School Procedures
2007-2008
(Copied from the Student Agenda Book)

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

Dress Code

Change of Address or Phone Number

Clinic

        Administration of Prescribed Medication

Computer and Internet Use Policy

Loitering

Lost and Found

Lunch

        Personal Pin Lunch Account

        Free and Reduced Priced Lunch

        Expected Dining Behavior

Passes

Parent 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

        Student Contract & Administrative Review

Student Drop-off/ Parent Pickup

Student Procedures

Telephones

Textbooks

Transfers

Transportation

Visitors

 

Agenda Book Procedures

The agenda book is an important tool that teaches our students responsibility and reinforces communication between parents and teachers.  The agenda will be used not only for assignments, but also as a means for the teacher to write notes to parents, include important paperwork in the pocket folder, and so forth.  Correspondence for parents will be placed, by the student, in the agenda planner every Monday.  Such correspondence will include, but not be limited to, Team News, interim reports, and PTSS news.  Parents must read and sign their child’s agenda planner every Monday evening and be aware of the rules and regulations of the school as presented in the agenda book. 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 and Connect-ED, the agenda book promotes effective lines of communication and encourages responsible behavior on the part of the student.

The students are required to bring their agenda book to all classes, required to 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.

Employability grades have been discontinued by the district; however, 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:

	Homework Assignments – students are to write assignments in their agenda book the day they are assigned.
	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.
	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.
	Extracurricular Activities – students are to write the dates and times of any extracurricular activities, including club meetings, athletic practices, field trips, etc.
	Team news, graded tests, and all school correspondence.
	STUDENTS MUST REPLACE LOST AGENDA BOOKS THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL DAY, OTHERWISE THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THEIR CLASSROOM UNLESS THERE IS AN EMERGENCY.

If an agenda book is lost, a new one must be purchased for $6.00 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’s responsibility to replace any lost agenda book by notifying Mr. Reed and bringing in the funds necessary to replace this important communication tool.

Code of Dress

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 dressed in a way that is deemed inappropriate by the Administration, will not be permitted to attend class until the situation is rectified.  Parents will be called to bring to school the appropriate attire.  A student will receive an unexcused absence for any class missed.  There will be no oversized clothing.

Students have a RESPONSIBILITY to:

	Comply with the school dress code.
	Come to school fully clothed and wear clothes which are not dangerous to their health or safety, does not disrupt the                 learning process, and stays within 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 or racially 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 provides all of the uniform clothing, except for martial arts’ and dance attire. You can order uniforms online at http://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 may only be white. White long sleeve undershirts are permitted during cold weather. However, all undershirts must be tucked in at all times.
	Shorts/Pants/Skirts:  Pleated walking shorts and /or pants in khaki or navy must be worn.  Skirts will not be shorter than three inches above the knee.  Mini skirts, ruffle style, uneven, and unhemmed skirts are not permitted.  There will be no embellishments of any kind on pants, shorts, or skirts (i.e. stripes, loops, clips 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. Spandex or stretch material bottoms may not be worn Again, please remember no oversized pants are permitted. Pants are not permitted to hang below the waist although this may be a popular way of wearing pants; it is not permitted at SSA+S. If a child consistently wears said type of pants, he/she will be required to wear a belt to keep the pants at waist level.  Slacks and shorts are to be hemmed and ride on or above the hipbones.  Shorts are to be no shorter than three inches above the knee, and not fall below the knee (except for capri pants).  Gym shorts must follow the same requirements.  No denim, blue jeans, or jeans of any kind may be worn.
	Cold Weather Wear: In the past, a few parents have been concerned that the uniform clothing was not warm enough. However, if the student will layer the acceptable clothing, then there will not be an issue of the student being warm enough. Only the uniform sweatshirts or uniform hooded sweatshirts are acceptable.  The hoods of the uniform hooded sweatshirt may not be worn on the student’s head while inside the school building or classroom. Heavy jackets, in extreme cold weather,  may be worn to school, but must be left in the students’ lockers for the duration of the day.  A collared uniform shirt must be worn with the collar showing.
	Footwear:  Students must wear sneakers or flat dress shoes.  All footwear must be closed at the toes and heel.  Boots (except cowboy boots), sandals, slippers, and roller shoes are not acceptable.
	Physical Education Uniform:  The entire physical education uniform, except martial arts’ and dance attire, is available at Bealls and must be worn by the student during PE class or the student will receive a zero for that day.
	Spirit Days:  Spirit Days are scheduled for every Friday. The appropriate dress for Spirit Day is jeans and a school  t-shirt. Reminder – students must have a parent signature in their agenda book every Tuesday morning to be eligible for Spirit Day dress. On such days, students do not have to wear the school uniform.  However, all other dress code rules apply.  Thus, shorts must be the appropriate length.  No spaghetti straps, pajamas/sleep clothes, or midriff shirts are allowed.  Violations of this agreement will result in students losing the privilege of future spirit days and they will be sent home to change.
	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 other than ears is not allowed, including those for the tongue, nose, lips, and eyebrows.
	Necklaces: Two necklaces may be worn.  No dog collars, spikes, or chains.
	Bracelets: No chains or spikes.  Two 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.  Students may not wear hats backwards or sideways. If any of the above items are taken from the student, the parent will have to come into the school to retrieve said item from Mr. Sloan.
	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.
	Students are not permitted to write or  draw on their skin or clothing.

