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Web Accessibility

Notice of Accessibility

General Notice

With regard to Success Academy’s website and any official Success Academy web presence developed, maintained, or offered through Success Academy sources, Success Academy is committed to complying with the provisions of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, so that scholars, parents, and members of the public with disabilities are able to independently acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same benefits and services as those without disabilities, with equivalent ease of use.  Success Academy’s Advisory team will be responsible for reviewing all areas of Success Academy’s web presence and evaluating its accessibility on a periodic basis.

Web Accessibility

Success Academy is in the process of improving its websites and web-based resources to more accessible formats to make the web easier to navigate for people experiencing vision problems, dexterity issues, hearing differences and those with other neurocognitive barriers.  Success Academy will work with any individual with a disability to provide any web document or information in an alternative format, including PDF files. Please use the contact information below to request any such information through alternative means.

Contact Success Academy

If any person is unable to access information provided on our website or in a web-based resource, they are encouraged to contact Success Academy at [email protected] so that your concern can be addressed as quickly as possible.

Right to File Accessibility Grievances

All persons who believe they have been unfairly prevented from accessing information on this website have the right to file a formal grievance under Section 504 of of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Further information on how to file a grievance with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, as well as the methods for doing so, are provided on the Office for Civil Rights web page “How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights,” available at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html.

Web Accessibility Survey

Click here to fill out the survey.

District Wide Safety Plan

DISTRICT-WIDE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN

Providing students with a safe, stable and welcoming environment that enables learning at the highest levels is a key component of the mission of Success Academy Charter Schools – NYC (please see Appendix A for a list of Success Academy Charter Schools – NYC districts covered by this School Safety Plan) (“SA-NYC”). SA-NYC maintains the highest standards to guarantee the continuity of a safe environment at all times. SA-NYC has made preparation for unforeseen emergencies that could compromise the continuity of school safety among its highest priorities. Schools may be at risk of acts of violence, or natural or manmade disasters; emergencies in schools must be addressed in an expeditious and effective manner.

Implied or Direct Threats of Violence

SA-NYC has established policies and procedures for responding to implied or direct threats of violence by students, teachers, other school personnel as well as visitors to the school, including threats by students against themselves, which include suicide.

All threats of violence are taken seriously at SA-NYC. Threats of violence from children will be reported to the parent, police and/or ACS based on the situation and appropriateness as determined by the Principal, Assistant Principal, and Business Operations Manager. The Principal will take appropriate follow up actions. Threats of violence from adults will be reported to the police.

All threats of suicide are considered serious. In emergency situations, call 911. Staff must follow up with the person that heard or learned of the threat and gather details. A member of the School Leadership Team should notify the School Manager, the school psychologist for risk assessment, and the parents or guardians of the student. School staff will encourage parents to call 911 (if the school has not already called 911) or to take the student to ER for risk assessment. School staff will provide parents with mental health resources including referrals and mental health contact numbers. A link to mental health resources for educators compiled by the New York State Education Department is here.

Acts of Violence

SA-NYC has established policies and procedures for responding to acts of violence by students, teachers, other school personnel as well as visitors to the school.

When a student engages in behavior that poses a substantial risk of serious injury to the student or others, schools must determine the appropriate way to manage the behavior and consider whether the situation can be safely de-escalated by school staff as set forth below. In such situations, the following procedures must be followed:

  1. The principal/designee must be notified of the situation and must attempt to reach the parent.
  2. Every effort must be made by responding school staff to safely de-escalate the behavior where possible using strategies and interventions for addressing a behavioral crisis.
  3. If the classroom teacher or the responding staff member is unable to de-escalate the behavior, the teacher/staff member should seek assistance from other appropriate staff and resources including the Principal, the Assistant Principal, or a member of Safety Leadership Team.
  4. Where a student’s behavior poses an imminent and substantial risk of serious injury to himself or others and the situation cannot be safely addressed by school staff or the support services set forth above, the principal must call 911. In such situations where it is not practicable to contact the principal, the responding staff member/School Safety Agent must call 911 and immediately thereafter notify the principal.

