CORAL GABLES PREPARATORY ACADEMYgablese.dadeschools.net/pdfs/sthandbook.pdf · 1 CORAL GABLES...

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CORAL GABLES PREPARATORY ACADEMY

SCHOOL HOURS Pre – K – 1st : 8:20 am to 1:50 pm

2nd – 8th : 8:35 am to 3:05 pm *Wednesday dismissal is at 1:50 pm FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS

http://www.gablesprep.dadeschools.net

AFTER SCHOOL HOURS: 1:50 pm – 6:00 pm

PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK 2017 – 2018

LOWER ACADEMY 105 Minorca Ave.

Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 448 – 1731

UPPER ACADEMY 39 Zamora Ave.

Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 460 - 3030

@gablesprep

@gablesprep

http://www.gablesprep.dadeschools.net/

MIAMI – DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

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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

Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman

Dr. Steve Gallon III

Ms. Lubby Navarro

Dr. Marta Pérez

Ms. Mari Tere Rojas

Bryce Febres, Student Advisor

Mr. Alberto M. Carvalho

Superintendent of Schools

Mrs. Valtena G. Brown Deputy Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer, School Operations


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Vision Statement

We provide a world class education for every student.

Mission Statement

To be the preeminent provider of the highest quality education that empowers all students

to be productive lifelong learners and responsible global citizens.

Values

Excellence - We pursue the highest standards in academic achievement and organizational performance.

Equity - We foster an environment that serves all students and aspires to eliminate the achievement gap.

Student Focus - We foster an environment that serves all students and aspires to eliminate the achievement gap.

Innovation - We encourage creativity and adaptability to new ideas and methods that will support and improve student learning.

Accountability - We accept responsibility for our successes and challenges and seek to transparently share our work in an ethical manner, as we strive towards continuous improvement.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL

SCHOOL’S VISION

SCHOOL’S MISSION STATEMENT

SCHOOL HISTORY FACULTY ROSTER FEEDER PATTERN SCHOOLS CODE OF HONOR SCHOOL INFORMATION

Bell Schedule

Morning Drop – off

Afternoon Dismissal

Late Arrival

Early Sign Out

Attendance Policy

Absences

Tardies

Withdrawals CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT PROTOCAL FOR ADRESSING CONCERNS HEALTH

Florida Kid Care

Health Screening Services

Illness or Accident

Immunization Requirements

Student Accident Insurance

Medication

Emergency Contact

TRANSGENDER

PARENT PORTAL

FIELDTRIPS


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MEALTIME ENVIROMENT

Cafeteria Behavior

Forgotten or Lost Lunch

Free/Reduced Price Lunches

Lunch from Home

Payment

PAYPAMS

Prices

HOME AND SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

MANDITORY UNIFORM POLICY

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

EESAC

PTSA

Visitors

Volunteer Programs

PERSONAL PREPARATION AND MATERIALS

Agendas/Planners

Red Communication Folders

Protection of Property

Textbooks

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS/FORMS

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Accident Reports

Autos

Code Yellow/Code Red

Emergency Operations Plan

Parking

School Grounds

Walking SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Accelerated Reader and Star After – School Programs

Physical Education

Recess

School Class Picture Process


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STUDENT RECORDS STUDENT PROGRESSION PLAN

Grading Scale

Honor Roll Home Learning

Independent Reading

Interim Progress Reports and Report Cards

INTERNET/ELECTRONI DEVICES USE POLICY TELEPHONE

Cellular Phones

School Telephone APPENDIX A – School Calendars APPENDIX B – School Board Policies and State Statutes


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August 2017 Dear Parents, Guardians and Students, Welcome to Coral Gables Preparatory Academy. Our greatest challenge is to continue to provide your child with an outstanding educational experience. The incredible gifts and talents of all of our students, coupled with the dedication and passion of our teachers and staff, allow us to strive for excellence. Excellence is a value that is not easily achieved. It comes from a strong, urgent desire to improve the way things are done. We continue to work hard to ensure that Coral Gables Preparatory Academy is recognized as a top performing school in academics, social development, and extra-curricular activities. To realize our full potential, we need the cooperation and support of our parents. The educational experience involves all of us-teachers, students, parents, and the community. We, like you, encourage our students to “Aim High and Achieve Higher” and to develop the values necessary to participate as caring, responsible citizens in our nation’s democracy. The Parent Student Handbook has been developed in order to outline and answer some of your questions concerning the school’s policies, procedures and services. Please take time to review the information contained in this handbook and continue to use it as a reference throughout the school year. If you have any questions about the contents of this handbook, please feel free to contact me or my staff. We hope you take advantage of the countless educational opportunities provided at Coral Gables Preparatory Academy. This is your school, and I encourage you to participate in our school’s activities programs. We urge you to join the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and become a school volunteer. We look forward to an enriching and productive year. Sincerely,

Cheli Cerra Cheli Cerra Principal

Coral Gables Preparatory Academy

Principal Cheli Cerra

Assistant Principal Carlos E. Martinez

Assistant Principal Jeanette Sierra-Funcia


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Lower Academy http://gablesprep.dadeschools.net Upper Academy

105 Minorca Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134 39 Zamora Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134

(Phone) 305-448-1731 * (Fax) 305-442-2075 (Phone) 305-460-3030 * (Fax) 305-460-3031

Coral Gables Preparatory Academy

Vision Statement We are committed to provide educational excellence for all.

Mission Statement

To offer a safe, dynamic and motivational environment that is optimal for teaching and learning. To instill

good habits, compassion, and tolerance that will empower students to set high goals, reach their potential

and believe in themselves. These values will provide students with the tools to become productive and

responsible citizens that aim high and achieve higher.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

Coral Gables Preparatory Academy opened as Coral Gables Grammar School in October, 1923, with thirty-nine pupils and one teacher, Mary Feaster Jackson. Abigail Gilday was the first principal who opened the school and served as its first principal until 1945. The school was financed and built by George Merrick, founder of Coral Gables, with the understanding that the Dade County School Board would repay him $10,000 for the land and $25,000 for the school building. Upon completion of the third phase, in 1926 the school had grown to 1,000 students. Because Merrick believed that "beautiful things inspire higher ideals in the minds of children," he commissioned the nationally known architectural firm of Kiehnel & Elliott to build a school of Spanish colonial architecture. In recognition of the school's major role in the architectural and cultural history of Coral Gables, it was made a "City of Coral Gables Landmark" in 1982, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Between 1936 and 1948, Coral Gables Grammar School included grades 7 and 8. In 1970, in response to a federal court order for desegregation of the Dade County Public Schools, the school was paired with George Washington Carver Elementary and became a Kindergarten, 3-6 Center. Coral Gables Preparatory Academy (CGPA) was paired with Carver Elementary and Sunset Elementary in the District’s Controlled Choice Program which allowed students to be assigned in grades K-5 based on school boundaries, space availability, parental choice and random selection. On August 23, 2010, Coral Gables Elementary inaugurated its sixth grade class with the inception of the new middle school expansion. The school’s name was changed to Coral Gables Preparatory Academy. The middle school, referred to as the Upper Academy now houses fifth through eighth grade students. The Upper Academy campus is located at the historic Merrick Educational Center. The Upper Academy’s rich technology with interactive boards, audio enhancement and wireless platform allows for a continuum of academic rigor that has been established in the Lower Academy, formerly known as Goral Gables Elementary School. Located in the middle of a still-growing international city, Coral Gables Preparatory Academy reflects the ethnic and international flavor of the city of Coral Gables near the offices of more than 100 multinational corporations. Coral Gables Preparatory Academy serves families from all socioeconomic backgrounds,

http://gablesprep.dadeschools.net/


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including the affluent middle class and many recent immigrants from developing nations in Latin America. 29% of our students qualified for free and reduced lunch this school year. Coral Gables Preparatory Academy’s houses a Full-Time Gifted Program and also provides an Extended Foreign Language Program (EFL) Program in Spanish for students in Kindergarten through 5

th

grades. Coral Gables Preparatory Academy continues to emphasize the best in traditional and contemporary methods of instruction. One of Coral Gables Preparatory Academy's strengths is the partnership with the parents and the community. The school received the prestigious Five Star School Award in 2008 for its business partnerships, community involvement, volunteerism, student community service, and school advisory councils. We currently have over 200 active school volunteers that assist us with a multitude of programs. These volunteers work diligently to provide success to our school programs such as: Kinder Klub, and P.A.I.R tutoring; Media Center, Book Fair, Halloween Carnival, Family Fun Day, Wacky Wednesday, Fall Fundraiser, and the Kindergarten and First Grade Art Program. The school has also established a partnership with the Coral Gables Museum and will be doing activities with the students. In 2017 the school received the honor of being selected as a PTA School of Excellence. Honor Roll assemblies are conducted every quarter with an average of 99 students participating in the Principal’s Honor Roll. Student of the Month assemblies are held on a monthly basis. Values Matter is Miami-Dade County Public Schools' initiative highlighting the nine adopted core values identified in the Code of Student Conduct. Supporting and encouraging the use of these core values is the foundation of our behavioral expectations for students and for maintaining a safe learning environment. Recognizing positive student behavior is an integral way to encourage a positive school climate and empower the school community to pursue excellence in all areas. CGPA provides an avenue for the “holistic” child to learn and grow. Students are always encouraged to “share” extracurricular activities and community projects that they are involved in. Fine Arts Program allows students to participate in various clubs and electives including Advanced and Beginning Chorus, Art Clubs, Geography and History Clubs, and Drama. Member of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. ACHIEVEMENTS: ‘A’ SCHOOL DESIGNATION 19 YEARS IN A ROW! Nationally recognized School of Excellence. Golden School Award for Volunteerism 1989 – Present Florida Sterling Council – Sterling Challenge, June 2005 Five Star School Award 2007-2008 School Year CGPA’s Geography Club came in the top five schools for the last nine years in the countywide competition from over 70 public and private schools. During the 2015-2016 School Year, we won 1

st place for the fourth

time!!! District History Bee 2015-2016 Top Five Schools District 2015-2016 Science Fair Winners at Elementary and Middle School Level.


