Southside Elementary Museums Magnet Schoolsouthside.dadeschools.net/Documents/Parent Handbook... ·...
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Southside Elementary Museums Magnet School _____________________________________________________ 2014-2015 45 Southwest 13 th Street • Miami, Florida 33130 Phone 305.371.3311 • Fax 305.381.6237 http://southside.dadeschools.net/
Transcript of Southside Elementary Museums Magnet Schoolsouthside.dadeschools.net/Documents/Parent Handbook... ·...
Southside Elementary Museums Magnet School
_____________________________________________________
2014-2015
45 Southwest 13th Street • Miami, Florida 33130 Phone 305.371.3311 • Fax 305.381.6237
http://southside.dadeschools.net/
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman, Chair
Dr. Martin Karp, Vice Chair Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall
Ms. Susie V. Castillo Mr. Carlos L. Curbelo
Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman Dr. Wilbert “Tee” Holloway
Dr. Marta Pérez Ms. Raquel A. Regalado
Superintendent of Schools
Alberto M. Carvalho
Table of Contents
S E C T I O N 1
M-DCPS Vision/Mission 3
School’s Vision/Mission/Alma Mater 4
School Information 5
Feeder Pattern Schools 6
2013-2014 School Calendar 7
Important Testing Dates 9
Clubs/Field Trips/Activities 12
Parties 13
Fundraising 13
Attendance Policy 13
Pets at School 15
Arrival/Dismissal (Early/Rainy Day) 15
Comprehensive Reading Plan 16
Telephone and Messages 16
Lost and Found 16
Cafeteria (Breakfast and Lunch) 16
PayPams – paying for lunch online 17
Cafeteria Rules 18
Registration Requirements 18
Transfers and Withdrawals 19
Confidential Information 20
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) 20
Emergency Contact Card 20
Halls/Hall Passes 21
Code of Student Conduct 21
Dress Codes (Uniform Policy) 22
Cell Phones 24
Internet Use Policy 24
Health Screening 24
Immunizations 24
Insurance 24
Parent Portal 24
Grade Reporting 26
Honor Roll Qualifications 27
Homework/Home Learning 28
Make Up Assignments 28
Out of Area Transfer 29
Textbooks 29
Permanent Records 29
Procedures for Addressing Concerns 30
Transportation 31
Safety and Security 31
Transporting Students to School 32
Special Education 33
Student Services (Clinic/Counseling) 34
The Parent Academy 36
Volunteer Program 37
Academic Intervention Opportunities 37
Conferences 38
Parental Involvement 38
S E C T I O N 2
Letters/Forms 38
NCLB Letter 39
Authorization for Medication 40
Head Lice Guide 42
Model and Talent Release Form 44
Parent Permission Form – Field Trip 45
School Volunteer Registration Form 46
Non-Discrimination Policy 47
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Miami-Dade County Public Schools
VISION STATEMENT We are committed to provide educational excellence for all.
MISSION STATEMENT We provide the highest quality education so that all of our students are empowered to lead productive and fulfilling lives as lifelong learners and responsible citizens.
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VISION STATEMENT
Southside Elementary Museums Magnet School is committed to providing a culturally diverse learning environment in collaboration with museums throughout the community. A humanities-based curriculum infused with museum resources and expeditions provides hands-on, minds-on authentic learning experiences taking students beyond the walls of the classroom.
MISSION STATEMENT Southside Elementary Museums Magnet School is a unique and challenging museums-based learning
environment, which enables students to; Explore, Examine, Experiment, and Exhibit; therefore becoming self-
directed, creative, critical thinkers.
ALMA MATER With these hands,
With this heart,
With this mind,
I can do anything.
School colors: khaki, navy blue, white, and light blue
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SCHOOL INFORMATION Welcome to Southside Elementary Museums Magnet School! Southside was established as a public school in 1914 and is situated on 1.88 acres. We are a Bilingual School Organization. All students in grades Kindergarten through Fifth are taught in English and Spanish each day. We also provide English and Spanish language instruction in Pre-Kindergarten. Our mission is to help our students become bilingual and bi-literate citizens in a democratic society.
MAGNET PROGRAM The school year is divided into quarterly thematic units. Each grade level focuses upon a topic related to the theme through investigation of essential questions. Southside Elementary Museums Magnet School is a unique and challenging object-based, inquiry-learning environment, which enables students to Explore, Examine, Experiment, and Exhibit, therefore becoming self-directed, creative, critical thinkers. “Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand.” Chinese Proverb See School Board Policy 2370 for more information about the Magnet Program.
WEBSITE Southside Elementary is on the Internet. Find links to the school calendar, teacher email addresses, student resource websites, FCAT scores, and many other resources. Check out our website by logging on to: http://southside.dadeschools.net/.
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FEEDER PATTERN SCHOOLS Southside Elementary is in the Booker T. Washington Senior High School Feeder Pattern.
Elementary Schools Middle Schools Senior High & Adult Ed.
Frederick Douglass Elementary School
Eneida Hartner Elementary School
Riverside Elementary School Southside Elementary School Phillis Wheatley Elementary
School
Jose de Diego Middle School Booker T. Washington Senior
SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY
Address: 45 SW 13TH STREET
MIAMI, FL 33130 Location
Number: 5321
Phone Number:
305-371-3311
Fax Number:
305-381-6237
Web site: http://southside.dadeschools.net/
Facility Information
Year of construction: 1925
Number of Portables: 0
Number of Classrooms: 46
Student Stations: 850 Building Footage: 25035
Portable Square Footage: 0
School Profile
Grades: PK - 05
Mascot: Owl
Uniforms: Yes School Colors*:
White, Khaki, Navy Blue, & Light Blue
Voting District:
3 Regional Center:
Central Region Center
Total Enrollment:
844 Hours: 8:20 AM - 1:50 PM 8:35AM-3:05PM
Feeder Pattern: Booker T. Washington SHS
Board Member: Dr. Martin Karp, Vice chair
Principal's Message
"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."
