General Policies and Procedures

ACTIVITIES

Students participating in any after-school activities sponsored by a teacher must have a liability release form completed and filed one (1) day prior to the activity.

Book Fair - Books are sold to students and parents to encourage reading.

Career Day - Various business persons make career presentations to students to increase awareness of a variety of occupations.

D.A.R.E - This fifth grade program teaches students of the dangers and side effects of using drugs and alcohol.

Food & Toy Drive - Children bring in canned goods, nonperishable food, and toys to share with needy community individuals.

Math Competitions - A team of fourth and fifth grade students are selected to participate in the Annual District Math Competition.

Media Production - Students can learn to report the news on morning programs via closed-circuit T.V.

Meet the Masters - This is an art appreciation program presented to the students by volunteers.

Reading Across Broward - This county-wide reading program encourages children to read while at home. Students receive various awards provided by PTA.

Safety Patrol - Selected fifth grade students have the responsibility of encouraging safety procedures throughout our school environment.

Science Fair - Our Science Fair provides an opportunity for students to design and implement a science project using the scientific method.

Student Council - The Student Council provides students with the opportunity to run for class office, help make important decisions concerning their school, and take part in community service.

SuperStars - This is an advanced math program for first-fifth grade students. Work is done at home on the student's own time and they can earn awards sponsored by PTA.

ADMINISTERING MEDICINE TO STUDENTS

The Parents must present to the school an Authorization of Medication form filled out and signed by the child's physician and the parent or guardian, if your child will be required to take medication at school. In accordance with Florida Statute, there cannot be any exception to this policy.

Medication should be in its original container from the pharmacy with the latest date. The medication label must contain the following information:

1. Name of Student

2. Name of Medication

3. Directions regarding dosage

4. Time of day to be taken

5. Name of Physician

6. Date of prescription

7. Authorization for medication form(if your child takes medication, you need to

update this form every year). NO medication will be administered to any student

unless this form is completed and signed by a doctor.

No more than one month's dosage should be sent in to the office. It is School Board Policy that medication be carried to and from school by a parent or guardian. STUDENTS CANNOT CARRY MEDICATIONS ON THEIR PERSON. For your convenience, the “Authorization for Medication” form is enclosed in your packet of information.

ATTENDANCE

General - Students are required to attend school every day. If for any reason a student is absent, parents are required to notify the school on the day before, the day of, or the day following the absence. If the school is not notified by phone or note (indicating dates and reason for absence), the absence will be recorded as unexcused. Excused absences include:

1. School-sponsored activities and internal suspension.

2. Death in the family

3. Hospitalization

4. Illness with the presentation of an acceptable doctor's note.

5. Mandatory court appearance

6. School Board approved and recognized religious holidays

Parent Responsibility - Parents are advised to review the Student Code of Conduct, Part III Attendance. Documentation will be required for the above absences to be considered excused. Please notify the school of any prolonged or unusual student absence.

Teachers are not required to provide make-up work for unexcused absences.

Family Trips/Appointments - Family trips may be excused if the student receives permission from the school administration five (5) days prior to the planned trip. No trips will be excused during test preparation or administration, or for students on an academic improvement plan (AIP).

Arriving Late or Leaving Early - Parents are encouraged not to pick children up from school early for appointments, etc. as this disrupts their academic day. In emergency situations, parents are required to:

1. Sign the child out in the office.

2. Be prepared to show proper identification.

3. Wait in the front office for their child.

No child is to leave the school area or a classroom with a visitor or a parent unless permission has been received from school administration or office personnel. Children will be released only to those adults for whom the school has written authorization on file in the office.

BEFORE / AFTER SCHOOL CARE - This program is offered to all elementary students and is housed at Eisenhower Elementary. The before care program is held from 7:00 A.M - 9:00 A.M. After school care is offered from 3:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Children should not be on campus before or after school unless they are enrolled in these programs.

BEHAVIOR - Parents are encouraged to read and discuss the Broward County adopted Code of Student Conduct with their child. They are required to sign the inside front cover of the booklet and return it to the classroom teacher. A copy of the Code of Conduct goes home with each student the first day of school. Teachers and staff at the elementary level follow the principles of Proactive Discipline. Caring, respect for others, cooperation, mutual trust, and commitment to learning are promoted. Students who fail to follow these principles may be assigned consequences.

