Policies and Procedures

Community Learning Alliance (CLA) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all students. The following policies and procedures support student success and help maintain a positive community atmosphere.

Behavior Policies

CLA follows three simple, foundational Conduct Standards that apply to all individuals on campus — students, parents/guardians, tutors, and visitors: Be Kind. Be Safe. Be Engaged.

Be Kind

Treat others with respect using appropriate language and tone.
Avoid name-calling, teasing, bullying, exclusion, rude comments, or gestures.
Respect the belongings of others.

Be Safe

Follow all safety rules and remain in approved areas.
Use materials and equipment properly.
Keep hands and feet to yourself.
Avoid unsafe or physically aggressive behaviors (throwing objects, hitting, pushing, etc.).

Be Engaged

Arrive on time and prepared for class.
Follow directions the first time.
Stay focused, listen attentively, and participate actively.
Help maintain a distraction-free learning environment.

Serious Violations and Removal from the Program

Community Learning Alliance is a private tutoring service, and enrollment is a privilege rather than a right. CLA reserves the right to remove a student temporarily or permanently from tutoring services if, in the judgment of leadership, the student’s conduct disrupts instruction, interferes with the learning environment, or threatens the safety, wellbeing, or property of any student, tutor, staff member, or guest.

Serious violations must be reported to leadership within 24 hours and include, but are not limited to:

Violence or threatened harm
Destructive behavior or intentional damage to property
Sexual misconduct or other inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature in an educational setting
Theft or attempted theft of property
Bullying, harassment, or intimidation, including cyberbullying
Defiance or refusal to follow tutor or staff directions

Consequences for serious violations may include immediate safety measures, a required parent conference, a Behavioral Improvement Plan, temporary removal from class, or immediate dismissal from the program. Behavioral Improvement Plans may be used for repeated conduct concerns and include clear expectations, supports, timelines for improvement, and ongoing parent involvement in instructional support and communication.

CLA retains sole discretion to determine the appropriate response to misconduct, including immediate and permanent dismissal from the program when warranted. The tutoring program is not required to follow the suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary procedures applicable to public schools and may contact parents, guardians, law enforcement, or other appropriate authorities when circumstances require.

Academic Honesty Policy

Students are expected to do their own work and demonstrate integrity. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, copying another student’s work, or using unauthorized aids during assessments.

Any incident of academic dishonesty will result in a zero on the assignment, parent notification, and possible further disciplinary action depending on the severity and frequency.

Dress Code & Modesty Guideline

Students should dress modestly and appropriately for an active learning day.

“Touch Your Toes” Self-Check: Raise your hands high overhead, then bend to touch your toes. If any midriff, undergarments, chest, or upper leg is exposed, the clothing is not appropriate.

Shoes must be worn at all times on campus.
Clothing should allow for comfortable movement during PE, recess, and hands-on activities.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Policies

Hours: Students may be dropped off beginning at 8:15 AM and must be picked up by 3:30 PM on program days.
CLA operates as a drop-off program. Parents/guardians may leave their students on campus during operating hours.
If your child needs to leave during the day for any reason (illness, appointment, behavior, etc.), a parent or authorized guardian must pick them up within 30 minutes of being contacted.

Parents are asked to remain accessible by phone and responsive when contacted regarding their student.

Health and Safety Policy

Illness Guidelines To protect everyone’s health, please keep your child home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

Fever (100.4°F or higher)
Vomiting or diarrhea
Persistent cough or difficulty breathing
Sore throat, runny nose, or congestion (if contagious)
New unexplained rash
Any other contagious condition (flu, strep, pink eye, etc.)

Students must be symptom-free and fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) before returning to CLA.

Medication Prescription and over-the-counter medications may only be administered by a parent/guardian. If your child requires medication during the day, please arrange to administer it during drop-off, pick-up, or lunch.

Allergies & Medical Conditions Please notify the Director of any severe allergies, asthma, or other medical conditions so appropriate precautions can be taken.

Emergency Procedures CLA maintains an active safety plan including fire drills, lockdown, and evacuation procedures. In case of a serious emergency, parents will be notified as soon as it is safe to do so.

Parking and Traffic Safety

Please drive slowly and carefully when entering and exiting the campus.
Follow all directional signage and parking instructions.
Do not block driveways, fire lanes, or other vehicles.
Yield to pedestrians at all times.
For safety during drop-off and pick-up, remain in your vehicle and use the designated flow lanes unless directed otherwise by staff.

Lost and Found

All lost items will be placed in the Lost & Found bin located near the entrance. Items will be kept for two weeks. Unclaimed items will be donated. Please label your child’s belongings (backpacks, jackets, water bottles, etc.) to help prevent loss.

Guardian Requirements

Fingerprinting: Guardians who wish to volunteer or supervise students on campus must complete fingerprinting through AMR Notary & Live Scan (Shingle Springs).
Mandated Reporter Training: Adults volunteering 32+ hours per year must complete mandated reporter training.
Parents must also abide by the rules of Kindness mentioned above. Speak respectfully to CLA tutors and other parents, set a good example for students while on campus, and be respectful of the campus.

Student Technology & Phone Use

Phones and personal devices must remain in backpacks and powered off from 8:25 AM to 3:20 PM, except when specifically permitted by a tutor for educational use.

Additional Policies

Bathrooms and Privacy

Students are not allowed in stalls together.
Only assist your own child in the bathroom.

Food Communal food sharing is not permitted except during approved educational activities or special events with prior permission.

Pets Pets are not allowed on campus without prior Director approval.

CLA Homeschool Partnership Disclaimer

CLA is designed to serve as a supportive supplement to homeschooling by partnering with families to encourage academic growth, accountability, and enrichment. Students participate in tutor-supported classes alongside parent-directed instruction at home. While tutors provide instruction, guidance, support, and academic assistance in core subject areas, CLA is not intended to replace the parent’s primary role in directing and overseeing their child’s education.

Because CLA meets for less than half of a traditional school-year calendar and students attend classes for only a limited portion of their academic instruction time, families remain fully responsible for ensuring that coursework, assignments, reading, studying, testing, and continued instruction are completed on non-CLA days. Students are expected to remain actively engaged in their homeschool education throughout the week outside of class meeting times.

Parents are responsible for selecting and purchasing curriculum, overseeing assignments and at-home instruction, maintaining educational records, and issuing final grades and transcripts as needed. CLA tutors do not issue official grades, diplomas, transcripts, or academic credits.

CLA tutors do not communicate with homeschool charter schools, PSPs, umbrella schools, or HSTs on behalf of students or parents. Any required communication, documentation, work samples, attendance reporting, or compliance requirements remain the sole responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

By enrolling in CLA classes, families acknowledge that CLA functions as an academic support and enrichment program intended to complement — not replace — the parent-led homeschool education model.

Acknowledgment

By enrolling in Community Learning Alliance, parents and students agree to abide by all policies in this handbook. Failure to follow these policies may result in the loss of privileges or removal from the program.