Pinecrest Academy Staff Handbook
Pinecrest Academy Staff Handbook
Four Corners
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Pinecrest Academy
Mission Statement
Providing
Individual instruction, in a
Nurturing environment,
Ensuring
College and career success, using
Rigor, relevance, and relationships to
Empower
Students to become
Tomorrow’s global leaders
Vision Statement
The Vision of Pinecrest Academy, Inc. is to empower lifelong learners with knowledge
and values required for productive global leadership.
Student Hours:
Kindergarten – 1st Grade 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. daily
2nd -Middle School 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. daily
Teacher Hours:
All teachers 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
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ABSENCES - FACULTY AND STAFF
Primary Contact:
Vanessa Valencia
Cell: 305-917-3211
Faculty members have a total of ten (10) days per school year; 1 accrued every
month.
1. Notify Ms. Valencia by 2:00 p.m., if you are going to require a substitute the
following day.
2. In the event of an emergency, please contact Ms. Valencia before 9:30 p.m. the
night prior to your absence, or between 5:30 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. the morning of
your absence. Please do not contact her between 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
ACCIDENT REPORTS-STAFF
Any staff member who is injured on the job is required to report the incident to the main
office immediately. The injured staff member must also fill out an accident report.
ACCIDENT REPORTS-STUDENTS
If there is an accident involving blood or other bodily secretions, staff must wear rubber
gloves for safety against communicable diseases via such contact.
1. Fill out an accident report completely and turn into the main office.
4. Inform an administrator.
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If you witness an unsupervised child injured in any way, you must fill out an accident
report. The office staff will contact the parent. Staff members are required to sign
accident reports.
If a staff member is injured, notify Mr. Rivas and/or Mrs. Ruperez in the main office
immediately. Even minor incidents need to be reported for your protection and for
insurance purposes.
If an accident requires medical assistance, notify the Administration immediately.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Teachers and students must pay close attention to both morning and afternoon
announcements. Morning announcements will be made at 8:30 a.m. daily directly after
the pledge of allegiance and afternoon announcements will take place as needed.
Requests for announcements must be submitted in writing to Ms. Ruperez the day
before.
Arrival:
• All students will report to the cafeteria upon arrival until 8:25 a.m.
• Kindergarten –5th grade students are to be picked up from the Cafeteria at 8:25
a.m.
• Middle School students will walk to their class at 8:25 a.m.
• Teachers must be in their class ready to greet their students 5 minutes before the
start of the school day.
Dismissal:
• Kindergarten-1st Grade dismissal is at 2:00 p.m.
• 2nd – Middle School dismissal is at 3:00 p.m.
• Teachers must sign in to Silent Dismissal 5 mins before dismissal begins.
• Students who are not picked-up 10 minutes after dismissal will be sent to our After-
School Care Program/late pick-up to wait for their parent; a $5.00 fee will be
charged for every 5 minutes the parent is late. The teacher must sign in the student
to After Care under the late pickup log.
• Students are never to remain in the building after normal school hours unless under
the supervision of a teacher and/or in the After-School Care Program.
** All faculty members are required to assist with the arrival and dismissal procedures of
students. **
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ATTENDANCE
Attendance must be reported to the Main Office every day by 9:00 a.m. The following
are guidelines for reporting attendance:
There are probably no factors more important to a student’s progress in school than
regular and punctual attendance. Lake County Public Schools has a vision whereby
each student engages in a rigorous course of study which prepares him/her for a myriad
of successful options.
Students are expected to:
• Be present at school each and every day;
• Attend class as scheduled;
• Arrive to school and class on time; and
• Demonstrate appropriate behavior and a readiness to learn.
Lake County Public Schools has the affirmative obligation to increase student
attendance through a monitoring process that will classify all absences as excused or
unexcused, to inform parent/guardians of student absences, and to see that the
compulsory attendance laws are enforced as mandated by Florida Statutes. This
obligation will be satisfied through the implementation of an attendance review
procedure, which monitors the type and number of student absences as well as the
impact of these absences on learning.
I. Attendance Defined
A. School Attendance - Students are to be counted in attendance only if they
are actually present or engaged in a school-approved educational activity
which constitutes a part of the instructional program for the student.
B. Class Attendance - Students are to be counted in attendance if they are
physically present in class or have been excused by the teacher on a class-
related assignment, or have been requested by a member of the school support
staff for an approved school activity.
