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HORIZON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FACULTY HANDBOOK

2015-2016

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HORIZON ELEMENTARY FACULTY HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 4 Introduction Principal’s Dozen Page 5 School Mission Statement and District Goals Page 7 List: Grade Chairpersons, Supplemental Positions, PTA Officers, School Advisory

Forum Officers (SAF) and School Advisory Council (SAC) Page 8 Responsibilities of Team Leaders Absentee-Student Page 9 Absentee-Staff Arrival on time (Staff) Academic Assessment Accidents-Employee Accident Reports Page 11 Accreditation After-School Program Arrival Page 12-13 Articulation Page 13 Assemblies Page 13-14 Attendance-Student Attendance-Faculty and Staff Building Evacuation/Emergency Drills Page 14 Building Evacuation/Emergency Drills (cont.)

Bulletin Boards and Displays Bullying

Page 16 Cafeteria Cell Phone/Phone Calls Page 18 Change of Name/Address Page 18-19 Child Abuse Reporting Collaborative Problem Solving team Classroom Appearance

Classroom Interruptions Page 19 Classroom Security Page 19-20 Correspondence Collection of Money

Communications Page 20 Conferences

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Page 20-21 Confidentiality

Cumulative Folders Discipline

Page 21-22 Discipline (cont.)

Dismissal Procedures Page 22-23 Dismissal Procedures (cont.)

Dress and Grooming Dehydration – Heat Exhaustion/Stroke Email

Employee Assistance Program ESOL Evaluations Page 23-24 Evaluations (cont.)

Facilities/Classroom Maintenance Faculty Meetings Faculty Room/Lounge Field Trip Procedures Page 24 Field Trip Procedures (cont.) Harassment Health: Clinic, Communicable Disease and Infection, Medication, Emergency Information Page 25 Interim Reports Page 25 Keys Lesson Plans and Class Record Books Page 25-27 Lesson Plans (cont.): Substitute Lesson Plans Loan of Equipment Lost- Missing Items Materials and Supplies Page 27 Materials and Supplies

Mailboxes Media-Guidelines for Teacher Checkouts Page 27 Media-Guidelines for Teacher Checkouts (cont.)

Meeting Days Morning Announcements Page 29 Open House Page 29 Parental Concerns

Parking Lot Playground Supervision Page 29 Playground Supervision (cont.)

Principal’s Designee

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Professional Conduct Public Relations

Page 30 Rainy Day Dismissal Reimbursements

Safety Practices/Building Security Page 30 Safety Practices/Building Security (cont.)

School Management Plan Draft School Social Worker Self Reporting

Page 32 Smoking Special Classes Page 33 Special Classes (cont.)

Staff Bulletins T. D. A.’s Page 34 Teaching Certificates Telephone Procedures Textbook Check-out Procedure Tutoring

Vandalism/Property Damage Page 35 Videos

Visitors Weapons and Drugs Volunteers Volunteers (cont.)

Withdrawals Page 36 Workers Compensation Xerox Machines

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Introduction The principal is responsible for the entire operation of the school and hopes to make working conditions as pleasant as possible for everyone. We will operate within the constraints of the law, school board policy, and the contract between the School Board and the unions. I have an “open door” policy, please see Craig Guy (BTU Steward) and he will set-up a time that is mutually agreeable for us to meet. The primary purpose of the school is to educate children and this purpose needs to remain uppermost in the minds of all school board employees. As the instructional leaders, we must provide the example that children will model. Ask nothing of children you are not willing and able to do yourself. The principal, with input from the staff and in compliance with school board policy will establish whatever policies and procedures are necessary to successfully run the school. All school board employees will be expected to abide by all school board policies and school procedures needed to successfully operate the school. Principal’s Dozen 1. Be positive and flexible. 2. Honor commitments and meet deadlines. 3. Arrive at school and meetings on time. 4. Provide a neat, organized environment for children. 5. Provide original, pertinent displays and boards. 6. Demonstrate a respect for each work group and provide positive support to their functions. 7. Abide by school policies; they refer to the entire staff. 8. Never leave children unsupervised. 9. Become involved in in-service activities. 10. Learn to use equipment. 11. Become familiar and use the faculty handbook. 12. Be an active participant in the school.

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HORIZON ELEMENTARY’S PHILOSOPHY

We, the faculty of Horizon Elementary School, believe in the worth and dignity of the individual. Each child should have an opportunity to get the best education that can be provided. We value the uniqueness of each child. Learning is a personal and continuous experience. Therefore, it is the responsibility and duty of each faculty and staff member of this school to endeavor to accomplish the following objectives:

HORIZON ELEMENTARY’S MISSION

Every Student, Every Day, What Ever It Takes

OBJECTIVES

1. To develop a closer relationship between the home and the school, so that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the growth of the child.

2. To promote the continual development of the basic tools and skills necessary for

functioning successfully in today's society. 3. To promote intellectual curiosity and critical thinking in each child. 4. To help each child establish positive habits and attitudes which will result in

good health and growth. 5. To promote good citizenship, develop pride in our community and school, and

instill loyalty to our country.

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Horizon Elementary Supplemental Positions 2015-2016

Grade Chairs Kindergarten Nicole Bohdana First Grade Candy Munchick Second Grade Trudi Lewkowitz Third Grade Christine Delmonico Fourth Grade Craig Guy Fifth Grade Robin Butcher Supplemental Positions Dorinda Bernard Substitute Calling Marcia Buitron Free and Reduce Lunch Holly Bagwell Textbooks & ESOL Craig Guy SAC Chair, Safety Patrols, Student Council & Bus Duty Robin Butcher In-service Thaddeus Smith Volunteers (No Supplement) Ron Rosenberg Testing Coordinator & Just Say No Andree Guerra Computer Liaison Rita Switzer BTIP Patty Rizzo Scrabble Club Elizabeth Andres Chess Club

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RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEAM LEADERS

The team leaders in addition to regular teaching duties shall: 1. GRADE LEVEL STUDENT SERVICES

a) coordinate student educational program. b) coordinate student medical/social-emotional program with assistance from the

Guidance Counselor. c) coordinate educational activities such as field trips, academic competitions, plays and

performances, special day activities, etc. d) coordinate review, selection, and ordering of appropriate instructional and practice

materials. e) coordinate and monitor the measurement and recording of student heights and

weights.

2. GRADE LEVEL STAFF SUPPORT a) participate in parent/teacher conferences when requested. b) provide assistance to teachers in improving classroom management and instructional

technique. c) provide new teacher orientation and in-service. d) coordinate program objectives requirements. e) coordinate professional improvement opportunities and activities and encourage

teachers to participate; assist with in-service plans. f) coordinate and monitor classroom aide schedules for teachers. g) coordinate programs to eliminate weaknesses in the instructional programs based on

standardized scores. h) participate in formulating policy and procedures relating to curriculum. i) count and check all money collected by teachers for field trips, paperback books, etc. j) assist in monitoring School Improvement Plan. k) coordinate the book count at the end of the school year. l) attend all applicable school and county level meetings. m) monitor the computer lab program for the grades supervised.

3. GRADE LEVEL RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING a) prepare for and discuss grade level status and concerns at a weekly meeting. b) prepare for and discuss concerns at the School Improvement Team meeting. c) maintain and monitor substitute lesson plans for grade level members. d) monitor team functions to determine problems and needs. e) meet with administration as a curriculum board and report objectively to grade level

team members. 4. COMMUNITY INFORMATION

a) provide educational program information to the community and civic groups (i.e. PTA, Advisory, Service Clubs, etc.)

b) provide educational programs information to the community through the school newsletter, newspaper articles, district publications, etc.

c) Coordinate grade level communication to go home in bi-monthly newsletter. (See dates for submissions).

5. DUTIES a) participate with principals and assistant principals in performance assessment

conferences for the purpose of assisting unit members in understanding their strengths and possible areas for improvement.

Provide coaching opportunities and assist with curriculum development for teachers assigned to their departments/teams. b) serving on curriculum councils. c) implementing programs and curriculum adopted by the School Board.

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d) assisting and advising principals in all of the itemized performance responsibilities which are designed to maintain and improve employee performance.

e) participate with principals and assistant principals in performance assessment conferences for the purpose of assisting unit members in under- standing their strengths and possible areas for improvement. Provide coaching opportunities and assist with curriculum development for

teachers assigned to their departments/teams.