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In the 2015-2016 school year, Lead to Feed Program received an early entry award and came in 3

rd in the

final program. $5000 in charitable grants and $2000 in technology products were awarded to CGPA. 2016 National PTA School of Excellence Proclamation from Miami Dade County Public Schools for being in the top 4% of all of the elementary schools in the State of Florida Ms. Cerra received the AXA Businesswoman of the Year Award in 2016 in the Non-Profit/Educator category from the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. She is a 2017 finalist for the George E. Merrick Award. Average daily student attendance is over 98%. Student test scores are well above district and national norms. Our program is traditional, rigorous and proven to prepare students for future success.

PTSA Website: http://www.cgpa.my-ptsa.org/


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Ms. Cheli Cerra, Principal

Mr. Carlos E. Martinez, Assistant Principal Upper Academy

Ms. Jeanette Sierra – Funcia, Assistant Principal Lower Academy

Lower Academy

Pre-k – 4th

Ms. Mabel Arias Ms. Elizabeth Velez

Ms. Melissa Muelle

Ms. Alina Martinez (EFL)

Ms. Liliam Padrón

Ms. Yamilet Lobera-Ramirez Ms. Abnerys Leon

Ms. Madeline Torres

Ms. Ofelia Lopez Ms. Sophia Ablanedo Ms. Isabel Buznego Ms. Chanell Ward Ms. Katrina Fraga

Ms. Raina Jacques

Ms. Sylvia Torres (EFL)

Ms. Maite Laurrari

Ms. Dayana Fernández Ms. Silvia Lopez (EFL)

Ms. Kathryn Swain

Ms. Gina Varela

Ms. Ileana Roque

Ms. Deborah Henriquez

Ms. Elizbeth Aran Ms. Alicia R. Martinez (EFL) Ms. Janisse Molina

Ms. Deyce Pascual

Ms. Nanette Maule Ms. Stephanie Barro

Ms. Karen Ramirez (EFL)

Ms. Isabella Pousada

Ms. Barbara Calvino

Upper Academy

5th

– 8th

Ms. Teresita Puig (EFL)

Ms. Jill Gonzalez

Ms. Mari Pacheco Ms.Erin Anding

Ms.Vivian Salinas

Ms. Kisha Porter

Ms. Allison Collier

Ms. Caterina Infante Ms. Magdalena Zorrilla Ms. Eileen Lehn Ms. Grace Piedra

Mr. Jorge Lopez

Mr. Alex Padrón Ms. Erica de los Rios Ms. Deborah Bloch Ms. Kimberly Brown Ms. Laura Payne Ms. Ele Amor Mr. Gerardo Prieto Ms. Elena Veloso

Special Areas & Resource Staff Ms. Yanet Napoles-Quintero,ESE Ms. Andrea Abrantes,ESE Ms. Magdalena Suarez Ms. Katherine Buschmann Ms. Ofelia Beltran

Ms. Yamilka Gomez

Mr. Alex Padron Ms. Joanna Street Ms. Quenia Caignet Ms. Grissel Niebla Ms. Cibeles T. Valdes-Díaz, Counselor Ms. Ana del Cerro, Counselor Ms. Lisette Ruiz, Psychologist Ms. Mary Munn, Staffing Specialist Ms. Debra Palmer, Speech Language Pathologist Ms. Alina Bermudez, Social Worker


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FEEDER PATTERN SCHOOLS

Coral Gables Senior – Feeder Pattern

LOCATION NUMBER SCHOOL NAME #0121 Auburndale Elementary

#0721 George W. Carver Elementary

#0841 Coconut Grove Elementary

#1801 Fairlawn Elementary

#1881 Henry M. Flagler

#2781 Kinloch Park Elementary

#5041 Silver Bluff Elementary

#5401 Sunset Elementary

#5561 Frances S. Tucker Elementary

#5831 Henry S. West Laboratory Elementary

#0961 Coral Gables K – 8 Preparatory Academy

#2741 Key Biscayne K – 8 Center

#6071 George W. Carver Middle

#6331 Kinloch Park Middle

#6741 Ponce de Leon Middle

#7071 Coral Gables Senior

#7161 Maritime & Science Technology Academy

#7571 International Studies Preparatory Academy


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CODE OF HONOR

The Coral Gables Preparatory Academy family desires our students to demonstrate behavior that promotes safety, academic success, and the core values we share as Americans. All students have a responsibility to behave in a manner which allows teaching and learning to proceed and does not violate the best interest of any person in the school community. To assist in this endeavor, the “Coral Gables Preparatory Academy Code of Honor” has been developed. It is our expectation that all students will succeed by realizing their own potential.

As a Student As a student at Coral Gables Preparatory Academy, I promise that I will maintain the highest possible standards of honesty, integrity, and personal responsibility. As a student, I am committed to promoting an environment of respect and mutual trust. As a student of Coral Gables Preparatory Academy, I promise that I will:

Establish the “job” of learning as my top priority; Take the initiative as an active participant in my own learning; Not allow anything to disrupt the teaching or learning environment of my school; Attend school every day; Arrive to class on time; Adopt behavior that is appropriate to the seriousness and importance of the learning process

taking place in the classroom; Complete all assignments, both in and out of class, on time; Show respect for myself in the way I act and dress; Treat all students and adults with respect; Not engage in bullying or harassing another individual; Follow proper procedures and lines of authority for pursuing concerns and complaints; Adhere to “Acceptable Practice and Use of the Internet” when accessing information; Submit my own original work, as opposed to the work of others; Refuse to engage in plagiarism; and Know, understand and follow the Code of Student Conduct (see Appendix).

As a Parent

As the parent of a Coral Gables Preparatory Academy student, I promise that I will: Provide a home environment conducive to learning; Provide the proper example my child needs; Set clear expectations about school performance; Ensure that my child attends school every day and arrives on time; Schedule doctor appointments outside of school hours; Ensure that my child has all of the materials needed to succeed in class; Make sure that my child receives at least 8 hours of sleep every night; Make sure that my child rises in the morning with enough time to eat a healthy breakfast and

dress and groom properly before leaving for school; Monitor my child’s use of the internet; Limit my child’s TV time; See that my child has a place set aside to complete his/her homework; Closely monitor my child’s performance and implement corrective measures as needed; Communicate with my child as to appropriate conduct and language used in and out of school; Know and understand the Code of Student Conduct (see Appendix); Monitor the friends and company my child keeps;


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Monitor my child’s academic grades by logging on to the Parent Portal at www.dadeschools.net.

SCHOOL HOURS: Pre-K, K, and First Grade: 8:20 a.m. – 1:50 p.m. Second Grade through Eighth Grade: 8:35 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.*

*WEDNESDAY dismissal is at 1:50 p.m. for all grade levels SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BLOCK SCHEDULE

“A” Days = Odd Periods “B” Days = Even Periods

Block Period Time

1st 1st Period/2nd Period 8:49 a.m. – 10:39 a.m.

(110 min.) Wed: 8:49 a.m. - 10:14 a.m.

2nd 3rd Period/4th Period 10:43 a.m. – 1:11 p.m. (110 min. + 35 min.)

Wed: 10:18 a.m. – 12:21 p.m.

3rd 5th Period/6th Period 1:15 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.

(110 min.) Wed: 12:25 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.

Total Instructional Time (330 min.)

Breakfast is served in the cafeterias from 7:45 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. The earliest students may arrive at school is 7:30 a.m. At that time, adult supervision of students is provided in the P.E. shelter at the Lower Academy and in the cafeteria at the Upper Academy. In the Lower Academy, students must proceed to the P.E. shelter after breakfast where adult supervision is provided for them until they are picked up by their teachers at 8:10 a.m. (K-1st) and at 8:25 a.m. (2nd – 4th). Pre – K students report to Portable 1. At the Upper Academy, students in grades 5 report to the cafeteria and remain in the cafeteria until teachers pick them up. Students in grades 6 – 7 report to the cafeteria and proceed to their homerooms when the bell rings at 8:30 a.m. Students in grade 8 report to the spill-out area after breakfast where adult supervision is provided until they report to homeroom at 8:30 a.m. Adult supervision is provided at dismissal time to ensure the children’s safety. Students may not linger in the building to wait for a program or class that begins later in the afternoon. Parents can assist us in enhancing everyone’s safety, by ensuring that your child arrives to school no earlier than 7:30 a.m. and leaves school no later than 3:10 p.m. Parents are asked to drop off and pick up their children at the designated area of the school for their safety. Parking is limited around the school; park ONLY in the specified areas. The Coral Gables Police Department will issue parking tickets.

http://www.dadeschools.net/


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EARLY MORNING DROP – OFF AREAS (7:30 – 8:35 a.m.)

Students arriving on buses: – Galiano Ave.(Lower Academy)/Zamora Ave.(Upper Academy)

Pre-K – 4th grade students – Galiano Avenue

5th - 8th grade students – Zamora Avenue LATE MORNING DROP – OFF (after 8:20 a.m. for Pre – K, Kindergarten and 1st grade AND after 8:35 a.m. for grades 2 – 8)

All late students – Minorca Avenue-Lower Academy Zamora Avenue- Upper Academy

AFTERNOON PICK-UP AREAS

Pre-K – 1st grade students -Classroom

2nd - 4th grade students – Designated areas (as per Arrival/Dismissal Flier)

5th - 8th grade students – Zamora Avenue After 8:35 a.m. all exterior doors will be locked for the safety of our students and staff. Students who arrive after 8:35 a.m. are late and must be dropped off on Minorca Avenue or Zamora Avenue to enter school grounds through a security checkpoint.

Pre-K – 4th grade students report directly to the main office on Minorca Avenue to get a late pass before reporting to class.

5th – 8th grade students report directly to homeroom between 8:35 and 8:45 a.m. Upper Academy students who arrive late after homeroom must report to the attendance office to get a late pass before reporting to class.

