Benny Benson History..................................................................................................... 3

Building Map.................................................................................................................... 4

Staff and Faculty............................................................................................................... 5

School Schedule................................................................................................................. 6

Student Vehicles................................................................................................................ 6

School Policies................................................................................................................... 7

Attendance......................................................................................................................... 7

Academics.......................................................................................................................... 8

Vocational: School to Work............................................................................................... 9

Behavior............................................................................................................................. 10

Dress Code........................................................................................................................ 11

Ratings Calendar................................................................................................................ 12

Commitment Form............................................................................................................. 13

School Year Calendar......................................................................................................... 14

Revised 713/2010
Benny Benson History

Benny Benson Secondary School began in the 1970s as the SAVE II and SEARCH programs, which were located at the King Career Center. In 1991, they moved to the newly constructed Benny Benson Secondary School. The building is named for Benny Benson, who, as a teenager, created the simple but elegant design that was selected for the state flag. Benson was of Native Alaskan heritage and orphan who was raised at Jesse Lee Home in Seward. We are proud to have our school carry his name as he faced challenges similar to those of our students today.

The Benny Benson school mascot is the raven. Alaska Native and Indian folklore tell rich and magical stories about the power of Raven. As such, this dignified and mystical bird was a natural for our school mascot. Wannelle Wells Soto, a graduate of the SAVE II class of 1991, designed the school symbol. She combined the raven mascot and the stars from the Alaska flag. Our symbol shows a raven in flight with an inner raven highlighted to represent the power in each of us to succeed. The student body from both programs of 1991 chose black and teal as the school colors.

Benny Benson Secondary staff and students are fortunate to have a beautiful location for their school. In addition, public buildings in Alaska benefit from a law devoting one percent of a building’s construction budget to art. One of the pieces selected for our school’s building is the bronze raven sculpture, which was designed by Mr. McPeck and is mounted over the entryway. This raven acts as a guardian for all who enter here. The artist’s drawing of the design is framed and hanging in the main office. Mr. McPeck also designed the totem pole standing at the front of the building. Its bronze bells catch the wind and the carved leaves reflect the nearby woods on this beautiful sculpture. It also marks the passing of the seasons by the shadows it casts.

More one percent art in our building is the carved piece entitled “A Day in Puviglealuq’s Life 100 Years Ago” by Ronald W. Senungetuk. This stained woodcarving displayed on the back office wall depicts the daily life of a native village many years ago. Across from it is the beautiful stained glass designed and created by artist Vivian McConnell. It is entitled “Liberty Road” because it is the road students take toward obtaining an education.

RAVENS

Reach for the stars

Always believe

Value yourself

Expect the best

Never give up

Succeed!
Building map
Staff and Faculty

Administration, Office and Student Support

Mr. Sam Spinella – Principal

Ms. Diane Bixby – Administrative Assistant/SEARCH Registrar

Ms. Brandy Butcher -SAVE Registration Secretary

Ms. Kelly Harrington– Attendance Secretary

Mr. Mike Burns – Security – Room 108

Mr. Jeff Chisholm – Nurse – Room 131

Ms. Beatrice Oraeki – Bilingual Tutor – Room 119

Mr. Richard Schmidt – School Psychologist

Ms. Lesina Gataivasa – Cafeteria Manager

Mr. Sam Allison – Building Plant Operator (BPO)

Counselors and Teachers

Ms. Karen Emerson – Job Coordinator – Room 105

Ms. Janet Long – Special Education Resource Teacher – Room 110

Dr. Ann Whitley – School Counselor – Room 106

Ms. Kolleen Ashman – Math – Room 113

Mr. David Asi – Social Studies – Room 118

Mr. Mike Andersen – Science – Room 114

Mr. Rob Buck – English – Room 117

Ms. Roxanne DeMoss – English – Room 129

Ms. Debbie Graves – Technology Coordinator/Math – Room 123

Ms. Jane Marcum – Math/Personal Finance/Science – Room 124

Ms. Sandra Pierson – Social Studies – Room 127

Ms. Chris Rumps – English/Social Studies – Room 128

Ms. Danelle VanHolstyn – PE/Health/Science – Room 119

Ms. Tiera Marez - Tutor – SAVE and SEARCH

School Schedule

School doors open at 7:30 a.m. Students cannot enter the building before this time.

