The Urban Academy is more than a school; it is a community.
In this community all members, students and staff, enjoy many advantages and privileges that come from a learning environment
where all are treated with respect.
However, a community only works well when its members are willing to give something of
themselves. With the privileges that come with the Urban environment, there are certain
obligations and responsibilities all of us share.
You don't need to like everyone at Urban Academy.
You must however, respect even those you dislike.
No personal attacks.
You may attack ideas, but must not attack the person with whom you disagree.
No fights in school, outside school, in the neighborhoods and no school-related fights.
At the Urban Academy it's ok to be an intellectual, to enjoy learning, to be curious about ideas, to
read, to ask questions.
An atmosphere which encourages thought must be respected.
It's ok to be an oddball; it's everyone's responsibility to make all members of the Urban Academy
community fell comfortable and welcome. No one should feel the need to say the "right" things or
wear the "right" clothes in order to belong.
We discuss many topics in class about which people have strong feelings.
Classroom discussions must end at the classroom door and be dealt with in that class. Things can easily get
blown out of proportion when people who weren't in that class become involved.
We try to treat everyone as an individual at the Urban Academy.
No one solution is good for every person. Fairness, not uniformity, is our goal.
We purposely have students from many different backgrounds.
This is an important strength of
the Urban Academy. Often differences of opinion are real and deep. Discussions require that you
learn to .listen. skillfully (not just "hear"). You.ll need to figure out the reasons, learn to judge the
evidence that is offered to support arguments which you think are "wrong". The more you permit
yourself to listen, to think, to open up to new ideas, the less you.ll find other people being
"stupid".
The same is true of "boring". The more you enter into a problem, explore an idea, question a
speaker, the less "boring" difficult topics will become.
Remember, you represent the Urban Academy
- in the Julia Richman Education Complex
- when visitors come to the Urban Academy
- on field trips
- when speakers come to class
- at Community Service
- on jobs
YOUR ACTIONS AFFECT EXPERIENCES OTHER STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO ENJOY!!
Attendance:
Students must attend school: 8:30 AM . 3:00 PM all day, everyday.
You are responsible for being on time:
- in the morning
- after breaks
- after lunch
- to community service
Any activity (doctors appointments, etc.) which conflicts with or takes place during school time
must be approved in advance by Herb.
Sometimes classes run late - this does not mean the next class begins late.
Cutting is not allowed, for a period or for a day.
You are responsible for being in class and for taking the education challenge offered to you at the Urban Academy seriously.
Attendance at Community Service is required. Students are expected to be punctual.
Trips:
We take as many class and school trips as we can, using the rich resources of the New
York City community. These outside-of-school activities during the school day are an integral
part of our educational program and are not optional.
Magazines, Books:
Magazines and newspapers are provided for you in Room 206. They are for everyone and are not to be removed from the room.
Books are available on open shelves. If you would like to take any home, just sign them out with Nancy.
The refrigerator in Room 208 is available for staff and students to store food for the day. Be sure your name is on whatever you put in the fridge. And don't take things out that don't belong to you.
Visitors:
Visitors to the school must be approved by Herb at least 1 day in advance of their proposed visit.
No Graffiti is to be done on school premises.
Smoking:
Smoking is to take place outside the building during break and lunch periods only. No
smoking is allowed on the steps in front of the building.
Students are not to use the coffee/tea setup in Room 208.
No drugs or alcohol are permitted before or during the school day.
Computers, Phones and Darkroom:
There are computers and typewriters available for student
use. The computers, typewriters, and copy machines in Room 208 are not available for students
to operate.
Telephones in Room 208 are for official use only. Students need permission before using the
phones there. A phone for students is available in Room 206.
To use the dark room independently you must qualify for the .approved users. list. See Roy
about qualifications. All students must use the sign in/ sign out book and sign in at a station as
well. We are happy to lend you a camera. Each student who takes a camera, however, must
take responsibility for returning it in working order so that others can also be able to shoot.
Keep it Clean:
We spend a lot of time living in the Urban Academy Community. Help keep it
clean. There are wastebaskets in all rooms. Please use them. We also have places to put
deposit and non-deposit bottles.
Lockers:
See Elsa for your locker assignment. You must use the lock she loans you. All lockers
are in Room 206 and 208. You are welcome to choose a partner. If necessary, partners will be
assigned.
Animals:
Do not disturb any animals housed at the Academy. They are often being observed for
science projects and your playing, feeding or disturbing them is not permitted.
Homework Lab:
It is your responsibility to bring work to a homework lab. If you come without
work, you will be given a written assignment by the teacher.
Bathrooms:
Use of bathrooms facilities is and should be a student right. However, this right
must not be abused. Use of bathrooms should be limited to non-class times except on infrequent
occasions when it becomes necessary to use class time. When this occurs, a speedy return to
class is expected.
WALKMEN ARE PREMITTED AT BREAK TIMES ONLY.
THEY ARE TO BE PUT AWAY (NOT AROUND NECKS) AT ALL OTHER TIMES.
BOOM BOXES ARE TO BE USED ONLY WHEN REQUIRED IN COURSES FOR SPECIFIC CLASS PURPOSES.
Please cooperate with Security Officers by showing your ID cards whenever you enter the
building.
Please use the 67th street entrance only, both when entering and when leaving the
school.
