Privacy Policy
Success Academy Website Privacy Policy
What information do we collect?
- We collect information from you when you register on our site, request more information, submit a donation, fill out an application to one of our schools, or fill out an application for a job at Success Academy.
- When donating or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address, mailing address, phone number or credit card information. When applying to one of our schools, we will ask you specific questions about the applicant. Success Academy also stores your information when you request more information about Success Academy Charter Schools or register for an event.
- When filling out a job application, you will be asked to enter information related to your application, such as your name, address, and job history information. Success Academy‘s Career Site also stores your information when you subscribe to job alerts, join Talent communities, or upload your resume.
- You may, however, visit our site anonymously.
What do we use your information for?
Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:
- To personalize your experience and improve our website
- To improve customer service
- To process transactions
- To send periodic emails, text messages, or mailings
- To process your online application into our lottery for admission to our schools
- To process your online job application
- To help us understand your interests and find like-minded audiences
The email, mailing address, and phone number you provide may be used to send information and updates pertaining to your donation or your application, in addition to receiving occasional organizational news.
Note: If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails or text messages, we include an unsubscribe link at the bottom of each email we send, and you may reply with STOP to any mobile message sent from us. Message and data rates may apply.
How do we protect your information?
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you submit a donation.
These security measures include: password protected directories and databases to safeguard your information and TLS (Transport Layer Security) technology to ensure that your information is fully encrypted and sent across the Internet securely and to actively protect our servers from hackers and other vulnerabilities.
We offer the use of a secure server. All supplied sensitive/credit information is transmitted via Transport Layer Security (TLS) technology and then encrypted into our Payment gateway providers database only to be accessible by those authorized with special access rights to such systems, and are required to keep the information confidential.
After a donation transaction, your private information (credit cards, social security numbers, financials, etc.) will not be stored on our servers.
Do we use cookies?
Yes. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the sites or service provider’s systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information.
We use cookies to understand and save your preferences for future visits, and we use third party services to compile aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction so that we can offer better site experiences and tools in the future.
We also use web beacons in conjunction with cookies to help us gather additional information about your visit to our website.
To learn more about the cookies we use on the Success Academy Career Site, please visit here.
Do we disclose any information to outside parties?
We do not sell your personally identifiable information. We may share information with third parties to further Success Academy Charter Schools’ purposes or mission. We work with several trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business or market research, or servicing you. These parties agree to keep all information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others rights, property, or safety. Non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.
Online Privacy Policy Only
This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website.
Your Consent
By using our site, you consent to our Privacy Policy.
Changes to our Privacy Policy
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page, and/or update the Privacy Policy modification date below.
This policy was last modified in January 2022.
Success Academy Charter Schools Data Security and Privacy Policy
Providing students with a safe and welcoming physical and virtual environment that enables learning at the highest levels is a key component of the mission of Success Academy Charter Schools – NYC (“Success Academy”). Success Academy is committed to promoting sound practices and policies that will strengthen data privacy and security at schools.
Definitions
“Eligible student” means a student eighteen years or older.
“Parent” means a parent, legal guardian, or person in parental relation to a student.
“Student” means any person attending or seeking to enroll in a Success Academy school.
“Student PII” is personally identifiable information from a student’s education record, including, but not limited to, the student’s name, the name of the student’s parent or other family members, the address of the student or student’s family, a personal identifier, such as the student’s social security number, student number, or biometric record, and other indirect identifiers, such as the student’s date of birth, place of birth, and mother’s maiden name.
“Teacher or Principal data” means personally identifiable information from the records of an educational agency relating to the annual professional performance reviews of classroom teachers or principals that is confidential and not subject to release under the provisions of Education Law Sections 3012-c and 3012-d.
How Does Success Academy Protect Student PII and Teacher and Principal Data?
Success Academy protects Student PII and Teacher or Principal Data by:
- Utilizing the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework v 1.1 (NIST Cybersecurity Framework) as the standard for its Data Privacy and Security Program.
- Not selling Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data nor using or disclosing it for any marketing or commercial purpose or facilitating its use or disclosure by any other party for any marketing or commercial purpose or permitting another party to do so.
- Taking steps to minimize its collection, processing and transmission of Student PII and Teacher or Principal Data.
- Requiring that third party contractors maintain the confidentiality of Student PII and Teacher or Principal Data in accordance with federal and state law and this Data Security and Privacy Policy.
- Ensuring that every use and disclosure of Student PII benefits Students and Success Academy (e.g., improves academic achievement, empowers Parents and Students with information, and/or advances efficient and effective school operations).