SALVATORE SCHIAVONE, Principal
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IMPORTANT TESTING DATES The calendar will be updated periodically as additional information is obtained about the district, state, national, and international tests administered to the students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
DATE DESCRIPTION ABBREVIATION PARTICIPANTS MANDATE July 14 – 25
Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards End-of-Course Assessments Algebra 1, Biology 1, Geometry, and US History CBT*
NGSSS EOC Grades 9-12, eligible students
Federal and State
July 30 – 31 Alternative Assessment for Grade 3 Promotion
AAGTP Grade 3, retained only
State
August 18- September 5
Interim Assessment Tests: Baseline Science
IA Grades 5 and 8 State and District
August 18- September 30
Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (Work Sampling System and Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading)
FLKRS (WSS and FAIR)
Kindergarten State
August 25-November 7
Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading Assessment Period 1 (AP1)
FAIR-FS Grades K-3, all students; Grades 4-10, Levels 1 & 2; Grades 11-12, Retake**
State and District
September/ October
Preliminary ACT Test
ACT PLAN Grade 10, Optional
Nationally Offered
September 2 - 30 Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Assessment Period 1 (AP1)
VPK Prekindergarten State
September 15- 26 Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards End-of-Course Assessments Algebra 1, Biology 1, Civics, Geometry, and US History CBT*
NGSSS EOC Grades 6-12, eligible students
Federal and State
October 1 – 31 FITNESSGRAM Pretest FITNESSGRAM Grades 4-12, students enrolled in PE courses
District
October 6 – 17 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Reading and Mathematics Retake CBT*
FCAT/FCAT 2.0 RETAKE
Grades 10+, 11, 12, eligible students
State
October 6 - 24 District ELA Writing Pre-Test DWT Grades 3-11 District
October 15 Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
PSAT / NMSQT Grade 9, Optional
Nationally Offered
Grade 10 State Grade 11, Optional
Nationally Offered
October 27 – November 14
Interim Assessment Tests: Fall English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Biology 1, United States History, and Civics
IA Grades 3-12 State and District
November 12 – 13 Grade 3 Mid-Year Promotion
GTMYP Grade 3, eligible, retained students
State
December 1 – 5 Florida Competency Examination on Personal Fitness FCEPF Grades 10-12, Optional
State
December 1 – 19 Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards End-of-Course Assessments Algebra 1, Biology 1, Civics, Geometry, and US History CBT*
NGSSS EOC Grades 6-12, eligible students
Federal and State
Florida Standards Assessments English Language Arts – Writing Component Field Test CBT*
FSA Grades 4 -11, selected schools
January 5-
March 19
Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading Assessment Period 2 (AP2)
FAIR-FS Grades K-3, all students; Grades 4-10, Levels 1 & 2; Grades 11-12, Retake **
State
January 6 – February 4
Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Assessment Period 2 (AP2)
VPK Prekindergarten State
January 12 - 23 District ELA Writing Post-Test DWT Grades 3-11 District
January 20- May 8 Grade 3 Reading Student Portfolio GTRSP Grade 3 State
January 26 – February 13
Interim Assessment Tests: Winter English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Biology 1,
United States History, and Civics
IA Grades 3-12 State and District
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DATE DESCRIPTION ABBREVIATION PARTICIPANTS MANDATE January 26 – March 6
National Assessment of Educational Progress Reading, Mathematics, and Science
NAEP Grades 4, 8, 12, selected schools
Federal
February Florida’s Postsecondary Education Readiness Test PERT Grades 11, eligible students
State
March 2 – 13 Florida Standards Assessments English Language Arts – Writing Component
FSA Grade 4; and Grades 5-11 CBT*
Federal and State
March 2 – April 3 Comprehensive English Language Learning Assessment CELLA Grades K-12, all current ELLs and eligible former ELLs
Federal and State
March 2 – April 7 Florida Alternate Assessment FAA Grades 3-11*** State
March 16 – April 2 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Reading and Mathematics Retakes CBT*
FCAT/FCAT 2.0 RETAKE
Grades 10+, 11, 12, eligible students
State
Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards End-of-Course Assessments Algebra 1 Retake CBT*
NGSSS EOC RETAKE
Grades 7-12, eligible students
Federal and State
March 16 – April 10 Florida Standards Assessments English Language Arts and Mathematics
FSA Grades 3 and 4
Federal and State
March 30 – May 29 Trends in Mathematics and Science Study TIMMS Grades 4, 8, 12 Selected schools
Federal
April 1 – 30 FITNESSGRAM Posttest FITNESSGRAM Grades 4-12, students enrolled in PE courses
District
April 13 – 17
Stanford Achievement Test, Tenth Edition Reading and Mathematics
SAT-10 Grades K-2
District
April 13 – May 8 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test 2.0 Science
FCAT 2.0 Grades 5 and 8 Federal and State
Florida Standards Assessments English Language Arts CBT*
FSA
Grades 5 – 11
Mathematics CBT*
Grades 5 – 8
April 13 - May 29 Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading Assessment Period 3 (AP3)
FAIR-FS Grades K-3, all students; Grades 4-10, Levels 1 & 2; Grades 11-12, Retake**
State
April 20 – May 15
Florida Standards Assessments: End-of-Course Assessments Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 CBT*
FSA EOC Grades 6-12, eligible students
Federal and State
April 20 – May 22 Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards End-of-Course Assessments Biology 1, Civics, and US History
NGSSS EOC Grades 6-12, eligible students
Federal and State
April 21 – May 18 Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Assessment Period 3 (AP3)
VPK Prekindergarten State
April 27 – June 12 Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Examinations
AICE Grades 10 -12, enrolled, registered students only
Internationally offered
May 1 – 5 Florida Competency Examination on Personal Fitness
FCEPF Grades 10-12, Optional
State
May 4 – 15 Advanced Placement Exams
AP
Grades 8-12, enrolled, registered students only
Nationally Offered
May 4 – 26
International Baccalaureate External Written Examinations
IB Grades 11-12, enrolled, registered students only
Internationally Offered
May 5 AP SEMINAR AP Grades 10-11, Selected schools, enrolled, registered students only
Nationally Offered
May 11 – June 5 District-Designated End-of-Course
DDEOC Grades K-12 State
May 26 – June 3 Alternative Standardized Reading Assessment ASRA Grade 3, eligible students
State
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TESTS GIVEN ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS DESCRIPTION ABBREVIATION PARTICIPANTS MANDATE
Florida’s Postsecondary Education Readiness Test Dual Enrollment Placement, College Placement Testing, Post Remediation, Comparative Score for Algebra 1 EOC
PERT Grades 10 – 12 State
Aprenda La Prueba de los Logros en Español Segunda Edición Placement decision for Gifted Program, Spanish-speaking ELLs
APRENDA Grades K-12, eligible ELLs
State
The Iowa Tests (Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and Iowa Tests of Educational Development) Placement decisions for Gifted Program
ITBS/ITED Grades K-12, eligible students
Federal and State
Exit ESOL Program (six semesters or more)
Grades 2-12, eligible students Charter schools only
ACCEL Option Selected students
Miami-Dade County Oral Language Proficiency Scale Revised Placement decisions for ESOL Exit ESOL Program- Second Instrument Needed
M-DOLPS-R Grade K, eligible students
Federal and State
Online Comprehensive English Language Learning Assessment Placement decisions for ESOL Extension of services for ESOL Program
On-line CELLA Grades 1-12, eligible students
Federal and State
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS
NATIONALLY OFFERED FOR INTERESTED, REGISTERED STUDENTS
Anticipated SAT and SAT Subject Test Dates*
ACT Test Dates
October 11, 2014 March 14, 2015 (SAT Only) September 13, 2014 April 18, 2015
November 8, 2014 May 2, 2015 October 25, 2014 June 13, 2015
December 6, 2014 June 6, 2015 December 13, 2014
January 24, 2015 February 7, 2015
*SAT Sunday administrations usually occur the day after each Saturday test date for students who cannot test on Saturday due to religious observance. Notes: *Designates computer-based only, with paper-based accommodations available for eligible students with disabilities. **The following students in all schools must participate in FAIR as follows:
Grades K-3, all students; Grades 4-10, Levels 1 and 2; Grades 11-12, Retake eligible**
***Only includes ESE students exempted from standardized testing at these grade levels.
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CLUBS/LEARNING EXPEDITIONS/ACTIVITIES Clubs Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ students may participate in a wide variety of activities, including student council, subject-area clubs, honor societies, service clubs, school publications, and class activities. School-sponsored clubs may be curriculum-related or non-curriculum related.
Curriculum-related clubs are student groups whose goals are an extension of the activities and objectives in a particular subject area within the school’s curriculum. Conversely, non-curriculum related clubs are student groups whose goals are special interest oriented and not directly related to the curriculum. Meetings of non-curriculum related clubs may be scheduled only at times when instruction is not taking place, either before or after school.
Learning Expeditions (Field trips) and Special Activities Participation in learning expeditions requires that the student present a field trip form signed by the parent/guardian to his/her teachers in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to make up the work missed while on a field trip. Fees for transportation, entry to events and food must be provided by the parent. Transportation fees are not refundable.
Field trips broaden the learning experiences offered to your child. All trips will be appropriate for the students’ ages and related to subjects being studied in the classroom as prescribed in the Sunshine State Standards and aligned to the museum magnet themes. Parent permission must be given in order for a child to participate in a field trip. The teacher will send a form home giving information about a field trip well in advance of the date. There is usually a fee for each field trip to cover the cost of transportation and, depending on the destination, an admission fee. Note: As a Museums Magnet Schools, field trips are mandatory. Parents are asked to assist the teacher as chaperones on field trips. In order to participate as a chaperone, parents must be registered with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Volunteer Program. If you feel that you would be able to fulfill the requirements for a volunteer chaperone, applications are available online in the parent portal and in the school’s main office. Once the application is processed, you will be notified when your application has been accepted and a placement number issued. Parents serving in this capacity may not have other children in the family accompanying them. No minivans may be used to transport students. Students must wear their uniforms in order participate in field trips. Throughout the year, learning expeditions (field trips) will be planned that involve transporting students on school buses as well as public transportation, including the Metromover and Metrorail. Your child’s safety is of the utmost importance during these field trips. Your assistance is needed in order to ensure both the safety and educational experience for your child. Please go over the conduct rules necessary for this type of event. Working together, we can ensure that your child receives the maximum opportunity for learning. School t-shirts will be available for purchase through PTSA, for the purpose of fundraising, throughout the year.