*Perform other duties as assigned by the principal

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ABSENTEE- STUDENT • Please let the office know if you know the reason why a student is/will be absent more than 3

days. • If a student has missed 3 consecutive days, call the family. • If you know a student has been hospitalized, notify the administration.

ABSENTEE- STAFF • Reporting Of: All faculty members are to report to Sub Search as early as possible concerning the

need for a substitute teacher. All non-instructional personnel are to advise the school as early as possible concerning their absence.

• If  you  will  be  arriving  to  school  more  that  one  hour  late,  you  must  secure  a  half-­‐day  substitute.  • Substitute Preparation: Teachers are required to leave plans for substitutes and to have available

at all times a class roll, a seating chart for each group, a daily schedule, and a dismissal chart (walkers, bike riders, car riders, bus riders, aftercare.) Plan books are to be kept up to date and available.  

• If you have a scheduled parent conference on the day of your absence, you must call the parent and cancel the conference.  

ATTENDANCE: FACULTY/STAFF • ARRIVE ON TIME: Staff members are expected to arrive on time as per their

contracted hours. If you are unable to arrive on time, you must notify the front office as to how late you will be arriving. Continuous disregard of this policy may result in disciplinary action by administration.

• If you will be arriving more than 1 hour late, you must secure a half-day substitute. School hours for teachers are 7:20 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. Staff members leaving before 2:50 p.m. should have a TDA approved by the principal. If you need to leave because of an emergency, you must have the approval of the principal or assistant principal. If you need to leave campus during the school day, please be sure to sign-out in the Staff Sign-out Book in the front office.

• Personal Leave: Employees shall be granted up to six (6) days each school year for personal

reasons. However, such absences for personal reasons shall be charged on to accrued sick leave, and leave for personal reasons shall be non-cumulative. Employees shall not be required to give reasons for personal leave, except that the leave is for “personal reasons”.

a. Personal leave reasons shall not be granted on the day preceding or following a holiday* nor during the first or last week of school. The first week of school starts on day one of the 196 day work calendar and the last week of school concludes on the final day of said calendar. *(Notes: A holiday on the official School Board calendar is any date marked as a “holiday” or “day off.”)

CERTIFICATE OF ABSCENCE: When you are absent, a Certificate of Absence form will be completed and placed in your mailbox. Please sign it and return it to the office manager. It is your responsibility to come to the front office the day after your absence to sign your Certificate of Absence form. You will find your certificate by in Ms Albano’s office.

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ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT Individual Reading Inventories (IRI's) and math placement tests may be given to determine correct level placement. Teachers will constantly evaluate student progress through the use of various tools including end of book tests, ESOL competencies verification, teacher observations, teacher-made tests, and standardized tests. ACCIDENTS - EMPLOYEE Any employee that has an accident while at work must make a report to the office as soon as possible. This must be done even if you do not plan to get medical attention. If an injury to an employee is not reported within twenty-four (24) Hours, he/she may not be covered under Workers' Compensation. ACCIDENT REPORTS • All injured children should be sent to the clinic unless it is considered hazardous to be moved. If

this is the case, please send for qualified help immediately. • Teachers should report all injuries to the office as soon as possible. • TEACHERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ACCIDENT REPORT THE

SAME DAY AS THE INCIDENT. PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF INJURY • Provide the best possible supervision. • Report any safety hazards to the office including faulty equipment and furniture. • Provide proper storage for any item that may pose potential danger to students. (Example: pins,

sharp scissors, sharp working tools, thumbtacks, etc.) • Periodically review all class and school safety rules (Example: walking versus. running, proper

use of scissors, sharp pencils, use of staplers, play-ground rules, etc.) • Do not require students to climb on any furniture or assume the responsibility of connecting

electrical items. Staff should use only strong, appropriate items for climbing and/or should request assistance from the custodial staff.

ACCREDITATION The schools of Broward County are accredited by the Florida State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Overall school improvement is the underlying reason for school evaluation and self-study projects. Every year, the school will develop goals that relate to the SACS self-study and school improvement. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM Horizon Elementary runs their own afterschool program, if you are interested in working contact the director ARRIVAL School hours are from 7:50 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. Students are to arrive no earlier than 7:15 a.m. They are admitted to the building to eat breakfast from 7:15 a.m. - 7:40 a.m. Staff Supervision Responsibilities • Staff members will supervise students in the hallways from 7:20 – 7:50 a.m. Each team will select

one person to assist with AM duty • Staff members will monitor students as they get off the bus to ensure the Horizon Walk is

followed.

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• Teachers will teach students to do the Horizon Walk to the standard for arrival. • Teachers in the main building will supervise (praise/correct) student compliance by standing in

hallways adjacent to their classrooms from 7:45 a.m. – 7:50 a.m. ARTICULATION Beginning of Year Procedure-Class Lists: Class lists will be effective from the first day of school through Tuesday after Labor Day. At 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, teachers will submit an actual warm body count to grade chairpersons. Grade chairpersons will submit counts to the registrar. At this point, students entering will be placed according to class size and alphabetical teacher name order. Parent Request Policy Statement: For publication in the newsletter, on back of early release day notices and in the registration packet: Horizon Elementary has an established Articulation Committee. This committee has met on a regular basis to define policy and procedures for appropriate class placement of students. Therefore, all classroom assignments will be made by an articulation/grade group committee. Parent requests will not be accepted per school-wide policy. For publication on the menu: Student placement for the 2015-2016 school year will be conducted by an articulation /grade group committee. Parent requests will not be accepted per school-wide policy. Beginning of the Year - New Student Class Placement Procedures: Kindergarten Equitably distribute students as to birthdays, gender, race. Grades 1-5 Articulation Committee members will meet with their respective grade groups to equitably distribute newly enrolled students during pre-planning. During the Year - New Student Class Placement Procedures: Kindergarten Placement first done according to class size and then alphabetically. Grades 1-5 Temporary placement with letter to parents (see appendix.) Placement first done according to class size and then alphabetically by teacher name. Team will determine permanent placement, notify parents of any change in class assignment, and notify the Data Processor (within 1 day) to change the information on the AS400 computer. End of the Year Procedure For Making Class Lists: • Present grade-level teams will make subsequent grade class lists for next year. • During next year’s pre-planning, Articulation Committee members will meet with their

respective teams to place newly enrolled students. • Parent requests will not be accepted. This is a school-wide policy. Requests will be returned

accompanied by a letter stating this policy (see appendix.) ARTICULATIONcont. Procedure for Parent Request for Class Change:

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• Must have parent-teacher conference. Conference form must document concerns and suggested interventions.

• If teacher sees that problem(s) will continue with parent, teacher will immediately notify administration of the situation. Conversely, administration will notify teacher of parent complaints.

• When a request for a class change is made, the conference must include parent, teacher, and administration.

• If a class change is necessary, student placement will be based on grade-level criteria. ASSEMBLIES Teachers will attend assemblies with their class. If the class has a scheduled special during the assembly time, then the special teacher will supervise the class. Teachers are responsible for their students’ behavior during assemblies. Classroom teachers will instruct students in appropriate assembly behavior before every assembly. All faculty and staff members will model appropriate assembly behavior, including not talking to other adults and not doing paperwork during the assembly. ATTENDANCE : STUDENT It is the responsibility of instructional personnel to keep accurate attendance records. Attendance must be taken daily. School hours are from 7:50 a.m. - 1:50 p.m. All students should be in their seats; ready to start the day at 7:50 a.m. Students arriving after 7:50 a.m. will be marked tardy by the classroom teacher. Students arriving after 7:50 a.m. must secure a tardy pass from the office before reporting to class. Absences and tardies should be entered in Pinnacle. Any excessive or questionable absences should be reported to the assistant principal. ATTENDANCE: STUDENTcont. • Use the following marks to record attendance: F = Absent T = Tardy S = Suspension (External) Note: Computer records will show “F” (Full Day Absent) and “T” (Tardy) • Do daily attendance by 8:20 a.m. on Pinnacle • Place an “E1” on the date of the student’s first day of attendance. • Before 8:00 teachers are responsible for the tardies. After 8:00 the front office will input the

tardies. • Check the attendance two times each quarter to make sure you have the correct number of days. • Add comments next to each student about the absence. (Spoke to mom, etc….) • If you have questions see Rita Switzer or Thaddeus Smith • Be sure to leave attendance instruction for a substitute teacher. • Attendance must be sent to the office before leaving on a field trip. • BUILDING EVACUATION/EMERGENCY DRILLS SUCCESSFUL DRILLS:

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• Have an evacuation route posted in each classroom. • Follow the plans in your emergency folder – for each type of possible emergency • Review evacuation procedures at the beginning of the year. (The first drill must be held within

the first five days of the school year). • Upon hearing the emergency warning, students should line up, walk orderly to the evacuation

exit and assemble at the assigned area. Students should stay quietly in the assigned area until the all-clear signal is given by Zone Captain or his or her designee--one long bell.

