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Dear Parents: It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2011/2012 school year at Gardens School of Technology Arts. We are extremely excited to open our inaugural year. We congratulate our staff, parents and many volunteers for going the extra mile in bringing the vision for Gardens SOTA to reality. This handbook is designed to assist you in understanding the policies and guidelines used to shape Gardens SOTA. We anticipate changes, revisions and corrections as we go, and the handbook will be updated periodically to reflect any changes. Please read the handbook and discuss appropriate items with your child. Then please complete the parent contract and the handbook acknowledgment pages and return them to the school office by Friday, September 9th, 2011. We look forward to working with you and your children in order to provide an environment that will prepare young innovators, one student at a time, with the 21st century skills they need to succeed. If you have any questions regarding the handbook, please do not hesitate to contact your childs teacher or the School Office. Sincerely,
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Primary Objectives
Gardens SOTA has set out the following ambitious objectives, which are congruent with the schools governing core values and which support those of the School District of Palm Beach County as well as the fundamental premise at the core of the states educational re-engineering strategy. Simply put, our intent is to raise student achievement to world-class levels by reaffirming high standards, performing relevant assessments and ensuring accountability. To do so, we will: Maintain responsible governance evidenced by a clear separation of duties between our Governing Board and the School Management. Provide a sound research- and evidence-based educational plan (emphasizing reading and technology arts), with an individualized learning plan developed for each student (including IEP for ESE students). Achieve academic success (overall average) that exceeds state and local district averages, while striving for 100% success in achieving adequate yearly progress as measured through FCAT and the district/states standardized tests. Provide every staff member, student, parent and community volunteer with an opportunity to apply their talents, abilities and gifts in service to the community and the school. Demonstrate fiscal responsibility through a successful annual audit and ensure financial stability from which to continue to build on, evidenced by a strategic financial plan, an emergency contingency plan and an ongoing fundraising and grant writing provision. Develop and maintain community connections designed to enhance the school, the learning experience and the well being of our community. Recruit qualified, motivated, certified and innovative teachers and facilitate ongoing staff professional development. Ensure each student and their family (along with teachers and the schools leadership team) will have access to the progress being made in achieving their academic goals including whether or not the student is reading at grade level and whether he or she has gained a years worth of learning over the given school year. Prescribe an action plan for any student whose performance falls below their prescribed benchmarks. Our Problem Solving Team will seek first to identify and analyze the root cause prior to prescribing specific interventions. Particular attention will be focused on the action plans for low-performing students and on the school-wide reading program.
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Ensure all students participate in some form of physical exercise on a daily basis (in a group, organized environment as well as on an informal, individualized basis). Demonstrate creative, cross-curricular technology arts connections with a focus on 21st century skills acquisition throughout every aspect of the school. Present a vibrant showcase of completed projects involving both arts and technology, with students maintaining personal portfolios of selected projects theyve completed. Articulate our commitment to good stewardship of our planet and our community resources. There will be signs of this stewardship in action all over our school we will be green and growing. Evaluate our charter and strategic plan annually to ensure we are adhering to the provisions of our charter and on track to meet and exceed the goals weve set for ourselves.
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Our Team
Gardens School of Technology Arts, Inc. is a Florida registered not-for-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status under the United States Revenue Code organized as a tax exempt entity for the sole purpose of operating a Florida public charter school. The school has selected officers and a Governing Board of Directors in accordance with its By-laws. The Board will always seek to maintain members of varied backgrounds from the public and private sector, including, but not limited to educators, parents, business persons, and community leaders. The Governing Board is responsible for oversight of the schools financial and academic performance and has delegated shared management and operations responsibility between the schools Co-Administrators, the Director of Academics (Principal) and the Director Innovations & Operations. Instructional staff report directly to the Director of Academics and non-Instructional staff and contractors report to the Director of Innovation & Operations.
