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Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

Commitment Form............................................................................................................. 12

School Year Calendar........................................................................................................ 13

Revised 7/24/09
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 mounted over the entryway, which 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 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 wood carving 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 walk on their way to 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

Ms. Brandy Butcher -SAVE Registration Secretary

Ms. Kelly Harrington– Attendance Secretary

Mr. Mike Burns – Security – Room 108

Ms. Marian Okitkun – Nurse – Room 131

Ms. Beatrice Oraeki – Bilingual Tutor – Room 119

Mr. Richard Schmidt – School Psychologist

Ms. TBA – 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

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 10:45 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.

Please remember that 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.

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 certain amount of leave available to use for illness or doctor, counselor, or personal appointments. Five (5) days of leave is the maximum students can use during any nine-week quarter. 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 see or speak with the attendance secretary for prearranged absences.

Illness is only excused with a dated note from the student’s doctor.
Court notes excuse absences.
Suspended days count as absences.
Blue passes are not excused absences.

When a student is absent without any available leave, the absence must be made up in order for the student to receive credit for work completed during a ratings period. Students must make up their last absence by attending study hall(s) before school, after school, and/or between morning and afternoon session.

Students must begin make-ups the same day they return to school and continue until caught up.
Each day missed requires one make-up.

Attendance make-up study halls are before and after school, based on the current schedule. Failing to report for make-up study hall immediately following a fifth absence may result in a withdrawal from school.

The attendance cycle starts over again at the beginning of each quarter.

We appreciate hearing from a parent or guardian 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. Calls from students will not be accepted unless the student is living on his or her own. If you would like to speak with the attendance secretary, she is available at 742-2050.
2. Academics

Benny Benson Secondary School – SAVE II 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 a minimum academic requirement is set in order to keep pace with regular school requirements. Benny Benson students must meet the same requirements for state and local course standards and Graduation Qualifying Exams as students attending traditional high schools in Alaska.

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. With extra work at home, students can 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 month. Failure to meet the minimum standard more than once during the school year may result in the student’s withdrawal from school.

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
Get to every class on time
Follow school rules
Follow teachers’ directions
Complete assignments with good quality
Meet monthly vocational requirements
Get along with and refuse to provoke confrontations with others

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 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 pass absences are excused.

Benny Benson school policies apply to students while at King Career Center classes and/or on 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

1. Students are to follow directions given by school personnel at all times.

2. No smoking or possession of cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

3. No sleeping.

4. No foul language.

5. No sexual or verbal harassment of any kind, including name-calling.

6. Possession of personal cell phones, CD players, DVD Players, iPods/MP3 players radios, etc., is discouraged. Use of these items during the school day is strictly prohibited unless prior permission is obtained from the principal or his designee.

7. Students should not be under the influence of illegal substances. This also applies to the abuse of prescription medication.

8. The office fax phone is for brief, important calls only. Please remember to ask permission before using this phone, as making calls may disrupt receiving faxes.

Honor Code

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

2. Students are required to give their correct names when asked.

3. 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. For instance:

1. No hats or headgear of any kind may be worn inside the school building

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

3. No “sagging” or torn jeans or pants

4. No inappropriate or revealing clothing

5. No clothing and/or jewelry with gang or skinhead significance

6. No clothing and/or jewelry that advertises tobacco, drugs, and/or alcohol

7. No clothing and/or jewelry that advocates violence and/or sex

8. No clothing and/or jewelry that demeans others’ race, religion, or gender

9. No pajamas
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:

1. Possession of any type of weapon

2. Participation in any fight situation

3. Stealing

4. Use of abusive or foul language

5. Cheating

6. Repeated class disruption

7. Willful disobedience

8. Improper dress

9. Gang apparel or activity

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

Students are suspended for smoking, verbal abuse of others, swearing, harassment of others, or any other behavior that is determined inappropriate by school staff. Students found to be under the influence and/or in possession of drugs or alcohol, look-alike substances, or drug-use paraphernalia will be immediately suspended for ten days on the first violation. Suspended days count as absences.

Expulsions

1. Upon a second drug violation, students found to be under the influence and/or in possession of drugs or alcohol, look-alike substances, or drug-use paraphernalia will be recommended for expulsion from all ASD schools.

2. Students trafficking in drugs or alcohol will be recommended for expulsion on the first violation.

3. Alcohol and drug suspensions carry over from school to school and are part of the student’s permanent school record.

4. Possession of any type of firearm on any school property will result in an emergency suspension and recommendation for expulsion.

Definitions:

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

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

Students have the right to appeal discipline sanctions. Request for appeal must be in writing and received by the principal within five days of the offense.
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 for 45 school days or for the remainder of the semester 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. Five days of leave is allowed for every nine-week quarter. 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 five must be made up at study halls before or after school. When a student is absent without any available leave, the absence must be made up in order for the student to receive credit for work completed during a ratings period. If absences are not made up, the student may be withdrawn.

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 strict rules of discipline and conduct. Keep in mind that all Benny Benson discipline policies are also applicable 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 are not allowed anywhere on Benny Benson or any other ASD property.

______________________________ ______________________________

Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

Anchorage, Alaska 99507

Phone 907-742-2050 Fax 907-742-2060