Prevention and Intervention Strategies

SA-NYC has established appropriate prevention and intervention strategies. The administration of SA-NYC and the school’s assigned Safety Agents have a good working relationship with the NYPD’s local precinct. The school also has good working relationships with local emergency response agencies and medical personnel. Building personnel including emergency teams and safety agents receive training, including de-escalation training, fire safety training, use of emergency technology and communication tools, training regarding exits/potential emergency spaces/location of first-aid tools, and AED/CPR training for designated personnel.

Accomplishing SA-NYC’s mission requires maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for teachers and students. A safe learning environment is at the very core of SA-NYC’s school culture. Teachers are trained in school safety and conflict mediation through professional development programs. SA-NYC teachers model appropriate behavior and teach character and values as part of daily instruction during our extended school day. The school community plays no small part in maintaining a safe and positive learning environment, with active participation in school-wide events and participation in the Parent Council. The school coordinates mentoring programs and ensures that any incidents that may endanger school safety are dealt with effectively and expediently. This includes any threat, implied or direct.

Contacting Appropriate Law Enforcement Officials

SA-NYC has established policies and procedures for contacting appropriate law enforcement officials in the event of a violent incident. In the event of a safety issue which requires a response from the police, staff are directed to escalate within the local precinct. SA’s Borough Safety Associates Team will reach out to the Commanding Officer of the local precinct in times of emergencies or particularly egregious situations. School staff may reach out to the following persons in the local precinct: the Community Affairs Officers, a Youth Officer, or the School Sergeant who oversees the unit of Youth Officers.

SA-NYC has additionally considered installation of silent panic alarm systems.

Contacting Parents and Guardians

SA-NYC has established policies and procedures for contacting parents, guardians or persons in parental relation to the students of the district in the event of an early dismissal or violent incident and policies and procedures for contacting parents, guardians or persons in parental relation to an individual student of the district in the event of an implied or direct threat of violence by such student against themselves, including suicide.

When a student engages in behavior that poses a substantial risk of serious injury to the student or others, the principal/designee must be notified of the situation and must attempt to reach the parent. In the event of a violent incident or any other emergency-related early dismissal, the Principal or his/her designee will contact parents/guardians or persons in parental relation to the students. Parents will be contacted via recorded phone message, mass text message, mass email, or bulletin board post on the school’s website. Additionally, master lists of parent contacts and emergency contacts are kept in the Main Office and in each of the classrooms.

School Building Security

SA-NYC has established policies and procedures relating to school building security, including where appropriate the use of school safety officers and/or security devices or procedures, the duties of hall monitors and any other school safety personnel, the training required of all personnel acting in a school security capacity, and the hiring and screening process for all personnel acting in a school security capacity.

All security personnel must be registered with New York State as security officers. As a Security Guard (also referred to as a School Safety Agent), each guard must complete an eight-hour and a sixteen-hour security officer’s course. In addition, the Security Guards have received further training in observing behaviors, assessing situations to prevent, identify and respond to any given situation. The DOE or the Security Guard contractor ensures that such training requirements have been met. The Security Guards and other staff who cover the front entrance have received training in maintenance of sign-in and sign-out logs and in requiring all visitors to show ID and to sign in and sign out. Procedures are in place and practiced for notifying administration and staff of visitors and for not permitting visitors to pass the security desk without notice. If there is a situation where an adult cannot be secured at the security desk, 911 will be called.

Dissemination of Informative Materials

SA-NYC staff is trained to detect potentially violent behaviors during regular staff professional development days. Information related to detection is disseminated to families during the enrollment process, and also at regular Parent Council meetings. Clear expectations and information are provided to all students throughout the school year.

Annual School Safety Training

SA-NYC has established policies and procedures for annual multi-hazard school safety training for staff and students. This training includes annual training on the emergency response plan, including components on violence prevention and mental health. All staff receive this training by Sept 15. Further, new employees hired after the start of the school year shall receive training within thirty days of such hire or as part of SA’s existing new hire training program, whichever is sooner.

