Meeting the A+ Citizenship Requirement
An important component of the A+ Schools Program is the fostering of good citizenship in our district's students. A student demonstrates good citizenship by showing respect for self, law, property and the rights of others. Students have not demonstrated good citizenship if, while in grades nine through twelve, they have:
1. Pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to, received a suspended imposition of sentence or suspended execution of sentence for, agreed to a deferred prosecution for, or been convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony.
2. Unlawfully used or possessed drugs, drug paraphernalia or alcohol on or off school property.
3. Had an out-of-school suspension.
4. Violated the district's rules governing academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating, etc.).
The following are examples of offenses that may result in removal from the A+ Program:
· Possession, use, sale or transfer of alcohol, drugs or narcotics
· Possession of drug paraphernalia
· Criminal activity as defined by the Safe Schools Act
· Distribution of drugs
· Possession of a weapon (under provision of Ch. 471 Mo. Revised Statutes)
· Serious sexual misbehavior/exposure
· Possession of dangerous items
· Dangerous behavior
· Other offenses as indicated by the Citizenship Review Committee
A+ Schools Program Citizenship Appeal Process
The following will occur for students who lose their A+ eligibility due to an infraction of the “good citizenship” clause:
a. Parents will be notified in a mailed letter of reason for the loss of eligibility, as well as the procedure and forms needed to appeal. Both parents and students will be encouraged to contact the A+ Coordinator if they have questions or concerns.
b. Record of the reason for loss of eligibility and letter to parent will be kept on file in the A+ Office and in PowerSchool.
Students who feel they have been unfairly dismissed from the program may, within 10 school days from the date of the letter, appeal to the A+ Coordinator by submitting the completed appeal form and supporting documentation.
The A+ Coordinator will convene the A+ Schools Appeals Committee. This committee will be comprised of: at least one school Administrator, student’s School Counselor, one teacher, and the A+ Coordinator. The committee shall hear the appeal and return its decision to the student within 5 school days.
Note: If the student/parents/guardians choose not to accept the decision of the Appeals Committee, they may appeal to the District’s Coordinator of Counseling Services. Further appeals could go to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools followed by the Superintendent of Schools. If the student /parents/ guardians choose not to accept the decision of the Superintendent, they may appeal to the St. Joseph School Board. They must notify the School Board Secretary. The decision of the St. Joseph School Board is final. All appeals must be completed within 5 school days of the date of the student’s high school graduation.
Decisions must be made based on documentation received prior to the student’s graduation date.
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