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Andover Middle School 2010-2011 Faculty Handbook

“STEPPING IT UP”

2010-2011 FACULTY HANDBOOK

HOME OF THE GOLDEN EAGLES

Arnold R. Montgomery PRINCIPAL

April D. Davis, Assistant Principal Peter G. Melton, Assistant Principal

Andover Middle School

121 NE 207th Street Miami Gardens, FL 33179

305-654-2727 Fax: 305-654-2728


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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

I. PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE ....................................................................................................................... 3 II. SCHOOL PROFILE ................................................................................................................................. 3

A. General Overview ...................................................................................................................... 3 B. History ........................................................................................................................................ 3 C. Facility ........................................................................................................................................ 3

III. MISSION STATEMENT .......................................................................................................................... 3 IV. PHILOSOPHY ......................................................................................................................................... 3 V. SCHOOL ORGANIZATION ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

A. 2010-2011 Administrative Responsibilities ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined. VI. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES 2010-2011 ............................................................................. 6 VII. 2010-2011 DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON ASSIGNMENTS .............................................................. 6 VIII. 2010-2011 TEAM LEADER ASSIGNMENTS ......................................................................................... 7 IX. MEETING SCHEDULES ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. X. SCHOOL OPERATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 8

A. School Policy Regarding Student Behavior ............................................................................... 8 B. Positive Reinforcement .............................................................................................................. 8

XI. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE PLAN ...................................................................................................... 8

A. Step I: Teacher .......................................................................................................................... 8 B. Step II: Teachers/Student/Parent Conference .......................................................................... 9 C. Step III: Teacher Referral .......................................................................................................... 9 D. Step IV: Referring Students for Administrative Action .............................................................. 9

XII. THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN DEALING WITH STUDENTS ........................................................... 9

A. Hall Passes .............................................................................................................................. 10 B. Tardies to School ..................................................................................................................... 10 C. Tardies to Class ....................................................................................................................... 11 D. Student Identification System .................................................................................................. 11 E. Student Dress Code ................................................................................................................. 11 F. Dress Code Violation Policy ..................................................................................................... 13

XIII. LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER................................................................................................................... 13

A. Circulation ................................................................................................................................ 13 B. Audio Visual Materials ............................................................................................................. 13 C. In-House Audio-Visual Distribution Procedures ....................................................................... 14

XIV. PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCEMENT ............................................................................................... 14 XV. CUSTODIAL/ZONE MECHANIC STAFF PROCEDURES ................................................................... 15 XVI. FOOD SERVICES ................................................................................................................................. 15


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XVII. Safety and Security - 2008-2009 ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. A. Emergency Procedures: Disturbance in the School, on the Campus, or in the Immediate

Vicinity of the School ................................................................................................................ 16 B. Evacuation Procedures ............................................................................................................ 17 C. Bomb Threat and Search Procedures ..................................................................................... 17 D. Civil Defense Warning (Enemy attack and natural disasters) ................................................. 18 E. Tornado .................................................................................................................................... 18 F. Holding Students in School ...................................................................................................... 18 G. Student Dispersal Procedures ................................................................................................. 18

XVIII. EMPLOYEE INFORMATION ................................................................................................................ 19

A. Daily Attendance ...................................................................................................................... 19 B. Attendance Codes .................................................................................................................... 19 C. Attendance Bulletin Update ..................................................................................................... 19 D. Tardies ..................................................................................................................................... 19 E. Class Cutting ............................................................................................................................ 19 F. Suspensions ............................................................................................................................. 20 G. Permit to Leave School ............................................................................................................ 20 H. Visitors on Campus .................................................................................................................. 20

XIX. SCHOOL AND DISTRICT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................ 21

A. Employee Workday .................................................................................................................. 21 B. Employee Attendance and Payroll ........................................................................................... 21 C. Employee Absences ................................................................................................................ 21 D. Returning from Absences ........................................................................................................ 21 E. Leaving Campus ...................................................................................................................... 22 F. Class Coverage ........................................................................................................................ 22 G. Teacher Planning Days ............................................................................................................ 22 H. Duty Free Lunch ....................................................................................................................... 22 I. Employee Conduct ................................................................................................................... 22 J. Reporting Crime and Disruptive Behavior ............................................................................... 23 K. Instructional Personnel ............................................................................................................ 23 L. Professional Growth ................................................................................................................. 23 M. Substitute Teacher Coverage .................................................................................................. 24 N. About the Code of Ethics ......................................................................................................... 24 O. 6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida ............................................. 25 P. 6B-1.006 Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. ........... 25 Q. Guidelines for Classroom Copying in Not-For-Profit Educational Institutions Books and

Periodicals ................................................................................................................................ 28 XX. MDCPS FILLABLE FORMS ARCHIVE ................................................................................................. 29 XXI. CURRICULUM ...................................................................................................................................... 29

A. Sunshine State Standards ....................................................................................................... 29 B. Competency-Based Curriculum ............................................................................................... 29 C. Textbooks ................................................................................................................................. 30 D. Lesson Planning ....................................................................................................................... 31 E. Homework ................................................................................................................................ 32 F. Teacher-Parent Communication .............................................................................................. 33

XXII. RECORD MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................... 34

A. Student Folders ........................................................................................................................ 35 B. Student Evaluation ................................................................................................................... 35 C. Grading Student Performance ................................................................................................. 36

XXIII. Bell and Lunch Schedule .................................................................................................................... 348


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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE This employee handbook is your reference manual that outlines official policies of this school and the Miami-Dade County Public School System. Please read it carefully, as everyone will be expected to adhere to the policies contained herein. The information contained in this handbook has been compiled as a reference for the daily operation of the school and for the successful operation of Andover Middle School. Your attention to the various sections of this handbook will ensure effective and efficient operation of our school organization.

SCHOOL PROFILE

A. General Overview Andover Middle School is located at 121 NE 207th Street. The 2010-2011 school year will be open for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. At full capacity, the school will serve approximately 1,400 students in grades 6, 7 and 8.

B. History 2008 was inaugural year for Andover Middle School. It was birthed out of the vision of the late school board member, Dr. Robert B. Ingram.

C. Facility The campus includes an assemblage of state-of-the-art facilities including media center, administration building, cafeteria, two 3-story classrooms, one 2-story classroom, a chiller building, physical education enclosure, three computer laboratories as well as six foreign language laboratories. Andover has many specialized resource centers with each classroom equipped with interactive smartboards, wireless instructor and student microphones and a host of Apple computers located in our technology suites.

MISSION STATEMENT Andover Middle School’s mission is to create a safe and effective learning environment that will provide educational and career opportunities for all students while meeting the needs of our multicultural community. Our school will place special emphasis on mastery of academic skills, career exploration, community service, self-esteem, self-discipline, interpersonal skills, and personal values to develop life long learners who will be contributors to an ever-changing global economy.

VISION STATEMENT The vision of Andover Middle school is to develop holistically metropolitan students who exhibit superior academic mastery, respectful/courteous/ethical character while at the same time establishing a record of extracurricular activity and community service. Our Academic, Character Extracurricular Service (ACES academy will foster academic growth, increase awareness of values common to all cultures while nurturing self esteem.


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PHILOSOPHY The Administrative team of Andover Middle School believes that every student should be encouraged to achieve at their highest potential and that it is our responsibility as a school community to provide a nurturing environment necessary to achieve this goal. We will acknowledge individual creativity and stimulate personal growth. As a faculty and staff, we will strive to develop students' technical, vocational, academic, creative and performing talents as they matriculate through our educational institution. It is our conviction that WE will labor to instill in each student the necessary tools and resources to become positive, prosperous and productive members of the community.


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LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL WELCOME BACK GOLDEN EAGLE FAMILY MEMBER!!!! I am anxious to hear about your summer break and all the exciting and interesting adventures you’ve had! I can truly say that we have accomplished much during our second year. We have received our Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Scores and which show remarkable gains for our school and students. This is due to the tireless dedication, commitment, professionalism and service of our faculty and staff of which you are an integral part. I proudly announce that the students, faculty, and staff of Andover Middle School continue to receive numerous awards; honors and accolades (lead by our nationally ranked Chess Team). We continue to increase the academic proficiency of our learners as evidenced by the tremendous gains of our 7th grade students on the recent FCAT. Our Parent Teacher Student Association has continued to work tirelessly to make this upcoming school year exciting, productive, educational, challenging, profitable, instructional, enjoyable and fun for students, parents, faculty, staff and community. This upcoming school year we will reach our completion phase and witness even greater achievements and accomplishments. Our first year was the “Year of Inception” and we witnessed our 6th grade “baby eagles” transition from elementary to middle school. . Our second year was the “Year of Implementation” and we saw our inaugural class take their first giant step upward toward success. This year we continue on our journey, outing, expedition and voyage to attain distinction with our “Year of Incorporation” were we will observe the flight of our 8th grade students as they soar to new horizons. We are excited, on our way to excellence and making continuous improvement on the road to eminence. In 2009-2010 we adopted the Kaizen Philosophy@ and embraced the concept of “constant improvement” with our slogan “Stepping Our Way Towards Excellence”. We will continue with our progression to eminence from excellence with our 2010-2011 slogan “Stepping It Up”. “Excellent firms don't believe in excellence - only in constant improvement

and constant change” Tom Peters Thank you for your support, trust and enthusiasm as we tackle the challenges, surprises, achievement, character development and extracurricular service targets of this upcoming year. I am proud of our students, parents, faculty, staff and community, because together we will accomplish great things at Andover Middle School.

WE ARE ANDOVER and WE ARE GOLDEN EAGLES!!!