Bomb Threats

SA-NYC has established the following protocols for responding to bomb threats:

  1. If a suspicious package is observed, DO NOT TOUCH.
  2. Notification to Principal or his/her designee, Regional Superintendent, LIS, RSA and the NYPD SSA.
  3. PA system or Fire Drill Bell Notification, to staff alerting them of the situation.
  4. Decision to evacuate to be made by Principal in consultation with NYPD SSD.
  5. Notify the Emergency Information Center (718) 935-3210.
  6. No transmissions to 911 via radio (Walkie Talkie) or Cell/Mobile Telephone. All notifications must be made by regular landlines.
  7. Identify location, number and extent of any injuries. If possible, retrieve the pedigree of victims with home contact numbers and make notification as necessary.
  8. If the building cannot be re-entered, evacuated students and staff are to be sent to School across the street with attendance information as prescribed in the School Safety Plan.
  9. Floor Wardens, per the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan, should be appointed to each floor to assist in the evacuation.
  10. SSAs will secure the area affected.
  11. No one is to re-enter the building/affected area without authorization from the appropriate agency.
  12. If building cannot be re-entered, the Principal or his/her designee will contact parents/guardians via recorded call, mass text message, and/or mass email to arrange for early pick-up times for students needing to go home.

Intruders

SA-NYC has established the following protocols for responding to intruders:

If an intruder is discovered in the building, a coded PA system ALERT will notify the faculty of the hazard. The announcement will be: Department of Education intruder alert. If the PA cannot be activated from each classroom, the nearest classroom phone will be used to contact the main office of the co-located school to initiate a building wide announcement.

In response to this announcement the following steps will be taken immediately:

  1. Any students in the hallway will be taken into the nearest classroom. If the event occurs during lunch or during arrival, if the lunchroom can be secured, then cafeteria doors will be locked and students and staff shall remain inside until the all clear announcement is issued. If the cafeteria cannot be secured, faculty and staff supervising the arrival or cafeteria will immediately direct all students to the nearest classroom(s) and lock the door.
  2. All teachers will lock their classroom doors and will not issue any passes.
  3. The Principal, along with the Assigned Safety Agent, will conduct a building sweep to locate the intruder.
  4. If the intruder is found and the situation is stable or NO intruder is found, an ALL CLEAR announcement will be made.

Hostage Situation

SA-NYC has established the following protocols for responding to a hostage situation:

  1. Notification to Principal or his/her designee, RSA, and NYPD SSA.
  2. Follow the “Intruder Procedure” as outlined in the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.
  3. Decision to evacuate is made by the Principal in consultation with NYPD SSA.
  4. Notify the Emergency Center (718) 935-3210. Floor Wardens, per the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan, should be appointed to each floor to assist in the evacuation.
  5. Evacuate the premises following Egress Route(s) outlined in the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.
  6. Floor Plans are to be readily available in the Principal’s Office, Library, Custodians Office, Security Office and Neighboring Schools.
  7. Identify means of communication with Perpetrator(s) via telephone, PAS Phone or PA system.
  8. If the building cannot be re-entered, evacuated students and staff with attendance information are to be sent to the Evacuation location as identified in the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.
  9. Identify location, number and extent of any injuries. If possible, retrieve the pedigree of victims with home contact numbers and make notifications as necessary.
  10. SSA/Principal will notify respective Supervisors and arriving agencies, with pertinent and vital information.
  11. If building cannot be re-entered, the Principal or his/her designee will contact parents/guardians via recorded call, mass text message, and/or mass email to arrange for early pick-up times for students needing to go home.

