Student
Handbook
Student
Handbook
2006-2007 School Year
Point of Pride:
Due to the efforts of our entire staff, 94% of our “at risk” students
demonstrated personal growth on the 2006 FCAT.
Dear Oak Park South Parents and Students:
Welcome to Oak Park South! We hope that you will begin this school year with a spirit of cooperation and renewed focus on learning. The faculty and administration are eager to work with you in furthering your education. You must realize that you have some specific responsibilities in this process. Therefore, this handbook has been prepared to help you acquaint yourself with our school’s policies, procedures and practices for the 2006-2007 school year.
ADMINISTRATION
Administrator Sanford Bowen
Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper Susan Leister
Registrar/Secretary Lynn Reid
STUDENT SUPPORT
ESE Liaison Sharon Neumann Woerner
Behavior Specialist Linda Heusner
Counselor/Home School Liaison Deana Gozder
MISSION
Oak Park South’s mission is to provide exceptional students with experiences leading to successful interactions with others, functional independence, continued education and/or post school employment suited to their abilities.
We recognize each student’s individual potential. This will be accomplished by providing an optimal learning environment, accessing current research and technology, and a curriculum responsive to individual needs.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Class attendance is imperative to student achievement and success. By state law and School Board policy, students are required to have been in attendance for a minimum of 90% of the classroom instruction in order for these students to receive credit. Students who have accrued more than the allotted amount of absences, excused or unexcused, may be subject to the loss of credits or retention.
Excused Absence. An absence will be considered excused under the following guidelines: (1) Documented illness of the student, (2) Documented major illness in the immediate family, (3) Death in the immediate family, (4) Duration of a religious holiday of a specific faith of the student, (5) Special and unique situations approved by the principal.
Unexcused Absence. An absence will be considered unexcused under the following guidelines: (1) Inadequate or unacceptable reason for the absence, (2) Results from school disciplinary action, (3) Truancy.
A student has three school days to bring in a note from a parent or guardian regarding an absence. Anything brought in after that time period will be regarded as an unexcused absence. This note should be given to the student’s teacher. Parents are to call the school to notify when a student is absent and send in the note when the student returns to school.
After nine absences in a semester, a doctor’s note is required for further absences or the absence is unexcused.
Make-up Work. A student who has an excused absence or an unexcused absence resulting from suspension is expected to make up the work missed. Students on suspension should complete all work upon their return to school. In the case of all other unexcused absences, students will receive a zero grade for all work missed. A student who has received an excused absence must complete all work missed within a time frame equal to the number of days absent or will receive a zero. If a student must be absent due to illness, parents may request make-up work. The work will be available by noon the day following the request.
Independent Study (Prearranged absences for up to five days). In order for a student to obtain an independent study pass, an approved parent note must be submitted to the attendance office 48 hours prior to the requested date(s). Independent study passes will only be issued if students have good attendance and satisfactory grades. Final approval must be granted by the principal.
Tardiness. Students who are more than ten minutes late to school must report to the main office for a tardy pass.
CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
Each student is responsible for the proper care of all books, supplies and furniture supplied by the school. A student who vandalizes or does damage to school property or equipment will be required to pay for the damage done or replace the item.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE
It is very important parents inform the school office if a change of home address or telephone number occurs. Proof of address such as a rental agreement, sales agreement or utility bill is required.
In this age of technology, much needed parent-teacher communication can be enhanced through the use of email communication. Parents are encouraged to share their email addresses with the school. All school employees may be reached by using the following email address:
firstname_lastname@sarasota.k12.fl.us
DISCIPLINE & INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Oak Park South is a Hands Off school.
The following behaviors are inappropriate and will result in consequences:
· Bullying/horseplay
· Bus misconduct
· Dishonesty
· Disrespect
· Disrupting the classroom
· Language: profanity, heckling, innuendoes, or threatening
· Leaving an area without permission
· Sexually inappropriate language or behavior
· Stealing
· Vandalism
· Weapons possession: this includes pocket knives or anything sharp or pointed that could cause injury
· Fighting
Students who do not fight back will not be subject to punishment. Students are NOT to take matters into their own hands, but are to allow adults to handle the situation.
In the event that a fight breaks out, students are advised to move away from the area of disturbance, tend to their own business, and not get in the way of staff.