C. Tardiness - It is a reasonable expectation that in order for a learning activity to
exist, each student must arrive to class on time (punctually). Accumulated
unexcused tardiness will be counted towards the threshold for initiating
attendance review.
D. Early Sign-outs – The early release of students causes disruption to the
academic performance of all students and may create safety and security
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concerns. No students shall be released within the final 30 minutes of the school
day unless authorized by the principal or principal’s designee (i.e., emergency,
sickness).
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absences in an annual course or five (5) or more class unexcused absences in a
designated semester course will have quarterly, semester and final grade(s)
withheld pending an administrative screening and completion of assigned
interventions by the Attendance Review Committee. Unexcused absences do
not require that the teacher provide make-up work for the student. However, the
Attendance Review Committee may assign educationally-related activities to
mitigate the loss of instructional time.
CHILD ABUSE
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EXAMPLES OF ABUSE
I. Physical Abuse
A. Willful acts that produce the following specific injuries: sprains, dislocations, or
cartilage damage
B. Bone or skull fractures
C. Brain or spinal cord damage
D. Intracranial hemorrhage or injury to other internal organs
E. Asphyxiation, suffocation, or drowning
F. Injury resulting from the abuse of a deadly weapon
G. Burns or scalding
H. Cuts, lacerations, punctures, or bites
I. Permanent or temporary disfigurement
J. Permanent or temporary loss or impairment of a body part or function
K. Purposely giving a child poison, alcohol, or other substances that substantially
affects the child’s behavior, motor coordination, or judgment or that result in
sickness or internal injury. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term” drugs”
means prescription drugs not prescribed for the child or not administered as
prescribed, and controlled substances as outlined in Section 893.03, F.S.
L. Inappropriate or excessively harsh disciplinary action taken likely to result in
physical injury, mental injury as defined in this section, or emotional injury. The
significance of any injury must be evaluated in light of the following factors: the
age of the child; any prior history of injuries to the child; the location of the injury
on the body of the child; the multiplicity of the injury; and the type of trauma
inflicted. Corporal discipline may be considered excessive or abusive when it
results in any of the injuries set forth in subsection I (A-J) above. As used above,
the term “willful” refers to the intent to perform an action, not to the intent to
achieve a result or to cause an injury.
II. Neglect
The term “neglects the child” means that the parent or other person responsible for the
child’s welfare fails to supply the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter, or health
care, although financially able to do so or although offered financial or other means to
do so, or leaving a child without adult supervision or arrangements appropriate for the
child’s own needs or another’s basic needs or is unable to exercise good judgment in
responding to any kind of physical or emotional crisis. However, a parent or other person
responsible for the child’s welfare who, by reason of the legitimate practice of religious
beliefs, does not provide specific medical treatment for
a child may not be considered abusive or neglectful for that reason alone, but such an
exception does not:
A. Eliminate the requirement that such a case can be reported to the Department
of Children and Families
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B. Prevent the Department of Children and Families from investigating such a case
C. Preclude a court from ordering, when the health of the child requires it, the
provision of medical services by a physician, as defined in this section, or
treatment by a duly accredited practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means
for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a well-recognized
church or religious organization
IV. Abandonment
The term “abandons the child” means that the parent or legal custodian of a child or,
in the absence of apparent or legal custodian, the person responsible for the child’s
welfare, while being able, makes no provision for the child’s support and makes no effort
to communicate with the child, which situation is sufficient to evidence a willful rejection
of parental obligation. If the efforts of such a parent or legal custodian or person
primarily responsible for the child’s welfare to support and communicate with the child
are only marginal efforts that do not evidence a settled purpose to assume all parental
duties, the child may be determined to have been abandoned.
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1. Use by the mother of a controlled substance or alcohol during pregnancy
when the child, at birth, is demonstrably adversely affected by such usage.
2. Continued chronic and severe use of a controlled substance or alcohol
by a parent when the child is demonstrably adversely affected by such
usage. The term “controlled substance” means prescription drugs not
prescribed for the parent or not administered as prescribed and controlled
substances as outlined in Section 893.03, F.S. The parent of a newborn infant
may not be subject to criminal investigation solely on the basis of the
positive drug toxicology of a newborn infant.
