teacher the special education and general education co-lead a classroom, with an Assistant Teacher teachers, the Campus Director of Special Education providing additional support. and/or Senior Director of Special Education, and other qualified professionals as appropriate In the Middle School, all English Language Arts (psychologist, speech and language pathologist, classes are co-taught by a general education and occupational therapist, counselor, etc.) Detailed special education teacher. Specialized reading information about our Child Find policies and and math labs lead by special education teachers procedures can be found on our website. provide opportunities for more intensive remedial Students give input into the creation of their IEP instruction for students who are still working on through developmentally appropriate discussion building their basic skills in those areas. of their strengths and learning needs, goals, and classroom supports and accommodations Common planning times in both the elementary that support their ability to successfully access and middle school grades ensure that, even when and progress in the curriculum. Many students, a special education teacher is not present in the depending on their developmental readiness, also classroom, lessons have been designed with the participate in some or all of their IEP meeting, and needs of all learners in mind. All members of the their ideas, questions, and concerns help inform teaching work together to provide instruction that and direct the discussion. Two Rivers has found is individualized to meet the needs of the child. that when students participate in creating their Most children receiving specialized instruction will IEP, they feel a sense of ownership and pride. have their needs met primarily within the general They become better able to self-advocate for their education classroom. For students needing more needs and work with a greater sense of purpose to intensive remediation of basic skills, or for those achieve their goals. with other needs that cannot be met in the general education classroom, our special educators and Questions about Two Rivers’ services for students related service providers may work with the child in or your rights as a parent under Section 504 or a small group or one-on one outside the classroom IDEA should be addressed to Rossana Mahvi, Senior for a small portion of the school day, as determined Director of Special Education on ParentSquare, at by the Multidisciplinary Individualized Education 202-543-8477, or [email protected]. Plan (IEP) Team. English Learners Continuous monitoring of student progress through both standardized and classroom-based In accordance with federal law, all students who assessments allow us to refine our interventions to speak a language other than English at home and/ ensure that students with special needs improve or were born in a foreign country are screened to their basic skills and knowledge while developing determine if they qualify for our English Learners the expert thinking and complex communication (EL) program. Students are assessed in the areas skills needed to become successful adults. of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing to determine their level of need, if any, in each area. Parental involvement at all steps of the process is Parents are notified before their child is screened, particularly important, as parents bring a unique and informed of the results afterwards. Parents perspective on their child’s strengths and needs, as may choose to opt out of participation in the EL well as any external factors that may be impacting program. their child’s school performance. For students identified as EL, specific classroom Students are typically identified for special goals in each identified area of need are developed education or other services after going through the in order to guide teachers in ensuring that students Response to Intervention (RTI)/Student Support are building the English language skills they need Team (SST) process. Parents who believe their child to succeed. Our EL teachers works alongside may have a disability are encouraged first to use the classroom teachers in developing these goals and RTI/SST process; however, parents have the right to supporting students in acquiring needed skills. make a request for an evaluation at any time. Upon The EL teachers may guide the classroom teacher making such a request, parents will be contacted by in differentiating materials to make sure they are one of our Campus Directors of Special Education to accessible to all students, or may work directly with discuss next steps. Parent consent is required prior EL students to help them build specific skills. to evaluation, and determination about whether a 10

Student Support Services Questions about our EL program should be emergency or transitional shelter (including addressed to Rossana Mahvi, Senior Director of DC transitional housing); are abandoned in Special Education on ParentSquare at 202-543- hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement; 8477, or [email protected]. • Children and youth who have a primary Language Access for Families nighttime residence that is a private or public place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a All families have the right to information about your regular sleeping accommodation for human child’s education in a language you understand, beings; and to have the opportunity to participate fully in all school events. When your child enrolls in • Children and youth who are living in cars, Two Rivers, we will ask you about the language parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, you would like to use when communicating with substandard housing, bus or train stations, or the school. This helps us identify your language similar settings; needs so we can provide an interpreter, or written translation of vital educational documents when • Migratory children who qualify as homeless needed. because they are living in circumstances described above; When you talk with teachers or school staff, the school will offer an interpreter if you need one. This • Unaccompanied youth, including youth who includes parent–teacher conferences, Showcase, are not in the physical custody of a parent or parent information nights, meetings about special guardian, who qualify as homeless because education, or any other school-wide events or they live in circumstances described above. meetings about your child’s education. If you will be attending a school event for which interpretation Families who are experiencing any of the services are needed, we ask that you make this circumstances described above or who have request at least 48 to 72 hours in advance. If questions about the rights of homeless children and/ immediate language assistance is needed, please or services that may be available should contact inform the front desk and an interpreter will be our Homeless Children Liaison Fatima Graham, called. Student and Family Empowerment Coordinator on Parentaquare, at 202-543-8477, or fgraham@ Homeless Students tworiverspcs.org. The rights of homeless children are protected under a federal law known as the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act. This law ensures that homeless children have access to the same free and appropriate public education as other children. Under this law, if a child who is enrolled at Two Rivers is or becomes homeless, the child may continue to be enrolled at Two Rivers for the duration of homelessness. In addition, homeless children have the right to transportation to ensure they are able to continue attending their school of origin. Two Rivers will also work with homeless children and their families to ensure that they receive all supports and services for which they may be eligible. The term “homeless child or youth” means: • Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular 11 and adequate nighttime residence; and includes children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in

School Culture Scholarly Habits I act with integrity. INTERNAL REWARDS • I identify problems. INSTEAD OF EXTERNAL In order to support our mission and goal, all • I analyze personal and social situations. REWARDS students need to develop certain social and • I constructively solve personal and social problems. cognitive skills. At Two Rivers, these skills • I evaluate the impact of my actions. We do not reward students are articulated through our Scholarly Habits. • I honestly reflect on the impact of my actions. with prizes when they succeed. The Scholarly Habits are grounded in the • I take responsibility for the impact of my actions. We offer specific praise, recommendations for social emotional learning • I act ethically and responsibly. encouragement, and we competencies outlined by the Collaborative for celebrate the varying forms Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Crew of student achievement. We By articulating the social emotional skills that we believe that if children only want all students to develop, the Scholarly Habits Two Rivers middle school students participate in experience extrinsic rewards, make our expectations explicit. They are the tenets Crew, a structure designed to support students they learn to work only for teachers reference to help students develop and socially, emotionally, and academically, and to those rewards and do not take ownership over their own social-emotional provide an effective transition into middle school connect their learning to the and academic development. Students learn that by and eventually, high school and beyond. Crew outside world. We strive to persevering through challenging tasks, engaging ensures that each student is well known by at help children make these in teamwork, advocating for themselves, and using least one adult and builds positive connections connections, believing that self-control, they can improve their academic with their peers and school community. Crew is a the purpose of learning is to outcomes. The Scholarly Habits also contribute structure that has been developed and supported interact thoughtfully with the to making Two Rivers a safe and supportive by EL Education and the spirit of Crew is something world. environment in which everyone feels safe to learn that we as an organization find extremely valuable. and to be themselves. Crews are single grade groups of 16-17 students and one teacher. Crew occurs four times a week; The Scholarly Habits are: this is considered the students’ first class of the day. Crew members build relationships with each other I know myself. and with other crews through initiatives that foster • I can identify my emotions. understanding, teamwork, and trust. Academic • I have an accurate self-perception progress monitoring and goal setting happens • I recognize my strengths. regularly in Crew, including portfolio and student- • I demonstrate self-confidence. led conference preparation and the creation • I advocate for myself. of 8th grade Passage Presentations. Character development occurs in Crew through goal setting, I am independent and resilient. discussion, acknowledgement, and reflection • I control my impulses. upon the Two Rivers Scholarly Habits. Crew leaders • I manage my stress and emotions. serve as the point of contact for their crew families • I act with self-discipline. throughout the school year. • I am self-motivated. • I set realistic goals and work to meet them. Community Meeting • I can organize my materials. • I can plan and manage my time. Every Wednesday morning, at 8:30 in the 4th Street Elementary School, every Thursday morning I show compassion and embrace diversity. at 8:30 in the Young Elementary School, and • I see others’ perspectives. every Friday morning at 8:30 in the Middle School, • I demonstrate empathy for others. we start the day with a campus-wide community • I appreciate diversity. meeting. This school-wide ritual is an important • I respect others. component in developing the culture of our learning community. It functions as an opportunity I can connect and communicate. for our students and staff to come together to • I can communicate clearly and flexibly. greet one another, to sing, to move, to celebrate • I can actively listen. our successes, and to share our learning. The • I actively engage with others. community meeting structure reflects the morning • I build relationships with diverse individuals and meeting or crew structure that students use in their groups. classrooms every other day of the week. • I cooperate with others and negotiate conflict constructively. Young elementary and middle school meet • I seek and offer help when needed. together for community meeting once each month. We very much enjoy visitors to community meeting and hope that parents will join us. While we are 12 implementing social distancing and other safety

School Culture measures due to COVID-19, we are temporarily culturally, and developmentally – is as LEARNING IS PUBLIC AND pausing community meetings. As health guidance important as knowing the content we teach. C O L L A B O R AT I V E changes and we return to a normal posture, we 6 Knowing the families of the children we will resume community meetings. We ask that teach and encouraging their participation is Our students’ work is often adults participate and follow the same community essential to children’s education. assessed by their peers. meeting rules as students. Because community 7 How the adults at school work together Students read their writing meetings and morning meetings are so important to accomplish their shared mission is as and show their projects to to the building of our Two Rivers culture and important as individual competencies; lasting the group, solicit comments, community, we ask that you make a special effort change begins with the adult community. and present drafts for formal to make sure students are not tardy for morning The Responsive Classroom approach offers peer critiques. We do public or community meetings. These meetings start interconnected strategies to use in classrooms, work just like in the real promptly at 8:30. such as: starting each school day with Morning world. Having an authentic Meeting, where students work together on group audience keeps us on our toes, Ago Ame activities and greet each other; creating clear and supporting quality work with consistent approaches to discipline that foster high standards. Two Rivers uses a West African call and response social responsibility; and classroom organization tool to get the attention of a group of people. Ago and family communication strategies to involve (ah - go) roughly translates into, “are you ready” families as partners in their children’s education. or “are you with me” and Ame (ah - may), roughly It also focuses on student reflection, encouraging translates into, “yes I am ready” or “yes I am with daily introspection about their goals, what they you”. You will hear Two Rivers staff use this during learned, things that could have been better, and transitions, during school-wide events, or in the things they would like to do in the future. This classroom. We use this with all of our students reflective component provides a strong connection and even staff when we need to call their attention with EL Education. For more information about or ensure that they are prepared to move on. Responsive Classroom, please visit their website at Students learn that when a Two Rivers staff person www.responsiveclassroom.org. says ‘Ago’, they are to stop what they are doing, look at the speaker, and respond with ‘Ame’. We Two Rivers’ Approach to Behavior ask that adults respond in the same way. Two Rivers’ approach to discipline is derived Responsive Classroom from the Responsive Classroom model, which incorporates social learning into the daily program. Two Rivers uses the Responsive Classroom In particular, children are expected to follow approach to create a safe environment where teacher directions and school rules, resolve conflicts children are able to take academic and social risks, without physical contact, be respectful of adults to help children understand the importance of and each other, use appropriate language, and kindness toward and acceptance of all people, to respect the rights and property of others. The celebrate differences in people and cultures, and goal of Two Rivers’ approach to behavior is to set to learn important social skills such as empathy a high standard for kind, appropriate conduct and and problem solving. provide students with clear guidelines of acceptable behavior. Staff members will treat students The Responsive Classroom model is based on respectfully in all situations. Children are expected research in social cognition, developmental to make appropriate choices that ensure safety and psychology, multicultural education, and child respect for themselves and others. Two Rivers is a development. Drawing on the work of many great learning community where students are expected educational theorists and practitioners, it operates to support each other academically and socially. on the following seven guiding principles: Each class works on developing an understanding of community around the idea of mutual respect 1 The social curriculum is as important as the and encouragement. academic curriculum. Throughout the program, staff will demonstrate 2 How children learn is as important as what to students that they can make choices in they learn. social situations and that their behavior has 3 The greatest cognitive growth occurs through social interaction. 4 There is a set of social skills that children need in order to be successful academically and socially. These are represented by the letters CARES: Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy and Self-Control. 5 Knowing the children we teach – individually, 13