Our current school contact list will be posted in the front office of the school and on our website. The school leadership team includes: Lana Thormodsgaard, Director of Academics Shane Vander Kooi, Director of Innovation & Operations Orval Simon-Bower, Assistant Director of Academics & Operations
To contact any member of our team by telephone, please call or email the school office at 561-290-7661 or info@mysota.com. After hours you will be able to leave a voicemail or email message, which are reviewed regularly. Our school is located in a spacious shared facility provided by Covenant Centre International Church. Our school address is: Gardens School of Technology Arts 9153 Roan Lane Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33403
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Middle School Grades 6-8 Report Card Distribution Dates November 7 first quarter January 24 first quarter April 10 third quarter After June 14 (mailed) fourth quarter FCAT TESTING SCHEDULE: April 16-27 is the FCAT testing window for this school year. Please be sure not to schedule any vacations or appointments during the FCAT testing dates. School Board Meeting Dates PTO Meeting Dates School Advisory Council Meeting schedule will be posted on the school website and in school office. Please note that school schedule dates are subject to change, and special events, meetings, field trips and other dates will be scheduled and announced throughout the year. Be sure to check the school website at www.mysota.com at least every two weeks for the latest information.
The balance of the content of this handbook has been organized alphabetically for easy reference. We will update and revise the content regularly.
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Arrival
Students need to learn the importance of regular school attendance. In addition, it is important that students report to school on time. All students must use the school driveway to be dropped off. Regular drop off begins at 7:45 am to 7:55 am so that students are sitting in class/assembly by 8:00 am. There is no supervision before 7:45 am for students who are not enrolled in the Before School Care (BSC) program. If students are dropped off prior to 7:45 am they will be placed in BSC and the parent will be assessed a $25.00 registration fee and a single daily rate of $5.00.
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their child in on a daily basis. Students in BSC will have time to review the previous days assignment. Breakfast will be available from 7:157:45 am. No students will be permitted to enter the building prior to 7:00 a.m.
Birthday Celebrations
Grades K-5 students are welcome to celebrate their birthday at school. Arrangements must be made in advanced with the classroom teacher. Pre-packaged snacks (cupcakes, cookies, etc.) and a drink may be brought to school to share with the students in your childs homeroom. No party bags, balloons or decorations are permitted. Siblings may not attend these celebrations as it would be disruptive to another class.
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Behavior during breakfast and lunch periods reflects a students home training. Students should eat in an atmosphere that is pleasant and conducive to good habits. Please discuss good cafeteria manners with your child. Students will receive a glitch or detention for improper cafeteria behavior. We expect students to Use low voices during lunch Not play with or throw food Raise their hand if they need something Remain seated during the lunch period at their assigned table
Volunteer Service Hours during breakfast and lunch will be welcome. Please see the school office for assignments.
Bullying
Gardens SOTA takes bullying seriously and adheres to the Palm Beach County School district policies, which can be referred to at http://www.palmbeachschools.org/policies/ Chapter 5 for detailed information. In 2009, the State of Florida enacted the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up For All Students Act, which called for districts to enact anti-bullying policies that prohibited face-to-face mistreatment, as well as cyber-bullying and cyberstalking (the use of technology to harass and bully.) Unacceptable Behavior Bullying means systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress in person-to-person encounters and/or by means of electronic communication or technological devices on one or more students or school employees. It is further defined as unwanted and repeated written, verbal, or physical behavior, including any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, by an adult or student, that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment; cause discomfort or humiliation; or unreasonably interfere with the individual's school performance or participation; and may involve but is not limited to: teasing, social exclusion, threat, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, theft, sexual, religious, or racial/ethnic harassment, public humiliation, damaging or destruction of property, placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or property, cyber-bullying, and cyber-stalking. Action steps your child should take if he/she is being bullied (advise your child): You can empower your child by listening to and validating his/her feelings, by acknowledging that the harm he/she experienced is not right, and that he/she needs to get help in order to stop the mistreatment. Please do not encourage your child to fight or retaliate. Counter-aggression rarely works and often escalates the problem. Instead, encourage self reporting, discuss the distinct difference between
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tattling (snitching, ratting, giving up, narcing) and telling/reporting with your child. Explain that tattling is when a person intentionally tries to get another student in trouble for something minor. Telling is completely different because it means informing an adult of the harmful, immoral, unethical, dangerous, destructive, hateful or threatening behavior that has hurt the individual or someone else. If telling adults seems hard for your child, encourage him/her to ask a friend to accompany him/her to a faculty member to report the issue. Help your child strengthen his/her assertiveness skills. If your child is able to write, encourage him/her to file a Bullying/Harassment Incident Report located in the front office or complete a Bullying/Harassment Anonymous Drop-Box Report and file it in the drop boxes placed at various locations on the campus. In the short run, encourage your child to walk with friends whenever possible. If your child is being bullied online or by text messaging, encourage him/her not to retaliate or reply, but rather to report the activity to school personnel. Encourage your child to join clubs or take part in activities where she/he can meet and/or make new friends.
