2017-2018

Oakwood Digital

Academy

Student and Parent Handbook

1st Session 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM

2nd Session 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Centers are closed 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Welcome To Oakwood Digital Academy

2017-2018

WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR I am genuinely honored to serve as the director at

Oakwood Digital Academy. As director, I will strive

to continue Oakwood's tradition of creating a positive,

safe, and creative environment for students to learn

and grow. I look forward to working with students,

parents, and staff members to ensure that our program

helps students obtain the skills that they will need for

the 21st century. Together we can make our program

a place where students become enthusiastic learners,

team players, and secure the technological know-how

that will enable them to succeed and thrive upon

graduation. I am thrilled to work in such an enriching

environment and in such a unique program. If you

have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate

to contact me.

David C. Pearce

Director

AN OPEN INVITATION TO YOU

Our entire staff welcomes and encourages parents and

families to be involved and engaged with their students’

academic progress as they work toward graduation.

Please feel free to contact us any time should you have a

question or if you would like to learn more about

Oakwood Digital Academy. Continued encouragement,

involvement, and support of parents and friends will

create the very best conditions for the continued success

of your student.

Two-way communication between home and our program

is essential in helping all students learn. Our teachers can

easily be reached by e-mail or voice mail and will return

your e-mail or call as soon as possible; please keep in

mind they cannot respond while they are teaching. Our

administration and counseling office welcomes your

feedback, comments, questions, or concerns.

Session Schedules

Contact Information

PROGRAM ADDRESS:

1560 Joyner Avenue

Marietta, GA 30060

MAIN OFFICE: 678-594-8240

MAIN OFFICE FAX: 678-594-8241

ATTENDANCE/RECORDS OFFICE: 678-594-8240, Ext. 237

COUNSELING OFFICE: 678-594-8240, Ext. 225

MEDIA CENTER: 678-594-8240, Ext. 232

CENTER 1/ROOM 301: 770-514-0810

CENTER 2/ROOM 302: 770-989-1500

CENTER 3/ROOM 303: 770-429-0042

PROGRAM WEBSITE:

www.cobbk12.org/oakwood

PROGRAM RULES AND EXPECTATIONS Oakwood Digital Academy is committed to providing a safe, orderly and conducive learning

environment. It is the responsibility of the staff, students and parents to ensure that this environment

is maintained for all students.

Oakwood looks very unfavorably at behavior that is disrespectful toward other students, staff

members and school property. Students may be dismissed from our program with no privilege of

reentry in cases of fighting, cursing, vandalism and other behavior that is disruptive to the educational

environment of the school.

The use of cell phones and music devices are prohibited; therefore all electronic devices will be turned

in upon entering the centers. Oakwood Digital Academy requests that all students and parents support

us in minimizing these distractions and ensuring the safety of all students.

Student dress shall be appropriate at all times. Any student’s dress that distracts from or interferes

with the normal learning process will be considered inappropriate. The decision regarding whether or

not such a condition exists or regarding the course of action to be taken shall be left to the discretion

of the administration. Please review these key points on the program’s dress code:

Headgear of any kind, other than for religious purposes, must be removed upon entry. This

includes but is not limited to hats, hoods, and scarves.

Clothing that features inappropriate items including, but not limited to, profanity, alcohol,

tobacco, firearms, and illegal substances are prohibited at Oakwood Digital Academy.

Clothing worn inappropriately or in a manner revealing undergarments is prohibited.

Oakwood Digital Academy is a drug-free and tobacco-free environment. Oakwood also prohibits the

use of e-cigarettes and vaporizers. This ban extends to parking lots, sidewalks, streets, and parks near

our campus. Local authorities and parents will be notified if a student is found under the influence.

While on campus, students will be expected to use appropriate language and volume level, dress

appropriately, and refrain from public displays of affection. While students are permitted to wait in

front of their designated center for rides, students may not leave campus and return.

A pass is required in order for students to enter the 100 building and the media center.

Oakwood students are not to be in or around the 200 and 400 buildings.