School Culture consequences. Two Rivers expects students Consequences help students who have engaged to become positive members of the school in inappropriate behaviors understand the impact community and to uphold the school’s expectations of their behavior and its effect on themselves for appropriate behavior. Rules and logical and on the community, provide a deterrent from consequences will be clearly communicated to engaging in the behavior again, and give students students and consequences for breaking rules an opportunity to rectify the situation. Additional will be administered calmly and fairly. While consequences may include meeting with school expectations and consequences vary according to staff, contact with a parent, a parent conference, the developmental level of the students involved, parent workshop, behavior contract, in-school there is a shared understanding of the overall suspension, out-of-school suspension, or expulsion. expectations for student behavior at Two Rivers. In conjunction with consequence(s), the student may be offered the opportunity to perform a “good Appropriate behavior makes the learning deed” for the school community. Good deeds are environment a positive and safe place for everyone. those which improve social relations between This includes being respectful of all people and students, assist with the general upkeep of the property, participating in classes, being responsible, campus, and improve the overall atmosphere of showing consideration for self and others, using the school. Even if a student has made a negative appropriate language, and offering help when contribution to the community, they have the appropriate. opportunity to contribute positively by doing a good deed. Behavior that is inappropriate includes: hurtful teasing or name calling, repeated ignoring of Two Rivers’ Bullying Prevention Policy staff requests, behavior that prevents others from learning, acts of physical aggression, destruction Bullying is prohibited on school grounds, property of property, inappropriate touching of others, immediately adjacent to school grounds, at school- possession or intended use of illegal drugs or sponsored or school-related activities, functions weapons, physical or verbal threats, and acts of or programs whether on or off school grounds, on cruelty. These behaviors take away from the positive or off school bus or other vehicles owned, leased and safe learning community that Two Rivers strives or used by the school, at any transit stop at which to maintain. youth wait to be transported to the school or an event sponsored by the school, or through the use Logical Consequences of technology or an electronic device owned, leased or used by the school. Two Rivers utilizes the Responsive Classroom approach to consequences. There are three types of Bullying is also prohibited at a location, activity, logical consequences that students may be given function or program that is not school-related depending upon the behavior and how the child will through the use of technology or an electronic learn best from the situation: device that is not owned, leased or used by the school, if the act or acts in question create a “YOU BREAK IT, YOU FIX IT.” – Children take hostile environment at school for the victim, responsibility for fixing, as best they can, any infringe on the rights of the victim at school or problem or mess they created. materially and substantially disrupt the education process or the orderly operation of a school. LOSS OF PRIVILEGE – When a student or group of students breaches the trust of the rules, a logical Administrators will make expectations clear to consequence is for the teacher to take away the students and staff that bullying will not be tolerated privilege until the child shows readiness to handle and will be the grounds for disciplinary action up the privilege. to and including suspension and dismissal for students. Retaliation against anyone who reports  TIME OUT – During the child’s time away from the bullying, provides information about an act of group, his or her job is to regain self-control so he/ bullying, or witnesses an act of bullying is also she can come back and participate effectively. prohibited. Definitions 14 Bullying means any severe, pervasive, or persistent act or conduct whether physical, electronic, or verbal that: 1.May be based on a youth’s actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, national

School Culture origin, sex, age, marital status, personal trigger an investigation. 15 appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, intellectual ability, familial status, Bystander Policy family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source Students are expected to report rumors of bullying, of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily planned bullying, as well as bullying actually offense, place or residence or business, or any observed. Students who watch and laugh, but other distinguishing characteristic, or on a youth’s do not report what they have witnessed, are association with a person, or group with any considered bystanders and will be treated as person, with one or more of the actual or perceived participants. foregoing characteristics; and Investigations 2.Can reasonably be predicted to: a. Place the youth in reasonable fear of Two Rivers will investigate and address all incidents of bullying that school personnel know physical harm to their person or property; or reasonably should have known are occurring. b. Cause a substantial detrimental effect on Incidents of bullying will be promptly investigated by the school principal or a designee. If the the youth’s physical or mental health; investigation reveals that bullying occurred, Two c. Substantially interfere with the youth’s Rivers will take prompt and effective steps to end the bullying, eliminate its effects and prevent it academic performance or attendance; or from recurring. d. Substantially interfere with the youth’s Prior to the investigation of an incident, the principal (or their designee) will take steps ability to participate in or benefit from the services, to ensure the safety of the alleged victim activities, or privileges provided by an agency, referenced in a reported bullying incident. Once educational institution, or grantee. an investigation is concluded, further steps will be taken as needed to assure the continued safety of Cyberbullying the victim from additional incidents of bullying or retaliation. Cyberbullying is defined as any bullying done through electronic means which meets the Sexual Harassment definition of bullying above, including, but not limited to, social media, electronic mail (email), Sexual harassment, sexual assault and dating texting or tweeting. violence are strictly prohibited on school grounds, property immediately adjacent to school grounds, Retaliation at school sponsored or school related activities, functions or programs whether on or off school Retaliation is any form of intimidation, reprisal, grounds, on or off school bus or other vehicles or harassment directed against a student who owned, leased or used by the school, or through reports bullying, provides information during the use of technology or an electronic device an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has owned, leased or used by the school. reliable information about bullying. Sexual harassment, sexual assault and dating Reporting Bullying violence are also prohibited at a location, activity, function or program that is not school related or Any student who believes that they have been the through the use of technology or an electronic target of bullying or who is aware of bullying is device that is not owned, leased or used by the strongly encouraged to promptly report the matter school, if the act or acts in question create a orally or in writing to the school principal, another hostile environment at school for the victim, administrator, or to any other faculty or staff infringe on the rights of the victim at school or member or member of Two Rivers with whom the materially and substantially disrupt the education student is comfortable speaking. Also, any student process or the orderly operation of a school. who is subject to retaliation in violation of this policy or who knows of another student who has Retaliation against a youth, volunteer or staff been subject to retaliation is urged to report it as member who reports sexual harassment, sexual soon as possible. assault and dating violence, provides information about any such acts, witnesses any such acts, A parent who witnesses or becomes aware of or who testifies, assists, participates or refuses bullying /retaliation is strongly urged to promptly to participate in an investigation, proceeding or notify the principal or another administrator. hearing is also prohibited. Anonymous Reporting Reports may be made anonymously, although no formal response will be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report. However, such a report may

School Culture Administrators will make expectations clear to harassment, sexual assault or dating violence may 16 students and staff that sexual harassment, sexual be eligible for school-based supports. For more assault and dating violence will not be tolerated information about the availability of such supports, and will be the grounds for disciplinary action please contact your school counselor. up to and including suspension and dismissal for students. Title IX Coordinator Reports of bullying or harassment can be made to: The individual designated to coordinate the school’s response to reports or complaints Danielle Hutcherson-Blount of sexual harassment, sexual assault and 4th Street ES Principal dating violence and for overseeing the school’s [email protected] compliance with Title IX as it relates to students is: 202-546-4477 Nichel Bryant Rachel Owens Senior Director of Student Support 4th Street ES Assistant Principal of Culture [email protected] [email protected] 202-543-8477 202-546-4477 Nichel can also be reached on ParentSquare. Muronji Inman-McCraw Young MS Principal Student Suspension and Expulsion [email protected] Policies and Procedures 202-388-3177 Two Rivers emphasizes character development and Mark Nash Young respect for others as evidenced by its adoption of MS Assistant Principal of Culture both EL Education and Responsive Classroom. It is [email protected] hoped that this will minimize the need to suspend 202-388-3177 or expel students. Suspension is defined as the temporary removal of a student from all classes and Chelsie Jones school activities for disciplinary reasons. Expulsion Young ES Principal is the permanent removal of a student from [email protected] enrollment at Two Rivers for disciplinary reasons. 202-388-1360 An administrator may suspend or expel a student under circumstances in which students willfully Allison Cross cause, attempt to cause, or threaten to cause bodily Young ES Assistant Principal of Culture injury or emotional distress to another person, [email protected] including behavior that occurs off school grounds. 202-388-1360 “Bodily injury” means a cut, abrasion, bruise, burn, or disfigurement; physical pain; illness; impairment Staff can also be reached on ParentSquare. of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; or any other injury to the body, no Counseling and Interventions for matter how temporary. “Emotional distress” means Accused Students mental suffering or distress that requires more than trivial treatment or counseling. The decision Two Rivers will work with its wellness and mental to suspend or expel a student shall be made by an health providers to identify appropriate counseling administrator, with or without the recommendation and intervention strategies for students alleged of the student’s teacher or other school employees. to have committed acts of sexual harassment, sexual assault or dating violence, and to determine An administrator will determine the number of whether it is a referral to the Child and Family days for suspensions based on the severity of the Services Agency is required where the accused’s infraction, the age of the student, and previous behavior indicates that he or she may be the victim infractions. Students in grades K through 5 will of child sexual abuse or child abuse. not be suspended for more than 5 consecutive school days at a time unless the student is facing Resources for Students and Families expulsion. Students in grades 6 through 8 will Affected by Sexual Harassment, Sexual not be suspended for more than 10 consecutive Assault or Dating Violence school days at a time unless the student is facing expulsion. No student will be suspended for more Students and families affected by sexual than 20 cumulative days in the school year unless

School Culture the student is facing expulsion or the Head of the information that the school has to believe that School provides written justification to the student the student engaged in such behavior, and give the and parent describing why exceeding 20 days student an opportunity to present his/her side of the is a more appropriate disciplinary action than story or explanation for his/her behavior. After this alternative responses. An exception to the 20-day meeting, the school administrator will issue limit may also be made where the student’s conduct necessitated an emergency removal and the Head written notice to the student and parent detailing the of School provides a written justification for the length of and reason for the suspension. emergency removal to the student and parent. For students facing suspension of more than 5 days, Two Rivers will provide a plan for continuing the including expulsion, the student may be suspended education for any student who is suspended. That pending the results of this investigation and plan will ensure that the student continues his/ recommendation for further disciplinary action from her studies, receives all assignments during the the school administrator. School staff will make an suspension, can communicate with school staff attempt to complete the investigation within 3 school about the assignments, and has the opportunity to days, but in some cases, the investigation will require make up any work missed during the suspension additional time. if the student cannot complete it during the suspension. After the meeting with the student and any investigation, the school administrator will issue Depending on the situation, a student may receive a written notice to the student and parent with an in-school suspension or an out-of-school a recommendation for long-term suspension or suspension. In-school suspension is defined expulsion and the reason for this recommendation. as temporarily removing a student from the This notice will explain the information that is being student’s regular class schedule as a disciplinary relied on as a basis for the recommendation. Within consequence, during which time the student 5 school days of the recommendation for long-term remains on school grounds under the supervision suspension or expulsion, a hearing will be held to make of school personnel who are physically in the same a final determination about the disciplinary action location. Out-of-school suspension is defined proposed. The student will be suspended pending as temporary removal of a student from school the results of the hearing. At the hearing, the school attendance to another setting for disciplinary administrator, or designee will present the information reasons, during which time the student is not relied on to support the recommended disciplinary under the supervision of school personnel and is action; the student will be given an opportunity to not allowed on school grounds. Staff will consider fully respond to that information; the student may whether behavior can be safely and appropriately be represented by an attorney; and the student may handled through school-based disciplinary action present any information that he/she wants considered. before involving law enforcement, except where referrals are required based on mandatory reporting In most cases, the Executive Director will act as the requirements. impartial decision maker at this hearing. In cases where the Executive Director cannot serve as the impartial The suspension or expulsion shall become decision maker, an impartial decision maker will be effective immediately unless otherwise stated appointed by the Executive Director to hear all of by the school administrator. When a student is the information presented and make a final decision suspended, a parent is required to pick the child about the proposed disciplinary action. Within two up from the school. At times, parents will need to school days after the hearing, the decision maker will pick a suspended child up before the school day is notify the student and parent in writing of the final complete. determination and reason for that determination. Appealing an Out of School Suspension After three suspensions from school within the Students and parents/guardians may make a written same school year, expulsion will be seriously request to the Principal/designee to appeal a short- considered. Students for whom suspension or term suspension within one (1) school day of being expulsion is being considered will be told that this notified of the suspension. The Principal/designee will is a possibility and given an opportunity to present attempt to schedule the Appeal Hearing within seven his/her perspective before a final decision regarding (7) school days of receiving the written request to suspension or expulsion is made. appeal. Prior to issuing the suspension, the school The Principal/designee will conduct the Appeal 17 administrator will meet with the student, notify the Hearing, which is closed to the public, and may student of what he/she is accused of doing and include the presentation of evidence, testimony,

