Plantation Middle School
13-1414-1515-16
Plantation Middle School
6600 W. Sunrise Blvd.
Plantation, Florida 33313
754-322-4100
754-322-4185 fax
STAFF HANDBOOK
201543 -201654
Middle School Philosophy
We believe that each Middle School Child is unique, and that he/she has the potential to become a creative, responsible and productive person in a changing world.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACCIDENTS
ACCOUNTABILITY
ACCOUNTABILITY POLICY # 1403
ACCREDITATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS / OPENING EXERCISES
ASSEMBLIES / PROGRAMS / SPECIAL EVENT……………………………..……………..……………….9
ATTENDANCE - students 10
AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT / MATERIALS
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT (SEE ALSO DISCIPLINE)
BULLETIN BOARDS
BUS TRANSPORTATION
CAB CALENDAR ……………………………………………………………………...... 1516
CAFETERIA
Child abuse 165
CLASSROOM MAINTENANCE 16
CLINIC
CODE OF ETHICS
COMMITTEES 18
COMMUNICATION, WRITTEN
COMPETITIONS / EXHIBITIONS 18
COMPUTERS / COMPUTER LAB
CONFERENCES 20
COPYING MATERIALS (XEROX/RIso) 21
Copy Paper Usage 21
COPYRIGHT 21
CORRESPONDENCE / CLASS NEWSLETTERS 22
CUMULATIVE RECORD FOLDERS
CUM FOLDER ORGANIZATION 22
CURRICULUM 23
CUSTODIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 232
DISCIPLINE 24
DISMISSAL - students
DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS THROUGH students 27
DRESS 27
Early Release DAYS 286
EMERGENCY 286
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 28
esol / bilingual education 28
EVALUATION - TEACHER 29
EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION CLASSES 29
FIELD TRIPS
FIRE DRILLS / EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS 30
GOALS / OBJECTIVES 31
GRADE BOOK
GRADING SYSTEM 33
GUIDANCE SERVICES / ESE SERVICES 32
HOMEWORK 33
HOURS 3
INTERCOM 33
INTERIM REPORTS 343
INTERNAL SUSPENSION………………………………………………………………………………………..26
KEYS 34
LESSON PLANS 34
LOUNGE, FACULTY / STAFF 35
MAILBOXES 35
MASTER CALENDAR 35
MATERIALS / SUPPLIES 36
MEDIA CENTER 36
MEDICATIONS 36
MEETINGS - FACULTY / STAFF 36
MONEY COLLECTION 37
PARAPROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE………………………………………………………………………….3738
PARENT / TEACHER ORGANIZATION 37
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION 38
PLASCO……………………………………………………………………………………….39
PHYSICAL EDUCATION /
PROMOTION / RETENTION…………………………………………………………. 38
RTI (RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION)……………………………………………………………………….3840
RADIOS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3840
RELEASE OF INFORMATION 39
REPORT CARDS 39
REST ROOMS 40
SAFETY 40
SCHOOL advisory council 401
SPDT-SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM…………………………………………….412
STANDARDS OF SERVICE - CURRICULA 42
STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE CODE BOOK 42
PLANTATION student OF THE MONTH / GOOD CITIZEN RECOGNITIONS 43
SUBSTITUTES 43
SUPERVISION, GENERAL 44
SUPPLEMENTARY POSITIONS, STAFF 44
SUPPLY ROOM 44
TECHNOLOGY 45
TELEPHONE / VOICEmail 45
TEMPORARY DUTY AUTHORIZATION (TDA) 4645
TESTING 45
TEXTBOOKS 46
TORNADO DRILL 46
VIDEO USAGE 46
VISITORS 47
PARENT VISITATIONS 47
VOLUNTEERS 478
WEAPONS / DRUGS 48
WITHDRAWAL - STUDENT 48
APPENDIX CONTENTS 49
ACCIDENTS
If a student is involved in an accident on school grounds, it must be reported to the office immediately. Do not try to move an injured student - call for assistance. It is the supervising teacher’s responsibility to monitor their students at all times. An accident form must be completed by the teacher or other staff member supervising. Refer to the Appendix for a copy of the Accident Form. If the accident was not witnessed by the teacher/staff member, begin the accident description with “Student reported…”. All completed accident reports must be turned in to the front office, so that parent/guardian can be contacted.
