MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK
PALM SPRINGS NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
17615 NW 82 AVENUE
HIALEAH, FL 33015
PHONE: 305-821-4631
FAX: 305-825-0422
SCHOOL HOURS
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
COMMUNITY SCHOOL HOURS
M-TH 12:00 PM-8:00 PM
F 10:00 AM -6:00 PM
http://www.psnelementary.com/
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL HOURS
6:30 AM – 8:30 AM
1:50 PM – 6:00 PM
FOLLOW US ON
TWITTER: @PSN_Elem
INSTAGRAM: PSN_Elem
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/psnelementary
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida
Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman, Chair
Dr. Marta Pérez, Vice Chair
Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall
Ms. Susie V. Castillo
Dr. Steve Gallon III
Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman
Dr. Martin Karp
Ms. Lubby Navarro
Ms. Mari Tere Rojas
Bryce Febres, Student Advisor
Mr. Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. Valtena G. Brown
Deputy Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer, School Operations
Vision Statement
We provide a world class education for every student.
Mission Statement
To be the preeminent provider of the highest quality education that empowers all students to be productive lifelong learners and responsible global citizens.
Values
Excellence - We pursue the highest standards in academic achievement and organizational performance.
Equity - We foster an environment that serves all students and aspires to eliminate the achievement gap.
Student Focus - We foster an environment that serves all students and aspires to eliminate the achievement gap.
Innovation - We encourage creativity and adaptability to new ideas and methods that will support and improve student learning.
Accountability - We accept responsibility for our successes and challenges and seek to transparently share our work in an ethical manner, as we strive towards continuous improvement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Message from Principal 7
Message from Assistant Principal 8
School’s Mission Statement 9
Alma Mater 9
Faculty Roster 10
Feeder Pattern Schools 11
School Information 12
· Bell Schedule
· Early Sign Out
· Late Arrival
· Lost and Found School Policy
· Opening and Closing Hours of Schools
Important Dates 12-13
· Back to School Nights - Open House
· Interim Progress Report & Report Card Distribution
· School Calendar of Events
Academic Programs – Student Progression Plan (SPP) 13
Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) 13
Closing of School 13
Dismissal 14
· Rainy Day Dismissal (as applicable)
· Students Drop-Off Pick-up (as applicable)
Emergency Contact Information 14
Fieldtrips 15
Homework 15
Mealtime Environment 15-16
· Free Breakfast
· Free/Reduced Price Lunch Program
· Meal Prices
· PAYPAMS
· Peanut-Allergies/Peanut-Free School
Parent Academy 16
Protocols for Addressing Concerns 17
Recess 17
Safety and Security 17-19
· Code Yellow/Code Red
· Emergency Operations Plan
· Fire Drills
· Visitors
School Activities/Clubs 19
School Center for Special Instructions (SCSI) 19
School Class Pictures Process 20
School Transportation 20
Special Education 20
Student Records 21
Student Services 21
Student Success Centers 21
Toolkits 21
Transgender 21
Verification of Residency 22
Volunteer Program 22
Appendix A – School Calendars 23-26
Appendix B – School Board Policies and State Statutes 27-38
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
On behalf of the staff of Palm Springs North Elementary School, I am honored to welcome you to the 2017-2018 school year. We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. As the proud PSN Principal, I look forward to another wonderful school year where we create a strong love for learning, a safe environment and a positive learning atmosphere for all of students. Together we will build unforgettable childhood memories for all our students.
Let’s get ready to begin this great journey.
Regards,
Maribel B. Dotres, Principal
Message from the Assistant Principals
August 21, 2017
Dear Parent, Guardians and Students,
I am honored to have the opportunity to fulfill the role as an Assistant Principal of Palm Springs North Elementary. During this school year I will be working closely with the reading curriculum and our student in grades third through fifth. I am positive that we will have a wonderful year of learning and growing.
Partnering with you and your children, I am looking forward to the 2017-2018 school year. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to call our main office or email me. I believe open communication is essential in a school and it encourages a positive learning environment for all students.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Emma R. Gonzalez, Assistant Principal
*****
August 21, 2017
Dear Parent, Guardians and Students,
It is a great honor to be able to be a part of the PSN family as one of three Assistant Principals currently serving at Palm Springs North Elementary. I will oversee the math and science curriculum and collaborate with our teachers and students in grades PreK – 2nd. I am looking forward to an exciting year that will reflect the hard work that we will be engaging in with your child.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our main office or email me. I strongly believe in open communication with students, teachers and parents in order to promote a positive and healthy learning environment for all students.
