2015-2016

Parent & Student

Handbook

Layda M. Nasr

Principal

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida

Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman, Chair Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman, Vice Chair

Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall Ms. Susie V. Castillo

Dr. Wilbert "Tee" Holloway Dr. Martin Karp

Ms. Lubby Navarro Ms. Raquel A. Regalado Dr. Marta Pérez Wurtz

Logan Schroeder-Stephens, Student Advisor

Mr. Alberto M. Carvalho Superintendent of Schools

Ms. Valtena G. Brown

Deputy Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer, School Operations

iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center 6101 NW 2P

ndP Avenue

Miami, FL 33127 (305) 762-5000

(305) 757-2219 (FAX)

30TUwww.iTechMagnet.orgU30T 30T

DISCLAIMER The ITech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center Student/Parent Handbook is an ongoing document and is subject to changes as needs arise and as district or state policies mandate. All students are expected to comply with State and District Statutes. All M-DCPS School Board rules can be found at http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/rules Code of Student Conduct can be found at: http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/90/index.htm

30T

.

Parents, Guardians, and Students:

Thank you for choosing iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center (iTech) for your child’s high

school education. By selecting iTech, you have made an active decision that will provide numerous

benefits that are not found in any other school in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

This unique school of choice is a technology-focused high school with academies in the areas of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), and Advanced Microsoft Applications (iCode). I am honored to lead our magnificent school and the implementation of real-world field studies, research and projects that will model the top industries today. The faculty and staff look forward to an exciting and productive school year. Working together, we hope to assure all of our students the opportunity to grow to their potential as successful learners and successful members of this advancing global society. The Parent and Student Handbook is distributed annually to all families in order to facilitate familiarization with school operations and policies. Please keep this handbook for future reference throughout the year. Please complete the forms at the end of this handbook and return them to your child’s homeroom teacher acknowledging that you have received the Parent and Student Handbook and related documents. All parents are invited to participate in their child’s school life. Feel free to discuss with school staff any concerns you may have about your child. Families are encouraged to join the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and become involved with the programs and activities planned for the year through Educational Excellence School Advisory Council or volunteering at our school. I am always available to speak with you regarding any issues or ideas that you may have. You may

call me at 305-762-5000 or email me at lmnasr@dadeschools.net.

Sincerely,

Layda M. Nasr

Principal

iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center • 6101 NW 2 P

ndP Ave • Miami, FL 33127 • Layda M. Nasr Principal

305-762-5000 • 305-762-5001 (FAX) • www.iTechMagnet.org

Activities School Hours

School starts at 8:00am and ends at 3:00pm. Students are encouraged to arrive no earlier than

7:30am and should depart the school grounds immediately at the close of the school day. No student

is to be in the building before or after school hours unless supervised by a staff member.

Attendance Policy

Maintain school attendance per School Board Rule 6GX13-SA-1.04. Students are expected to attend

school every day, to arrive and leave on time and to attend all his or her classes (sessions) throughout

the school day. Absences will initially be recorded as “unexcused” and will be changed, if appropriate, upon

receipt of acceptable reason for absence. Parents/Guardians must provide a written notice to Attendance

Services as to why the student was absent within three (3) days upon the student’s return to school. Failure to

provide required documentation within three (3) days upon the student’s return to school will result in an

unexcused absence. Any student who accumulates ten (10) absences in an annual course and five (5)

or more in a semester course will be placed on academic probation, which may then lead to student’s

dismissal from iTech. Students who are tardy to school must report to Student Services to obtain an

admit. Once a student accumulates ten (10) tardies, the student will receive a referral. Excessive

tardies may result in probation.

Excused School and Class Absences and Tardies

1. Student illness: Students missing 5 or more consecutive days of school due to illness or injury are

required to provide a written statement from a health care provider. The written statement must

include all days the student has been absent from school. If a student is continually sick and

repeatedly absent from school due to a specific medical condition, he or she must be under the

supervision of a health care provider in order to receive excused absences from school.