• Make sure that you can account for all students. • Teachers should take their gradebook, emergency plan folder and emergency dismissal forms,

which would include telephone numbers. Attendance should be taken once the students are lined up outside.

• All doors to the building should be CLOSED. • If a fire occurs during the lunch period, students should leave their lunch trays in place and file

out through the designated fire exits (see CAFETERIA FIRE EXIT MAPS). • Signal: A series of three (3) warning bells or continuous horn sound. • Following each evacuation drill, evaluate and discuss performance with your class. • Codes: A copy of the codes will be posted beside each intercom button throughout the school. • CRISIS/EVACUATION PROCEDURES:

1. CODE RED – Full Lockdown 2. CODE YELLOW – Lockdown 3. CODE BLUE - Medical Emergency 4. CODE BLACK – Bomb Threat 5. CODE ORANGE – Evacuate 6. CODE GREEN – All Clear 7. CODE BROWN – Shelter in Place

TORNADO DRILL • A tornado drill will be conducted at least once a year to familiarize all students and staff with the

procedures. The public address system will be utilized for the tornado drill and all students and staff will report to their assigned locations in the school.

• Specific personnel will be assigned to round up the children on playgrounds or other outdoor areas during a tornado drill or warning. Students in portables should proceed immediately into the building, follow the tornado evacuation map.

• When students are assembled in assigned locations, they should be instructed to respond to a specific command to assume protective postures (under desks when in the classroom or facing interior walls when in hallways).

• Such a command might be: "EVERYBODY DOWN! CROUCH ON ELBOWS AND KNEES; HANDS OVER BACK OF HEAD!" It is essential that this command be instantly understood and obeyed. Most tornado deaths are caused by head injuries.

• Should a tornado strike Broward County, the drill procedures could save the lives of many youngsters.

BUILDING SECURITY Classroom doors must be locked at all times • Codes: A copy of the codes will be posted beside each intercom button throughout the school. • CRISIS/EVACUATION PROCEDURES:

8. CODE RED – Full Lockdown 9. CODE YELLOW – Lockdown 10. CODE BLUE - Medical Emergency 11. CODE BLACK – Bomb Threat 12. CODE ORANGE – Evacuate 13. CODE GREEN – All Clear

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14. CODE BROWN – Shelter in Place Emergency Response Team: Personnel include- administration, (Mrs. Chiet & Mr. Smith) first-aid certified person (School Nurse), CPR person (School Nurse), guidance counselor, exceptional education specialist , and back-up support personnel. When an emergency occurs, the supervising adult will contact the front office via the intercom system and identify the appropriate emergency code and the location. Office personnel will notify the emergency response team and will alert school personnel as necessary. When an emergency code is broadcast, staff members will refrain from using the intercom system and walkie-talkies and will restrict student movement until the code is rescinded. • Building Security: All School Board employees (such as maintenance personnel) are required to

wear picture ID badges. Volunteers and visitors are required to sign in at the front office and receive a badge. All teachers and staff members wear nametags.

• Therefore, there should not be anyone in the building without an identification tag. The office should be notified whenever any stranger is spotted in the building or on the campus.

• All doors on the north and south side of the building should be locked. • Rocks or other items must not be placed in the doors. • Teachers should practice the "buddy system" (2 children) when sending students to the main

building or to other areas on the campus. • Students in portables at the rear of the main building should enter and exit the building through

the doors near the P.E. room. All other doors will be locked. • Students must not be left unsupervised at any time.

BULLETIN BOARDS AND DISPLAYS Bulletin Board Displays are an important part of each classroom and should be considered a valuable teaching tool. Each teacher is expected to have attractive, informative, and appropriate displays at all times. Every attempt will be made to have on hand the necessary materials that each teacher will need to develop and change their boards regularly. A supply of bulletin board paper and borders is on hand for use by all. The bulletin boards in the central hallways will be changed at the beginning of every month. Teachers will be assigned a bulletin board schedule at the beginning of the school year. Standards to be maintained for bulletin boards and displays are: • correct spelling • pertinent to the curriculum or management procedure • put up and taken down on time • include student work whenever possible • avoid dittos or other “cookie cutter” display materials • avoid using staples or push-pins on hallway walls EVERY bulletin board can: * teach anything * give recognition to achievement * enhance the room's appearance BULLETIN BOARDS AND DISPLAYS Cont. * develop deeper understanding of concepts

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* stimulate and motivate * reflect the personality of the teacher and his/her class REMEMBER that bulletin board ideas are endless. Every idea may be displayed in a dozen different ways. For the amount of time, effort, and planning that goes into it, the bulletin board pays good dividends. Additionally, bulletin boards can not cover more that 50% of the classroom walls. BULLYING Will not be tolerated adult to adult, adult to student or any form of bullying as stated in the definition of bullying and may result in administrative discipline. Policy 5.9: Anti Bulling I. Definitions A. “Bullying” means systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees. It is further defined as: unwanted purposeful written, verbal, nonverbal, or physical behavior, including but not limited to any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, by an adult or student, that has the potential to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment or cause long term damage; cause discomfort or humiliation; or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation, is carried out repeatedly and is often characterized by an imbalance of power. Bullying may involve, but is not limited to: 1. unwanted teasing 2. threatening 3. intimidating 4. stalking 5. cyberstalking 6. cyberbullying 7. physical violence 8. theft 9. sexual, religious, or racial harassment 10. public humiliation 11. destruction of school or personal property 12. social exclusion, including incitement and/or coercion 13. rumor or spreading of falsehoods CAFETERIA • Prices: Students Breakfast Full Pay $ 1.20 Breakfast Reduced $ .30 Lunch Full Pay $ 2.00 Lunch Reduced $ .40 • Free and Reduced: Free and reduced price meal application forms are sent home during the first

week of school. Parents who wish free or reduced meals for this school year must reapply. Reduced price meals must be paid on a weekly/daily basis in the morning. See Marcia Buitron in the office if you have any questions.

• Prices: Adults Breakfast Full $ 1.80 Lunch Full $ 2.75 Milk $ .60 • Keypad system: All students, staff members and visitors will receive a 5 digit number to use

when ordering any item from the cafeteria. These numbers will remain the same each year. The cafeteria manager generates numbers for new students when given this information from the registrar. Teachers will instruct students on how to use the keypad at the beginning of the year.

• Paying: All students who pay for their lunch, whether reduced or full pay, must be sent to the cafeteria before 9:00 a.m. Reduced monies may not be collected on the lunch line per Federal

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Regulations. We must adhere to this requirement or we could lose all Federal Funding to the school.

• Charges: If a student forgets his/her money, they may charge one meal in the cafeteria. They will not be allowed to charge another meal until the first charge is paid. If a student has an outstanding charge, they will be given a peanut butter sandwich.

• Appropriate Cafeteria Behavior/Rules: It is the professional responsibility of the classroom

teacher to post, teach, model and reinforce the cafeteria rules. All faculty members will cooperatively correct/positively reinforce any student’s behavior on a daily basis when in the cafeteria. The following manners should receive classroom attention and reinforcement.

