A Title I & Innovative Programs School
2015 – 2016
STAFF HANDBOOK
Sherry Bees
Principal
Camille Orr
Assistant Principal
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subject Page
Preface ...... 8
School Information ...... 8
The School Board of Broward County . . . . . 10
Accident Reports ...... 11
Accreditation ...... 11
Activities ...... 11
Adults on Campus ...... 12
After School Program ...... 12
Animals/Pets ...... 12
Announcements ...... 13
Appointments ...... 13
Arrivals ...... 13
Assemblies ...... 13
Attendance Procedures ...... 14
Audio Visual Materials ...... 14
Before Care ...... 15
Bell Schedule ...... 15
Bomb Threats ...... 15
Breakfast ...... 15
Building Access ...... 15
Bulletin Boards ...... 16
Bulletins ...... 16
Bullying ...... 16
Bus Drill ...... 17
Bus Transportation ...... 17
CAB Calendar ...... 17
CAB Conference ...... 17
Cafeteria Procedures ...... 18
Cell Phones ...... 19
Certification ...... 19
Change of Name, Address and Benefits . . . . . 19
Child Abuse Reporting ...... 19
Children ...... 20
Child Study ...... 20
Class Rosters ...... 21
Classes Unattended ...... 21
Classroom Care/Custodial Services . . . . . 21
Classroom Equipment ...... 22
Classroom Etiquette ...... 22
Classroom Schedules ...... 22
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subject Page
Classroom Supervision ...... 22
Classroom Visitation ...... 22
Clinic Referrals ...... 22
Code of Ethics ...... 23
Committees ...... 24
Communicable Diseases and Infestations . . . . 24
Communications ...... 24
Competitions/Contests/Fairs ...... 25
Conferences ...... 25
Confidentiality ...... 25
Copy Machines ...... 26
Copyright ...... 26
Corporal Punishment ...... 28
Correspondence ...... 28
Cumulative Folders ...... 28
Curriculum and Instruction ...... 29
Daily Attendance Roster ...... 30
Diagnostic Testing ...... 30
Discipline ...... 30
Dismissal ...... 32
Doors and Windows ...... 34
Dress Code ...... 34
Drugs/Weapons ...... 34
Early Dismissal ...... 34
Early Release Days ...... 35
Email Abuse ...... 35
Emergency Dismissal ...... 35
Emergency Information ...... 35
Emergency Procedures ...... 35
Equipment Check-out ...... 38
ESP’s ...... 39
ESOL ...... 40
Exceptional Student Education ...... 40
Evaluation ...... 43
Faculty Lounge ...... 43
Faculty Meetings ...... 43
Fax Machine ...... 44
Field Trips ...... 44
Films/Videos ...... 47
Fund Raisers ...... 48
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subject Page
Grade Level Assignments ...... 48
Grades ...... 49
Grants ...... 50
Guidance Services ...... 50
Guidelines for Parent/Teacher Conferences . . . . 51
Hall Passes ...... 52
Health Records ...... 52
Homebound Services ...... 52
Homework Policy ...... 52
Illness/Injury: Students and Staff ...... 53
Improper and Unethical Testing Practices . . . . 54
Inspections ...... 55
Instructional Television ...... 55
Insurance ...... 56
Intercom ...... 56
Interim Reports ...... 56
Keys ...... 57
Laminating Procedures ...... 57
Lesson Plans ...... 57
Lice and Hygiene Precaution ...... 58
Lost Textbooks ...... 59
Lunch Procedures ...... 59
Mailboxes ...... 59
Maintenance Personnel ...... 60
Management of Student Conduct ...... 60
Media Center ...... 60
Medication ...... 61
Message from Parents ...... 61
Money Collected ...... 61
Newsletter ...... 62
News Release ...... 62
Office Procedures ...... 62
Open House ...... 63
Ordering of Supplies ...... 64
Ownership of Materials ...... 64
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subject Page
Parent Phone Calls ...... 65
Parent Teacher Conferences ...... 65
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) . . . . . 66
Parking ...... 66
Parties ...... 66
Partners-In-Education ...... 66
Paychecks ...... 67
Phone Calls ...... 67
Physical Classroom Management ...... 67
Planning ...... 68
Playground ...... 68
Pony Mail Service ...... 71
Positive Behavioral Management Plan (PBMP) . . . . 71
Poster Maker Procedures ...... 72
Power Failure ...... 72
Principal’s Designee ...... 72
Professional Judgment ...... 72
Professional Library ...... 73
Professional Organization ...... 73
Property and Inventory ...... 73
Public Records Law ...... 75
Public Relations ...... 75
Relief Time ...... 76
Report Cards ...... 76
Retention ...... 76
Room Parents ...... 77
School Advisory Council (SAC)/School Improvement Plan (SIP) . 77
School Advisory Forum (SAF) ...... 77
School Calendar ...... 77
School Cancellation ...... 78
Senate Bill 1108 ...... 78
Sign-In/Sign-Out ...... 79
Smoking ...... 79
Social Worker ...... 80
Soda, Coffee, Etc...... 80
Speech and Dress ...... 80