Educationally yours, Arnold R. Montgomery, Principal


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ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES 2010-2011 ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES 2006-2007

April Davis, Unit #2 Principal’s Designee

Peter G. Melton, #3Principal’s Designee in absence of Davis SCSI Program

Articulation Critical Incidents Curriculum Bulletin Department Chairs Grants Honor Roll Awards Instructional Materials Instructional Program IPEGS Observations IPEGS Schedule LEP Committee Master Schedule M-Team Staffing Professional Dev. Staff Development Standardized Testing Student Scheduling Student Services Paraprofessionals Instructional Focus Plan Remediation/Tutoring Support Personnel: Language Arts Chair Reading Chair SPED Chair Student Services Clerical Math Coach Reading Coach

Clerical Staff CST Meetings Curriculum Materials Daily Classroom Visits Language Arts Dept. Literacy Team Math Department Media Center Opening/Closing Day

Procedures Reading Department School Improvement Plan Science SPED/ELL Dept. Student Materials Student Progression Supplements Textbooks Student Grades AIRS Reports Testing/Exam Schedule 8th Grade

Accident Reports Attendance/Truancy Classroom visits/Support Disaster Control Discipline/Behavioral Plans Enrichment Department Evacuation Drills/Maps Fire/Lockdown Drills Food Service/Custodians/Security/Zone Mechanics Grade Level Orientations Health Examination Schedules Lunch Program/Schedules Open House Plant Security Police Liaisons Property Control PTSA/EESAC Remediation/Tutoring/Enrichment Programs Safe School Interagency Safety to Life Reports Social Studies Department Staff Incentives Staff Recognition Teams Transportation. School to Career Technology Dept 6th Grade Critical Incident Reports/Team Support Personnel: Enrichments Chair Social Studies Chair Technology Chair Food Manager SCSI Instructor Head/Lead Custodian Security Commander

2010-2011 DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON ASSIGNMENTS Language Arts Department Chair Reading Department Chairperson

S. Mincey S. Mincey

Mathematics Department Chair J. Jack-Noel Science Department Chair C. Allen Social-Studies Department Chair P. Preston SPED Department Chair C. McDonald Enrichment Department Chair A. Ladd Technology Division Leader/Test Chair L. Cardenas Student Services Department Chair T. Roker Media Specialist C. Alpert


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2010-2011 TEAM LEADER ASSIGNMENTS 7th Grade 8th Grade

6th Grade Team Leader S. Shannon 6th Grade Team Leader B. Juste 7th Grade Team Leader E. Vincent 7th Grade Team Leader D. Lebrun 8th Grade Team Leader C. Henfield 8th Grade Team Leader TBA

MORNING MEETINGS M

MORNING MEETINGS • MONDAY: Departmental Meetings

Time: 8:20 AM – 8:50 AM Location: Respective Department Chairs’ Room

• TUESDAY: Team Meetings (Interdisciplinary Planning) Time: 8:20 AM – 8:50 AM Location: Respective Team Leader’s room

• WEDNESDAY: Cadre Meetings/Parent Conferences Time: 8:20 AM – 8:50 AM Location: TBD

• THURSDAY: Team Meetings Time: 8:20 AM – 8:50 AM Location: Respective Team Leader’s Room

• FRIDAY: Departmental Meetings Time: 8:20 AM – 8:50 AM Location: Respective Department Chairs’ Room

AFTERNOON MEETINGS • Faculty Meetings

Time: 3:45 PM Location: Media Center Dates: Third Wednesday of every month

• Beginning Teachers’ Meetings Time: 3:45 PM Location: Media Center Dates: Second Thursday of every month

• Educational Excellence Student Advisory Council (EESAC) Time: 4:00 PM Location: Media Center Dates: First Wednesday of the month


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SCHOOL OPERATIONS

D. School Policy Regarding Student Behavior To make it possible for students to know what is expected of them, it is necessary that each teacher hold to certain standards in regard to class procedures and discipline. Good working conditions must prevail at all times, even though teachers may differ in the way they secure results. Good discipline is required for good teaching. The policy at Andover Middle School is to require a uniform atmosphere of cordiality, courtesy, consideration and respect in the classroom and throughout the building. Each teacher is expected to handle discipline problems which occur within their classroom. If a disciplinary situation arises which a teacher cannot resolve, the teacher should follow the procedures outlined in this handbook to secure any needed assistance from the team, student services or the administration. The teacher should not hesitate to preserve class morale by dealing strictly and fairly with a troublesome student. Every teacher and staff member is expected to assist in the orderly movement of hall traffic during passing time by standing at their classroom door. Only with a concerted effort will we insure proper student behavior.

E. Positive Reinforcement Students who exhibit outstanding behavior will receive the following:

• Teacher reinforcement • School activities • Special assemblies, field trips, performances, etc.

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE PLAN In effort to provide some direction regarding the handling of disciplinary problems, Andover Middle School has developed a set of guidelines to be used by staff members. Please be informed that the Administrative Team and Student Services Team are continuously attempting to assist/support your classroom management concerns (tardiness, unexcused absences, preparedness, defiance, disrespect disruptive behavior, etc.). We are committed to continuing the very best support possible to insure a good learning environment for students and a satisfying work place. However, to positively impact and improve student behavior in our classrooms and to maintain a safe learning environment, we need to address the aforementioned as a TEAM. As a TEAM we need to conscientiously adhere to the following procedures:

F. Step I: Teacher The teacher may handle discipline in the following ways (list not inclusive):

• Move close to the student – use verbal and/or non-verbal techniques to correct behavior problems

• Use the broken record technique • Speak with student on a one-to-one basis • Change the student’s seat • Issue violation • Issue conduct grade cut • Contact parent- Must be made/attempted • Hold parent or student/parent conference • Time-out in Team Leader’s classroom


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All professional faculty and staff members should use preventive counseling. Taking the time to listen and advise will help solve many problems before the student runs into real trouble.

TEACHERS MUST ATTEMPT TO RE-DIRECT OFF-TASK BEHAVIOR! PLEASE NOTE: Parent contact is REQUIRED before a referral can be made to the administration. Only disciplinary problems involving infractions of the Code of Student Conduct Group III or higher (fighting, stealing, gross profanity, vandalism, possession of drugs or weapons, being under the influence of a mood modifier, direct and overt defiance of staff member, etc.) may be directly referred to the administration using a case management form.

G. Step II: Teachers/Student/Parent Conference Teachers are responsible for making parent contact via telephone, written notices email, etc, to discuss off-task behavior. All faculty members must keep a Parent Contact Log. Advise your team leader of the situation and he/she will schedule a team conference as needed.

H. Step III: Teacher Referral Teacher refers student on a student case management referral form, to the designated assistant principal who will refer to the designated guidance counselor (when deemed necessary). Our student services staff members are the vehicles for delivering guidance and counseling to our students, (NOT DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS). Guidance and counseling takes time and patience. The staff will use various preventative counseling strategies and listen well to students so as to get to the root of the problem and build rapport which will help in future dealings. The counselor will contact the parents of the student and collaborate with administrators.

I. Step IV: Referring Students for Administrative Action Students should be escorted by a security monitor directly to the appropriate administrator when critical incidents occur such as fighting, battery between student/employee, accidents/injury, possession of a weapon or substance, etc. Please use your emergency button to request for assistance. If a student becomes disruptive and you request removal, the administrator will take the appropriate disciplinary action deemed necessary according to the Code of Student Conduct. Teachers must call the parent and write a referral to the designated administrator.

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN DEALING WITH STUDENTS 1. Have a clear set of rules agreed upon by the class. The rules should be reasonable and the

consequences of breaking the rules should be understood by all. The class should also understand that exceptions can be made by the teacher if there are mitigating circumstances. Schedule some class time to allow for discussion of student problems.

2. Utilize parent contracts: Parental assistance is imperative. 3. Let students know you care about them. 4. DON’T:

• Snatch things away from students. • Become confrontational.


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• Physically block an exit. • Argue or get on the student’s level. • Shout or put them down. • Disrespect them.

5. DO: • Start class on time with an interesting lesson. • Be well planned and organized. • Take the time to listen. • Expect good behavior. • Allow a way for the student to “work back” into good standing. • Believe in every student’s ability to learn and in your ability to teach.

6. Use common sense regarding touching students: Be aware that affectionate gestures may

be misconstrued. Avoid physical contact of any kind in situations involving you and student (i.e. where there are no witnesses).

7. Avoid even the appearance of impropriety:

• Avoid leaving campus or inappropriate socializing with students. • Take appropriate steps not to be alone with students in classrooms, cars or at locations

away from school. • Never take students to your house. • Some jokes, quips and stories may be misinterpreted. Think before you speak.

J. Hall Passes No student is allowed in the halls at any time during the school day without a pass, written in ink, and signed by a teacher. The pass must also include the student’s name, date, time and destination. Students should be kept seated prior to the ringing of the bell for class change. They should NOT be allowed to line up or crowd around the door. Students must be held to the bell schedule. NO STUDENT SHOULD BE RELEASED PRIOR TO THE BELL, UNLESS THE STUDENT HAS A PASS FROM AN ADMINISTRATOR INDICATING THAT HE/SHE MUST LEAVE CLASS EARLY DUE TO A MEDICAL REASON (I.E. BROKEN LEG). In Physical Education, students are to remain in the locker room area until the bell rings. They are not to be dismissed for any reason before the bell rings. Students must not be detained after the bell rings. However, it must be understood that the teacher dismisses the class. The bell is simply a reminder to the teacher to insure uniform dismissal. NO PASSES WILL BE ISSUED DURING THE FIRST AND LAST FIFTEEN (15) MINUTES OF EACH PERIOD.

K. Tardies to School Please review the following guidelines:

• Tardy student report to the security desk for an admit and then report to class. • Tardy students will be issued a warning for the first tardy. • Students who continue to be tardy to school will receive a detention and/or other consequence. • Students who continue to be tardy to school will be subject to further disciplinary actions.