- Not including Student PII in public reports without permission by Parents. Success Academy at times may share pictures, video, and/or newsletters that celebrate the Success Academy community and Student achievements. Such media may contain Student names, images, or information pertaining to a Student’s achievement. Prior to sharing such information, Success Academy staff ensure that appropriate consent has been obtained from the Parent or Eligible Student.
- Ensuring that only authorized individuals are able to review a Student’s education records, and ensuring that this review is conducted in a confidential manner that protects the records from unauthorized access. Records may be viewed by authorized individuals in person in the Main Office of the applicable Success Academy school, or records may be delivered to authorized individuals by mail or by electronic transmission that is password protected and encrypted. School officials responsible for responding to requests for education records may only provide student education records to limited categories of individuals, including Parents and new schools of former Students, pursuant to written procedures. All other requests for education records are handled by legal counsel for Success Academy to ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) and New York Education Law § 2-d.
- Taking steps to verify the identity of Parents or Eligible Students who submit requests to inspect and review an education record, and complying with a request for access to records within a reasonable period, but not more than 45 calendar days after receipt of a request.
- Requiring consent before sending records electronically to Parents or Eligible Students who submit requests, transmitting the records in a way that complies with State and federal law and regulations, and employing safeguards associated with industry standards and best practices, such as encryption and password protection, when education records requested by a Parent or Eligible Student are electronically transmitted.
- Not reporting to the New York State Education Department (“NYSED”), except as required by law or in the case of educational enrollment data, the following student data elements: juvenile delinquency records; criminal records; medical and health records; and student biometric information.
How Do Third Party Contractors Protect Information?
Third party contractors who have access to Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data must refrain from disclosing Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data without the express written permission of Success Academy, and refrain from using Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data on the contractor’s own behalf or on behalf of anyone other than Success Academy. Success Academy works with third party contractors to establish a data security and privacy plan and a contract that:
- Outlines how the third-party contractor will implement all state, federal, and local data security and privacy contract requirements.
- Specifies the administrative, operational and technical safeguards and practices it has in place to protect Student PII and Teacher or Principal Data.
- Specifies how the third party’s officers, employees, and assigns who have access to Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data will receive training on the laws governing confidentiality of such data.
- Requires subcontractors to protect Student PII and Teacher or Principal Data according to student privacy laws and Success Academy’s Data Security and Privacy Policy.
- Specifies how the third-party contractor will identify and manage breaches and unauthorized disclosures of Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data.
- Includes a requirement to notify Success Academy of breaches and unauthorized disclosures of Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data and to pay for or promptly reimburse Success Academy for the cost of notification of such breach to Parents, Eligible Students, teachers, and/or principals.
- Describes whether, how and when data will be returned to Success Academy, transitioned to a successor contractor, or deleted or destroyed when the contract is terminated or expires.
- Includes a signed copy of the Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security.
- States the exclusive purposes for which the Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data will be used.
- States if and how a Parent, Student, Eligible Student, teacher or principal may challenge the accuracy of the Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data that is collected.
- States where the Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data will be stored and how the data will be protected.
- Addresses how the data will be protected using encryption while in motion and at rest.
Third party contractors with access to Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data are obligated by New York Education Law § 2-d to:
- Adopt technologies, safeguards and practices that align with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and maintain reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data in its custody.
- Comply with this Data Security and Privacy Policy and federal and state student privacy laws.
- Limit internal access to Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data to only those employees or subcontractors that need access to provide the contracted services.
- Not use Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data for any purpose not explicitly authorized in its contract.
- Not disclose Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data to any other party without the prior written consent of the Parent or Eligible Student: (i) except for authorized representatives such as a subcontractor or assignee to the extent they are carrying out the contract and in compliance with state and federal laws; or (ii) unless required by statute or court order and the third-party contractor provides a notice of disclosure to Success Academy no later than the time the information is disclosed, unless providing notice of disclosure is expressly prohibited by the statute or court order.
- Use encryption to protect Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data in its custody while in motion or at rest.
- Not sell Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data nor use or disclose it for any marketing or commercial purpose or facilitate its use or disclosure by any other party for any marketing or commercial purpose or permit another party to do so.
Training for Employees
Success Academy will annually provide data privacy and security awareness training to their officers and employees with access to Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data. Such training shall include but not be limited to training on the state and federal laws that protect Student PII and Teacher or Principal Data, and how employees can comply with such laws.
Data Protection Officer
Success Academy shall designate a Data Protection Officer to be responsible for the implementation of the policies and procedures required in Education Law § 2-d and to serve as the point of contact for data security and privacy for the educational agency. Success Academy’s Data Protection Officer shall have the appropriate knowledge, training and experience to administer the functions described in Education Law § 2-d and its implementing regulations. The Data Protection Officer may perform these functions in addition to other job responsibilities.