C. Uses mechanical devices, unreasonable restraints, or extended periods of
isolation to control children
D. Engages in violent behavior that demonstrates a wanton disregard for the
presence of a child and could reasonably result in serious injury to the child
E. Negligently fails to protect a child in his/her care from inflicted physical, mental,
or sexual injury caused by the acts of another
F. Has allowed a child’s sibling to die as a result of abuse or neglect
REPORTING PROCEDURES
I. Reporting Non-School Related Child Abuse
A. Pursuant to Florida law, suspected abuse perpetrated by anyone must be
immediately reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families Central
Abuse Hotline, Tallahassee, Florida (Toll Free: 1-800-96-ABUSE.) The report should
include the child’s name and other identifiable information, e.g., date of birth,
ethnicity, sex, reporting date and a very brief narrative of the alleged abuse. Any
School Board employee aware of suspected or confirmed child abuse
committed by a Non-School Board employee, shall immediately complete the
following procedures:
1. Report the abuse to the Department of Children and Families Central
Abuse Hotline as set forth above
2. Report the abuse to a school-site administrator
3. Report the abuse to the Lake Schools Police Department
4. NO SCHOOL-SITE EMPLOYEE SHALL CONTACT THE CHILD’S PARENT OR
GUARDIAN.
The representative from Department of Children and Families or law
enforcement agency will contact the parent/guardian.
B. Should a citizen report a suspected case of child abuse to a School Board
employee, it becomes the responsibility of the employee to complete the
procedures set forth in subsection I (A)(1) above.
C. When a child discloses information to one school staff member regarding
abuse, a determination should be made as to where the incident occurred, for
appropriate law enforcement notification, then no further questioning of the child
by School Board employees shall take place. The person who reports the alleged
abuse shall remain at the school and an appropriate School Board employee
shall remain with the child until either the Department of Children or Families or
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law enforcement arrives on campus. At that point questioning of the child may
resume, but only at the direction of either the Department of Children and
Families or law enforcement agency.
D. In the event a report of suspected child abuse is made after regular school
hours, the School Board employee must complete the procedures set forth in
subsection I (A)(1) above. In the event a school administrator is unavailable
because the report occurred after hours, the School Board employee must be
sure to inform the school administrator the following morning. If the Lake Schools
Police Department is unavailable and the incident occurred on School Board
property, a request should be made to have an on-call Lake Schools Police
Department investigator respond. If the incident occurred off campus, the School
Board employee shall call police emergency at 911. Please note that the
Department of Children and Families Central Abuse Hotline must always be called
first.
E. No separate record shall be created and maintained by the school or school
staff members during the investigation. All information pertaining to child abuse
cases is confidential. Additionally, the individual who reports the alleged abuse
shall not be identified as the reporter except to those authorized representatives
from the Department of Children and Families or the appropriate state attorney
or law enforcement agency.
F. Reporting of incidents to the Department of Children and Families will prompt
an investigation by the Department of Children and Families and/or law
enforcement agency. No additional investigation should be initiated by any
school-site personnel. Depending on the nature of the allegations, representative
from one or both of those agencies has the authority to conduct an interview with
a student on school premises during the school day and may come to school to
do so. Upon arriving on campus, the representative from the Department of
Children and Families and/or law enforcement agency shall advise the principal
or his or her designee of that agency’s presence and purpose. Upon the
presentation of proper identification such individuals must be given access to the
student. In accordance with Section39.301 (16), F.S., a school staff member
known to the child may be present during the interview only under the following
conditions:
1. A representative from the Department of Children and Families or law
enforcement believes that the school staff member(s) could enhance the
success of the interview
2. A school-site administrator has informed the alleged abused child that
the child may have a staff member present and the child chooses to do so.
When a determination has been made to conduct an interview on school
grounds, it should be conducted in an area that ensures confidentiality and
avoids embarrassment to the student. If the representative from the
Department of Children and Families or law enforcement agency
determines that the student is to be removed from school, this shall be done
as inconspicuously and expeditiously as possible. The agency who removes
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the student from school shall be responsible for contacting that student’s
parent(s) or guardian(s).