Kidnapping

SA-NYC has established the following protocols for responding to kidnapping:

  1. Check the Emergency Contact card to ensure that only the legal guardian is taking the student out of the building.
  2. Notification to Principal or his/her designee, RSA, and NYPD SSA.
  3. Make parental/guardian contact to ensure that the student is not with relatives or friends.
  4. Follow the “Intruder Procedure” as outlined in the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.
  5. Check attendance information for the student who is reported kidnapped.
  6. Notify the Emergency Center (718) 935-3210.
  7. SSA/Principal will notify respective Supervisors and arriving agencies, with pertinent and vital information.
  8. Contact NYPD/SSD Operations Center at (718) 935-3300 with information.

Strategies for Improving Communications

SA-NYC has established strategies for improving communication among students and between students and staff and reporting of potentially violent incidents.

Every morning, teachers begin the day with morning meetings, during which students are given an opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns. The school coordinates mentoring programs and ensures that any incidents that may endanger school safety are dealt with effectively and expediently. Teachers are trained to establish a positive school and classroom culture, to reward students when they show thoughtfulness and respect, and to address even minor incidents of disrespect. Teachers must supervise bullying “hot spots” (lunch, recess, bathrooms) and create ways for safe reporting of potentially violent incidents. SA-NYC encourages students and parents to immediately report potentially violent incidents, bullying, or harassment to teachers, leaders or any other adult.

Designation of District Chief Emergency Officer

SA-NYC designates the Business Operations Manager of each school as the district chief emergency officer responsible for coordinating communication between school staff and law enforcement and first responders, and ensuring staff understanding of the district-level safety plan. The chief emergency officer shall also be responsible for ensuring the completion and yearly updating of building-level emergency response plans.

The District Chief Emergency Officer will be responsible for:

  1. Coordination of the communication between school staff, law enforcement, and other first responders;
  2. Leading the efforts of the district-wide school safety team in the completion and yearly update of the district-wide school safety plan and the coordination of the district-wide plan with the building-level emergency response plans;
  3. Ensuring staff understanding of the district-wide school safety plan;
  4. Ensuring the completion and yearly update of building-level emergency response plans for each school building;
  5. Assisting in the selection of security-related technology and development of procedures for the use of such technology;
  6. Coordinating appropriate safety, security, and emergency training for district and school staff, including required training in the emergency response plan;
  7. Ensuring the conduct of required evacuation and lock-down drills in all district buildings as required by Education Law section 807; and
  8. Ensuring the completion and yearly update of building-level emergency response plans by the dates designated by the commissioner.

Conduct of Drills

SA-NYC has established procedures for review and the conduct of drills and other exercises to test components of the emergency response plan, including the use of tabletop exercises, in coordination with local and county emergency responders and preparedness officials.

Fire Drills: The purpose of fire drills is to instruct and train students and staff in emergency evacuation procedures so that they might leave the school building in the shortest time possible and without panic in the event of an actual emergency. On hearing the fire signal (three gongs four times), pupils under the leadership of teachers and other staff must go to the street without delay.

Lockdown Drills: The purpose of lockdown drills is to instruct and train students and staff in the emergency procedures so that if an intruder enters the building they will know what actions to take without panicking in the event of an actual emergency. On hearing the intruder alert signal, “Department of Education lock down announcement,” students under the leadership staff must go to the middle of the room and sit on the ground without delay. Staff must immediately lock their doors and cover the windows on their doors. NYPD and School Safety Agents will be included in these drills.

Sheltering-in Place Drills: The purpose of sheltering-in place drills is to instruct and train students and staff in emergency procedures so that if they are prevented from leaving the room for an extended period of time, they will know what actions to take without panicking in the event of an actual emergency. Sheltering-in place drills will be practiced in the classrooms with students and staff moving away from the windows. In the case of a real emergency, local law enforcement/public safety officials will make the determination that staff and students should remain inside during the disaster. NYPD and School Safety Agents will be included in these drills.

Review of Drills: Following the first fire drill of the school year, the School Business Operations Manager or his/her designee and the Principal or his/her designee will meet with school security personnel, building staff, and other members of the emergency response team to evaluate the effectiveness of response to the drill. The council will discuss the execution of the previous drills, including the response time, effectiveness of response to novel situations (such as blocked exits), and the level of communication between students, staff, and personnel managing the drill. The council will also create recommendations, as necessary, to improve the execution of future drills or evacuations.