Reports and Notifications of Breach and Unauthorized Release of Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data
Success Academy shall:
- Report breaches or unauthorized releases of Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data to the NYSED Chief Privacy Officer without unreasonable delay, but no more than 10 calendar days after such discovery. “Breach” means the unauthorized acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data by or to a person not authorized to acquire, access, use, or receive the Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data.
- Notify affected Parents, Eligible Students, teachers and/or principals in the most expedient way possible and without unreasonable delay, but no more than 60 days after the discovery or receipt of a report of a breach by a third party contractor. Notification may be delayed if it would interfere with an ongoing investigation by law enforcement or would disclose an unfixed security vulnerability, and Success Academy shall send notification within 7 days after the security vulnerability is fixed or the risk of interference with the law enforcement investigation ends.
Notifications required by this section shall:
- Be clear, concise, and use language that is plain and easy to understand.
- Include a brief description of the breach or unauthorized release, the dates of the incident and the date of discovery, if known, a description of the types of Student PII or Teacher or Principal Data affected, an estimate of the number of records affected, a brief description of the educational agency’s investigation or plan to investigate, and contact information for representatives who can assist Parents or Eligible Students that have additional questions.
- Be sent to affected Parents, Eligible Students, teachers or principals by email, telephone, or first-class mail to the last known address.
Parents’ Rights Under FERPA and Education Law § 2-d
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), Parents and Eligible Students have the rights set forth in Success Academy‘s FERPA Notice.
Under New York state’s education law, Parents have rights regarding the privacy and security of their child’s Student PII, as set forth in the Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security at https://staging.successacademies.org/privacy-policy/.
Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and Security
Both state and federal laws protect the confidentiality of information about your child that identifies him or her. Such information is known as “personally identifiable information.” Under New York state’s education law, if you are a parent or legal guardian of a child currently or previously enrolled in a Success Academy school, you have the following rights regarding the privacy and security of your child’s personally identifiable information and data:
- Your child’s personally identifiable information cannot be sold or released for any commercial purposes.
- If your child is under age 18, you have the right to inspect and review the complete contents of your child’s education records.
- Safeguards must be in place to protect your child’s personally identifiable data when it is stored or transferred. These safeguards must meet industry standards and best practices. Examples of such safeguards include encryption, firewalls, and password protection.
- You have the right to make complaints about possible breaches of student data and to have such complaints addressed.
Complaints to Success Academy Charter Schools should be directed in writing to:
Data Protection Officer
Success Academy Charter Schools
95 Pine Street, Floor 6
New York, NY 10005
Success Academy will respond to complaints pursuant to these procedures. Complaints may also be submitted to NYSED at www.nysed.gov/data-privacy-security; by mail to: Chief Privacy Officer, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234; by email to [email protected]; or by telephone at 518-474-0937.
You can find a complete list of the types of student data elements collected by NYSED at www.nysed.gov/data-privacy-security, and by writing to: Chief Privacy Officer, New York State Education Department, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234.
Signed by: Data Protection Officer, Success Academy Charter Schools
Appendix
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTORS
In the course of complying with its obligations under the law and providing educational services, Success Academy has entered into agreements with certain third-party contractors. Each contract that Success Academy enters into with a third party contractor where the contractor receives personally identifiable information from student educational records or certain teacher or principal data will include the following information:
(1) the exclusive purposes for which the student data or teacher or principal data will be used;
(2) how the third party contractor will ensure that the subcontractors, persons or entities that the third party contractor will share the student data or teacher or principal data with, if any, will abide by data protection and security requirements;
(3) when the agreement expires and what happens to the student data or teacher or principal data upon expiration of the agreement;
(4) if and how a parent, student, eligible student, teacher or principal may challenge the accuracy of the student data or teacher or principal data that is collected; and
(5) where the student data or teacher or principal data will be stored (described in such a manner as to protect data security), and the security protections taken to ensure such data will be protected, including whether such data will be encrypted.
Supplemental information regarding third-party contractors can be found here.
Notices
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
District Wide Safety Plan
District Wide Safety Plan: Notice of Public Comment Period
Success Academy’s District Wide Safety Plan and Emergency Remote Instruction Plan are open for public comment until October 24, 2024. The proposed plans for the 2024-2025 school year are below.
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:
- The principal/designee must be notified of the situation and must attempt to reach the parent.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- If a suspicious package is observed, DO NOT TOUCH.
- Notification to Principal or his/her designee, Regional Superintendent, LIS, RSA and the NYPD SSA.
- PA system or Fire Drill Bell Notification, to staff alerting them of the situation.
- Decision to evacuate to be made by Principal in consultation with NYPD SSD.
- Notify the Emergency Information Center (718) 935-3210.
- No transmissions to 911 via radio (Walkie Talkie) or Cell/Mobile Telephone. All notifications must be made by regular landlines.