If your child is engaging in bullying behavior: Make it clear that you take bullying seriously and you will not tolerate this behavior. Develop clear and consistent rules within your family for your childs behavior. Spend more time with your child and carefully monitor his/her behavior. Build on your childs talents by encouraging him or her to get involved in prosocial activities. Talk with your childs teacher or administrator to approach this behavior as a team. If your child needs additional help, talk with a counselor or mental health professional. What you should do if your child is bullied: Most importantly, focus on your child. Listen, be supportive and gather information and the facts related to the incident. Stay calm and report the incident(s) to your childs teacher or one of the schools administrators. Document all incidents of mistreatment, abuse, cruelty, and/or disrespectful acts toward your child and or perpetrated by your child. Complete and/or encourage your child to file a Bullying/Harassment Incident Report from the front office and/or the Bullying/Harassment Anonymous Drop Box Report placed throughout the school. Reporting is not tattling when the intention is to alert teacher and/or administration of any harmful acts of mistreatment toward your child or others. Request that you be informed or schedule a follow up conference to discuss
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findings and determine actions to monitor and support all students involved, as well as to deter continued and/or escalation of incidents. Seek resources to assist you in strengthening your childs resiliency toward harm.
Communication
Communication is absolutely essential to our success and our administration and staff recognize this and will strive to facilitate open and frequent communication with parents at all times. The student agenda book is used for daily communication between teachers and parents. Please read and sign your childs agenda book daily, and feel free to write notes and questions for the teacher as well. Certain grades will also utilize a homework and communication folder. Student work will be sent home along with progress reports as needed. The parent/guardian will be asked to sign and return this information. Parents will have access to their childs grades by logging into the schools designated website and online grade book. Parent User Names and Passwords will be sent home once orientation is complete. Please do not call the school office for your Parent User Names or Passwords. Contact your childs teacher via the agenda book with any questions. Please feel free to consult with the school office regarding any problems or questions that concern your child. However, it is imperative you speak with the childs teacher first for classroom issues. It is the desire of the administrators and the faculty to be of service to both parent and student, and every teacher welcomes a conference with any parent. At no time is it appropriate for a teacher to meet with parents while other students are present, including during arrival or dismissal/pickup time. Therefore, conferences need to be scheduled ahead of time, so the teacher and/or an administrator will be available to meet with you. It is parents responsibility to stay informed. We endeavor to become a paperless school. Important information will be posted on our school website. If you do not have access to the internet, a copy of the information will be posted in the front office area. Also, please check your childs backpacks daily for emergency notices and www.mysota.com weekly for new information.
Discipline Procedure
Discipline is the process of changing a student's behavior from inappropriate to exemplary. We are never satisfied with merely stopping poor behavior. We desire to teach the student to do what is right. Students are not disciplined out of anger or for the sake of convenience, but with the intention of helping the student make appropriate choices. Though few students desire discipline, they often need it in order to reach their full potential.