Excessive tardies may result in loss of privileges, detention, and/or a parent conference. Late arrivals may be accrued and count towards unexcused absences. Students are not permitted to walk through the teachers’ parking lot at any time. Students must use the sidewalk and cross streets at the crosswalks and with the crossing guards. Parents should not drop off or pick up students in the faculty parking lots. It is important for us to know how your child gets home each day (Dismissal Form) in order to facilitate safe dismissal procedures. If there is a change in the way your child goes home, please notify the teacher in writing. In severe weather conditions, students will remain in their classrooms until they are dismissed at their designated area.


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EARLY DISMISSAL Students may be dismissed early only with official clearance from the office. When the child is picked up early, the parent/guardian or other authorized person must report to the office and show a valid picture identification to sign the student out. Please ensure AUTHORIZED persons are clearly identified on the child’s Emergency Student Data Form. The office staff will ask the teacher to excuse the child and have him/her sent to the office. Students are not permitted to go home alone during school hours under any circumstance. In order to reduce the number of interruptions at dismissal time, students will not be released during the last half hour of the school day. (School Board Policy #5200)


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ATTENDANCE POLICY There are probably no factors more important to successful school progress than regular and punctual school attendance. Students must be in school everyday and they must arrive on time (8:20 a.m. for Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade; 8:35 a.m. for grades 2-8). Every absence must be followed by a note from a parent stating the nature of the absence and, when appropriate, medical documentation should be provided (School Board Policy #5200). These notes should be given to the student’s homeroom teacher the day they return to school. Please do not submit absence notes directly to the office, and no later than three days after returning to school. Students shall be in attendance throughout the school day. If a student will be late to school or dismissed before the end of the school day, the parent shall notify the school in advance and state the reason for the tardiness or early dismissal. Students will be counted absent if they are not present in class for at least half of the class period. To be counted “present” for the day, the student must be in attendance for a minimum of two (2) hours of the day (School Board Policy #5230). EXCUSED SCHOOL AND CLASS ABSENCES AND TARDIES 1. Student illness: Students missing five (5) 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 school. 3. Death in immediate 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 be 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 region, state and national competitions. 6. Subpoena by law enforcement agency or mandatory court appearance. 7. Outdoor suspensions


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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. EXCUSED ABSENCES AND MAKE-UP WORK Excused absences allow students to make up the work missed. Students granted an excused absence should make up all work, including labs, quizzes or tests, within 48 hours. It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to the classroom teacher’s policy for collecting and completing all make-up work. Classroom interruptions during school hours to collect or return make-up work are not permissible. UNEXCUSED SCHOOL ABSENCES Any absence that does not fall into one of the above excused absence categories is to be considered unexcused. Five or more unexcused absences are considered excessive and may result in the student being referred to the Attendance Review Committee. A student accumulating ten or more unexcused class absences in the school year will be subject to the withholding of passing final grade(s) pending a student/parent-requested administrative screening and/or review of all absences by the Attendance Review Committee. Any student who has been absent from school will be marked unexcused 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 event, program or sporting activity; 2. Absences due to older students providing day care services for siblings; 3. Absences due to illness of others; and 4. Absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements (unless lawfully exempted). Unexcused absences will result in a failing grade being issued for any work missed on the day(s) in question. Unexcused absences do not allow students the opportunity to make up the work missed. Parents should plan family vacations and other family-related travel during scheduled school holidays only (see attached calendar).

Thanksgiving → November 22 – November 24, 2017 Winter recess→ December 25, 2017 – January 5, 2018 Spring recess→ March 26 – March 30, 2018


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HALL/BATHROOM PASSES Use of the hall/bathroom passes is strictly enforced. Students found out of class without a pass are subject to disciplinary measures. TARDY TO CLASS POLICY Middle school (6th - 8th Grades) students are given sufficient time to transition from one class to another. All students are to be in their classroom, seated, and ready to work, by the time the tardy bell rings. Middle school students tardy to individual classes will be subject to the discipline of the classroom teacher involved. Consequences may include:

Warnings

Detentions

Non-participation in extracurricular activities

Lower conduct grades

Lower academic grades as a result of missed work

Referral to an administrator TARDY TO SCHOOL POLICY After 8:35 a.m. all exterior doors will be locked for the safety of our students and staff. At the Lower Academy, students who arrive after 8:20 a.m. (PreK, K, and 1st grade) and 8:35 a.m. (grades 2-4) are late and must be escorted to enter school grounds through the security checkpoint by the main office on Minorca Ave. Upper Academy students report directly to the Attendance Office on Zamora Ave. for a late pass before reporting to class.

Pre-K – 4th grade students report directly to the main office to get a late pass before reporting to class.

5th – 8th grade students who arrive late must report to the attendance office to get a late pass before reporting to class.

Tardies become part of a student’s permanent record. We ask your cooperation in assisting your child in getting to school on time; tardies are disruptive to the classroom environment. Excessive tardies may result in loss of privileges, detention, parent conference, and/or suspension. Late arrivals may be accrued and count towards unexcused absences. WITHDRAWALS If it is necessary to withdraw a student, the school should be notified at least two days in advance. All textbooks and library books must be returned and accounts must be settled with the cafeteria and Community/After-School Program prior to withdrawal. A “withdrawal from school” checklist must be completed, signed, and submitted before the student leaves school.


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General regulations pertaining to all transfers (School Board Policy #5131): A student wishing to transfer from one school to another within the county shall secure the transfer from the sending school before being admitted to the new school. The parent shall apply for the transfer in person, and shall provide verification of the change of residence, including two (2) of the following items:

broker or attorney’s statement of parents’ purchase of residence, or properly executed lease agreement;

current Homestead Exemption card

electricity deposit payment receipt or electric bill, bottom portion, showing name and service address. If an electricity deposit payment receipt is used as verification, the electric bill, bottom portion, must also be submitted to the school within forty (40) calendar days after registration.

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is committed to providing a safe teaching and learning environment for students, staff, and members of the community. Values Matter is Miami-Dade County Public Schools' initiative highlighting the nine adopted core values identified in the Code of Student Conduct. Supporting and encouraging the use of these core values is the foundation of our behavioral expectations for students and for maintaining a safe learning environment. Recognizing positive student behavior is an integral way to encourage a positive school climate and empower the school community to pursue excellence in all areas. The Code of Student Conduct (COSC) identifies, recognizes, and rewards model student behavior within a framework of clearly established and enforceable rules and policies. It advocates a holistic approach to promoting and maintaining a safe learning environment and requires active participation from students, parents/guardians, and school staff. Students and parents/guardians can access the English and Spanish versions of the document on the Coral Gables Preparatory Academy website located at http://www.gablese.dadeschools.net, or on the MDCPS website, http://www.dadeschools.net Please see Code of Student Conduct in the appendix.

http://www.gablese.dadeschools.net/



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Protocol for Addressing Concerns

For issues involving an individual teacher or class, parent/guardian address their concerns

to the following individuals in the order below.


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HEALTH RELATED FLORIDA KIDCARE Getting health insurance for your children before they become sick is very important. Florida KidCare is comprehensive health insurance for children from birth to age 18 who are uninsured. Any family can apply; the amount you pay is based on income and family size. Services include: doctor visits, check-ups and shots, hospital and surgery, vision/hearing, mental health, prescriptions, emergency services, and dental. Florida KidCare accepts applications all year. No interview is required. You can apply online at www.floridakidcare.org and click “Apply Online Now”. If you would like assistance, please contact Dr. Estrella, our school’s KidCare liaison. For more information, please call The Parent Academy at 305-995-2680 or visit the following website: [email protected] then click on the FL Kidcare tab. HEALTH SCREENING SERVICES The School Health Services Act of 1974 mandates vision and hearing screenings in grades K, 1, 3 & 6. Health appraisal and screening services such as vision, hearing, height and weight, nutrition, and behavioral observations are provided at all grade levels in accordance with priorities reflected in the local county health plan and subject to availability of staff and funds. Scoliosis screening is required for 6th grade students. Students in 1st, 3rd and 6th grade will also receive a routine growth and development screening with body mass index (BMI) measurements. Screenings do not substitute 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. ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT Communicable diseases must be reported to the school immediately, and a written note from a physician is required before a child can return to school. In the event your child becomes ill or is involved in an accident, you will be notified immediately. If you cannot be reached, we will refer to the names and telephone numbers listed on the child’s Emergency Student Data Form. It is important that all pertinent information on the card is kept current. Please notify the school immediately of any changes such as telephone number and/or persons to be contacted.

http://www.floridakidcare.org/

mailto:[email protected]


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IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL ENTRY 1. A complete Florida Certificate of Immunization (blue or white card) – Form DH-680 according to grade level; 2. State of Florida School Entry Health Exam (yellow or white sheet) – Form DH-3040 no older than 12 months; and 3. Tuberculosis Clinical Screening, PPD or Chest X-ray. STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE Your child’s health and well-being are important to us. You can purchase Student Accident Insurance coverage in the event your child is injured at school or on a field trip and needs immediate first aid, ambulance, emergency room, or doctor’s attention. Participation in this program is voluntary. For more information, please call The Parent Academy at 305-995-2680 or visit the following website: [email protected] . MEDICATION If your child needs medication, please contact the office to make arrangements for the proper administration of such medication. A child may not administer medication to himself/herself on school grounds. Medication will only be administered to students by school personnel if prescribed by a doctor on a Miami-Dade County Public Schools Authorization for Medication form obtained in the office. EMERGENCY CONTACT/CHANGES It is extremely important that clear and accurate information be entered on the child’s Emergency Student Data Form. We need to be able to quickly reach you or a close relative or friend in case your child becomes ill or has an emergency. If any of the pertinent information changes, please notify the office immediately. Under no circumstance will a student be released to a person whose name does not appear on the Authorized Section of the child’s Emergency Student Data Form. Students may only be released from school to the persons listed on the child’s Emergency Student Data Form in the Authorized Section of the form after presenting picture identification.