1. Enter and exit the cafeteria quietly. 2. Stay in your seat. 3. Raise your hand for help 4. Talk quietly to your neighbor 5. Keep hands and feet to yourself 6. Use proper table manners 7. Leave your table and floor area clean. • Incentive Program: An incentive program to promote acceptable behavior in the cafeteria is

implemented each year. Classes earn daily points in the cafeteria as well as a variety of special treats/activities in the classroom. The classroom teacher will teach and reinforce daily the cafeteria rules, post rules in classroom, be on time to bring and pick class up from lunch, discuss the day’s rating with the class. Encourage, praise, and make suggestions for improvement. Please remind students to use the restroom before their lunchtime. The supervising paraprofessionals will be in the cafeteria at their assigned time, circulate constantly, continually/consistently assisting students and monitoring behavior, praising, marking cafeteria point card for their assigned classes daily, assigning time-outs, writing referrals, calling administration and/or support staff, and recalling wipers and sweepers if needed.

• Consequences: The purpose of the cafeteria consequences program is to address the needs of

those students who exhibit a pattern of inappropriate behavior in the cafeteria. Students may sit in time-out in the cafeteria. Students may removed from the cafeteria and sent to time-out with a support staff member. The child will not enter the cafeteria during lunchtime but will report to a designated room at the class’s assigned lunchtime. The child will have to earn his/her way out of the cafeteria by successfully following the rules stated herein, or have additional time added by not following said rules.

• Bringing Lunch: Children bringing their own lunch to school should bring their own straws and napkins.

• Food/Schedule Changes/Field Trips: It is the professional responsibility of the teacher to make arrangements with the cafeteria manager and paraprofessionals when a field trip has any effect on the lunch schedule. Free and reduced lunch students must be provided for, the daily schedule and seating chart may have to be revised, bag lunches may have to be ordered, etc. Two weeks advance notice to the cafeteria manager and paraprofessionals is a priority in planning for a field trip. The teacher will give the office a copy of the new lunch schedule and seating chart on the day of the field trip so they know where children are located at all times.

• Menus: Breakfast and lunch menus are published each month and sent home with students. • Regulations- District/State/Federal:

Students may not leave the school campus during lunch. Parents are welcome to eat with their child provided that they sign-in and receive a visitors pass at the office first. All free and reduced lunch students’ must be provided that lunch/breakfast every day, even during special occasions such as field trips.

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Unused milk and food may not be recirculated to students. Its use is restricted to cafeteria cooking. No child is allowed to put their tray into the SOMAT machine. An adult must take their tray and deposit it.

• Schedule: Each classroom teacher has an assigned lunch time and tables for their class to sit. It is the professional responsibility of the classroom teacher to bring and pick-up his/her class at their scheduled time. If a classroom teacher brings their class late, he/she is still required to pick their class up at the regularly scheduled time. If paraprofessionals or administration delay lunch time due to cafeteria line back-ups, the schedule will be adjusted accordingly to reflect the 30 minutes for lunch.

• Supervision: Paraprofessionals, support staff, and administration supervise the cafeteria during breakfast and lunch serving times. These personnel circulate to assist students and maintain a safe eating environment, and carry out the Cafeteria Incentive Program.

CELL PHONE/PHONE CALLS • PERSONAL – You may not make personal phone calls during instructional time. If it is an emergency you

must step outside the room and have another teacher watch your class or contact the front office for someone to cover your class while you make the call.

• PARENTS – You may not call parents during instructional time. If parents must be called during the day it needs to done during your planning time or on your break. If it is an emergency notify the front office

CHANGE OF NAME/ADDRESS If you have any changes in your name, address, or personal information, please notify the office manager so that school records and personnel records at the county office may be changed. CHILD ABUSE REPORTING Florida Statute requires educators to report any alleged or actual child abuse/neglect to the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS). If you suspect a student is being abused or neglected, you may discuss your feeling or suspicions with the guidance counselor, principal / assistant principal, or you may directly report the case to the Department of Children’s and Families by calling the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE. He or she can assist you in telephoning in an abuse case and completing the necessary forms. Failure to report child abuse could result in legal action. RESPONSE TO INSTRUCTION/INTERVENTION (MTSS) Response to Instruction/Intervention (Rti) provides multi-disciplinary services to the teachers and students in order to help ensure greater success on the part of students. The Child Support Team meets on a regularly scheduled basis to address identified problems and suggest possible interventions. The team may include Principal, Assistant Principal, School Psychologist, District Personnel, Curriculum Specialist, Guidance, and/or Exceptional Student Educational Specialist. Other school personnel join the team as the need arises. Referrals are made to the Child Support Team by any staff member, parent or anyone who has observed a need. The referral forms are found in the Guidance Office. Rationale for the referral may include but not be limited to: academic, behavioral, emotional, health concerns, need for social services, possibility of retention, and improper placement of a student.

CLASSROOM APPEARANCE

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The first and sometimes only impression of our school may be based on what is seen as one walks through the building or visits a classroom. The appearance of each classroom is very important and should be given daily attention. This should be a cooperative effort by the teacher, students and custodial staff. The following checklist may help you establish a manageable system to maintain an attractive classroom. • Does the furniture arrangement make the best utilization of available space? • Are books and other materials neatly arranged on shelves and other work areas? • Are unwanted and unusable items discarded when no longer needed? • Are shelves and other storage areas organized to eliminate clutter? • Are bulletin boards attractive, appropriate, meaningful and frequently changed? • Is a time set aside each day for daily housekeeping chores? • Are students involved in assuming these chores? CLASSROOM INTERRUPTIONS The front office will refrain from calling into the classroom unless absolutely necessary. An intercom call is to be answered by the teacher only. The teacher will instruct students to get quiet immediately when an intercom call comes through. In an effort to protect instructional time, students will be assigned the task of delivering lunch boxes, messages, etc. to the classrooms twice a day. CLASSROOM SECURITY • All classroom doors should be locked at all times. • Keys are available for most rooms. They may be checked out from the office. • Personal items belonging to teachers should be put away. • Students should be encouraged to do the same. COLLECTION OF MONEY • Team Leader • Teachers will collect money, record names and amount on provided form. • TOTAL refunds must be given to students on ANY CANCELLATION OF ACTIVITIES, FIELD

TRIPS, ETC. • "Monies Collected Forms" are used when recording amounts up to $15.00. • Individual receipts are issued for fees that are $15.00 or more. COMMUNICATIONS / CORRESPONDENCE All communications such as letters to parents, field trip notices, etc. must be submitted to the principal or assistant principal for approval before being sent home. A copy will be kept on file with the front office. • SIT, advisory and Executive minutes will be provided to team leaders to share with team. • Team leaders, committee chairpersons should complete a “Team/Committee Meeting” form

after meeting with their respective groups. Submit the form to the Principal within one day. The principal will review and give copies to all staff members.

CONFERENCES Parent-teacher conferences are an effective means of communicating and solving problems. Board Policy states, "Conferences with parents or guardians are a required part of the reporting system. At least two (2) per year are recommended." Make every reasonable attempt to notify parents of the need to schedule a conference.

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Written evidence of conferences held with parents should be maintained and documented including the parent and teacher signatures. The provided Parent-Teacher Conference Form should be completed with one copy presented to parents at the end of each conference and the teacher will file the yellow copy in the child's cumulative folder. When appropriate, involve other members of the staff who may have valuable information to share in the conference. If the attendance of the principal is desired at any conference, notification should be early enough to allow the principal ample time to review student records and to discuss any anticipated problems and/or concerns. If retention is a possibility, School Board policy #5104 states that a conference must be called by the teacher on or before May 1st. Clearly state on the conference form that retention is being considered as a possible option. Conferences may be scheduled before or after school, during planning times and on teacher workdays. Do not schedule conferences during class time with students. All parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled. During arrival and dismissal, the classroom teacher must supervise his/her students. The teacher will politely remind a parent of this responsibility if the parent attempts to engage the teacher in an unscheduled conference. BE PREPARED, POSITIVE, FRIENDLY, PERCEPTIVE, AND IN CONTROL CONFIDENTIALITY Confidentiality of student information should be observed at all times. Teachers should not discuss a student’s behavior, academic progress, or problems in the teachers’ lounge or other social places. Grades should not be humiliating to any student. NO GRADES OR TEST SCORES SHOULD BE READ ALOUD IN CLASS. CUMULATIVE FOLDERS Procedures for cumulative folders will be distributed at a later date. DISCIPLINE The School-wide Discipline Plan in conjunction with the Student Conduct and Discipline Code Book, The Discipline Management System, The Matrix and School Board Policy #5301 are to be used as your guide in matters relating to school discipline. Consistently fair and firm discipline is an asset to your program and helps to avoid problems of misunderstanding. Corporal punishment will not be utilized to discipline children by anyone employed by the School Board of Broward County. DO NOT GRAB, HIT, OR MANHANDLE A STUDENT!!! These administrative expectations are taken directly from CHAMPS. I strongly suggest that you read these sections as well as other areas in the book that can assist you with the overall functioning of your class. The CHAMPS is a wonderful reference for your use and growth as an educator. PROFESSIONALISM - teachers and staff will demonstration professionalism at all times. •Be an active problem solver •Work well with colleagues •Respect the confidentiality of both students and colleagues •Engage in ongoing professional development

