1. Leave all pages in the agenda the entire year.
2. Keep the cover and spiral binding intact.
3. Keep pages free of doodling and coloring.
4. Keep pages whole – no folding, cutting, or ripping.

Acceptable Attendance:

Students are expected to attend school each of the 180 regular school days; however, it is understood that excused absences will occur. 

Maximum Allowable Tardies and Absences:

NO STUDENT WILL BE DISMISSED FROM SCHOOL DURING THE ENTIRE LAST PERIOD OF THE SCHOOL DAY. This is a very busy time and disrupts the educational process. 

Makeup Work

Makeup work, following an 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.  Parents must contact the office 24 hours prior to pick up.

Attendance Requirements for a High School Credit:

This includes Spanish I, Algebra I, Speech I, and Geometry. Any student whose unexcused absences results in less than 135 hours of the required 150 hours of instruction in a course providing one full credit towards high school graduation, will not be awarded credit for said class.

A. Excused Absence:  an excused absence is one which results from:

1. Illness of student to be documented by the parent, guardian, or medical doctor.  Medical doctor documentation is required for three or more consecutive days.
2. Illness or death in the student’s immediate family. 
3. Religious holidays of the specific faith of the student.
4. A doctor’s note, dentist’s note, or  “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.

B. Unexcused Absence:

1. Excessive absences will not be excused.
2. Excessive tardies will not be excused.
3. Excessive absences will be reported to the truancy office.

School Uniform:  Student dress will reflect appropriateness, modesty, and neatness.   Any student whose attire or appearance is not within the regulations, or is dressed in a way that is deemed inappropriate, will meet with an Administrator. A detention may be issued for violating the dress code at the discretion of Administration. Please note that the student contract and agenda book serve as the first written warning. Detentions may be issued with the first offense.

STUDENTS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO:

1. Comply with the school dress code.
2. It is strongly encouraged that all students have a change of uniform clothing in their locker for emergency situations. (PE uniforms may only be worn during PE class and are not permitted to be worn underneath the school uniform.)
3. 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.
4. Keep uniforms in original condition and may not write, paint, cut or add embellishments to their clothing.

Violations of the dress code will result in disciplinary action.

Spirit Days Spirit Days are normally scheduled on Fridays.  This event allows children to wear appropriate jeans with a school spirit shirt that reflects an SSA+S club, team, etc. PE clothing is not acceptable on Spirit Day. (Jeans may not have rips, holes, or factory alterations. Spandex or stretch material bottoms may not be worn).  Please note- no oversized or excessively tight pants are permitted. Reminder: In order for students to be able to participate in Spirit Day, they must have a parent/guardian signature in their agenda book weekly. On such days, students do not have to wear the school uniform.  However, all other dress code rules apply. Violations of this agreement will result in students losing the privilege of future spirit days and also result in a dress code violation, which includes receiving a detention.

1. Footwear:  Students must wear sneakers or flat dress shoes.  All footwear must be closed at the toes and heel.  Sandals, slippers, heeled shoes, and roller shoes are not acceptable.
2. Jewelry: No spikes, inappropriate or offensive subject matter may be worn. Students wearing any accessories deemed excessive or distracting will be asked to remove these items.
3.  Hats: No hats may be worn in the school buildings, but may be worn outside during PE. Bandannas are not permitted at any time.

4. Backpacks/Purses: Backpacks are never permitted in the classroom; they must be kept in the locker during the school day. Purses may not be worn on the back regardless of size.

5. Students are not permitted to write, draw or embellish on their skin or clothing. (Paint, duct tape, glitter pens, etc.)

6. Sunglasses are not permitted to be worn in the school buildings, unless ordered by a doctor with a note from the physician.

Before & After School Hours

1. Teachers, parents, and/or students may fill out a bullying incident report located in the Main office. Reports can also be made verbally or via email.  Any witness may choose to remain anonymous.
2. All reports will be investigated by Administration.
3. Investigations will be conducted confidentially and individually, ensuring that no victims are in the same room with the alleged bully.
4. Administration will document all reports of bullying, to determine whether bullying was actually occurring or not. Any reports found to be true, will result in disciplinary action, and documentation of said case will be placed in the offender’s file.
5. Reporting is the #1 way to prevent Bullying!

2011-2012

As a parent/guardian of a child enrolled at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, I agree to the following commitments:

I will at all times, support the total Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences program, mission, Administration, Faculty, Staff, and PTSS (Parent-Teacher-Student Society).

I will abide by and follow the traffic pickup/drop off procedures, including the traffic route designated by SSA+S and the City of Sarasota without unsafe driving, and/or endeavoring to park/wait in locations not authorized by the SSA+S Administration.