Employees who are injured on school grounds should also report such injuries to the administration immediately. A Workers' Compensation phone call must be completed with the Broward County Schools Workers’ Compensation unit via the front office, which requires notification within twenty-four hours of the time of injury.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The stated purpose of Florida's accountability system is "...educational excellence and the highest level of student learning, and thereby, the opportunity for every Florida student to be successful in a global economy and a changing social structure, and a contributing citizen in our democracy." This Florida initiative stipulates that the state will provide methods of measuring progress toward state and local educational goals and requires public reporting of state, school district, and individual school progress toward those goals.
The Broward County School District has developed a Strategic Plan that encompasses seven major goals. Our School Advisory Council (SAC), comprised of staff members, parents, and community representatives, meets monthly throughout the school year. The School Advisory Council, with input from all stakeholder groups, develops our school goals for each year.
New developments and directives will be discussed and shared with the staff so that we remain current as we prepare to incorporate new initiatives at Plantation Middle. Parental involvement is an integral component of this state initiative.
ACCOUNTABILITY POLICY #1403
With the creation of Policy #1403, the School Board has established a comprehensive accountability and school improvement system for all public schools. It is based on the performance of Plantation Middle School’s educational programs.
Policy #1403 states: “School performance is a product of the combined efforts of the School Board and its governance policies, the administration, principals, teachers, support staff, students, parents, business, and the community.
Continuous improvement is achieved by the District’s adoption of an integrated management system based on quality principles such as focusing on customer needs, making decisions based on data analysis, and being results oriented.
Performance is measured against the same high academic standards for all students. All schools are expected to perform at a level that reflects high expectations for students and staff.” (See Appendix/School Board Policies.)
The School Accountability System is based on a dual set of criteria: (1) standards of service based on local priorities, state standards, and national standards as they develop; (2) assessment of progress on various school performance indicators including student achievement, attendance, dropout rates, and additional alternative assessment indicators. The overall purpose of the accountability process is to establish and maintain high expectations for every school and to provide support and assistance to every school not achieving or progressing.
ACCREDITATION
The schools of Broward County are accredited by the Florida State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)AdvancEd. Overall school improvement is the underlying reason for school evaluation and self-study projects. Annual school goals will be supported by the AdvancEd SACS School Renewal process and tied to other school improvement initiatives.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / OPENING EXERCISES
School Board Policy #6003 states: "The morning opening exercises shall include the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America under adult supervision within the room. It may include a moment of silent meditation or some other thought-provoking program planned with discretion." (See Appendix/School Board Policies.)
Morning announcements, including the Pledge of Allegiance, will be presented daily immediately following the bell . Opening exercises may also include music, the lunch menu, and other announcements and recognitions. Mr. Lowy, the Media Specialist, will coordinate opening exercises, which will be broadcasted on the closed-circuit television system. All students and staff must tune in for vital information.
If you have any announcements of general interest for all students, please complete the form available in the office or in the CAB forms folder, and submit it to Mr. Lowyto Ms. Esterline one day in advance. All announcements, other than routine ones, must be approved by Ms. Hague the Principal or your Assistant Principal before being broadcasted to all students.
Morning exercises should be utilized to focus the attention of all students on the day's activities. Students must remain silent throughout morning exercises so as to afford this moment an appropriate degree of respect and to set the tone for the school day. Teachers should set the example of respect by not talking to others or doing class work during this time. Do not send students on any errands during the time that opening exercises are presented. They will miss important information if not in class.
ASSEMBLIES/PROGRAMS/SPECIAL EVENTS
Use an Assembly Special Event Form (in Cab Forms folder) in order to schedule an assembly. After it is approved, it will be posted on the master calendar.
It is expected that all teachers reinforce appropriate behavior for attending a group event. Students should rehearse or be reminded of their “assembly manners” before and if necessary, after each performance. Teachers must actively supervise their students while in an assembly or special event.
If the occasion arises that an assembly takes place while students are under the supervision of another staff member (such as electives or ESE program), it is expected that the supervising teacher relieve the classroom teacher of their duty for this time period. Of course, the classroom teacher is welcome to attend.
These events and others are found on the master calendar which is on CAB.
With any event that is scheduled, all visitors, parents, volunteers and performers must go to the office first to check in through the Star System. Any visitor without LVL 2 screening must be accompanied by a staff member.