Many of the field trips will showcase the outstanding teaching and learning that will result from the museum experiences. In addition, there will be opportunities in which your child will be part of a variety of class exhibitions. Many of these exhibits will be at Southside Elementary, the museum, and various locations throughout Miami-Dade. Very often there are members of the press and other agencies where photograph opportunities will occur. Your child’s photograph may become part of a news item or other newsworthy opportunities. Your child
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cannot be photographed without your permission. Therefore, you are asked to complete the Model and Talent Release Form, which is located at the end of this handbook. If you choose not to have your child photographed, school and museum personnel will ensure that your child will not be present when photographs are taken.
PARTIES
Two classroom parties are planned for each class during the school year. The teacher and the room parents will plan these parties. All interested parents are invited to assist. Arrangements for these parties will be in keeping with school policies. Birthday parties or sharing of treats for the purpose of celebrating a birthday will not be allowed. Also, students must earn the right to attend special activities or receive treats by demonstrating good behavior in school.
FUNDRAISING – SCHOOL BOARD RULE Sale of magazines shall be permitted by students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 only. Solicitations shall be permitted in homes only if a student is accompanied by an adult. There is no soliciting in offices or businesses of any kind. The fund raising activities in each school shall be limited to two weeks. Promotional activities shall be kept within reasonable bounds and competition among schools, and among students in individual schools, shall not be unduly stimulated.
ATTENDANCE POLICY Student attendance is a means of improving student performance and critical in raising student achievement. Together, the staff of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, students, parents and the community must make every effort to lessen the loss of instructional time to students. Students must be in school a minimum of 2 hours to be considered present. In order to accomplish this goal, on April 18, 2007, the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida approved a new Student Attendance Board Rule.
The Attendance Review Committee The Attendance Review Committee is comprised of a minimum of a student services representative and an administrator or administrative designee and will provide guidance and support to students with significant absences. They are expected to:
1. Provide early intervention by convening when students reach an accumulation of five (5) unexcused absences in a semester or ten (10) unexcused absences in an annual course.
2. Convene a minimum of six (6) designated times per year.
3. Give consideration to all extenuating circumstances surrounding student absences. The Attendance Review Committee is charged with the responsibility of prescribing activities designed to mitigate the loss of instructional time and has the authority to recommend the following:
a. Issuing of quarterly, semester, or final grades. b. Temporary withholding of quarterly, semester, or final grades. The following are among possible options:
i. Make-up assignments
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ii. Attendance probation for the following grading period(s) iii. Completion of a school service project
c. Permanent withholding of quarterly, semester, or final grades and credit. The student is to be informed of his/her right of final appeal to the regional superintendent or designee.
4. Review attendance history for students exhibiting patterns of excused and/or unexcused absences and provide
appropriate referrals and counseling support.
Excused School and Class Absences and Tardies 1. Student illness: Students missing 3 or more consecutive days of school due to illness or injury are required to
provide a written statement from a health care provider. The written statement must include all days the student has been absent from school. If a student is continually sick and repeatedly absent from school due to a specific medical condition, he or she must be under the supervision of a health care provider in order to receive excused absences from school.
2. Medical appointment: If a student is absent from school due to a medical appointment, a written statement from a health care provider indicating the date and time of the appointment must be submitted to the principal.
3. Death in family
4. Observance of a religious holiday or service when it is mandated for all members of a faith that such a holiday or service is observed.
5. School-sponsored event or educational enrichment activity that is not a school-sponsored event, as determined and approved by the principal or principal’s designee: The student must receive advance written permission from the principal or the principal’s designee. Examples of special events include: public functions, conferences, and regional, state and national competitions.
6. Subpoena by law enforcement agency or mandatory court appearance.
7. Outdoor suspensions
8. Other individual student absences beyond the control of the parent/guardian or student, as determined and approved by the principal or the principal’s designee. The principal shall require documentation related to the condition.
Unexcused School Absences Any absence that does not fall into one of the above excused absence categories is to be considered unexcused. Any student who has been absent from school will be marked with an unexcused absence until he/she submits required documentation as specified above. Failure to provide required documentation within three school days upon the return to school will result in an unexcused absence. Unexcused absences include:
1. Absences due to vacations, personal services, local non-school events, programs or sporting activities.
2. Absences due to older siblings providing day care services for siblings.
3. Absences due to illness of others.
4. Absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements (unless lawfully exempted).
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PETS – BRINGING THEM TO SCHOOL Students are not allowed to bring pets on campus. According to School Board Rule 8390 – Animals on District Property. Animals are personal property and permitted in schools, on other District property, District transportation, and District sponsored events only with prior approval and where necessary to support specific curriculum-related projects and activities, school security programs, or to serve as service animals as required by law.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL School hours: 8:20 a.m. – 1:50 p.m. Prekindergarten – 1st grade 8:35 a.m. – 3:05 p.m. 2nd -5th grades daily - except Wednesdays at 1:50 p.m. The arrival time is no later than 8:10 a.m. so that your child may be seated awaiting the arrival of the teacher. Please be advised that the district provides a free breakfast program which begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 8:10 a.m.(PreK-1st grade) and 8:20 a.m.(grades 2nd-5th). If you would like your child to receive breakfast, please ensure that your child’s arrival time is within the allocated time. For daily dismissal, if you are picking up your child in a car, pull along the front of the school into the circular driveway. The teachers will escort the students to the main entrance to meet their parents at the cars. Pre-K students are dismissed on the west side of the school building. BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM Southside Elementary offers before school care from 7:00 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and after school care from 1:50 p.m. for primary grades and from 3:05 p.m. for the intermediate grades. Please contact our main office for more information.
LATE ARRIVAL/TARDIES Students who are not seated when the bell rings for their designated start time, will be considered tardy
to school and must pick up a tardy slip from the security guard to be accepted into class. Tardiness may be considered a Group II Code of Student Conduct Violation (Defiance of school personnel authority). Excessive tardies may result in loss of privileges, detention, and/or parent conference.
EARLY DISMISSAL School Board Rule The early release of students causes disruption to the academic performance of all students and
may create safety and security concerns. No students shall be released within the final 30 minutes of school unless authorized by the principal or principal’s designee (i.e., emergency,
sickness). The parent/guardian must sign the child out and the office staff will issue the child a pass. The parent, or other authorized persons who are listed on the emergency contact card, must report to the office to sign the student out. Please be advised that a photo I.D. of the person removing the student is required to sign out the student. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. No student will be dismissed early directly from the classroom. NO EARLY DISMISSAL WILL BE ALLOWED AFTER 1:20 P.M. IN GRADES PK, K, AND 1st AND 2:35 P.M., GRADES 2nd THROUGH 5th, EXCEPT IN CASES OF EXTREME EMERGENCY. RAINY DAY DISMISSAL
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The procedures to follow at dismissal time on days with heavy rain differ slightly from a regular dismissal. The main purpose of the Rainy Day Plan is to ensure the safety of all children in case of bad weather. Students who ride a bus will be dismissed first. The remaining students will be dismissed immediately after the bus riders. Parents may remain in the car pool lane behind the buses. School staff will take students to the cars. Parents may not congregate in the front of the school, so that students can exit safely. Please be advised that the school is not responsible for tickets issued by the City of Miami Police who may be enforcing traffic laws. At 2:05 for primary and 3:20 p.m. for 2nd-5th grade students still waiting to be picked up will be taken to the aftercare office. A late fee will be charged. It is your responsibility to contact the school at 305-371-3311 if an emergency arises and you are delayed in picking up your child. We urge you to plan ahead to make definite arrangements with your children so that they will know what to do if it is raining at dismissal time. You will be asked to sign a letter pertaining to school dismissal procedures and return it to school.