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G. Reporting of incidents to the Department of Children and Families will prompt
an investigation by the Department of Children and Families and/or law
enforcement agency. No additional investigation should be initiated by any
school-site personnel. Depending on the nature of the allegations, representative
from one or both of those agencies has the authority to conduct an interview with
a student on school premises during the school day and may come to school to
do so. Upon arriving on campus, the representative from the Department of
Children and Families and/or law enforcement agency shall advise the principal
or his/her designee of that agency’s presence and purpose. Upon the
presentation of proper identification such individuals must be given access to the
student. School Board employees may be present during the interview only under
the following conditions:
1. Representatives from the Department of Children and Families or law
enforcement agency believe that the school staff member(s) could
enhance the success of the interview, and
2. A school-site administrator has informed the alleged abused child that
the child may have a staff member present and the child chooses to do so.
H. When a determination has been made to conduct an interview on school
grounds, it should be conducted in an area that ensures confidentiality and
avoids embarrassment to the student. If the representative from the Department
of Children and Families or law enforcement agency determines that the student
is to be removed from school, this shall be done as inconspicuously and
expeditiously as possible. The agency which removes the student from school shall
be responsible for contacting that student’s parent(s) or guardian(s).
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person who is alleged to be the victim of an offense described in Chapter 794,
Chapter 800, Section 827.03, Section 827.04, or Section 827.071, F.S. may not
willfully and knowingly disclose it to a person who is not assisting in the investigation
or prosecution of the alleged offense or to any person other than the defendant,
the defendant's attorney, or a person specified in an order entered by the court
having jurisdiction of the alleged offense, or to organizations authorized to receive
such information pursuant to Section 119.07(3)(h), F.S. A violation of subsection II
(A) (1) constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided
in Section
775.082 Or Section 775.083, F.S. E. Section 794.03, F.S., Unlawful to publish or
broadcast information identifying sexual offense victim. No person shall print,
publish, or broadcast, or cause or allow to be printed, published, or broadcast, in
any instrument of mass communication the name, address, or other identifying
fact or information of the victim of any sexual offense within Chapter 794. Such
identifying information is confidential and exempt from the provisions of Section
119.07(1), F.S. An offense under this section shall constitute a misdemeanor of the
second degree, punishable as provided in Section 775.082 or Section 775.083, F.S.
CAFETERIA
Teachers are asked to do the following things in order to allow us to have an excellent
cafeteria program:
• Teachers are to walk students to the cafeteria quietly and in a single file line.
• Classes will be dismissed from lunch on time. Teachers are requested to pick
up their students at their scheduled time; there is no lapse time in the schedule.
• Students will remain seated until the teacher picks them up from the cafeteria
• Discuss cafeteria rules with your students each and every day prior to lunch.
• Discuss the importance of controlled behavior in group situations; (how you
act in the classroom, at a school assembly, moving from class, etc.)
• Provide time for students to prepare for lunch: wash hands, use the bathroom,
get lunch materials in hand, line up and sit down in an orderly fashion. Set the
tone in the classroom for the tone expected in the cafeteria.
• Select cafeteria helpers who are responsible students with the ability to do a
good job of monitoring peer behavior and of cleaning up at the end of the
lunch period.
• After lunch, provide time for regrouping. Discuss the day’s performance in the
cafeteria. Be positive. Stress improvement.
•
Please share the following cafeteria rules with your students:
1. Enter the cafeteria quietly and orderly.
2. Cooperate with the monitors, adults, and other children.
3. Stay in your seat and raise your hand if you need anything.
4. Keep food and utensils on trays.
5. Talk softly and only to persons at the same table.
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6. Leave the dining areas clean: tables, seats, and floor space.
7. Leave the cafeteria quietly and in an orderly fashion (under the
supervision of a teacher).
8. Lunch detention will not be issued for cafeteria staff to supervise at any
time.
CELLULAR PHONES
CLINIC
The clinic is located in the main office. In the event that a student becomes ill or an
accident occurs, the teacher must issue a pass describing the problem. The office staff
will contact the parent or person listed on the emergency contact card. No medication
or treatment may be administered by the school personnel. A student may not bring or
take medication unless proper documentation is on file in the office and then
administration will be given by properly trained personnel.
CLASSROOM CARE
Bulletin boards should reflect students’ work which is current and attractive. Please DO
NOT post student work that reflects a graded assignment. Bulletin boards should be
changed on a monthly basis throughout the year. Please DO NOT staple on doors for
any reason. You may utilize the bulletin board inside your classrooms. If you need to
place a poster on a wall you may use painters’ tape.