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L. Tardies to Class Please review the following guidelines:

• Hallway sweeps will take place on a random basis. • Issue tardy student a citation or conduct cut. • Make parent contact. • Refer to grade level administrator after five (5) unexcused tardies.

M. Student/Staff Identification System Please be advised that all faculty, staff, and students who attend Andover Middle School must wear their identification badges at all times while they are in the building. Purpose: To insure student accountability within the classroom and overall building security; in addition, to creating an environment, conducive to learning. Student Responsibility: To have his/her student identification badge visible at all times and on the designated lanyard around the neck area. The identification card must be worn at all times throughout the building, with the exception of physical education activities. If a student forgets or loses his/her identification card, it is their responsibility to purchase a new identification card. Teacher Responsibility: Teachers should greet students at the door to ensure that students have their identification cards on and visible. Attendance: When a student is sent to SCSI, his/her name will appear of the daily attendance bulletin. Anytime a student serves indoor suspension he/she will receive a Release from Indoor Suspension Form from the SCSI coordinator, which will serve as proof of the student’s attendance in SCSI. The teacher will ask for the release form upon the student's return to class. This form should be signed by all of the student’s teachers and the absence must be recorded in the teacher's grade book. The code for indoor suspension (IS) should be indicated in the grade book. The student will also receive a letter to notify his/her parent/guardian(s) of the indoor suspension. Student Withdrawal and Suspension: When a student is withdrawn from Andover Middle School, the registrar will collect his/her student identification card as part of the procedure. The identification card will be retained in the office in the event that the student returns to Andover Middle School. When a student is suspended (outdoor) from school, the respective administrator will retain his/her identification card. The student will receive his/her student identification card upon their return to school along with the release from suspension letter. Purchase of Student Identification Badges: No refunds will be given to students if previous card is found. If a student cannot afford or does not have the funds at the present time, the cost will be placed on the student's obligation card. The cost for a replacement Identification Card is $3.00.

N. Student Dress Code Andover Middle School has a required uniform policy. The adoption of a school uniform policy includes the following benefits:

• decreasing violence and theft -- even life-threatening situations -- among students over designer clothing or expensive sneakers;

• helping prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school; • instilling students with discipline; help to avoid peer pressure • helping students concentrate on their school work; • helping school officials recognize intruders who come to the school; and • helping to promote a positive image for the school and students among local residents and

business communities.


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The educational stakeholders of Andover Middle School believe strongly in the uniform policy and enthusiastically support its continued success and implementation. Therefore, all Andover Middle School students must wear a uniform. Students are expected to dress in a business-like manner that reflects a positive purpose in coming to school. Students are expected to come to school with proper attention having been given to personal cleanliness, grooming, and neatness. Students should not wear clothing that distracts them or others from learning. Clothing must not constitute a safety or health hazard, or create a distraction or disruption of normal school life. The uniform policy defined herein represents an addendum to the Student Code of Conduct and the School Dress Code. The uniform standard includes the following attire: Pants

• Khaki cotton, cotton/poly, or wool blend pants The pant must be fitted at the waistline. The pant must have a finished hem and the inseam must extend to the top of the shoe. The pant must not be worn in a “sagging” manner. No oversized or baggy pants are allowed.

Skorts • Khaki cotton, cotton/poly, or wool blend knee length shorts • Physical education shorts and shirts must be worn in all physical education classes and may be

purchased at school through the PTSA. Skirts

• Skirts are permitted as long as they are compliance with the required uniform policy. Shirts

• Andover Middle School buttoned-down with collar, and must have emblem. • Length of shirt must cover the midriff, but may not be excessively oversized.

The shirt must be black/gold (depending on grade level), monogrammed with the golden eagle emblem.

Shoes

• Closed or solid shoes must be worn at all times. Sandals, clogs, beach thongs, house slippers, and other thong-type footwear are not

allowed. Hats and other Headwear

• Hats, caps, bandanas, or other headwear are not permitted. • Students who wish to wear religious headwear at school must obtain written permission from an

administrator. Inclement Weather Days

• Students are expected to wear their uniforms daily regardless of weather conditions. • Students may wear a jacket (no hoodies) on top of their uniform shirt, or the Andover Middle

School winter wear collection.


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O. Dress Code Violation Policy Loaner uniforms will be issued if available.

1st Violation Warning and uniform shirt will be loaned 2nd Violation After School Detention 3rd Violation Refer to SCSI 4th Violation Referral to respective Administrator

Note: All dress code violations will be referred to Ms. Roker prior to the end of the first period. It is the teacher's responsibility to refer students that are in breach of the Dress Code Policy.

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER The Media Center is open Monday and Tuesday from 8:10 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Wednesday through Friday the media center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students may come before school if they have an official pass from a teacher. Only five (5) students from any class may be admitted to the media center at any time, unless the teacher is present. A schedule for the Media Center's usage is maintained in the Media Specialist's office. Teachers should sign up in advance for class usage and plan collaboratively with the Media Specialist. The request(s) should include the resources needed so that these items will be ready and available for class use. When special events are taking place in the media center, scheduling may have to be adjusted. Teachers will receive notification under these circumstances. Teachers must arrive promptly with their students, remain with them, and supervise their activities. Should a teacher wish to alter the schedule, (i.e., cancel or arrange for another date), cancellation must be given at least one (1) day in advance. Substitutes are not to issue passes for students to go to the Media Center or bring them for visits.

P. Circulation All students are assigned a library barcode number and must show Student I.D., Number and Personal I.D. in order to check out books. If a student has a library fine or and overdue book to return, the fine must be paid or the book returned before checking out another book. Students will be charged a fine each day for an overdue book. Books that are lost, damaged or destroyed must be paid for as soon as possible. All fines and payments must be cleared prior to transfers, or withdrawals. Teachers may check out or reserve books for classroom use. Teachers may check out an unlimited number of books for personal use during the school year (August through June). Books are expected to be returned. The Media Center provides magazines for faculty and staff. A list of titles is available for quick reference. Consequently, teachers and students are required to ask for assistance in using these items. Teachers must sign out magazines at the circulation desk prior to removing them from the Media Center.

Q. Audio Visual Materials Requests for A.V. Materials will be processed by the Media Specialist. Catalogues are available for selection of materials. Please allow five (5) school days for confirmation of bookings. Request forms for films and videotape orders are available in the Media Center. The Principal designee must sign this form before it is processed. Confirmations will be placed in the teacher's box. Materials must be picked up in the Media Center and returned no later than the deadline.


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Requests for audio-visual materials should be made at least three (3) days in advance. Teachers must report loss of equipment or vandalism to the Media Specialist. Proper authorization must be obtained from the principal or designee before removing equipment from the premises. An Off-Campus Usage form must be completed and approved prior to the removal of any equipment. The Media Center Specialist welcomes suggestions for the purchase of print and non-print material. Requests for orders may be submitted during the regular school year. However, deadlines require that requests should be given no later than at the end of September of each year. Forms for these requests are available from the Media Specialist.

R. In-House Audio-Visual Distribution Procedures • Requests for all audio-visual equipment should be made at least 3 days in advance. • Teachers must fill out an A/V request form. These forms are located in the Media Center. All

required signatures are necessary prior to submitting the form. • The Media Specialist will issue all equipment.

8:30 a.m. Teachers pick up requested equipment in the Media Center. 3:40 p.m. Teachers return equipment to the Media Center.

• No student should be allowed to operate A/V equipment. • Do not place metal objects on or around television casing. • Andover Middle School is not responsible for damage to personal equipment. • Do not attempt to repair any A/V equipment, report any damage to the Media Center.

PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCEMENT It is essential that all students have the opportunity to listen to public address announcements. The information communicated during these broadcasts is very important. If there is any problem with reception or sound quality in your classroom, please see Mr. Georges.

1. All announcements will be made at the designated times during the morning and the afternoon. Announcements will be made via the public address system or the closed circuit television system.

2. Any request for announcement must be submitted to the Activities Director for approval twenty-

four (24) hours in advance to be broadcasted the ensuing day, with the exception of sporting event(s) which take place with the outcome in question- In those instances, please submit the results to the Activities Director by 8:30 a.m. the morning after.

3. All requests for announcement MUST be written on the Announcement Form. No announcement

will be made unless it is signed by the initiator and the Activities Director. Do not send announcements directly to the student(s) making announcements.

4. Activities that are of interest to the student body will be announced as the activity is scheduled on

the master activities calendar.

5. It is imperative to maintain educational consistency. Therefore, the public address system will be used only during assigned times and for emergency purposes only.

6. Personnel will be designated to make all P.A. announcements. Any other staff member needs

clearance from the principal.

7. Any classroom change must be approved in advance by an administrator. Additionally, a sign must be posted on the door to inform students where the class is meeting. We do not want to


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make all-calls to find out where a class is located. If you are meeting in the media center for an entire day, it would be most helpful if you would inform the attendance office that morning.

CUSTODIAL/ZONE MECHANIC STAFF PROCEDURES Custodians and zone mechanics are directly responsible for helping to maintain a safe, clean, learning environment. Custodians perform all of the housekeeping tasks associated with the operation of the school. Members of the custodial staff perform assigned functions according to a designated schedule. Custodians are part of the school staff and play an important role in the educational process. By providing a building, which is clean, bright, and cheerful in appearance, students and staff members will work more effectively and the attitude of parents and community members toward the school will be enhanced. Just as teachers need time to perform their teaching functions, the custodian should similarly perform his/her functions with a minimum of interruption. Staff members should NOT make requests for assistance directly to custodians. Teachers having special custodial needs must complete a Request for Custodial Assistance Form and place a copy of the request in Mr. William’s mailbox. Custodians are not professional educators and should not be expected to perform tasks outside their area of expertise. Custodians are not to discipline or supervise students or to perform other functions normally assigned to teachers or administrators. Custodians are cautioned against the appearance of impropriety or misconduct by avoiding situations in which they are alone with children.

