Welcome
Bay Vista Fundamental is in its 14th year as a fundamental school. Currently
our enrollment is at 650 students. We are the largest fundamental elementary
school in Pinellas County. This handbook is for your reference on our
policies and procedures. Please read over carefully and keep for your future
reference. We welcome you to Bay Vista Fundamental Elementary School.
School Mission
The mission of BVFS is to educate all learners to become successful,
productive members of society by providing a safe positive learning
community.
Fundamental School Structure
Membership in fundamental schools is a privilege enjoyed by interested and
qualified Pinellas County students. Therefore, students are expected to
exhibit exemplary achievement and conduct while in membership in these
programs. Fundamental schools emphasize principles, which set them apart from
attendance area schools. The fundamental school provides for those students
who work best where expectations are clearly defined. A strong emphasis is
placed on the home and school working together to promote successful learning.
The fundamental elementary school includes kindergarten through fifth grades.
A quiet, well disciplined and structured learning environment is maintained.
All rules and policies are strictly enforced. The fundamental school
incorporates instructional methods and curriculum based on Sunshine State
Standards and Pinellas County Schools Student Expectations. A collaborative
spirit exists within a framework of mutual respect, cooperation and regard
for the rights and property of others and is views as an integral part of the
school environment.
Absences
Regular attendance is a school expectation. If your child is feeling ill or
if your family is planning an extended vacation, we ask that you please
notify the school office. Classwork and homework are required to be made up
if the absence is excused. The number of days to make up work is equal to the
number of days absent. Call the office by 10a.m. to request student work.
Parents are also expected to sign agendas on the days students are absent as
well and will be given the same number of days to do this as makeup homework.
Excused Absence: A parent sends in a note or informs the teacher of the
reason for the absence.
Unexcused Absence: A parent does not inform the teacher of the reason for the
child’s absence.
Academic Awards
Students in grades 1-5 may earn Principal’s List, Honor Roll and Merit Awards.
Principal’s List is awarded for all A’s in academic areas and E’s, V’s and
S’s in PE, Art, Music, Conduct, Effort and Work Habits.
Honor Roll is awarded for all A’s and B’s in academic areas and E’s, V’s or
S’s in PE, Art, Music, Conduct, Effort and Work Habits.
Merit Award is awarded for C’s or better in academic areas and all E’s, V’s
or S’s in PE, Art, Music, Conduct, Effort and Work Habits.
Arrival and Dismissal
Car Circles: Parents using the Blue Car Circle can enter driving south on MLK
making a left turn into the school. You may not make a right into this car
circle. As you leave the blue car circle you may only make a right turn on
to MLK heading north. Parents using the Yellow Car Circle can enter driving
north on MLK making a right into the school. You may not make a left into
this car circle. As you leave the yellow car circle you can make a left or
right onto MLK.
You may not use 58th Avenue to park, drop off or pick up students. This
policy is in place for the safety of all our students. There will be a staff
member on duty directing you to park on an adjacent street and walk your
child across 58th Avenue.
Students may not be on campus prior to 7:45 a.m. At that time they are to
report to the cafeteria on rainy days and to the covered court on non rainy
days for supervision. Students will be dismissed at 8:05 to walk to class.
The official school day begins at 8:15 a.m. and students will be marked tardy
if they arrive to their classroom after this time. Parents and visitors may
enter the building no earlier than 8:05 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Parents and
visitors remaining in the campus are asked to sign in at the main office and
receive a visitor’s badge.
All students will be dismissed at 2:15 p.m. Car Riders may utilize either car
circle and sit by grade level noted on the orange cones. Parents using the
yellow (south) car circle may turn north or south onto MLK Street. Parents
using the blue car circle may only turn north onto MLK Street. We ask that
parents write their child’s name and grade on a large piece of paper and
place in the passenger window or windshield. This helps to facilitate
dismissal.