COMPREHENSIVE READING PLAN/COMMON CORE STANDARDS Students must read for 30 minutes at home as part of their daily homework assignment. The length of the books and the complexity of the content may be taken into account for this requirement.
TELEPHONE and MESSAGES The school telephone is to be used for emergencies and school business. Children may not use the telephone to call parents, except during an emergency. If it is necessary to give your child a message, please contact the main office and leave the message with an office member. The message will be given to the student. The following are not emergencies:
• Going home with a friend • Bringing a friend home • Rainy day procedure
LOST AND FOUND Please be sure your child’s name is on all personal possessions such as wallet, purse, lunch box, backpack, etc. Many such articles are lost and unclaimed. Lost articles will be kept in the main office or the cafeteria and can claimed after regular school hours.
CAFETERIA/BREAKFAST AND LUNCH Prices Breakfast Lunch All Students No Charge Students $2.50 Adults $2.00 Reduced Price, Students $0.40 Adults $3.00
Free Breakfast
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Breakfast is served daily from 7:30 a.m. – 8:10 a.m. Breakfast is FREE TO ALL students. The cost for breakfast for adults is $2.00. The National Breakfast Program was enacted to ensure that school children are being served a nutritious breakfast daily. The breakfast at no charge is not dependent on the student receiving free/reduced meals at lunch. Lunch All Southside Elementary students eat their lunch in the cafeteria. Students may either bring their lunch from home or buy it at school. Students who bring their lunch may purchase milk, juice, frozen juice bars, or ice cream. The weekly menus for the hot lunch program are published each Sunday in the Neighbor’s section of the Miami Herald and online at http://nutrition.dadeschools.net. Please note that a particular day’s menu may be subject to change. Free/Reduced Lunch Program The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs as administered by Miami-Dade County Public Schools provide free and reduced priced meals for children unable to pay the full price. Applications must be filled out every school year. Forms are available online, https://freeandreducedmealapp.dadeschools.net/ . Meal benefits begin on the day the application is approved and continue throughout the school year in which the application is approved, the summer, and approximately the first twenty days of the next school year.
PAYPAMS Miami-Dade County Public School’s Department of Food and Nutrition has started a program to allow parents/guardians the convenience to pay on-line via the Internet or telephone for their child’s/children’s meals with a credit or debit card. The parents/guardians will create a lunch account on-line for the child and will be able to access the following:
a. View the account balance b. Schedule automatic payments c. Receive low-balance e-mail reminders d. View a report of daily spending and cafeteria purchases
Bringing Lunch from Home If your child is bringing lunch from home, please mark your child’s lunchbox or bag with his/her name and room number. Do not send your child’s lunch in glass, plastic, or metal containers that need to be thrown away after lunch. Also, do not send food that requires reheating. The cafeteria staff is not available to assist with the microwave oven.
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CAFETERIA RULES Students should:
Respect the cafeteria monitors at all times.
Always be courteous to the cafeteria workers.
Always use acceptable table manners.
Discard the trash appropriately.
Walk to the cafeteria quietly in line with their teacher.
Wait their turn in line without pushing, skipping, screaming, or being disrespectful to their classmates or adult supervisors.
Refrain from standing up, walking around the cafeteria, or going to the restroom without permission.
Refrain from loud talking. The lunch time should be in a serene
environment. Leave their eating areas clean including the tables and floor area.
Keep food on the tray or lunchbox. Throwing or playing with food is not
allowed. Food sharing or trading is also unacceptable.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Parents entering their children in a Miami-Dade County school for the first time must complete and file the following forms at the school the child will attend:
• Certificate of Birth • State of Florida School Entry Health Exam DH-3040 • Florida Certification of Immunization DH-680 • Proof of Address (FPL bill and lease/deed) • Pupil Assignment Card • Cumulative Record Information Sheet • Tuition Exemption Application
STUDENTS CANNOT BEGIN TO ATTEND SCHOOL UNTIL ALL OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS ARE ON FILE AT THE SCHOOL.
Medical and Immunization Requirements Florida law requires that all students entering a public school for the first time have a medical examination performed by a Florida physician. After the completed physical exam, the form must be brought to school and kept on file. Unless medically exempt, the student must also have received the following immunizations:
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• DTP – 2 doses • MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) – 2 doses • Polio (oral) – 4 doses • Hepatitis B (Hbv) – 3 doses • Tuberculin Test • Varicella (chicken pox) or proof of date of illness – 2 doses
EVIDENCE OF THE REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS MUST BE PROVIDED ON THE CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION (HRS FORM 680) ****************************** PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING ************************************
1. Effective 2011-2012 school year for kindergarten entry: a fifth dose of poliovirus vaccine is required if the fourth dose was administered prior to the fourth birthday. Space for documentation of 5th IPV: FI.SHOTS already has the new 680’s with a place for the IPV. Some doctors with hard copies will have the old form which they will just write in the 5th dose when needed until all the old forms are gone and new forms are updated. Proof of completion of the 2 or 3 dose Hepatitis B vaccine series is required to enroll/attend.
2. Effective January 2011, the age of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine requirement has been extended to 59 months.
Student Health Examinations – Appendix 14A and 14B
Students enrolling in a Florida school for the first time must present proof of a physical exam done within 12 months prior to entry. A Tuberculosis Clinical Screening with appropriate follow-up, if needed, must also be done within 12 months of entry.
Students transferring from within the state or within the county are not required to be re-examined. However, all students initially entering Miami-Dade County Public Schools must present proof prior to enrollment of tuberculosis Clinical Screening and appropriate follow-up if necessary.
TRANSFERS/WITHDRAWALS If it is necessary for a child to transfer to another Miami-Dade County Public School, transfer applications must be obtained from the main office. Verification of an address change must be provided by the parents. This may be a broker’s or attorney’s statement of purchase, an executed lease/rental agreement, or a utility deposit receipt. Two forms of proof are required. If a student will be transferring to a school outside of Miami-Dade County, parents should contact the attendance clerk at Southside Elementary at least three days in advance. This provides time for the teacher to complete the student’s report card and for the office staff to complete any other additional paperwork.
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CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION Parents, guardians, and students are protected by The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Florida
Statutes from individuals’ access to information in students’ educational records, and provide the right to challenge the accuracy of these records. These laws provide that without the prior consent of the parent, guardian, or eligible student, a student’s records may not be released, except in accordance with the provisions listed in the above-cited laws. The laws provide certain exceptions to the prior consent requirement to the release of student records, which include, but are not limited to school officials with a legitimate educational interest and lawfully issued subpoenas and court orders. Each school must provide to the parents, guardians, or eligible students annual notice in writing of their rights to inspect and review student records. Once a
student reaches 18 years of age or is attending an institution of post-secondary education, the consent is required from the student only, unless the student qualifies as a dependent under the law.
PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) The Southside Elementary Museums Magnet School Parent Teacher Association works with the state and national PTAs to support and speak in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting youngsters. We support the faculty and administration in their efforts to improve educational and extracurricular activities in the school. We work to encourage parent, student, and public involvement at the school as a whole.
EMERGENCY CONTACT CARD Student Data/Emergency Contact Cards are distributed during the first month of school. Students are expected to bring the cards home and present them to their parents or guardians. The card must be carefully completed and then returned. The information you provide on the Student Data/Emergency Contact Card will enable school staff to contact you immediately in the case of an emergency involving your child. Students will not be released from school until the parents or guardians listed on the card have been contacted by school personnel. Students may not leave school unless the parents or guardians listed on the Student Data/Emergency Contact Card physically report to school and present picture identification. No persons, other than school staff will have access to the information submitted. It is of utmost importance that precise information be entered on the Student Emergency Contact Card. A record of this information is kept in the school office in case you need to be contacted. Please make sure that all telephone numbers and addresses are accurate, up to date, and clearly written. Remember to put the names and telephone numbers of persons who can be contacted in case you cannot be reached. In the event that neither the parents nor the emergency contact person can be reached, the doctor named on the registration card and/or the CITY OF MIAMI FIRE RESCUE SQUAD WILL BE CALLED IF WARRANTED BY THE CHILD’S OBSERVABLE CONDITION.