BUS TRANSPORTATION - Broward County Schools provide transportation for students who live two or more miles from school. However, when riding the bus, certain rules must be observed to ensure the

health and safety of everyone. Bus drivers give each student a written copy of all school bus regulations. Students and parents are urged to read these regulations carefully.

Students are to arrive at their bus stops at the time indicated on the notes mailed home by the transportation department. The bus driver will not allow any student on the bus without a pass. Students are not allowed to ride alternate buses. Please be aware that if the bus is late, students are to remain at the bus stop until the bus arrives. Leaving the bus stop could result in an unexcused absence from school. Students should stand at the bus stop and not intrude on private property adjacent to the bus stop. Riding the school bus is a privilege which can be withdrawn at any time for disruptive or unsatisfactory conduct. All students being transported are under the authority of the bus driver and must obey his/ her requests. In the interest of safety, a student will be reported to an administrator for continued and/ or willful violation of safety regulations. Continued bus misconduct will result in suspension from riding the bus.

Requests to ride a different bus must be approved by the area transportation office and the school administration. Requests for a different stop on the same bus may be approved at the school. Food and drinks may not be consumed on the bus. By state law, bus students are under the jurisdiction of the principal from the time the students arrive at the bus stop until they return home after leaving the bus. Once students arrive at school, they may not leave the campus without permission from the administration. Students are not allowed to enter or leave the bus at any stop other than their assigned stop.

CAFETERIA - BREAKFAST/LUNCH- Our cafeteria staff serves appetizing and well balanced meals. Children may also bring a bag lunch and purchase milk($.40). Soft drinks, carbonated beverages, and food items with metal pull tabs are not allowed in school. School meals can be prepaid weekly or monthly. Those who wish to prepay must bring checks or money to the cafeteria in the morning before school begins. Any student on the Reduced Lunch Program must pay for lunches in the morning. The cafeteria cannot take money for reduced lunch at the register. If you have any questions, please call the cafeteria manager at 370-1797.

A STUDENT IS ALLOWED ONLY ONE CHARGE.

The lunch program is “OFFER VERSUS SERVE”. This means students are offered a full Type A lunch (5 components plus dessert). To serve, students are allowed to refuse one or two components, if they wish. However, students must have three components, not including dessert, and still pay $1.00.

CLINIC - Students who become ill or injured during the school day will be sent to the clinic to call home. Except in cases of extreme emergency, a student must obtain a pass from his/her teacher before reporting to the clinic. Students will receive only emergency first aid. Students who do not need to go home will be sent back to class. No supervision is available for students to spend time resting in the clinic area. School Board policy expressly states that school personnel can dispense medicine to students only if it is a long-term requirement and if all proper forms from the health department and doctor are completed and are on file at the school. Please call the school if these conditions apply to your child. (Note: aspirin, cough drops, and other over-the-counter remedies are considered to be medicine). Provision should be made for someone other than the parent or family to be contacted in the event it becomes necessary to send a child home and we are unable to contact a parent. (Please be sure the school has an updated home and an emergency phone number.) Please keep sick children at home. If the condition is not contagious, he/she may be sent to school. (In instances of contagious conditions, a doctor's note will be required).

CONFERENCES - Staff members are available for conferences throughout the school year. Parents should call and make an appointment to schedule a conference. Teachers are not available for conferences with parents during class time.

DRESS CODE - Nova Eisenhower Elementary has adopted a mandatory school uniform program. Parents are encouraged to purchase Nova uniforms as they always comply with the student dress code. (School colors are Dark Green, Yellow, Khaki, White and Navy). All students must follow the dress code outlined in the Broward County Code of Student Conduct and the requirements of the mandatory uniform policy.

FIELD TRIPS - Field trips are scheduled to enrich the academic program. Participating students must have the approval of their teachers/team leaders and are expected to follow all school rules and practice “Titan Pride”. Students who do not have all required parent signature forms on file will not be allowed to participate in off-campus field trips.

HEALTH SCREENING - The School Board of Broward County requires schools to conduct a health screening program. The following screenings will be conducted: VISION & HEARING/SPEECH By cooperative agreement with the Broward County Health Department, the screening will be accomplished by trained school personnel. If a problem is detected, you will be notified by the Public Health nurse assigned to our school.