Head Custodian: Terrance Williams

Lead Custodian: Lazaro Posse

FOOD SERVICES Andover Middle School has a closed campus lunch for all students. Students may bring their lunch from home or eat the lunch that is provided in the cafeteria. Only teachers and staff have access to snack and soda machines located in the Teachers' Lounge. Specific areas outside the cafeteria will be designated for eating purposes.

AT NO TIME ARE FOODS OR DRINKS TO BE CONSUMED IN THE CORRIDORS, CLASSROOMS, COUNSELOR OFFICES OR THE MAIN BUILDING.

Free or reduced lunch is offered to all qualified students. Students should obtain a Free or Reduced Lunch form from their homeroom teachers or the Attendance Office and submit it at the beginning of the school year. Each student will use their lunch number to be used for obtaining a lunch. This number should be kept confidential to avoid misuse by other students.

Cafeteria Rules:

1. Students must be in a single line

2. Students must use acceptable table manners

3. Students must be courteous to other students and cafeteria monitors

4. Teachers must ensure that students discard trash appropriately

Cafeteria Manager: Ms. Dickenson


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Safety and Security Accident Reports Any staff member who witnesses an accident should report it in accordance with school board rules. The Emergency Operations Plan Employee safety is a primary concern of the Miami-Dade County Public School (M-DCPS) System. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was created to provide school personnel with the necessary leadership skills and knowledge needed to respond to critical incidents or other related emergencies that may occur in our school /community. All schools have a site specific plan to address all types of critical incidents. These plans address the individual needs of the school, and provide guidelines for devising methods for communicating with the staff, students, parents/guardians, and the media during a critical incident or an emergency. Some of the protective action procedures include the evacuation of students/staff from the building(s), evacuation of the disabled and if necessary the relocation of students/staff from the school campus, lockdown procedures and holding/dismissing students during school and community emergencies. Some important tips for faculty and staff to remember during a Critical Incident are as follows:

• Remain calm; • Monitor media outlets for updates and official messages from M-DCPS; • Do not flood the office with telephone calls; and • If the school is on lockdown, wait until the lockdown is lifted before releasing any students.

All school administrators, Regional Center Superintendents/Directors and all M-DCPS Police officers have been adequately trained in the school EOP and are prepared to respond immediately during a critical incident or emergency to provide safety for all faculty, staff and students.

S. Emergency Procedures: Disturbance in the School, on the Campus, or in the Immediate Vicinity of the School

During a disturbance, the responsibilities of all school personnel are to provide for the personal safety of students and staff. The primary responsibility of the administration is to isolate the problem area and defuse the situation as quickly as possible. Although it is the ultimate responsibility of the principal and his staff to maintain a safe teaching and learning environment, if an emergency occurs, all staff members (instructional and non-instructional are expected to assume additional responsibilities. If an emergency should arise, all TEACHERS are to adhere to the following guidelines:

Announce designated LOCK DOWN code. Code Red.

Teachers should immediately lock classroom doors, close windows, and turn off lights.

Teachers should request that students turn off all cell phones, move away from windows, and if necessary, sit in the crouched position away from source of danger.

Staff, students, and visitors located in open areas should immediately report to the nearest secure area.

Staff and students in bathroom facilities should lock the door, if possible, or move to nearest secure area.


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Teachers and staff not assigned to a classroom site during the lockdown drill will direct students in open areas to the nearest secured area and then seek shelter.

Bell system should be disregarded.

Turn off all audio-visual equipment.

Teachers should continue with regular classroom activity.

Follow directions of emergency personnel and school administrator throughout emergency period.

All staff and students remain in LOCK DOWN mode until ALL CLEAR announcement is made.

T. Evacuation Procedures – Code Sunshine (Yellow) #1 It is important that each staff member follow exact instructions for building evacuation. While it is desirable that the building be evacuated quickly, speed should not become a consideration to the extent that injuries occur due to tripping, shoving, etc. It is absolutely necessary that the established procedures be carried out in an orderly fashion so that each person can perform his/her duties. Evacuation routes are posted in each room of the building. Teachers should be thoroughly familiar with the evacuation route(s) for the room(s) they occupy and review primary and secondary routes with each class. Please adhere to the exit routes posted in your classroom when directing your classes during an evacuation/drill.

U. Bomb Threat and Search Procedures - Code Sunshine (Yellow) #2 The following procedures are to be followed in order to minimize interruption of school and, at the same time, recognize the possibility that the bomb threat may be factual.

1. When the signal is given over the P.A., all personnel will make a complete examination of assigned areas. It is imperative that you only search for and report suspicious objects: DO NOT move, jar, or touch the object or anything attached thereto. The removal/ disarming of a bomb must be left to professional bomb squad personnel.

2. Teachers will make complete searches of their classrooms. 3. Cafeteria personnel will examine the kitchen, storage rooms, garbage can rooms and the dining

areas. 4. Physical education instructors will examine the locker rooms and physical education storage

rooms. 5. The custodial staff will inspect such areas as boiler room, meter room, toilet rooms, storage

rooms and the teacher's lounge, and auditorium. 6. The office staff will check the outer office, principal's office, work room, and clinic. 7. Librarians and library clerks will check the library area. 8. As each area is completed, all personnel MUST report to the designated persons below that the

area is either "clear' or that "a suspicious object has been found.

Admin/Media/Building 2 Mr. Montgomery Building 3 Building 4

Ms. Davis Mr. Melton

Building 5 Ms. Mincey Perimeter Mr. Williams/Strachan


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9. After the initial search, the person in charge shall determine whether or not to evacuate the

building. If evacuation is necessary, the signal shall be given (fire alarm will be rung manually) and building evacuation procedures will be followed.

10. When law enforcement agencies become involved, they will be informed of the actions taken up

to the time of their arrival. The recommendations of the law enforcement agency will be considered by the principal or his designee, who remains in charge.

V. Civil Defense Warning (Enemy attack and natural disasters) – Code Red If evacuation is required, building evacuation procedures will be followed. In the event we are to remain in the building, observe the following:

1. Teachers and students are to remain in their rooms. 2. Unlock any locked doors. 3. Students, teachers and staff are to assume the best protective prone position. 4. The principal or his designee will indicate via the P.A. system or floor-by-floor any other

procedures to be observed.

W. Tornado – Code Red 1. Teachers will be informed of an approaching tornado via the P.A. system and should follow steps

1, 2, and 3 for Civil Defense Warning. 2. Custodians are to close the doors on the side of the building from which the tornado is

approaching. They are to open the doors on the side of the building opposite the tornado. 3. The principal or his designee will indicate via the PA system or floor-by-floor the procedures to be

followed when the tornado passes.

X. Holding Students in School – Code Red When hazardous conditions such as community disasters (downed aircraft, explosions), unusual weather conditions (hail, lightning, rainstorm) or civil disturbances (demonstrations, police dragnet) exist in the vicinity of a school, consideration is given as to the best means to protect the students, including keeping them in school. The principal or her designee is to exercise immediate control over the following:

1. Students will be kept indoors and in their seats pending dismissal. All classroom doors are to be locked.

2. Change of classes will be discontinued during the emergency. 3. Teachers will remain with their classes. Those not scheduled for classes will report to the office

for assignments. 4. Necessary action will be taken to deny unauthorized access to the building. 5. The situation that exists will be explained to the faculty, staff, and students. 6. Students in physical education classes will be returned to the building to a designated area. 7. Students will be held beyond usual dismissal time when necessary. Staff and faculty will remain

with students until the emergency is over.

Y. Student Dismissal Procedures In the event it becomes necessary to send students home at other than scheduled dismissal times due to emergencies such as emergency shut-down of essential facilities, fire, bomb threat and search or civil defense and natural disaster alert warning, the following procedures will be implemented.

1. The superintendent or his designee will be contacted to obtain permission per referenced Board Rule. Instructions for dismissal shall be relayed to each classroom over the PA system or other means.


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2. School dismissal may vary depending on availability of parents’ transportation, and distance from school to home.

3. Teachers are to advise students walking or riding bicycles that they are to go to a prearranged area and wait for instructions which will be dependent upon parent or guardian availability at home.

4. Teachers who are not with an assigned class at the time of dismissal procedures will report to the pre-assigned areas to assist with students once parent or guardian availability has been confirmed.

5. Students remaining at the school will be accompanied "by faculty/staff personnel to previously designated safe areas such as a neighboring school not affected by the emergency or a neighboring government building or church with facilities to accommodate a number of students.

EMPLOYEE INFORMATION

Z. Daily Attendance It is the responsibility of the teacher teaching the class that first sees the students to take accurate attendance each day, for the purpose of generating a daily attendance bulletin. A separate section for homeroom must be designated in your grade book to document official school attendance. Attendance will only be recorded in this section.

1. Attendance must be submitted in the electronic grade book by 10:00 AM. 2. The Attendance Clerk will be uploading the information from the electronic grade book into ISIS

daily.

AA. Attendance Codes 1. Excused Absence -- X 2. Unexcused Absence -- / 3. Excused Tardy -- 4. Unexcused Tardy --

BB. Attendance Bulletin Update A daily attendance bulletin will be placed in your mailbox. It 'is requested that you review your attendance bulletin on a daily basis and make any corrections. Please submit corrections to attendance clerk in the Main Office at the end of the day.

CC. Tardies Students are expected to be on time to school and all classes. Students who are not in their classroom when the tardy bell rings are late to class unless they have a note from appropriate personnel).