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TRANSGENDER

The School Board of Miami-Dade County has adopted comprehensive anti-discrimination and anti-bullying policies that require all students be treated with respect regardless of their unique characteristics, including sexual orientation or gender identity. Every student has the right to learn in a safe and accepting school environment and schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including transgender and gender nonconforming students. These guidelines are intended to promote a positive, proactive approach that upholds and protects the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming students; and best practices to ensure that transgender students and gender nonconforming students have equitable access to all aspects of school life (academic, extracurricular and social) in ways that preserve and protect their dignity. PARENT PORTAL Parents/Guardians 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 his/her 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. You will also have access to electronic books for each subject; free and reduced lunch applications with balance renewal capability and access to a new Choice application that will allow parents to indicate preferential school choice via the portal. To create a new Parent Account, you must obtain the following:

Your child’s M-DCPS student ID

Parent 6-digit PIN number – To obtain, you must visit your child’s school with a valid photo ID!

Student’s date of birth (DOB)

Student’s birth place (state or country)

Zip code Then, log in to http://www.dadeschools.net/parents.asp and create the parent account. After 24 hours, it is recommended that you reset your password.

http://www.dadeschools.net/parents.asp


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FIELD TRIPS Field trips are designed by the school for specific educational purposes. Students going on a field trip are responsible for fees, written parent permission, and appropriate behavior in terms of safety and courtesy. Deadlines for payment of monies and permission slips will be noted on the Field Trip Permission Form and must be followed. Students must be in full uniform in order to participate in any field trip. CHAPERONES FOR FIELD TRIPS As of June 16, 2004, Miami-Dade County Public Schools implemented new policies, procedures, and guidelines regarding our school volunteer program. Under these guidelines, field trip chaperones are considered school volunteers and must successfully complete registration and background checks prior to the field trip (refer to Volunteer Program section under Parental Involvement). Parent chaperones cannot bring other children on field trips, as they are not covered by insurance.

MEALTIME ENVIROMENT Lunches served in our school cafeteria are prepared in accordance with sound nutritional principles. The menu for the week is published in the Neighbors section of The Miami Herald each Sunday and on the Department of Food and Nutrition website nutrition.dadeschools.net/menu.asp. Children who bring their lunches from home are able to purchase milk, juice and snacks. Our breakfast program will be operational from 7:45 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. Breakfast is free for all students. No students will be served after 8:10 a.m. CAFETERIA BEHAVIOR Children should eat in an atmosphere that is pleasant and conducive to good dietary habits. Good manners, appropriate eating habits and self-control are expected of all students. Children are to remain in their seats and raise their hands if they need assistance. The use of electronic devices during breakfast and lunch is restricted. Students must comply with School Board Policy, 7540.03 and Code of Student Conduct Policy, 5510. FORGOTTEN OR LOST LUNCH Children occasionally lose or forget their lunch money or lunches. When this happens, the child is sent to the office and money is loaned to him/her. The money must be paid back the following day. Forgotten lunchboxes must be brought to the main office and not delivered to the classrooms or cafeteria. We will not accept “fast food” deliveries for


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any student who does not have lunch. Parents are not permitted to bring lunch into the cafeteria. FREE/REDUCED PRICE LUNCHES An Application for Free or Reduced Price Meals is online at nutrition.dadeschools.net. Applying online is fast and easy. One can even complete applications on a smart phone. Applications must be completed each year. One form per family must be completed listing the names of all school-age children. For further information or assistance with applying for applying for a Free/Reduced priced meal application, contact 786-275-0400 Ext. 5000. If you meet eligibility requirements, you will be notified promptly. Meal benefits begin on the day the application is approved and continue throughout the school year in which the application is approved. If your child was eligible for Free or Reduced priced lunch last year, the eligibility is in effect until September 22, 2017 or until a new application is approved. LUNCH FROM HOME All lunchboxes/bags should have the child’s full name and room number on them. PAYMENT We encourage parents of students who purchase lunch daily to prepay on the first day of the week. Checks should be made payable to Coral Gables Preparatory Academy.

PAYPAMS Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Department of Food and Nutrition allows parents/guardians the convenience to pay on-line via the internet or by 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; and/or d. view a report of daily spending and cafeteria purchases.


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PRICE Breakfast Lunch PreK through 5th Grade Free $2.25 6th through 8th Grade Free $2.50 Adults $2.00 $3.00 REDUCED PRICE Breakfast Lunch For all grades Free $.40 PARTIES IN SCHOOL

BIRTHDAY PARTIES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL


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HOME AND SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

CONFERENCES Maintaining open lines of communication between home and school is crucial to your child’s progress. If you wish to set up a conference with a teacher, send a note send a note with your child. You may also call the Lower Academy office at 305-448-1731, or the Upper Academy office at 305-460-3030, and leave a message for the teacher to schedule an appointment. When parents have a scheduled conference, they must first report to the appropriate main office. Once there, the office staff will issue a pass and notify the teacher that they have arrived. Parents may not enter their child’s classroom unannounced and interrupt instruction. 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 are provided 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 right 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.


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MANDATORY UNIFORM POLICY Coral Gables Preparatory Academy is a mandatory uniform school. We expect all students to take part in our mandatory school uniform policy. Students will call home if they are not in uniform to have their parents bring them proper school attire. The Miami-Dade County School Board has an established policy and procedure by which exemptions of the mandatory uniform will be granted. Parents may pick up the exemption forms and procedures at the school office. The Uniform Committee, along with the EESAC, identified AA Uniform company as the “preferred” uniform provider for the school. To maintain uniformity, we encourage you to use the preferred provider; however, in accordance with School Board Rule, the selected uniform or a generic option can be purchased from a variety of sources such as department stores, catalogs, etc. School patches with our school logo will be available through our PTSA school store for $4.00. The AA Uniform store is located at: 8807 SW 132 Street, Miami, FL., (305) 254-0000 Website: http://www.aauniform.com

UNIFORM POLICY

ELEMENTARY STUDENTS (Pre – K – 5th Grades) BOYS &GIRLS POLO SHIRT COLORS: White, Red, Navy Blue BERMUDA SHORTS: Khaki or Navy Blue PANTS: Khaki or Navy Blue SKORTS: Khaki or Navy Blue (GIRLS) SWEATERS: Navy Cardigan or Vest with embroidered logo FLEECE JACKET: Navy with embroidery In keeping with our mandatory policy we are strongly encouraging everyone to wear Navy Blue Jackets and/or Sweaters in the event of cold weather. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS (6th – 8th Grades) BOYS &GIRLS OXFORD: Short or long sleeve Lt. Blue or Blue Striped with embroidery RUGBY: Long or short sleeve White/Navy stripe with embroidery PANTS: Khaki or Navy Blue BERMUDA SHORTS: Khaki or Navy Blue TIE: Navy/Red Stripe (OPTIONAL FOR GIRLS) SWEATER: Navy Cardigan or Vest with embroidered logo FLEECE JACKET: Navy with embroidery


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PE GYMSHIRT: Ash Grey with screen print PE GYMSHORT: Navy Blue Mesh with screen print

Elementary School Students (Pre – K – 5th Grades)

Polo Shirts: 1. All polo shirts are to be a solid color in red, white, or navy blue, purchased

preferably from AA Uniform.

2. AA Uniform will stamp the CGPA logo only on shirts purchased from them.

3. Please, keep in mind that an appropriate fit is of paramount importance, and a shirt

must be long enough to be tucked in at all times and must not fit too snugly.

4. CGPA logo patches are also on sale in the PTSA school store, located in the Lower

Academy cafeteria.

Bottoms:

1. Boys may purchase any solid colored khaki or navy blue Bermuda short or pant that

AA Uniform carries.

2. Girls may purchase any solid colored khaki or navy blue skort, pant, or Bermuda

short that AA Uniform carries.

3. Please be aware of the following fit requirements: all items of clothing must be of an

appropriate fit.

Outerwear (only the following may be worn over the regular uniform):

1. Long sleeved sweaters, sweatshirts, or fleece jackets in navy blue with the CGPA

logo. (The CGPA logo is not required but it is the only logo permitted.)

2. In case of extremely cold weather (under 50 degrees at 6:30 am), students are

allowed to wear a plain, solid colored (red, white, or blue) long sleeve t-shirt under

the CGPA polo; non-uniform colored cold weather jackets over the regulation blue

sweater; or CGPA sweatshirt or fleece jacket.

Belts:

1. All pants, shorts, and skorts with belt loops require a belt. A belt may only be worn

if there are belt loops, and the belt must be worn inside the loops.

Shoes:

1. Tie shoes (including sneakers) or loafers are permitted. Shoes must have closed

toes and backs. A separate pair of sneakers and socks is strongly recommended

for physical education. Socks are required at all times.

NOTE: ALL CLOTHING MUST BE OF AN APPROPRIATE SIZE AND FIT


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Middle School Students (6th – 8th Grades)

Shirts: 1. All shirts are to be short or long sleeve oxford solid color in light blue or oxford light

blue and white striped, purchased preferably from AA Uniform.

2. Rugby type shirts (to be used on FRIDAYS ONLY) are to be short or long sleeve

white/navy stripe with the CGPA logo.

3. All shirts/rugbys must be neatly tucked in.

4. AA Uniform will stamp the CGPA logo only on shirts purchased from them.

5. Please keep in mind that an appropriate fit is of paramount importance, and a shirt

must be long enough to be tucked in at all times and must not fit too snugly.

Bottoms:

1. Boys and girls may purchase any solid colored khaki or navy blue pant that AA

Uniform carries.

2. Boys and girls may purchase any solid colored khaki or navy blue Bermuda shorts

(to be used FRIDAYS ONLY) that AA Uniform carries.

3. Pants and Bermuda shorts must fit appropriately and must be worn at the waist with

a belt.

Ties: 1. Ties are navy/red stripe (the ties are optional for girls).