Students must be accompanied by a parent when crossing the car circles:
Please utilize the cross walk areas when crossing a car circle. There is no
adult supervision available prior to 7:45 and after 2:45. Due to the number
of early arrivals and late pick- ups students arriving early or departing
late will receive a warning or detention. Families will be given 2 reminders
prior to a warning or detention within each infraction period. When using the
car lines there should be no cell phone usage.
Before and After Care
The R’ Club operates in the BVFS cafeteria from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. The program’s focus is to provide outdoor recreation,
homework time and healthy snacks. Please call the program director for more
information.
Bicycles on Campus
Bike riders are expected to observe all traffic regulations and safe riding
practices. When on campus, bike riders must walk their bikes to the bike
compound and securely lock them. BVFS is not responsible for lost or damaged
bikes. Please remember to wear your helmet.
Borrowed Lunch Money
Our Cafeteria Manager will coordinate all student lunch loans. She will
notify the parents whenever a student has borrowed money for lunch. All
borrowed lunch money needs to be paid back quickly. Students may borrow up to
three times in a row. If the money is not paid back students will be served a
cold sandwich and milk.
Calendar
Our yearly calendar is posted on our website. Each month it will be part of
our monthly newsletter so that it can be updated as needed.
Class Celebrations
Please check with your child’s teacher before bringing any food for the
classroom. All food must be commercially produced and packaged. No home baked
goodies are allowed.
Class Visits
Parents are always welcome to visit BVFS. All visitors are required to first
sign in at the office and to wear a visitor’s badge. Please make arrangements
with your child’s teacher or through the school office before visiting to
ensure a smooth and appropriate visit. This policy is for the protection of
the students and to avoid disruption of classes. School Board policy states
that teachers are given 24 hours notice prior to a parent observation or
visit. Parent observations are limited to 45 minutes in length and are for
legal guardians only.
Clinic
BVFS has no clinic attendants. If your child is ill, we must have telephone
numbers where we can reach you to come for your child. It is imperative that
you keep parent and emergency contact telephone numbers up to date.
Conferences
All parents are required to attend at least one face to face parent teacher
conference each grading period. Conferences are usually scheduled by the
teacher; however, you may request a conference at any time. If a parent does
not attend a scheduled conference, it will be the parent’s responsibility to
see that the required conference takes place. If a required parent/teacher
conference does not take place during any grading period, the parent will be
referred to the Intervention and Appeals Committee.
Detentions
The use of detention as a consequence for either inappropriate student
behavior, for not returning homework on time, incomplete homework, unsigned
homework or agendas and incomplete classwork in school is a very important
part of the fundamental philosophy. Students will receive two warnings in an
infraction period before receiving a detention. Failure to return a warning
or detention notice the next school day will result in a either a second
warning or a detention. All detentions will last for thirty (30) minutes and
will be held on either Tuesday or Thursday from 2:20-2:50 p.m. Kindergarten
detentions are held in the teacher’s classroom and may be held on any school
day with parent’s prior approval. Parents will receive a detention notice
prior to the actual detention. It is the parent’s responsibility to arrange
to pick up their child at 2:50 p.m., at the yellow car circle. Failure to
serve a detention on the scheduled day will result in a double detention.
Failure to return the detention notice with parent signature will result in
an additional detention. Students are expected to arrive at the detention
class on time. Late arrivals will not be admitted and students will serve an
additional detention for being late. All students who receive three
detentions in a fundamental school infraction period will be referred to the
Intervention and Appeals Committee for review. Removal from the fundamental
school program could result for a student not fulfilling the basic principles
of the fundamental school program.
Discipline Policy
Having and maintaining appropriate student behavior is a basic fundamental
school principle. All students are expected to comply with the BVFS rules
without exception. The Administration and staff of BVFS are committed to
providing the highest quality of instructional support for our/your children
and will not allow students misbehavior to prevent this from happening.
