Academic Standards
Honor Roll
Honor Society
Agenda
Book Procedures
Attendance and Makeup Work Policy
Appointments/
Leaving School
Student
Absences
Acceptable Attendance
Makeup
Work
Attendance
Requirements for a High School Credit
Before and After
School Hours
Bullying
Change of Address or Phone Number
Clinic
Administration
of Prescribed Medication
Computer and Internet Use Policy
Dress Code
Electronic Devices
Lost and Found
Lunch
Personal Pin
Lunch Account
Free and
Reduced Priced Lunch
Expected
Dining Behavior
Passes
Parent/Guardian Behavior Policy
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Student Society (PTSS)
Physical Education
Prohibited Articles
Report Cards/ Progress Reports
Schedule Changes
School Activities
After School
Sports and Extracurricular Activities
Dances
Student
Behavior Policy
Cheating
Detentions
Student
Contract & Administrative Review
Student Drop-off/ Parent/Guardian Pickup
Student Procedures
Team Leaders
Telephones
Textbooks
Transportation
Visitors
Withdrawal Process
Agenda Book Procedures:
The agenda book is an important tool
that teaches our students responsibility and reinforces communication
between parents/guardians and teachers.
The agenda will be used not only for
assignments, but also as a means for the teacher to write notes to
parents/guardians, include important paperwork in the pocket folder, and so
forth.
Correspondence for parents/guardians will be placed,
by the student, in the agenda planner every Monday.
Such correspondence will include, but not be
limited to, weekly team news, interim reports, and PTSS news.
Parents/Guardians must read and sign their
child’s agenda planner every Monday evening. Signing the agenda book
confirms that you have read the weekly team news along with agenda book
notes from teachers which may incorporate homework and projects.
Failure to sign said agenda will result in your
child not
being eligible to participate in Spirit Day dress, which takes place every
Friday.
Along with Ed-Line, Connect-ED, and our web
site,
www.ssas.org,
the agenda book
promotes effective lines of communication and
encourages responsible behavior on the part of each student.
The students are required to bring their agenda book to
all classes, open their agenda book at the beginning of class, and be
prepared to write in it as they complete their bell work. The agenda book
is also the students’ hall pass and must be in their possession at all
times. Students may not remove the hall pass pages from the agenda book
and use those separately.
Students should treat the agenda as a textbook by doing
the following:
·
Leave all pages in
the agenda the entire year.
·
Keep the cover and
spiral binding intact.
·
Keep pages free of
doodling and coloring.
·
Keep pages whole – no
folding, cutting, or ripping.
There will be a section on the report card that denotes
students’ work habits. The evaluation of work habits will be listed as
“Outstanding,” “Satisfactory,” or “Unsatisfactory.” Work habits will
include the student following instructions and classroom/school
procedures. The following are items that should be included in the agenda
book:
A.
Homework Assignments
– students are to write assignments in their agenda book the day they are
assigned.
B.
Tests – students are
to write that they are having a test on the day they are told and on the
day the test will be given.
C.
Long-term Assignments
– students are to write down the assignment the day it is given on the
left-hand side of the agenda book, under long-term assignments, (the
assignment given and when it is due,) and on the date it is due.
D.
Extracurricular
Activities – students are to write the dates and times of any
extracurricular activities, including club meetings, athletic practices,
field trips, etc.
E.
Team news, graded
tests, and all school correspondence.
F.
STUDENTS MUST REPLACE
LOST AGENDA BOOKS THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL DAY, OTHERWISE THEY WILL NOT BE
ALLOWED TO LEAVE THEIR CLASSROOMS DURING THE DAY UNLESS THERE IS AN
EMERGENCY.
If an agenda book is lost, a
new one
must
be purchased for $10.00 the following day. There
will be no
exceptions.
It
is the responsibility of the students to keep their agendas with them at
all times. It is the parent/guardians’ responsibility to replace any lost
agenda book by notifying Mr. Reed and bringing in the funds necessary to
replace this important communication tool.
School
Uniform:
In order to maintain an
atmosphere conducive to seriousness of purpose, the dress will reflect
appropriateness, modesty, and neatness.
Any student whose attire or appearance is
not within the regulations, or is dressed in a way that is deemed
inappropriate will meet with an Administrator
and receive a temporary “Dress for Success” school uniform,
coupled with a detention for violating the dress code.
The subsequent morning, the student will return the borrowed clothing
(clothing must be clean and washed), in order to retrieve their original
inappropriate clothing. Please note the student contract and agenda book
serve as the first written warning. Detentions will be issued with the first
offense.
Students have a RESPONSIBILITY to:
·
Comply with the
school dress code.
·
It is strongly
encouraged that all students have a change of uniform clothing in their
locker for emergency situations.
·
Come to school fully
clothed and wear clothes which are not dangerous to their health or
safety, do not disrupt the learning process, and stay within the
parameters of the school dress code.
·
Dress in a way not
offensive to others at school or at school-sponsored events, including,
but not limited to: exposed underwear, saggy/baggy pants, and/or clothing
of an ethnic, racially, or religious, offensive nature.