Outerwear (only the following may be worn over the regular uniform):

1. Boys and girls may wear long sleeve navy blue cardigans or navy fleece jackets

with the CGPA logo. Sleeveless navy blue vests with the CGPA logo will also be

allowed. (The CGPA logo is not required but it is the only logo permitted.)

2. In case of extremely cold weather (under 50 degrees at 6:30 am), students are

allowed to wear non-uniform colored cold jackets over the regulation blue sweater,

or a CGPA fleece jacket with the school logo.

Belts: 1. All pants and Bermuda shorts must have belt loops and require a belt. The belt

must be worn inside the loops.

Shoes: 1. Tie shoes or loafers are part of the uniform. Shoes must have closed toes and

backs. Socks are required at all times. A separate pair of sneakers and socks is

required for physical education.

2. Sneakers (no higher than ankle height) will be allowed on Fridays with the use of

rugby type shirts and Bermuda shorts.

PE Clothing:

1. Ash grey gymshirts will be required for boys and girls.

2. Navy blue mesh gymshorts will be required for boys and girls.


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3. Boys and girls must wear sneakers (no higher than ankle height) and socks as part

of their PE uniform.

Friday Casual Day Attire:

1. Optional Bermuda shorts which must be of an appropriate dress code length.

2. Optional official school rugby type shirt.

3. Sneakers (no higher than ankle height) will be allowed on Fridays with the use of

rugby type shirts and Bermuda shorts.

NOTE: ALL CLOTHING MUST BE OF AN APPROPRIATE SIZE AND FIT

OTHER UNIFORM INFORMATION

Shirts must be tucked in at all times

Shirts must be an appropriate size and NOT altered for length or fashion statements

Pants must be worn to the waist

Socks must be worn

In accordance with M-DCPS policy, small earrings or studs may be worn. Hoops must be no larger than a nickel, and chandelier earrings must be no longer than 1/2 inch. Only one earring per ear is allowed.

RESTRICTIONS

No blue jeans, skinny jeans, cargo pants, sweat pants or capris

No bandanas, caps, or hats allowed

No studded jewelry, large chains or rings

No long or large oval earrings

No sweaters or jackets except a navy blue sweater or sweat shirt with the school’s emblem

No cut off shirts, sleeveless, tank tops for the young ladies

No heely roller shoes


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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (EESAC) The Educational Excellence School Advisory (EESAC) is the sole body responsible for final decision making at the school related to the implementation of the school improvement and accountability plan. The purpose of the CGPA EESAC is to bring together all stakeholders to ensure improved student achievement. The EESAC supports the school’s vision of being a community of lifelong learners and caring individuals. The Council is composed of the principal, teachers, educational support employees, parents, students, and business representatives. All meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, please visit our school’s web page. PARENT TEACHER STUDENT ASSOCIATION (PTSA) CGPA’s PTSA is the keystone of parental involvement. The PTSA sponsors activities such as book fairs, Halloween Carnival, Family Fun Day, K/1st Grade Art and other fundraisers. The PTSA also assists students and teachers throughout the year. It enables parents and teachers to work for continual improvement of the social, physical and educational climate of the school and community. All parents and teachers are encouraged to join and actively support our PTSA. For more information please visit the PTSA link on the school’s website or visit the PTSA Website: http://www.cgpa.my-ptsa.org/ PTSA membership forms will be going home with your children. PTSA membership is $10.00 per family. VISITORS For the safety and protection of our students and staff, all exterior doors to the main buildings will be locked from 8:35 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. (1:50 p.m. on Wednesdays). Therefore, all visitors, including parents, will be routed through the central walkway of each school where a school security is stationed. Security will direct all visitors to the appropriate location for a pass before proceeding to any part of the building. When parents have a scheduled conference, they must first report to the main office. Once there, the office staff will issue a pass and notify the teacher. Parents may not enter their child’s classroom unannounced and interrupt instruction. During school hours no child will be permitted to leave the building with a visitor, including a parent, unless the student has been signed out at the office. All visitors are expected to observe the fire regulation which prohibits smoking in the building.


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VOLUNTEER PROGRAM We encourage and welcome the assistance of parents, businesses, and community agencies. School volunteers make a vital difference in the lives of children, teachers, and administrators. As of June 16, 2004, Miami-Dade County Public Schools implemented new policies, procedures, and guidelines regarding our school volunteer program. All volunteers must be cleared before being placed in a school or beginning service as a school volunteer. The School Volunteer Program is responsible for electronic registration, background checks and training 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 *New background check required every 3 years.

Certified volunteers

Mentors

Listeners/Oyentes

Athletic/Physical Education assistants

Overnight chaperones

*Re-fingerprinting required every 5 years.

Be a School Volunteer is a web-based application developed to facilitate and expedite the process of becoming a school volunteer. Employees, parents, students and community members will be able to apply online to different locations for different service activities. Parents/Guardians and community members must have an account with M-DCPS to be able to access the Be a School Volunteer application on the Portal. User guides are available to help you in registering for an account. Instructions for both parent and community account registration are available at http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/userguides/pdf/166.pdf. Any parent interested in volunteering in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) must log on to www.dadeschools.net and click on the “Parent” tab to access the Portal. If you are a parent/guardian with a joint Parent Account, and both parents/guardians would like to participate in the volunteer program, one parent/guardian will use the Parent Account to apply for the volunteer program through the Parent Portal. The other parent/guardian must register through the Community Portal to obtain a Community Account. With the Community Account, you may apply for the volunteer program in the Community Portal. School volunteers previously approved WILL have to re-register for the 2017 – 2018 school year and WILL have to log into the parent/community portal and select the school(s) and activity(ies) that they wish to participate in. Final approval by Ms. Werner will be granted following verification of a valid Driver’s License. Once approved, all volunteers will be required to sign in and out in the Volunteer Log Book at the main office before proceeding to their volunteer site, and they must wear the

http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/userguides/pdf/166.pdf



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Volunteer Pass provided in the main office whenever volunteering. Volunteer training will be held in September. All parents on school grounds must be approved volunteers and wear their volunteer pass at all times (before, during, and after school.)

PERSONAL PREPARATION AND MATERIALS

AGENDAS/PLANNERS Students in first through eighth grade will be given an agenda/planner free of charge courtesy of our PTSA. The use of the agenda/planner is mandatory and it must be brought to school every day. Students will only be given one agenda/planner. Students who lose, misplace or damage their agenda must buy a new one from the PTSA. Agendas/planners are designed to promote and facilitate better work habits and motivate students to achieve high standards. The agenda program leads students in recording, prioritizing, scheduling, doing, checking and reviewing their homework each day. There is a place for teachers and parents to sign and make a comment each day, if desired. RED COMMUNICATION FOLDERS Students in Pre-K-5th grades will be given a Red Communication Folder free of charge courtesy of our PTSA, in which important school and classroom information will be placed and sent home. Please ensure you check your child’s red communication folder on a regular basis. PROTECTION OF PROPERTY Students are expected to bring all materials required for each class each day. Students are responsible for their own personal belongings, as well as books and other materials issued to them by the school. Please label all personal property. There are certain items which do not belong in school:

Visible jewelry such as gold and silver chains, rings and other expensive items

Studded jewelry of any kind

Bandanas, caps or hats of any kind

Money in large amounts – send only what your child needs for the day

Pets, toys, Gameboys, candy, gum, canned sodas

CD players, iPods, tape players, radios

Footballs, basketballs, etc.

Skateboards, skates, shoe skates, razors, etc.

Any item that could be considered a weapon Cellular phones must be turned off and kept in book bags during school hours. The school does not assume responsibility for lost or stolen cellular phones.


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Public schools are financed by taxes; therefore, the school and all equipment, supplies, and furniture are public property. We solicit the assistance of all persons in our school’s community to help maintain and care for our school. TEXTBOOKS Students are furnished with textbooks by the State of Florida. Responsibility for textbooks rests with the students. Students will be charged in proportion with any loss or damage of these books. Caring for personal and private property is an important responsibility. Students are encouraged to cover all hardback textbooks. All textbooks must be returned to the teacher on the date requested. Students withdrawing from school must return all textbooks/library books or pay for lost books prior to withdrawal. Final report cards will be withheld for students who do not return or pay for lost books.

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS/FORMS Recommendation letters/forms are requested for a variety of reasons throughout the school year. Please take the following into account when requesting a teacher’s recommendation for your child:

All forms will be completed on a first come/first serve basis; start the process early.

Students should submit ALL applicable forms to the counselor at the same time. Stamped envelopes should be included.

Students must complete all personal information requested on the form before submitting it to the counselor, i.e., student name, date of birth, I.D. #, and address.

The counselor will ask the teachers to complete the forms and return them. Then, the counselor will send all forms directly to the school(s).

Students should allow for a two-week turn-around time when requesting a recommendation.


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SAFETY AND SECURITY The personal safety of our students is everyone’s responsibility. If our children are to be kept safe, each of us must cooperate by being patient and cautious at all times. ACCIDENT REPORTS Any student who is injured or witnesses an accident in school should report it immediately to the nearest staff member. AUTOS All auto drivers, at and near the school, must use great caution and concern if we are to protect our children. Please adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Use seat belts. 2. Seat younger children in back seat due to airbag safety. 3. Observe the “School Zone” speed limit of 15 mph. 4. Adhere to street signs in the vicinity of the school. 5. Adhere to “No Parking” signs around school and neighboring houses. 6. Obey all rules relating to bus zones, pick-up and drop-off zones. 7. Arrive on time and pick your children up on time. 8. Have your children exit and enter your car by the sidewalk – do not allow

them to use the street side. 9. Have your children ready to exit the car immediately upon arrival to help

prevent traffic jams and delays. 10. Do not stop in the middle of the street to drop off or pick up your child. 11. Observe the crosswalk signs. CARS SHOULD NOT BLOCK the crosswalks. 12. Be aware that Coral Gables Police Department officers will enforce traffic

laws and issue citations to offenders. CODE YELLOW/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 a school administrator announces a possible threat to students and staff safety exists within the community (Code Yellow), or an imminent threat to students and staff safety exists within the school (Code Red), 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 lockdown until a school administrator makes an “All Clear” announcement.