Sincerely,
Mrs. LLennery Peña, Assistant Principal
*****
August 21, 2017
Dear Parents and students,
It is my pleasure to be Assistant Principal of Community School here at Palm Springs North Elementary again this year. My community school, after care staff and I are looking forward to serving you and you children. The community school offers many services such as before and after care and dance. For a list of our services please go to the school’s website.
If you have any questions about the community so please feel free to call me or email me.
Sincerely,
Mr. Eduardo Molliner, APCS
PALM SPRINGS NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
School Mission Statement
Faculty Roster
Pre-K / 3rd Grade / SPEDR.Chiarella/ / J.Lopez / C. Bain
I.Anzardo / N.Ordoñez / Y. Mitjans
Kindergarten / A.Marrero / D. Laiken
Y.Gomez / D.Guasp / Y. Tarrago
Z. Rodriguez / Y.Prieto / Gifted
N.Falero / C.Columbie / T.Gomez
E.York / P.Barry / ESOL
S.Berrios / J.Morffiz / K. Palmer
M.Calvo / R.Martinez / Art
E.Narvaez / 4th Grade / A. Sanchez
1st Grade / R.Romero / TBA
E.Azpiri / A.Romero / Music
E.Costa / Y.Garcia / B. Aranchuk
T.Home / M.Pinna / P. Scaffitto
L.Fong / M.Garcia / P.E.
G.Gonzalez / Y.Fortich / R. Augustine
A.Fernandez / E.Duenas / A. Morell
F.Espinal / Y.Diaz / Spanish
2nd Grade / 5th Grade / M. Ledon
A.Luis / L.Lougedo / E. Reboll
E.Offredi / M.Chmely / E. Gonzalez
T.Daniel / L.Tarpley / Media
M.Gopaul / L.Faedo / Odalys Perez
A.Menocal / B.Egipciaco
C.Vergara / J.Rodriguez
J.Exclusa / F.Berges
I.Ferrera / K.Rolle
Feeder Pattern Schools
Elementary Schools Middle Schools Senior High School
Palm Springs North Elementary Country Club Middle American Senior High
Spanish Lakes Elementary Lawton Chiles Middle
Joella C. Good Elementary
Charles D. Wyche Elementary
School Information
· Pre-K through 1st grade 8:20a.m.-1:50p.m. M-T-W-TH-F
2nd grade through 5h grade 8:35a.m.-3:05p.m. M-T&TH-F
2nd grade through 5h grade 8:35a.m.-1:50p.m. W
· Early Sign Out
The early release of students causes disruption to the academic performance of all students and may create safety and security concerns. No students shall be released within the final thirty (30) minutes of the school day unless authorized by the Principal or Principal’s designee (i.e., emergency, sickness).
· Late Arrival
Students who are tardy to school must report to the Attendance Office to secure an admit. Excessive tardies may result in loss of privileges, detention, parent conference, and/or suspension.
· Lost and Found School Policy
Articles found in and around the school should be turned in to Lost and Found in the cafeteria, so owners may claim them. Articles will be kept in the Lost and Found for one week. After that, they will be donated to charity or discarded. Parents should take care to mark clothing with nametags and/or other identification marks. Students should not bring expensive articles or wear expensive jewelry to school.
· The school’s main office is every day from 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
Important Dates
· Back to School Nights – Open House
School Level / Window Period / School DateElementary/K8 Center / September 11-15, 2017 / Wednesday, September 13
Middle Schools / September 18-22, 2017
Senior High / September 25-29, 2017
Special Centers / September 25-29, 2017
· Interim Progress Report & Report Card Distribution
Grading Period / Interim Progress Report Distribution / Report Card Distribution1 / 9/22/17 / 11/13/17
2 / 12/1/17 / 2/2/18
3 / 2/23/18 / 4/13/18
4 / 5/4/18 / 6/22/18
· School Calendar of Events
A monthly activity calendar will be distributed to all students at the beginning of each month.