I will support the school stance on tolerance and acceptance of all people, which in turn fosters a safe and orderly school environment. If my child behaves in a bullying or unfriendly manner to faculty and/or students, I will not support, defend, or excuse my child for the type of injurious behavior which may include, but is not limited to, physical and/or verbal abuse.

When coming on the school campus, I will go immediately to the front office to receive authorization and permission to be on campus and wear the visitor’s pass issued to me after I have submitted my driver’s license for security clearance. I will not sit and wait for my child at the picnic tables, etc., while the school day is still in session unless I have secured a visitor’s pass to sit in said area. I will not go directly to a classroom without first obtaining permission from the front office and subsequently wearing the visitor’s nametag.

I will not engage teachers or school staff in conversation when they are supervising children before, during, or after school.

I will not send my child to school if he/she has a fever.

I will send my child to school dressed in the appropriate school uniform.

I will refrain from any verbal and/or physical abuse, threats, hostile, or demanding attitudes, disparaging remarks, and so forth toward teachers, Administration, other school employees and/or students.

If my child earns a detention, I will bring my child to school on time to serve their scheduled detention. I realize that rescheduling detention due to conflict in schedule is at the discretion of Administration.

I will read and sign my child’s agenda planner each school week, signifying that I have read the weekly team news, along with agenda book notes from teachers.

I will attend all PTSS meetings required in accordance with the PTSS Bylaws. Failure to attend these meetings will jeopardize my child’s privilege to attend SSA+S. If I miss a PTSS meeting, I must provide documentation regarding my absence to the PTSS Leadership Team.

I will be available for conferences, upon request.

I will immediately notify the school office, in writing, of any change of address and/or phone number where I can be reached during the school day.

I will make myself aware of the attendance policy and will provide a written explanation of my child’s absence upon his/her return to school. If my child misses more than the allotted number of acceptable absences or tardies, they will be withdrawn and returned to their districted school.

I will ensure that my child is on time for school every morning and will be picked up in a timely fashion at the end of the day. This includes any extracurricular and interscholastic sports activities that they attend or participate in. If I am late picking up my child, I understand they will receive a detention.  If not riding the bus, I must be at school NO LATER than 4:30 p.m. on a regular school day. Failure to do so will result in my child losing his/her permission to participate in said extracurricular activity or sporting event as well as receiving a detention.

I agree to volunteer a minimum of 10 hours per school year for a two parent family.  This could include committee work, classroom assistance, clerical work, donations, etc.  Single parent volunteer commitments shall be a minimum of 5 hours per school year.

I understand that adherence to this contract will ensure the finest educational experience for my child.  I have read and agree with the contents of the Student Contract.  I realize that my child’s continued attendance, during the school year, or from year to year, at SSA+S, rests upon them abiding by said rules and regulations.  If they fail to do this, I understand that we have been accorded Due Process by this instrument, and my child may be dismissed from SSA+S and returned to their districted school. I also understand that my failure to comply with my parent/guardian contract may result in my child being dismissed from SSA+S and returned to their districted school.

I will respect other’s rights, property, and their “space.”

I will speak courteously to all adults and classmates and will display good manners at all times on or off campus during the regular school day, while participating or watching other school functions, extracurricular activities, and sporting events.

I will settle disputes peacefully using respectful language.

I will exhibit the principles of good sportsmanship.

I will be responsible for completing my own work, submitting class work, and turning in homework in a timely manner.

I will remain actively on task and will not disrupt the learning of others in the classroom. I understand that disturbing the educational process of any class or interfering with the teacher’s lesson may result in a detention, suspension, and even dismissal from SSA+S.

I will support the school’s stance on promoting tolerance and acceptance of all people.

I will refrain from making any negative or demeaning comments about other students, faculty, or staff based on race, color, religion, sexual preference, gender, and so forth.

I will not participate in any forms of bullying i.e. physical, verbal abuse and will report said offense if I witness that behavior by others. “Making fun” of someone is a form of bullying and will not be tolerated.

I will not participate in public displays of affection.

I will keep my hands to myself at all times.

I understand that any acts of vandalism will result in dismissal from SSA+S and may result in a police report.

I will immediately report any issues witnessed that are in violation of the Student Contract.

I will care for all school property including textbooks, furniture and equipment.

I will not bring materials or objects to school that will be disruptive to the educational process. I will not bring electronic devices (including but not limited to CD players, iPods of any type, MP3 players (or anything similar) to school.

I realize that I may bring my cell phone to school, but I must store it in my locker and it must be turned off.

I realize that if I bring any electronic devices, or have my phone in my possession (when it is to be in my locker) that the electronic device or phone will be confiscated and my parent/guardian will have to come to school to pick up said item at a time convenient to Administration. I also realize that a second offense will result in me being suspended from school for one day. I understand that repeated offenses could lead to my dismissal from SSA+S.