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Each teacher will establish appropriate procedures for discipline in his/her classroom based on the following guidelines. Please note that this list is not all-inclusive. 1. Students are expected to respect the authority of school personnel, which includes but is not limited to: administration, teachers, staff and substitutes. 2. Malicious destruction of school property results in the replacement, repair or payment for damages by either the student or his/her parents. The placement of stickers on school property is forbidden. 3. Students shall help keep the school clean at all times. There is to be no gum chewing in the school building or on the school grounds. 4. Items such as water pistols, matches, radios, media players, skateboards, electronic gaming devices, ipods, trading cards, Silly Bandz, toys, weapons of any sort, etc. are not permitted at school unless specifically requested or authorized on certain times and days by your childs teacher. 5. No notebooks, albums, magazines, lunchboxes, etc. will be permitted that carry pictures or slogans referring to the drug culture or alcohol. Profane, abusive or slang language is not permitted. 6. Zero tolerance for aggression, drugs and alcohol. (Students that push, hit, bite, kick, harass, bully or use the internet or any other form of communication in a negative way will be suspended or withdrawn from the school). 7. Cell phones are not permitted to be used at school and should be shut off and put away unless specifically requested by a teacher in relation to an educational activity. School phones are available for emergencies. Students not following this policy will have their cell phones confiscated and the phones will only be returned to a parent. They will also lose the privilege of bringing their cell phone to school. Gardens SOTA is not responsible for any lost or stolen cell phones, electronics or personal items of value. Any student bringing these items to school does so at their own risk. The Palm Beach County School Board passed a Code of Student Conduct that lists violations and disciplinary actions that must be taken in order to deal with the misconduct (may be downloaded or viewed at www.palmbeachschools.org). Detentions will be given by administration, teachers or school staff, which will be served after school in a designated, supervised room. In addition to regular detentions, middle school students may receive work detentions to be served on specific days and times. Failure to fulfill the terms of any work detentions may lead to an in-school or out-ofschool suspension. Detentions will be given for the following infractions, but not limited to the list below: Missed Homework: For each missed assignment, a child will receive 1 glitch. Children with chronic homework infractions are referred to the school administration for possible suspension.
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Uniform: The first time a student is in breach of the uniform code, a warning will be given to the student and parent. A warning will be written in the childs daily agenda. The second time a student is out of uniform, a glitch will be issued. Behavior: The first time a child demonstrates improper behavior a warning will be given. Upon receipt of a second warning, the warning will be written in the childs daily agenda and a glitch will be issued. Note that a misbehavior may warrant a referral the school administration for disciplinary action which may result in suspension.
When the child receives the second glitch, teachers will advise parents that the next infraction will result in a detention. Parents will receive this notification in their childs agenda book. Once the detention has been assigned, it is the childs responsibility to return the signed detention notification form to the teacher within 24 hours. Failure to return the signed detention form will result in additional consequences. Suspensions may be issued by the school administration for specific infractions after a student has accumulated a number of detentions. Upon being issued a suspension, parents will be contacted for a conference with school administration. In rare and unfortunate circumstances, students may be dismissed (recommended for withdrawal from the school). The schools dismissal policy may be found posted on our website.