School Culture and questioning of those present. Accordingly, attendance at the meeting will include the parent, parents/guardians and one (1) additional adult may special education teacher, general education represent the student at the hearing. If the parent/ teacher, Campus Director of Special Education, guardian fails to appear for the scheduled Appeal and any other school team members or individuals Hearing, the right to appeal is waived, and the invited by the parent who can assist in making original disciplinary the manifestation determination. Following the meeting, parents will decision will stand. The hearing will not be recorded by any means. be notified in writing about the outcome of the manifestation determination, and provided with If the principal issued the suspension, he/she will a copy of any changes to their child’s IEP and/or not be the party to hear or decide the appeal. A behavioral intervention plan. For more information, designee will be appointed by the Head of School contact the Senior Director of Student Support, or his/her designee. Nichel Bryant on ParentSquare or at nbryant@ tworiverspcs.org. The Principal/designee will typically notify the parent/guardian of the appeal decision within two Play Dates (2) school days after the Appeal Hearing. If the suspension is overturned, the student’s cumulative We encourage our students to spend time with record and any other school-maintained records will classmates after school or on weekends. If you are reflect that conclusion. not sure who might be a good match for your child or have questions about play dates, your child’s Behavior Policy for Students with Special Needs teacher would be happy to make suggestions. If Students with special needs may have individual your child has an after-school play date and you will behavior guidelines and policies. To maintain not be picking him/her up as usual, please send us the safety of all students and staff, however, a note. We must have written consent to release a acts of physical aggression of any kind are not child from school to another individual. Socializing permitted at Two Rivers and will be addressed with is an important component of adolescent consequences specific to the student that commits development. Please make sure that middle school them. For students who have an IEP, out-of-school students are supervised during after-school social suspensions will be handled in accordance with activities. the provisions set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004. Birthdays and Birthday Parties Students with a disability are subject to disciplinary Birthdays are very special events in the lives of our action just as other students are, as long as repeated students. Celebrations can occur during lunch or disciplinary actions do not establish a pattern of snack time to minimize disruption from classroom removing the student from a classroom setting that time. Parents should coordinate any special denies the student a Free and Appropriate Public activity with their child’s teacher or crew advisor Education (FAPE). Exclusion from class for more well in advance of the child’s birthday as each than ten school days in an academic year would classroom has their own traditions for celebrating constitute a change in placement under IDEA. As birthdays. Please remember that the school has such, the IEP team must convene a manifestation a limited amount of extra supplies so any birthday determination meeting to determine whether treats should come complete with all products the behavior was a manifestation of, or caused by, and utensils. If you are planning on giving out any the student’s disability, and if so, ensure that the special treats, please make sure that there are student’s IEP contains appropriate supports to assist enough for all students. the child in being successful. We encourage the Two Rivers community to share At the time of a suspension that would constitute special occasions like birthdays together, while a change in placement under IDEA, the parent being careful to acknowledge the feelings of all will be notified in writing (typically as part of students. Unless the entire class is invited to a the suspension letter) that a manifestation party, please do not distribute invitations at school. determination meeting is required and will be To avoid hurt feelings, we encourage you to invite provided with a copy of their Procedural Safeguards less than half the class, or to invite the entire class. Notice. Two Rivers will work with the parent to Parents/guardians are also encouraged to avoid schedule the manifestation determination meeting any hurt feelings by not shepherding a party group within 10 days of the suspension. Team members in directly from school. 18

School Culture Technology and Digital Citizenry laptops and Gmail accounts, Google drive, 19 Google chat, or any other school-provided tools Two Rivers uses technology in our educational for non-educational purposes, he or she will lose program to ultimately promote and develop the laptop privileges for a set period of time, and/or digital responsibility of our students, as they the student will require close adult supervision use technology to engage more effectively with whenever using the laptop for a core class learning. By integrating technology in learning assignment. experiences across the grades, we aim to accomplish the following goals: If a student uses school technology to view and/ or disseminate inappropriate content or access • Equip all students to interact with and impact another student’s account, this will immediately the world around them through being digitally result in loss of device privileges for a set period responsible. of time. The school will also work with the student and student’s family to explicitly research the • Provide greater access to educational importance of digital responsibility and create an opportunities and differentiated instruction. action plan for earning back technology privileges. • Archive the revision and final products of high STUDENT AND FAMILY TECHNOLOGY quality work for a variety of audiences. AGREEMENT • Improve communication of student progress Before being issued a laptop, students and parents and achievement, by widening our sense will need to sign an agreement articulating the of community through expanding the ways above laptop and digital responsibility expectations. teachers, students, and families interact. If an agreement is not signed, a student will not be able to receive a laptop. The agreement ensures COMPUTING IN THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE that all students and families understand the SCHOOLS expectations for digital responsibility at Two Rivers, We have one-on-one computing in grades 4-8. This which will help us effectively use technology with means a laptop will be assigned to every student for students and preserve our technology for future the academic year. During homeroom, laptops will years. be issued to students for the day, and at the end of the day after lab, teachers will ensure that students Student Email Accounts return their laptops to the correct cart and charging bay. Before dismissing for the day, all students will All students have personal email accounts and be responsible for returning laptops to assigned access to Google drive, which are to be solely used carts for recharging and safe-keeping. Students will for educational purposes. Teachers and students only use laptops on school grounds; this means in grades 3-8 will regularly communicate with one laptops should never be taken home.During remote another through exchanging core assignments learning, each child will have a device that they will and discussing relevant instructional topics via keep at home to facilitate learning. email. To practice the scholarly habit of being responsible and independent, students should RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY take the initiative to email their teachers questions To be digital citizens, students are expected to about instructional tasks, in addition to seeking follow the same rules for scholarly habits and in-person, out-of-school help. These accounts allow respectful conduct online as well as offline. students the following: Students are expected to treat laptops with • Google Drive: a place to house student work extreme care and caution; the laptops are and engage in peer review and critique expensive technology that the school is entrusting to student care. Students should immediately • Gmail: a vehicle for communication directly report any malfunction, loss, or damage of laptops with instructors and, in the Middle School, the to school personnel. Upon further investigation of ability to communicate online with fellow Two the situation, students may lose the privilege of Rivers students using a laptop for a period of time, and/or may be held financially accountable for any damage or loss In order to access their account, students will be resulting from negligence or misuse. assigned a student email address and password. They are expected to adhere to the aforementioned DIGITAL INTEGRIT Y VIOLATIONS AND Internet policies and to only use their Two Rivers CONSEQUENCES student accounts for approved school purposes. Technology provided by Two Rivers is intended Consequences of misuse include loss of privilege for educational purposes only. If a student uses and/or administrative action. Similarly, students need to be respectful of all device hardware

School Culture To ensure digital security, students should never share their Gmail passwords with others, and should immediately notify staff personnel if they suspect that someone else may have access to their email account. Internet Use Policy and Internet Safety Student use of the Internet is an important component of classroom research and learning. Teachers will supervise student Internet use and monitor the online activity of minors. Students are required to abide by Internet safety protocols. They are only permitted to access appropriate matter on the Internet, are not permitted to use electronic mail, chat rooms, or other electronic communications without permission of the teacher, may not perform unlawful activities online, and may not disclose, use, or disseminate personal information via the Internet. Failure to abide by these rules will result in the suspension of Internet privileges for the student and could lead to other disciplinary action. Two Rivers enforces a policy of Internet safety, which includes measures to block or filter Internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual depictions. These include visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, or harmful to minors. Only an authorized person is able to disable the blocking or filtering measure for research or other lawful purposes of an adult. DIGITAL PORTFOLIOS For years, Two Rivers has collected, exhibited, and archived student work through paper portfolios. These portfolios are purposeful collections of student work that showcase students’ best efforts, progress, and achievements across core academic subjects, as well as analysis of student assessment data. 20

Measuring & Reporting Student Progress Reporting Student Progress In addition to the progress reports detailed above, students with IEPs receive IEP progress reports Two Rivers is aware that you will want to know four times a year. Students receiving EL services how your child is learning and growing both are also provided with an update on their progress academically and socially. Our teachers assess towards language goals. progress in a variety of ways and provide you with ongoing, comprehensive information about your Student-Led Conferences child. Parents will receive regular updates on student performance. In grades 4-8, students present a portfolio of high-quality work to their parents and guardians at Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled three winter and spring conferences. Students present times each year to discuss student performance three to five pieces of work, and explain the skills, and provide parents with an opportunity to knowledge, and processes necessary to complete review student work, assessment folders, and the work. Parents and teachers are encouraged other evaluations. These conferences provide to ask students probing questions and inspire parents and teachers with a forum for discussing students to discuss their strengths, areas that any concerns and developing strategies to need development, and growth over time through address them. Teachers will provide parents with revision. suggestions for working with their children at home on particular skills. Additional parent-teacher Eighth graders also participate in a Passage conferences will be scheduled upon parent request Portfolio where they present their work to Two or as needed. Rivers’ teachers in the middle of their eighth grade year. Students who do not receive a passing grade Progress Reports on their passage portfolio revise their portfolio and present again in the spring. At Two Rivers, students receive progress reports twice each year. Progress reports include both Showcase of Student Learning numeric “grades” and narrative comments. A five- point scale is used to provide information on how Known as Two Rivers’ Community Showcase, a student is progressing in a specific category of classroom showcases are performances and learning. The scale ranges from a “1”, for areas presentations of the vibrant, in-depth learning that in which the student is performing below grade students participate in throughout the semester. level, to a “5”, for areas in which the student is Through products and performances, students achieving above grade level. Evaluating students create work collaboratively for an audience beyond this way allows us to communicate more detailed the classroom, giving them an authentic reason to and accurate information (as opposed to traditional care about quality. Products and performances are grades) as students progress in their learning. We modeled on real-world formats rather than artificial are able to communicate specifically which areas scholastic formats to make presentations both more of a subject are strengths for a student and which realistic and engaging. Teachers involve students categories are ones in which the student struggles. as much as possible in directing the aspects of the Please do not mistake numbers as equivalent to showcase presentation and product, both making letter grades. If your child receives a progress report them accountable and involved in the creation that consists mostly of 3s, he or she is progressing of high-quality work. At Community Showcase, appropriately. The narrative component of the parents and family members are invited to attend to progress report allows us to provide additional experience and learn about their student’s exciting information on a student’s performance in a given work. category of learning. These observations are made based on classroom data and evaluations. In the Assessment & Standardized Testing middle school, progress reports are prepared in order to communicate student achievement in a Two Rivers uses a range of different assessment transparent way with receiving high schools. Middle tools in order to understand better the knowledge school families also receive two interim progress and skills of our students. Teacher-made reports per semester, showing current, or formative, tests, screenings, computer-based tests, and student progress, habits of work, and homework standardized tests are some of the different tools completion percentage. Neither homework nor work that students will see at Two Rivers. In all cases, habits are factored into the final semester grade. the primary purpose of assessments is to provide useful information about student progress that can be used to improve instruction and programming at Two Rivers. 21