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•Act in a professional manner •Present a professional appearance BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES – develop an understanding of behavior management principles so that you can make effective decisions and take appropriate decisions to help your students learn to behave responsibly. •Effective teachers spend more time promoting responsible behavior than responding to irresponsible behavior •Effective teachers recognize that misbehavior occurs for a reason and responds accordingly PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR – spend most of your time promoting responsible behavior rather than responding to constant negative behavior. •Set up conditions to promote responsible behavior •Ensure that students experience positive results when they behave responsibly •Ensure that students DONOT experience negative results from exhibiting responsible behavior MISBEHAVIOR OCCURS FOR A REASON – Chronic misbehavior occurs for a reason it is not random. •Refer to pages 33 & 34 for tips on improving behavior LEVEL OF CLASSROOM STRUCTURE – determine whether your students need you to implement a management plan that involves high, medium, or low structure. Remember the higher the risk factors the more highly structured your classroom needs to be. It is easier to let up than to bear down. •Refer to pages 37 & 38 for the Management and Disciple Planning Questionnaire BEGINNING AND ENDING ROUTINES – design efficient and effective procedures for beginning and ending the day. •Refer to page 95 to assist you with a classroom management plan FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – Be prepared to implement strategies on the first day of school that will allow you to make a great impression. •Refer to pages 162 – 171 •greet students •schedule on white board •classroom rules •get students attention as soon as the bell rings •teacher attention signal (school wide) •teach expectations •monitor student behavior •provide feedback •circulate and visibly scan •correct misbehavior consistently •orient students to end of day procedures Please refer to your CHAMPS manual throughout the year and the coming years of your professional growth development.

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All suspensions or expulsions shall be made in accordance with Florida Statutes and Board Policy #5006. It is recommended that teachers remove other students from a situation when a student becomes out of control and call the office for assistance. The teacher's first responsibility in this case is the safety and well-being of the students who are not disruptive. This does not mean that the disruptive student is to be left totally alone, but it does mean that all other students are to be removed from danger. After the students are safe, the office is to be contacted. A teacher may not deprive a student from attending art, music, P.E., computer, etc., for disciplinary reasons. The teacher may not deny a student attendance on a field trip without prior approval by the principal. SOME UNACCEPTABLE DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES INCLUDE: Ridiculing a child, placing a child outside the door with no supervision, hitting about the head or shoulders, holding the child's face or shoulders, assigning meaningless written work (repetitive sentences, etc.), deprivation of natural needs, pinching, screaming continuously in the classroom, extreme physical exercise, or other indications of ridicule, etc. Here are some helpful hints for preventative discipline: • Be in your area when the children arrive. A pleasant greeting in the morning sets the tone, which

will aid in controlling the class for the entire day. • Think ahead. Anticipate a problem. Keep children busy and plan for each day thoroughly. • Do not over-react. • Move around the classroom when your schedule permits. Continuous control of any group from

a seated position is impossible. • Walk to an offender, speak firmly, but quietly. The closer you get to him, the more effective your

redirection. • Keep your eyes moving. A "look" can say as much as a word. • Rotate activities so that a student is not seated and quiet for a longer period of time than is

reasonable. DISCIPLINE cont. § A class can be brought under control after an active experience by: reading a quiet poem,

reading a short story, and playing a soothing record. • Use positive reinforcement to improve behavior. "Happy Day Letters" work; they also improve

public relations. • Give children some choices when possible. • Referral to the principal for the most part is the last resort, not the first. • One talk with the principal for kindergarten and first grade children will sometimes be effective.

Once a teacher has abdicated his authority, he has lost it for good. • Avoid threats that can't be carried out. • Separate "unacceptable but normal behavior" from "unacceptable, serious, or abnormal behavior".

Be sure punishment fits the infraction. • Let a child who is misbehaving know that it's his behavior that is unacceptable not him

personally. • Avoid verbal battles. Put a period at the end of your directive. • Having children stand in line to have papers checked is not only educationally unacceptable, but

also creates a situation conducive to misbehavior. • Take children out for a walk if things get tough, or let children stand at their seats and stretch or

exercise a little while. • Remind! Remind! Remind!

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• Involve children in the day's activities and expectations each morning. Evaluate and review at the end of the day. Parents like to see and know what their children are learning. Great public relations!

• Students should never be unsupervised.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES It is important that the dismissal of students be done in an organized and orderly manner. In order to ensure a safe dismissal, all teachers must be back in their classroom by 1:35 p.m. Your assistance in orienting the student and instructing them as to proper dismissal procedures is essential to their safety. • Times: Kindergarten students will be dismissed at 1:40 p.m. First grade students and bus

students will be dismissed at 1:40 p.m. All other students will be dismissed at 1:50 p.m. When the bell sounds, please follow the procedures listed below.

• Supervision: Teachers are encouraged to walk their class out the designated dismissal exits and teachers without classes are expected to stand in the hallway to supervise students during dismissal.

• Bus Students: Busses will be announced over the intercom. Only the students riding the announced busses should be dismissed. NO OTHER STUDENTS SHOULD BE DISMISSED. Students should be reminded that they are expected to walk from the classroom to the front (east side) of the school for boarding. Students in portables are to enter the school through the PE doors (west side) of the building. No running is allowed. No teacher is allowed to keep a student in the classroom after the student's bus has been announced.

• Bike Riders: Students will walk their bicycles on campus and follow the safety rules to ride home.

• Car Riders: Students are to exit the building through the North doors. Have the students sit in their assigned area until their name is called. They will wait until the car comes to a complete stop before stepping off the sidewalk.

• Walkers: Students are to exit through the North (intermediate side) and/or PE doors (west side) of the building. They must stay on the sidewalk.

DRESS AND GROOMING Staff members will dress and groom themselves to reflect professionalism. Fridays are “Spirit Day” - wear your school shirts and/or sportswear. E-MAILS AND CORRESPONDENCES

• All e-mails or correspondences from the administration must be read and responded to within 24 hours with the exception of weekends and/or holidays. On weekends and or holidays e-mails and or correspondences must be responded to on the first official day back to school.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Employee Assistance Program is a free benefit program available to employees assist with personal problems on a confidential basis. The EAP provides direct referrals to counseling professionals that have expertise with the specific problems. The EAP office is open year round, telephone 754-322-9900. ELL

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The Florida Department of Education requires that ELL services provided to ELL students be documented and tracked. The School Board of Broward County has instituted assessment eligibility procedures to follow. • Potentially English Proficient Student Education Plan (PEPSEP) All students assessed and determined eligible for ELL must have a PEPSEP. It is a written document, which specifies how ELL services are delivered to the student. The PEPSEP is devised by the PEP Committee (teacher, parents, administrator or designee, guidance counselors, or other appropriate educators). Parents must be invited to attend any committee meetings. EVALUATIONS Will be performed utilizing iObservation (Marzano) (Walk-Throughs, Informal, Formals), these will be performed throughout the school year. The formal observation will be a selected date and time. Instruction employees must have 45 data marks for the year, with 25 of them in Domain 1. Non-Classroom employees must have 25 data points and 10 must be in Domain 1. FACILITIES/CLASSROOM MAINTENANCE Each class will be cleaned on a regular schedule. Teachers will instruct and monitor students in proper classroom maintenance habits. • Take particular care when using supplies such as water, paint and glue. • Establish a daily routine in which each student is responsible for straightening his/her area

before dismissal. • Cooking utensils are the responsibility of the teacher to clean and maintain.