High school morning session classes begin at 8:20 a.m. and end at 10:45 a.m. Afternoon session classes begin at 11:30 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Students must leave the building by 2:30 p.m. unless attending study hall or a parent/teacher conference.

Period	Time
Study Hall	7:30 – 8:10
1	8:20 – 9:05
2	9:10 – 9:55
3	10:00 – 10:45
Lunch	10:45 – 11:30
Study Hall	10:50 – 11:25
4	11:30 – 12:20
5	12:25 – 1:10
6	1:15 – 2:00
Study Hall	2:05 – 2:40

KCC buses arrive from KCC at 8:20 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

KCC bus departs to KCC at 10:50 a.m.

Main office is open between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Safety/Security is on duty at 7:00 a.m.

BPO is on duty at 8 a.m.

Teachers are available for parent conferences before school and from 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please call for an appointment.

Transportation to and from Benny Benson is the responsibility of the students and their parents or guardians. Students must provide their own transportation or use public transportation, the People Mover. Some bus shuttling is possible through King Career Center on a space available basis.

Student Vehicles

Vehicles driven by students must be registered with the school. The Vehicle Registration Form must be completed at the time of registration. All vehicles that could be possibly used must be registered. In order to maintain the safety of all students and staff, random searches will be conducted by Benny Benson staff and may be supervised by APD. The driver will be responsible for any illegal items found in the vehicle.
School Policies:

Framework for Student Success

Benny Benson Secondary is designed to assist students who have not progressed on schedule in traditional schools. School standards are set in the areas of:

1) attendance 2) academics 3) vocational participation 4) behavior

1. Attendance

Benny Benson’s attendance policy is based on the understanding that students must be in school in order to make regular progress. Therefore, there is a limit to the number of school days a student may miss and still remain enrolled.

The school’s attendance policy is modeled after leave policies used in the workplace. Students have a maximum of three (3) days of leave to use for illness or doctor, counselor, or personal appointments during any ratings period. In addition, three tardies of less than 15 minutes, or one tardy of more than 15 minutes counts as one full day of leave. Please speak with the attendance secretary for prearranged leave.

When a student is absent without any available leave, the absence must be made up in order for the student to remain in good standing. Attending a 45-minute study hall either before school, after school, or between the morning and afternoon session, makes up each absence. Students are expected to begin make-ups the same day they return to school and continue until caught up.

Failure to attend study hall following a third absence will result in a missed ratings.

The attendance cycle starts over at the beginning of each ratings period. See the attached Ratings Calendar.

A parent or guardian is expected to call the school when it is known that a student will be absent. Please call 566-2200 and leave a message with your name, the student’s name and grade, and the reason for the absence. If you would like to speak with the attendance secretary, she is available at 742-2055.
2. Academics

The SAVE II program at Benny Benson Secondary School is a high school vocational program that combines teacher-directed instruction, class assignments, and individualized contracts. Students are evaluated on a monthly ratings system where the minimum academic requirement is set in order to keep pace with traditional school requirements. Benny Benson students must meet the same state and local requirements for graduation as the students attending the traditional schools in Alaska. They must pass the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam as well as meet the Anchorage School District requirements to earn a state endorsed diploma.

Course work is divided into assignments and assessments (tests, projects, reports, etc.). As work is completed, teachers will award points for work accomplished at a mastery level. When a student has earned 90 course points, a grade is given for the appropriate academic subject and .5 credit is recorded on his or her transcript. Benson’s individualized program gives students an opportunity to complete course work at a faster rate than at a traditional school.

Benny Benson students are required to earn a minimum of 85 points per ratings period. Failure to meet the minimum standard more than once during the school year may result in the student’s withdrawal from the SAVE II program.

Students should bring materials appropriate for school. For example, paper, pencils, pens, folders, dividers, etc. will be needed throughout the school day. Students taking physical education should dress appropriately.

To be successful at Benny Benson students should:

§ Come to school every day

§ Follow school rules

§ Follow teachers’ directions

§ Complete assignments with good quality

§ Meet monthly vocational requirements

§ Get along with and be respectful with each other.