·
Not wear items or
markings which are offensive, suggestive, indecent, or associated with
gangs, encourage use of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, violence or weapons, or
support discrimination on the basis of color, disability, national origin,
marital status, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
Violations of the dress code will result in
disciplinary action.
Children’s
World Uniform Supply provides all of the
uniform clothing, including PE, except for martial arts’ and dance attire,
which will be discussed in those elective classes.
The basic uniform should be purchased at
Children’s World Uniform Supply located at 4525 Bee Ridge Rd. –
941/955-6999, or may be ordered online at
www.childrensworlduniform.com.
·
Shirts:
Polo-style shirts with school logo
in solid white, red, or navy are required.
Shirts may be worn outside or tucked in.
Undershirts must be tucked into pants. Solid
colored long sleeve undershirts are permitted during cold weather.
However, all undershirts must be tucked in at all times. Shirts must be of
the appropriate size, not small enough to show the midriff. Shirts must
fall at least four inches below the pant waistband (This will help
alleviate skin showing when arms are raised, or student is bending over or
leaning forward.)
·
Shorts/Pants/Skirts:
Appropriate shorts,
skirts, skorts, capris and pants in
khaki
or
navy
may be worn.
Skirts and shorts must reach to at least the
top of the knee.
Mini skirts, ruffle style, uneven, skirts
with slits, and unhemmed skirts are not permitted.
There will be no embellishments of any kind
on pants, shorts, or skirts (i.e. stripes, loops, clips, elaborate
embroideries or zip-off pants.)
Capri,
cargo, corduroy, and carpenter pants are permitted.
No
pants, shorts, or skirts that are distressed, frayed, worn-out, or with
holes are permitted. This includes jeans with rips, holes in knees and
factory alterations on Spirit Days. Spandex or stretch material bottoms
may not
be worn. Again, please remember, no oversized
pants are permitted.
Slacks and shorts are to be hemmed and ride
on or above the hipbones.
Gym shorts must follow the same requirements
and cannot be rolled up or hemmed to make them shorter.
No denim, blue jeans, blue jean skirts,
shorts or jeans of any kind may be worn except on Spirit Days.
·
Cold Weather Wear:
Only the uniform hooded sweatshirts may be
worn during the school day.
The hoods of the uniform sweatshirts may
not be worn on
the student’s head while inside the school building or classroom. Heavy
jackets and gloves, in extreme cold weather, may be worn to school, but
must be left in the students’ lockers for the
duration of the day.
·
Footwear:
Students must wear sneakers or flat dress
shoes.
All footwear must be closed at the toes and heel.
Boots, sandals, slippers, and roller shoes
are not acceptable.
·
Physical Education
Uniform:
The entire physical education uniform, except
martial arts’ and dance attire, must be purchased at Children’s World and
be worn by the student during PE class, or the student will receive a zero
for that day.
·
Spirit Days:
Spirit Days are normally scheduled on
Fridays.
This event allows children to wear
appropriate jeans (only
blue colored, no
distressed, frayed, or worn-out apparel.) Jeans may not have rips, holes,
or factory alterations. Spandex or stretch material bottoms may
not
be worn).
To reiterate, no oversized or excessively tight
pants are permitted. Said pants must ride on or above the hipbones.
On these Spirit Days, students that wear
jeans, must also wear a
school spirit shirt that reflects an SSA+S club, team, etc.
PE clothing is not acceptable on Spirit Day.
Reminder: In order for students to be able to
participate in Spirit Day, they must have their parent/guardian signature
in their agenda book every Tuesday morning.
On such days, students do not have to wear the
school uniform.
However, all other dress code rules apply.
Violations of this agreement will result in students losing the privilege
of future spirit days and also result in a dress code violation, which
includes receiving a detention.
·
Earrings:
No more than two
earrings per ear, stud or small hoop earrings only.
They may not be larger than a dime.
Jewelry and clip-ons in areas other than ears is not allowed.
No facial piercings of any type are allowed.
·
Necklaces:
Two necklaces may be worn.
No dog collars, spikes, or chains.
·
Bracelets:
No chains or spikes.
Two appropriate bracelets per wrist only.
·
Rings:
Subject matter must be appropriate.
·
Hats:
No hats may be worn in the school buildings, but may be worn outside
during PE. Bandannas are not permitted at any
time.
If any of the above items are taken from the
student, the parent/guardian will have to come into the school to retrieve
said items from Mr. Williams.
·
Hair:
No unnatural hair coloring that disrupts the
educational process in the classroom is allowed.
Spikes, Mohawks, or other styles considered
by the Administration to be unacceptable are not allowed.
·
Backpacks/Purses:
Backpacks are never permitted in the classroom; they must be kept in the
locker during the school day. Purses may
not be worn on the back regardless of
size. The purse size limitations are 12x6x6 inches.
·
Students are not permitted to write or draw on their skin or clothing.
·
Sunglasses are not permitted to be worn in the school unless ordered by a
Doctor with a note from the physician.
THE
ADMINISTRATION HAS THE FINAL AUTHORITY IN DETERMINING IF DRESS ATTIRE IS
APPROPRIATE.
AS FASHION TRENDS CHANGE, THIS POLICY,
WITHOUT NOTICE, MAY BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY.