Staff Absences ...... 81
Staff Early Sign-Out Procedures ...... 81
Staff Expectations ...... 82
Storm Day Procedures ...... 84
Student Awards and Incentives ...... 85
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subject Page
Student Data Files ...... 86
Student News Publications ...... 86
Student Withdrawals ...... 86
Substitute Plans ...... 87
Substitutes ...... 87
Sunshine Social Committee ...... 88
Supply Orders ...... 89
Take Home Handouts ...... 89
Teacher Absence ...... 89
Teacher Duties Outside Classroom . . . . . 89
Teacher Inservice ...... 89
Team Leader Responsibilities ...... 89
Technology ...... 90
Telephones ...... 90
Television/Video Use ...... 90
Temporary Duty Assignment (TDA) . . . . . 91
Testing ...... 91
Textbooks ...... 91
Today Board ...... 92
Tornado Procedures ...... 92
Transportation ...... 93
Tutoring Policy ...... 94
U.S. Mail ...... 94
Vandalism or Property Damage ...... 94
Volunteer Guidelines/Procedures ...... 95
Worker’s Compensation ...... 95
Appendix
§ Attendance Letter ...... 97
§ Birthdays ...... 98
§ Custodial Comment Sheet ...... 99
§ Custodial Request ...... 100
§ ESP Evaluation ...... 101
§ ESOL Instructional Strategies . . . . . 102
§ Notice of Field Trip ...... 104
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subject Page
§ Order Form for Items $999.99 or Less . . . . 105
§ Laminating Request ...... 106
§ Poster Request ...... 107
§ Request for Supplies ...... 108
§ Safe Use of Artwork/Teaching Materials on Classroom Walls . 109
§ TDA Form ...... 103
§ Uniform Policy Letter ...... 110
§ Behavior Concern Form ...... 111
§ Child Abuse Report Form ...... 112
§ Child Abuse Report Form Directions . . . . 113
§ Positive Behavior Management Plan . . . . 114
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Please return the following to Mrs. Reynolds no later than Friday, August 28th, 2015.
§ Notice: Federal Drug Free School Act . . . . 130
§ Handbook Acknowledgement . . . . . 131
PREFACE (back)
It is the responsibility of all faculty members to become familiar with the contents of this handbook. We will operate within the constraints of the law, School Board Policy and employee contracts. School decisions will be established through collaborative efforts and based on what is best for the entire school community.
All information will be applicable throughout the school year, unless you receive written notification regarding any changes.
In addition to the information contained in this handbook, you should become familiar with the following documents:
· Student Conduct and Discipline Code Book
· School Board Policies
· Curriculum Guides
· Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct
The purpose of this handbook is to provide valuable and necessary information to teachers regarding procedures and policies that will ensure quality educational programs for all Maplewood Elementary students. Sections of the handbook will be updated as need arises. It should serve as a professional guide for each teacher in fulfilling his or her daily obligations as a contributing member to the total school program.
SCHOOL INFORMATION (back)
School Address: 9850 Ramblewood Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33071
School Phone: 754-322-6850
School Fax: 754-322-6890
Student Hours: 7:50 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Staff Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
School Colors: Blue and white
School Mascot: Owl
School Song: “Stand Up and Cheer”
Lyrics By: Judy Slade, Reading Coach (retired)
Stand up and cheer. Cheer for Maplewood, the best. For today we raise the blue and white above the rest. We are always striving to be all that we can be. The Magic's here. Let's give a cheer. For the school that we hold dear!
Innovation Zone (Taravella): Maplewood Elementary
Ramblewood Elementary
Challenger Elementary
Riverside Elementary
Tamarac Elementary
Ramblewood Middle
Millenium Middle
Taravella High
MISSION STATEMENT
Maplewood Elementary provides optimal learning experiences for all students in a respectful and safe environment.
VISION STATEMENT
A healthy mind + A healthy body = A child prepared for the future!
Perceive it, Believe it . . . Achieve it!
BELIEF STATEMENT
· Our school climate fosters individual creativity, critical thinking and enthusiastic learning.
· Students receive differentiated strategies and instruction in the core curriculum utilizing teacher led instruction, as well as, hands-on learning centers.
· Teachers utilize innovative techniques and technology to enhance the core curriculum.