• Notify the head custodian if the classroom is not being cleaned properly by filling out the Custodial Request form.

FACULTY MEETINGS Faculty meetings are held on Tuesday afternoons at 2:15 p.m. An announcement will be made in advance to notify teachers and staff about meeting dates. Everyone is expected to attend all meetings. Conferences and other appointments should not be scheduled during this time. When absent, it becomes each person's responsibility to get all materials and information presented in faculty meetings from your team leader. FACULTY ROOM /LOUNGE The faculty room/lounge is provided for the staff to have a place to relax. Parents and/or volunteers will occasionally use this area to relax and purchase a soda. Please be aware of their presence. Conversations should be of such a nature that they couldn’t be misconstrued or taken out of context. Conversations concerning students in our school are confidential and have no place in a group conversation, even in the staff lounge. Each person should help to keep the lounge clean. The refrigerator will be cleaned out on Friday and perishable food discarded. FIELD TRIP PROCEDURES • Teacher will submit Request for Field Trip Approval (team leader and principal) * • Bookkeeper will place approval in team leader's mailbox. • Team leader will contact bookkeeper and arrange transportation. • Bookkeeper will submit completed bus request form to transportation department (at least ten

days before trip).

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• Teacher will arrange to have chaperones (l per every ten students). • Teacher will send trip information and permission forms to parents. • Team leader will notify cafeteria (use notification form) at least fifteen school days before the

trip. • Teacher will collect and report monies collected when using a county bus for transportation.

Remember: bus costs are $38.00 per hour. • Bookkeeper and team leader will verify transportation arrangements. • Bookkeeper and team leader will finalize payment. • If needed, get a check for trip the day before departure (grade chairperson, bookkeeper,

principal). • Make sure that you obtain a receipt for the check for accounting purposes. • Make arrangements with other teachers for all students unable to go on field trips. • If lunch schedule changes need to be made, check to see if there is enough seating for your class

to come at a later time. (If changes in the schedule have to be made, please notify Assistant Principal).

• Students who have a missing/lost Text and/or Library book and have not returned it or paid for the book are not permitted to participate in the field trip.

• Completed field trip packet turned in to Mrs. Tarquinio GOOD IDEAS FOR FIELD TRIPS • Always take the telephone number of the school and a quarter to make an emergency call. • Double check to make sure of the number of students going on a trip. • Take information cards in purse or pocket with telephone numbers, etc., of students in case of an

emergency (sick child, accident, etc.).

• Upon boarding your bus to return to school, take a count of the students. Notify the principal's office when you return to school.

• Take the weather phone. HALL PASS Any child who is out of the classroom away from the class will carry a hall pass. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in administrative discipline action. Harassment means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of technology, computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student or school employee that: 1. places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; 2. has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, or employee’s work performance, or either’s opportunities, or benefits; 3. has the effect of substantially negatively impacting a student’s or employee’s emotional or mental well-being; or 4. has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school. Heat Exhaustion/Stroke (Dehydration)

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Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and stroke and what procedures to follow. (See Poster)

• Caution should be used when exercising children at certain heat index levels. • Hot weather does not mean that physical activity should stop, but certain measures should be taken to

avoid heat related illnesses. • Children are not little adults and do not adapt to extremes of temperatures as effectively as adults do for

the 1. Children have higher surface/mass ratios than those of adults. This allows a greater amount of transfer between the environment and the body. 2. When walking, running, children produce more metabolic heat per unit mass than adults produce. 3. Sweating capacity is not as great in children as in adults, resulting in a lowered ability to cool the body.

• As a result, Weatherbug and the Physical Education Department of the School Board of Broward County are recommending the following Heat Index (HI) thresholds and accompanying physical activity:

o When the HI is 85° use discretion as to the type of physical activity the children should do (aerobic vs non-aerobic). At this level and at all HI thresholds, be sure the children have opportunity to drink plenty of water.

o When the HI is 90°, activity should be in a shaded area. If no shade is available, stay indoors. Exposure to direct sunlight can increase the HI by up to 15°. Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible with physical activity at this level.

o When the HI is 100°, stay indoors. Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely at this level, and heat stroke is possible.

HEALTH • Clinic: If a child becomes ill or injured under your supervision, the child should be sent with an

escort to the clinic with a clinic pass. Except for emergencies - If serious, the student should be accompanied by an adult, or make the student comfortable and call the front office to report a Code Blue. The parents will be called and the student will either be sent home or back to class. In case of an accident, parents must be notified. (A Student Accident Report must be completed the day of the accident.)

• The classroom teacher will follow-up with a phone call to the parents of the student who was injured/hurt. This phone call will take place by the end of the school day, the day the injury occurred.

• Communicable Diseases and Infestations: School Board policy states that students infected with any communicable disease or infestation or suspected of being infected shall not be permitted to attend school. This policy shall apply to students having an outbreak of pediculosis (head lice). If a child has head lice, he/she may not report to your room until given clearance by the front office. Students with communicable diseases or infestations should be reported to the office.

• Medications: No medication (including cough drops) for students should be kept in the classroom. Medication may only be dispensed by the administrator or his designee in the front office. This is done upon written consent from the student's parents and physician on an Authorization for Medication form.

• Emergency Information: Every student will have on file a Medical/Emergency card, located in the clinic with the following information: medical concerns, emergency telephone numbers. Every teacher will have on file a Blue Safety/Emergency Folder, located in their classroom containing the following student information: medical literature, list of students with medical concerns, student accident report form.

• Hand washing: Is the best way to prevent the spread of illness. Wash your hands, scrub fingers and wrists for at least 20 seconds.

INTERIM REPORTS

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An interim report will be sent home to parents of children experiencing difficulty during the marking period including, but not limited to, the following: • Failing • A drop of two or more grades • Unacceptable behavior • Excessive absences or tardiness This report is sent out on a specified date, the midpoint of each marking period. KEYS Keys are issued to a teacher and are not to be used by anyone but the teacher, unless approved by the principal. Teachers are not to allow students to use their keys. It is a violation of School Board Policy to duplicate school keys. Teachers are financially responsible for any key lost during the school year. LAMINATING Laminating requests will be handled in the same manner as xerox requests. Submit at least 3 days in advance. Plan ahead. Only Paras will laminate. LESSON PLANS AND CLASS RECORD BOOKS Plan books and grade books are important parts of documentation and every teacher must keep both. They will be checked from time to time. A copy of your lesson plans need to be in your box at the end of the day on Friday for the following week. The Broward County School Board has developed a new lesson plan book for teachers. All teachers will be in-serviced on the new lesson plan book. Every teacher will utilize pinnacle as his or her grade book. There should be a section for each academic subject and the teacher is responsible for recording instructional and grade levels on a report card. There should be a sufficient number of grades for each academic subject to determine an average and give the appropriate letter grade using the numerical scale of the report card. Feel free to discuss acceptable grading procedures with the principal or assistant principal. Grades should reflect daily work, board work, workbook pages, dittos, homework, textbook tests, teacher-made tests, and quizzes. Grades should be labeled. In reporting student performance for third through fifth grade, symbols (A, B, C, D, F) are used which represent the equivalent numerical grades as shown below: "A” Superior Progress......................... 100-90 "B” Above Average Progress............ 89-80 "C” Average Progress.......................... 79-70 "D” Below Average Progress............ 69-60 "F” Failure................................................ 59 or below

No Grade less than……………………. 50, no “0” Teachers will use the numerical scale to determine a letter grade. Letter grades will be placed in the grade book and averaged at the end of the grading period. Plus and minus signs for academic grades shall not be used in marking the report card. First and second grade report cards should reflect student progress using the indicators on the new report card format. Teacher plan books and class records are to be available during iObservation and are to be placed in the front office for the principal to review upon request.