ATTENDANCE

It is our goal to provide a quality education in a safe environment. By utilizing technology and an

individualized program, Oakwood Digital Academy provides all students with an opportunity to learn in a quiet and orderly atmosphere that ensures the rights of others. For every student to have this

opportunity, daily attendance is necessary. Daily attendance increases the opportunity for learning,

General Policies and Information

Students at the Oakwood Digital Academy are subject to the Student Administrative Rules as defined

by Cobb County School District Board Policy, provided to students in their handbook and located on

the Cobb County Board of Education website under Board Policies—Section J. All students are

expected to adhere to both Board Policy and local program rules. These policies and rules will serve as

guidelines and are subject to administrative discretion when appropriate.

http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/adminrules/

growth, and success; therefore, students are expected to maintain 100% attendance throughout their

enrollment.

Students are expected to be in attendance and on time daily.

Please notify the center prior to the student’s scheduled session each day a student is going to

be absent.

Absences are classified into two categories:

Excused absences

Excused absences are determined by Georgia state law with the most typical excuses being:

Personal Illness

Serious illness or death in immediate family

Court appearance

Doctor/Dentist appointments

Religious holidays

Absences for any other reasons will be considered unexcused.

Unexcused absences

Oversleeping, car trouble, missing the bus, skipping, etc. are considered unexcused absences.

After five unexcused absences, a letter will be sent to a parent/guardian.

Oakwood is a program of choice; therefore, a student who is frequently absent will be withdrawn from

the program. Students who accrue 10 consecutive days of unexcused absences OR 12 unexcused

absences in a semester will be withdrawn due to lack of attendance.

Following an absence, students have three days to bring a signed note from their parent to the front

office. The note should include the student’s first and last name, date(s) absent, reason for absence, a

parent signature, and a telephone number for contacting a parent or guardian.

TARDIES Students are considered tardy if they arrive five minutes after the start of their session time. Students

are encouraged to call the center to inform the staff of late arrivals. After 15 minutes, the center staff

will begin calling students and guardians. Students who are frequently late are subject to the

following consequences:

Three unexcused tardies will be considered one unexcused absence. According to state law, valid

excuses for tardies are the same as those for absences.

Students must attend a minimum of three hours in order to be counted present.

SIGNING OUT EARLY

Students who need to check out of their session early must present their reason and parent note to the

site director upon their arrival to their session. To be counted as excused, the early dismissal reason

falls under the same criteria as absences or tardies. Again, these are determined by Georgia state law.

Students must sign out in the front office before leaving campus for any reason.

Notes must include a phone number where a parent or guardian may be contacted during the

day. No student may be checked out by anyone other than a parent or guardian. No student may

check out without phone verification with a parent or guardian. When a student is ill, the site director or the campus nurse will contact a parent or guardian.

ARRIVAL AND PICK UP

Students arriving to their session prior to its start time or waiting to be picked up at the end of their

session are allowed to wait for up to 30 minutes in front of their center. The Media Center will also be

open for students to study or work on projects. Students should not arrive more than 30 minutes before

the start of their session without prior approval. Exceptions to this policy require special permission

from a site director.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS Upon entry to their center, students will be required to sign in on the Daily Attendance Sheet and

gather the necessary materials to begin working. Students should work in all classes daily, taking

effective notes and striving to reach academic goals. In every aspect of the learning process, students

are expected to deliver quality: in work, in effort, and in attitude. Students must demonstrate

competency on concepts to achieve mastery on academic work.

Daily effort to reach goals is expected in all academic areas. Since Oakwood Digital Academy

believes in the individual student, individualized effort is recognized when evaluating progress.

CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS

Students are expected to participate in an atmosphere that is conducive to the educational process.

Bullying, posturing, or harassing behavior is not tolerated and may be grounds for immediate

dismissal. Gang activity is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Appropriate language must be used at Oakwood Digital Academy. This includes verbal and written

language. Students will speak and act politely toward peers and staff, respect the differences of those

in the center as well as their personal space and belongings. Students will conduct themselves in an

appropriate manner at all times.