ADMINISTRATION HAS FINAL AUTHORITY IN DETERMINING IF DRESS ATTIRE IS APPROPRIATE.

School Procedures

Appointments/ Leaving School

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 note must state the reason for early dismissal, the time, and the date.  Early dismissals will be listed on the Daily Announcement Sheet.  All students must be signed out by a parent or legal guardian when the student leaves campus. Parents must be prepared to show identification when picking up their child. Parents, please do not pick up your child the  last period of the day, as this is a very busy time and disrupts the educational process.  Only medical and family emergencies will be considered excused if students are signed out last period.  “Beating the traffic,” is not an excused early dismissal. If a child must be dismissed the last period of the day, said dismissal must take place prior to 4:00 PM. No children will be released between 4:00 PM and 4:15 PM. Parents may come on campus to have lunch with their children; however, children may not leave campus for lunch.  Parents must sign in at the office, present a picture ID, driver’s license, etc. and wear the appropriate visitor’s badge when having lunch with their child.

Change of Address or Phone Number

Report any change of address or phone number in writing to the main office immediately. Attach said change to a recent utility bill that verifies said address.  Up-to-date emergency cards are essential for the main office to communicate with home.

Transfers

For a child to receive a transfer that is not school mandated, a parent/guardian must request the student to be withdrawn.  Before a student leaves SSA+S, a withdrawal form must be completed.  The new school will request a transfer of the student records. All schoolbooks must be returned before the records can be forwarded to the new school.

Clinic

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 parents will keep their child at home. If the student comes to school and is identified as having a fever, the parent will be called to pick them up immediately! Students are not permitted to eat lunch or loiter in the clinic. Said violations will be denoted as skipping.

Administration of Prescribed Medication

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 written physician authorization, and be received and stored in the original containers.  This includes non- prescription drugs such as aspirin and cough drops, prescription drugs including inhalers, and/or samples.  Written instructions indicating how the medication is to be taken must be included.
	School form(s), available in the clinic, must be completed by the parent/ guardian and physician and returned to the clinic granting permission to administer medication(s) in compliance with the regulations set forth by the School Board of Sarasota County, in accordance with Florida Statute House Bill 463.
	If the physician has given the parent/guardian sample bottles of medication, the bottle must be labeled with the student’s name and be accompanied by a written physician’s prescription.
	Written parent/guardian permission authorizing the health room aide to assist the student in the administration of medication (Prescription, non-prescription, and/or sample) and must include an explanation of why the medication is required.
	Controlled or psychotropic drugs, such as Ritalin, Valium, Thorazine, etc.  will need to be counted by the health room aide and another adult when received into the health room.
	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.  Menus are posted in the cafeteria.

