Academic Program

All Paul PCS students take a core curriculum, which consists of Spanish, French, English, Mathematics, Humanities-based Social Studies, and Science. In addition to these required core subjects, students take classes in the Visual and Performing Arts as well as Health and Physical Education.

Be 6-cessful Summer Reading Program

The Language Arts Department has prepared a list of recommended reading for students in grades six through eight.  Research shows that skills lost over the summer can set a student behind by a few months each school year – which adds up to being years behind being on grade-level in reading by the time students reach junior high school.  The only way to fight the summer reading slide is to read consistently over the summer.  Students learn from every page they read as long as they are reading books they ENJOY.  We encourage you to use this list to find the genre, author or topic each student loves to read about, and to encourage them to read every day.  Every page counts.

Our target this year is 6 books during the summer to be literacy 6-cessful.   In addition, students entering Grades 6, 7, and 8 are assigned required reading over the summer.  The students need to read the following books:

• Entering Grade 6:  In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Betty Bao Lord
• Entering Grade 7:  Seedfolks by Paul Fleishman
• Entering Grade 8:  Warroirs Don’t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beale

PLEASE NOTE:  The 8th grade book has changed from Speak to Warriors Don’t Cry due to product availability.

Summer_Reading_List_GRADE6.doc
Summer_Reading_List_GRADE7.doc
Summer_Reading_List_GRADE8.doc
Book_Finishing_Form.doc

Bridge Program

Students in the Bridge Program concentrate on improving their reading, math, and organizational skills. They take English, reading development, fundamentals of mathematics, and study skills courses. The main goal of this program is to prepare students to be successful in the rigorous seventh grade curriculum.

Sixth Grade

Sixth graders take the following year long courses:

In addition to these five core subjects, students take an exploratory arts course, which consists of four different nine-week classes. The exploratory arts course gives new middle school students a broad exposure to the fine and performing arts, so that they may determine what they want to focus on in future studies.
During the exploratory arts course, students take four of the following classes: Introduction to the Piano Keyboard, Physical Education, Dance Techniques, Introduction to Art, and Introduction to Computer Applications.

Students who elect to play a musical instrument in the school’s orchestra or concert band will take the respective musical course in lieu of the exploratory course.
Students will receive counseling and guidance that assists them in making good decisions, avoiding negative peer pressure, preventing substance abuse, acquiring study skills, and learning habits of successful students.

Seventh Grade

Seventh graders take the following year long courses:

In addition to these five core subjects, students take an exploratory arts course, which consists of four different nine-week classes. The exploratory arts course gives middle school students a broad exposure to the fine and performing arts, so that they may determine what they want to focus on in future studies.

During the exploratory arts course, students take four of the following classes: Introduction to the Piano Keyboard, Physical Education, Dance Techniques, Introduction to Art, and Introduction to Computer Applications.

Students who elect to play a musical instrument in the school’s orchestra or concert band will take the respective musical course in lieu of the exploratory course.
Students will receive counseling and guidance that assists them in making good decisions, avoiding negative peer pressure, preventing substance abuse, acquiring study skills, and learning habits of successful students.

Eighth Grade

Eighth grade students take the following year long courses:

Additionally, students take two semester-long (18 weeks) arts courses. The options students may take are Beginning Visual Art, Beginning Dance, Beginning Drama, Computer Applications I, Piano Keyboard Basics, and Health and Physical Education.

Eighth graders who participate in the school’s orchestra or concert band take their respective musical course to satisfy the arts course requirement.

Students in the eighth grade who successfully complete Spanish I, Latin I, Algebra I, or Geometry will receive Carnegie Units to be counted towards the requirements for high school graduation.

During their counseling sessions eighth grade students discuss risky behaviors, sexually transmitted diseases, bullying, anger management, conflict resolution, and high school placement.

Common Instructional Strategies

Paul PCS teachers implement common instructional strategies to emphasize approaches to learning that facilitate academic success at Paul and beyond and to reinforce important skills in multiple classes. These include:

Common Blackboard Configuration
The Blackboard Configuration (BBC), developed by Dr. Lorraine Monroe at the Frederick Douglass Academy in New York City and implemented in every class by Paul PCS teachers, is designed to ensure that classes are focused and well-organized. As part of the BBC, the following items are on each blackboard or whiteboard at the beginning of every Paul PCS class:

English Language Learners (ELLs)
Paul provides services for students with limited English proficiency in accordance with Federal Law and the regulations associated with this law. The Paul ELL Coordinator is responsible for overseeing students with limited English proficiency and support teachers in both instruction and curriculum.

Special Needs Students
Paul provides special education services for students in accordance with state and federal special education laws, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the regulations associated with those laws. The Paul PCS Special Education Coordinator is responsible for maintaining Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in accordance with state and federal law and assisting teachers in making appropriate curriculum and instruction modifications.

Counseling Services
Services are provided in both individual and group settings. These include:

• Personal/Social counseling
• Academic Counseling & Advisement
• Family Academic Support Advisement
• High School Admissions Counseling
• Financial Aid Counseling
• Career & Technical Education Counseling
• Social Service Agency Referral Counseling
• Peer Mediation

Dress Code and Code of Conduct

Student achievement is dependent upon a positive, safe, caring, and friendly school community. In order to ensure high academic standards, Paul PCS maintains high personal standards. The school requires a dress code and enforces a strict Code of Conduct in which disruptions, disrespect, threats, fights, weapons, drugs, and alcohol are not tolerated. The safe environment allows Paul PCS to celebrate learning and recognize each student’s academic and personal talents and accomplishments.

Dress Code
The Paul PCS Dress Code creates a strong sense of community and ensures that students focus on learning instead of clothing. For boys and girls the Dress Code consists of navy blue pants, Oxford-style dress shirts, black belts, black dress shoes, and a necktie. Girls can also wear navy blue skirts and skorts. Students not in compliance with the Dress Code are not allowed to attend class. Parents must pick up children who are not properly dressed for school or bring them the appropriate clothing.

Code of Conduct
School-related disciplinary offenses for which a student may be assigned demerits, detention, school service, out-of-school suspension, and/or expulsion are described in detail in the Character Education Policy, the Family Handbook, and the July orientation for new incoming students and families. Strict enforcement of the Code of Conduct results in a safe, structured, and focused learning environment.

Extended Day Program

Paul Public Charter School is pleased to offer an Extended Day Program again this year. Our energetic staff members are delighted to sponsor enriching experiences for students after school. This program consists of the following three key components:

The Extended Day Program has both academic and recreational content. It consists of high-quality programs that will allow young people to explore topics, skills, or projects that interest them deeply but may not be explicitly tied to the school curriculum; such exploration will enhance their capacity for creative thinking and problem solving. The variety of activities allows children to have an opportunity to learn for the sheer joy of learning.

The recreational components will help children develop important skills that are not always or directly taught in the classroom, such as good sportsmanship. Promoting social competence is a major goal of the extended day program. The informal setting of these activities helps students develop positive peer relations, social skills, and a sense of group belonging.

It is our belief that the Extended Day Program will prove to be a rewarding opportunity for all students.