At the beginning of each school year, the School Business Operations Manager or his/her designee and/or the Principal or his/her designee will contact the School Safety Division of the New York City Police Department to schedule a tabletop exercise meeting. This meeting shall include the use of a tabletop simulation or other meeting to determine appropriate coordinated response to likely scenarios outlined in other parts of this plan, as required by law.

Declared State of Disaster Emergency Involving a Communicable Disease 

In the event of a state ordered reduction of in-person workforce due to a state disaster emergency involving public health, essential employees will be identified pursuant to local or state orders. Work shifts of essential employees will be staggered to the extent possible to reduce overcrowding on public transportation and at worksites, and in accordance with any state or local orders. SA-NYC will also follow protocols for documenting hours and work locations for essential employees, including off-site visits, in accordance with state and local guidance.

Remote work may be provided for nonessential employees in response to high virus incidence or recommendations by our local health officials as a best practice to minimize spread in the community. SA-NYC has established policies for nonessential employees to telecommute including, but not limited to, facilitating or requesting the procurement, distribution, downloading, and installation of any needed technology, including software data, and transferring office phone lines to work or personal cell phones as practicable or applicable to the workplace. Nonessential employees that are allowed to work remotely must follow all of SA-NYC’s policies and procedures similar to essential employees who are working on-site. 

SA-NYC has established protocols to procure a sufficient quantity of personal protective equipment (PPE) for each essential employee to meet their needs during any given work shift and established procedures for storing and accessing this equipment. 

In the event that an employee or student is exposed to a known case of the disease, exhibits symptoms of the disease, or tests positive for the disease, SA-NYC will follow the protocols set forth by the NYS DOH and NYC DOHMH to prevent the spread or contraction in the workplace. SA-NYC will also implement requirements determined by the state and local departments of health such as contact tracing or testing, social distancing, hand hygiene and disinfectant, or mask wearing. 

EMERGENCY REMOTE INSTRUCTION PLAN

Success Academy developed the following Emergency Remote Instruction plan to address the instruction of scholars in the event of an emergency condition or extraordinary circumstance that prevents scholars and staff from physically attending school.

Technology and Connectivity

Technology is essential to both the Emergency Remote Instruction Plan and the overall K-12 academic experience of Success Academy scholars. All Success Academy scholars participate in a digital curriculum, and Success Academy provides all scholars and staff members with a laptop to support digital learning. Scholars and staff members will utilize their SA-issued devices to deliver and participate in remote instruction. If Success Academy determines that a different computer or device is more appropriate for learning, it may replace the device with a different model at any time. 

Scholars will utilize their own internet when participating in remote learning at home. If scholars do not have internet access, Success Academy will work with families as needed to provide instructional materials for them. 

Instruction

Success Academy’s remote design prioritizes excellence in teaching and learning, sky-high expectations, and unwavering levels of accountability from scholars, family, and staff. We expect scholars to be on-time, in uniform, and engaged in learning. All homework and Reading Logs will be collected just as they would be during on-campus learning. 

Remote learning will mirror the rigor, engagement, and high expectations of Success Academy’s on campus learning environment. All scholars will be able to utilize their laptops to receive live instruction and engage with teachers and classmates. Schedules vary by grades, but all scholars will engage in Success Academy’s full K-12 academic program that encompasses engaging and rigorous literature, primary source document study, discussion and history, conceptual exploration of mathematical content, and investigation of science through digital simulations and live demonstrations. 

Success Academy utilizes Zoom to connect families and scholars to their schools and teachers, and families will be able to access their scholar’s assignments via Google Classroom. Through the Zoom platform, teachers are able to see all scholar’s faces and can use interactive features, such as raising their hands digitally and engaging in verbal and chat discussions. 