Continuous inappropriate behavior will be referred to the Intervention and
Appeals Committee. Removing a student from the fundamental school program may
be recommended. In all cases, the principal will make the final decision
regarding removal of a student from the program. Any of the following
consequences may result from student misbehavior:
*parent notification
*student warning
*referral to guidance counselor
*detention
*time out
*parent conference with principal
*in school suspension
*out of school suspension
*referral to the Intervention and Appeal Committee
*community service
*removal from the Fundamental School program
The following cumulative steps will be taken for students sent to the
Principal with an Office Discipline Referral any time during the course of
the entire school year:
1. First Discipline Referral
• parent notification
• student warning
• any other starred items above
2. Second Discipline Referral
• Parent notification
• Detention
• Any other starred items above
3. Third Discipline Referral
• Parent notification
• Referral to Intervention and Appeals Committee
• Detention
• Any other starred items above
4. All subsequent Discipline referrals
• Parent notification
• Referral to Intervention and Appeals Committee
• Probationary status for student or dismissal
Severe infractions will result in an immediate referral to the Intervention
and Appeals Committee, as determined by the Principal.
Cafeteria Visitation
After signing in at the office and getting a visitor’s badge, parents who
come to eat lunch with their child are to meet the class at the cafeteria.
Parents may remove their own child and one friend from the cafeteria to eat
outside. Parents who have more than one child may not take one child from
class during another child’s lunch time in order to eat with both at the same
time.
Dress Code
Students are expected to dress appropriately to reflect pride in one’s self
and school. All students must follow the dress code found in the Code of
Student Conduct. In addition, all fundamental students must adhere to the
following dress code when in school or on field trips:
Students will be allowed to wear:
*shirts, blouses, sweaters
* jeans, pants, slacks
*uniform shorts in khaki or navy blue, cuffed or uncuffed, belted or
unbelted. These should hit at the knee or above. Shorts should not hit at the
calf.
* skirts, dresses or scooters- appropriate in length
* shoes, and socks, stockings or tights Shoes should be appropriate for PE
each day. There is no time to change shoes prior to PE each day. Sneakers
should be regular tennis shoes with flat rubber soles, laces or velcro
straps, cover the entire foot and have a tongue in it. The ballerina type
slipper shoes are not appropriate.
* Sweaters or jackets when desired
Students may not wear:
*sleeveless shirts, tank tops, sleeveless dresses or sleeveless blouses
*pants shorter than ankle length
*bare midriff dresses, blouses or shirts
*see-through shirts or blouses, halter dresses or tops with spaghetti straps
*skorts, culottes or divided skirts
*leggings worn with any other clothing
*non uniform shorts
* thongs, sandals or clogs
*hats or sunglasses (indoors)
*clothing which displays profanity, sexually suggestive phrases, alcohol,
tobacco, drugs or other inappropriate symbols
*footwear inappropriate for physical activity
We also expect parents to use good judgment in their attire while
volunteering in the building. Parents are expected to adhere to the student
dress code. The dress code will be strictly enforced at BVFES for students.
Students will receive four reminders in the agenda book about dress code
violations. All subsequent violations will be a warning or detention. If
there is a question regarding the appropriateness of student dress, please
consult the principal. The principal shall have the final decision regarding
the enforcement of the student dress code.
Field Trips
The BVFS teachers are encouraged to take students on field trips. Integrating
the school taught curriculum into “real world experiences,” is a valuable
learning opportunity for children. You may be asked to assist with
transportation for a field trip or contribute toward the cost of bus
transportation. A signed field trip permission form is required for students’
participation on field trips. Children will have to remain at school if a
signed permission form is not returned. Parents wishing to chaperone must be
registered volunteers. Volunteers driving on field trips are expected to
look out for the children in their car. It is especially important that you
refrain from using your personal cell phone. This is strictly a safety and
liability issue. Parents who are responsible for monitoring students may not
bring siblings along on field trips. Seat belts are mandatory.