SSA+S is a
closed campus, and students may not leave the school grounds during the school
day.
Students, who need to leave for medical appointments
or for other reasons, must bring a note from home, to the main office, before
school.
The
parent/guardian will use “A Note to School” which is printed in every “Team
News”. Early
dismissals will be listed on the Daily Attendance Sheet. When a student is
excused to leave campus, their parent/legal guardian must sign them out in the
office. Parents/legal
guardians must present a form of picture identification when picking up their
child. In an effort to keep classroom disruptions to a minimum, students may
be picked up at 10:05 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 1:25 pm, 2:20 pm, 3:15 pm.
NO STUDENT WILL BE DISMISSED FROM SCHOOL
DURING THE ENTIRE LAST PERIOD OF THE SCHOOL DAY. This is
a very busy time and disrupts the educational
process.
Only extreme and documented medical and family
emergencies will be considered excused if students are signed out last period.
“Beating the traffic,” is not an excused early
dismissal.
Parent/guardians’ may come on campus to have lunch with
their children; however, children may not
leave campus for lunch.
Parent/guardian must sign in at the office,
present a picture ID, driver’s license, etc. to be checked by the Raptor
System and wear the appropriate visitor’s badge when having lunch with their
child.
It is the responsibility of the custodial parent/guardian
to notify the office of any changes of address, phone number, and proof of
custody status. It is critical for us to have accurate and up-to-date student
and family information. The parent/guardian must provide the school with a
phone number where they can be reached at all times during the school day. Any
address changes must also include a copy of a recent utility bill that
verifies said address change. Address changes will not be made without timely
proper documentation.
For a child to receive a transfer that is not
school-mandated, a parent/guardian must request the student to be withdrawn.
The parent/guardian should notify the Registrar at least one week prior to the
student’s last day. The school will provide a withdrawal form for the student.
When the completed form is returned to the office, all books are turned in and
all fees or fines satisfied, the office will complete the withdrawal process.
Whenever a
student becomes ill, while at school, he/she should report this to his/her
teacher immediately and ask that his/her agenda book be signed by the
teacher as their pass to the clinic.
The student will report directly to the health
aide and present his/her agenda book.
If the student is ill enough to be sent home,
the clinic aide will contact the person(s) named on the emergency card.
If
a student has a fever in the morning, the responsible parent/guardian will
keep their child at home.
If the student comes to school and is identified as having a fever, the
parent/guardian will be called to pick them up immediately!
Students may
not remain in school
with the following conditions:
- temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- vomiting
- unknown rash
- diarrhea
- head lice
Students
are not
permitted to eat lunch or loiter in the clinic. Said violators will be
denoted as skipping and a detention and or suspension will be adjudicated.
Administration of Prescribed
Medication
SSA+S follows all
guidelines stated in the Sarasota County Student and Family Handbook, which
your child will receive during the first week of school. Please refer to
Section “D – Health” in the booklet, however, we have listed important
reminders below:
When possible, students should take prescribed
medication at home.
If it is necessary that medication be given
during school hours, the procedures established by the School Board of
Sarasota County must be followed:
·
All medication is to be administered by health room
personnel, must have a Medication/Treatment Authorization
Form
(M/TAF) signed by a physician
and
parent. All medication must be
stored
in the original containers.
This includes non- prescription drugs such as
aspirin, cough drops, prescription drugs,
including
inhalers, and/or samples.
Written instructions indicating how the
medication is to be taken must be
included.
A parent must deliver the physician authorization
and medication directly to the school health aide
so that medications can be accepted and counted.
·
Forms
are also located online at
www.sarasotacountyschool.net/
schoolhealth/
·
If
a student is in possession of a
prescription
drug or an over-the-counter
medication,
they will be suspended and recommended for expulsion. SSA+S
follows
the Sarasota County Schools’ guidelines
for zero-tolerance offense, such as the one
dealing with inappropriate possession of medication. There are acceptable
procedures to follow for
your
child to receive medication while at school and during field trips.
·
Only FDA-approved prescriptions and
over
–the-counter medications are
allowed
to be administered by school personnel.
·
All medication that is not picked up by the last day of school will be
destroyed.
Lunch
To encourage good nutrition, a well-balanced lunch is
offered at a reasonable price.
Students may either pay daily or have money
deposited in their account. Students may buy a hot/cold lunch or bring their
own bag lunch. Sarasota County Schools via Sarasota High School, provides us
with a modified lunch program. Menus are posted in the cafeteria and online at
www.ssas.org,
however, are subject to change without notice.
Personal Pin Lunch Account
All students have a 5-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to be entered
into the lunchroom computer for quick identification.
This number is used for prepaying lunches and/or
purchasing lunches, desserts, milk, etc.
Each student should memorize his/her number as
quickly as possible and should not share said number with any other student. The
parent/guardian may also set up and maintain their child’s lunch account online
at
www.mylunchmoney.com. The information necessary
to access this account will be located on the front page of the agenda book.
Free and Reduced Priced Lunch
Application forms for free/reduced priced lunches are
mailed home during the summer from Food and Nutrition. Additional forms are
available in the office. If you have any questions regarding free and reduced
lunch/breakfast, please contact Food and Nutrition at 486-2199.
