1. STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE
Presented by:
Roxanne Archibald, M.ED
Director of Student Affairs
Providence School Department
August 15, 2012

2. OVERVIEW OF STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE (SAO)
Falls under the Division of Teaching and Learning
Located at 182 Thurbers Avenue, Providence- Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex First Floor
Provides student support services for all Providence students in grades K-12
Student disciplinary hearings/Code of Conduct Level 2 & 3 student violations
Student Truancy
Oversees Rhode Island Family Truancy Court Within the Schools Program
Home School
Residency Verification,
Student Work Permits (Ages 13-17)
Alternative Education Programs
Central Records Office

3. Student Affairs Office Personnel:
For the academic year, The Student Affairs Office employs the following certified personnel:
One (1) Home Visitor & four (4) Social Workers/Truancy Officers
One Guidance Counselor/Hearing Officer
One School Psychologist
Two (2) Bilingual Paraprofessionals who translate and interpret Spanish and Cambodian for non-English speaking families and students 100%
Truancy Officer Assignments:
Rhode Island Family Court / Elementary Schools
Schools with Truancy Courts
A-8 Middle & High Schools
SAO clerical Staff – CRO Clerical Staff- 2

4. STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE MISSION
The Student Affairs Office works closely with all Providence Public School employees, community agencies, Providence Police, RI Family Court, and parents to assist in educating Providence children to become productive members of society.
All Student Affairs proceedings are conducted in a legal and positive manner adhering to the civil and due process rights of all parties.

5. Rhode Island Education Law: Title 16 that apply in Discipline/Truancy Cases
Title Health & Safety of Pupils
Student Discipline Codes
Zero Tolerance Offenses
Alternative Education Programs
RIDE Discipline Procedures & Requirements for All Students
Title Work Certificates
Title Compulsory Attendance

6. RI ATTENDANCE LAW: Title 16-19-1
Compulsory Attendance:
Every child who has completed 6 years of life on or before Sept.1 and has not completed 18 years of life shall regularly attend school
This law fails to recognize 5 year olds who are in Kindergarten and have excessive absenteeism
16 to 18 year olds can now be referred for truancy

7. New Law Relating to Compulsory Attendance
No school shall use a student’s truancy or absenteeism as the sole basis for using an out of school suspension as a disciplinary action.
State law now forbids out-of-school suspensions for attendance-related infractions.
RIDE is working on sending new procedures to school districts with a list of all the infraction codes to be in place.

8. STUDENT DISCIPLINE
SAO prepares the Annual RIDE Suspension Report for the district-
Schools must record into REG. a student disciplinary infraction for out of school & in school suspensions as they occur
SAO prepares and s a Monthly Student Suspension Report to the schools
School administrators can use this report to track and monitor student discipline

9. Student Discipline Definitions
Out of School Suspension- In accordance with the Code of Conduct Policy and at the discretion of the school principal, a student may be denied to attend school classes or school functions not to exceed ten (10) school days. The student will continue to do assigned work during the suspension.
Exclusion – In accordance with the Code of Conduct and at the discretion of the Providence School Board, a student may be denied to attend school classes or functions for a period of ten (10) to one hundred eighty (180) school days.

10. Suspension Guidelines
A principal and/or SAO Director may suspend a student for an out of school suspension up to and including 10 school days for one incident
A student with a disability cannot be suspended for more than 10 school days without a Manifestation Meeting
A student may be disciplined by the school for misconduct that has a direct and significant impact on school operations

11. SAO DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
Building Principal thoroughly investigates alleged offense against the student
The allegation will be explained to the student
The student has the right to provide a written statement
School administration interviews witnesses
Notify parent/guardian of alleged offense
Notify parent and/or student of the date, time and place of fact-finding conference in writing
Suspend student
Submit Behavior Referral Packet to Student Affairs Office 2 days prior to the hearing date

12. SAO DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
Discipline Behavior Referral Packet includes:
- Behavior Referral Form
- Grades and Attendance Sheet
- SAO Student Report/Teacher Comments
- Statement of Problem
- School Administration Recommended Corrective Action
- School Suspension Letter
- Discipline Referral Form
- Witness Statements
- Student Statement
- Police Report (if applicable)
- Weapon Seizure Report (if applicable)

13. SAO Director’s Recommendations
Return student to school under a contract
Student transfer
Alternative education placement
Provide support services to the student and family- i.e. counseling referrals
Conduct a FBA
Develop intervention plan/safety plan

14. School Strategies for Truancy & Chronic Absenteeism
Rhode Island Family Court should be the last resort
Intervention should include meeting with the student, parent meetings, contacting the parent through a telephone call, making a home visit, and sending student absentee letters to the home
Referrals to community agencies
Attendance incentives

15. Student Residency Verification
Student who moves out of Providence district during first two quarters of school has the right to attend school until the end of First Semester.
Student who moves out of Providence district during 3rd & 4th Quarter has the right to attend school until the last day of school.
Seniors may complete their senior year regardless if they move out of Providence
Homeless students are exempt from this law

16. Questions & Answers Session
Please feel free to contact the
Student Affairs Office
182 Thurbers Avenue
Providence, RI 02905
Phone Numbers: (401) /94/95
address:
THANK YOU!!!