As a part of the Oakwood Digital Academy Good Neighbor Policy, students must be considerate of

the neighborhood residences, and businesses and their property. Please make sure the area is always

neat and clean and students are always polite to others in the neighborhood. Students must conduct

themselves in an appropriate manner at all times, especially when traveling to and from the center.

COUNSELING OFFICE

The Counseling Office is open to students daily between the hours of 7:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

Oakwood Digital Academy’s professional counselor, Mrs. Mooney, will provide assistance to students

in several areas:

Selecting and scheduling courses for both new and returning students

Evaluation of progress toward meeting graduation requirements

Assistance for academic needs

Scheduling and assisting with parent conferences which are available by appointment

Scheduling, preparing for, and interpreting the results of standardized tests

Post-secondary counseling: career paths and post-secondary educational opportunities

Personal issues

Transcripts and Certificates of Enrollment are available for $2.00 each (Please see Mrs. Coates in the front office)

MEDIA CENTER The Media Center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Any changes to the stated hours will be

communicated in advance to the Digital Academy teachers and posted on the Media Center doors.

Students are asked to adhere to basic policies when they use the Media Center:

Student MUST have a pass from a teacher or the front office to enter the Media Center.

Students have access to the Media Center during normal hours to work on homework, use the

computers, and to check out books for personal enjoyment and/or research purposes. Students

may check out 4 books at a time. Loan periods are 21 days and books are renewable twice.

Computers are to be used for program related work.

Respect yourself, respect others, and respect the space.

When logging onto the computers in the media center, students should use their student number

and password. If these are not known, please ask the media specialist.

In order to transport files from the Digital Academy classroom or home to the Media Center,

students should purchase a flash drive (jump drive) to save documents.

If you have any questions or need help, please stop by the Media Center and ask the media specialist.

INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC NETWORK USAGE

Students are offered the opportunity to further enhance their education through the use of the internet

and other electronic networks. There is no right to privacy as it relates to information accessed,

developed, or used on Oakwood Digital Academy computers, networks and the internet. Oakwood

Digital Academy employees may monitor or access information from computer workstations at any

time. Any violation of the Terms and Conditions, outlined on the Internet and Electronic Network

Usage form, will result in immediate revoking of internet and electronic network privileges and may

result in termination from the program.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Materials that you receive in the classroom or Media Center are supplied by the school system and are

paid for by tax dollars. They are issued to students as borrowed property; consequently, students will

be held responsible for damage and/or loss of items issued to them. All financial obligations for the

previous semester must be cleared no later than the second day of the next semester. These financial

obligations must be settled before a student can withdraw or graduate.

Grade reports (including final transcripts), student records, and diplomas will be withheld until

these obligations are cleared.

CURRICULUM PLATFORMS

Ombudsman utilizes a number of research-based curriculum platforms to deliver its instructional

model. These platforms are enhanced by Ombudsman proprietary programs and materials. Initial and

ongoing teacher-led-instruction is tailored to ensure each student earns the necessary credits to arrive

at graduation on time. The web-based content is listed and described below, and it is important to

note each center gets a combination of the resources listed below based on alignment to standards and

student population.

Below is a brief description of each of the Ombudsman’s web-based and print resources:

Assessment:

STAR Enterprise (product of Renaissance Learning): The STAR Math and Reading

assessments are a computer based, adaptive assessment that include skills-based test items, in-

depth reports for screening, instructional planning, progress monitoring, as well as Core

Progress learning progressions. These learning progressions take the Common Core

Standards to the next level by going beyond just assessment by providing teachers with

specific, actionable information. STAR Enterprise reports show the next instructional steps

and the prerequisite skills necessary to develop and deliver the personalized instruction

necessary. This allows teachers to bridge assessment and instruction and move students

toward meeting the CCSS.

Academic Intervention:

Reading Plus: Reading Plus® provides a structured Sustained Silent Reading experience.

The program improves reading fluency through silent reading, comprehension and

vocabulary activities. It provides a range of reading levels from First Grade (Level A) to

College (Level M) to address a variety of learners. Reading Plus is very effective when

trying to “back-fill” reading skills for a student so he can successfully complete some of the

higher-level programs.

Curricula:

Edgenuity: Edgenuity is a web-based software that provides curriculum for grades 6-12.