3. Vocational: School to Work

In addition to building a firm foundation of basic skills, catching up on academic work, and preparing for college and careers after graduation, Benny Benson students gain job experience while in high school. The vocational program is a requirement for all enrolled students. It has several components:

§ Students are required to submit monthly paycheck stubs and evaluations from their employers and/or King Career Center teachers. Students who are earning credit through work experience must have a training agreement on file with their job coordinator. Loss of job, non-attendance, or failure at KCC may result in the student’s withdrawal from Benny Benson.

§ Students must maintain a working relationship with their school coordinator. Failure to file monthly reports or to report loss of work or work problems in a timely manner may result in the student’s withdrawal from Benny Benson.

§ Evaluation forms for work experience and/or King Career Center are due the same day academic work is due (ratings due date). Credit will not be awarded if the evaluation is not turned in.

§ A student enrolled at KCC must complete the course. If a student is withdrawn from KCC, he or she may not register for that class the following semester and may be withdrawn from Benny Benson.

§ Students who both work and attend KCC must make KCC their priority. If both cannot be completed, the student must complete the KCC course and give proper termination notice on the job.

§ Students are allowed five work passes per school year. Students must fill out a work pass form and have it approved by their job coordinator prior to the absence. Work passes are not considered absences.

Benny Benson school policies apply to students while at King Career Center classes and/or at the work site.

4. Behavior

Students attending Benny Benson Secondary School are required to follow all behavioral/discipline policies and procedures defined in the ASD Student Handbook, ASD Parent Handbook, and Benny Benson Secondary School Handbook. These policies and procedures are required to ensure the well-being and safety of all students. These behavioral policies apply to students while in school, on school campus, going to and from school, at the bus stops, at King Career Center, at work sites where students are earning credit, and at all other ASD facilities.

General Rules for Classroom and Campus

§ Students are expected to follow directions.

§ Students are expected to be alert in class.

§ Students’ language is expected to be appropriate for school.

§ Students are expected to be respectful.

§ Students may use the office phone after getting permission.

§ Cell Phones/Electronic Communication Devices Conditions for Use:

§ A student may possess a cellular telephone or other electronic communication device (ECD). As a condition of this permission, the student assumes all risk of loss, damage or theft of the cellular phone or other ECD. High school students (grades 9-12) are permitted to use cellular phones and other ECDs only before and after school and during the student’s lunch period. Students are expected to turn the device off while in class.

§ Smoking, chewing or possession of tobacco is not permitted.

§ Drugs and Alcohol: The actual or attempted sale, distribution, use, or possession of alcohol, illegal drugs or inhalants, drug paraphernalia, substances designed to or that look like illegal drugs or alcohol, or substances purported to be illegal drugs or alcohol, while the student is under the jurisdiction of the District is prohibited. Students who sell, attempt to sell, distribute or use these substances off school grounds and who then arrive at or return to school or school-sponsored activities will be subject to suspension and/or expulsion. The sale, trade, distribution or misuse of over-the-counter and prescription drugs or look-alikes is also prohibited.

Honor Code

§ Students are expected to tell the truth at all times.

§ Students are required to give their correct names.

§ Students are required to do their own work for credit and good grades. Students will lose credit and/or be withdrawn from school for cheating on academic assignments.

Dress Code

Students are expected to dress appropriately for school and work. Student clothing and/or hair should be clean, age appropriate, and suitable for school or work activities.

Expectations:

§ Hats or headgear of any kind may not be worn inside the school building.

§ Hair color and style should be appropriate for the general job or working environment as well as school

§ “Sagging” or torn jeans or pants are not permitted

§ Inappropriate or revealing clothing is not permitted

§ Pajamas are not permitted

§ Clothing and/or jewelry

§ with gang or skinhead significance is not permitted

§ that advertises tobacco, drugs, and/or alcohol is not permitted

§ that advocates violence and/or sex is not permitted

§ that demeans others’ race, religion, or gender is not permitted

Behavior and Treatment of Others

Misconduct and ill treatment of others is not acceptable at Benny Benson. Students may be suspended or expelled when involved in any of the following violations:

§ Possession of any type of weapon

§ Participation in any fight situation

§ Stealing

§ Repeated class disruption

§ Willful disobedience

§ Gang apparel or activity

§ Possession or use of drugs or alcohol

Definitions:

The Memo System

To ensure consistency and fairness, Benny Benson uses a “memo” system to track student behavior and conduct. Students are given referral memos for behavioral policy violations. Each memo leads, sequentially, to a consequence more severe in nature.