Providing excellent experiential learning opportunities is also a top priority for Success Academy’s remote program. All grade K-2 scholars will participate in specials, all grade 3-8 scholars will take electives, and all high schoolers will continue to enroll in a wide variety of electives. Additionally, scholar talent teachers and coaches will host after-school clubs remotely. 

Special Education and Scholar Support 

Success Academy is invested in ensuring all scholars achieve academic mastery, and will regularly assess scholar learning to identify and support any scholars who are struggling. Zoom allows for small break-out groups so that teachers can continue to utilize small-group learning in guided reading lessons, and provide additional support for scholars who need it, including scholars with disabilities and ELLs. Success Academy’s Sprint (Special Education) Services will continue to be provided to scholars, and Success Academy will continue to partner with families and the NYC DOE’s Committees on Special Education (CSEs) to secure the academic services that certain scholars may need. 

Success Academy additionally intends to have a Social Emotional Learning Specialist partner with school leadership in supporting scholars at all Success Academy schools. Our scholars’ social and emotional well-being is a top priority. 

Appendix A

This School Safety Plan applies to the following districts (all of which are merged into the Success Academy Charter Schools – NYC education corporation):          

  1. Success Academy Charter School —  Harlem 1
  2. Success Academy Charter School —  Harlem 2
  3. Success Academy Charter School —  Harlem 3
  4. Success Academy Charter School —  Harlem 4
  5. Success Academy Charter School — Harlem 5
  6. Success Academy Charter School —  Bronx 1
  7. Success Academy Charter School —  Bronx 2
  8. Success Academy Charter School —  Upper West 
  9. Success Academy Charter School —   Bed Stuy 1
  10. Success Academy Charter School —  Bed Stuy 2
  11. Success Academy Charter School —  Cobble Hill
  12. Success Academy Charter School —  Williamsburg
  13. Success Academy Charter School —  Fort Greene
  14. Success Academy Charter School —  Prospect Heights 
  15. Success Academy Charter School —  Crown Heights 
  16. Success Academy Charter School —  Union Square
  17. Success Academy Charter School —  Hell’s Kitchen
  18. Success Academy Charter School —  Bronx 3
  19. Success Academy Charter School —  Washington Heights 
  20. Success Academy Charter School —  Bronx 4
  21. Success Academy Charter School — Bensonhurst
  22. Success Academy Charter School —  Bergen Beach
  23. Success Academy Charter School —  Rosedale
  24. Success Academy Charter School —  Springfield Gardens 
  25. Success Academy Charter School — Far Rockaway
  26. Success Academy Charter School — Flatbush
  27. Success Academy Charter School — Bed Stuy 3
  28. Success Academy Charter School — Bushwick
  29. Success Academy Charter School — South Jamaica
  30. Success Academy Charter School — Hudson Yards
  31. Success Academy Charter School — Harlem 6
  32. Success Academy Charter School — Bronx 5 Lower
  33. Success Academy Charter School — Bronx 5 Upper

 

Annual Reports

Annual Reports for all Success Academy Charter Schools may be found here.

Parent and Family Engagement Policy

The Parent and Family Engagement Policy for all Success Academy Charter Schools may be found here.

New York State ESSA-Funded Programs Complaint Procedures

Follow this link for access to New York State’s ESSA-Funded Programs Complaint Procedures regarding violations of laws, rules, or regulations in the administration of Federal programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):  http://www.nysed.gov/essa/new-york-state-essa-funded-programs-complaint-procedure.

Safe Return to In-Person Instruction Plan and Planned Use of ESSER Funds

To learn more about Success Academy’s current Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan, please see here.   

To learn how Success Academy schools will use federal stimulus funding to support the academic, social, and emotional needs of students, address learning loss, and maintain the health and safety of students and school staff as they return to in-person instruction, please see Success Academy‘s Use of ESSER Funds Plan

You may submit comments on Success Academy‘s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan and/or on its Use of ESSER Funds Plan to [email protected].  Para obtener una copia de los planos en español, envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected].

Group Health Care Plan Transparency in Coverage Rule Information

This link leads to the machine readable files that are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule and includes negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The machine-readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.