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obstruction and traffic backups do not form on the street in front of the school. Parents arriving early will be asked to park or move to the rear of the line. Students will not be permitted to cross the pickup lines or roadway to enter cars waiting in the parking lot. Pickup line may begin forming at 2:50 pm on Monday through Thursday and at 1:50 pm on Fridays. After School Care students may be picked up after 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday or after 3:00 pm on Fridays. Each student will be issued a placard that is to be placed in their pickup vehicle for easy reference. Only individuals listed on the EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM are permitted to pick-up students from the school. Valid photo identification may be required of individuals picking-up students. If someone arrives at the school to seek the release of a student and the person's name is not on the emergency contact card or the person does not have valid photo identification, the student will not be released. To avoid having the school become involved in personal family conflicts, parents or guardians should submit to school authorities a copy of any legal documents, which indicate who has legal access to the child and his/her records during school hours. In the absence of legal documentation, school officials will provide access only to those individuals whose names appear on the student's data card. Failure to provide the school legal documentation outlining visitation rights will result in any parent listed on the birth certificate to be permitted to pick up a child. Friends and strangers will be denied access to a student in the absence of verified parental consent. Students not picked up on time will be placed in the ASC Program and be charged a one time registration fee of $25.00 and assessed a $5.00 fee for every 30 minutes they remain in school. If making changes in your child's dismissal plan, please provide a written notification in advance and in person to the school office or phone the school office prior to 2:00 pm. No last minute phone calls or messages can be processed or accepted. Examples of changes to childs dismissal plan: A biker/walker student going home through parent-pick-up instead An After School Care student going home in parent-pick-up instead of going to the After School Care Program. Requesting that a student be placed in After School Care for the day instead of going to parent-pick-up.
Dress Code
A higher standard of dress encourages greater respect for individuals, students and others, and results in a higher standard of behavior. Our dress code guidelines indicate
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appropriate school uniform during normal school days. Gardens SOTA reserves the right to interpret these guidelines and/or make changes during the school year. Students are expected to follow these guidelines. Every student in attendance shall wear the Gardens SOTA official school uniform shirt from Harris School Uniforms and abide by the schools dress code. Shirts Grades K, 1, 2 - Royal Blue or White school shirt Grades 3, 4, 5 - Teal or White school shirt Grade 6 - Black or White school shirt Must be purchased through the school at reduced cost of $14 each. Size/color samples are available at the school office. Bottoms Boys - Shorts or pants in khaki, navy, black - four pockets or less - neatly tailored style. No denim, cargos, sports styles or sweats. Girls - Shorts, skorts or pants in khaki, navy, black - shorts or skorts near the knee. No denim, sports styles or sweats. These items do not have to be purchased at the uniform store, but articles in question will be subject to the administration's discretion. Socks/Shoes Closed-toed neutral-color shoes with neutral-color socks. No blinking shoes, bright colors, crocs, sandals, roller skate shoes, military or workboot style footwear. Accessories Girls may wear stud earrings. No other jewelry is permitted. Conservative hair accessories in school colors or neutral colors are permitted. Hats are not permitted. Boys may not wear jewelry, watches or hats, unless specifically authorized by the school (e.g. for a field trip). Warm Clothing A white or black long-sleeved knit shirt may be worn under the uniform short as an extra layer during cold weather. Neutral-colored sweaters may be worn indoors. A jacket, scarf and warm hat will be permitted for outdoor activities during cold weather. Grooming & Modesty Hair must be neat and clean with no "unnatural" colors, i.e. fluorescent, bright green, etc. Hair must be combed down without spikes. Students may not have hair hanging in their face that obstructs their eyes. Hairstyles disruptive to the learning environment will not be permitted. No hats or bandanas may be worn. Headbands may only be worn
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if holding hair back and may not be worn across the forehead. At no time are students to wear anything offensive, immodest or deemed inappropriate by the faculty. The first time a student is in breach of the uniform code, a warning will be given to the student and parent. A warning will be written in the childs daily agenda. The second time a student is out of uniform, a glitch will be issued. All uniforms must be purchased through the uniform vendor and embroidered with proper school logos. Uniforms may not be purchased nor monogrammed at any other location. The approved school vendor is Harris School Uniforms.