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS/TELEPHONE/EMERGENCY CONTACT If you change your address and/or phone number at home or at work, please notify the main office immediately. It is very important that we have a number where you can be reached in case of an emergency. If your child becomes ill, we need to contact you. It is also extremely important that you notify us regarding any change in place of employment, telephone numbers, or emergency contact person. This may save your child’s life!
HALLS/HALL PASSES Students should be seated in their classroom when the bell rings. With such a large number of students moving in such a limited time, it is incumbent on each person to move quickly and in an orderly normal traffic flow. Please do not push, run, or loiter in the halls. Please cooperate with the hall monitors in the exercise of their duties and present your hall pass courteously when asked to do so. At no time is a student to be out of the classroom during class without an official yellow pass. Teachers are not to give verbal permission for a student to exit the classroom.
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
The Code of Student Conduct is the District’s policy that creates a safe learning environment to ensure academic success. If this objective is to be accomplished, it is necessary that the school environment be a safe and supportive community. The “reculturing” of the school to a positive school climate supports academic achievement and promotes fairness, civility, acceptance of diversity, and mutual respect. To enhance its effectiveness, this document addresses the role of the parents, the students, and school, but also core values and model student behavior, rights and responsibilities of students, and procedures for using corrective strategies, including suspension and expulsion. The District promotes the following beliefs:
o All students are valuable and can make worthy contributions to society. o All students are responsible and accountable for their choices and decisions. o In order to grow and thrive, individuals need caring relationships and a nurturing environment. o Supportive family relationships are the foundation of the community. o High expectations lead to higher performance that empower individuals and strengthen society. o Continuous learning is a lifelong process that is essential to a productive and enriched life.
Students, parents/guardians, and school employees are encouraged to read the Code of Student Conduct and become familiar with its content. Related Board Policies may be found on the Miami-Dade Public Schools Website at http://www.neola.com/miamidade-fl .
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Student Rights and Responsibilities The rights and responsibilities presented in the Code of Student Conduct reflect the need for providing students with greater opportunities to serve themselves and society, and allow students maximum freedom under law, commensurate with the schools’ responsibility for student health, safety, and welfare.
DRESS CODES – SCHOOL BOARD RULE Students are expected to come to school with attention given to personal cleanliness, grooming, and
neatness of dress. Students whose personal attire or grooming distracts the attention of other students or teachers from their school shall be required to make the necessary alterations to such attire or grooming before entering the classroom or be sent home by the principal to be properly prepared for school. Students who fail to meet the minimum acceptable standards of cleanliness and neatness as determined by the principal and as specified in this rule shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures including suspension.
Students in grades prekindergarten through third grades must comply with the following elementary
school dress code:
• No metal cleats or football-style cleats on shoes. • No clogs, thongs, sandals, or other shoes without back straps. • No tap shoes. • No written messages, pictures or symbols on clothing, which portray ideas that are inimical to the health,
safety and welfare of students; messages which relate to drugs, smoking, alcohol, sex and profanity. • Shorts should be knee length. • No clothes with metal studs, ornamentation, or other objects that can scratch furniture or damage property. • No hats in the building; except those for religious purposes. • Shirts should cover the waistline and be tucked in. • No tube tops, see-through blouses without a camisole or whole slip, bareback, bare midriff, and/or
sleeveless undershirts. • Hair should be kept neat and clean and hairstyles should be appropriate for elementary school age children.
UNIFORM POLICY Uniforms are mandatory at Southside Elementary. Therefore, all students must wear their uniform daily. Uniforms should also be clean and neat. Students who do not wear their uniforms will be sent to the office and parents will be called. At such time, a letter of warning will be issued and disciplinary action will be taken if students continue coming to school without a uniform.
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Bottoms (Boys or Girls)
Bermudas - Solid Navy & Khaki
Pleated Pant - Solid Navy & Khaki
Bottoms (Girls)
Jumper - Blue Plaid
Skirt - Blue Plaid
Culottes - Blue Plaid
Skort - Blue Plaid
Tennis - Blue Plaid
Bottoms (Girls)
Jumper - Blue Plaid, Khaki or
Navy
Jumper - Blue Plaid, Khaki,
or Navy
Bermuda – Blue Plaid, Khaki, or
Navy
Embroidery Tops (Boys and Girls)
Polo-type Shirt - Light Blue or White
Southside Elementary Light Blue or White
Tops (Girls)
Broadcloth O. Blouse - Light Blue or White
Broadcloth Peter Pan – Light Blue or White
Winter (Boys and Girls)
Cardigan – Solid Navy
Satin Jacket – Solid Navy
Reversible Jacket – Solid
Navy
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CELL PHONES Possession of a cellular telephone is not a violation of the Code of Student Conduct (COSC). However, the possession of a cellular telephone which disrupts the educational process, the use of the cellular telephone during school hours, and the possession or use of a cellular telephone which disrupts or interferes with the safety-to-life issue of students being transported on a M-DCPS school bus, would be a violation of the COSC.
INTERNET USE POLICY – SCHOOL BOARD RULE Access and use of the internet is a privilege, not a right, and its use must support the educational objectives of the district. Students must always get permission from their teachers prior to using the internet. In addition, the district prohibits the transmission of materials such as copyright material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret, which violate local, state, and federal law or regulation, as well as the use of the internet for product advertisement, commercial activities, political campaigning, or solicitation.
HEALTH SCREENING Tuberculosis Clinical Screening – Each student shall have proof of a tuberculosis clinical screening and appropriate follow-up prior to initial enrollment in any grade in a Miami-Dade County Public School. This screening is to be administered at the time of the Student Health Exam and within twelve (12) months prior to initial enrollment in any grade in a Miami-Dade County Public School. If the screening indicates that a follow-up skin test is needed, a student can be admitted but only with a health provider’s statement that the student is free of communicable tuberculosis and can attend school.
IMMUNIZATIONS Requirements for school entry:
• A complete Florida Certification of Immunization – Blue Card Form DH 680 (according to grade level)
• State of Florida School Entry Health Exam – Yellow Form DH 3040 (no older than 12 months) • Tuberculosis Clinical Screening, PPD or Chest X-ray
INSURANCE The Student Health Services www.k12studentinsurance.com is designed to cover student injuries while on school premises, while engaged in supervised activities on the school premises, traveling to and from school. Participation in this program is voluntary.
PARENT PORTAL The parents of all Miami-Dade County Public Schools students, including employees, have access to the Parent Portal. In order to access the information in the portal, you must first establish a parent user account. At this time you can see and update personal information, see your child’s information – including grades, attendance, and bus route information, and have access to the Parent Resource link, which takes you to sites such as Parent Academy, Schools of Choice, etc.
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You may access electronic books for each subject as well as free and reduced lunch applications with balance renewal capability. Parents may access the new Choice application that will allow parents to indicate preferential school choice via the portal, and includes access to the Supplemental Educational Services (SES) component of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
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GRADE REPORTING Academic Academic grades are to reflect the student’s academic progress based on the competencies/benchmarks for the grade level/course in which the student is enrolled. The grade must not be based upon student’s effort and/or conduct.
Kindergarten Grades
Numerical Value
Verbal Interpretation Grade Point Value
E 90-100% Excellent Progress 4 G 80-89% Good Progress 3 S 70-79% Satisfactory Progress 2 M 60-69% Minimal Progress 1 U 0-59% Unsatisfactory Progress 0
1-12 Grades
Numerical Value
Verbal Interpretation Grade Point Value
A 90-100% Outstanding Progress 4 B 80-89% Above Average Progress 3 C 70-79% Average Progress 2 D 60-69% Lowest Acceptable Progress 1 F 0-59% Failure 0 I 0 Incomplete 0
Conduct Conduct grades are to be used to communicate to both students and their parents the teacher’s evaluation of a student’s behavior and citizenship development. These grades are independent of academic and effort grades. Effort Grades Effort grades are utilized to convey both to students and their parents the teacher’s evaluation of a student’s effort as related to the instructional program. These grades are independent of academic and conduct grades. In assigning an effort grade, the teacher must consider the student’s potential, study habits, and attitude. Three numerical grades are use to reflect effort in grades 1-12. Grade Point Average When calculating the grade for a semester or an annual course, the following grade point averages are to be used. A = 3.50 and above B = 2.50 – 3.49 C = 1.50 – 2.49 D = 1.00 – 1.49
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HONOR ROLL QUALIFICATIONS
Principal’s Honor Roll
Southside Honor Roll
Citizenship Honor Roll
Academic Average 4.0 3.50-3.59 Academic Grades All A’s All A’s and B’s
Effort All 1 All 1 and 2 All 1’s and 2’s Conduct Average 4.0 3.0 or higher 4.0 Conduct Grades All A’s All A’s and B’s All A’s
Interim Progress Report Interim progress reports must be sent home at any time the student is performing unsatisfactorily in academics, conduct, or effort, and are disseminated to all students at mid-grading period.