· Opportunities are provided to students to explore their individual and unique interests and abilities.
· Character traits are modeled and encouraged through interactive opportunities to develop personal and global responsibilities in our diverse community.
· Community, parents, administration, staff and teachers share the responsibility of educating our youth.
· Our Maplewood community promotes healthy habits of mind and body working together to produce our future leaders.
We value…. CHARACTER TRAITS
Ø Responsibility
Ø Honesty
Ø Citizenship
Ø Self Control
Ø Kindness
Ø Tolerance
Ø Respect
Ø Cooperation
PHYSICAL EDUCATION MISSION STATEMENT
A person is physically fit if he/she can go through his/her normal day and still have enough energy to participate actively in his/her selected activity.
Goal: Our basic goal is to maintain a healthy lifestyle by being active for 60 minutes per day, five days a week.
When staying active becomes a part of our daily lives, we have more energy.
We’re more alert. We do better at school or work.
Physical fitness is for everyone. We do not have to be the best, but we have to strive to do our best.
At Maplewood in grades one through five, we utilize Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Programs:
· To encourage an active lifestyle
· To assess current fitness levels and to show where improvement is needed
· To reward outstanding physical fitness levels
Physical Fitness Test Items
Test Component
1. Curl-ups 1. Abdominal strength/endurance
2. Shuttle Run 2. Speed and agility
3. Endurance Run/Walk 3. Cardio-respiratory endurance
4. Pull-ups/Right angle push-up 4. Upper body strength endurance
5. Sit and Reach 5. Flexibility (lower back/hamstrings)
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY (back)
STRATEGIC PLAN THREE GOALS
1. High-Quality Instruction
2. Continuous Improvement
3. Effective Communication
VISION:
Educating today’s students to succeed in tomorrow’s world.
MISSION:
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential
CORE VALUES:
· All students will learn when their individual needs are met
· Learning is lifelong process
· Every student has a right to a high-quality educational option
· Engaged families combined with highly effective teachers and school leaders are the core components of a successful school
· Positive character education is essential to whole child development
· The diversity of our community is valuable and must be embraced
· Students must be prepared as innovative thinkers and responsible citizens to compete in a global economy
· High-quality customer service is a critical component of high-quality education
· Positive stakeholder involvement enhances student achievement
· Everyone must be held to the highest ethical standards to achieve excellence
· Everyone must contribute to and be held accountable for student achievement
· An equitable education provides all necessary resources to meet student needs
· All District services must clearly tie to student achievement
· Respect and dignity are critical, both in and out of the classroom
· Public education is the foundation of a democratic society
· It is essential that BCPS develops an informed, engaged and responsible citizenry
ACCIDENT REPORTS (back)
When a child is involved in an accident the teacher must report it to the office and must complete a "Student Accident Report Form". This form is completed to protect you in any future legal action (School Board Policy #2301).The staff member on duty at the time and location of the accident will sign the accident report as the witness. The Accident Form is submitted to the Data Processor.
ACCREDITATION (back)
The schools of Broward County are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Overall school improvement is the underlying reason for school evaluation and self-study. Every year, the school will develop goals that relate to the SACS self-study and school improvement.
ACTIVITIES (back)
All student activities (celebrations, assemblies, etc.) must receive
administrative approval. This includes activities during the school day and after school.
Please note the following requirements for having a program during the school year:
a. All activity dates are to be set with the Principal or the Assistant Principal and posted on the master CAB calendar by the Assistant Principal.
b. The date, number of students and sponsoring group must be clearly stated.
c. Practice dates and/or a list of chaperones must accompany the initial request.
d. It is generally desirable to invite parents or other interested persons to assemblies.
e. Notify the custodian and Assistant Principal via email with a custodial request if you need tables and/or chairs set up.
ADULTS ON CAMPUS (back)
All adults who have business on campus are required to report to the office upon entering the campus. This applies to visitors, tutors, volunteers, etc. If visitors come to your classroom call the front office so that the visitor can be escorted to the front office for processing their photo ID and to acquire a visitor’s badge. There are no exceptions. Please remember that parents may not bring younger children with them when they visit or work in the school. All adults are asked to stop visitors who do not have a badge and escort them to the office. Staff members are required to wear their school badges at all times.
Part of the contractual agreement between the BTU (Broward Teacher's Union) and the School Board is the restriction of interruptions to the classroom. Parents must make an appointment at least 24 hours in advance if they wish to visit classrooms. This requirement of advanced arrangements helps us restrict interruptions. Please don't tell parents in conferences, etc., that they can drop in unannounced.
These procedures are devised to facilitate a safe and orderly environment for students to learn and staff to work.