Suspensions are exclusions from school ranging from one to 45 school days and are assigned at the discretion of the principal. Suspended students are not eligible for transfer to other ASD schools and must remain out of school during the withdrawal period. Suspended days count as absences.

Expulsions can be permanent. During the period of expulsion, students cannot enroll in any ASD school.

Appeal Process

Students have the right to appeal discipline sanctions. Request for appeal must be submitted in writing and received by the principal within five days of the offense.
Ratings Calendar 2010-2011

Semester 1
Ratings 1	Begin	Mid HR	Work Due	General Meeting	# of days
	8/18/10	9/3/10	9/17/10	9/24/10	22

Ratings 2	Begin	Mid HR	Work Due	General Meeting	# of days
	9/20/10	10/8/10	10/22/10	10/27/10	25

Ratings 3	Begin	Mid HR	Work Due	General Meeting	# of days
	10/25/10	11/5/10	11/19/10	11/24/10	18

Ratings 4	Begin	Mid HR	Work Due	General Meeting	# of days
	11/22/10	12/3/10	12/16/10	1/7/11	17


Semester 2
Ratings 5	Begin	Mid HR	Work Due	General Meeting	# of days
	1/3/11	1/14/11	1/28/11	2/4/11	19

Ratings 6	Begin	Mid HR	Work Due	General Meeting	# of days
	1/31/11	2/11/11	3/3/11	3/18/11	21

Ratings 7	Begin	Mid HR	Work Due	General Meeting	# of days
	3/14/11	3/25/11	4/15/11	4/22/11	25

Ratings 8	Begin	Mid HR	Work Due		# of days
	4/18/11	5/3/11	5/19/11		24

Commitment Form

Benny Benson Secondary students and their parents or guardians agree to abide by policies that are in addition to those defined in the Anchorage School District’s Student Rights and Responsibilities document. Students are withdrawn if they fail to meet the requirements defined below. During a period of withdrawal, students are not eligible for transfer to any ASD school.

Attendance Requirement

The student is required to come to school on time, every day. Three days of leave are allowed for every ratings period. In addition, three tardies of less than 15 minutes or one tardy of more than 15 minutes count as a full day of leave. Absences beyond 3 days must be made up at study halls before or after school. If the absences are not made up, the student will be charged with a missed ratings period and as a result may be withdrawn from the program.

Academic Requirement

The student is required to work on assignments in class every day and meet a regular, measurable minimum of academic progress. Progress is measured during ratings periods that last approximately 20 school days. Students who do not make the minimum 85 points per ratings period are placed on academic probation. After a second miss, the student may be withdrawn. Progress reports are available upon request.

Vocational Requirement

Benny Benson is a vocational program. Students are required to hold a part time job for a minimum of 20 hours per week and/or attend a class at King Career Center. Working and vocational training are counted as elective credit and serve as half the student’s educational day. Students who fail to meet the vocational requirements may be withdrawn.

Behavioral Requirements

The student is required to follow rules of discipline and conduct. Keep in mind that all Benny Benson discipline policies are also applicable at the work site, King Career Center, school and public bus stops, and other schools. The student may be withdrawn for any of the following reasons: 1. Any involvement with drugs or alcohol 2. Possession of any weapon 3. Fighting 4. Stealing 5. Abusive or foul language 6. Cheating 7. Class disruption 8. Willful disobedience 9. Improper dress 10. Gang apparel or activity (refer to school policies for process) Smoking and/or tobacco use is not permitted anywhere on Benny Benson property or any other ASD property.

______________________________ ______________________________

Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

Anchorage, Alaska 99507

Phone 907-742-2050 • Fax 907-742-2060