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
Pinnacle is utilized at Plantation Middle School to maintain all attendance records. It is the teacher’s responsibility to take attendance during the first ten (10) minutes of each class every day by entering the following codes at the space coordinating each student with the respective date: AU – Unexcused Absence; TU – Unexcused Tardy; or FT – for a field trip (recorded as present). If a student is Excused Tardy, mark them Present, and make a note of the arrival time and where the student was in pinnacle. All other codes will be entered or updated by the Attendance Clerk and cannot be changed by the teacher. Teachers may however change an AU code to a TU or P, should the student arrive after attendance has been entered. NOTE: Teachers MUST enter an E1 for any student entering your class for the 1st time during the year.
Additional Codes: R1 - Student received from another room or attendance register within the same school...type the sending teacher's name in the “Note” Index. CT-Student is transferring out of class or team to another teacher with the teacher's name to whom they are going entered into the “Note” index. NS or IS codes are exclusively used for Internal Suspension. Any student with an NS designation is earmarked for Internal Suspension, but has not appeared; when the student does appear for Internal Suspension, the IS code will appear in your gradebook.
First hour procedures: Students arriving to school late, prior to 9:45 am should report directly to their first hour class. Those students who arrive after 9:45 am will receive a late pass from the Front Office. If a student arrives to class without a pass, after missing 10 minutes of class the teacher must report the time missed to the front office via email to Mrs. Fair.
Tardy Policy: Teachers must make notes in Pinnacle on the Quick Attendance screen under the comment area including the number of minutes missed and where the student reports they were coming from. Teachers must email their grade level guidance counselor that a referral has been written. The missing class time must be reported on the referral so that guidance can then enter the missing time into TERMS. Teachers are able to search for their students’ attendance/tardies in Pinnacle on the HOME screen under “Reports”, “Student Explorer”.
Tardy Consequences by Teacher
1. Verbal warning (entered in pinnacle)
2. Verbal warning (entered in pinnacle)
3. Parent contact by the teacher
4. Parent contact by guidance
5. Tardy referral to administration
ATTENDANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
Student's Responsibility
a. Students must be in school every day in every class unless they have a legitimate (excused) absence.
b. Students shall be responsible for obtaining and making up all assignments missed during an absence. Two (2) days (not including the day of return) are allowed for each day of absence.
c. Previously assigned work is due the day of return.
d. All students must make up class work missed during an absence.
e. Students shall arrive at school and be in every class on time.
Teacher's Responsibility
a. Attendance: Attendance must be taken by the teacher every period as early as possible.
b. Suspensions: All suspensions are counted as unexcused absences meaning that work missed may be made up, but are due the day of return from suspension. If the work was not able to be given in advance the teacher should follow the middle school absence policy.
c. Unexcused Absences: All absences, which have not been specifically identified as excused, are unexcused absences. For all unexcused absences, missed work must also be made up.
d. Location Change: If a class’ location is going to be in a different place the teacher must report the change to their grade level administrator and guidance counselor, as well as the front office.
e. Time-Out: Students should be sent for no longer than the class period. The arrangement must be made prior to the student being sent out and the student must have work. Five minutes prior to class change the student must return to the class to turn in their work. Parent contact must be made on the day of the time-out. More than three time-outs from one class must be referred to administration.
Attendance Definitions
a. Tardy - Student not being in the classroom when the class is scheduled to begin
b. Cutting class/skipping - deliberate/willful refusal to attend an assigned class, referral to be written after a student misses more than 10 minutes, and attendance has been taken
Absences (Please see new attendance policy on CAB)
Students must be in school unless the absence has been excused for one of the reasons listed below. (A student who attends internal suspension or the alternative to suspension program is not considered absent.) For reasons 1-5 parents must report the absence the day before, the day of, or within two school days following the absence or the absence will be considered unexcused. However, any absence is considered unexcused until the school receives a phone call or written note.
Excused absences include:
(1) Illness. Students who expect to miss at least 15 consecutive days of school due to illness, a medical condition or for social/emotional reasons, or who would miss excessive days intermittently throughout the year for the same reasons, and could benefit from instruction, should obtain a copy of the Homebound referral packet from the Guidance Department.
(2) Illness of an immediate family member.
(3) Death in the family.
(4) Religious holidays of the student’s specific faith.
(5) Required court appearance or subpoena by a law enforcement agency.
(6) Special event. Examples of special events include important public functions, conferences, state/national competitions, as well as exceptional cases of family need. Parents must secure permission from the principal/designee at least 5 days in advance.