Grading Period 1 September 16-18, 2014 Grading Period 2 November 18-20, 2014 Grading Period 3 February 18-20, 2015
Grading Period 4 April 27-29, 2015 Report Cards Report Cards are issued to all students four times a year. During 2012-2013, report cards will be issued following the end of every nine weeks. Report Card Distribution:
First Grading Period 11/05/14 Second Grading Period 01/29/15 Third Grading Period 04/08/15 Fourth Grading Period 0 6 /1 7 /1 5
You are urged to discuss your child’s progress with his/her teacher. The teacher will explain the requirements upon which the grade is based and will be able to offer suggestions and recommendations that will assist you and your child. Progress reports may be sent to you at any time by the teacher.
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HOMEWORK/HOME LEARNING Regular homework provides opportunities for developmental practice, drill, the application of skills already learned, the development of independent study skills, enrichment activities, and self-discipline. Homework provides reinforcement and extension of class instruction, and it should serve as a basis for further study and preparation for future class assignments. Students will be responsible for:
• completing assigned homework as directed. • returning homework to the teacher by the designated time. • submitting homework assignment(s) which reflect(s) careful attention to detail and quality of work. • devoting a specific time to reading as part of the homework assignment.
Parents’ responsibilities include:
• providing continued interest and concern for the child’s successful performance in school, through the completion of homework.
• indicating an interest about assignments and assisting, if possible, when requested by the child but not to include performing the work for the child.
• supporting the school in regard to the student’s assigned homework. • requesting assignments for students when short term absences are involved. • assisting the school in stressing the importance and benefits of reading. • assuring that students read when specific homework assignments are not given or when assignments are
completed before the specified time period designated for homework has ended. Homework could include:
• reinforcing skills already taught. • making up work when a child has been absent. • doing new and interesting special projects. • utilizing skills learned in school, such as reading a book for enjoyment. • seeking parental help with drill, such as number facts and spelling. • viewing educational TV programs.
The amount of time spent on homework should be reasonable and should depend on the age of the child, his/her ability, and grade level. The daily homework averages are as follows:
Grade Level Frequency of Assignment Total Daily Average (All Subjects)
K – 1st Daily (5 days a week) 30 minutes
2nd – 3rd Daily (5 days a week) 45 minutes
4th – 5th Daily (5 days a week) 60 minutes
MAKE UP ASSIGNMENTS Teachers are required to provide students with make-up assignments once the absence has been excused; however, it is the responsibility of the student to request the assignments from the teacher(s).
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OUT OF AREA TRANSFER Students in the regular school program (K-12) are assigned to attend school on the basis of the actual
residence of their parent or legal guardian and the attendance area of the school as approved by the Board. A student may request an out of area transfer if the student resides with a parent or legal guardian, and a change of residence occurs. The Regional Superintendent (or designated regional
director) may administratively assign or approve the reassignment or transfer of students when the Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) capacity of the receiving school is below 110 percent in the 2009-2010 school year; below 105 percent in the 2010-2011 school year; below 100 percent in the 2011-2012 school year; and below 100 percent thereafter.
In the event a student with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) requests to attend a school other than the school in which the student is enrolled, he/she must meet with the Regional Center special education personnel to ensure that the programmatic needs of the student can be met at the requested school.
TEXTBOOKS All textbooks, supplementary, and library books needed by your child for school and most homework, are furnished by the school. Your help in teaching the students to take good care of their books and other materials is needed. Charges are made for lost and/or damaged books and equipment. Report cards/assessment data will not be released if students have not fulfilled this responsibility. Additionally, at the beginning of the school year, teachers will send home a list of materials that your child will need for school.
PERMANENT RECORDS Miami-Dade County Public Schools maintains the records of students in PK-12 and adult/vocational students enrolled in high school completion programs or vocational programs of 450 hours or more. Permanent records consist of the following student information:
• pupil’s or student’s full legal name • authenticated birth date, place of birth, race, and sex • last known address of pupil or student • names of pupil’s or student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) • name and location of last school attended • number of days present and absent, date enrolled, date withdrawn
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PROCEDURES FOR ADDRESSING CONCERNS For issues involving an individual teacher or class, parents address their concerns to the following individuals in the order below.
Teacher
Mrs. Espinosa, Counselor 305.371.3311 x117
Ms. Bravo, Assistant Principal 305.371.3311 x2118
[email protected] / [email protected]
Mr. Schiavone, Principal 305.371.3311 x2109
Central Regional Center 305.499.5050
District 305.995.1000
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TRANSPORTATION Students will be assigned a bus if the distance between the home and the school exceeds two miles, or if the distance between the home and the nearest bus stop exceeds 1½ miles. Students who do not meet these requirements are not eligible for transportation services. Special provisions are made for Special Education students. Students must follow bus rules for the safety of all parties. Those who do not follow the bus rules may loss their bus privileges permanently.
SAFETY and SECURITY The Emergency Operations Plan Student and employee safety is a primary concern of the Miami-Dade County Public School (M-DCPS) System. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was created to provide school personnel with the necessary leadership skills and knowledge needed to respond to critical incidents or other related emergencies that may occur in our schools/community. All schools have a site specific plan to address all types of critical incidents. These plans address the individual needs of the school, and provide guidelines for devising methods for communicating with the staff, students, parents/guardians, and the media during a critical incident or an emergency. Some of the protective action procedures include the evacuation of students/staff from the building(s), evacuation of the disabled and if necessary the relocation of students/staff from the school campus, lockdown procedures and holding/dismissing students during school and community emergencies. Some important tips for parent/guardians to remember during a Critical Incident are as follows:
• Remain calm; • Monitor media outlets for updates and official messages from M-DCPS; • Do not flood the school with telephone calls; and • If the school is on lockdown, wait until the lockdown is lifted before going to the school.
All school administrators, Regional Center Superintendents/Directors and all M-DCPS Police officers have been adequately trained in the school EOP and are prepared to respond immediately during a critical incident or emergency to provide safety for all children. Accident Reports Any student who witnesses an accident or is injured in school should report it immediately to the nearest staff member. Code Red In the event of an emergency, the primary responsibility of all school personnel is to provide for the safety of all students. In the event of an announcement of a “Code Red” by a school administrator, students, faculty, and staff will comply with all the procedures outlined in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Critical Incident Response Plan and remain on Lock Down until a school administrator makes an “All Clear” announcement. Closing of School The emergency closing of a school for any cause, such as weather or in which the safety of individuals may be endangered, may be at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools.
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Fire Drills Ten fire drills will take place according to the Miami-Dade County Public School Policy and Emergency Procedures. At the sound of the emergency bell, students must stop what they are doing and follow the teacher’s instructions. Promptly clear the building by the prescribed route. Any student who is in the hallway or the restroom at the sound of the emergency bell must proceed to the nearest exit and locate the teacher. Students, teachers, and staff must remain outside the building until permission is given to re-enter.
TRANSPORTING STUDENTS TO SCHOOL Parents and drivers of cars who are delivering children or picking up children from school must observe the following safety rules:
1. Obey all signs, which are on corners near the school, as well as all other traffic signs. 2. Do not park in, or use, the driveway behind the cafetorium to let students out of the car. This is a
parking lot that is reserved for cafeteria deliveries. Additionally, it is an extremely dangerous area. Traffic on SW 13th Street will not stop and you may cause an accident or get a child hurt or killed.