Measuring & Reporting Student Progress Below are brief descriptions of the major School Board (DCPCSB), the Office of the State 22 assessment tools used by Two Rivers. Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and various media sources. MCLASS: CIRCLE This assessment is taken by all students in THE ACHIEVEMENT NET WORK: QUARTERLY preschool and prekindergarten and is used to assess a child’s progress on specific skills related BENCHMARK TESTS to literacy and mathematics. This assessment The Achievement Network is a nonprofit helps identify areas of strength and concern in organization that helps schools use real-time data order to inform instructional decisions made by to make instructional adjustments that advance the teachers and to inform parents about their student learning. Two Rivers partners with the child’s progress. The assessment is administered Achievement Network to administer quarterly three times a year and can also include progress benchmark assessments in reading for students in monitoring, if needed. Teachers assess students grades 2-8. The tests are primarily multiple choice. using mClass: Circle in a one-on-one setting. Teachers analyze student response data and develop instructional plans that target specific skill MCLASS: DIBELS AND TRC and knowledge gaps revealed by the assessments. This assessment is taken by all students in Data from these tests is shared with students after kindergarten through second grade, as well as by each administration and used to set goals for their students in grades 3 through 5 who receive reading own progress and mastery of specific standards. interventions, and is used to assess a child’s The Achievement Network series is used primarily progress on specific skills related to literacy. This to improve teaching and learning and is not used as assessment helps identify areas of strength and an accountability tool. concern in order to inform instructional decisions made by the teachers and to inform parents COMMON LIT: BENCHMARK LITERACY TESTS about their child’s progress. The assessment is Common Lit is a nonprofit administered three times a year and can also organization that helps schools use real-time data include progress monitoring, if needed. Teachers to make instructional adjustments that advance assess students in a one-on-one setting. student learning. Two Rivers partners with Common Lit to administer benchmark assessments three MEASURES OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS (MAP) times per year in reading for students in grades 3-8. MAP is a computer-based adaptive test that The tests are primarily multiple choice. Teachers assesses student skill levels in reading and analyze student response data and develop mathematics. The adaptive feature of MAP instructional plans that target specific skill and means that the difficulty of the test adjusts to the knowledge gaps revealed by the assessments. Data performance level of the student as they answer from these tests is shared with students after each questions correctly or incorrectly throughout administration and used to set goals for their own the test. Ultimately, this results in a more precise progress and mastery of specific standards. estimation of a student’s knowledge and skills in the The Common Lit series is used primarily to improve tested areas. Students in grades 1–8 take MAP two teaching and learning and is not used as an or three times a year (September, January, and May). accountability tool. THE PARTNERSHIP FOR ASSESSMENT OF Testing Philosophy READINESS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREERS ( PA R C C ) Successfully mastering the skills assessed by the The PARCC is the state standardized test that PARCC is only one of many goals that Two Rivers has all public school students in grades three for its students. We expect all of our students to do through eight must take each spring. The test well on the state test; however, there is considerable primarily focuses on reading/language arts and evidence to suggest that the development of social mathematics and is aligned with the Common Core skills and sophisticated problem-solving skills is State Standards. Following administration of the as important (if not more) in determining adult PARCC, families will receive an individual student success (i.e. employment, civic participation, etc.). report detailing their child’s performance. Consequently, Two Rivers works hard to keep test preparation in perspective and balance it with the Results on the PARCC will be used to determine other goals we have for our students. Two Rivers Two Rivers’ achievement and progress as a school. does not construct our school program around These results will be made publicly available achieving success on the PARCC. Two Rivers sees through the District of Columbia Public Charter the state standardized test results as an important indicator of our program’s ability to achieve successful outcomes for students;

Measuring & Reporting Student Progress however, Two Rivers does not believe that this is the sole measure of success for our students or our school. As part of helping students take ownership over their learning, middle school students review their data, reflect on strengths and areas in need of improvement, and track their data during the year. 23

Governance Charter the best way to address your questions or concerns. The DC Public Charter School Board approved NNoonn--HDaisrcarsismmiennattiPoonl/icy the charter to operate Two Rivers and continues to oversee our activities. The school’s charter Two Rivers affirms the right of all students, agreement sets forth all of the legal obligations of families, and staff regardless of race, color, sex, the school. Two Rivers is not managed or governed national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual by the District of Columbia Public Schools and orientation, disability, veteran status, genetic need not comply with most of its regulations. information, or other status protected by federal, Two Rivers is operated by the Executive Director, state, or local law or any other basis prohibited by administrative team and other staff, and governed applicable law, to be treated with respect and to by a volunteer Board of Trustees. be protected from intimidation, discrimination, physical harm, and/or harassment in its educational Board of Trustees programs and activities. WHAT DOES THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DO? TRANSGENDERED STUDENTS Two Rivers’ Board of Trustees is responsible for: Transgender students are protected in DC schools under city law; the DC Human Rights Act prohibits • determining the mission and purpose of the discrimination in educational institutions based school and keeping the mission clearly in on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, focus marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family • selecting the Executive Director and responsibilities, political affiliation, and disability. supporting and reviewing the performance of Students at Two Rivers have been and will continue the Executive Director to be able to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity and be called by the name and • ensuring effective organizational planning pronoun that matches their gender identity. • ensuring adequate resources and managing UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS resources effectively Two Rivers serves all students who are residents of • monitoring and strengthening the school’s the District of Columbia, including students who are undocumented. DC protects and serves all programs and services residents, regardless of their immigration status. • monitoring compliance with the school’s Please note that all children in the United States have the right to a free public education, regardless accountability measures of their race, ethnic background, religion, sex, • enhancing the school’s public standing language, family’s income level, or immigration • ensuring legal and ethical integrity and status. maintaining accountability Questions or concerns related to our non- • recruiting and orienting new Trustees and discrimination/non-harassment policies should be addressed on ParentSquare or to: assessing Board performance Danielle Hutcherson-Blount The Board is not involved with the day-to-day 4th Street ES Principal operations of the school. For example, the Board [email protected] does not determine what is taught in math on 202-546-4477 Tuesdays or what is served for lunch on Fridays. Muronji Inman-McCraw WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE BOARD MEET? MS Principal [email protected] The Board meets regularly throughout the 202-388-3177 school year at Two Rivers, usually from 6 to 8 pm. Information about Board meetings is available Chelsie Jones in the school’s main office and online at www. Young ES Principal tworiverspcs.org > who we are > our team. Minutes [email protected] from Board meetings are available online. 202-388-1360 HOW CAN I GET IN TOUCH WITH THE BOARD? • Call (202) 546-4477 and leave a message for the Aswathi Zachariah the Board Chair • Email the Board at [email protected] • Submit a written note addressed to the Aswathi Zachariah, Chair, Board of Trustees by: fax (202) 546-0869 mail 1227 4th Street, NE 24 Washington, DC 20002 A Trustee will respond to your submission to discuss

Governance For questions or concerns related to elementary summarizing the outcome of the appeal, within 30 or middle school students with disabilities, please calendar days of receiving your written grievance. please contact via ParentSquare or at:: Posting a complaint on a Two Rivers listserv will Rossana Mahvi not be considered a formal submission. These Senior Director of Special Education grievance procedures apply to any concerns that may [email protected] arise, including but not limited to concerns about 202-543-8447 discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, Parent Complaints and Grievances veteran status, sexual orientation, or otherwise. All information presented and discovered during the To address a concern or seek resolution of a course of an investigation will remain confidential. problem at Two Rivers, we encourage you to first address the person most immediately involved in Two Rivers will not retaliate against any person who the issue with which you are concerned. If after raises a concern using the procedures outlined above this step your concern is not addressed to your or otherwise participates in the investigation of such satisfaction, you may inform the Principal, Assistant concerns. If, during the course of the investigation, Principal, or, if the concern involves a student with it is determined that corrective or remedial action is disabilities, you may inform the Director of Special necessary, such action will be taken in a prompt and Education at your campus. reasonable manner. Contact information for the individuals to whom formal Your concern will be responded to within a grievances are to be made are as follows: reasonable period of time, usually 5 business days. If you have gone through the parental complaint Aswathi Zachariah Dr. Kristina Kyles-Smith and grievance procedure listed above without satisfactory resolution of your complaint, you Chair, Board of Trustees Executive Director may make a formal complaint in writing following the procedures below. The process above is [email protected] [email protected] not required before a formal complaint can be submitted. 202-546-4477 202-546-4477 Formal Complaints Nichel Bryant Chelsie Jones If you wish to make a formal complaint, you must Senior Director of Young ES Principal do so in writing to the Principal or the Director of Special Education. All complaints will be Student Support [email protected] adequately, reliably, and objectively investigated, and any evidence or witnesses presented by the [email protected] 202-388-1360 person(s) making the complaint will be considered. Your concern will be responded to in writing within 202-543-8447 a reasonable period of time, usually 10-15 business days, although every effort will be made to resolve Danielle Hutcherson-Blount Muronji Inman-McCraw the issue as quickly as possible. There are some investigations that may take more than 10-15 4th Street ES Principal Young MS Principal business days. dhutcherson.blount [email protected] The response will summarize the concern(s) raised and the course and outcome of the @tworiverspcs.org 202-388-3177 investigation,and will identify an appropriate resolution. If after this point the matter is still not 202-546-4477 resolved, you may contact the Executive Director within 5 business days, who will consider all Kenneth McCants-Pearsall information presented and respond in writing, Chief Academic Officer summarizing the outcome of the appeal, within [email protected] 10 business days. If your concern is still not 202-388-1360 resolved, you must contact the President of the Board of Trustees in writing within 5 business 25 days. The President of the Board of Trustees, or his/her designee, will consider all information presented and respond in writing to your grievance,