HOMEWORK- School Board Policy states homework shall be encouraged and assigned to individual students when and where appropriate to enhance learning and to provide for skill improvement. The type of homework and amount assigned shall be consistent with the ability level of the student as well as his/her age and grade level.

HUMAN SEXUALITY EDUCATION - Under mandate from the State Department of Education the School Board of Broward County, Florida has authorized teaching Health Education, of which Family Life/Human Sexuality is a component.The Family Life/Human Sexuality Unit has been carefully written by a team of teachers. We respect your parental right and your role in presenting information in this sensitive and delicate area. According to Florida Statute 233.067, Section 10; “Any child whose parent presents to the school principal a signed statement that the teaching of disease and its symptoms, development and treatment and the use of instructional aids and materials of such subjects conflicts with his/her religious beliefs shall be exempt from such instruction. No child so exempt shall be penalized by reason of such exemption.” A copy of your signed statement will be filed in the students's permanent record folder. Your child will then be scheduled into an alternative assignment during the Family Life/Human Sexuality unit.

INTERIM REPORTS - Interim Reports, indicating progress to date, are issued to all students to take home midway during the first quarter. During subsequent quarters, interims will be issued to select students as needed. The information provides “progress to date” and does not necessarily mean that the reported grade will be the final grade. Parents must sign these Interim Reports and return them to their child's teacher.

LOST AND FOUND - All such items are maintained in the cafeteria for 30 days only. Students are not allowed to bring toys, games, and other non-instructional items to school. Parents are urged to avoid sending children to school with valuables. Articles of clothing and such other items should be labeled to insure return to the proper owner.

MESSAGES - Personal calls and messages to students cannot be accepted over the phone. Students will not be called to the phone as messages interrupt instructional time and cannot be delivered except in the case of a family emergency. It is important that parents make appointments, bus plans, alternate car rides, etc. before their child leaves for school. With all such plans, a note to the teacher is required.

PASSES - It is the student's responsibility to ask for a pass before leaving a class or special area. While classes are in session, students are not to be in campus hallways without a pass issued by a staff member. This includes trips to the restroom, library, administration, and all other locations. Students without passes are subject to disciplinary action.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION - P.E. is required for all students. If your child needs to be excused from P.E. due to illness or injury, a note or letter is required. All students must wear tennis shoes or sneakers on P.E. days.

PARENT ORGANIZATIONS -The School Advisory Council is a sub-committee of the Nova Eisenhower Board of Directors and is comprised of parents, teachers, community members and business representatives. They are responsible for assisting in the development of an annual school improvement plan based on a needs assessment that addresses where its school stands in relation to the state's eight educational goals. Parents are urged to attend all School Advisory Council Meetings.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary Parent-Teacher Association actively supports the school's instructional program as well as enhancing community and school relations. All Parents are welcome and encouraged to join and actively support this important organization. The membership drive is conducted at the start of the school year.

The School Advisory Forum, also a sub-committee of the Nova Eisenhower Board of Directors, assists, shares, and discusses with parents, students, teachers, administration and the school community, educational issues affecting the school. Its purpose also includes the promotion of parents and communities as partners in education, making recommendations on policy and procedures, participating in school improvement and decision-making. Parents are urged to become actively involved in the organization.

REPORT CARDS - Report cards are issued every nine weeks during the school year. A student must have been in attendance twenty-five(25) days to receive a grade.

SCHOOL PARTIES - Two celebrations per year are authorized for classes K-5. Student birthday parties cannot take place during instructional time. Parents wishing to celebrate their child's birthday must notify the student's teacher in advance if they would like to bring treats to share with the class during scheduled lunch times.(All foods delivered to the school must have been prepared in a commercially licensed kitchen.) Food/treats are not permitted to be consumed in classroom unless prior approval is requested from administration.

STUDENT SERVICES - We are fortunate to have Team Leaders and an ESE Specialist who have been trained to provide both guidance and exceptional student services. In addition, we have the services of a school psychologist, and school social worker.

VISITORS - Parents are encouraged to visit school. Arrangements to visit classrooms should be made in advance with the classroom teacher. For the safety of all students, anyone visiting our school during school hours MUST check in at the office, sign the Guest Register, and receive and wear a visitor's pass.

VOLUNTEERS - Parent volunteers are needed and welcomed throughout the year. If interested, please call the PTA Volunteer Coordinator or the Staff Volunteer Coordinator. Contact the school office for further details.