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At the end of the school year, two documents (Lesson Plan Books and Class Record Books) are filed in the office for state audit trail purposes. LESSON PLANS: SUBSTITUTES Substitute plans are to be available in an obvious location in the classroom (notify team leader of location). The Horizon Substitute Teacher Handbook and a complete General Classroom Procedures form should be kept with the substitute plans. Please be sure the office manager has your completed Substitute Teacher Folder. • Leave lesson plans, which are clear, concise and current (these plans should include whether or

not the teacher wishes the sub to correct and grade papers.) • Leave notes concerning students’ special health and behavior problems. • Provide a list of names of students to be entrusted with performing special tasks. • See that supplies, textbooks or other needed items are at hand. LOAN OF EQUIPMENT The loan of all school board equipment to employees and students must be properly documented. This applies to any thing you would like to take off campus. Sign the official " Property Pass" form in the office. LOST - MISSING ITEMS Any missing personal items or school property should be reported to the office as soon as possible. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES Every attempt will be made to keep on hand an ample supply of materials. Because we have no control over the processing procedures from any company or warehouse, as well as the amount of time required for delivery, we hope that each teacher will keep that in mind and understand that circumstances do and will occur that are beyond our control. Teachers are strongly encouraged to frequently take inventory of all materials stored in their classroom and other areas before submitting a new request for needed items. Please share and return unused materials that are in good condition and are no longer needed. Grade chairpersons may submit a separate supply request form for each member of their team when supplies are needed. Materials and supply orders will be filled and dispensed as quickly as possible. Students should not be sent to the office during the day for supplies. MAILBOXES Messages will be taken and placed in the mailboxes. Official notices will also be posted in staff mailboxes. Staff members are to check their mailboxes in the morning upon arrival and before leaving for the day. Food and personal belongings are not to be kept in the mailboxes. Students may not enter the mailbox area due to the confidentiality of items in mailboxes. Whenever possible, teachers and staff will enter and exit the mailroom via the “teacher’s lounge” hallway or primary hallway versus walking through the office in order to maintain the office workspace. MEDIA-GUIDELINES FOR TEACHER CHECKOUTS BOOKS: • Sign all white cards from back of books.

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• The red tray with blue teacher cards are on top of the card catalog in alphabetical order by last name.

• Replace white with blue card in back of book, leaving white card behind your name in red tray. • When returning books, drop in book return slot on top of desk. Please try to return the books

shortly after you are finished using them to give others a chance to check them out. A-V EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS:

• All equipment and materials must also be signed out using whitecards. There is a silver container in the A.V. room for those checkouts and a white container in the workroom for material checked out in that room.

• All A-V materials checked out should be returned to the round table in the A-V room. • The wall maps, wall screens and globes do not have sign out cards. You may just take those. REFERENCE MATERIALS: • Teachers using the same procedure as books above may check out all reference materials. MAGAZINES: • All magazines in the workroom, current and old issues have white sign out cards. Please sign the

cards and put them in white container marked "Magazine Checkouts." • We would appreciate the return of all magazines so that we may keep up our collection for

reference in future years. STUDENTS CHECKING OUT BOOKS UNDER THEIR TEACHER'S NAME: • Students should have their teacher's permission in writing to sign out books under their names

before coming to the Media Center. • They must sign the white card in the back of the book with the teacher's name and their own

name in parenthesis under it. • The white cards must be left in the red tray on top of the card catalog behind the teacher's name.

VIDEOS: • The Request for Video to be shown form must be filled out and approved by the principal before

a video can be shown on Channel 3. • This form must be submitted to the Media Center for videos not found in our collection. • Students may not sign out videos for their teachers. • All videos in the A-V room have white sign out cards and must be signed and left in the silver

container on the round table. MONEY ENVELOPS Follow all procedures given by the BSC MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS Morning announcements are televised daily by a news team supervised by the media specialist/music teacher. This is an important communication devise, which needs to be viewed by

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teachers and students, Monday -Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. Or they will be announced over the PA system. Much of the information presented on the show will not be printed in memo form and is pertinent to the happenings that day. OPEN HOUSE Open House is traditionally held during the first month of the school year and is sponsored by the PTA. The Open House serves as a communication vehicle to meet parents, discuss curriculum, schedule conferences, and engage volunteers. Participation in Open House is part of the Collective Bargaining contract. The staff will mutually decide upon the date. PARENTAL CONCERNS Occasionally, a parent may feel the need to discuss a problem they are experiencing with their child. They may see the teacher as a part of the problem and feel hesitant to confront him/her or has already discussed the situation but did not get satisfaction. The parent will usually go to administration or other support personnel to help in solving the problem. The administration urges the parent to discuss the situation with the teacher first. PARKING LOT The School Board of Broward County has a procedure in place for fire, theft or other damage to any employee’s motor vehicle. If a problem occurs, please notify the office so a report can be filed and the police notified. PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION • Teachers and staff are to actively supervise students on the playground, physical education court,

and outdoor playing areas. • Staff members are responsible for students’ using the playground equipment properly. • Staff members are not to take chairs outside, correct papers, on cell phone or spend time talking

in adult groups when supervising students. • Moving among children at play is necessary to prevent problems. • Teachers are to organize games for students rather than allow students to run for “free play.” • The teacher must keep their students in a designated area of the playground. • The teacher is not to use materials, equipment, or areas being used by the physical education

teacher. PRINCIPAL’S DESIGNEE In the absence of the principal, the assistant principal is in charge. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT The following principles of professionalism will guide each staff member’s behavior in the discharge of her/his responsibilities: • Show respect to your fellow staff members. • Be fair to others by being on time for school, meetings, specials, lunch, and conferences. • Support and uphold your school when speaking to others. • In the presence of others (faculty/staff, substitutes, parents, visitors) uphold members of your

profession.

• Maintain student confidentiality at all times.

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PUBLIC RELATIONS The most satisfactory progress can be accomplished when the home and school work together for the benefit of the child. Communicate regularly with parents whose child is experiencing difficulty. Unsatisfactory report card marks should not be a surprise to parents when the report cards are distributed. All parents like to hear good things about their children. Positive notes are valuable as a means of communication to parents and to reinforce positive behavior or academic performance and effort. RAINY DAY DISMISSAL Children who walk or ride bicycles are not to be released during a heavy thunderstorm or severe weather situation. Walkers and Bikers report to the cafeteria. When the administration determines that the weather danger has passed, an announcement will be made to release children. Bus students and car riders will be dismissed at regular times unless notified by the front office. REIMBURSEMENTS No faculty member may purchase any item for which he/she expects reimbursement without clearance from the principal. Requests for supplies and materials not available within the school may be made at any time to the principal via the bookkeeper. Requests will be granted or denied on the basis of available funds. SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER A School Social Worker who is employed by the School Board serves our school. The School Social Worker will make home visits to discuss school concerns such as attendance, lack of student welfare or neglect, obtaining parent signatures, and other school/student related items. To have the services of the School Social Worker, a referral form needs to be completed and turned in to the office. The School Social Worker is at the school on a weekly basis. SELF-REPORTING 2405 2405 SELF-REPORTING RULE-ARRESTS/CHARGES AND FINAL DISPOSITIONS Authority Florida Statute 231.28 State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006(5) Adopted 5/1/01 All personnel shall self-report in writing to the Director of Professional Standards and Special Investigative Unit within forty-eight (48) hours of any arrests, citations or charges involving the abuse of a child or the sale and/or possession of a controlled substance or charges involving Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Battery, Possession (includes e-mail transmissions) or Sale of Pornography Involving Minors and Sexual Relations with students. Such notice shall not be considered an admission of guilt nor shall such notice be admissible for any purpose in any proceeding, civil or criminal, administrative or judicial. All personnel holding a Commercial Driver’s (CDL) License, as a condition of employment shall self-report, in writing, to the Executive Director of Professional Standards and Special Investigative Unit within forty-eight (48) hours of any citations, arrests or charges involving Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). In addition, all personnel shall self-report, in writing to the Executive Director of Professional Standards & Special Investigative Unit any conviction, finding of guilt, withholding of adjudication, commitment to a pretrial diversion intervention program, or entering a plea of guilty or Nolo Contendere for any criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation (driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) convictions are not minor and must be reported) within forty-eight (48) hours after final judgment. The Superintendent shall establish and maintain administrative procedures for implementing this policy. Failure to comply with the self-reporting rule shall result in disciplinary action up to and

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including termination of employment. RULES 1. When self-reporting an arrest or charge involving child abuse or sale and/or possession of a controlled substance or sexual misconduct, the employee’s written statement shall include name, social security number, date of arrest/charges, specific charges, the arresting agency and employment status. 2. When self-reporting an arrest or charge of DUI/DWI by an employee who holds a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) as a condition of employment, the employee’s written statement shall include name, social security number, date of arrest/charges, the arresting agency and employment status. 3. When self-reporting the final judgment of a criminal offense, the employee’s written information shall include name, social security number, date of arrest/charge, the arresting agency and a copy of the police report, the court disposition of the case and employment status. 4. Based on a review of all documentation and information related to a criminal offense, the Superintendent shall make his/her recommendation for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment with the School Board of Broward County. Authority: Florida Statute 231.28 State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006(5) SMOKING Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the school, including the school building, outside rooms and storage areas. SPECIAL CLASSES Specials are an integral part of the student’s curriculum. Specials are not a reward or a consequence. All students will attend all scheduled specials. Classroom teachers will follow these guidelines: • Send all students to their specials. Do not detain a child for any reason except illness. • Walk the class to specials so students arrive on time and pick-up the class on time. Do not leave

the class until the Specials teacher has formally received students. • An adult should always accompany classes when they go to and from these areas. THEY

SHOULD NEVER BE SENT ALONE. Foster grandparents and volunteers should not be given the responsibility of dropping off or picking-up classes.