Health, Safety, & Inclement Weather Health Medications Two Rivers strives to maintain a healthy and safe Whenever possible, administer medications at school environment. We ask parents to keep home. If your child needs to take medication or any child home, who, because of illness, cannot requires medical treatment during school hours, participate comfortably in classroom or school please have your medical provider complete the activities or who may present a health risk to other appropriate forms – the Medication and Treatment children. If a child arrives at school ill, or becomes Authorization Forms, the Asthma Action Plan, and/ ill during the school day, he or she will be taken to or the Action Plan for Anaphylaxis. Two Rivers the office, where designated staff will care for the Public Charter School only administers medication child while the parent is notified to pick up the child to students who have a signed Administration of in a reasonable amount of time. Medication Release. The forms are located online or can be emailed or mailed to families and must If your child is ill with a communicable disease, be signed by a physician and legal guardian. Staff such as strep throat, lice, conjunctivitis (pink are not permitted to administer medication to the eye),Covid-19, or chicken pox, please inform us student without a signed form on file. promptly so that we may alert other parents. Children may attend school when we have evidence The school nurse or a Two Rivers Staff member that treatment is underway and your child is no who has received a Medication Administration longer contagious (or if they are fever-free for 24 Certification will administer all medication during hours). the school day. Any medications turned into the school nurse or front desk staff stays with the We have outdoor recess in almost all weather school. Families are responsible for providing conditions. We ask that children be sent to school separate medications/Epi Pens for field studies. only if they are well enough to play outdoors. Furthermore, if a student on a field study does not have a self-administer plan from their doctor, a Accidents during the school day are treated with trained staff member will be required to administer simple first aid procedures when appropriate. In medication including, inhalers, Benadryl and the case of severe illness or injury, parents will be Epi-Pens. For students who are on prescription notified immediately and 911 will be called. Two medication, only medication administration Rivers staff members are not permitted to transport certified staff or parents can administer this when any child for medical care. The 911 response team students are off-site. and emergency room physicians make all decisions about emergency treatment of any child. A Two To ensure access to field studies and overnight Rivers staff member will remain with your child until trips, we need to remain compliant with the a parent or guardian arrives. guidelines regarding students who are required to receive medication while under our supervision. All students at Two Rivers must be toilet Medications are kept in a locked cabinet in the trained. We do not have the facilities or staff main office of each school building, unless we have to change diapers. written medical permission and school approval for a student to carry their own medication. Physical and Immunizations Medications that are given daily must be brought in by the parent and dispensed from the original DC law requires that all children have annual pharmacy bottle. You will be notified in advance medical and dental evaluations and that when supplies are running low. Parents are immunizations are up to date. Two Rivers requests expected to provide the school with all medication that students’ District of Columbia Universal Health in a timely manner and ensure that the school Certificate, Immunizations, and District of Columbia does not run out of needed medication. For more (Dental Provider) Oral Assessment Forms are information on medication, see the Permission submitted within 30 days of the expiration date for the Administration of Medication Form, which and current at the time of re-enrollment. Student is available in the main office. On the last day of health records will be maintained separately and school, parents or guardians must sign out all confidentially from other school records, as required medications from the front desk. Any medications by law. If a student is exempt from immunizations that have not been picked up will be discarded. due to religious or medical reasons, exemptions forms must be submitted along with students 26 District of Columbia Universal Health Certificate. Forms are located at the front .desk or on our website at www.tworiverspcs.org/enrollment under Medical Forms.

Health, Safety, & Inclement Weather Allergies and Specific Medical Conditions Two Rivers Building Information 27 Please alert us to any allergies your child may have The Two Rivers 4th Street Lower Elementary School and provide medication if necessary to prevent Building is located at 1227 4th Street NE. The a serious allergic reaction (this includes allergies phone number is 202-546-4477. The fax number is to plants, animals, foods, medicines, and other 202-546-0869. substances). Parents also need to notify the school about specific conditions that may require The Two Rivers 4th Street Upper Elementary School emergency treatment such as bee stings, diabetes, Building is located at 1234 4th Street NE. The severe asthma, or a seizure disorder. These should phone number is 202-543-8477. all be noted on the child’s “Authorization for Child’s Emergency Medical Treatment” form with The Two Rivers Middle School Building is located at permission to summon emergency medical attention 830 26th Street NE. The phone number is 202-388- for your child if necessary. 3177. Any changes in your child’s health status should be The Two Rivers Elementary School Building at immediately reported to the front desk staff together Young is located at 820 26th Street, NE. The phone with any relevant medical documentation. All staff number is 202-388-1360. will be informed of any children with health concerns that may arise during the school day such as asthma Onsite Activities Outside of School and food allergies. Hours We will do what is medically required for students All of the policies and procedures for maintaining with food allergies, up to and including banning a safe environment are in force when school specific foods from classrooms. Food allergies activities happen at Two Rivers during times will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Students when school is not in session. If a student is not with serious medical conditions may qualify for an being safe during these events, their privilege to Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. participate in activities during out of school time Please see the handbook section on Student may be revoked. Support Services page 8 for more information. If a student is picked up late from onsite activities Two Rivers Emergency Response Plan outside of school hours, school administrators may revoke permission for the student to participate in Two Rivers has emergency plans for earthquake, further onsite activities after school hours. Parents fire, tornado, or hurricane, as well as emergency will be contacted by school staff to communicate plans for in-school lock-down and school any such changes. evacuation. Playground Safety In case of fire, all students, faculty, and staff will exit the building using the primary route on Recess and other outdoor activities are a wonderful the emergency evacuation map specific to their way for our students to get exercise, have fun, and location in the building. Secondary routes should learn to interact with their friends outside of the be used only when primary routes are blocked. classroom. Two Rivers strives to maintain a safe After leaving the building, students and staff will environment where children feel comfortable trying assemble at the relevant evacuation location. The out new activities, sports, and games. Students primary evacuation location for 4th Street Lower are only permitted on the playground during the Elementary is the 4th Street Upper Elementary school day or after school with adult supervision. (1234 4th Street NE). The primary evacuation Students are expected to follow the Two Rivers location for 4th Street Upper Elementary is 4th playground rules and be safe at all times, or they St Lower Elementary (1227 4th St. NE). The may have their playground privileges revoked. After secondary evacuation location for the 4th St lower school, adults must remain on the playground with and upper elementary campuses is Gallaudet their child and ensure that they are following our University (800 Florida Ave NE). The evacuation playground rules. location for students at Two Rivers Elementary and Middle School at Young during school hours PLAYGROUND RULES and during extended day will be at the Recreation 1 Safe bodies! Center at 1701 Gales Street NE. If Two Rivers is 2 Appropriate use of equipment! required to evacuate & relocate, information will 3 Have fun! be posted on our website and left on the main Two Rivers phone message regarding student pickup. MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM RULES • There must be a teacher or staff member

Health, Safety, & Inclement Weather present before students can enter the gym; during arrival and dismissal times and always model students will line up outside the gym in the safe behavior for our students. hallway to await a staff member. • Teachers and staff will monitor and direct At 4th Street, pull up into the Drop Off Lane in front student play in order to support safety. of the lower elementary school by the sidewalk • Students will play by the stated rules of the between the orange cones. Pull up to the car in game. front of you. If there is no space in the Drop Off • Students will be safe on the bleachers and Lane, please do not park in the crosswalk. Drive gym equipment and use gym equipment past the Drop Off Lane and find a parking space appropriately further down the block and walk your child to • Balls will be used as a part of organized school. Do not double park. Unload your children games, and students will not throw or kick right onto the sidewalk and not into the street. balls randomly. Please follow the instructions of staff members • All materials and equipment must be cleaned directing cars and people during drop off and pick up, and mats returned to original position, up. after each activity. • Participation in P.E. classes is an expectation. The entrance to Two Rivers at Young Elementary is • Students will be directed to take a break if accessible through the H Street side of the building. displaying high levels of frustration, anger or The stairs leading to Young’s entrance are located unsafe behavior. in middle of the block of H Street NE and there is • All injuries must be reported to teacher/staff street parking available on 26th Street NE. When on duty immediately. walking your child to the entrance of Young, please walk on the sidewalk across from Young and cross Crosswalk Safety with your child at the stair entrance. The loading dock parking lot is reserved for handicap accessible With over 960 students and 170 staff members parking only. Vehicles must display a handicap moving to and from Two Rivers everyday, safety is a placard or handicap license plate to park in this must. Please take the time to read these guidelines lot during arrival and dismissal. Do not drive up H for commuter safety: Street NE, double park, or park in staff parking lots. WALKERS The entrance to Two Rivers at Young Middle School Please follow all pedestrian laws around the is accessible through the H Street side of the school. Cross in the crosswalk lines and obey the building. The middle school is located in the middle walk signal. Look both ways before crossing even if of the block of H Street NE and there is street the light is green, because cars might be coming. parking available on 26th Street NE. When walking When a car is coming, do not cross the street. your child to the entrance of Young, please walk on When the red hand is flashing, do not step off the sidewalk across from Young and cross with your the curb. Always cross the street at the crosswalk child at the middle school entrance. The loading (Parents, remember our students are watching!). dock parking lot is reserved for handicap accessible parking only. Vehicles must display a handicap DRIVERS placard or handicap license plate to park in this Obey the speed limit at all times. Please look lot during arrival and dismissal. Do not drive up H carefully- if there is a person in the crosswalk, do Street NE, double park, or park in staff parking lots. not enter the crosswalk. Stop at all stop signs, obey the traffic lights, and please do not park or drive No Smoking in the bike lane. Look carefully for bikers before opening your car doors. Two Rivers is a non-smoking building. Parents, students, and staff are prohibited from using any BIKERS tobacco products in the building or on school Please walk your bicycle in front of the school. grounds at any time. Please park your bicycle at the bike stand in front of the school. Weapons Policy DROP OFF/PICK UP Two Rivers takes the safety of all students, staff, Punctuality is a virtue, but it is more important to and community members seriously. Weapons are drive safely than to be on time. Please allow enough prohibited at all times at Two Rivers; no student time to get your child to school without rushing. or non-student, including adults and visitors, shall possess, use, or distribute a weapon on Please walk, bike, or use public transportation when possible. Be sure to observe basic safety rules 28

Health, Safety, & Inclement Weather school grounds. A “weapon” means any object, Breakfast and Lunch Program device, or instrument designed as a weapon or which, through its use, is capable of threatening Two Rivers is proud to provide nutritious and tasty or producing bodily harm, or which may be used meals through the school breakfast and school to inflict self-injury. In accordance with Federal lunch program. Because we don’t have a cafeteria, requirements, any student who brings a weapon we order these meals in individual serving packages to Two Rivers (including school building and from a catering company, which prepares the grounds) will be expelled for not less than one year, meals fresh daily. The school pays for each meal subject to a case-by-case exception. Furthermore, ordered in coordination with a catering company simultaneous with expulsion, any student who which prepares the meals fresh daily. We strive to is expelled for bringing a weapon to school may be family-friendly in the meal service, by offering be referred to the Criminal Justice or Juvenile options such as milk-only, vegetarian, and juice- only options on top of regular breakfast and lunch Delinquency system. meal service. Families interested in ordering lunch or breakfast must order meals in advance for the Snow/Emergency Policy entire month. Monthly meal menus are available online or at the front desk. Two Rivers Public Charter School will follow the decision of the District of Columbia Public Families who are eligible for free or reduced-price Schools in opening late and closing entirely due to lunch under the National School Lunch Program inclement weather. If DCPS is open, Two Rivers is will receive lunch each day. However, even if you open. If DCPS is closed, Two Rivers is closed. If qualify for free or reduced lunch you must still DCPS is delayed, Two Rivers is delayed. sign up for the meal online or at the front desk. You can also email [email protected] with Two Rivers also uses a communication service questions. We encourage all families to apply and called School Messenger that helps us notify take advantage of this program if you qualify. The families by voice, email, and text message about school must have a completed application form inclement weather or other unplanned events. for the National School Lunch Program on file for If you have questions about this service, please a child to receive free meals. Lunch and breakfast stop by the front desk. You can also check for Two are available for purchase for all children. Rivers’ school closing announcements on our website, www.tworiverspcs.org. When in doubt, call Lunchtime Philosophy the school and listen for school closing information. There will be no before-care on days when there is We want lunch to be an enjoyable, community- a delayed opening. If DCPS dismisses school early, building time that provides an opportunity for aftercare will be cancelled. sharing in small groups. All students will eat lunch in their classrooms and will participate in the set School/Community Partners up, serving, and cleanup of the meal. As part of our commitment to developing healthy choices EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM and modeling good eating habits, we encourage all AlphaBest Education provides before- and aftercare families to send in healthy food for their children’s services at all of Two Rivers’ elementary campuses. meals. We ask that sweets are brought to school Additional information about AlphaBest will be only for special occasions and that candy is available at the front desks. removed from Lunchables and other prepackaged food items. Students are not allowed to bring candy All of the local providers listed below pick up or soda to school. students at Two Rivers at 4th Street, and the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, listed below, picks up students from Two Rivers at Young. Capitol Hill Arts Workshop After School Arts www.chaw.org/yap-after-school-arts Pilgrim Baptist Church After School Care (202) 547-1815 Kingman Boys and Girls Club After School Care www.kingmanbgc.org/ 29