Expected Dining Behavior
Remain Seated – Speak Softly – Be Courteous – Respect
Others’ Space. If a student makes a mess, the student must clean up the
area!
The school staff
and fellow students will appreciate and expect each student’s cooperation
in following these lunchroom procedures:
·
Teachers escort students
to lunch (No playing, pushing, shoving, or butting in line.)
·
Students are not allowed
to reenter the serving line unless permission is granted by the lunch
monitor.
·
All food is to be eaten
in the designated lunch area. Due to pandemic issues recently, students
should not share their food and/or drink.
·
Students are to remain
seated at their table.
·
When students have
completely finished eating, they must get permission to put their trash in
the appropriate trash or recycle container and return to their seat, until
dismissed.
·
Students are not allowed
to leave the cafeteria without a designated lunchroom hall pass.
Physical Education
Physical Education, an integral part of the school curriculum, is concerned
not only with students’ physical development, but also with their mental,
emotional, and social development.
It is recommended that the student visit the
family doctor for a complete physical before entering school.
If any limitation to participate in Physical
Education is found, a written statement, which clearly sets forth the
limitation and is signed by the family doctor, is required.
The statement will be made a part of the
student’s record. If a student participates in interscholastic sports,
he/she must have a sport’s physical by a medical doctor.
During construction during the 2010-2011 school year,
our PE class will have a modified schedule and will at times travel off
campus. The Martial Arts and Dance classes will not be affected.
Receiving a failing grade in PE
is considered a violation of the student contract and could result in
dismissal from SSA+S.
Each student is required to “dress-out” in
appropriate activity wear, which includes the SSA+S physical education
shirt and shorts uniform, along with tennis shoes.
Shirts and shorts must be purchased at
Children’s World.
Habitual disregard for the “dress-out policy”
will lead to a detention, a parent/guardian contact with a warning that
this condition will contribute to a poor or possible failing grade.
A relationship exists between proper activity
wear and the ability to demonstrate skill development, cognitive ability,
and ability to provide uninterrupted participation in planned lesson
events.
Grades will be determined by a formula using
participation, proper dress, and cooperation.
PE uniforms must be labeled with
permanent marker.
The student’s name should be written on the
back neckline of the uniform in large letters and on the label
inside of the clothing. The PE Department may also have students label
their clothing on the outside of their PE uniform.
Students must write their full name
in books and other belongings.
Mr. Reed is the supervisor of “Lost and Found”. Should students lose anything,
they should check the “lost and found” area located in or by the school store.
Students will look for their belongings before or
after school only. They may not investigate their loss during the school day.
Items in the lost and found, if not picked up,
may be donated to the Salvation Army, every Friday.
Passes
Students may not be out of class
without their agenda book and are responsible for reporting to the location
designated in the agenda book.
Hall passes are located in the back of the agenda
book.
All information must be entered on the hall pass or it
will not be accepted.
If a student does not have his/her agenda
book, he/she may not leave class. When a student leaves class with permission,
the student must also
sign out on the classroom sheet provided at the door.
Construction Areas:
Students are
NEVER permitted in
any construction area, and will be suspended immediately if violating this
safety procedure.
Pagers and electronic devices (including, but not
limited to CD players and iPODs) are not
permitted on campus and use of such items on school property is subject to
disciplinary procedures, unless the need is indicated by an IEP Plan.
Cell
phones may be brought to school, but must be stored in lockers and turned off.
Cell phones may not be used during school hours.
There are no exceptions to this rule.
Any
prohibited items or cell phones not used according to regulations will be
confiscated, a detention given, and the parent/guardian will be
notified to pick up the item at a time convenient for
the school and Mr. Sloan.
A second offense will result in the student being
suspended for one day. Repeated offenses may result in the student being
withdrawn from SSA+S for violating the student contract.
Pagers and electronic
devices (including, but not limited to CD players and iPODs) are not
permitted on campus and use of such items on school property is subject to
disciplinary procedures, unless the need is indicated by an IEP Plan.
Cell phones may be brought to school, but must be stored in lockers and
turned off. Cell phones may not be used during school hours. There are no
exceptions to this rule. Any
prohibited items or cell phones not used according to regulations will be
confiscated, a detention given, and the parent/guardian will be
notified to pick up the item at a time convenient for the school and Mr.
Sloan. A second offense will result in the student being suspended for
one day. Repeated offenses may result in the student being withdrawn from
SSA+S for violating the student contract.
Student Drop-off/
Parent/Guardian Pickup
Drop off is
from 7:00 AM until 8:50AM.
Pick up is from 4:10 – 4:30 PM.
Due to safe and orderly school regulations,
parents/guardians may pick up and drop off students only at designated areas
during designated times.
The map for the pick- up and drop-off was
mandated by the city of Sarasota. Seventh Street
is the designated bus area. No through traffic or parking is allowed on this
street from 8:30-9:15 AM and 3:45-4:45 PM – Monday through Friday.