• If the class will miss a special because of a field trip or other approved reason, notify the Specials teacher prior to class time.

Specials teachers will follow these guidelines: • Be ready to receive and dismiss scheduled classes on time. • Maintain appropriate student conduct while the class is under their supervision. • Work together with the classroom teachers, administration, and parent support groups to

facilitate student projects, performances, and other special events. STAFF BULLETINS A memo to the staff will be published as needed. It is important for teachers/staff to read, highlight those items that specifically apply to them and adhere to deadlines/information due timelines without reminders from the office. A helpful suggestion is to record the information in the 2015-2016 planners, which will be handed out during pre-planning.

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SUB FINDER The teacher is responsible for phoning in a request for a substitute by utilizing the "Substitute Finder System," an automated means of requesting a substitute teacher. There is a priority list of substitutes available. You can request a specific substitute only if you call at least 24 hours in advance of your absence. In order to fill your absence, using a touch-tone telephone, you are to call the given number (754-321-0050), or the website (https://sems.browardschools.com) and code in your need according to the specific directions. Help desk (754-321-2340) Please try to call the school before 1:30 p.m. to let us know if you will be returning to work the next day so that we may re-employ the same substitute, if needed. T.D.A.'s A Temporary Duty Authorization (T.D.A.) must be completed by staff members each time you attend an in-service activity, workshop, field trip or any school related activity that takes you off campus during your contractual work hours. TDA’s must be submitted for approval in a timely manner. It is imperative that you do not attend any workshop and/or event without the principal’s approval on the TDA. If a T.D.A. must be submitted to the Area Superintendent for approval it must be sent ten working days prior to the scheduled event. This would be if it involves a great deal of money and/or is being held outside of the county. This form is available in the office. Please see the bookkeeper or office manager. A TDA MUST be turned into Mrs. Albano 1 week prior to going on your assignment. If you have not filled out a TDA prior to your off campus assignment you will not be permitted to go on your TDA.

TEACHING CERTIFICATES A current copy of each teacher's Florida Teaching Certificate is maintained in the school files. New teachers must bring their certificate to the office so that a copy can be made. Any teacher who may have certificate changes or additions should also submit a copy of their new certificate to the office. The teacher should send a copy to the district's personnel department. TELEPHONE PROCEDURES • Classes will not be interrupted for personal telephone calls. Messages will be taken and placed in

your box. Please check your boxes during breaks, lunchtime and the end of the day. If there is an emergency however, you will be notified immediately.

• A staff member may make a long distance phone call with approval of the principal. Fill out the telephone log entry in the bookkeeper’s office. The office personnel will show you, which phone line to use. Personal long distance phone calls cannot be charged to the School Board.

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• Students are not to be sent to the office to use the telephone except for emergencies. Homework, library books, other forgotten articles and/or calling to go to a friend's house are not emergencies.

TEXTBOOK CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE Team Leaders should submit all requests for textbooks to the textbook coordinator. This procedure will help us to easily monitor the inventory and maintain accurate records. Textbooks should not be taken from the book room without the knowledge of the textbook coordinator. TUTORING A teacher may not receive compensation for tutoring a student enrolled in his/her class. Teachers who receive compensation for tutoring may not use school facilities or materials for this purpose. VANDALISM/PROPERTY DAMAGE All faculty/staff members will report any incident of property damage caused by pupils or others, including damage of equipment, materials, furniture, facility, or the campus. • Financial Responsibility for Children Act: Parents of minor children shall be held responsible

for acts of willful or malicious damage or theft of school property. Parents of each individual child may be assessed for the amount not to exceed $2,500.00 per incident for damages caused by their minor child.

• Parking Lot: If you have damage done to your automobile while on school property, bring your concerns to the front office, you will be given a Vehicle Damage Report to fill out and a police report should be filed.

• Personal Property: Any personal property (including bicycles, pencils, money, etc.) is brought to school at the risk of the owner. The school cannot assume responsibility for the care of this property.

VIDEOS Videos (corresponding to academic subject areas and recorded in planbooks) may be shown after receiving approval from the principal. A video request form must be submitted three days in advance. VISITORS A visitor is any person on campus who is not a Horizon Elementary staff member. All visitors must report to the front office upon arrival, where they will sign in and receive an identification badge. No staff member is to release a student from the classroom to an adult unless that adult is wearing a visitor’s pass and/or you have been notified by the front office. If the adult does not have a visitor’s pass, it is the responsibility of the staff member to notify the adult (politely) that he/she must report to the office to withdraw a student and that the office will call for the child at that time. If a visitor refuses to follow identification procedures, the staff member is to call in a Code Green. WEAPONS AND DRUGS The possession and/or display of a weapon or drugs by a student are a serious misbehavior and will be reported to the administration immediately. School is a drug-free workplace, which includes students, faculty, and staff members. Federal law and School Board policy prohibit the unlawful manufacture, dispensing, possession or use of controlled substances, including alcohol, at all Board work sites and school activities. Students who violate this directive are subject to disciplinary action as defined in the Code of Student Conduct. Employees who violate this directive are subject to referral for prosecution, disciplinary action, termination, and/or satisfactory participation in a drug treatment program.

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VOLUNTEERS Those teachers wishing the assistance of a volunteer in the classroom should relay this to the PTA. In addition, they must complete a volunteer application form and be approved by the principal before they begin volunteering and/or assigned a room. All volunteers must report to the office before going to the classroom and sign out before leaving campus. Work done by volunteers is to be coordinated by the classroom teacher. Volunteers are not to teach new concepts, but rather they are to reinforce what the teacher has already taught. Volunteers are never to be left alone to supervise classrooms. This includes leaving a few children in the room with a volunteer while the rest of the class goes to recess, etc. WITHDRAWALS When learning that a student plans to withdraw from school, the classroom teacher must: • Notify the Registrar so that they may call parents to confirm the move and then prepare transfer

papers. You must continue to mark the attendance in Pinnacle attendance until the IMT has notified you that the student has officially withdrawn.

• Print grades and attendance from Pinnacle (Once the student is officially withdrawn all the information will be lost)

• Collect all books and school property in the student's possession. • Investigate library or cafeteria charges. • If at least 25 days have passed in a marking period, fill in a copy of the report card. Use ink if

leaving the county and fill out on original report card. • When you receive the outgoing cum, use the attendance card to complete the PRC and then put

the card in the front of the outgoing cum. Pencil in all available data on the cum folder. Send the completed cum to the office within two (2) days of a student's withdrawal.

• Teacher must sign the attendance card and return it to the IMT. WORKERS COMPENSATION Any work related accident that will require medical attention must be reported to the office on the day of the accident. Specific instructions must be followed in filing any claim and only doctors approved by Worker's Compensation Insurance can be seen for treatment. See the office manager for details.

XEROX MACHINES Teachers are to fill out their requests for xeroxing and place them in the boxes located by the mailboxes. Your request will be filled at the beginning of each day by the office staff and/or paraprofessionals. The xerox machines are to be used by office personnel only. DO NOT send students to the office with requests for xeroxing