Edgenuity has a wide variety of core and elective course offerings which are aligned to both

state and national standards to prepare students for state, end of course and key standardized

tests. Edgenuity offers an engaging learning experience through teacher led video

instruction. Edgenuity’s learning management system tracks student progress and provides

meaningful feedback to both students and instructors.

A+ Learning System (a product of American Education Corporation): A+LS™

courseware program offers e-learning instruction for students K-12. It is a robust research

and objective-based program that is aligned to multiple states’ standards. In addition to the

inherent assessment tools, A+LS™ also offers Lexile measures to further assist instructors in

determining an appropriate path of instruction. Basic to advanced level instruction in

reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, interdisciplinary learning, and life and

job skills are available.

GradPoint (product of Pearson Education): GradPoint is the easy-to-use and

comprehensive online learning solution that helps students in grades 6-12 develop the skills

they need to succeed in high school, college and beyond. GradPoint’s proven award-winning

curriculum aligns to state and Common Core State Standards and is delivered on an intuitive

learning platform.

Edge Leveled Library (product of National Geographic): This literature collection spans

several genres, such as short stories, classic fiction, autobiographies, contemporary fiction,

expository non-fiction, drama, biography, historical fiction and folk tales. This series presents

high school literature at reading levels 3.0-5.9 (Level A); 5.0-7.9 (Level B); 7.0-9.0 (Level

C). In-book supports include an introduction to prepare the student for the text, on-page

glossary of terms/phrases, comprehension checks and look-aheads to help students anticipate

plot developments.

Odysseyware: Odysseyware was intentionally designed to meet the needs of 21st Century

learners. A text-to-speech function is perfect for auditory learners and Odysseyware’s

translator is a strong resource for ELL programs. Odysseyware is also fully customizable,

allowing teachers to set and adjust unique learning paths tailored to individual student needs

and to align with unique state standards and instructional scope and sequences. Additionally,

Odysseyware’s exclusive Teacher Authoring Tool allows educators to easily create

customized and differentiated lessons, projects and tests.

Small Group Instruction: Students will transition away from the computer model and work

in a group setting with a content teacher. The purpose of the small group setting is to provide

students with the opportunity to focus more closely on Georgia Performance Standards. This

setting will offer students a more hands-on approach to learning and an opportunity to ask

standard specific questions. Students will be assigned to small groups based on their End of

Course requirements and will meet with their content teacher weekly.

TEST PREPARATION

USA Test Prep: USA Test Prep is a web-based test preparation program developed by

teachers who felt that effective technology could improve student test performance. In this

program, students are able to view instructional videos, complete various assignments, and

take practice tests, all of which will help prepare them for their End of Course Assessments.

GRADING PROCESS

Grades are determined by averaging assignment grades by assigned course. Grades are a cumulative

average of computer tests, enrichment activities, small group lessons and assignments, and other

activities. Center staff will average all grades to determine the final grade for each assigned course.

GRADING SCALE

A 4 quality points 90 - 100

B 3 quality points 80 - 89

C 2 quality points 74 - 79

D 1 quality point 70 - 73

F 0 quality points below 70

REQUIRED TESTING

Students taking the following courses will be required to take an End of Course (EOC) assessment.

The EOC will be given toward the end of the semester and will count as 20% of the student’s grade in

that course.

EOC COURSES INCLUDE:

9th Grade Literature and Composition

American Literature and Composition

Physical Science

Biology

Algebra I

Geometry

U.S. History

Economics

CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT

Oakwood Digital Academy’s college and career coach is here to assist students in career and post-

secondary education exploration. In the process, the transition coach will help students in the

following areas: research and planning for college or career; development of employment skills; and

job placement. Emphasis will be placed on developing job readiness skills and personal qualities to

prepare students for a competitive job market. By working with the transition coach, students will

develop an appreciation for the importance of traits such as personal appearance, punctuality,

courtesies of expression, responsibility, and confidentiality when holding a job.

Oakwood Digital Academy

Handbook Prepared by: Oakwood Digital Academy Staff

Last Updated: July 2017