Students may buy a hot/cold lunch or bring their own bag lunch.  Food is not to be eaten in the classrooms or in locker areas.  The designated lunch area is the cafeteria and the picnic tables.  Students are expected to treat cafeteria staff, custodians, and lunch duty supervisors with respect.  Students must wait their turn in line.  “Cutting” is not allowed.  Walking around and moving from table to table is not permitted.  All students must clean their area after they eat.

Upon direction of a staff member, students line up in an orderly manner to leave the cafeteria, depositing all trash before exiting.

Personal Pin Lunch Account

All students have a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to be entered into the computer for quick identification.  This number may be used for prepaying 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.

Free and Reduced Priced Lunch

Application forms for free/reduced priced lunches are mailed home during the summer.  Additional forms are available in the office.

Expected Dining Behavior

Remain Seated – Speak Softly – Be Courteous – Respect Others’ Space-If you mess up, clean up!

The school staff and your fellow students will appreciate and expect your 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 cafeteria.
	Students are to remain seated at assigned tables.
	When students have completely finished eating, they must get permission to put their trash in the appropriate trashcan and return to their seat, until dismissed.
	Students are not allowed to leave the cafeteria without a hall pass.
	Students will be assigned to assist in cleaning the lunchroom.
	No food is allowed in the hallway.

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.

Receiving a failing grade in PE is considered a violation of the student contract.  Each student is required to dress out in appropriate activity wear, which includes SSA+S physical education shirt and shorts along with tennis shoes.  Shirts and shorts are available for purchase at Bealls Department Store.  Habitual disregard for the dress out policy will lead to a parent contact and 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.  P.E. uniforms must be labeled with permanent marker.  The student’s name should be written on the front of the uniform in large letters and on the label inside of the clothing.

Lost and Found

Students need to write their full name in books and other belongings.  Should students lose anything, they should check the lost and found area.  Students will look for their belongings before or after school – not during the school day.  Items in the lost and found 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 by the door.

Telephones

Telephones are available for students in the office.  It is imperative that you make family plans and schedules before coming to school.  Calls will be limited to emergency calls to family members, and will be monitored by school staff. The  front desk coordinator or other office personnel must grant permission prior to use. The phone may be used at lunchtime only.  Under no circumstances will long distance or toll calls be allowed.  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.  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 regulation will be confiscated and the parent will be notified to pick up the item at a time convenient for the school from Mr. Sloan.  Repeated offenses may result in the student being withdrawn from SSA+S for violating the student contract.

Student Drop-off/ Parent Pickup

Drop off is from 7:00 AM until 8:45AM.  Pick up is from 4:15 – 4:30 PM  Due to safety/supervision reasons, parents may pick up and drop off students only at designated areas.  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 on occasion have chosen not to follow the designated pick up/drop off procedures.  If this becomes an issue, said parent will be in violation of the parent contract and their child will be subject to immediate dismissal. There is no room for parental negligence regarding the safety of our children. If a parent is notified of violating the procedures and then become 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 will be subject to trespass laws and child will be immediately dismissed from SSA+S. A safe and orderly school is mandated and not subject to parental interpretation.

After School Care

 If the need arises, based on a significant number of students needing after school care, an agency such as the YMCA will be contacted to be in charge of the after school program. If this occurs, a fee will be assessed to any family using said service.  Any parents who wish 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 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. An SSA+S bus will be picking up and delivering students to Manatee County at designated pocket pickup areas. All students are again under the direct supervision of the bus driver and bus privilege will be suspended for failure to follow regulations

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, 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 (as per teacher requirement), and sufficient paper for the day.
	Students enter classrooms and immediately select a book, take their assigned seat, as per seating chart established by teacher, and begin assigned bell work before tardy bell rings.
	Students 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 pass papers to a central point (determined by the teacher) to be collected.
	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 will respond to the “give me five” hand signal with silence and focus attention on the teacher.
	Students ask permission to leave rooms and must have their agenda book hall passes filled out in full with designation, 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.
	Students must wait for the teacher to dismiss them from class; a one-minute warning 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.
	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.
	Students will respond to emergency codes with silence.

Academic Standards

Honor Roll

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.  Achievement awards are also given for citizenship.  The SSA+S Citizenship Award recognizes leadership, kindness, and integrity. 