2. Medical appointment: If a student is absent from school due to a medical appointment, a written

statement from a health care provider indicating the date and time of the appointment, must be

submitted to the principal.

3. Death in immediate family.

4. Observance of a religious holiday or service when it is mandated for all members of a faith that

such a holiday or service is observed.

5. School-sponsored event or educational enrichment activity that is not a school-sponsored event,

as determined and approved by the principal or principal’s designee: The student must receive

advance written permission from the principal or the principal’s designee. Examples of special

events include: public functions, conferences, and region, state and national competitions.

6. Subpoena by law enforcement agency or mandatory court appearance.

7. Outdoor suspensions.

Attendance Policy

8. Other individual student absences beyond the control of the parent/guardian or student, as

determined and approved by the principal or the principal's designee. The principal shall require

documentation related to the condition.

Unexcused School Absence

Any absence that does not fall into one of the above excused absence categories is to be considered

unexcused. Any student who has been absent from school will be marked unexcused until he/she

submits required documentation as specified above. Failure to provide required documentation

within three school days upon the return to school will result in an unexcused absence. Unexcused

absences include:

1. Absences due to vacations, personal services, local non-school event, program or sporting

activity.

2. Absences due to older students providing day care services for siblings.

3. Absences due to illness of others.

4. Absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements (unless lawfully

exempted).

Late Arrival (Tardiness)

Students who are tardy to school must report to the Attendance Office to secure an admit. Excessive

tardies may result in loss of privileges, detention, parent conference, and/or suspension. Late arrivals

may be accrued and count towards unexcused absences.

Early Dismissal- Board Policy 5200

The early release of students causes disruption to the academic performance of all students and may

create safety and security concerns. No students shall be released within the final 30 minutes of the

school day unless authorized by the principal or principal’s designee (i.e., emergency, sickness).

Parents/Legal Guardians needing to sign their children out of school early must have a completed

EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM on file and must present a valid form of picture ID (driver’s license,

military ID, etc). If a student has to be signed out of school early by an adult other than a parent or

legal guardian, the adult must be listed on the form and must also present a valid form of picture ID.

Persons listed under the EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM INFORMATION section on the back of the

EMERGENCY CONTACT FORM are only authorized to be contacted in the event that a parent/legal

guardian cannot be reached. No student will be released within the final thirty (30) minutes (2:30pm)

of the school day unless the Principal or Principal’s designee determines it to be an emergency.

When a Student is Absent

Within 72 hours upon return from an absence, the student must give the office clerk a written note

from a parent/guardian stating the date and reason for the absence. Parents should notify the school

of prolonged absences. Any student who misses work due to an excused absence is responsible to

contact teachers and work out a plan to make up missed work.

Make-up Work

When a student is absent from class with an excused absence, he or she shall be responsible for all

work and assignments missed during the absence. The student shall make arrangements with

teachers for make-up work within a reasonable time, as determined by the teacher. For extended

illness, three (3) or more days, parent may contact the grade-level counselor or the Magnet Lead

Teacher to obtain make-up work. Twenty-four hours’ notice is required prior to pick-up.

Monday (ALL)

Period 1 ................................................................ 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM Period 2 ................................................................ 8:50 AM - 9:35 AM Period 3 ................................................................ 9:40 AM – 10:25 AM Period 4 ................................................................ 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Lunch .................................................................... 11:15 AM - 11:50 AM Period 5 ................................................................ 11:50 AM – 12:35 PM Period 6 ................................................................ 12:40 PM – 1:25 PM Period 7 ................................................................ 1:30 PM – 2:10 PM Period 8 ................................................................ 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM

Tuesday & Thursday (ODD) / Wednesday & Friday (EVEN)