Homework
Homework is an integral aspect of the fundamental school philosophy. It is
used to reinforce academic skills taught, to encourage independent study, to
establish good work habits and to build self-discipline. Unfinished classwork
may be added to nightly homework and is expected to be completed along with
other assigned homework for that night. Homework will be assigned to all
students Monday through Thursday and is due when the student arrives at
school. Homework and agenda books brought in after the 8:15 bell is
considered late and students will be given a warning or detention. Students
may not return after 3 p.m. or before school the next school day for homework
materials or for the agenda book. Parent signature is required on the first
page of each homework assignment and the agenda book each day. Parents also
sign the student agendas on Friday. While there is no homework assignment
there may be communication from the teacher that is pertinent. Student will
receive warnings and detentions for not having a parent signature. Incomplete
homework is defined as leaving one or more answers blank. Students must
follow all homework directions provided by the teacher or written in the
assignment. Consequences for incomplete, not returned or unsigned homework
include warnings and detentions. It is also expected that the assignment be
completed and turned in the next school day.
Interventions and Appeals Committee (IAC)
The function of this committee is to review cases where parent or student
commitment to the fundamental school contract is not being met. The committee
is composed of parents, teachers, and the principal who coordinates the
agenda. The committee has the option of recommending the interventions to the
principal including probation or removal from the fundamental school program.
Students are referred to IAC after receiving the third detention in an
infraction period. If a referred student receives an additional infraction
before the IAC has met, the consequence will be a detention. Probationary
periods may vary in length, depending upon individual situations. When
students are removed from probation, warnings and detentions will be prorated
for the duration of the infraction period, based on the remaining days in the
infraction period. All probations will represent actual attendance days. If
the IAC dismisses a student or family, an appeal process is in place. Parents
may appeal a decision of the IAC at the school level as well as the district
level. If a family loses its membership in an elementary fundamental school,
they may not apply for membership in any other elementary or middle school
fundamental program. Written documentation will be maintained for each case
brought before this committee. The Principal will make the final decision on
all IAC recommendations.
Lunch
Student lunches are $1.75 per day. Breakfast is $1.00. Students may place
money on their account or bring their money daily. Free and reduced lunch
applications will go home during the first week of school. Students
previously receiving this assistance will maintain this status for the first
10 days of school but will need to reapply. All parents applying will receive
official notice of their status within the first 10 days of school. Reduced
lunch is $.40 and breakfast is $.30.
Lost and Found
All items found will be returned to the office. Please label all of your
child’s belongings. Items not claimed during the school year are given to a
charitable organization on a monthly basis.
Medication
School personnel may administer medication only if an official authorization
card is completed and on file. Prescribed medication must be labeled and in
its original container from the pharmacy. The blue authorization card with
parent signature, must accompany the medicine. Non-prescription medication
requires the appropriate form signed by both parent and doctor. This includes
cough drops or sore throat lozenges. Children may not take medication on
their own and no medication will be given to any student without an
authorization card on file.
Newsletters
The School/PTA newsletter is sent home once a month via the email. Families
without computer access will have one sent home. This is our main source of
communication between school and home. Information regarding the school
calendar, menus, student recognition and other important events will be part
of the newsletter.
Parent Meetings
Monthly attendance at Parent Meetings is mandatory. All meeting agendas are
coordinated by our PTA and school. Parents must sign in at every meeting on
the appropriate student card by 6:45 p.m. or 15 minutes after the start of
the meeting and stay for the duration of the meeting. If circumstances arise
which make it impossible to attend a parent meeting, the parent may send a
representative, 18 years of age or older, who is not another parent of a BVFS
student to two of the required meetings. You must contact the principal prior
to sending a representative. This individual will also need to sign the
appropriate student’s attendance card, will be expected to arrive prior to
6:45 p.m. and remain for the duration of the meeting. It is the parents’
responsibility to make the representative aware of all obligations. If a
first meeting is missed, parents will receive a warning letter. If a second
meeting is missed the parent will then be placed on probation and must attend
all future parent meetings and is no longer able to send another adult
representative in their place. If a third meeting is missed, the parent will
be brought to the Intervention and Appeals Committee. At this time families
could be dismissed from the fundamental school program. The sign in cards
will be removed at 6:45 p.m. or 15 minutes after the start of the meeting.