DD. Class Cutting A daily attendance report will be placed in teachers mailboxes by 2:00 PM. Each teacher is responsible for reviewing the attendance bulletin. Students who were absent from your class and who are not listed on the daily bulletin should be referred to the designated assistant principal. Teachers must contact the parent prior to submitting the referral. Students who leave school after 1:00 pm will appear on the next day's attendance bulletin.


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EE. Suspensions Outdoor- The absences accrued by a student who is placed on outdoor suspension are to be recorded by the teacher as OS in the grade book. These absences are excused.

a. A student who is placed on an outdoor suspension is expected to makeup all written assignments missed during the suspension period.

b. Failure to makeup assignments will result in the student being given an academic grade of “F” for those assignments.

c. It is the student's responsibility to request makeup assignments and completes all work no later than two weeks following the outdoor suspension.

d. Additionally, the student will not be subject to the withholding of passing grades unless he or she has, in addition to the suspension, attained five or more unexcused class absences in a designated semester course or ten or more unexcused absences in an annual course.

Indoor Suspension- The absences accrued by a student who is placed on indoor suspension are to be recorded by the teacher as IS in the grade book. These absences are excused.

a. A student who is placed on indoor suspension is expected to makeup all written assignments missed during the suspension period.

b. Failure to makeup assignments will result in the student being given an academic grade of “F” for those assignments.

c. It is the student's responsibility to request makeup assignments and complete all work.

FF. Permit to Leave School Students who need to leave school during regular school hours due to illness, doctor's appointment, or other reasons will be issued an excused school form (white slip). A student who leaves school without permission will be subject to disciplinary action. The excused from school form will serve as a permissible admit to those classes missed. Any person who reports to school to pick up a student must have a picture ID and must be listed on the signed Emergency Contact Card. Students will not be released after 3:20 PM.

GG. Visitors on Campus Please understand that all the visitors to this campus must always wear a visitor's badge or have an Andover escort if they are anywhere on campus. The procedure is that all visitors must come to the main entrance to check in at the security desk with the security monitor and obtain a visitors badge that permits being on school grounds. This is mandatory for all visitors, including adults and children. Miami-Dade County Public School workmen do not need a visitor's badge because they are readily identifiable by their clothing and their pictured identification badges. However, they must sign-in on the “workers sign-in log”. If you expect a guest speaker or a parent, inform the person to report to the Main Office first and follow this procedure. Also, visiting parents must not interrupt your time in class. They need to make an appointment before or after school or on your planning period. Should you see any person without an escort, visitor's badge, M-DCPS badge, or police uniform, please contact the main office via the emergency button in your classroom. We will question, assist, and direct the visitor.


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SCHOOL AND DISTRICT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

HH. Employee Workday The workday for all employees is determined by contract or established by the principal. Article XXIII, Section 3 of the current UTD/DCPS contract stipulates that the employee workday shall be seven (7) hours and twenty (20) minutes for teachers. The employee workday for school monitors shall be eight (8) hours.

In addition to classroom assignments, teachers are to be in their rooms five (5) minutes prior to the beginning of the first class and five (5) minutes following the end of the last class. During these times, teachers will be available to students. On a school day, which immediately precedes a holiday or vacation, the teacher’s workday shall end at the end of the pupil’s day once the individual classroom is secured.

II. Employee Attendance and Payroll Employees are required to personally initial the attendance roster posted in the mailroom or other designated area upon arrival each day. Part-time employees must also indicate arrival and departure times. This action is essential for payroll procedures, as well as audit purposes.

JJ. Employee Absences The impact of employee absences on the instructional program and the overall operation of the school are significant. Absences have a detrimental impact upon program continuity, completion of functions, and/or the general operation of the school. Research indicates there is a correlation between student misbehavior and the number of full-time employees absent from the building on any given day. One teacher’s absence affects, not only the students under his/her care, but also the teachers and students throughout the building who have to accommodate and cope with the absence. Employees are both legally and professionally responsible to be here each and every day. Employees must adhere to the following procedures when absent:

1. If you know that you are going to be absent in advance, you should notify your supervisor as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made to cover your job responsibilities. When teachers are absent they should call the substitute teacher locator at 305 654-2741.

2. If you become ill or some emergency arises after you leave the school premises, you should

call the substitute teacher locator at 305 654-2741 prior to 7:20 a.m. on the day that you will be absent. Please understand that on some occasions, we will have to cover classes with members of our teaching staff until the substitute arrives.

3. When you are absent, you are to call or report to the school before 3:20 p.m. on the school

day immediately prior to your return to inform the substitute teacher locator that you will be back to work on the following school day. If you do not notify the substitute teacher locator at 305 654-2741 before 3:20 p.m., the substitute teacher hired to cover your schedule will be retained for the following day. You will be charged for the day.

KK. Returning from Absences Staff members are required to complete Leave Cards on the day they return to school. The principal’s secretary will process the Leave Cards. The Leave Card should be reviewed by the employee to verify the information contained and that the appropriate category (sick, personal, temporary duty, etc.) to which the absence will be charged is correct and then sign the form. This procedure is not the responsibility of any individual other than the staff member who has been absent.


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LL. Leaving Campus No staff member is authorized to leave campus during his or her assigned duty time without the expressed authorization of the principal or designee. Employees do not have to obtain administrative approval to leave campus during their duty-free lunch period. Employees who elect to leave campus during their duty free lunch must sign out in the binder provided at the desk of the principal’s secretary prior to leaving campus. Employees who wish to leave campus because of an emergency must obtain approval from the principal or their designated assistant principal prior to leaving the property. Employees must complete a Request to Leave Campus form and submit it to the principal or his designee for approval to leave campus. If authorization is granted, the employee must submit the request form to the principal’s secretary and manually enter the appropriate information in the sign-out log provided in the principal’s secretary office.

MM. Class Coverage Teachers have a legal and professional responsibility to be present when their classes are in session. On occasion, teachers may find it necessary to be out of their classroom for an extended period of time in order to perform another school-related function or to attend some personal business of an emergency nature.

Teachers must obtain permission from the administration prior to their leaving class. If coverage is needed for a professionally related reason and permission to participate is granted by the administration, this coverage will be handled through the department chairperson involved. If the coverage is needed for a personal reason that has been approved, the teacher involved must obtain his/her own coverage (by another teacher) before leaving the class and must inform his/her department chairperson. Also, please keep in mind that the length of class coverage that you personally request may impact your pay for the day, e.g., if coverage extends beyond 1 hour and 50 minutes, you will receive only one half of your daily rate for the day.

NN. Teacher Planning Days The principal will assist employees in using planning days by providing materials and other instructional data requested by the faculty and/or individual teachers as soon as possible prior to the date of the employee preparation days. The majority of time during planning days is to be used by teachers for planning lessons, assessing student work, recording of grades, reviewing student folders, and preparing instructional materials or activities. However, teaches are required to attend two professional development days that are not available for opting and exclusively designed for professional development activities.

OO. Duty Free Lunch All employees shall have a duty-free lunch period. This duty-free lunch period shall consist of at least thirty (30) minutes in secondary schools.

PP. Employee Conduct All persons employed by the School Board of Miami-Dade County are representatives of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. As such, they are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will reflect credit upon themselves and the school system. Unseemly conduct or the use of abusive and/or profane language in the presence of students is expressly prohibited.


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QQ. Reporting Crime and Disruptive Behavior All employees will use the following procedures to report criminal acts and/or disruptive behavior.

1. All employees of Miami-Dade County Public Schools are under an affirmative duty to report any criminal act and/or disruptive behavior occurring on School Board property to the administrator or designee to whom the employee is responsible. The responsible administrator has the obligation to conduct an immediate investigation of the allegation and, upon verification of a criminal act and/or disruptive behavior, report in a manner consistent with procedures established by the Superintendent of Schools to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

2. Failure to Report - All law violations and incidents of disruptive behavior are to be reported in

accordance with administrative procedures established by the Superintendent of Schools and described herein.

Personnel willfully failing to report such occurrences to the responsible administrator and/or police agency and/or Office of School Police will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Region Superintendent. The Region Superintendent will, upon receipt of an alleged violation of this rule, contact the party in question to determine the validity of the allegation. The Region Superintendent shall provide a written report to the Superintendent of Schools, which shall include:

a) A statement refuting the allegations, or b) A statement by the party in question indicating the reasons for not complying with the

Board rule, and c) A statement by the responsible administrator indicating what action has been taken to

avoid the recurrence of non-compliance.

In cases of serious and/or repeated violations, the Superintendent of Schools may take additional disciplinary action consistent with State Statutes, Board Rules, or negotiated contracts.

RR. Instructional Personnel Members of the instructional staff of the public schools, subject to the rules of the State and District Boards, shall teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and materials required, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing approved methods of instruction as provided by law and by the rules of the State Department of Education. The School Board has adopted the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) which references and includes the Sunshine State Standards as the basis for instruction in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

SS. Professional Growth Teachers should avail themselves of every possible opportunity to attend and participate in meetings of a professional nature and should keep themselves abreast of developments in their subject area through attendance at such meetings, acquaintance with professional publications, and participation in in-service activities. Teachers should be informed of the levels constituting curriculum organization and should initiate recommendations for curriculum change at the school level.


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TT. Substitute Teacher Coverage To assist substitute teachers in their most difficult assignments, each staff member is to prepare a specific set of emergency lesson plans for five days (5) that will enable the substitute to carry on as meaningful a lesson as is feasible. Emergency Lesson Plans and Substitute Folders are due to your department chairperson by Monday, August 31, 2009. Department chairpersons are to look through and make sure the lesson plans are appropriate for grade and subject, and then submit the Emergency Lesson Plans and Substitute Folders to Ms. Bullard by Friday, September 4, 2009. Please adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Preparation and Planning: The following information and materials must be ready and available in your substitute folder to give to the substitute teacher in the event of your absence:

a) Lesson plan(s) (One copy of any handout with the location of the class set.) b) Seating Chart(s) with attendance roster attached. Sub will have to take attendance

on the roster and send it down to Ms. Bullard for first block of the day only. The other rosters are to be kept by the teacher and entered the following day.

c) Location of Required Materials and/or Equipment (Keep class set of handouts in your classroom labeled and available for a substitute.)

d) Bell Schedule e) Duties and Responsibilities f) Teaching Schedule with Room Numbers g) Specific Directions

2. Teacher Responsibility: Emergency lesson plans should be submitted to the respective

department chairperson for review then turned in to Ms. Edgecombe. Plans should be periodically updated as you move through the curriculum or as they are consumed.