Period 1/2 ............................................................ 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Strategic Planning (HR) ......................................... 9:30 AM – 9:40 AM Period 3/4 ............................................................ 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM Lunch .................................................................... 11:15 AM - 11:50 AM Period 5/6 ............................................................ 11:55 AM – 1:25 PM Period 7/8 ............................................................ 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Daily Agenda/Block Schedule

No student is permitted outside of his or her classroom during the class period without a pass from

the teacher. The pass should include the time, date, student's name, destination and the teacher's

signature. No teacher can excuse a student from another teacher’s class. Students in the corridors,

between classes, without an official hall pass will be subject to disciplinary action.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ students may participate in a wide variety of activities, including student council, subject-area clubs, honor societies, service clubs, school publications and class activities. School-sponsored clubs may be curriculum-related or non-curriculum related. Curriculum-related clubs are student groups whose goals are an extension of the activities and objectives in a particular subject area within the school's curriculum. Conversely, non-curriculum-related clubs are student groups whose goals are special interest oriented and not directly related to the curriculum. Meetings of non-curriculum related clubs may be scheduled only at times when instruction is not taking place, either before or after school.

Fieldtrips and Special Activities The Magnet Office is responsible for coordinating fieldtrips and activities pertaining to clubs and classes. Participation in fieldtrips requires that the student present a fieldtrip form signed by the parent/guardian to his/her teacher(s) in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to make up the work missed while on a fieldtrip. In addition, at times vendors who have a “no refund” policy will require schools to pay the full amount of the fieldtrip prior to the event. In this case, students/parents will be notified in advance of the vendor’s “no refund” policy.

The Division of Athletics, Activities and Accreditation works with M-DCPS school sites to provide

students with opportunities to participate in athletics at various levels. At the high school level,

interscholastic programs are offered at most senior high schools. iTech students may participate at

their home zoned high school.

For participation in interscholastic athletics at the high school level, a GPA of 2.00 in conduct and academics is required except for incoming freshman. All participants must purchase athletic and/or football insurance to participate and must have a current physical form on file. The parents and student must also sign the Contract for Student Participation in Interscholastic Competitions or Performances. The District also has policies concerning transfer students and participation in athletics. If a parent has questions concerning these policies, he or she should contact the Division of Athletics, Activities and Accreditation for clarification.

Clubs

Cutting Class

Athletics

Cafeteria Rules

No leaving school grounds during lunch Remain in designated area Always be courteous to the cafeteria workers Always use acceptable table manners Discard the trash appropriately Food Cost Lunch Breakfast Secondary Students - $2.50 All Students - No charge Reduced Price, Students - $0.40 Adults - $2.00 Adults and non-students - $3.00 Paypams Miami-Dade County Public School’s Department of Food and Nutrition allows parents/guardians the convenience to pay on-line via the internet at https://paypams.com or by telephone for their child’s meals with a credit or debit card. The parents/guardians will create a lunch account on-line for the child and will be able to access the following:

a. View the account balance. b. Schedule automatic payments. c. Receive low-balance e-mail reminders. d. View a report of daily spending and cafeteria purchases.

19TCode of Student Conduct

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is committed to providing a safe teaching and learning

environment for students, staff, and members of the community. On March 12, 2008, the School

Board approved a newly revised Code of Student Conduct (COSC). The revised COSC identifies,

recognizes, and rewards model student behavior within a framework of clearly established and

enforceable rules and policies. It advocates a holistic approach to promoting and maintaining a safe

learning environment and requires active participation from students, parents/guardians, and school

staff. Students and parents/guardians can access the English, Haitian/Creole and Spanish versions of

the document on the M-DCPS Website located at:

ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/90/index.htm or you may request a copy from your child’s

school.