Parents/Guardians,
on occasion, have chosen not to follow the designated pick-up/drop-off
procedures. If this becomes an issue, said parent/guardian will be in
violation of the parent/guardian contract and their child will be subject to
immediate dismissal. There is no room for parental/guardian negligence
regarding the safety of our children. If a parent/guardian is notified of
violating the procedures and then becomes disrespectful or abusive to
faculty, who are in a supervisory role before or after
school, drives recklessly because of becoming angry due to said
notification, or in fact, threatens a faculty or staff member, said
parent/guardian will be subject to trespass laws and their child will be
immediately dismissed from SSA+S. A safe and orderly school is mandated and
not subject to parental interpretation.
A map of the traffic pattern will
be disseminated on or before, the first day of school, and will include
your child’s pick up location and time.
Students
will only be dismissed during their specified time, therefore, it is
critical that parents follow their assigned traffic pattern and pick up
time. The SSA+S parent’s car tag must be displayed from their rear view
mirror to ensure a more streamlined traffic flow, especially during the
construction of our new educational facilities.
Before & After School Hours
Morning care is provided free of charge beginning at 7:00
a.m. each morning. This is considered a privilege and all school rules must be
followed. Please read morning care rules which will be provided in the first
issue of the Team News.
We do not provide after school
care. All students
must be picked up no later than 4:30 p.m. For the safety of your child,
please be punctual!
Repeat offenders will be in violation of the
parent/guardian contract and may result in the child being withdrawn from
SSA+S and returned to their district school.
Students are expected to leave
campus and go home after school if they are not involved in a school
activity.
Students participating in these after school
activities must be picked up at the time specified by the staff member in
charge of the event.
Any parent/guardian who wishes for
their child to walk from school to home, or to the library after school,
must fill
out the appropriate form and have it on file with the school before the
student will be allowed to walk off campus.
For the safety of all SSA+S
students, parents/guardians must strictly adhere to these procedures.
Transportation – Sarasota/Manatee
Sarasota
district transportation information can be secured by calling 486-2141.
All students are under the direct supervision
of the bus driver, and bus privileges will be suspended for failure to
follow regulations. Two SSA+S buses will be picking up and delivering
students to Manatee
County
via two distinct routes at designated pocket pickup areas at the discretion
of SSA+S.
A monthly fee of $20 is required from all students
riding the Manatee bus unless a hardship can be documented. Failure to pay
said fee will result in the parent/guardian being required to provide their
own transportation for their child. Because
we do pocket pickups, it is the parent/guardians’ responsibility to get the
student(s) to and from the bus stop safely.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are also responsible for making sure their child or
children know their bus stop on the first day of school, otherwise the
parent/guardian will have to pick up their student from school.
Parents can find bus numbers and times by going to the internet and
following these instructions: Type “Sarasotacountyschools.net” in the web
browser. Left click on “Sarasota County Schools, Home”. Left click on “Bus
Routes.” Left Click on “Search Bus Stops by Address.”
Students may not ride to and from school on a bus other
than the bus to which they are assigned. All notes requesting the use of
another bus stop must be given to Mr. Williams in the morning for
verification.
School
bus discipline is as follows:
1st
offense – Student Misconduct (warning) Report –telephone parent
2nd
offense – 3 days suspension off of school bus.
3rd
offense – 5 days suspension off of school bus.
4th
offense – 10 days suspension off of school bus.
5th
offense – Suspended from school bus for remainder of school year. Fighting
on school bus – suspension from school bus and/or suspension from school,
plus a probation contract or dismissal from SSA+S.
Visitors
The school policy is to accept only
those visitors who have legitimate business at the school.
Visitors must register in the main office,
produce picture identification, be scanned through the Raptor System, and wear
the appropriate visitor’s badge while on campus.
Student Procedures
Students
go to lockers at scheduled times.
Student locker times will be posted in the
hallways.
·
Students come to class with materials:
at least two sharpened pencils, two pens, and
sufficient paper for the day.
·
Students enter classrooms and immediately select a book if applicable,
take their assigned seat, as per seating chart established by teacher,
open their agenda book for any notes or homework assignments that must be
recorded and begin assigned bell
work before
tardy bell rings.
·
To reiterate, when
students enter a classroom, they must read the board, follow directions
for the class, and write assignments and/or notes in their agenda book.
·
Students quietly
listen to announcements during homeroom.
·
Students who have
been absent will check appropriate classroom wall bins for missed work and
submit work from absences into wall bins.
·
Students head papers with first and last name, date, and class period in
upper right hand corner.
·
Students will be
assigned rotating tasks such as “Paper Passer-Outer,” on a monthly basis.
·
Students will not
speak when another person is speaking, during classroom discussions or
presentations.
·
Students must respond
immediately to the “give me five” hand signal with silence and focus
attention on the teacher.
·
Students must ask permission to leave classrooms and must have their
agenda book hall pass filled out in full with destination, date, and time,
to be signed by their teacher.
·
Students must sign
out of rooms on a sheet posted by the door when they leave a classroom.
·
At the end of each
class period, students
must wait for the teacher to dismiss them from class; a one-minute warning
by the teacher will be given prior to a quiet dismissal.
The bell does not dismiss the student, the
teacher does.