Emergencies (Illness)
The importance of regular school attendance cannot be over-emphasized; however, students should not be sent to school when they are ill or it is suspected that they have a communicable disease. Your child should not attend school if he/she exhibits any of the following symptoms: Fever of 99.6 or higher (Note: the use of fever reducers does not make a child well enough for school) Colored nasal discharge or chronic cough Flu symptoms such as malaise, achiness, nausea, lethargy, paleness Diarrhea twice or more within 24 hours Vomiting more than once within 24 hours (or in the morning before school) Rash or open sores Red/pink eye or discharge from the eye Throat pain or ear pain
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If a student becomes ill during the school day and it appears that they would be best cared for at home, the parent will be contacted to pick them up. In order for a child to return to school, he/she must be free of symptoms for a minimum of 24 hours. There are very limited facilities in the school, making it impossible to keep sick students for long periods of time. School personnel must be notified of any student's chronic illness (i.e. asthma, diabetes, heart conditions or seizures). This heightens awareness in case of an emergency. Please update Emergency Contact Information whenever changes occur. Students will not be permitted to take calls from parents to see how they are feeling. If the school has not contacted you, your child is feeling fine.
Emergency Evacuation
Your childs safety is paramount. We need to be prepared for the unexpected. We hold regular fire drills, lockdowns and extreme weather procedures drills. Under extreme circumstances should we need to evacuate the building, the local police will assist in determining the location the students would be held. For information during such an emergency you may contact 561-290-7661 or our school web page. The media is always helpful with disseminating information regarding evacuations and procedures as well. Students will only be released to the people identified on the emergency contact form. Please bring proper identification (a picture ID) when picking up your child. Keeping this in mind, please notify the office immediately when there is a change in home/cell phone numbers.
Enrichment Program
The enrichment program will be provided in addition to the regular After School Care program; therefore, it is not a requisite to be enrolled full time in the After School Care program to participate in enrichment activities. These activities will include extracurricular activities, clubs, teams and lessons. Students will have opportunities to participate in our enrichment programs throughout the year and we encourage parents and community members to participate in supporting and leading these activities and clubs. An enrichment and extra curricular guide will be posted on our website which will include the activities offered, the days, time and cost. Enrichment programs for 20112012 will begin in September.
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Without your prior consent, only you and authorized individuals having legitimate educational interests will have access to your child's educational records. In special instances, you may waive this right of access to allow other agencies working with your child to have access to those records.
Field Trips
As a learning experience, teachers will plan field trips. Parents may be asked to assist the teacher as chaperones. Parents serving in this capacity may not have other children accompany them. Parents who are officially selected to be chaperones may count their hours on the field trip as volunteer hours. The Guidelines for Chaperones form must be signed prior to any parent chaperoning a field trip. Parent chaperones are required to adhere to these guidelines. All parent chaperones must be pre-screened and cleared through Palm Beach County School District parent volunteer screening process. Teachers must submit the chaperone list to the office in advance, prior to each field trip. Participation on field trips is a privilege. Students serve as representatives of the school; therefore, they may be excluded from participation in any trip for reasons relating to academics, behavior/conduct and/or attendance. Students with fees owed to the school for Before Care Program/After School Care Program, NSF checks, lost books, etc., may not be permitted to attend field trips until these fees are paid. Written parental permission must be given for students to participate on field trips. The teacher will generally send home permission slips and information about each field trip well in advance of the field trip date. Money and permission slips must be turned in according to the teacher's instructions, prior to the field trip, or the student will not be permitted to take part. Students will be advised if there are any specific dress code requirements for each field trip. Field trips must be paid according to the provided instructions and field trip fees are non-refundable.
Grading Scale
Each teacher will communicate grades via our electronic grade book. Parents will be provided access instructions shortly after the start of the school year. Report cards will be distributed per the district calendar. Gardens SOTA will use the following grading scale: A 94-100% A- 90-93%
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B+ 87-89% B 83-86% B- 80-82% C+ 77-79% C 73-76% C- 70-72% D+ 67-69% D 63-66% D- 60-62% F 0-59% Special classes may be marked: E=Excellent S=Satisfactory N=Needs Improvement U=Unsatisfactory Students and Parents should not be surprised when they receive mid-term, trimester or quarter/semester grades as you will be kept informed and up to date about progress or lack thereof of your child. Conduct "grades" will be based on attitude, cooperation, citizenship, etc. and will be reported separately from the regular subject grade.