Academic Programs – Student Progression Plan (SPP)
Provides guidance to teachers, school and district administrators, parents and other stakeholders regarding the requirements and procedures for students to progress from one grade to the next, kindergarten through grade 12 and adult education. The information presented in this document is derived from requirements set forth by Florida Statues, State Board of Education Rules and Policies established by The School Board of Miami-Dade County.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Bring Your Own Deviceallows students, parents, staff and guests to use their own technology during the day to enhance the learning experience. Examples of the types of technology which can be used are Windows laptops/tablets, Mac laptops, Android tablets, and iPads.
Closing of School
The emergency closing of a school for any cause, such as weather or in which the safety of individuals may be endangered, is only at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools.
Dismissal
· Rainy Day Dismissal: On rainy days, the building will be opened at 7:35 a.m. Students will be directed to report to the Cafetorium or M- Center. Please instruct your child as to what to do at dismissal time on rainy days. Parents will be allowed to park in the loop and pick up students in the building. When parking make sure not to block other vehicles. Please make your rainy-day arrangements in advance! Include a rain poncho in your child’s bookbag in the event of rain.
· Student Drop-Off / Pick-up: Supervision is provided from 7:45 a.m. until 8:20 a.m. on the P.E. court for students on the main campus. Teachers pick up their students from the P.E. court at 8:20 a.m. sharp. There is no supervision before 7:45 a.m. and parents who have their children here before then do so at their own risk. Students assigned to the Primary Learning Center (PLC) will wait for their teachers in the PLC hallway outside of their classroom beginning at 7:35 a.m.
· Pick-up: Students in the main building can be picked up at dismissal time through our main entrance or through the car loop in front of the cafetorium. Students in the Primary Learning center can be picked up at the PLC main door or through the PLC car loop.
Parents who contract with private bus companies are responsible for ensuring that their children are dropped off and picked up on time daily. Please let your child’s bus driver that the school does not have supervision for students prior to 7:35a.m. and after 3:15p.m.
After-Care
All parents/guardians will use “The Drive thru System” to pick up the students using the loop by the main Cafetorium. Students will be called upon the parent’s arrival and sent directly to the loop. Entrance to the Community School Office will also be through the Faculty Parking and the Main Loop. The main building front doors will be closed at 4:00 pm
· Elevator (as applicable)
The school elevator is to be used by individuals who are handicapped/injured and cannot use the stairs.
Emergency Contact Information
Emergency Student Data Forms are distributed during the first week of school. Students are expected to bring the forms home and present them to their parents/guardians. The form must be carefully completed and returned. The information provided on the Emergency Student Data Forms will enable school staff to contact the parent/guardian immediately in the case of an emergency. Students may only be released from school to the persons listed on the form after presenting a picture identification. No persons, other than school staff, will have access to the information submitted.
Fieldtrips
All fieldtrips must be approved by the principal and Region Superintendent. Participation in fieldtrips requires that the student present a fieldtrip form signed by the parent/guardian to his/her teacher(s) in advance. In addition, at times vendors who have a “no refund” policy will require schools to pay the full amount of the fieldtrip prior to the event. In this case, students/parents will be notified in advance of the vendor’s “no refund” policy.
Homework
Principals are encouraged to work with teachers and parents to implement guidelines found in Homework Policy 2330. Teachers are required to provide students with make-up assignments once the absence has been excused; however, it is the responsibility of the student to request the assignments from the teacher(s).
Mealtime Environment
School lunchtime should be an opportunity to encourage healthy lifestyle, promote socialization that will affect early behaviors.
The Department of Food and Nutrition serves healthy meals daily. Please visit nutrition.dadeschools.net for details on menus, programs, and services.
· Free Breakfast
Miami-Dade County Public Schools offers breakfast free of charge to all M-DCPS Students. The breakfast at no charge is not dependent on the student qualifying for free/reduced price meals at lunch.
· Free/Reduced Price Lunch Program
The USDA Child Nutrition Programs as administered by Miami-Dade County Public Schools provide free and reduced priced lunch for children unable to pay the full price. In place of the paper application, School Meal Program Brochures are distributed to all students informing parents on the application process and meal program. Parents are encouraged to complete an online application at freeandreducedmealapp.dadeschools.net. Paper applications are available in the school front office upon request. Many students are approved through Direct Certification and do not submit a lunch application. If approved for meal benefits, the approval status is valid throughout the school year, the summer, and approximately the first twenty days of the next school year.