Honor Society

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 3.5 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.

Parent Conferences

Parent/teacher conferences will be held on four designated evenings during the school year or at the request of parents, teachers, or both.  Please contact the front desk coordinator to set up an appointment.  If questions or concerns arise, they should first be addressed directly to the teacher.  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.

Report Cards/ Progress Reports

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.  Parents should contact the office if they have not received a report card and/or progress report.  Parents are also urged to attend conference evenings when student’s grades or behaviors are less than satisfactory in order to discuss strategies for improvement. 

Textbooks

Textbooks must be covered at all times.  Students are financially responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged textbooks.

School Activities

After School Sports and Extracurricular Activities

SSA+S students may compete in a variety of after school sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, golf, 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.

Dances

Two dances will be scheduled by the Student Council and/or other organizations.  Dances are a privilege; students who have been suspended preceding the dance or who are on Activity Restriction because of disciplinary action or excessive tardies, 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 one half hour after the end of the dance or the student will not be allowed to attend the next dance without a parent/guardian as chaperone.  It is the parents’ responsibility to provide transportation home, after the dance.

Parent Teacher Student Society

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. 

Student Behavior Policy

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 of behavior.  Students and parents are required to sign contracts when applying for enrollment and are responsible for learning and abiding by the SSA+S discipline policies and procedures. If a detention is issued by a teacher, said detention must be served the next school morning. If a student receives four detentions in a quarter, that student will receive a one-day suspension from school. Moreover, if a student misses a detention, the student will receive a one-day suspension from school unless excused by Mr. Sloan. Twelve detentions in a quarter may be cause for the student to be withdrawn from SSA+S.

Parents are encouraged to request a conference with teachers through the team leader to discuss academics, attendance, and other concerns by calling the school office at 330-1855.  All student-to-student complaints should be discussed with the appropriate teacher or with the guidance counselor.  Further concerns may be referred to Mr. Sloan.  If the Parent and Student Contracts are not followed, the student may be dismissed from SSA+S.

Bullying will not be tolerated at SSA+S. 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 engage in such conduct shall be subject to a range of punishment to include verbal or written reprimand, out-of-school suspension, change of placement, and/or expulsion.

Parent Behavior Policy

In recent years in our society, there has been an escalation of parental verbal 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 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 parent’s child being immediately dismissed from SSA+S. Moreover, parents are never permitted to go directly to a teacher’s classroom without first obtaining a visitor’s pass from the Front Desk Coordinator. If this does occur, the Resource Officer will be notified and said parent will be subject to trespass laws.

Student Contract & Administrative Review

Students with continuing attendance and/or discipline problems will be in violation of the SSA+S student contract and may be dismissed following probation and the accordance of due process.  

Prohibited Articles

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, 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.  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.

Computer and Internet Use Policy

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 for students 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 network activities as well.  The computer system and network use policy is an extension of the school’s behavior code. 

Loitering

SSA+S assumes responsibility for supervising students between the hours of 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM. If there is a need of enough parents to secure the YMCA for aftercare, then the pickup time for those students enrolled in the YMCA Program will be extended to 6:00 PM. If this care is warranted, parents are required to pay for said service (sliding scale). If numbers do no warrant an aftercare program, please know that school staff is not available to supervise students beyond the 4:30 deadline.  Students must be picked up or dropped off during these stipulated hours.  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.  Students must have written permission, on record at school, to walk to the library after school or to otherwise leave campus on foot.

For the safety of your child, please be punctual!

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 attendance policy has been developed. 

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.

Student Absences

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 absence 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 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).

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 semester or ten per school year 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 semester 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

A student, who has an excused absence, or an unexcused absence resulting from suspension, will be expected to make up work missed.  In the case of all other unexcused absences, students will receive a zero grade for all work missed during the period of the unexcused absence.

Attendance Requirements for a High School Credit

This includes Spanish I, Algebra I, and Geometry. Any student who has unexcused absences so that he/she has not been in attendance for 135 hours of the 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.

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.

There will be exceptions made for ESE/ESOL  Departments, and emergency situations only.