·
Students must leave
their workspaces and rooms clean and free of clutter, especially the
elective classes i.e. art, performing arts, band, and so forth.
·
Students must receive
a pass from the current teacher or administrator, via the agenda process
when they will be tardy to the next scheduled class unless an entire class
has been dismissed late. If this occurs, that teacher will let all
subsequent classes know that these students will be tardy, via the school
email system.
·
Students will respond
to emergency codes with silence.
Academic Standards
Honor roll award
celebrations take place to reward student achievements. These celebrations
are sponsored by the PTSS. Students achieving at least a 3.0 GPA make the
honor roll and receive an honor roll certificate. Awards are given for the
following: a 4.0 earns the Executive Director’s Award, a 3.7 earns the
Growling for Greatness Award, a 3.5 earns the Stripes of Success
Award, a 3.0 earns an Honorable Mention Award.
The National Junior Honor Society
(NJHS) is a nationally recognized service organization.
NJHS students participate in service-learning
activities as well as school events.
Membership is based on outstanding
scholarship, citizenship, character, and service to school and community.
Students with a 3.2 GPA may apply for
admission and must be approved by at least four of their teachers to be
eligible for induction into NJHS.
Seventh and eighth graders will be inducted
in a fall ceremony.
With one
exception, parent/teacher conferences will be held on three designated
evenings during the school year or at the request of parents, teachers, or
both. Progress Reports are sent out the week prior to the Parent/Teacher
Conference night. Parents are encouraged to attend these conferences as no
conferences will be scheduled the week before or after Parent/Teacher
Conference Night. Please
contact the front desk coordinator to set up an appointment for a
conference.
If questions or concerns arise regarding a
student, the parent/guardian should first contact the teacher directly.
He/she is
the entry point for all concerns regarding student performance or
behavior.
If further discussion is needed, the Team
Leader should be contacted.
SSA+S has
adopted the Ed Line Program.
Parents
are able to go online and observe what grades have been earned by the
child and will also be able to witness what assignments, if any, are
missing. Ed Line is updated by the teacher on a weekly basis.
Report cards are issued after each
nine-week grading period.
Progress reports are sent during the fifth week
of every quarter to keep parents informed of student performance.
The parent/guardian should contact the office if
they do not receive a report card and/or progress report.
Parents are also urged to attend conference
evenings when a student’s grades or behaviors are less than satisfactory.
These meetings will not be to assess blame, but will discuss strategies for
student improvement.
Students and their parent/guardian are financially
responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged textbooks.
School Activities
SSA+S students may compete in a
variety of afterschool sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball,
cheerleading, golf, flag football, tennis, track & field, and skateboarding.
To participate in sports or extra curricular activities, students must have a
“C” average or ESE equivalent. These grades are based on the previous
quarter’s report card.
Students who do not maintain a satisfactory
academic standing, will be on probation or will be denied the privilege of
participating. Students that are not picked up promptly after practice or
games may also be denied the privilege of participating in the subsequent
games or activities.
Two school-wide dances will be
scheduled by the Student Council and/or other organizations.
Dances are a privilege; students on suspension or
who are on Activity Restriction because of disciplinary action, excessive
tardies or unexcused absences, will not be permitted to attend.
Inappropriate dancing such as slam dancing and
close dancing is not allowed.
All students must be picked up no later than
10:15 p.m., or the student will not be allowed to attend the next dance
without a parent/guardian as a chaperone.
It is the parents’ responsibility to provide
timely transportation home, after the dance.
The PTSS will meet on selected dates
throughout the year.
Parents must be in attendance at these
scheduled meeting as stipulated in the parent contract.
Postings of upcoming meetings will be stated in
the Team News and/or on the website. PTSS meetings are mandatory for the
parent/guardian. If parents/guardians do not attend said meetings and do not
produce a legitimate and documented excuse regarding their absence, their
child’s enrollment may become jeopardized.
As per the parent/guardian
contract, it is expected that each family will provide ten hours of
volunteer service for two-parent households or five hours for
single-parent households.
Parent/guardians that are unable to take time
off to fulfill their obligation for volunteer hours may also make
contributions at a value rate of $20.00 per volunteer hour.
Student Behavior Policy/Sarasota County
Student and Family Handbook
Discipline is essential to a safe
environment conducive to learning.
The SSA+S discipline policies and procedures
are designed to make all students aware of the rules and responsibilities
for their behavior.
Student discipline is a joint responsibility
that must be shared by home and school.
A good working relationship is fostered if
there is mutual understanding as to what is required behavior.
Students and parents/guardians are required
to sign contracts when applying for enrollment and are responsible for
learning and abiding by the SSA+S discipline policies and procedures.
There is to be no running or playing in the classroom, hallways, or any
other areas open to the public and students. Students misbehaving on a
school field trip will result in at least a one day suspension from
school. Finally, students are also required to follow all policies and
rules as outlined in the Sarasota County Student and Family Handbook.
If a detention
is issued by a teacher, said detention must be served on the assigned date.