Students who instigate fights but are not actively involved (students carrying rumors, setting others up to fight, carrying information back and forth between individuals who then fight) subject themselves to the same penalties as those who are involved in the fight.
Secured time out is used when a student is physically or emotionally out of control and staff feels that he/she may be a danger to himself or others. Refusal to remain in designated areas or inciting other students are also safety issues and may result in the use of secured rooms. Parents are always called if a child has been in secured time out during the day but it will just be documented on the point sheets if the student is in time out.
The district has adopted a new Student Discipline Referral form which will be utilized for referrals to time out. A copy will be attached to the daily point sheet.
EVACUATION DRILLS
Drills at regular intervals are required by law and are an important safety precaution. It is essential that when the first signal is given, everyone obeys orders promptly and clears the building by the prescribed route as quickly as possible. The teacher in each classroom will give instructions to the students.
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION
A student owing monies for library fines, textbooks, etc., must meet his/her obligations when due. Past due obligations will be placed in the student’s file. Any student with financial obligations will not be allowed to participate in graduation activities.
GRADING SYSTEM
The following marking system has been designated by the School Board of Sarasota County.
A – 90-100 B – 80-89 C – 70-79 D – 60-69 F – 0-59
We follow a modified William Glasser Schools Without Failure model. Students are expected to complete their work correctly. If they do so on grade level, on their own the first time, they earn an A. They get their work back to correct errors if necessary and while they are still expected to do it correctly, a B is the highest grade possible. They may have assistance as approved by the teacher for their corrections. Incompletes are not acceptable. In addition, we expect regular assessments to be completed on a weekly basis.
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
For each unexcused absence four points are deducted from the student’s employability skills (up to 20% of the grade). Unexcused tardies equal two points. Homework, bringing required work tools, and time in class devoted to appropriate tasks are also documented on a point system.
ILLNESS OR INJURY DURING SCHOOL
Any student too ill to remain in class is to be delivered to the health room. He/she may remain there a short period of time or the health room aide may call and request that parents come to pick up their sick child. The health room is to be notified immediately concerning any injury.
INSURANCE (STUDENT)
A group accident insurance policy is available to every member of the student body at a nominal cost. This school insurance is private coverage and not Oak Park South insurance.
LOST AND FOUND
Any student who finds lost articles is asked to take them to the office where the owners can claim them.
MEDIA CENTER
We will use the VMS media center and comply with their policies. Any student who abuses library privileges will lose those privileges. Fines are charged for materials overdue at an established rate. Food or drink is not permitted.
MEDICATION
All prescription medication is to be in a labeled pharmacy container with student’s name, dosage and time of administration. Prescription medication is to be delivered by an adult. The parent may bring it to school or HAND it to the bus driver. Students are not to bring it in themselves.
It is helpful if parents notify the health room when students take medication at home or if there is a change in medication. When there is a medical emergency, we are always asked for this information.
No student is to carry any type of medication. This includes over the counter drugs like Tylenol, cold tablets or inhalers. If a student needs to have medications at school, they can be kept in the health room as long as there is a completed Medication/Treatment Authorization Form on file.
PARENT PICKUP
When picking up or dropping off a student after school starts or before dismissal, the parent is to park in the designated parking area. All late arrivals are to be escorted by the parent to the front office and signed in to obtain a tardy pass to class. If a student is to be picked up before dismissal, the parent is to come to the front office to sign the student out. The front office will then call the classroom to have the student brought up.
If someone other than a parent/guardian is to pick up the student, the parent must notify the school of the person(s) name and that person will need to provide identification at the school office.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress reports will be issued to students by the end of the fifth week of each nine week session. This report will indicate the grade to date, absences, behavior, etc. It is the student’s responsibility to deliver the progress report to the parent.
PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT ORGANIZATION
The PTSO supports the educational/behavioral goals of Oak Park South through fundraisers, appreciation events, etc. Every parent, teacher and student is a member of the PTSO. Periodic meetings are held and everyone is encouraged to attend. Call the school office for PTSO contact information.