COLLECTION OF MONEY
Money can only be collected with approval of the Principal. Money must be turned
into the treasurer each morning by 9:30 a.m. with a “Recap of Collection” form stating
what was collected, the amount of the item, and the total amount collected. IF A CHILD
TURNS IN MORE THAN $15.00, THE TEACHER MUST FILL OUT THE RECAP AND COMPLETE A
RECEIPT FOR THE CHILD TO KEEP. TEACHERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO COLLECT MONEY AND
TURN IN THEIR OWN PERSONAL CHECK FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT.
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Teachers are NOT to purchase any items for a refund without approval from the
administration. No refund will be given at any time if approval was not previously
granted.
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11) Complete student obligations forms to the treasurer for those students who
may owe money and DO NOT collect money for obligations after they have been
submitted to the treasurer.
12) Complete a Fundraising Activity Closing Report after receiving the club
account statement for the month.
13) Turn in operating report and all corresponding paperwork promptly to the
school treasurer WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS OF THE ENDING SALE DATE. It is up to the
discretion of the treasurer and Administration to freeze an account if an operating
report has not been turned in upon completing a sale.
COMMITTEES
Faculty members must take part one action team. Once the members have been
identified all faculty members will receive an updated list. All committee members must
attend all meetings, be active members, plan activities, and receive approval by Mrs.
Socorro a month prior to all activities.
Each teacher is responsible for accurate and complete cumulative records for his/her
students. The records will be housed in the main office. Records for students who
transfer to another school must be completed within two days after the registrar informs
the teacher of the withdrawal. Teachers will sign for the cumulative packet. When
reviewing a CUM please bear in mind:
Note: SPED, ESOL, and GIFTED folders are to remain within the Cumulative Record
CUSTODIAL PROCEDURES
Encourage your students to pick trash off the floor and help keep the classroom neat. If
there is an accident in the classroom that necessitates the use of custodial services, the
teacher is to contact the main office explaining what is needed. If you find your
classroom is consistently unclean, please see administration. Please place chairs on the
desk or stacked at the back of the classroom for better cleaning.
DETENTION
Detentions will be held after school. Each teacher in grades K-8th will choose a day and
time to supervise their own students.
1. Students may remain after school for disciplinary reasons, extra help in
academic areas, and completion of class assignments are possible reasons.
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2. Parents must be notified in writing twenty-four hours prior to a student
remaining after school.
3. Students who are kept after school must be under a teacher's supervision at
all times and should not remain more than an hour on the elected day. The
office may not be used for detention.
4. The administration on occasion, will give detention to students and will be
responsible for the child.
DISCIPLINE
Below you will find suggestions for maintaining appropriate behavior and to ensure that
all of our students are in a classroom environment that is conducive to learning.
If an incident is of a more serious nature, i.e. fighting, defiance, etc., teachers must notify
the administration the same day.
Academica schools and employees recognize that substance abuse in our nation and
our community exacts staggering costs in both human and economic terms. Substance
abuse can be reasonably expected to produce impaired job performance, lost
productivity, absenteeism, accidents, wasted materials, lowered morale, rising
healthcare, and diminish interpersonal skills.
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EARLY DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS
Permission for students to leave school before the scheduled dismissal must be received
from the office. TEACHERS ARE NOT TO DISMISS CHILDREN FROM THEIR CLASSROOMS.
Please send a child to the office at the requested time. The parent or designated person
will sign out the child on a special form in the office. All staff members should advise
visitors to check in with personnel in the main office. Visitors must sign in the main office
and be admitted by pass, badge, or a staff member. All staff members share the
responsibility of questioning strangers in the building. The offices to be notified of a
problem. Parents are not to remove students from the classroom. Students are always
dismissed from the main office.
Official permission must be obtained from the principal to enter the school building
during the hours that the school is not officially open for school business.
Please complete the checklist in your emergency lesson plan folder. Upon the
completion due date, please submit your folders to Ms. Ruperez in the main office.
Emergency lesson plans should be developed with three days’ worth of work for
students. These plans will only be used in case of an emergency absence, not if you are
planning to be absent. Each teacher must leave these plans on his/her desk. Make sure
to replenish as they are used.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
If an emergency should occur, all personnel will be notified of the situation by "Code
Yellow/Red" announcement over the public address system.
Once the emergency is over, the following announcement will be made "Teachers
thank you for your cooperation, we have an all clear".