No parent will be given their card after this time. The meetings dates are
subject to change. All changes in meeting dates will be published in the
school newsletter. Our meetings are for adults only; please do not bring
children to the evening meetings unless otherwise noted.
Parent Responsibilities
The parents or guardians will:
1. Review with your child the Bay Vista Fundamental Handbook periodically.
2. Return a signed contract for each child.
3. Show by example your support of the standards of student conduct.
4. Replace vandalized, damaged or lost school property caused by your child
or children.
5. Furnish a suitable study area at home.
6. Review each homework assignment with your child and sign each paper,
assignment sheet and agenda book as directed by your child’s teacher.
7. Provide additional academic assistance for your child as requested by the
teacher.
8. Meet with each child’s teacher at least once during each reporting period,
accumulating at least 3 conferences.
9. Send a note when you child is absent, tardy or leaving school early.
10. See that you child is well rested.
11. Check your child each day before school to see that the dress and
grooming codes are being observed.
12. Become knowledgeable and realistic about your child’s abilities.
13. Review with our child his/her success in relation to his/her abilities.
14. Attend all meetings obligated to you by your commitment to the program.
15. Cooperate with the school as requested in the area of discipline.
16. Sign the warning and or detention notice and give it to you child to
return to school the following day.
17. Furnish the school office with two or more phone numbers for use in case
of emergency.
18. Notify the child’s teacher of any condition that would prevent the child
from participating in school activities.
19. Notify the school office, in writing immediately, of any change of
address and or phone number.
20. Make sure your child arrives at school on time and is picked up on time
each day.
21. Pay any lunch or breakfast monies loaned to your child promptly.
22. Communicate to the school any concerns you may have regarding the program
or personnel. Refrain from discussions with people who cannot solve your
concerns.
Parking
Parking is limited at the school. The parking spaces behind the cafeteria are
reserved for our staff. Do not use this area as a drop off or pick up point.
Parents and visitors may park on either side of the driveway next to the
cafeteria or in the area on the North side of the school in the blue car
circle area.
P.E. Policy
If your child is unable to participate in physical education due to illness
or injury, a written note from home is required. A doctor’s statement is
required if the exclusion will exceed three days.
Pets
Pets may be brought to school for demonstrations which are part of the
established curriculum. All pets must be in cages. Approval from the
classroom teacher is required before any pets are brought to school.
Potential Retainee Policy
The BVFS teachers will keep you informed of the progress of your child
throughout the year. School Board policy requires that each school notify
parents if their child is a potential retainee by the middle of February. A
potential retainee is a student experiencing great academic difficulty.
Parents are notified that if academic growth does not occur before the end of
the year, the potential exists for their child to be retained. Our
expectation is that parents and teacher will work closely to plan appropriate
strategies to support each child. Before the end of the school year, a
decision will be made regarding your child’s status. Parents will be informed
of the recommendation.
Progress Reports/Grading Policy
All students receive progress reports indicating their academic progress,
classroom conduct and work habits. Kindergarten students receive two progress
reports during the year. Kindergarten students will receive a checkmark to
denote if a child is “performing successfully” or “not yet”, as well as the
following letter grades for all reporting areas:
E- Excellent
V- Very Good
S- Satisfactory
N-Needs Improvement
U- Unsatisfactory
Progress reports in grades 1-5 will be issued at the end of each of the three
twelve week grading periods. Students in grades 1-5 will receive the
following grades for all academic subjects:
A- 90-100%
B- 80-89%
C- 70-79%
D- 60-69%
F 0-59%
Students in grades 1-5 will receive the letter grades of either E-V-S-N-U, in
PE, Music, Art, Conduct, Work Habits and Effort.
Right to Review
The Family Rights and Privacy Act was revised and became a federal law in
November 1974. The intent of this law is to protect the accuracy and privacy
of student educational records. These records include files, documents and
other materials containing information directly related to your child.