Teachers who are assigned supplemental course assignments or extra duties are required to display their schedule in their grade books and to incorporate all pertinent information relative to the assignment(s) in their emergency lesson plans for substitute teachers. Substitute teachers will be expected to perform the absent teacher’s duty as required.

3. Performance Evaluation: It is incumbent upon all teachers to inform their department

chairperson and the administration of the effectiveness of the employed substitute teacher so that, whenever feasible, we may be assured of the most competent replacement in case of absences. In instances where teachers have been absent for more days than have been planned for, the monitoring of the substitute’s activities, assignments, and competency is the responsibility of the department chairperson and the administration.

UU. About the Code of Ethics Florida has had a Code of Ethics for Educators since the late 1960's. The Code at that time was either very similar or identical to the Code adopted by the National Education Association. There was no legal means of enforcing the Code until 1982 when the Code was revised by the State Board of Education, upon recommendations by the Education Standards Commission (ESC). The revision created the Code of Ethics, followed by the Principles of Professional Conduct, and included the statement that any educator who violated any of the principles would be subject to suspension, revocation, or other penalties that would be imposed by the ESC.


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VV. 6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida The educator values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all. The educator's primary professional concern will always be for the student and for the development of the student's potential. The educator will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of one's colleagues, of students, of parents, and of other members of the community, the educator strives to achieve and sustain the highest degree of ethical conduct.

WW. 6B-1.006 Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. 1. The following disciplinary rule shall constitute the Principles of Professional Conduct for the

Education Profession in Florida.

2. Violation of any of these principles shall subject the individual to revocation or suspension of the individual educator's certificate, or the other penalties as provided by law.

3. Obligation to the student requires that the individual:

a) shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or

to the student's mental and/or physical health and/or safety. b) shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning. c) shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view. d) shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic

program. e) shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. f) shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights. g) shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,

age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.

h) shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage. i) shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of

professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law. Obligation to the public requires that the individual:

a) shall take reasonable precautions to distinguish between personal views and those of any

educational institution or organization with which the individual is affiliated. b) shall not intentionally distort or misrepresent facts concerning an educational matter in direct

or indirect public expression. c) shall not use institutional privileges for personal gain or advantage. d) shall accept no gratuity, gift, or favor that might influence professional judgment e) shall offer no gratuity, gift, or favor to obtain special advantages.

4. Obligation to the profession of education requires that the individual:

a) shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings. b) shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political

beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family


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background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.

c) shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities. d) shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with

an individual's performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.

e) shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague. f) shall not use coercive means or promise special treatment to influence professional

judgments of colleagues. g) shall not misrepresent one's own professional qualifications. h) shall not submit fraudulent information on any document in connection with professional

activities. i) shall not make any fraudulent statement or fail to disclose a material fact in one's own or

another's application for a professional position. j) shall not withhold information regarding a position from an applicant or misrepresent an

assignment or conditions of employment. k) shall provide upon the request of the certificated individual a written statement of specific

reason for recommendations that lead to the denial of increments, significant changes in employment, or termination of employment.

l) shall not assist entry into or continuance in the profession of any person known to be unqualified in accordance with these Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida and other applicable Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules.

m) shall self-report within forty-eight (48) hours to appropriate authorities (as determined by district) any arrests/charges involving the abuse of a child or the sale and/or possession of a controlled substance. Such notice shall not be considered an admission of guilt nor shall such notice be admissible for any purpose in any proceeding, civil or criminal, administrative or judicial, investigatory or adjudicatory. In addition, shall self-report any conviction, finding of guilt, withholding of adjudication, commitment to a pretrial diversion program, or entering of a plea of guilty or Nolo Contendre for any criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation within forty-eight (48) hours after the final judgment. When handling sealed and expunged records disclosed under this rule, school districts shall comply with the confidentiality provisions of Sections 943.0585(4)(c) and 943.059(4)(c), Florida Statutes.

n) shall report to appropriate authorities any known allegation of a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in Section 231.28(1), Florida Statutes.

o) shall seek no reprisal against any individual who has reported any allegation of a violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in Section 231.28(1), Florida Statutes.

p) shall comply with the conditions of an order of the Education Practices Commission imposing probation, imposing a fine, or restricting the authorized scope of practice.

q) shall, as the supervising administrator, cooperate with the Education Practices Commission in monitoring the probation of a subordinate.

Specific Authority 229.053(1), 231.546(2)(b) FS. Law Implemented 231.546(2), 231.28 FS. History - New 7-6-82, Amended 12-20-83, Formerly 6B-1.06, Amended 8-10-92, 12-29-98. Both the Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional Conduct affect the day to day activities of teachers. In order for teachers to realize the importance and impact that the Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional Conduct have on their day to day classroom activities, training sessions are conducted throughout the year for the sole purpose of insuring that teachers are aware of the ramifications of their actions. The following questions are some of the most frequently asked by teachers at the training sessions.


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Are these codes and principles national or statewide? The standards are for Florida. However, every state has some kind of code. Is there a private life for teachers? Yes. But if a teacher's life becomes public in such a way as to bring notoriety to either the teacher or to the profession, then the teacher's certificate is subject to discipline by the Education Practices Commission. When can teachers date students? Never. It is only acceptable after they are no longer students, i.e., after they have graduated and are of legal age. Am I required to make a report if I suspect a child is being abused? Section 415.504, Florida Statutes, requires mandatory reporting of all cases of child abuse. This statute applies to suspected or confirmed reports against any person, regardless of occupation, who is alleged to be involved or any person who is alleged to have committed any act of child abuse. School personnel are not exempted from mandatory reporting of child abuse even when a fellow employee is suspected or confirmed as the abuser. What information from the student's records may be released to the public? The Florida Pupil Records Law parallels the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and states that access to any student educational record or the release of any personally identifiable information without the written consent of the parent or eligible student is prohibited. Directory information is the only information that may be released. Teachers should never release any information from a student's record. May I sell books, pencils, paper etc. to students in my class? No. The negotiated labor contract stipulates that teachers cannot collect money. In addition, teachers may not use institutional privileges for personal gain or advantage. The selling of any item for personal gain is prohibited. May I purchase materials and supplies for my classroom? Each school has a procedure in place for purchasing materials and supplies. It is necessary for teachers to seek the person who has this area of responsibility at their school. The purchasing of materials and supplies requires the completion of a purchase order and designated signatures. Purchases to be paid for by the school may not be made without prior approval. May I tape a television program and show it to my class (es)? The guidelines for recording for classroom use specify that any video tape made of an off-the-air broadcast of a television program can be shown in the classroom no more than 2 times during the first ten days and can be kept for a maximum of 45 days. If the video tape was made from a broadcast on educational television, the recording can be shown for a maximum of seven days from the date of the broadcast. The guidelines require that recordings must be erased or destroyed after the maximum number of days. The guidelines for recording for classroom use specify that any video tape made of an off-the-air broadcast of a television program can be shown in the classroom no more than 2 times during the first ten days and can be kept for a maximum of 45 days. If the video tape was made from a broadcast on educational television, the recording can be shown for a maximum of seven days from the date of the broadcast. The guidelines require that recordings must be erased or destroyed after the maximum number of days. May I make a copy of any computer program I use at school to install on my computer at home? You can make a back-up copy of any computer program for archival purposes, but the back-up copy cannot be used on a second computer by the user, or loaned or sold to another. Without a site license, a computer program cannot be loaded onto more than one computer.


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Can I get my certificate back if it has been revoked? Not if it has been permanently revoked. Most revocations are for a certain number of years; when the time has passed, the teacher can reapply. Am I allowed to duplicate material from books or periodicals for classroom use? The Fair Use Doctrine contained within the Copyright Act of 1976, has identified guidelines for copying of materials for teachers. Without permission from the copyright owner, teachers may make limited copies of materials for research or use in teaching or preparation to teach a class. The criteria for fair use are outlined in section 107 of the Copyright Act which can be found in the library/media center at the school. A summary of the guidelines with respect to books and periodicals follows:

XX. Guidelines for Classroom Copying in Not-For-Profit Educational Institutions Books and Periodicals 1. Single Copying for Teachers

a) A single copy may be made of any of the following by or for a teacher at the individual's request for scholarly research or use in teaching or preparation to teach a class:

b) A chapter from a book; c) An article from a periodical or newspaper; d) A short story, short essay or short poem, whether or not from a collective work; e) A chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon or picture from a book, periodical, or

newspaper.

2. Multiple Copies for Classroom Use Multiple copies (not to exceed in any event more than one copy per pupil in a course) may be made by or for the teacher giving the course for classroom use or discussion; provided that: a) The copying meets the tests of brevity and spontaneity as defined below; and, b) Meets the cumulative effect test as defined below; and, c) Each copy includes a notice of copyright.

Brevity (i) poetry:

a) a complete poem if less than 250 words and if printed on not more than two pages.

b) from a longer poem, an excerpt of not more than 250 words.

(ii) prose: a) either a complete article, story or essay of less than 2,500 words, or b) excerpts from any prose work of not more than 1,000 words or 10% of the

work, whichever is less, but in any event a minimum of 500 words.