Additionally, M-DCPS is proud to launch SPOTsuccess, an initiative that enhances the COSC. It supports civic, moral and ethical values, encourages a positive and supportive school climate, and allows all school personnel to recognize and reward students for exemplifying model student behavior. Parents/guardians can check to see if their children are recognized through the SPOT success system by creating a Parent Account. For instructions, log on to M-DCPS Website at dadeschools.net/parents/parents.htm , click on Parent Portal and follow the directions on the screen. If you need additional assistance, you may contact your child’s school.

Code of Student Conduct (CSC)

Behaviors and Range of Corrective Strategies

1

The rights and responsibilities presented in the Code of Student Conduct reflect the need for providing students with greater opportunities to serve themselves and society, and allow students maximum freedom under law, commensurate with the schools' responsibility for student health, safety, and welfare.

At no time is a student allowed to be out of the classroom during the class time without an official hall pass and unless it’s an emergency. Passes will not be issued during the first 15 minutes or during the last 15 minutes of class time unless it is due to illness.

– Board Policy 5511 19TDress code Students are expected to come to school with proper attention having been given to personal cleanliness, grooming and neatness of dress. Students whose personal attire or grooming distracts the attention of other students or teachers from their school work shall be required to make the necessary alterations to such attire or grooming before entering the classroom or be sent home by the Principal to be properly prepared for school. Students who fail to meet the minimum acceptable standards of cleanliness and neatness as determined by the Principal and as specified in this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures. Students at iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center are required to dress in “Business Casual”. We “Dress to Impress”. Acceptable Attire Gentleman Ladies Slacks Slacks Short or long sleeve button down shirt Skirts (below the knee or 1 inch above the knee) Polo shirts Short or long sleeve button down shirt Dark Jeans Dress (below the knee or 1 inch above the knee) Tie or Bowtie Casual dress shoes Casual dress shoes Not Acceptable Attire Student IDs No shorts Students must wear their student IDs at all times No miniskirts Lost IDs must be replaced No spaghetti strap shirts Lost ID replacement fee is $5.00 No athletic wear No head covering

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Hall Passes

Dress code

19TCell Phones19T Possession of a cellular telephone is not a violation of the Code of Student Conduct (COSC). However, the possession of a cellular telephone which disrupts the educational process, the use of the cellular telephone during school hours and/or the possession or use of a cellular telephone which disrupts or interferes with the safety of students being transported on a M-DCPS school bus, would be a violation of the COSC. Cell phone use is strictly prohibited during instructional classroom hours.

Academic Grades

When a numerical equivalent to an assigned letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F is used, the following

applies, and shall be communicated to students:

A 90 - 100% Outstanding

B 80 - 89% Good

C 70 - 79% Satisfactory

D 60 - 69% Minimal; improvement needed

F 0 - 59% Unsatisfactory (Rev. July 1, 2001)

Effort Grades

Effort grades are utilized to convey to students and their parents, the teacher’s evaluation of the

student’s effort as related to the instructional program. Effort grades reflect a student’s desire to

learn. These grades are independent of academic and conduct grades.

1. An effort grade of “1” indicates outstanding effort on the part of the student.

2. An effort grade of “2” indicates satisfactory effort on the part of the student.

3. An effort grade of “3” reflects insufficient effort on the part of the student.

Conduct Grades

Conduct grades are to be used to communicate clearly to students and their parents the teacher’s

evaluation of the student’s behavior. Conduct can be defined as how the student refers to others in a

socially acceptable way. These grades are independent of academic and effort grades.

Cell Phones

Grading

Grades 9-12:

1. A conduct grade of “A” reflects excellent behavior. The student consistently demonstrates

outstanding behavior, consistent with classroom, school, and district standards.

2. A conduct grade of “B” reflects consistently good behavior. The student meets established

standards for student conduct.

3. A conduct grade of “C” reflects satisfactory behavior. The student’s overall behavior is

generally acceptable according to established standards of conduct.

4. A conduct grade of “D” reflects that there is improvement needed in the student’s overall

behavior. The student does not consistently demonstrate behavior that is acceptable.