RELEASE OF STUDENT EDUCATIONAL RECORDS
In accordance with state law, School Board policy prohibits the release of educational records of a student without written consent of the parent/guardian.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are issued at the end of each nine week session. They are sent home with students. If there are questions about report cards, please contact our registrar, Mrs. Reid.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL/MANAGEMENT TEAM
The SAC/MT is comprised of members including the school principal, teachers, staff, community members and parents. The purpose of the council is to enhance school site decision-making regarding school improvement. Meetings are open to the public. All interested parties are invited to attend.
SCHOOL DRESS CODE
Oak Park South takes pride in the appearance of it’s students. Your dress reflects the quality of the school, of your conduct and of your schoolwork.
The student, with parent guidance, should come to school ready to learn and participate in the instructional program. The following rules apply:
· Student’s clothing and body are to be clean
· Modesty and decency should be reflected in the student’s appearance
· Walking shorts will be permitted
· Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times
· Hats or other head coverings are not permitted inside any building
The following examples of clothing are unacceptable as school attire:
· Inappropriate footwear such as flip-flops or slippers
· Clothing that exposes the torso or upper thighs, see-through garments, mini-skirts, halters, spaghetti straps, clothing not properly fastened, pants worn low on the hips, or clothing which allows undergarments to show
· Torn or “cut-off” clothing
· Clothing, jewelry buttons, haircuts or other items or markings which are offensive, suggestive, indecent, associated with gangs, encourage use of drugs or alcohol or violence, or support discrimination on the basis of age, handicap, national origin, marital status, race, religion or sex
· Articles of clothing or jewelry that may cause injury such as belts, chains or bracelets with spikes
This list is not intended to be all inclusive. Any student wearing inappropriate clothing will be immediately referred to the administrator. Inappropriate clothing will be changed at school and parents will be notified. A student who continually wears inappropriate clothing to school is subject to disciplinary action such as suspension from school.
SEARCH POLICY
Upon reasonable suspicion of questionable student conduct, a search of any student property in which illegally possessed items or objects could be concealed or stored will be conducted. F.S.S. 232.256. Items that are inappropriate for school may be confiscated. If not required for documentation, the parent (within a reasonable time frame) may pick up these items. Clear backpacks may be carried to school but will regularly be searched for safety and security reasons.
STUDENT CONDUCT AT SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Students are expected to exhibit proper behavior at all school activities. This includes no fighting, throwing or dropping of refuse and no loitering in the immediate area before or after an event. School policy prohibiting the use or possession of cigarettes, drugs and alcohol applies to all events in which the school is involved regardless of the site. Students who are suspended (in or out of school) may not attend school-related activities on any school campus.
TELEPHONES
The school telephones are business phones and may not be used by students. If a staff member feels that a student should have access to a phone, the student needs to be brought to the main office. If students carry cell phones, they are to remain OFF at all times unless the teacher has specifically given permission for their use. Violation of this policy will result in the confiscation of the phone.
TOBACCO/SMOKING
In compliance with the Florida State Law which prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 18 years of age, smoking or the use of tobacco products by any student is prohibited on school grounds. Students who disregard this policy will be referred to an administrator for disciplinary action. Students who are found smoking or in possession are subject to monetary fines ranging from $52 and up.
TRANSPORTATION
The State of Florida is a No Fault state and injuries sustained by your child while on a school bus are covered under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provided by your personal automobile policy. Please make sure you contact your automobile insurance carrier to report all injury claims.
VISITORS
Students are not allowed to bring visitors to school. Visitors are a hardship on both teachers and pupils. Parents are always welcome but need to pre-schedule all visitations or conferences. When a visit is arranged, the visitor must report to the main office to sign in and obtain a visitor’s pass before proceeding to the designated meeting area.
The School Board of Sarasota County
2005-2006 School District Calendar
Teachers Report to Duty August 2
First Day of School for Students August 8
Labor Day Holiday September 5
Professional Day (no classes) September 6
State In-Service Day (no classes) October 14
Veterans’ Day Holiday November 11
Thanksgiving Holiday November 23 – 25
Winter Recess December 19 – 30
Professional Day (no classes) January 2
Classes Resume January 3
Martin L. King Day Holiday January 16
Presidents’ Day Holiday February 20
Professional Day (no classes) March 13
Spring Break March 27 – 31
Mini Break April 14
Last Day for Students May 23
Last Day for Teachers May 25
Memorial Day Holiday May 29