Without your prior consent, only you and authorized individuals having
legitimate educational interests will have access to your child’s educational
records. You have the right to review all records.
School Advisory Council
The SAC is a link between the schools and the local community. It serves as a
mechanism for participatory management through which the various shareholders
in the school community, both internal and external, can benefit the school
and produce better student outcomes. The term advisory is intended to mean:
assist, suggest, recommend, inform and consult. The shareholders are parents,
business people, students, other community interests, professional educators
and other school staff. The School Advisory Council is a resource to the
school and school principal.
School Improvement Plan (SIP)
Each year the school staff works in collaboration with the School Advisory
Council to develop an improvement plan address all curriculum areas and
student groups. The results are monitored throughout the year and revisions
are made as needed. Adequate yearly progress is reported at the end of each
year. Bay Vista’s SIP can be viewed at our website.
School Store
The school store, “Jaguar Mall” is located in the cafeteria. It is open from
7:50-8:15 a.m. Tuesday and Thursdays. Students may purchase items such as
pencils, erasers, notebooks and paper.
Student Standards of Conduct
The student will:
1. Remain quiet, orderly and on task in the classroom.
2. Refrain from fighting and using profane language or gestures.
3. Speak courteously to any adult or child and observe good manners at all
time.
4. Move from one area of the school to another in a non-disruptive manner,
5. Conduct themselves at all times to protect themselves as well as others
from injury.
6. Exhibit the principles of good sportsmanship.
7. Care for books, furniture, equipment and rooms, leaving them unmarked and
in good condition.
8. Refrain from intimidating, harassing and threatening others.
9. Refrain from being disrespectful of other’s rights and property.
10. Refrain from leaving school grounds without specific permission.
11. Refrain from throwing objects other than ball equipment.
12. Present a note from parents when tardy or absent.
13. Strictly observe the school dress code.
14. Refrain from bringing candy, gum or toys to school.
15. Be responsible for completing and turning in homework daily.
16. Be responsible for taking notices and detentions home a returning
detentions and warnings, signed by the parent, the following school day.
Tardy Policy
Students are expected to arrive to school on time. Students may enter their
classrooms at 8:05 a.m. to prepare for the beginning of school. The tardy
bell will ring at 8:15 a.m. Students are tardy if they are not in their
classrooms at 8:15 a.m. and must first report to the office for a tardy slip.
A tardy will be excused if it is accompanied by a doctor’s note at the time
of the tardy. A letter from the Principal will be sent after five unexcused
tardies in any given grading period. Students who receive two additional
unexcused tardies in a grading period will be placed on probation.
Subsequent unexcused tardies will result in warnings or detentions. After the
third detention in an infraction period a referral to the Intervention and
Appeals Committee will be made.
Telephone
Students are not permitted to use the school telephone except in emergencies
and with permission of office personnel. Parents should communicate with
their child how they will be going home each day. We are not able to always
relay messages to the child. Student cell phones should be turned off and
kept in their backpacks at all times. Their phone will be taken if it goes
off at any time during the school day or if they are caught using it. Parents
will then need to come and to retrieve it from the office.
Threats
Consequences for a verbal threat will lead to timeout, in school suspension
or out of school suspension. The incident may be reported to Pinellas County
Schools Police. A violent threat may lead to the immediate removal from the
school for an extended period of time or permanently.
Volunteers
We encourage and welcome parents’ participation as volunteers at BVFS. All
returning volunteers will need to reapply on line in the office. New
volunteers to Pinellas County Schools will need to fill out a volunteer form.
All new volunteers are subject to background checks by the county prior to
volunteering with children. All chaperones for field trips must be registered
as volunteers. If you plan on driving on a field trip your insurance
information must be on file with the office. Preschoolers may not accompany
parents who are volunteering at school or chaperoning a field trip. Please
remember to always log in on the volunteer computer in the office.
School Phone Numbers
Dr. Julie Janssen,
Superintendent 588-6000
Kris Sulte, Principal 893-2335
Amy McCurdy, PTA President 898-1246