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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 parents/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, Region 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. The emergency closing of a school for any cause, such as weather or in which the safety of individuals may be endangered, is only at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools. FIRE DRILLS Ten fire drills will take place during the school year according to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Policy and Emergency Procedures. At the sound of the emergency bell, students must stop what they are doing and follow the teacher’s instructions. They must clear the building promptly 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.

PARKING Parent parking is available on streets surrounding the different campuses. The school parking lots are for faculty and staff only. Parents waiting for children should not block the driveway or enter the FACULTY parking lot. THE FACULTY PARKING LOTS MAY NOT BE USED TO DROP OFF OR PICK UP CHILDREN.


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SCHOOL GROUNDS For the safety and security of our students and staff we ask all parents to continue abiding by all safety and security procedures when volunteering, visiting school grounds, dropping off and picking up students. Please refer to these in the different sections of this parent-student handbook. WALKING Children who walk to and from school must be very familiar with the route they are expected to take. All Elementary School Pre-K-5th grade students must submit a signed letter authorizing their children to walk home alone. This letter will be filed in the student’s cumulative folder in the main office. All pedestrians must use crosswalks and traffic lights when crossing streets.


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SCHOOL PROGRAMS ACCELERATED READER AND STAR ( 1st-5th Grades) The Accelerated Reader (AR) is a technology-based program designed to help motivate students to read more books, while enabling teachers to monitor and record student progress. STAR is a computerized diagnostic test intended to pinpoint an individual student’s strengths and weaknesses and to identify reading level. Students read books on their reading level as determined by STAR and test their comprehension by taking a computerized test. The system documents mastery of tests completed successfully. All students are required to participate in the Accelerated Reader Program. Students must meet their goal points for each grading period. Their participation in AR is reflected in their reading grade (in 1st-5th grade). AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM Coral Gables Preparatory Academy offers a YMCA Aftercare Program, which operates from 1:50 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Opportunities are available for students to interact with trained activity leaders through homework assistance, creative art activities and indoor/outdoor games. PHYSICAL EDUCATION Physical education is a required course for students in grades two through five. In order for your child to be excused from participating in the physical education program, a special exemption form must be completed and signed by your doctor. The doctor will specify the type of activities in which your child may participate. When a child has been ill, physical education may need to be limited for a day or so. This type of request does not require an exemption card – only a note from the parents. Middle school students who have physical education are required to wear the school P.E. uniform. RECESS Based on MDCPS policies each school will provide 20 minutes of supervised, safe, and unstructured free – play recess each day for students in Kindergarten through grade 5. Recess must be scheduled for at least 20 consecutive minutes per day. SCHOOL CLASS PICTURE PROCESS

The school class picture monies will no longer be collected by school staff for this activity.

Collection of monies will be conducted by the photograph er and/or photographer’s staff.

At no time, shall a staff member, parent, volunteer, or member of a school-allied

organization such as the PTA handle school class picture monies.


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STUDENT RECORDS

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 are provided 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 right 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.


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STUDENT PROGRESSION PLAN

The Student Progression Plan establishes requirements and procedures for pupil progression within Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS). This plan is based on requirements passed by the Florida Legislature, the Florida Board of Education, the Florida Department of Education, and the School Board of Miami-Dade County. The full document may be found on our school webpage and at www.dadeschools.net. The Student Progression Plan provides specific guidelines for grading student performance and for reporting student progress. Students’ academic grades must reflect their academic achievement based on grade-appropriate material. Students who receive passing grades on their report cards can be assumed to be working within a range acceptable for the grade or course. Based on the Student Progression Plan, the appropriate letter grade for working below grade level in READING is “D” or “F. GRADING SCALE The statewide Academic Grading Scale is based on the following 10 percentage point scale:

Kindergarten Grades

Numerical Value

Verbal Interpretation

Grade Point Value

E 90-100% Outstanding Progress 4

G 80-89% Above Average Progress 3

S 70-79% Average Progress 2

M 60-69% Lowest Acceptable Progress 1

U 0-59% Failure 0

1st-8th 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 (secondary only) 0


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HONOR ROLL The following qualifications are necessary to achieve Honor Roll status at Coral Gables Preparatory Academy:

1. Principal’s Honor Roll Academic Grades --- All “A’s”

Effort --- All “1’s” Conduct Grades --- All “A’s

2. Honor Roll Academic Average --- *3.50 or greater

Academic Grades --- All “A’s” and “B’s” Effort --- All “1’s” and at most one “2” Conduct Average --- *3.50 or greater Conduct Grades --- All “A’s” and “B’s”

HOME LEARNING Regular, purposeful home learning is an essential component of the instructional process. Home learning is an integral factor in fostering the academic achievement of students and in extending school activities into the home and community. Home learning provides opportunities for developmental practice, drill, the application of skills already learned, the development of independent study skills, enrichment activities, and self-discipline. *In compliance with School Board Policy 2330. Students are required to devote 30 additional minutes to reading at home daily. It is good training to set aside a quiet place and time either in the afternoon or early evening for a child to study and read for pleasure. This will help to foster good study habits and improve a child’s reading ability.

*3.5 → Grades 1-5 → Academic and conduct average allows up to 4 “B’s” and 5 “A’s”

*3.5 → Grades 6-8 → Academic average allows up to 3 “B’s” and 3 “A’s”

*3.5 → Grades 6-8 → Conduct average allows up to 3 “B’s” and 4 “A’s”


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INDEPENDENT READING Thirty minutes of sustained silent reading is required in M-DCPS’ Comprehensive Research-Based Reading Plan. Elementary classroom teachers will incorporate this time into their daily schedules. Silent reading for middle school will be incorporated into the block schedule. INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS AND REPORT CARDS Interim progress reports and report cards will be issued and sent home according to M-DCPS guidelines. The tentative distribution dates are as follows:

Interim Reports Report Cards September 20, 2017 November 15, 2017 December 7, 2017 February 13, 2018 February 22, 2018 April 17, 2018 May 3, 2018 June 26, 2018


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INTERNET/ELECTRONIC DEVICES USE POLICY – School Board Policy #7540.03 When using electronic devices for the purposes of learning consistent with the educational objectives of the District during the instructional day, students must comply with Board Policy 7540.03. 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. Students may also be disciplined pursuant to the applicable code of Student Conduct, Policy 5510. The school does not assume responsibility for stolen or lost electronic devices. Cyberbullying is prohibited at all times, on school grounds or off, whether using District-owned equipment and networks, social media or personally owned equipment and broadband connections of any kind. See Policy 5517.01, Bullying and Harassment.

TELEPHONE

CELLULAR PHONES 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 of interferes with the safety-to-life issues for students being transported on a Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) bus, is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct (CSC). The school does not assume responsibility for stolen or lost cellular telephones. Cyberbullying is prohibited at all times, on school grounds or off, whether using District-owned equipment and networks, social media or personally owned equipment and broadband connections of any kind. See Policy 5517.01, Bullying and Harassment. SCHOOL TELEPHONE The school telephone is to be used for school business. Children will not be allowed to use the school telephone during the school day to call home for forgotten homework or lunch money. If a child becomes ill or injured, the parent(s) will be contacted by the teacher or office staff. In an effort to avoid interruptions to the learning environment, we ask that parents do not call the office to relay messages to their child(ren). In case of an emergency, a note may be delivered to the school office. Please note, parents may not call the school to leave messages for their child(ren).


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APPENDIX A – School Calendars


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APPENDIX B –Commonly Referenced School Board Policies Please refer to http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/rules/ to

view full policies

Academics

2235 - MUSIC, ART, AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION o Music, art, and physical education are fundamental subjects in the school's

curriculum because they contribute to every child’s academic and social development. Art and Music education helps level the "learning field" across socio-economic boundaries while strengthening student problem-solving and critical thinking skills and contributing to the overall academic achievement of students.

2240 - CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES AND STUDENT EXPRESSION o Students are encouraged to participate in discussions, speeches, and other

expressions in which many points of view, including those that are controversial, are freely explored. A controversial issue is a topic on which opposing points of view have been promulgated by responsible opinion or likely to arouse both support and opposition in the community.

2370.01 – VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION

o The enrollment period for the District-operated full-time virtual instruction program, Miami-Dade Online Academy, opens in the spring of each school year for a minimum of ninety days and closes thirty days before the first day of the school year.

2421 - K-12 CAREER-TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM o Career-technical education is designed to provide career and technical education

experiences. These experiences will complement and reinforce academic concepts that are particularly amenable to contextualized learning in a distinct career area and provide occupationally specific skills.

2440 - SUMMER SCHOOL o The School Board may conduct a summer program of academic instruction for

students in grades K-12 and Special Education (SPED) students needing extended school year services as identified in their Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.). The Board may also choose to implement summer enhancement programs, contingent upon available funding. The Board shall provide transportation for full-time SPED students and other students as appropriate.

2510 – INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

o Parents have the ability to access their child’s instructional materials at http://im.dadeschools.net/.

o Additionally, in accordance with Policy 2416, parents have the right to inspect, upon request, any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum of the student and within a reasonable period of time after the request is received by the building principal.

5410 - STUDENT PROGRESSION PLAN

http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/rules/

http://www.neola.com/miamidade-fl/search/policies/po2235.htm


http://www.neola.com/miamidade-fl/search/policies/po2370.01.htm




http://im.dadeschools.net/



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o Provides guidance to teachers, school and district administrators, parents and other stakeholders regarding the requirements and procedures for students to progress from one grade to the next, Kindergarten through grade 12 and Adult Education. The information presented in the document is derived from requirements set forth by Florida Statutes, State Board of Education Rules and policies established by The School Board of Miami-Dade County.