Communication & Family Involvement Family Involvement can cooperatively contribute their time and talent towards the ongoing success of Two Rivers PCS. Two Rivers families are an involved, diverse, and passionate group of parents and guardians. We The associations primary objectives are: consider the input, assistance, involvement, and support of our parents to be one of our greatest - To foster school-wide community building strengths of our community! - To help guide school governance by giving voice Two Rivers’ parents, guardians, and staff collaborate to the parent body using a formal parent involvement structure- the Two Rivers Parent School Association (PSA), with a All parents and guardians of Two Rivers students, variety of additional ways to serve and connect in as well as Two Rivers staff and administrators, are the community. automatically members of the PSA, have voting rights, and can hold PSA offices. Dues are not a The establishment of the PSA was a highly involved requirement of membership though parents will process that took place over the course of the 2011- be responsible for raising funds to finance PSA 2012 school year. Two Rivers parents, guardians, initiatives. staff, and administrators engaged in a dialogue that was designed to create a new and inclusive parent The PSA will hold regular meetings during the organization. This parent driven process received school year that can be attended by any member support from school staff, and included several of the Two Rivers community. The PSA’s Executive school-wide meetings, an assessment of best Board is responsible for managing the organization, practices, lessons, and a non-binding survey. which includes but is not limited to: PSA board meetings, PSA general community meetings, and In addition, it allowed for a school-wide referendum any PSA-sponsored events. that enabled hundreds of parents to vote in-person and online on the establishment of a parent The PSA is organized under the legal umbrella of organization and its key features. This consultative Two Rivers PCS. The PSA is run consistent with the process culminated with the drafting and adoption PSA bylaws and any standing rules that are put in of the PSA bylaws and the election of the PSA place. officers in May 2012. PSA Executive Board and Officers-To uplift the Student and Family Empowerment Coordinator objectives of the PSA, each campus will have Two Rivers is excited to introduce the role of focused PSA representation, to ensure efforts are Student and Family Empowerment Coordinator tailored to the needs of the community. to our network community! The Student and Family Empowerment Coordinator will support The PSA Executive Board and Officer structure and and empower families at Two Rivers, partner selections will be announced via ParentSquare and with school-based leadership to support student posted on the Two Rivers webpage. success, and connect families to internal and external resources for extended support. VOLUNTEERISM Two Rivers and the PSA welcome and value family The Student and Family Empowerment Coordinator involvement in pursuit of the school’s mission. will also assist in supporting and strengthening the Families are encouraged to contribute at least 20 continued development of the PSA to effectively hours of volunteer time to the school each year. support the school community. Families may volunteer their time for activities and committees sponsored by the PSA, as detailed You can reach the Two River Student and Family below, or they may seek out other opportunities as Empowerment Coordinator, Ms Fatima @fgraham@ best suit their interests and schedules. tworiverspcs.org and via ParentSquare! Parent School Association CONNECTING WITH THE RIGHT PSA COMMITTEE 30 The vision of our PSA is to have an open, supportive There are lots of ways to help Two Rivers. You can school community where families , teachers, work directly with our students by volunteering in school administrators, and community members your child’s classroom, chaperone a field study, collaborate to encourage lifelong learning. The help in our office, become active in the PSA, or mission of the PSA is to provide a structured forum make voluntary financial contributions. You can so families, in full partnership with school staff, also donate time and expertise to one or more of the committees listed below.

Communication & Family Involvement If your passion is putting on big events, raising Communication funds, soliciting donations, organizing volunteers, or running auctions, consider joining the GALA As partners in our students’ education, Two Rivers COMMITTEE. believes that we best serve students when there is consistent communication between home If you want to create, organize, and manage family- and school. The administration and the PSA are friendly opportunities for Two Rivers students and working together to update and improve the use of families to give back to their external communities, traditional and electronic communication tools to please join the COMMUNIT Y SER VICE COMMIT TEE. further improve communication and information sharing among all members of the Two Rivers If your passion and talents could enhance the sense community. of community among TR families and staff, please join the COMMUNIT Y BUILDING COMMIT TEE. We encourage parents and guardians to communicate questions and concerns to school If you love to read and would enjoy being involved staff as they arise. You do not need to wait for with the planning and execution of the annual book designated conference times. Questions and fair, consider joining the BOOK FAIR COMMIT TEE. concerns specific to your child or to the classroom instruction should be addressed directly with your If you like to help manage small fundraisers held child’s teacher or a Two Rivers school administrator. throughout the year that support PSA activities, Questions and suggestions about school policies including Showcase dinner sales, retail points and and procedures may be raised with a school promotions, Box Tops, etc, join the FUNDRAISING administrator. Questions and suggestions about the COMMITTEE. PSA and parent involvement may be raised with a PSA officer. The GARDENING COMMIT TEE devotes their talents to “greening” of the school, building a sense of If you have an idea, a concern, or a question, tell us! environmental responsibility, and maintaining the beautiful landscaping around the buildings. PARENT SQUARE Two Rivers uses the app and web-based platform, If you would like to help actively engage Two Rivers’ ParentSquare, to streamline communication grandparent community, the GRANDPARENTS between the school and families. The tool avoids COMMIT TEE needs you! the need for printed newsletters, email, text, or other modes of communication. ParentSquare Additional details regarding these and other is our all new “all-in-one” family communication committees and clubs will be posted on the PSA app. This will become our primary communication bulletin boards located in the lobbies of each source for families to stay connected, updated, and campus. in touch with teachers and staff. Alerts are sent by phone, text, and email regarding inclement To get connected with PSA, you can reach the weather, unexcused absences, or other unplanned Two River Student and Family Empowerment events that may impact the school day. School Coordinator, Ms Fatima @fgraham@tworiverspcs. staff will send newsletters (including the Trib) org or via ParentSquare! via ParentSquare. Families can have two-way communication with teachers and admin staff Educational Opportunities via the app. If you have any questions regarding ParentSquare, please contact our Director of Two Rivers periodically presents educational External Relations, Khizer Husain, at khusain@ opportunities for families throughout the academic tworiverspcs.org or via ParentSquare. If you would school year. There are social events that are geared like to learn more about ParentSquare, visit their towards the entire family, such as our annual school website at www. ParentSquare.com. dance and potlucks. There are also educational events that serve as an opportunity for parents PARENTSQUARE POLICIES and guardians to learn. Please check our 2020- Two Rivers staff and the Two Rivers PSA may use 2021 school calendar as well as the Trib for our technology to facilitate communication between educational events. families and staff and to disseminate information in a more efficient way. The following rules and guidelines govern all communication done via any 31 ParentSquare or electronic media that is formally or informally associated with Two Rivers Public Charter School.

Communication & Family Involvement 1 By joining and using Two Rivers ParentSquare, 11 Please keep posts on topic for the lists. When 32 you agree that you have read and will follow list volume gets too high, we lose many busy list the rules and guidelines set for these peer members who are invaluable sources of help. discussion groups. You also agree to reserve list discussions for topics best suited to the 12 When responding to posts, it is helpful to medium. include a small part of the original post, but please don’t include the whole thing. Some 2 As with any community, there are guidelines email programs automatically append the governing behavior on group lists. For instance, original post to the bottom of the response violating antitrust regulations, libeling others, - please be sure to delete this, as it causes selling, and marketing are obviously not problems for list members who read Two Rivers permissible. Please take a moment to acquaint lists in digest form. yourself with these important guidelines. If you have questions, contact the list manager 13 Posts with non-informative information directed noted in your welcome instructions. Two Rivers at a single person, such as “thank you,”“I agree,” reserves the right to suspend or terminate or “me, too”, should be sent privately off-list. membership without notice on all lists for members who violate these rules. STOP BY Staff members from your child’s class are in their 3 Please do not challenge or attack others. The classrooms every afternoon. Administrators can often discussions on the lists are meant to stimulate be found outside or in the hallways in the morning conversation not to create contention or or afternoon. They are frequently available for short discomfort. Let others have their say, just as you conversations and are happy to schedule meetings as may. needed. 4 Do not post commercial messages. Contact AT TEND people individually with products and services PSA meetings and events listed in the Trib and posted that you believe would help them. on the bulletin boards. Be sure to introduce yourself and talk to PSA officers who will attend all school 5 Use caution when discussing products. events. Information posted on the lists is available for all to see, and comments are subject to libel, BULLETIN BOARDS slander, and antitrust laws. Bulletin boards are in the main lobby of each building and are a clearinghouse for information of 6 Any and all defamatory, abusive, profane, importance to families. threatening, offensive, or illegal materials are strictly prohibited. Remember anything in a list THE WEEKLY TRIB message that you would not want the world to This is our school newsletter, sent via ParentSquare, see or that you would not want anyone to know and it is the way we as a school communicate with all came from you, will be seen, so choose your families. This is also a clearinghouse for information words wisely. of importance to families. If you have a Trib item appropriate to share with the school community, 7 Please include your name, your child’s first please email your announcement to your school name, and grade in all posts to Two Rivers lists. principal. There is a set of criteria principals use to decide what announcements will be in the school 8 Varied and colored fonts and backgrounds Trib. If you have questions about this, please contact can make it hard for many people to read your your school’s principal. post. Please choose clear formatting to increase readability. WEBSITE We have a brand new, redesigned website! 9 Please keep posts brief and to the point, and Our website remains a network-wide source use a descriptive subject line. of information and resources and includes campusspecific pages, the staff directory, 10 Do not “flame.”“Flaming” includes the making the history and mission of Two of derogatory comments, ridicule, excessive Rivers, and the Two Rivers’ blog. sarcasm, and innuendo. It is important to recognize that respectful disagreement is not SOCIAL MEDIA flaming. It is not a flame to post: “Have you Follow Two Rivers on Facebook at www.facebook. written a letter to the school requesting testing? com/tworiverspcs, on Twitter @TwoRiversPCS, and on The request doesn’t exist if it’s not in writing.” It would be a flame to write –”How can you be so stupid and think the school will test just because you had a conversation in the hallway? If you’d bothered to read the archives you wouldn’t be doing such ridiculous things.” Every subscriber must be respected; no subscriber should be ridiculed or belittled.