3. If you are dropping off your child in a car, pull along the front of the school into the circular drive. The teachers will escort the students out of the car.
4. Private school buses must pull along the front of the school. During rainy weather, buses will be allowed to park at the front of the building within the cones. This information is provided so you can understand the traffic patterns of the buses.
5. All students will be dismissed from the front entrance of the building. Teachers will escort all students out of the building to the car pool lane.
6. Do not park on, or within twenty feet of, a crosswalk. 7. Avoid parking in front of the school. IT IS A TRAFFIC VIOLATION AND YOU WILL GET
A TICKET. Never leave your car unattended when picking-up your children and under no circumstances leave children unattended inside the car while picking up siblings.
8. Please note that there is a strictly enforced 15 MPH speed limit in the school zone. Please observe signs around the school for hours of enforcement.
Students Who Walk to and from School If students are to walk to and/or from school alone, the parent or guardian must bring a letter to the main office authorizing the child to do so. Parents should review, with their children, the following basic safety rules.
• Always walk on the sidewalk. • Walk with at least one other student. • Do not accept rides from strangers. • Cross streets at the corner and not in the middle of the block. • Use the cross lights at the intersections. • Know the safest and most direct route from home to school.
Students Who Ride Bicycles to School
Elementary school children are not allowed to ride motorized bikes or vehicles of any kind to school or on the school grounds. If your child plans to ride his/her bike to school every day, or occasionally, please see that the bike is in good working order. Check the brakes, gears, chain, and tires. Make certain the child can safely handle the bike. The following rules and policies are taught to the students and are enforced by the school. Please review them with your child.
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• ONLY students in grades 3-5 may ride their bikes to school. • There should only be ONE rider per bike. • Bikes must be ridden in the street as far to the right as possible. Florida law requires bikes to ride with
the traffic and not against it. • Bikes must be chained to the bicycle racks located by the playground.
Visitors
Due to legal regulations, students are not permitted to have guests attend school with them at any time. Visitors must first register at the main entrance, sign in, and produce photo identification, and then proceed to register in the main office. Anyone who fails to follow these procedures
will be considered a trespasser and is subject to arrest. Please note: Pets are not permitted to be on the school grounds at any time. The only exception is for individuals who require the assistance of a seeing-eye dog.
SPECIAL EDUCATION The School Board of Miami-Dade County ensures that all students suspected of having a disability are identified, evaluated, and provided appropriate specially designed instruction and related services when it is determined that the student meets the state’s eligibility criteria and the parent consents to initial placement. Prior to referral for evaluation, the student must have participated in the school’s Progress Monitoring Plan (PMP) program and have been referred to the school’s intervention team, known as the Response to Intervention Team (RtI), the Student Support Team (SST), or the Student Development Team (SDT). Students with disabilities who are eligible and require special education will have an individual educational plan (IEP). The IEP describes the student’s strengths and weaknesses and documents the services and supports the student needs in order to access a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). The IEP is a working plan that must be developed by the IEP team at least once every 12 months and reviewed, when appropriate, to revise and address any lack of expected progress toward annual goals, or to consider any new information that has been provided through re-evaluated or by the parent. Parent involvement in the special education process is very important. Parents will be asked to participate in the IEP process each year and to consider the need for their child’s re-evaluation at least once every three years. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that parents of a child with a disability have certain procedural safeguards. The Summary of Procedural Safeguards for Parents of Students with Disabilities documents all the information about the rights of parents. This notice of procedural safeguards is made available to the parent, at a minimum, upon initial referral; or the parent’s request for evaluation; upon the school district’s refusal to conduct an initial evaluation that the parent has requested; upon each notification of an IEP meeting; upon consent for re-evaluation; upon the school district’s receipt of a request for due process hearing; and any other time the parent may request to receive a copy. Other rights that are presented in the procedural safeguard document include, but are not limited to, the right of prior written notice; informed consent; participation in meetings; records; independent educational evaluation;
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mediation; state complaint; local education agency complaint; due process hearings; resolution meetings; due process; attorney fees; discipline; and private school placement. As the parent of a child with disabilities, you are a very important member of the team that plans your child’s education. Be informed and get involved. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school. Staff from the special education department and your child’s student service provider will help to answer your questions.
STUDENT SERVICES Clinic Southside Elementary does not have a nurse or full functional clinic. Children should not be sent to school if they are showing any signs of illness, especially fever, sore throat, rash, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and/or upset stomach. Sending a sick child to school is not fair to the child or to the other students and staff at the school. If a child becomes ill during the school day, the parents will be called to take the child home. Children with communicable diseases are required to stay at home. Chicken pox, impetigo, measles, mumps, pink eye, and pediculosis (head lice) are all examples of communicable diseases. Please inform the school office and the child’s teacher immediately concerning any health information or any chronic illness that should be known by those treating your child in an emergency. Very limited facilities in the school clinic make it impossible to keep sick children in the clinic for long periods of time. Medications Students are not permitted to bring medications of any kind to school. In cases where a student must take a
prescription medication during school hours, parents must make specific arrangements with the school office. Only qualified school office personnel are allowed to administer prescribed medications and only upon receipt of written instructions from the child’s physician. Please refer to the Authorization for Medication form attached to this manual.
Injuries If a student is injured during the school day, the following procedures will be followed:
1. If the injury is minor, the teacher will send the student to the office. 2. The teacher will notify the office if the child cannot be moved. 3. The principal, assistant principal, physical education staff, or office personnel will administer basic
first aid. 4. The parent will be called and the injury described. 5. The Fire Rescue Squad will be called for serious injuries that require the type of care that school
personnel cannot offer. 6. An accident report will be completed and filed for every incident.
Head Lice Unfortunately, head lice are found from time to time on school children. It is recommended that parents periodically check their children’s hair for signs of lice, especially if the child complains that his/her scalp is itchy or a sibling or close playmate has had lice. Your child’s physician can recommend special shampoos for killing the lice. While the children are at school, they will be checked periodically for lice. A student will be sent home if school personnel suspect he/she has head lice. The student cannot return to school until a note, signed by a physician or health clinic personnel, is presented stating that treatment has been undertaken. To prevent an outbreak of head
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lice, parents should be sure that their children’s hair is kept clean. Also, children should be discouraged from using another child’s comb, brush, hat, hair ribbons, or barrettes.
Health Screening Services The Florida Education Program stresses early identification of children at risk through a program of screening all kindergarten students and new entries in first and second grades. These children will receive the following screening services: vision screening, hearing test, height and weight check, and general health appraisal. The School Health Services Act of 1974 mandates vision testing in first and second
grades. Health appraisal and screening services such as vision hearing, height and weight, nutrition, and behavioral observations shall be provided in all grade levels in accordance with priorities reflected in the local county health plan and subject to availability of staff and funds.
It should be understood that such screening does not substitute for a thorough examination in a doctor’s office but are simple tests that can be given with ease to large numbers of apparently healthy children. It is requested that you provide the school with written notification if you do not want your child to participate in the screening program. Counselor Request The elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for children to become self-assured, healthy and capable learners. Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and personal/social needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and to promote academic achievement. The knowledge, attitudes and skills that students acquire in the areas of academic, career and personal/social development during these elementary years serve as the foundation for future success. Through a comprehensive school counseling program, the school counselor will work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community, to create a compassionate environment and atmosphere. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can help children to move toward academic, social, and personal success. Some of the services available are:
• Individual and small-group counseling • Individual/family/school crisis intervention • Conflict resolution • Consultation/collaboration with parents and teachers • Referrals to community counseling
School Psychologist Students who may have special learning and behavior needs are referred, by their teacher, to a School Support Team (SST). The SST is composed of school personnel who meet to discuss the student’s performance and make recommendations for changes in the child’s educational program, if necessary. Parents are contacted, made aware of the specific concern, and invited to meet with the SST. During this meeting Response to Intervention Tier II strategies will be developed and put into place. Monitoring of these strategies and student progress will take place periodically. If student progress is not made, the student will enter Tier III of interventions. Following monitoring of Tier III interventions, the RtI Team may request psychological testing to determine if there is a need for special placement in a program for exceptional children. This testing is done by the school psychologist and parent permission is required.