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MEETINGS
FACULTY PARKING
All faculty parking is available and unassigned. Parking on the grass, sidewalk and
surrounding buildings is prohibited.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips need prior approval by the administration. Before scheduling a field trip,
please make certain that it is directly related to the curriculum objectives. A maximum
of 2 field trips will be allowed per grade level.
GRADE BOOKS
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o Quiz – 25%
o Classwork – 15%
o Home-learning, Projects, & Oral Presentation – 10%
On June 14, 2001, Governor Jeb Bush signed into law Senate Bill 636, which amended
the statewide grading scale by lowering the required ranges of percentage grades and
grade points.
The new statewide grading scale changed by this bill is based on the following 10-
percentage point scale:
When calculating grades for a marking period, the following grade point averages to
be used:
A=3.5 and above
B=2.50-3.49
C=1.50-2.49
D=1.00-1.49
F= any grade below
HALL PASSES
No child is permitted to leave your class without a Hall Pass. Any student in the halls
without a pass will be escorted back to his/her classroom.
HOME LEARNING
Note: These times do not reflect 30 minutes that are to be devoted to iReady 3 times a
week. Reading is recognized as a universal skill that relates to all subjects. Therefore,
when specific home learning assignments are not given, or when the home learning
assignment is completed in an expeditious manner, every student will read minimally for
the time specified. Kindergarten teachers shall exercise judgment in making home
learning assignments, considering the child's readiness level and in type of the work to
be accomplished.
Parents are to be notified one week before interim or quarterly grades if it becomes
apparent that their child will be receiving a "D" or "F" in any subject. This includes "3" in
effort or a "D" or "F" in conduct. Parents should also be notified when a student is doing
well.
LESSON PLANS
All lesson plans must follow the Florida State Standards for basic grade level objectives.
The specific website detailing all State Standards including standards and objectives for
each specific subject area can be found at
http://www.floridastandards.org/Standards/FLStandardSearch.aspx. Lesson plans must
consist of Objectives, Activities, Assessments, and Home Learning Assignments and
detail how student progress will be evaluated. Each department can choose a
standard lesson plan format to be utilized.
• If you have any ELL/ESE students in your class, lesson plans must include the ELL/ESE
strategies you are using to address their needs. These strategies may be coded to
facilitate their inclusion in lesson plans. A variety of activities need to be present
with emphasis on hands-on activities, cooperative and flexible groupings, and
other learning activities that will assure a successful instructional program.
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• Lesson plans shall be available to the Administration, Grade Level Chair or their
designee during classroom visits or during observations.
• Lesson plan books should reflect the following information:
o Pinecrest Academy Four Corners Lesson Plan format are to be utilized by all
teachers in grades K-8th by department.
o Daily class period (block) title or daily lessons
o Pertinent facts regarding ESE and ELL students and related classroom
activities
MAILBOX/EMAIL
Mailboxes and Emails must be checked upon arrival at school in the morning, at
lunchtime, and before leaving at the end of the day. STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO
GET MATERIALS FROM THE MAILBOXES.
MEDICATION
School personnel shall not administer medication without compliance with approved
procedures issued by the district in conjunction with the Health Department, which set
forth these requirements. Please refer to the Administrative Directive on "Authorization
Form Distribution Medication to Students" in the handbook for School Health Facilitator
Manuel. STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ADMINISTER MEDICATION TO THEMSELVES.
NOTES TO PARENTS
Any handwritten notes to parents should be carefully written and proof read before they
go home. Formal notes to the total class must be approved by the administration.
The administration requires that parents be notified in writing any time during a grading
period when it is apparent that a student may fail or is doing unsatisfactory work in any
course of grade assignment. Parents are also to be notified at any time during the
grading period when it becomes evident that the student's conduct or effort grades are
unsatisfactory. An acknowledgement of such notification should be obtained.
Report cards must clearly reflect the student's level of achievement. PARENTS MUST BE
ABLE TO ASSUME THAT STUDENTS EARNING SATISFACTORY GRADES
IN THE REGULAR PROGRAM ARE ACHIEVING WITHIN THE RANGE APPROPRIATE OR
ACCEPTABLE FOR THEIR GRADE OR THE COURSE IN WHICH THEY ARE ENROLLED. Any
exceptions must be made clear through comments entered on the report card. Parents
of any child who are to be retained shall be requested to attend a conference with the
principal or designee.