Accident Reports/Incident Reports/School Safety

3213 - STUDENT SUPERVISION AND WELFARE o Protecting the physical and emotional well-being of students is of paramount

importance. Each instructional staff member shall maintain the highest professional, moral, and ethical standards in dealing with the supervision, control, and protection of students on or off school property

5540 - INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING STUDENTS o School administrators shall respond to incidents involving students occurring on

school grounds or at school-sponsored events. When conducting an initial fact inquiry, if an administrator suspects that a crime has been committed, they must report the matter to School Police or another appropriate law enforcement agency to assume the investigative responsibilities.

5772 - WEAPONS o Students are prohibited from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon,

including a concealed weapon, in a school safety zone and any setting that is under the control and supervision of the School Board for the purpose of school activities approved and authorized by the Board including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted for by the Board, a school-sponsored event, or in a Board-owned vehicle.

7217 - WEAPONS o Visitors are prohibited from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon,

including a concealed weapon, in a school safety zone and any setting that is under the control and supervision of the Board for the purpose of school activities approved and authorized by the Board including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted for by the Board, a school-sponsored event, or in a Board-owned vehicle.

8405 - SCHOOL SAFETY o The School Board is committed to maintaining a safe and drug-free environment in

all of the District’s schools. School crime and violence are multifaceted problems that need to be addressed in a manner that utilizes all available resources in the community through a coordinated effort of School District personnel, law enforcement agencies, and families. School administrators and local law enforcement officials must work together to provide for the safety and welfare of students while they are at school or a school-related event or are on their way to and from school.

8410 - CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE/EMERGENCY PROCEDURES








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The District Critical Incident Response Team (DCIRT) is responsible for assisting schools with emergencies/critical incidents as needed and coordinate District resources.

Admission, Registration and Immunization Requirements

5112 - ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS o Establishes the admission and registration requirements for students entering

school. The following documents and forms are to be provided upon initial registration:

Original birth certificate Verification of age and legal name Proof of a physical examination by an approved health care provider

including a tuberculosis clinical screening, appropriate follow-up, and a certificate of immunization

Two (2) verification of parent/legal current residence (address)

5114 - FOREIGN STUDENTS o Entry requirements into schools are the same for all students, regardless of country

of birth and immigration status. All students will register at the school of the actual residence of the parent in the attendance area as approved by the School Board.

5320 – IMMUNIZATION o All students shall be immunized against polio, measles, diphtheria, rubella (German

measles), pertussis, tetanus, mumps, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus Influenzae in accordance with State law, unless specifically exempt for medical or religious reasons. All Pre-K and Kindergarten students must also be immunized against varicella (chicken pox) or verification from the parent of a documented history of the disease. This policy applies to students who currently attend school in the District and those eligible to attend.

Animals on District Property

8390 - ANIMALS ON DISTRICT PROPERTY o Service animals as required by law are permitted in schools. “Service animals”

pursuant to 28 C.F.R. 35.104, means any dog that is individually trained to do work

or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical,

sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

o All animals, including service animals, housed on District property or brought on

District property on a regular basis must meet every State and County veterinary

requirement, including but not limited to, rabies vaccination or other inoculations

required to be properly licensed.

o Students are not allowed to bring pets to school.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

3362 - ANTI-DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT o The Board will vigorously enforce its prohibition against discrimination/harassment

based on sex, race, color, ethnic or national origin, citizenship status, religion,


http://attendanceservices.dadeschools.net/pdfs16/Birth-Age-Name_verification.pdf

http://attendanceservices.dadeschools.net/pdfs16/Birth-Age-Name_verification.pdf

http://attendanceservices.dadeschools.net/pdfs16/immun_reqs.pdf

http://attendanceservices.dadeschools.net/pdfs/proof-address.pdf






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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.

o This policy provides the steps to individual complaints of discrimination of harassing conduct and the process for addressing the complaints.

5517 – ANTI-DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT (STUDENTS)

o The School Board shall comply with all Federal laws and regulations prohibiting

discrimination and all requirements and regulations of the U.S. Department of

Education. The Board will enforce its prohibition against discrimination/harassment

based on sex, race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, marital status, disability,

age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identification, social and

family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy, and any other basis prohibited

by law. This policy prohibits discrimination and harassment at all School District

operations, programs, and activities on school property, or at another location if it

occurs during an activity sponsored by the Board.

5517.01 – BULLYING AND HARASSMENT O The School Board is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all

students and shall strive to eradicate bullying and harassment in its schools by providing awareness, prevention, and education in promoting a school atmosphere in which bullying, harassment, and intimidation will not be tolerated by students, Board employees, visitors, or volunteers.

5517.02 - DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT COMPLAINT PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS

o Students and parents are encouraged to promptly report complaints of discriminatory or harassing conduct to their Principal. Additionally, they may file the complaint directly with the Region Office or the District’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance (CRC).

o The Office of Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) is responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and retaliation filed by employees, students and their parents.

o This policy provides the steps to individual complaints of discrimination of harassing conduct and the process for addressing the complaints.

Attendance Policy/School Hours

5200 – ATTENDANCE: o 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.

5225 - ABSENCES FOR RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS o Student absences for religious purposes, as identified on the approved holidays

listed in the Student Attendance Reporting Procedures PK-12 Handbook, may not prohibit students from receiving attendance awards or other attendance incentives at the school level, region level, or District level.







http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/89.pdf


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5230 - LATE ARRIVAL AND EARLY DISMISSAL o Students shall be in attendance throughout the school day. If a student will be late to

school or dismissed before the end of the school day, the parent shall notify the school in advance and state the reason for the tardiness or early dismissal. Justifiable reasons shall be determined by the principal. Students will be counted absent if they are not present in class for at least half of the class period. To be counted "present" for the day, the student must be in attendance for a minimum of two hours of the day unless extenuating circumstances exist.

8220 - SCHOOL DAY o The Superintendent shall annually establish the hours of the school day. The

Superintendent may authorize exceptions from the regular school day. o The Superintendent may close the schools, delay the opening of school, or dismiss

school early when such alteration in the regular session is required for the protection of the health and safety of students and staff members.

Ceremonies & Observances

8800 - RELIGIOUS/PATRIOTIC CEREMONIES AND OBSERVANCES o Acknowledgement of, explanation of, and teaching about religious holidays of

various religions is permitted. Celebration activities involving nonreligious decorations and use of secular works are permitted, but it is the responsibility of all faculty members to ensure that such activities are strictly voluntary, do not place an atmosphere of social compulsion or ostracism on minority groups or individuals, and do not interfere with the regular school program.

Class Size

CLASS SIZE STATE STATUTE o Florida citizens approved an amendment that set limits on the number of students in

core academic classes in public schools. The amendment requires classes to be in compliance at the class level. However, pursuant to language passed by the 2013 Florida Legislature in HB 7009 and subsequently approved by the Governor, amending Florida Statutes 1002.31, Public School Parental Choice, the calculation for compliance with class size limits pursuant to s. 1003.03 for a school or program that is a public school of choice is measured by the average number of students at the school level.

Clinic

5330 – USE OF MEDICATIONS

o The School Board shall not be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of student illness. The administration of prescribed medication and/or medically-prescribed treatments to a student during school hours will be permitted only when failure to do so would jeopardize the health of the student, the student would not be able to attend school if the medication or treatment were not made available during school hours, or the child is disabled and requires medication to benefit from his/her educational program.

Code of Student Conduct

2451 - ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS o The Superintendent may provide alternative education programs for students who, in

the opinion of the Superintendent, will benefit from this educational option. Participation in an alternative program does not exempt the student from complying with school attendance rules or the Code of Conduct.




http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=1000-1099/1003/Sections/1003.03.html




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5136.02 - SEXTING o Sexting is the act of sending or forwarding through cellular telephones and other

electronic media sexually explicit, nude, or partially nude photographs/images. [add something about disciplinary measures] It is the District's mission to ensure the social, physical, psychological, and academic well-being of all students. The educational purposes of the schools are best accomplished in a climate of student behavior that is socially acceptable and conducive to the learning and teaching process.

5500 - STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE o The Miami-Dade County School Board Code of Student Conduct (COSC) focuses

on providing and maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for students,

faculty, staff and community.

o A major consideration in the application of the Code of Student Conduct is

cultivating a positive school climate to support academic achievement, promote

fairness, civility, acceptance of diversity, and mutual respect. Toward that end, the

range of inappropriate behavior is divided into five groups, along with both

recommended and mandated corrective strategies.

o The Code of Student Conduct addresses the role of the parents/guardians, the students, and school, but also focuses on core values and model student behavior, rights and responsibilities of students, addressing student behavior, and disciplinary procedures. Furthermore, teachers, counselors and administrators work to use a variety of progressive corrective or guidance strategies to correct the inappropriate behaviors.

5511 - DRESS CODE AND SCHOOL UNIFORMS o Students are expected to come to school with proper attention having been 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 work 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 policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures.

Digital Conversion/Social Media

7540.03 - STUDENT RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND DISTRICT NETWORK SYSTEMS

o The School Board provides students access to a large variety of technology and network resources which provide multiple opportunities to enhance learning and improve communication within the school district and the community. All users must, however, exercise appropriate and responsible use of school and District technology and information systems. Users include anyone authorized by administration to use the network. This policy is intended to promote the most effective, safe, productive, and instructionally sound uses of network information and communication tools.



http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/90/





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Equal Opportunity

2260 - NONDISCRIMINATION AND ACCESS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

o The School Board shall provide equal opportunity for all students and will not discriminate or tolerate harassment in its educational programs or activities on any basis prohibited by law or Board policy.

5111.01 - HOMELESS STUDENTS

o Each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth shall have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths.

