ARRIVAL
Parents are encouraged to have their child(ren) at school by 8:25 a.m.
Supervision of students begins at 7:45 a.m. If you must bring your child to
school before 7:45 a.m., please enroll him/her in the E.D.E.P. before school
program. The safety of our children is a major concern. We are asking your
cooperation to help us in providing a hazard-free environment.
ARRIVAL AFTER THE 8:30 a.m. BELL
If your child arrives late to school you must sign him/her in at the front
office counter. Your child will be admitted to class ONLY with a late pass.
ALL VISITORS, INCLUDING PARENTS, MUST BE SCANNED INTO OUR RAPTOR BACKGROUND
CHECK PROGRAM. You must have your Driver’s License with you.
Please contact your child’s teacher 24 hours in advance to schedule classroom
visits and conferences.
EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
It is the parent/guardian responsibility to notify the school regarding the
reason for a student’s absence in a timely fashion.
Absence is nonattendance of a student at school or in an approved educational
activity/field trip or program on days school is in session. A student who is
not physically present at school or not participating in an approved school
activity as defined under the compulsory school law shall be counted absent
and shall not be recorded as in attendance on that day.
The law allows absences for illness or medical care, death in the family,
religious holidays, prearranged absences for educational purposes approved by
an administrator, financial and certain other special circumstances or
insurmountable conditions. A student with an excused absence is not subject
to any disciplinary or academic penalties.
An unexcused absence takes place any time a child is out of school for reasons
not recognized in the law. In these cases, the child may be subject to
academic penalties. Unexcused absenteeism sufficient enough to jeopardize
academic progress at the elementary and middle school levels is defined as a
student being absent without an acceptable reason five (5) times in a calendar
month or ten (10) times in a 90-calendar day period.
TARDINESS
Tardiness is any arrival at school after the tardy bell has sounded without an
approved excuse. Likewise, students who leave school before the end of the
school day have their learning interrupted. Unless the reason for leaving or
late arrival is covered under Florida Statute, elementary and middle school
students who are chronically tardy or leave early without an acceptable excuse
more than five (5) times in a calendar month or ten (10) times in a 90
calendar day period will be subjected to action as dictated by 1003.27, F.S.
If the parent is the cause of the chronic tardiness or leaving early without
an acceptable excuse, then 1003.27, F.S. shall be used to gain compliance.
Tardiness and leaving early without an acceptable excuse are seen as a form of
nonattendance, which is in violation of compulsory attendance statutes.
ILLNESS
In order to keep the spread of illness to a minimum, we ask that you keep your
child home when:
1. He/she has a fever. (Your child must be fever
free for 24 hours before returning to school).
2. He/she is vomiting or has diarrhea.
3. He/she is in the first day or two of a cold. (This
is when colds are the most contagious).
4. He/she has a cough serious enough to keep
him/her from concentrating on school.
*Remember, we cannot keep sick children at school so please do not send a
child to school with a fever, or if she/he has thrown up or has diarrhea.
Keep him/her at home until you are sure she/he is well.