5. A conduct grade of “F” reflects unsatisfactory overall behavior. The student regularly violates

established classroom, school, or district standards of behavior.

Report Cards

Grading Period Interim Progress Report Report Card

1 9/24/15 11/13/15

2 12/3/15 2/5/16

3 2/24/16 4/22/16

4 5/12/16 6/27/16*

*Students will turn in self-addressed stamped envelope for final report card distribution.

Home learning provides an opportunity for remedial drill, for developmental practice, for enrichment activities and for the development of study skills and self-discipline. Parents and students need to be reminded that it is good training to set aside a special, quiet place and time either in the afternoon or early evening for a child to spend studying or reading for pleasure. This would help to foster good study habits and improve a child’s reading ability.

Home Learning Provides:

1. Reinforcing skills already taught

2. Making up work when a child has been absent

3. Doing new and interesting special projects

4. Utilizing skills learned in school, such as reading a book for enjoyment

5. Seeking parental help with drills, such as number facts and spelling

6. Viewing educational TV programs

The amount of time on home learning should be reasonable and should depend on the age of the

child, his/her ability and grade level.

Home Learning Policy

Cheating and plagiarism is not tolerated in any academic class, including FLVS. Consequences for

cheating are decided by the individual teacher on a case by case basis. At the teacher’s discretion,

students may be referred to administration for disciplinary action.

The act of plagiarism is a severe form of cheating which constitutes intellectual theft. Plagiarism

occurs when a person passes off someone else’s work as his/her own. Whether a student copies an

assignment, downloads a paper from an Internet site, or uses a cut and paste system for creating

text, that student has committed plagiarism. All parties to plagiarism are equally guilty, regardless of

whether the student gives or receives work.

Students who plagiarize will face any or all of the following consequences:

First Offense

1. The student’s name will be entered into an in-school plagiarism database.

2. The student’s parent will be contacted.

3. The student will receive an F for the assignment. If the assignment receives multiple grades,

the assignment will be given multiple Fs.

4. The student will be referred to the administration for possible disciplinary action.

5. The student’s effort and/or conduct grade may be lowered for that grading period.

Second Offense

1. A parent conference will be required.

2. Administrators may suspend the student from school for one to five days.

3. Honor Society membership and/or student council membership and/or positions of leadership

may be revoked.

4. School awarded honors, including Silver Knight, or representation of our school in any other

capacity may be denied.

5. If the offense occurred in an AP or Honors course, the student may be withdrawn from that

course.

– Board Policy7540.03 19TInternet Use Policy Access and use of the internet is a privilege, not a right, and its use must support the educational objectives of the District. In addition, the District prohibits the transmission of material such as copyright material, threatening or obscene material or material protected by trade secrets, which violate local, state, and federal law or regulations. Also prohibited is the use of the Internet for product advertisement, commercial activities, political campaigning or solicitation.

Academic Integrity Policy

Internet Use Policy

19TConfidential Information Parents, guardians and students are protected by The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Florida Statutes from individuals’ access to information in students’ educational records, and are provided the right to challenge the accuracy of these records. These laws provide that without the prior consent of the parent, guardian or eligible student, a student's records may not be released, except in accordance with the provisions listed in the above-cited laws. The laws provide certain exceptions to the prior consent requirement for the release of student records, which include, but are not limited to, school officials with a legitimate educational interest and lawfully issued subpoenas and court orders. Each school must provide to the parents, guardians or eligible students annual notice in writing of their right to inspect and review student records. Once a student reaches 18 years of age or is attending an institution of post-secondary education, the consent is required from the student only, unless the student qualifies as a dependent under the law.

All visitors to the school must report to the office to receive a visitor’s pass. Parent Conferences must

be scheduled during non-instructional time. Instruction cannot be interrupted to meet with

parents/guardians. The Board and the Union strongly encourages active, volunteer participation in

PTSA and other established community organizations. School volunteers, parents, alumni, and other

interested members of the community are special people willing to give of their time and talent to

provide teachers and children with supportive assistance.

Volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks and there is training for volunteers to meet our specific

needs. In order to be able to volunteer, MDCPS policy requires clearance and a volunteer number.

Under no circumstance is someone to volunteer unless he/she has been cleared by MDCPS. You may

fill out the volunteer information through the parent portal. Find instructions at

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

19TParent-Teacher Organization

iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center Parent Teacher Student Association works to support the schools, the community and governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting youngsters. We support the faculty and administration in their efforts to improve educational and extracurricular activities in the school. We work to encourage parent, student and public involvement at the school as a whole.

Confidential Information

Procedures for Visitors

Volunteers

Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)

19TInsurance The Student Protection Plan is designed to cover students for injuries received while participating in school sports, while traveling to and from school or when involved in accidents while engaged in supervised activities on the school premises. Participation in this program is voluntary; however, all students taking part in athletic competitions and/or enrolled in vocational lab classes must carry the student accident insurance. The school will forward the 2015-2016 enrollment application and additional information to the parents.

19TImmunizations Requirements for School Entry: 1. A complete Florida Certification of Immunization – Blue Card Form DH 680 - according to grade level. 2. State of Florida School Entry Health Exam – Yellow Form DH 3040 - no older than 12 months. 3. Tuberculosis Clinical Screening, PPD or Chest X-ray.

19TF Florida KidCare provides high quality, low cost health insurance for uninsured children aged birth to 18. KidCare includes MediKids, Healthy Kids, The Children's Medical Services Network (CMS) for children with special health care needs, and Medicaid. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is a recipient of a Boots on the Ground School Partnership contract for marketing and outreach services. In the coming weeks a variety of materials will be provided to schools for families to enroll their children in Florida KidCare. Go to www.floridakidcare.org on enrollment procedures. Students should take any found items to the main school office. If you lose something, please check in the office to claim your possession. Mark all personal items brought to school with the student's name for easy identification. Unclaimed articles are donated to needy organizations twice a year (December and June). The school is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged personal items.

Insurance

Immunizations

Florida KidCare

Lost and Found

Parent Portal

19TFinancial Obligations All financial obligations incurred, i.e., school fees, textbook loss or damage, club activities, overdue or lost library books must be paid in the school’s main office.

Tablets/Devices All students are required to sign and abide by the Tablet Agreement form. 1. Terms of Use of the Tablet. Students shall be granted use of the Tablet computer while enrolled in good standing as a student at iTech, but no later than the Agreement End Date. The use of the Tablet shall be governed by the M-DCPS Acceptable Use Policy. 2. Return of Tablet to M-DCPS. The student’s right to use the Tablet will terminate and the student and their parent or guardian must return the Tablet to M-DCPS within five days upon the occurrence of any of the following events: a. Student’s use of the Tablet expires as provided in the Tablet Agreement form b. Student ceases to be enrolled at iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center c. M-DCPS provides student with five days’ notice that the Tablet must be returned d. Student fails to perform any of his/her obligations under this Agreement.

iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center is a commuter school. However, we will provide a shuttle service from the Metrorail Government Center to the school in the mornings and the same service returning to the Government Center after dismissal.

Parking decals for all motor vehicles, including mopeds and motorcycles, will be required for students parking at the school. Vehicles without parking decals will be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense. Decals will be issued after student presents their driver registration and car insurance. There is a charge of $2.00 per decal. Student Services

Academic Advisement – Advisement is offered through Strategic Planning Meeting time. Clinic –Students who are not feeling well should report to the office and call a parent/guardian. There are clinic services available three days a week. Medication: Students are not permitted to bring medications of any kind to school. This includes over the counter medications. In cases where a student must take a prescription medication during school hours, parents must make specific arrangements with the school student services office. Only qualified school office personnel are allowed to administer prescribed medications and only upon receipt of the completed form with written instructions from the child’s physician.