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PARENT LOG/PHONE OR CONFERENCE
Parent contacts should be kept in a log. Additional parent contact throughout the year
should be entered as they occur. This log should be placed at your desk for review by
the administration, contact log form must be used for all communication (including
emails). All emails need to be printed and placed into the parent contact log.
PAYROLL
Be sure to clock in with your employee ID number and department code each morning
and before leaving in the afternoon. Your failure to use it properly may result in your loss
of pay. REQUEST TO LEAVE THE BUILDING DURING SCHOOL HOURS MUST BE APPROVED
BY THE ADMINISTRATION. (PLEASE SIGN THE BOOK IN THE MAIN OFFICE)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Teachers and staff are required to attend professional developments throughout the
year to ensure the further development of pedagogical techniques that will in turn
benefit the school learning environment. Make sure to complete the Professional
Development Form within three days of completing the training. Notification of
attendance is required to Mrs. Socorro, in advance, if it were to conflict with the daily
work hours and coverage will be necessary.
Check your room for conditions that are unsafe, report them on the appropriate form.
Please submit these forms to the administration for approval. Room arrangements
should be designed in such a way that the door is available. A fire diagram showing
the plans for evacuation must be displayed by the door. ROOMS SHOULD BE LOCKED
WHEN YOU LEAVE THEM.
• Arrange furniture and equipment to allow continuous access to all primary and
secondary exits from room.
• Arrange desks to allow a 30-inch-wide exit access aisle and add 19 inches for
chairs located on each side of 30 inch aisle.
• Do not use extension cords as permanent wiring.
The image that we portray to both students and parents enables us to be effective and
respected educators. Therefore, Pinecrest Four Corners has a mandatory school uniform
policy for both students and faculty. UNLESS SPECIFIED BY THE ADMINISTRATION,
UNIFORMS MUST BE WORN THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR INCLUDING COLD DAYS
AND SPECIAL EVENTS. Teachers and staff can purchase school shirts and wear along
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with solid colored pants, ankle length capris, or knee length skirts. Allowable button-
down shirts colors include grey, blue, white, and black. Any shade of blue is allowed.
Shirts may be short sleeved, ¾ sleeved or long sleeved. Staff members may wear
appropriate jeans (no ripped jeans or overalls) and sneakers on Friday unless told
otherwise by the administration. School spirit shirts and polos with the school logo may
only be worn on Fridays unless specified by the Administration. No sandals or open-toed
shoes are allowed.
The image that you portray to both students and parents enables you to be an effective
and respected educator and staff member. The following items are not considered
appropriate dress during school days/events: halter/tank tops, midriff tops, sweat-shirts,
skirt length more than 1 inch above the knee, jeans, shorts, leggings, sweat pants,
sandals, flip-flops, sneakers (including converse), and open-toed shoes. Being well
groomed and having good body hygiene is both important in your overall effectiveness
and a requirement of your position in your school. The field trip dress code consists of the
school shirt, jean pants, and sneakers (no leggings). Non-compliance with the dress
code will not be tolerated and will be considered a contract violation and will be
reflected in informal and formal evaluations. A uniform violation will be placed in your
mailbox and a copy placed in your personnel file.
SECURITY
Lock your classroom door at all times. Keep your handbag or wallet secure or with you.
Report any strangers to the office. If you must stay late after school hours, please make
sure you advise an administration of this.
SUBSTITUTE FORMS
A Request for Time Off Form is to be filled out upon request for absence. Illness, personal
leave, or workshops require a Request for Time Off Form being signed and approved by
the school administration. Forms will be available on your desktop and in the school's
main office.
SOLICITING
SMOKING
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SPECIAL AREA CLASSES
Elementary teachers are to accompany their students to and from all Special Areas
classes. Students are to arrive on time and in an orderly manner and are to be dismissed
on time and in an orderly manner.
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
Teachers are responsible for supervising their students during the school day.
Individual students, who are permitted to leave class during the day, are still the
responsibility of the classroom teacher. To ensure safety and order in the hallways, these
procedures must be instituted:
1. Established and review hallway behavior rules, i.e., no talking, no running, keep
hands to oneself and listen to directions from the teacher.
2. Use bathroom, library and office passes for individual use.
Classes taken to Music, Art, P.E., or any special area are the responsibility of the teacher
until the special area teachers assume the responsibility. To ensure safety and order in
hallways, these procedures are to be instituted:
If a child is to be dropped off in the office make sure that a third student comes to
accompany the child on the return to the classroom. When only a partial class is leaving
for a special class, the Special Area teacher will pick up the students.