Communication & Family Involvement Instagram @tworiverspcs. may also speak with Assistant Principal of Cultures 33 to request support from the team or to find out how Each campus now has their own Instagram account; you may assist with the team. Feel free to e-mail Ms. please consider following your students’ respective Rachel (4th Street) at [email protected], Ms. campus and the alumni account: Alison (Young) at [email protected], or Mr. 4th ES: @4trjoy Mark (Middle School) at [email protected]. Young ES: @tryleaders All family information and any assistance provided Young MS:@trmsjoy will be kept confidential within the team. TRConnect:@go.trconnect Classroom Visits Visit the Two Rivers website (www.tworiverspcs.org) for news, events, inclement weather updates, and As a parent-founded school, we embrace family more. participation and classroom visits. While we are implementing social distancing and other safety Social Events measures due to COVID-19, we are temporarily pausing classroom visits. As health guidance This year Two Rivers will host frequent social changes and we return to a normal posture, we will events for families such as picnics, dances, etc. resume allowing visits and observations by parents. These events allow adults and their children to get to know each other better and to enjoy social Parents and guardians need not call in advance time with their family and others. We already have to visit, however you are encouraged to contact some events scheduled, so check your 2020-2021 your child’s teacher in advance whenever possible. calendar. See you there! Additionally, in an effort to minimize distractions, we generally ask that parents limit their visits to School Celebrations and Exhibitions 45 minutes. Typical visits may include observing or shadowing your own child, volunteering to Throughout the school year, families will be help with a project or work with a small group, invited to participate in celebrations of learning presenting or sharing information, or reading to and accomplishment. Students will perform, and with the class. Please note that the classroom recite, demonstrate, and exhibit their wonderful teacher may direct your use of time and student ideas for an audience of family and peers at interaction during a classroom visit. the conclusion of each learning expedition. We Families are asked to wait until school has been also invite families to other celebrations, family in session for two weeks before coming to make nights, and ceremonies to be a part of our school a school visit. Although our students will become community. Announcements will be sent home accustomed to visitors in the classroom over during the course of the school year to inform you the course of the school year, it is helpful for the about special events. Two Rivers does not celebrate teachers and students to have the opportunity to Halloween or any religious holidays. establish routines and structures in the first few weeks of school. Exceptions can always be made Family Support Team for specific students if adjustment is difficult. Please talk with the principal if you would like to visit The Family Support Team is a group comprised during the first two weeks of school. of both parents and faculty to support all Two Rivers families. Some of the ways that the team The goals of parent and guardian visits are for provides support include providing meals to a families to become immersed in the classroom family that has experienced a birth or a death, community, to help the classroom staff when providing assistance with clothes (including Two necessary, and to spend time with their child and Rivers shirts), school supplies or food; making their class during valuable learning time. Visits referrals to tutors, physical therapists, or mental should benefit the classroom community and be health counselors; providing referrals for help utilized in a positive manner for both students and with housing or benefits (for example TANF, SSI, families. If a family visit is disruptive or negative food stamps or WIC); or helping to coordinate in any way that takes away from student learning transportation for students whose families are and teaching, a family member may be asked to experiencing illness or a crisis. There are times leave and future visits may be restricted or denied. when every family needs some help- the FST works Family members are not permitted to take pictures, to ensure that every Two Rivers family will receive video or audio recordings during their observations the assistance that they need. with the exception of classroom performances or showcases. Two Rivers reserves the right to set To ask the team for help, contact any member of the other conditions and/or limitations on observations Family Support Team in person or by phone. You

Communication & Family Involvement at its discretion. arrive on school grounds they may not leave school grounds without permission from a Two Rivers staff Parents of students with disabilities are also member. Students may not be left in front of school permitted to designate individuals with professional if tardy; the school will assume that the late arrival is expertise in the area of special education (not unexcused, and thus truant, unless a valid excuse is including lawyers representing parents or anyone presented at the front desk. with a financial interest in litigation) to observe their child’s current or proposed special education DISMISSAL program. Such observations must be scheduled in During dismissal in the elementary schools, unless advance with the Director of Student Support and a parent or other authorized adult is disabled and will be limited to two hours. in need of assistance, they must enter the building and travel to their child’s classroom to pick them up. Such designated individuals may not make take any Teachers and front desk staff cannot accommodate photographs, video or audio recordings while on phone calls from adults outside the school building campus and may not interact with students or staff requesting that a student be dismissed from their absent express permission while on campus. Any classroom. observer who causes disruption to the school or classroom will not be permitted to continue their Two Rivers requires authorization on file for anyone 34 observation. picking up a student from school. The school will not release a student, even to someone the child Two Rivers reserves the right to set other conditions knows, unless the person is on the list of approved and/or limitations on such at its discretion. people who can pick up the student. This list can be amended by a parent or guardian at any time in Student Hours the school office. School staff reserves the right to request personal identification for anyone picking Students in preschool through fifth grade are in up a student. If it is necessary for a student to leave class from 8:15am to 3:15pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, school during the day, his/her parent or another Thursdays, and Fridays. professional development, authorized adult must come to the office and sign and reflection. Middle school students begin the student out. Once a student is signed out by their day at 8:15am and end at 4:15pm, Mondays, an adult for early dismissal, students in grades 2 Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Wednesdays through 8 may be dismissed from the classroom by are early release days for all students, beginning their teacher, and the adult does not need to travel at 8:15am and ending at 1:15pm to allow for staff to the classroom to pick them up. For students in meetings, Students are not allowed to be inside of grades preschool through 1, a parent or authorized any building prior to 8:15am unless they are being adult must sign the student out and travel to their supervised by an adult. Students are considered classroom to pick them up for early dismissal. tardy if they arrive at school after 8:30am. Two Rivers encourages parents to make pick-up arrangements clear to their children before school ARRIVAL each morning. Children and teachers should always Elementary students may arrive to school at 8:15am, know how the student will be getting home. This and it is expected that students will be present reduces anxiety for students and allows all adults to in their classrooms no later than 8:30am. Middle know where the child should be at the end of the school students may arrive to school at 8:00am, and school day. We ask parents not to expect children to it is expected that students will be present in their call at the end of the day to make arrangements for classrooms no later than 8:15am. Students may getting home. walk to their classrooms by themselves; however if a student is being unsafe on their travels to class, Elementary school students are not permitted to then this privilege will be revoked and we will remain on school grounds after 3:15pm without ask a parent or guardian to escort that student adult supervision. All elementary school students to class. Parents are responsible for ensuring that should be picked up by 3:15pm, Monday, Tuesday, their child enters the school. There is a before-care Thursday, and Friday, and at 1:15pm on Wednesdays program at the school, starting at 7:15am for a fee. unless signed up for aftercare. Only students with Only registered children will be able to attend the written permission from their parent or guardian beforecare program. Breakfast is served at 8:15am. and the permission of a school administrator will be All students are expected to be at school on time. allowed to walk home or use public transportation home from school. Students who are found to be In the middle school, students are not allowed in violation of these rules, or who are observed to enter the building until 8:00am and once they

Communication & Family Involvement being unsafe, or whose behavior that day in school necessitates a family meeting, may have this privilege revoked. Children that have not been picked up by a reasonable time may be referred to the school resource officer. In these cases, the school has the right to contact CFSA to make a report of child neglect. Families who repeatedly do not pick their student up on time may be excluded from after school activities. There are no school staff on site to supervise students that have not been picked up and are not part of an afterschool activity. All middle school students are dismissed at 4:15pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and at 1:15pm on Wednesday and must exit the building or be picked up by then, unless participating in after school activities, either voluntary or mandatory. Middle school students are not allowed to sign themselves out for early dismissal and must be accompanied by an adult for pick up. 35

Attendance Student Attendance and Excuse Notes for reasons other than illness or emergency require STUDENTS AND TEACHERS prior consultation and approval from the principal. OFTEN DRESS CASUALLY Two Rivers demonstrates a relentless commitment to Absences for vacations will not be excused. If a Because we are a hands-on on-time attendance for all students. By law, student student is absent for six or more consecutive days school, teachers and students attendance in grades K-12 is mandatory, and a parent due to illness, a parent or guardian must present a need to dress appropriately for responsibility. Per DC municipal regulations, students medical excuse from their child’s doctor to the front science experiments, messy art are legally expected to be in school for the entire desk via letter or email. projects, and venturing into the school day unless the absence is excused. Listed natural environment. We are below are Two Rivers’ categories for valid excuses for City laws require Two Rivers to abide by strict often up to our elbows in goopy an absence include: regulations around attendance. Excuse notes must materials and the natural be turned in within five days. Please see the front world. • Illness or other medical cause experienced by desk if you wish to drop off a medical excuse from the student; the doctor. If you wish to email a medical excuse, 36 please use one of the following email addresses, • Exclusion, with no remote learning option depending on which school/campus your child provided, by direction of the authorities of attends: the District of Columbia, due to quarantine, contagious disease, infection, infestation, or YOUNG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL other condition requiring separation from [email protected] others; 4TH STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • Death in the student’s immediate family; [email protected] • Necessity for a student to attend judicial or YOUNG MIDDLE administrative proceedings; [email protected] • Observance of a religious holiday; • Lawful suspension or exclusion from school by Two Rivers is held accountable by the DC PCSB for attendance for all our students, including preschool school authorities; and prekindergarten. When our attendance suffers, • Temporary closing of facilities or suspension of our tier status may be impacted. classes due to severe weather, official activities, In order for students to be released early from holidays, malfunctioning equipment, unsafe school, parents or guardians must submit a note or unsanitary conditions, or other condition(s) to the front desk and an authorized pick-up adult or emergency requiring a school closing or must be present to sign out the student. With suspension of classes; or without a note, Two Rivers will not release • Failure of the District of Columbia to provide students independently at any time for any reason. transportation in cases where the District of Independent walkers can only pick up siblings in Columbia has a legal responsibility for the grades PK3-2 at dismissal with written consent from transportation of the student; a parent. • Medical or dental appointments for the student; • Absences to allow students to visit their By law, Two Rivers must contact CFSA immediately parent or a legal guardian, who is in the in the case of 10 unexcused absences at any point in military; immediately before, during, or after the school year for students age 5-13. deployment; and Two Rivers must also contact Court Social Services • An emergency or other circumstances (CSS) and the Office of the Attorney General for approved by an educational institution through students age 14 - 17 who accumulate 15 unexcused conversation with the principal. absences at any point in the school year. Regular attendance is imperative to ensure that In order to participate in extracurricular school students are learning and part of the community. sponsored events, a student must be present for Please keep in mind that when your child is late for the entire school day or arrive late with a valid school it directly affects his or her day and that of the excuse note from a parent. In the middle school, whole class. Two Rivers accounts for the attendance participation in after-school activities is at the of each student on a daily basis, so we ask that you discretion of middle school staff based on grade email the school before 8:15am if your child will not eligibility and discipline. be in school that day and send a note to the front desk via letter or email upon his or her return. If your child will be arriving late or departing early, parents must send a note to alert the school. In general, Two Rivers requests families consult the school calendar when scheduling appointments or vacations, and whenever possible, please do not schedule anything that conflicts with the school day. Extended absences