Fieldtrips/School Social Events

2340 - FIELD AND OTHER DISTRICT-SPONSORED TRIPS o Field trips should supplement and enrich classroom procedures by providing

learning experiences in an environment outside the schools, arouse new interests among students, help students relate school experiences to the reality of the world outside of school, bring the resources of the community - natural, artistic, industrial, commercial, governmental, educational - within the student's learning experience, and afford students the opportunity to study real things and real processes in their actual environment.

o Other District-sponsored trips are defined as any planned, student-travel activity approved as part of the District's total educational program and is under the direct supervision and control of an instructional staff member or any advisor designated by the Superintendent.

5850 - SCHOOL SOCIAL EVENTS o School facilities and appropriate staff will be made available for social events

approved by the principal within and outside school facilities.

8640 - TRANSPORTATION FOR FIELD AND OTHER DISTRICT-SPONSORED TRIPS o Regular or special-purpose school vehicles shall be used for transportation on field

and other District-sponsored trips. Financial Obligations

6152 - STUDENT FEES o The School Board may levy certain charges to students to facilitate the utilization of

adequate, appropriate learning materials used in the course of instruction.

Food & Nutrition/Wellness Policy

8500 - FOOD SERVICES o The Food and Nutrition service program strives to provide school food services

consistent with the nutritional needs of students, and provide school food services that contribute to the student’s educational experiences and the development of desirable eating habits.

8510 - WELLNESS POLICY o The District is committed to providing a healthy environment for students and staff

within the school environment, recognizing that individuals must be physically,











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mentally, and socially healthy in order to promote wellness and academic performance.

o The District focuses on achieving five goals: nutrition, physical education, physical activity: recess, health & nutrition literacy and preventive healthcare.

8531 - FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS o All students determined to be economically needy shall be provided upon request a

free or reduced price meal or meals at school. Fundraising

5830 – STUDENT FUNDRAISING o Student fundraising by students is limited in order to prevent disruption and

includes student solicitation and collection of money for any purpose including collection of money in exchange for tickets, papers, or any other goods or services. Student fundraising in school, on school property, or at any school-sponsored event is permitted only when the profit is to be used for school purposes or for an activity connected with the schools.

o No student, school organization, or member of the school staff may solicit funds in the name of the school from the public for any purpose without prior approval of the school principal and the Region Superintendent or his/her designee. All approvals must be in writing using the approved District forms and must be retained at the school for audit purposes.

6605 – CROWDFUNDING o Crowdfunding activities aimed at raising funds for a specific classroom or school

activity, including extra-curricular activity, or to obtain supplemental resources (e.g., supplies or equipment) that are not required to provide a free appropriate public education to any students in the classroom may be permitted, but only with the specific approval by the principal and the region administrator. Crowdfunding for specific causes requires the approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee.

9211 - PARENT ORGANIZATIONS, BOOSTER CLUBS, AND OTHER FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES

o The School Board appreciates the efforts of all organizations whose objectives are to enhance the educational experiences of District students, to help meet educational needs of students and/or provide extra educational benefits.

Health Screening

2410 - SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM o The health services provided by the District shall supplement, not replace, parental

responsibility, and shall appraise, protect, and promote student health. These services shall be designed to encourage parents to devote attention to child health, to discover health problems, and to encourage the use of the services of physicians, dentists, and community health agencies as needed.

Homework

2330 - HOMEWORK o Homework is an essential component of the learning process for students with the

assignment of meaningful learning activities. Assignments should be based on









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learning outcomes that build students’ conceptual understanding, develop thinking skills, and focus on the application of knowledge.

Internship

2424 - STUDENT INTERNSHIPS o Student participation in an internship program authorized by the High School to

Business Career Enhancement Act may serve as a positive educational experience and provide a foundation for future employment opportunities.

Parent Choice Student Transfers

2431 - INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS o All activities relating to competitive sport contests, games, or events involving

individual students or teams of students from high schools in this District with those from a high school in another district.

o All high schools shall be members of and governed by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rules and regulations and shall comply with the eligibility requirements established by the FHSAA.

5120 - STUDENT SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT AND ATTENDANCE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE

o The assignment of students to District schools shall be consistent with the best interests of students and the best use of District resources.

5131 – CONTROLLED OPEN ENROLLMENT/PARENT / STUDENT TRANSFERS O This policy governs all regular school transfers from one (1) school to another,

except for transfers to magnet schools and programs that are subject to specific admissions requirements and/or random lotteries that are governed by Policy 2370, Magnet Programs/Schools.

O Controlled Open Enrollment allows the School District to make K-12 school assignments using parents' indicated preferential educational choice in-county and out-of-county. This section of the policy does not apply to charter schools. Charter schools must adopt their own controlled open enrollment plan.

O Controlled Open Enrollment is active during a specific window period between end of year and the subsequent school year.

Parent Involvement

2111 - PARENT INVOLVEMENT– A HOME-SCHOOL-DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP o A collaborative environment is encouraged in which the parents and families of

District students are invited and encouraged to be involved stakeholders in the school community. This policy establishes the framework and responsibilities for implementation of strategies to increase family and community involvement. A copy of this policy must be distributed to all parents.

9210 - PARENT ORGANIZATIONS o The Parent-Teacher/Parent-Teacher-Student Associations (PTA/PTSA) in the

District are acknowledged as sincerely interested in, and staunch supporters of public education in Miami-Dade County.

Pledge of Allegiance










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8810 - THE AMERICAN FLAG o The Pledge of Allegiance shall be recited at the beginning of the day in every

school. o A student has the right not to participate in reciting the pledge. Upon written request

by his/her parent, the student must be excused from reciting the pledge, including standing and placing the right hand over his/her heart.

Privacy

2416 - STUDENT PRIVACY AND PARENTAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION o Parents have the right to inspect, upon request, a survey or evaluation created by a

third party or any instrument used in the collection of personal information before the survey/evaluation is administered or distributed by the school to the student. The parent will have access to the survey/evaluation or instrument within a reasonable period of time after the request is received by the principal.

Schools of Choice/Magnet Schools

2370 - MAGNET PROGRAMS/SCHOOLS o Magnet programs/schools broaden public school choice, stem declining enrollment,

mitigate overcrowding, help comply with Federal and State-mandated public school choice provisions, accommodate parent/student interest, improve the quality of education, and promote diverse student enrollments. Magnet programs/schools are unique educational programs operating within the District, for which additional resources and/or ancillary services may be provided to help make such educational experiences available to students beyond a single attendance boundary area.

School Transportation/Bus Safety Conduct

8600 – TRANSPORTATION o Students living more than two miles from their home school will be eligible for

District-provided bus transportation. Students who attend school out of their home school zone will not be eligible for District-provided transportation.

Special Education

2460 – EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION The School Board shall provide a free, appropriate, public education for students with disabilities according to State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations and shall implement the procedures document entitled Exceptional Student Education Policies and Procedures.

Student Activities

5845 - STUDENT ACTIVITIES o All clubs and organizations approved by the principal to operate within the school

must comply with this district policy. A student who wishes to represent the school through interscholastic competitions or performance must comply with the criteria set forth in policy.

Student Records/Access to Student Records

8330 - STUDENT RECORDS Parents and eligible students have the right to access education records, including the right to inspect and review those records, and have the right to waive their access to their education records in certain circumstances. Prior written consent of the parent, guardian, or eligible student shall be obtained prior to disclosing personally identifiable student information, except under certain circumstances.










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8350 - CONFIDENTIALITY o A student's educational record and all personally

identifiable information shall not be properly released except on the condition that the information being transferred will not be subsequently released to any other party without first obtaining the consent of the parent or adult/eligible student.

Student Services

2290 - CHARACTER EDUCATION o The School Board shall assist all students in developing the core values and

strength of character needed for them by to become caring, responsible citizens at home, school, and in the community. There are nine core values that form the basis for the character education program. These values are Citizenship, Cooperation, Fairness, Honesty, Kindness, Integrity, Pursuit of Excellence, Respect, and Responsibility.

5530 - DRUG PREVENTION o Schools shall strive to prevent drug abuse and help drug abusers through

educational means. o The use, possession, concealment, or distribution of any drug or any drug-related

paraphernalia, or the misuse of a product containing a substance that can provide an intoxicating or mood-altering effect or the misuse of any "over-the-counter" medications or substances are prohibited on school grounds, on school vehicles, and at any school-sponsored event.

Title I – School wide Program

2261 - TITLE I SERVICES o The School Board shall augment the educational program of disadvantaged

students through the use of Federal funds, in compliance with all Federal or statutory requirements as outlined in the Elementary and Secondary School Improvement Act of 1965 and its amendments.

Visitors

9150 - SCHOOL VISITORS o Parents, other adult residents of the community, and interested educators are

encouraged to visit schools. o The Principal has the authority, however, to prohibit the entry of any person to a

school or expel any person when there is reason to believe the presence of such person would be detrimental. If an individual refuses to leave the school grounds or creates a disturbance, the principal is authorized to request assistance from School Police or the local law enforcement agency to remove the individual.

Volunteer Program

2430.01 - SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS o The School Board recognizes that certain programs and activities can be enhanced

through the use of volunteers who have knowledge or skills that will be helpful to members of the school staff who are responsible for the conduct of those programs and activities. A school volunteer is any non-compensated person who may be appointed by the Superintendent or his/her designee. School volunteers may include, but are not limited to, parents, senior citizens, students, and others who assist the teacher or other members of the school staff.

Anti-Discrimination Policy








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Federal and State Laws

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.

Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2002 – no public school shall deny equal access to, or a fair

opportunity for groups to meet on school premises or in school facilities before or after school hours, or

discriminate against any group officially affiliated with Boy Scouts of America or any other youth or

community group listed in Title 36 (as a patriotic society).

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


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identification, social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy, citizenship status, and any

other legally prohibited basis. Retaliation for engaging in a protected activity is also prohibited.

For additional information contact:

Office of Civil Rights Compliance (CRC)

Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator

155 N.E. 15th Street, Suite P104E

Miami, Florida 33132

Phone: (305) 995-1580 TDD: (305) 995-2400

Email: [email protected] Website: http://crc.dadeschools.net Rev: 08/2017


http://crc.dadeschools.net/

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