(iii) illustration: one chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon or picture per book or per periodical issue.

(iv) "special" works: certain works in poetry, prose, or in "poetic prose" which often

combine language with illustrations and which are intended sometimes for children and at other times for a more general audience fall short of 2,500 words in their entirety. Paragraph ii above notwithstanding such "Special works" may not be reproduced in their entirety; however, an excerpt comprising not more than two of the published pages of such special work and containing not more than 19% of the words found in the text thereof, may be reproduced.


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Spontaneity (i) The copying is at the instance and inspiration of the individual teachers, and (ii) The inspiration and decision to use the work and the moment of its use for

maximum teaching effectiveness are so close in time that it would be unreasonable to expect a timely reply to a request for permission.

Cumulative Effect (i) The copying of the materials is for only one course in the school in which the

copies are made. (ii) Not more than one short poem, article, story, essay or two excerpts may be copied

from neither the same author, nor more than three from the same collective work or periodical volume during one class term.

(iii) There shall not be more than nine instances of such multiple copying for one course during one class term.

(The limitations stated in "ii" and "iii" above shall not apply to current news periodicals and newspapers and current news sections of other periodicals.)

MDCPS FILLABLE FORMS ARCHIVE All MDCPS forms are identified by the form number (FM-XXXX) located at the bottom right hand corner of the form. The identifier (FM) indicates that our office has approved the form and that the form meets our Forms Management Form Design Guidelines. Forms Management can be found @ dadeschools.net. To correctly view and fill the forms on this site you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.05. Click on the word Adobe to download the latest version at www.dadeschools.net

CURRICULUM

YY. Sunshine State Standards The Sunshine State Standards were approved by the State Board of Education in 1996 to provide expectations for student achievement in Florida. The Standards approved in 1996 were written in seven subject areas, each divided into four separate grade clusters (PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12). This format was chosen to provide flexibility to school districts in designing curriculum based on local needs. However, as Florida moves toward greater accountability for student achievement at each grade level, the Sunshine State Standards have been further defined. In the subject areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, the Sunshine State Standards have been expanded to include Grade Level Expectations. These Grade Level Expectations will eventually become the basis for state assessments at each grade 3-10 in language arts and mathematics and in some grades science. They may eventually be used in state assessments in social studies. In addition to the Grade Level Expectations, course specific information for students in grades 6-12 can be found in the Florida Course Descriptions.

ZZ. Competency-Based Curriculum In 1994, Miami-Dade County Public Schools adopted the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) for grades K-12. The Competency-Based Curriculum was developed as a catalyst to improve student achievement at every level. It acts as a trigger to help increase student performance standards, equalize the academic expectations for all students regardless of the school that they attend. It also helps to infuse multicultural content throughout the curriculum, expand curricula topics to include emerging technology,


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and refocus teacher efforts on helping students gain and utilize higher order thinking skills to solve problems. The Competency-Based Curriculum represents an approach to instruction that emphasizes the application of knowledge in a manner which may be observed or measured. Competency-Based Curriculum guides focus a comprehensive view of each course of study which is delineated into its essential components, a listing of the most important objectives to be mastered, and the competencies which every student should be able to demonstrate after instruction is completed. Competency-Based lessons require students to engage in activities designed to apply learning with an increased emphasis on higher order thinking skills. Students are evaluated not only on knowledge, but also primarily on their ability to perform tasks associated with the knowledge acquired. The Competency-Based Curriculum replaced the Balanced Curriculum in grades K-5, and the Curriculum Frameworks in grades 6-12. This innovative approach is designed to increase student performance standards, incorporate state of the art teaching strategies, emphasize the application of learning and prepare students to meet world class standards. The curriculum affords teachers maximum freedom in the approaches used in the classroom by clearly identifying terminal target performance goals for each component of a course of study. It also serves as a comprehensive guide that will assist teachers in identifying areas in which they can utilize alternative forms of student assessment. CBC is a more complete curriculum because rather than simply listing objectives to be covered in a course of study, it directly targets what a student should be able to do, thereby identifying the necessary and desired changes that should occur with the learner. Another important feature of the Competency-Based Curriculum is that it is spiral in nature. This unique curriculum design allows for certain competencies and objectives to remain similar from one grade level to the next. The significant changes that are observed as students move through the curriculum correspond to changes in the cognitive levels and complexity of the objectives sought. The spiral format of the curriculum promotes the reinforcement of competencies once they are introduced and allows for the exploration of interdisciplinary relationships among the various subject areas.

AAA. Textbooks Textbooks and other instructional materials represent fundamental resources for schools for enhancing instruction. It is the shared responsibility of the State and County to provide an adequate amount and range of textbooks and other instructional materials which are appropriate, timely, and essential to the attainment of specified educational objectives in the individual school, the Region Center, and M-DCPS instructional programs (Reference: 230.22(2) F.S., 6Gx13-6A-1.26 S.B.R.). Ordering Textbook - Textbooks are divided into two categories for ordering purposes state adopted and non-state adopted. Each category is funded by the school district using different revenue sources. State adopted textbooks are usually lower in cost than non-state adopted textbooks because they are purchased in bulk. State adopted textbooks usually arrive sooner than non-state adopted textbooks. All teachers will use state-adopted textbooks in their courses. The use of non-state adopted textbooks requires approval from the principal. Teachers should submit their textbook requests to their department head that will complete the necessary requisition forms. The forms must be filled out completely before the textbooks can be ordered. Final approval on all textbook orders must come from the principal. The department head must sign for the receipt of all textbooks. All textbooks received must be processed in the main office first. The department head is responsible for informing the purchasing clerk when discrepancies are observed between the order and the number of books received. Textbook Distribution and Accounting Procedures - Teachers are to adhere to the following directives in distributing textbooks:


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1. Each teacher is responsible for the books issued in his/her name. He/she should keep an accurate record of the number, the condition, the person to whom the textbook is issued, and the price of the textbook.

2. Make sure each textbook has a unique number and is stamped with the name of the school. 3. Write the student’s name in ink in the front of each textbook issued where indicated. 4. Textbooks should be issued to students during the first three (3) days of school. Please do

not request more books than you need, or others will have to do without. 5. Students are to sign a Textbook Distribution Form or other approved form, which includes

title(s) of book(s), book number(s), date of issue, and date of return. Your department chairperson will provide you with a form.

6. If books are traded between teachers, the teacher to whom they were originally issued is the one who must make the proper accounting for their return in the spring.

7. A student who withdraws from a course after the textbook has been issued must return the textbook to the issuing teacher. Remember that you are responsible for the textbooks issued in your name.

8. It is the obligation of the teacher to collect the textbook(s) from a student who officially withdraws from school. Do not sign a withdrawal card without noting the disposition of the book. If it is not returned, note the title, book number, and price on the back of the card. Your signature on the card indicates that the textbook you issued has been accounted for.

9. If a student loses a textbook, the issuing teacher will fill out a Student Financial Obligation form. Provide a copy to the student and submit a copy to the treasurer as directed.

10. All textbooks left in corridors, lavatories, rooms, etc., other than lockers should be turned in immediately to respective department chairpersons.

11. Near the end of the school year, fees for lost or damaged books will be paid to the school treasurer. Instructions for this collection will be issued in a special bulletin at that time.

12. Please adhere to the following guidelines when assessing textbook fees:

Condition Fee Writing with language or symbols that promotes immorality or profanity

Full replacement cost

A useable lost book, regardless of whether the book was new or used

Full replacement cost

A book damaged beyond use Full replacement cost Cover only, ripped or damaged 50% of replacement cost

Torn pages or wet, but useable 50% of replacement cost

Defaced book with writing/drawing $ 5.00

BBB. Lesson Planning Lesson planning is an essential part of the teaching process. The principal or supervising administrator has the authority to determine whether or not instructional objectives and related content are consistent with Board educational policy and established instructional guidelines. The individual teacher best determines the format or organization of lesson plans. Principals or supervising administrators may suggest, but not require, a particular format or organization. Only where a principal has documented deficiencies through classroom observation using the Professional Assessment and Comprehensive Evaluation System may a teacher be required to use a set form in preparation of lesson plans. Requirements

• Lesson plans shall reflect objective(s), activity (ies), a way of monitoring student progress, and homework assignment(s). It is agreed that the manner in which these components are to be reflected in a lesson plan shall be left to the discretion of the individual teacher, except as noted above. Teachers shall not be prohibited from reflecting required lesson plan components through utilizing abbreviated notation and/or referencing techniques. For example, "RSVP V-10," as a


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notation, would reference a "lesson card" which provides all necessary information required for appropriately teaching a vocabulary lesson. Similarly, a subject area reference and a CBC objective number would adequately indicate the objective of a lesson in social studies, science, or other subject areas. The objective need not be written out in its entirety.

• Teachers are required to develop weekly plans. It is agreed that lesson plans are for the use of

the teacher and any procedure for assessing lesson plans shall be consistent with agreed-upon observation/evaluation procedures and shall not require the teacher to spend time making an extra copy of a lesson plan.

• Teachers of exceptional students shall be permitted to meet the requirements of this directive

through regular lesson plans or written IEP implementation plans. For purposes of this directive, "classroom teachers" shall exclude support personnel such as counselors, media specialists, school psychologists, and visiting teachers." Lesson plan formats are available online at www.dadeschools.net.