We do not reschedule detentions for the
convenience of the parent/guardian or student. If the student is absent on the
detention day, the student must serve the detention the day they return to
school. The parent/guardian will receive a phone
call from Connect Ed the day the child has earned a detention. It is the
parent/guardian’s responsibility to make sure that the school has the correct
phone number on file. Any misbehavior in the detention room will result in the
student being sent immediately to the office and a suspension will be
assessed. If the student is more than five minutes late for their detention,
this will mean that the student has missed their detention.
If a student receives four detentions in a quarter, that
student will receive a one-day suspension from school.
The
date the detention is served will be used to determine the fourth
detention/suspension. Moreover, if a student misses a detention, the student
will receive a one-day suspension from school unless excused by Mr. Williams.
Twelve detentions in a quarter may be cause for
the student to be withdrawn from SSA+S.
Cheating
SSA+S has a zero tolerance policy regarding cheating.
Students found exhibiting behaviors commonly associated with cheating will
be subject to discipline. Those behaviors include talking during a test,
plagiarism, copying answers or being in possession of answers for
assignments, or giving answers for assignments to another student (this is
not all-inclusive.). Additionally, students involved in cheating will
receive a ZERO grade for the assignment, and the classroom teacher will
notify the parent/guardian and assign a detention to the student. Second
offense, the student will receive a ZERO grade, parent will be notified
and student will receive a suspension.
Parent/Teacher
Conferences
Parents are
encouraged to request a conference with teachers through the
Team Leader to discuss
student behavior, academics, attendance, and other concerns by calling the
school office at 330-1855.
All student-to-student conflicts should be
discussed with the Guidance Counselor, Ms. Leader, or the Dean of
Students, Mr. Williams. If the parent/guardian and student contracts are
not followed; the student may be dismissed from SSA+S.
Team Leaders are as follows:
Ms. Skedel – 6th
Grade
Ms. Tahmosh – 7th Grade
Ms. Crowe – 8th Grade
Bullying will not be tolerated at SSA+S and is now
considered a violation under state law. Bullying is a form of aggression
that occurs when a person willfully subjects another person (victim) to an
intentional, unwanted, and unprovoked hurtful verbal or physical action.
Bullying may also occur as various forms of hazing, including initiation
rites, perpetrated against a new student or a new member of a team. Bullying
may be limited to a single incident. However, in most cases, the bullying is
characterized by repeated harmful actions on the part of the bully (ies).
SSA+S treats bullying as a serious breach of the Code of Student Conduct.
Students who choose to engage in such conduct shall be subject to a range of
punishment to include verbal or written reprimand, an out-of-school
suspension, a change of placement, and/or expulsion.
How to Report a Bullying Incident
1.
Teachers, parents, and/or students may fill out a bullying incident report
located in the Main office. Reports can also be made verbally or via
email.
2.
All reports will be
investigated by our Dean of Students, Mr. Williams.
3.
Investigations will be conducted
confidentially and
individually,
ensuring that no victims are in the same room with the alleged bully.
4.
Mr. Williams will
document all reports of bullying, to determine whether bullying was
actually occurring or not. Any reports found to be true, will result in
disciplinary action and documentation of said case, will be placed in the
offender’s file.
5.
Appropriate
discipline procedures will be determined by Mr. Williams on a case-by-
case basis.
6.
Reporting is
the #1 way to prevent Bullying!
In recent years in our society,
there has been an escalation of parental/guardian verbal, written and physical
abuse, threats, and so forth towards teachers and school employees. Although
that type of behavior is rare at SSA+S,
please be
advised, that any verbal or physical abuse including but not limited to
threats, disparaging or condescending comments towards school staff before,
during, or after, school, including the pick-up/drop-off areas, will not be
tolerated. If this type of behavior does occur by a parent/guardian toward a
school employee at any level, said offense could result in that child being
immediately dismissed from SSA+S.
Moreover, parents/guardians are never
permitted to go directly to a teacher’s classroom without first obtaining a
visitor’s pass from the Front Desk Coordinator. Administrative approval must
be obtained, coupled with a time and location before meeting with said
teacher. If this does occur, the Security Officer will be notified and said
parent will be subject to trespass laws.
Students with continuing attendance
and/or discipline problems will be in
violation of the SSA+S student contract and
may be dismissed.
As previously discussed, it is
prohibited to have a pager
(or any other type of electronic signaling device) or a laser pointer on
school campus.
The item(s) will be confiscated
and the parent is required to pick it/them up.
Chains,
including those attached to wallets or used as belts or necklaces are not
allowed on campus.
Chewing gum is
not allowed at school.
Candy may be eaten at lunch only and must be
kept in the proper lunchtime eating areas.
Do not bring
collectibles, baseball cards, toys, water balloons, glass containers,
Walkmans, CD players, cameras, iPODs, skateboards, roller blades, radios,
or any item not related to instruction or class activities. Skateboards
are only permitted if being used in conjunction with the Skateboard Club
and must be registered with the club sponsor.
Prohibited items
brought in by students who consistently fail to follow this policy will
become the property of SSA+S, and the student will risk further
consequences.
The school is under no
obligation to search for lost or stolen property, especially stolen
prohibited articles.
Parents are not permitted to contact the school
and insist on a school-wide search or investigation or infer that it is
the school’s responsibility to find or investigate said stolen or lost
item.