Grievance Procedure
Most parental concerns can be addressed through open communication. If parent(s) or students feel they have a grievance or complaint, they should do the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Carefully analyze the problem and be sure you have ALL the facts. Ascertain that you have a rational attitude about the problem. Seek to resolve the problem with the teacher, if applicable. If you believe the problem is not resolved, request a meeting with administration. If still unresolved, the parent should submit a written grievance to the Gardens SOTA Governing Board designee, who will present the appeal to a review team that will include, but not be limited to a teacher, the Governing Board designee and a parent. 6. If still unresolved, the Governing Board designee or the parent may request the matter be presented to the full Governing Board. The Board will not consider or re-hear the case, but simply determine if the appropriate procedure and policy was adhered to prior to rendering a decision. 7. The Governing Boards response will be considered final. 8. At any point in the process, the school may inform the Palm Beach Charter School Department.
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As a charter school, Gardens SOTA is a choice school, meaning that parents send their students to the school by choice. Parents that do not adhere to the above procedure or seek to circumvent this process are demonstrating that Gardens SOTA may not be the right choice for them and their child and they may lose the privilege of automatic re-enrollment.
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All students will be required to write their assignments in their school agenda. Parents are to ensure that home learning is completed and all communication has been seen daily. Parents not signing the agenda will result in student receiving a homework glitch. The parents responsibility is to provide a quiet environment and assistance when needed. In addition, parents may help in the following ways: Show an interest in your childs work. Provide a place and time for quiet study. Assist in practicing with spelling words and number combinations. Encourage home reading and listen to your child read. Review the homework for neatness and completeness. Refrain from doing the work for your child. Discuss problems related to home study with your childs teacher.
Students will not be permitted to return to a classroom after dismissal to get home learning assignments and projects. This also includes the students participating in the After School Care program.
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Grades K-8: Gardens SOTA Excellence Award - One student per grade level for outstanding achievement in academics, citizenship and effort Additional awards will be presented for student achievements in specific clubs and enrichment programming.
Hallway Behavior
Students should travel through the hallways quietly to avoid interrupting ongoing classes. Students should always arrive to class on time. Students are NOT permitted to show public display of affection. For safety reasons students should walk as directed along the hallway and keep their hands, feet and other objects off the corridor walls.
Injury
An accident report will be completed and filed for everyday accidents. The procedures listed below will be followed for an injured student: 1. Teachers will send the student to the office for first aid treatment if the injury is minor. Teachers will notify the office if the student is unable to be moved. 2. School personnel will administer basic fist aid. 3. The parent(s) will be called and the injury described. For minor injury, the parent will make the decision about removing the student from the school. An injury to the head requires the student to be picked up by the parent. Emergency contact persons will be called if parent cannot be reached. 4. Emergency personnel will be called for critical injuries that require the type of care that school personnel cannot offer, and the parent or emergency contact will be notified.
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writing by the classroom teacher. Please help your child come prepared for school by packing his/her homework and supplies in the evening to avoid the last minute morning rush. Ultimately, it is the student's responsibility to check and be sure that everything needed for the next day has been packed.
Labels
Please have your child's name on all personal property such as: lunch boxes, jackets, raincoats, school uniform shirts, etc.
Medication
The administering or dispensing of any medicines (including non-prescription medication) to students by employees of Gardens SOTA without specific written authorization by the physician and parents of the student is forbidden. If it is absolutely necessary that the child take any medication while he/she is in school, and a physicians form is not signed, the parent may come to the school to administer medication personally. A Physicians Form may be obtained from the school office or website. The medication will be kept in the office and will be administered by office personnel. Students are not allowed to have any medication (not even over the counter medication) in their possession. Parents must pick up and drop off medicine in the office. Students are responsible to come to the office at the appropriate time to ask for their medication. It is not the responsibility of the office staff to remind the student. Please inform the school office of any medication procedures. The school does not have the services of a nurse and is not able to provide the services of a school nurse.