Student Dress & Supplies Student Dress schools and include long and short-sleeved 37 t-shirts and polo shirts, sweatshirts, and The Two Rivers dress code generates a feeling hoodies.) of unity while allowing students some personal choice. In an effort to keep students focused and • Uniform shirts must be displayed at all times safe, and to encourage community, students are and may not be covered up by any other required to wear a Two Rivers uniform at all times articles of clothing or accessories. This also while in school learning. During remote learning, means that students cannot wear overall uniforms are not required. bibs, jumpers, or scarves, unless for religious reasons, that might cover the Two Rivers Only on designated days may students wear logo. Two Rivers sweatshirts and hoodies are the corresponding dress attire for that day. For available for students who need an additional example, if it is Pajama Day, as designated by the layer. students’ teacher and/or principals, students can wear pajamas for their class and grade, but on • Uniform shirts may not be altered in any normal school days, they must follow the dress way, including cutting off sleeves or necks, tie code or will be required to change. dying, or writing on them. If a student is wearing inappropriate clothing and • During cold weather, students may wear a does not have a Two Rivers uniform to change into, long-sleeve shirt underneath their uniform a parent or guardian will be contacted to either shirt but cannot wear any non-Two Rivers items bring the student a uniform shirt or appropriate like hoodies or coats on top of their uniform school bottoms, or purchase a shirt over the phone. when inside the building. (If bottoms are available, they will be loaned to the student.) If students are unable to change, they will BOTTOMS not be allowed to leave the building on trips, will also not be able to participate in recess, and must • Students may wear whatever bottoms remain out of class until they are in full uniform. We they choose as long as they are appropriate encourage students to bring a change of clothes in length and design. (Appropriate length (an entire Two Rivers uniform option) to be kept in means that bottoms must reach the students’ their lockers or cubbies. fingertips if their hands are relaxed by their sides.) Children should wear, or have available, clothing suitable for both our air-conditioned and heated • Students may not wear clothing that building and the outdoors. We have outdoor recess presents a safety risk (i.e. pants with studs in almost all weather conditions (except pouring attached to them). rain), so please ensure that your child has clothing and outerwear appropriate for the season. • Students may not wear bottoms, including jeans, with rips, tears or holes in them. If a family is in need and can not afford uniform shirts, they should speak with a member of the • All students should wear pants that sit firmly counseling team, the Elementary School Dean, or at their waist (i.e. leggings, sweatpants, the Assistant Principal of Culture. shorts, or skirts should not sag and no undergarments should be visible). All clothing, lunch boxes, and backpacks must be labeled. We do maintain a Lost and Found SHOES in the lobby of each building. Periodically during the school year, clothing in the Lost and Found is • Shoes must be worn inside of the building at donated to charity following announcements in the all times. Trib. • Students should wear footwear that allows The following guidelines govern uniforms at Two them to fully participate in PE and active Rivers: games. TOPS • Students can wear open toed shoes as long as they have a strap on them. Students can not • All students must wear a Two Rivers top wear slides, flip flops, or sandals unless they at all times. (Two Rivers tops are available have a strap. for sale at the front desk of the elementary • Students cannot wear wheeled shoes • Heels that are higher than one inch are not permitted. ACCESSORIES Due to safety and to decrease the distractions in our school learning environment, students are not allowed to wear the following things, unless for a

Student Dress & Supplies noted medical or religious reasons: the front desk. For the first violation, students can pick up their phone from the front desk at the end • Hoods or hats of any kind in the building. This of the day. If a pattern persists, the phone will be includes sun visors, ball caps, and ski masks. confiscated and a parent or guardian will need to pick up the phone from the front desk. In some • Sunglasses cases, we will require the student to turn in their phone at the front desk every morning. • Jewelry must be appropriate for school and not pose a safety threat. Necklaces should Be advised that Two Rivers in no way assumes any not include any vulgar symbols and/or words responsibility for damaged, lost, or stolen electronic and should be smaller than a penny. Earrings devices. should be no larger than a quarter if wearing hoops or studs. • Students are not to carry bags, purses, or fanny packs in the building or at school- sponsored events. Each student is given a locker or cubby where they can store their personal belongings throughout the school day. Toys Please help your child remember that toys should be left at home during the school day. Toys include anything that may disrupt learning or distract a student from engaging in the school community. Our classrooms are filled with wonderful and stimulating educational toys, games, and materials for learning. School Supplies Several weeks before school, students will be given a list of supplies necessary for class and field activities. School supplies will be for all students in the classroom to use and generally will be placed in a common space. If purchasing school supplies is difficult due to financial constraints, please see your child’s teacher or a school administrator. He/ she will make sure that your child has what he or she needs for participation in school.. Electronic Devices While on school grounds, there is never an appropriate time for a student to use cell phones or any other electronic device (including smart watches). If a parent or guardian needs to speak with a child during the school day, they should call the school. In the middle school, we understand that students 38 may carry cell phones to communicate with parents and guardians outside of school. Upon entering school, middle school students must turn cell phones off and store them in their lockers until they leave the building. Cell phones will be confiscated if seen after arrival in the morning. If a staff member sees a student phone or device, the device will be confiscated and turned in to

Student Records Student Records unless a court order is on file stating otherwise. Educational records may contain personally Two Rivers maintains a comprehensive, identifying data, progress reports, courses taken, computerized database of student information. This standardized achievement test scores, attendance information is entered and reviewed for accuracy data, aptitude tests, psychological tests, health data, and disseminated in accordance with applicable family background information, observations, and laws. Access to this database will be restricted to reports of serious or recurrent behavior problems. In school staff. Hard copies of confidential student order for the school to release any information to a records will be similarly maintained in a locked file third party, we must first receive written permission cabinet. from the parent or guardian. We ask that parents make the school aware of any Questions about the application of FERPA, requests changes that may occur during the school year such to release student records, or court order as a change of address or phone number. These changes should be made with the front desk staff or interpretations may be directed to Two Rivers’ via attendance email. Requests for information will Student Administration Manager. In most cases, be processed within 2 business days. Two Rivers will not release sensitive communication logs, such as but not limited to communication with To view student records, parents/guardians must the District of Columbia’s Child and Family Services submit a written request to the school official, Agency. which Two Rivers defines as the school registrar. The school will then schedule an appointment within WReictohrddrsaw from School/Transfer of 15 school days of the written request. Records must be viewed under the supervision of the school If a family wishes to withdraw a student from Two Principal/designee and may not be removed from Rivers, they must submit a student withdrawal form the school’s main office. Special education records to the office formally announcing the family’s intent are filed separately from general education student to leave the school and indicating the last day of records. Requests to view these records should attendance at Two Rivers. Upon request of the be made directly to the Student Support Services’ parent, the registrar will arrange for the student’s Compliance Manager. Copies may be provided records to be available for transfer to the new upon request. school. FERPA does not restrict Two Rivers’ obligations Directory Information 39 under federal civil rights laws. For example, a student who reports harassment may view the Two Rivers considers the following information to outcome of their investigation, which includes any be designated as “directory information.” sanctions the school imposes on their harasser that “directly relate” to the harassed student (e.g., a no- • Student Name; Mailing Address and Telephone contact order). Listing Release of Information • Date and Place of Birth Consistent with FERPA, Two Rivers is prohibited • Participation in Officially Recognized Activities and from providing access to confidential student Sports records to an individual who is not the student’s parent/guardian, absent written consent from • Weight and Height of Members of Athletic Teams the student’s parent/guardian or a valid court order dated within one year the request to release • Honors and Awards Received student records. This is defined by Two Rivers, as those who have legitimate interest. A parent/ • Major Field of Study guardian has the right to review the student’s educational records unless the custodian of the • Dates of Attendance, Grade Level, and Enrollment educational records has received a copy of a court Status order to the contrary. By law, if both parents are recorded on a child’s birth certificate, both parents • Most recent prior school of attendance have legal birth rights to access student academic • Student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used to communicate in electronic systems that cannot be used to access education records without a PIN, password, etc. (A student’s SSN, in whole or in part, cannot and will not be used for this purpose.)

Student Records The parent/guardian must notify Two Rivers in writing that they do not wish for directory information to be disclosed without prior consent. The notification can be sent to: registrar@ tworiverspcs.org or can be sent via ParentSquare. 40

Registration and Enrollment Admissions Process addition to the DC Universal Health Certificate ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? • Authorization for Emergency Medical Please call us at 202 546 4477, Two Rivers participates in the My School DC email [email protected], stop (MSDC) common lottery. Families must submit an Treatment Form (with updates or every two by the office, or reach out via online application via www.myschooldc.org or by years) ParentSquare. calling the MSDC hotline on 202-388-6336. A SPECIAL THANKS You cannot hold a seat at more than one school at Thank you to Capital City Public The following preferences offered are listed below a time. If you apply in the lottery and are matched Charter School and The Odyssey in order: with another school and enroll, you will lose your School for creating inspiring seat at Two Rivers. In the event you desire to re- educational environments and 1 FOUNDERS - Biological, legally adopted, or enroll at Two Rivers, you may do so without going allowing us to use parts of their court appointed children of founding members through the MSDC lottery, only and if we are still handbooks. of Two Rivers. in open re-enrollment and have a seat available. Otherwise, you will have to submit an online post- 41 2 STAFF - Must be residents of the District of lottery application to MSDC to be added to our Columbia and employed full-time for at least waitlist. one year. Re-enrollment Deadline 3 TWO RIVERS SIBLING - Siblings must re-enroll for the upcoming school year and be enrolled Families who miss the re-enrollment deadline: at the same campus. If a sibling enrolls and • Will have their child’s seat released as of the TR sibling withdraws within the school year, said time on the day of the deadline and sibling will lose their seat and will be added offered to the next person on the waiting list. back to the waiting list; the waitlist position • Will receive a “Missed Re-enrollment will be determined by MSDC. Deadline” email from the registrar with a Transfer & Withdrawal Form attached. 4 TRANSFER - Can only be used one time. • Will have to submit a post-lottery application 5 SIBLING APPLICANT - If one sibling enrolls, the to MSDC to be added to the waiting list if interested in re-applying. You must enter other sibling(s) move to the top of the waiting “other” as your current school on the list, but not above a student with a higher MSDC application in order to complete the preference. A seat must be available to make application. an offer; therefore, sibling applicant admission is not guaranteed. If a sibling applicant enrolls and sibling providing sibling applicant preference withdraws, sibling applicant will lose their seat and be added back to the waiting list, waitlist position will be determined by MSDC. Re-Enrollment Process Families will have a window of approximately 6 weeks to re-enroll. This includes early and extended hours during the week as well as Saturday hours. Reminders are in the Weekly Trib, verbal reminders from Ops Associates, flyers posted in the lobby, email, phone calls, and targeted ParentSquare alerts during the last two weeks. Once you are enrolled in Two Rivers, you do not have to submit another application to MSDC. However, every student must complete the re-enrollment process every year which consists of submitting: • DC Residency Verification Form • DC Residency Supporting Documentation or consenting to Electronic Verification (for returning students in grades 1 - 8) • Online Re-enrollment Form • Updated DC Universal Health Certificate • Updated DC Health Oral Assessment Form • Updated Immunization Exempt Form if applicable • Updated HPV Opt Out Form if applicable in

’21’22 calendar The Elementary School day at August January continued 4th Street and Young begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:15 PM 25-27 Summer Bridge 21 Middle School Artspedition Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. School begins at 8:15 30 First Day of School 22 Middle School Science Fair AM and ends at 1:15 PM every Wednesday. 27 Math Festival The Middle School day begins at September February 8:15 AM and ends at 4:15 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and 6 Labor Day-school closed Friday. School begins at 8:15 AM and ends at 1:15 PM every 7 North Bay Parent Meeting 3-5 Family Conferences-early release Wednesday. for students Total number of instructional October 4 Specials Night days is 180. 7-9 School Photos 8 Professional Development Day-no school 14-18 Share the Love Week for students 21-25 Mid-Winter Break 11 No School 12-15 Northbay 28 Professional Development Day-no school for students 14 EL Education Night November March 9 Professional Development Day- 7-11 Latin Dance Competition no school for students 10 Literacy Night 9 School Culture Night 17 Evening of Learning 10-12 Family Conferences-early release for students Seminars 24-26 Thanksgiving Break 25 Professional Development Day-no 29-30 Book Fair school for students December April 1-3 Book Fair 11-15 Spring Break-school closed 13-14 Community Showcase at Young 22 Spanish Night 15-16 Community Showcase at 4th Street 22-31 Winter Break-school closed May January 16-17 Community Showcase at 4th Street 18-19 Community Showcase at Young 3 Professional Development Day-no 27-31 Middle School Musical school for students 30 Memorial Day-school closed 4 Students Return from Winter Break 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday-school June closed 1-3 Middle School Musical 13-15 8th Grade Crew Identity Trip 15-17 Family Conferences-early release for students 1227 4th Street NE · W DC 20002 · 202 546 4477 · www.tworiverspcs.org · [email protected]