Thus, it is each student’s
responsibility to properly tag all personal belongings and keep them
secure at all times.
These guidelines are in effect while students
are on campus, during lunch, during any school-sponsored activity, and
when students are going to or coming from school.
We strongly believe in the value of
electronic information services and recognize their potential to support
curriculum and student learning. The network is designed to achieve and
support instructional goals. We will make every effort to protect students
and teachers from any misuses and abuses as a result of experiences with an
electronic information service, however there is some material on the global
network that students, parents, and/or staff may consider inappropriate.
It is the user’s responsibility not to initiate
access to such material.
It is possible,
although against school policy,
for students to purchase goods and services via the Internet, and these
purchases could potentially result in unwanted financial obligations. This
activity is strictly prohibited, and students and their families will be
held responsible for any financial obligations incurred.
There is a behavior code located
in the
Sarasota
County’s
Student and Family Handbook that details appropriate school behavior,
outlines the rights of, and sets expectations for students.
Because the school’s resources are used as
part of a school activity, the school’s discipline policy applies to
Internet activities as well.
The computer system and network use policy is
an extension of the school’s behavior code.
Attendance and Makeup Work Policy
The Sarasota School
of Arts & Sciences is an innovative public middle school centered on
academic excellence and social responsibility.
The school was founded with the philosophy that all
children have unique abilities and creative talents.
In order for children to develop
these unique abilities and creative talents, it is essential that they
attend school.
It is understood that situations such as
illness or family crises occur; the following is the adopted attendance
policy.
In complying with his
responsibility to administer the state’s compulsory attendance law, the
Director shall record each absence as being either “excused” or
“unexcused.” For an absence to be excused, a “Note to School” form must be
completed by the parent and submitted to the front desk coordinator within
three days of the absence. Said form can be found outside the front
office, on the website, or on the back page of Team News.
(1)
Excused Absence:
an excused absence is one which results from:
a.
Illness of student to be documented by the parent, guardian, or medical
doctor.
If a student is continually ill and
repeatedly absent (3 days or more) from school, he/she must be under the
supervision of a physician in order to receive an excused absence.
Such excuse provides that a student’s
condition justifies being absent for more than the number of days
permitted by School Board rules.
b.
Documented major illness in the student’s immediate family.
c.
A funeral, as excused
by the Executive Director.
d.
Special and unique
situations, where an absence is predetermined, may be approved by the
Executive Director. To be approved, a letter must have been written by the
parent/guardian to the Executive Director a week or more prior to the
absence explaining the need for missing school.
e.
Religious holidays of
the specific faith of the student.
f.
To reiterate; when a
child is absent from school, “A Note to School,” form must be filled out
and signed by the parent confirming said absence which must be received
within three days of the absence to guarantee that said absence is
excused.
(2)
Unexcused Absence:
a.
The reason or excuse
is inadequate, does not meet the criteria for an excused absence, or was
turned in subsequent to the homeroom period of the third day back to
school after the absence.
b.
Results from
disciplinary action taken by the school against the student (i.e., out of
school suspension), or dismissal from SSA+S.
Acceptable Attendance:
Students are expected to attend school each of the 180
regular school days; however, it is understood that excused absences will
occur.
Nine excused absences per semester or eighteen
absences per school year are within the acceptable range of attendance.
Tardies to school of five per quarter is
within the acceptable range.
All absences and tardies should be explained
by the parent or guardian in writing to the school.
Unexplained absences and tardies will be
considered unexcused.
Students exceeding five tardies per quarter,
either excused or unexcused, will receive detentions for each tardy
thereafter.
Students who arrive late to school must have a
parent sign them in at the office.
If not, the student will receive a detention.
Makeup Work:
Makeup work, following an
excused absence, will be
due after the same number of days missed.
For example, if a student misses three days,
he/she will have three school days in which to make up the assigned work.
It is the student’s responsibility to follow
the appropriate procedures when making up missed assignments.
A student, who has an excused absence, or an unexcused
absence resulting from suspension, will be expected to make up work
missed. Students that miss three or more consecutive days may have their
work collected by the Front Desk Coordinator. Parents must contact the
Coordinator 24 hours prior to pick up.
Attendance
Requirements for a High School Credit:
This includes Spanish I, Algebra I, Speech, and Geometry.
Any student whose unexcused absences results in less than 135 hours of the
required 150 hours of instruction in a course providing one full credit
towards high school graduation, will not be awarded credit for said class.
Schedule Changes:
There will be no schedule
changes from Faculty, Students, or Parents after the first two weeks of the
first nine-week period. Moreover, parents are not permitted to request one
teacher over another. Those requests will
not be given administrative attention unless these are legitimate grounds
that can and have been documented.
If a schedule
change is made during the first two weeks, all participants must sign a
“contract” that states that there will be no more requests to switch
back or move to another class after the schedule change request has been
granted by the Executive Director.
There will be exceptions
made for ESE/ESOL Departments, and emergency situations only.
This is going to be another banner year for SSA+S. The School Motto for the
2010-2011 school year:
“SSA+S is living proof that dreams can and do come true!”