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yearly according to the PTOs bylaws. The PTO will sponsor fundraisers throughout the school year. Monies generated by fundraising events will be used to purchase items voted on by the PTO members. According to the parent contract, you must participate in a minimum of one school fundraising activity. If you are interested in serving on the PTO, we ask you to contact the school office.
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Returned Checks
Returned checks to Gardens School of Technology Arts are charged a $25.00 returned check fee. Although banks notify their checking customers first, a courtesy letter may be sent home as a reminder from the school. Payment for the returned check must be made in cash or money order. The returned check and $25.00 fee must be made within 7 days of notification from the school. After two returned checks to the school, a family may be required to pay all further fees by cash or money order only. Students whose families do not submit payment for returned checks will lose privileges of field trips, special events and may lose automatic enrollment status for the following school year.
Screenings
Kindergarten students are screened for speech, hearing, and vision to rule out any difficulties in these areas. Information about these screenings will be provided in advance and will be coordinated with local school and health department services.
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Students Rights
Students have the right to feel safe from threats and bodily harm. Disruptive behaviors are never acceptable, and when they occur, they will result in time out, exclusion from participation in class activities or field trips, detention, suspension or school withdrawal or other disciplinary action. Parents who have a conflict with a student other than their own child and/or another parent are requested to speak to the administration. At no time may parents approach or confront another student directly. All students and employees will be treated with respect. Slurs, innuendoes, hostile treatment, violence, harassment, misuse of internet (Facebook, YouTube, etc.) or other verbal or physical conduct against a student or employee will NOT be tolerated. Police will be called when necessary.
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Igniting any flammable substance. Continual disruption of class. Emotional outburst Profanity Insubordination Disrespect Peer Conflict Any other conduct deemed by the administration to warrant suspension or dismissal in the interest of providing for a safe, orderly and peaceful educational environment for the student population.
Please note that Gardens School of Technology Arts reserves the right to dismiss any student from its program for disruption of any other students ability to fully participate in the schools instruction. Once dismissed, a student is not precluded from enrolling at a different public school unless the student has been expelled from all Palm Beach County Public Schools.
Tardy Policy
A child is tardy when he/she is not in the classroom/assembly in his/her seat at 8:00 am. A student who enters a classroom with a late pass is considered tardy. A student who enters the building before 8:00 am but reports to the assembly/classroom after 8:00 am without a pass may be marked tardy by the classroom teacher and then logged as such by the school office personnel. Students may not be dropped off when tardy; parents must sign in the tardy student. Excused tardies are given for doctors appointments with notes from the doctor. A doctors note must be presented at the time of arrival to receive an excused tardy. No late doctors notes will be accepted. Students exceeding a combination of 20 unexcused absences, tardies or early dismissals will lose automatic re-enrollment privileges and additional consequences may apply.
Telephone
The school has a business telephone to help transact the business of the school and the lines must be kept open. Students may not personally make or receive calls at any time. This means students may not call home for lunch, field trip money or any other reason. If an emergency arises, school personnel will contact parents or guardian.
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Visitors
Visitors, including parents, are not permitted to go to a classroom unannounced during school hours because this disrupts normal routine and instruction. For the safety and protection of all students, school visitors (including parents) must sign in through the schools visitor check-in system and may be required to present valid identification. Parents must also sign in and out, state whom they are visiting, state the purpose of the visit, and obtain a pass before proceeding to a classroom. Cooperation will enable the school to provide a safe and orderly learning environment for all students.
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Date
Date
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Handbook Acknowledgment
Dear Parent, Please complete the bottom portion of this page and return it to the school office by Friday, September 9th, 2011. Thank you,
Student 1 Name
Student 2 Name
Student 3 Name
I acknowledge that I have read the Gardens School of Technology Arts 2011-2012 Parent Student Handbook. I agree to comply with all of the policies set forth in this handbook.
Parent/Guardian Signature 1
Date
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