Referrals for Exceptional Student Education are the result of monthly Student Support
Team meetings. Students are referred to the Student Support Team by their teachers
based on consistent displacement of students in the preventing strategy for exhibiting
unusually disruptive or withdrawn behavior, or because the student is having difficulty
with the instructional program. Specific memorandum outlining SPED/SST procedures
are forthcoming.
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STUDENT PROGRESSION PLAN
Decisions regarding promotion, retention and special placement are primarily the
responsibility of the school's professional staff; however, the final decision in regard to
grade placement is the responsibility of the principal.
SUPPLIES
Instructional materials must be ordered. Do not send students to the office to request
supplies. Write your request and give it to the office staff at least 5 days in advance.
Please allow time to file your request. Forms will be located in the main office. At no time
should a staff member be taking items from the office drawers, please request the items
and await their approval by an administrator.
TELEPHONE
The office telephones are for school business. Additional telephones are available in the
Teacher's Lounge. Teachers will not be called to the telephone except for emergencies.
Office personnel will deliver emergency messages by using the PA system. All other
messages will be placed in the teacher's mailbox. STUDENTS ARE NOT TO BE SENT TO THE
OFFICE TO USE THE TELEPHONE UNLESS THEY ARE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A STAFF
MEMBER. It’s the teacher’s responsibility, not the students to notify parents about
detention, missing work or other problems. In case of illness, a staff member is to call the
parents. Students are not to call parents themselves.
TEXTBOOK MANAGEMENT
Each teacher is responsible for the textbooks that have been checked out. At the
beginning of the school year, you will receive a Textbook Requisitions Form. Please fill
out in duplicate and submit it to the Administration.
VISITORS
All visitors to the school must report to the main office to sign-in and obtain a Visitor's
Pass. All staff members share in the responsibility of questioning strangers in the building.
The office is to be notified if problems arise.
VOLUNTEERS
All parents wishing to volunteer must register through the Concierge Pad system and
must be cleared through Pinecrest Academy Four Corners before permission to
volunteer is granted. This mandate includes clearance for volunteers in school events
such as book fairs, fundraising activities, and assemblies. For overnight field trips,
additional requirements such as fingerprinting and drug testing will be necessary. Please
keep in mind that parents chaperoning fieldtrips must not consume beverages
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containing alcohol. Children who are not enrolled at Pinecrest Academy Four Corners
are not permitted on campus during school hours and may not attend school fieldtrips.
All Pinecrest Academy Four Corners parents/guardians are asked to complete twenty
(20) volunteer hours, or the equivalent thereof, per academic year family. All
parents/guardian volunteer hours must be completed prior to the last day of school.
Any parent/guardian who would like to volunteer in the classroom must coordinate with
the classroom teacher at least one day prior to volunteering. Consent from the
administration must be confirmed before parents will be allowed to enter classrooms. In
addition, parents/visitors must sign-in at the main office and obtain a visitor’s pass. In
order to ensure the safety of all of our students, NO PARENTS/VISITORS WILL BE ALLOWED
BEYOND THE MAIN OFFICE WITHOUT A VISITOR’S PASS. NO EXCEPTIONS! ALL VISITORS
MUST BE CLEARED!
A volunteer hour log will be included each semester (twice a year) to assist parents in
tracking their volunteer hours. In addition, a reminder will be sent during the fourth
quarter of the school year to ensure that the volunteer requirement is fulfilled.
WEAPONS
WORK FOLDERS
A work folder containing adequate samples of work from each nine weeks period must
be kept for each student. A work folder must be kept for all areas and should include
class work, tests, and sample of written composition assignments. Papers in these folders
should be graded or checked by the teacher. Papers must be filed regularly. Interactive
notebooks should be graded or checked by the teacher.
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Faculty Handbook Agreement Form
I have read and understand all of the above rules and guidelines in this contract
required of all Pinecrest Academy Four Corners employees. I understand my failure to
abide by such rules and guidelines may result in disciplinary action and/or termination
of my position. I also understand that with this contract, my position is only available for
one school year and may only be renewed upon Principal’s approval.
_______________________________ __________
Print Name Date
_______________________________ __________
Signature Date
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