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School Social Worker The responsibilities of the school social workers assigned to full-service schools settings may include:
• development and networking of on-site integrated services to support learners and their families. • provision of case-management services. • crisis intervention. • brief mental health and family counseling. • consultation. • direct services (individual and group therapy) as needed.
In addition, school social workers in these settings may provide classroom presentations to both faculty and students. Speech Therapy Speech and language impairments are defined as disorders of language, articulation, fluency, or voice which interfere with communication, pre-academic, academic learning, vocational training, or social adjustment. An impairment in the language system is an abnormal processing of form, including phonology, syntax, and morphology; content including semantic or function including pragmatics. An impairment in articulation is substitutions, distortions, or omissions of speech sounds which are of a non-maturational nature. An impairment in fluency is abnormal flow of speech which impairs rate and rhythm and may be accompanied by struggle behavior. An impairment of voice is absence or abnormal production of voice quality, pitch, loudness, resonance, and duration.
The Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Speech and Language Impaired Programs have a professional staff of speech-language pathologists that are skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders, which include articulation, fluency, language delays or deficits and voice. Every effort is made to identify eligible students, ages 3 to 22, who are communicatively challenged to ensure that they receive educationally relevant and appropriate intervention.
THE PARENT ACADEMY Launched in August of 2005 as an initiative of Superintendent Rudolph F. Crew, Ed.D., and the School Board, The Parent Academy is a free, year-round, parent engagement and skill building program of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS). Our goals are to educate parents about the importance of their role, strengthen the family unit; unite families and schools and inform parents of their rights, responsibilities, and the educational opportunities available to their children and to them personally.
In addition, the Parent Academy provides classes and workshops for parents, organizes Family Learning Events, coordinates the availability of M-DCPS and community resources for parents and students, and provides professional staff development for school personnel on how to create parent-friendly schools. Within this framework, The Parent Academy offers classes and workshops developed around the nine subject area strands listed below:
• Help Your Child Learn (Example, PASSport to Success – 8 module series) • Parenting Skills (Example: Positive Discipline) • Early Childhood (Example: Developing Early Literacy Skills) • Arts & Culture (Example: Enrich Your Child through Arts and Culture in Miami) • Languages (Example: American Sign Language for Families) • Computer Technology (Example: Parent Portal)
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• Health and Wellness (Example: Preventing Substance Abuse) • Financial Skills (Example: Financing Your Child’s College Education) • Personal Growth (Example: GED Preparation – offered through Adult Education)
The Parent Academy “campus” is spread throughout every corner of this community, and offers free classes and workshops at over 201 local sites such as public schools, libraries, parks, colleges, private businesses, and neighborhood centers. Monthly calendars are posted in the Course Directory section on The Parent Academy’s Web site at www.theparentacademy.net. The Parent Academy staff members are available to provide parents, students, and school sites with guidance and assistance in scheduling workshops. Staff may be reached at 305-995-2680.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM The School Volunteer Program is responsible for electronic registration, background checks, and trainings of volunteers. There are two different levels of volunteerism.
Level 1 – complete a database background check
Level 2 – complete a fingerprint background check
• Day chaperones for field trips • Classroom assistants • Math and/or reading tutors
• Certified Volunteers • Mentors • Listeners/Oyentes • Athletic/PE assistants • Overnight chaperones
Any individual interested in volunteering in Miami-Dade County Public Schools must:
• complete Registration http://community.dadeschools.net/!svp/school-vol.asp or attached at the end of this manual, date and sign, and submit to a school or work location.
• show a current valid government-issued identification with picture. • show social security card (check name and number). • complete a background check. • upon clearance, attend an orientation at the school.
ACADEMIC INTERVENTION OPPORTUNITIES In an effort to provide your child with the maximum opportunities for learning, a variety of intervention programs are planned before and after school. These programs will be facilitated from 7:20-8:20 am or 3:20 to 4:20 p.m. The programs will provide intervention in both reading and mathematics. Based on the educational needs of your child, you may receive notification of your child’s eligibility for the designated program(s) that will be of the greatest benefit for success. If you receive this notification, please read the criteria for arriving early or leaving late from school. It will be the parent’s responsibility to ensure that arrangements are made for participation in the program.
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CONFERENCES Please do not attempt to confer with the teacher during arrival or dismissal of the school day, except in the case of an emergency. The teacher is responsible for the entire class at these times. It is impossible to hold a productive conference and implement the classroom program at the same time. Conferences are most meaningful when they are planned in advance. The teacher has an opportunity to consider points that may be discussed and can have available samples of the student’s work for review and discussion by the parent(s) and teacher. We sincerely request that parents not consider PTA meetings, Open House, or Exhibit Nights as conference times. It is best for discussion between parents and teachers about a child’s progress to be held in private. There is no substitution for interested parents. We appreciate your concern and are eager to work with you. We urge you to communicate with the school about your child’s progress. If you wish a conference with a teacher, send an email or a note with your child suggesting a time or call the school office at 305-371-3311 to schedule an appointment. The teacher will confirm the appointment or offer an alternative time.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT There are many ways for you as parents and guardians to get involved in the education of your child. Below are some suggestions provided by the Parent Teacher Association:
• Join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and attend monthly meetings in order to find out about upcoming activities and ways of assisting the school with its commitment to excellence.
• Volunteer – see the “Volunteer” section of this handbook • Serve on the telephone tree to notify other parents of upcoming trainings and meetings. • Attend District and South Central Regional Center Advisory Committees • Work on mailings to parents • Assist with the fundraising of the United Way drives • Serve as an Ambassador of Goodwill at South Central Regional Center for new parents and for parents who
need additional support in understanding the system • Become a classroom assistant and help the classroom teacher with individual classroom needs (must be a Level
2 volunteer) • Chaperone field trips (must be a Level 2 for one-day field trips and a Level 3 for overnight field trips)
LETTERS / FORMS • No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) Letter • Authorization for Medication • Head Lice Guide • Model and Talent Release Form • Parent Academy Registration • Parent Permission Form – Field Trip • School Volunteer Program Registration Form
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August 18, 2014 Dear Parents/Guardians: Miami-Dade County Public Schools is committed to providing information to you regarding your child’s teacher and paraprofessional qualifications in a timely manner upon request. You have the right to request the following information:
• Whether the teacher has met state licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualifications
of licensing criteria have been waived.
• The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.
• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals, and, if so, their qualifications.
You will be notified in writing if your child has been assigned or has been taught for more than four consecutive weeks by a teacher who has not met the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) highly qualified criteria. Please be assured that Miami-Dade County Public Schools is dedicated to providing the students of our county with a quality education. The information regarding the qualifications of your child’s teacher and/or the classroom paraprofessional may be obtained from the school. Sincerely, Salvatore Schiavone Principal
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Non-Discrimination Policy
The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and educational programs/activities and strives affirmatively to provide equal opportunity for all as required by: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender. Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) as amended - prohibits discrimination on the basis of age with respect to individuals who are at least 40. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 as amended - prohibits gender discrimination in payment of wages to women and men performing substantially equal work in the same establishment. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - prohibits discrimination against the disabled. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) - prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public service, public accommodations and telecommunications. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) - requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to "eligible" employees for certain family and medical reasons. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Florida Educational Equity Act (FEEA) - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, marital status, or handicap against a student or employee. Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 - secures for all individuals within the state freedom from discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) - Prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants because of genetic information. Veterans are provided re-employment rights in accordance with P.L. 93-508 (Federal Law) and Section 295.07 (Florida Statutes), which stipulate categorical preferences for employment. In Addition: School Board Policies 1362, 3362, 4362, and 5517 - Prohibit harassment and/or discrimination against students, employees, or applicants on the basis of sex, race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identification, social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy, and any other legally prohibited basis. Retaliation for engaging in a protected activity is also prohibited.
Revised : (05-12)