Financial Obligations

School Transportation

Student Parking

Student Services

Community Service Requirements - All students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of community service. The annual requirements are set forth below:

9th grade 25 hours

10th grade 25 hours

11th grade 25 hours

12th grade 25 hours

There are two ways to achieve your Service hours: 1. You may participate in the many community service projects at iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center and be awarded service hours for your participation in projects which take place outside of school hours. 2. You may get involved with activities in your community along with your family/parents/guardians. Most non-profit organizations sponsor a variety of service activities that will allow you to earn hours. Ask yourself two questions to determine if what you are planning is acceptable service and use these questions to guide your reflections:

1. How will this help the community at large? 2. How can I make a difference?

Avoid clumping hours together. Log each entry separately, clearly indicating:

1. Date & hours 2. Authorized signature & supervisor’s phone number

Make sure that your parent or guardian signs the completed community service log verifying that you participated in the activities, but not as an activity supervisor. Parents MAY NOT sign for Service hours. The individual from the organization who supervised the activity must sign the log. If you are in doubt or would like to create a service project using one of the above activities you must get prior approval from the school. Points will not be awarded after the fact. Service DEADLINE for 2015-16 is May 20, 2016. Counselor Request Students may request to see the school counselor. The counselor is available by appointment only.

Community Service Hours

19TThe Parent Academy As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. That’s why Miami-Dade County Public Schools created The Parent Academy, a free, year-round, parent engagement initiative designed to support community and family involvement across the district. The goal of The Parent Academy is to support parents in becoming more involved in their children’s education. The Parent Academy helps educate parents about the importance of their roles, unites families with schools, and informs parents of their rights, responsibilities and the educational opportunities available to them. In an effort to assist parents in becoming full partners in their children’s education, The Parent Academy partners with local and national organizations to provide a wide range of free resources. The Parent Academy also provides parents with constructive parenting practices designed to support them help their children succeed at school and in life. The curriculum helps parents attain more skills, knowledge and confidence to champion their child’s education. In addition, The Parent Academy provides classes and workshops for parents, organizes Family Learning Events and coordinates the availability of community resources for parents and students. The Parent Academy pledges to enrich the lives of children by bridging the gap between home and school through the provision of valuable resources. Visit the website at www.theparentacademy.net to view the course directory, upcoming events, and links to helpful information. For more information call 305-995-2680.

The Parent Academy

Anti-Discrimination Policy Federal and State Laws The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment

and

educational programs/activities and strives affirmatively to provide equal opportunity for all as required

by:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or

national origin.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis

of

race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) as amended - prohibits discrimination on the basis

of

age with respect to individuals who are at least 40.

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 as amended - prohibits gender discrimination in payment of wages to women

and

men performing substantially equal work in the same establishment.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - prohibits discrimination against the disabled.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) - prohibits discrimination against individuals with

disabilities

in employment, public service, public accommodations and telecommunications.

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) - requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks

of

unpaid, job-protected leave to "eligible" employees for certain family and medical reasons.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of

pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Florida Educational Equity Act (FEEA) - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national

origin,

marital status, or handicap against a student or employee.

Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 - secures for all individuals within the state freedom from discrimination

because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status.

Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) - prohibits discrimination against

employees or applicants because of genetic information.

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

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

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

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

Veterans are provided re-employment rights in accordance with P.L. 93-508 (Federal Law) and

Section 295.07

(Florida Statutes), which stipulate categorical preferences for employment. In Addition:

School Board Policies 1362, 3362, 4362, and 5517 - Prohibit harassment and/or discrimination against

students, employees, or applicants on the basis of sex, race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion,

marital

status, disability, genetic information, age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender

identification,

social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy, and any other legally prohibited basis.

Retaliation for engaging in a protected activity is also prohibited. Revised: (07.14) -Discrimination Policy