- Identify location, number and extent of any injuries. If possible, retrieve the pedigree of victims with home contact numbers and make notification as necessary.
- 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.
- Floor Wardens, per the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan, should be appointed to each floor to assist in the evacuation.
- SSAs will secure the area affected.
- No one is to re-enter the building/affected area without authorization from the appropriate agency.
- 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:
- 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.
- All teachers will lock their classroom doors and will not issue any passes.
- The Principal, along with the Assigned Safety Agent, will conduct a building sweep to locate the intruder.
- 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:
- Notification to Principal or his/her designee, RSA, and NYPD SSA.
- Follow the “Intruder Procedure” as outlined in the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.
- Decision to evacuate is made by the Principal in consultation with NYPD SSA.
- 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.
- Evacuate the premises following Egress Route(s) outlined in the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.
- Floor Plans are to be readily available in the Principal’s Office, Library, Custodians Office, Security Office and Neighboring Schools.
- Identify means of communication with Perpetrator(s) via telephone, PAS Phone or PA system.
- 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.
- Identify location, number and extent of any injuries. If possible, retrieve the pedigree of victims with home contact numbers and make notifications as necessary.
- SSA/Principal will notify respective Supervisors and arriving agencies, with pertinent and vital information.
- 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:
- Check the Emergency Contact card to ensure that only the legal guardian is taking the student out of the building.
- Notification to Principal or his/her designee, RSA, and NYPD SSA.
- Make parental/guardian contact to ensure that the student is not with relatives or friends.
- Follow the “Intruder Procedure” as outlined in the Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.
- Check attendance information for the student who is reported kidnapped.
- Notify the Emergency Center (718) 935-3210.
- SSA/Principal will notify respective Supervisors and arriving agencies, with pertinent and vital information.
- 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:
- Coordination of the communication between school staff, law enforcement, and other first responders;
- 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;
- Ensuring staff understanding of the district-wide school safety plan;
- Ensuring the completion and yearly update of building-level emergency response plans for each school building;
- Assisting in the selection of security-related technology and development of procedures for the use of such technology;
- Coordinating appropriate safety, security, and emergency training for district and school staff, including required training in the emergency response plan;
- Ensuring the conduct of required evacuation and lock-down drills in all district buildings as required by Education Law section 807; and
- 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.
Drills will be conducted in a trauma-informed, developmentally and age-appropriate manner, and will not include props, actors, simulations, or other tactics intended to mimic a school shooting, incident of violence, or other emergency. Students and staff will be informed when a school is conducting a safety drill.
The drills shall occur after annual training in emergency procedures has been provided to students and staff and shall be completed on different days of the week at different times of the school day. Parents or persons in parental relations shall be given advance notice of each drill within one week before each drill.
An emergency dismissal drill shall be conducted to test emergency response procedures that require early dismissal. Parents or persons in parental relations shall be notified at least one week prior to the emergency dismissal drill.
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):
- Success Academy Charter School — Harlem 1
- Success Academy Charter School — Harlem 2
- Success Academy Charter School — Harlem 3
- Success Academy Charter School — Harlem 4
- Success Academy Charter School — Harlem 5
- Success Academy Charter School — Bronx 1
- Success Academy Charter School — Bronx 2
- Success Academy Charter School — Upper West
- Success Academy Charter School — Bed Stuy 1
- Success Academy Charter School — Bed Stuy 2
- Success Academy Charter School — Cobble Hill
- Success Academy Charter School — Williamsburg
- Success Academy Charter School — Fort Greene
- Success Academy Charter School — Prospect Heights
- Success Academy Charter School — Crown Heights
- Success Academy Charter School — Union Square
- Success Academy Charter School — Hell’s Kitchen
- Success Academy Charter School — Bronx 3
- Success Academy Charter School — Washington Heights
- Success Academy Charter School — Bronx 4
- Success Academy Charter School — Bensonhurst
- Success Academy Charter School — Bergen Beach
- Success Academy Charter School — Rosedale
- Success Academy Charter School — Springfield Gardens
- Success Academy Charter School — Far Rockaway
- Success Academy Charter School — Flatbush
- Success Academy Charter School — Bed Stuy 3
- Success Academy Charter School — Bushwick
- Success Academy Charter School — South Jamaica
- Success Academy Charter School — Hudson Yards
- Success Academy Charter School — Harlem 6
- Success Academy Charter School — Bronx 5 Lower
- Success Academy Charter School — Bronx 5 Upper
- Success Academy NYC– 5
- Success Academy NYC– 6
- Success Academy NYC– 7
- Success Academy NYC– 12
- Success Academy NYC– 14
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.
FOIL
Audited Financial Statements
Audited Financial Reports for 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-
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.