CCC. Homework The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida recognizes regular purposeful Homework as an essential component of the instructional process in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Homework is an integral factor in fostering the academic achievement of students and in extending school activities into the home and the community. Regular homework provides opportunities for developmental practice, drill, the application of skills, enrichment activities, and self-discipline. Homework should provide reinforcement and extension of class instruction, and should serve as a basis for further study and preparation for future class assignments. In light of the major purposes for homework, it is not to be assigned as a punishment for students for disciplinary reasons. Responsibility for homework gradually increases for students as they move from one grade level to the next. Students should recognize that more time and individual effort are expected in order to meet increased instructional demands of secondary school. Homework assignments for exceptional students should reflect the special needs of such students. In general, homework assignments will be completed for the following day; however, long-range assignments and/or special projects should provide students with an opportunity to develop and refine research and independent study skills and the ability to work independently. Teachers should review evidence of progress periodically before the student submits a long-rang assignment (Specific Authority: 230.22(2) F.S., 6Gx13- 6A-1.23 S.B.R.). Teachers shall consider the following factors when making homework assignments:

1. The grade level of the student 2. Level and degree of difficulty of the subject being studied 3. The maturity level of the student 4. The instructional needs of the student 5. The purpose of the assignment and its relation to the objectives of the course under

study 6. The length of the assignment and the amount of time that will be required to complete it 7. Homework demands being made in other subject areas

Homework Responsibilities: 1. Responsibilities of Teachers:

a) Provide instruction in independent study skills. b) Provide specific assignments that clearly are related to the objectives pursued in the

classroom and exhibit a clear and definite purpose. c) Explain the homework policy and grading criteria to students. d) Provide feedback on homework assignments in a timely manner.


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e) Make instructions related to homework clear and provide a short period of supervised study or a period of questioning to insure that students understand the assignment.

f) Assign students homework that includes specific periods of time devoted to reading.

2. Responsibilities of Students: a) Complete assigned homework as directed. b) Return homework to the teacher by the designated time. c) Submit homework assignments, which reflect careful attention to detail and quality of

work. d) Devote a specific amount of time to reading as part of the homework assignment.

3. Responsibilities of Parents:

a) Provide a continued interest and concern for the child’s successful performance in school by encouraging and supporting the child in his/her performance of homework.

b) Indicate an interest about assignments and assist, if possible, when requested by the child but do not perform the work for the child.

c) Support the school in regard to the students being assigned homework. d) Request assignments for students when short-term absences are involved e) Assist the school in stressing the importance of reading and its benefits. f) Assure that students read when specific homework assignments are not given or

when they are completed before the specified time period for homework is over. Frequency and Quantity of Homework Assignments - Homework is an essential component of the Competency-Based Curriculum Regular homework is an excellent reinforcement of skills acquired in class and also serves to inform parents of what their child is doing in school. Parents will be advised to contact their child’s counselor to obtain homework when absences are anticipated or prolonged absences (over three days) have occurred. Please respond promptly to each request for homework. Homework will not be assigned or completed during religious holidays. In cases where individual students are participants in school activities such as plays, athletic events, concerts, etc. extensions of homework assignments may be granted provided that the student informs the teacher of the activity at the time the assignment is provided to students. Students in academic courses should receive a minimum of two homework assignments each week in each class. These assignments should be reflected in the student’s academic grade. In non-academic areas, projects may be assigned for completion at home. Homework will be indicated by a grade recorded in the grade book and the assignment, properly labeled, placed in students’ folder.

DDD. Teacher-Parent Communication Rationale - Teacher-parent conferences contribute greatly to improving the public school's relationship with its community. The Miami-Dade County Public School Board and the United Teachers of Dade agree that improving a public school's relationship with its community and the public in general serves the best interests of students and citizens, and aids in contributing to and maintaining the public's commitment to public education. The labor contract between the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the United Teachers of Dade (UTD) contains a provision in Article XXIII, Section 12, on the subject of Teacher-Parent Communication. This provision illustrates the importance that the School Board, management, and the Union attach to effective teacher-parent communication. The mutually agreed upon contract, or language, urges that teacher-parent conferences take place when students are in need of academic strengthening and when it is determined that the student possesses unique academic potential. The provision requires that teacher-parent conferences occur when students display a consistent pattern of disruption or demonstrate unacceptable academic achievement through failure to exert sufficient effort.


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Procedures - Principals and teachers should make every effort to ensure that teacher-parent conferences are well-planned, fruitful experiences that adhere to the highest professional standards. In order to provide consistency in implementing these provisions throughout M-DCPS, the following guidelines are to be followed:

1. Teachers must log teacher-parent conferences in the electronic grade book and specify whether such contact was in person, by telephone, or through written correspondence.

2. Where required parent contact is not achieved, evidence of attempts to contact parents should be

recorded in the electronic grade book and referred to designated administrative personnel for follow-up.

3. At the discretion of the teacher, parents may be notified by a coded message on the student

report card that a teacher-parent conference is requested. Upon teacher recommendation, the principal may elect to withhold issuing a report card, for one grading period, pending a conference with the parent when a parent has failed to respond to a previous request for a conference.

4. Principals are expected to exclude from class for a period not to exceed ten days, any student

who has displayed a consistent pattern of disruption, until a conference is held or until the principal determines that a conference cannot or need not be held. Students who are excluded from class as a result of the above are entitled to all due process procedures as stipulated in Board Rules 6Gx13-5A-1.062 and 6Gx13- 5D-1.08. Additionally, students shall be given the opportunity to maintain their class work.

RECORD MAINTENANCE 1. Gradebook Criteria - The teacher’s grade book is a legal document required by state law. It can be

summoned in any court case as a legal record of grades and attendance. Emphasis must be placed on accuracy, consistency in recording, and neatness. Department chairpersons and assistant principals will check grade books periodically. In organizing and maintaining your grade book, observe these guidelines on the first page of the gradebook:

a) Teacher’s name and employee number b) Course taught - room number c) School year d) Legend explaining your code for recording academic grades, effort and conduct

2. Each teacher must use the symbols defined in the Attendance section of this handbook. All information should be documented with a key code in the front portion of the grade book so other school personnel can interpret it accurately if necessary. All teachers should take care to precisely advise students, during the process of determining their academic and effort grades, of the amount of time they have missed from class and whether or not the class work has been satisfactorily made up. If a student entered class late or transferred out, that should be clearly marked as well.

3. Record the period, subject and school year for each class. 4. Record the name and student identification number for every student and the date he/she entered

your class. Record the ESOL level (1-4) for the student if applicable. 5. Record the month and days of the month across the top of each sheet of the gradebook. The dates in

your gradebook should correspond to the dates of the nine-week grading period. The beginning and end of each grading period should be indicated.

6. Indicate when students are absent from class. Absences should be noted as either excused or

unexcused. See the Attendance section in this handbook for codes for field trips etc.


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7. Days when students are out of school (workdays and holidays) should be indicated; one suggestion is

to shade the column for that date. 8. There should be a minimum of one grade per week for each nine-week period regardless of subject

matter, and they should be reflected in the gradebook on an ongoing basis. 9. Explain what each grade has been given for in the space provided at the top of the grade sheet. 10. Teachers must log teacher-parent communications in their official gradebook and specify whether

such contact was in person, by telephone, or through written correspondence: individual forms should not be developed to implement these provisions. When required parent contact is not achieved, evidence of attempts to contact parents should be recorded in the gradebook and referred to designated administrative personnel for follow-up.

11. Unsatisfactory progress notes that have been issued should be indicated in your book with a “PR."

According to School Board policy an Unsatisfactory Progress Notice must be given to every student that is in danger of achieving a grade below a “C."

12. Each nine-week grading period must be clearly indicated. Midterm and final examination grades must

also be clearly indicated.

EEE. Student Folders A folder should be kept for each student in all courses. Each folder should be marked with the student’s name, teacher’s name, class period and the course. The contents of student folders should, in general, reflect the nature and quality of teaching and planning. They should reveal student progress to the teacher, the student and the parent. There should be a direct correlation among lesson plans, grades and material contained in the student folders. The following represent some suggestions for folder inclusions:

1. Course information and syllabus 2. Class rules and consequences 3. Grading criteria and rubrics 4. Homework (labeled as such) 5. Laboratory work and reports 6. Writing samples 7. Work checked or graded by the teacher 8. Corrected work rewritten by the student

FFF. Student Evaluation Reporting Student Progress - The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida has taken major steps to establish standards for the school district for reporting student progress. The steps consist of the adoption of Board Rules 6GX13- 5B-1.01 and 6GX13- 5B1.04, the adoption of the Code of Student Conduct, and the passage of the Pupil Progression Plan for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Board Rule 6GX13-5B-1.01, states, “The Board directs the instructional staff to use such evaluative devices and techniques as may be needed to (report)...individual achievement in relation to school goals, acceptable norms, and pupil potential.” In Board Rule 6GX13- 5B-1.04, the Board states, “Student grades, unsatisfactory work notices, parent reports on state assessment and/or the standardized testing, parent conferences, and adult pupil conferences should serve as the primary means of communicating student progress and achievement of the standards (for promotion).” The Code of Student Conduct adopted by the School Board on June 28, 1977 refers to student grades as follows: “A student’s academic grade should reflect the teacher’s most objective assessment of the student’s academic achievement.” The code also states, “Students have the right to receive a conduct


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grade consistent with their behavior in each class.” Specific guidelines for grading student performance and for reporting student progress follows:

GGG. Grading Student Performance Academic Grades - By Board direction, academic grades are to reflect the student’s academic progress. The grade must provide for both students and parents a clear indication of each student’s academic performance as compared with norms, which would be appropriate for the grade or subject. Students performing at a level in the basic skills which meets the requirements for promotion specified in the Student Progression Plan should receive academic grades of A, B, C, D, or F unrelated to the student’s effort and conduct. Grades in all subjects other than the basic skills are to be based on the student’s degree of mastery of the instructional objectives for the subject. The determination of the specific grade a student receives must be based on the teacher’s best judgment after careful consideration of all aspects of each student’s performance during a grading period. In accordance with School Board policy, all teachers must adhere to the following grading policy: Authorized semester courses: The final grade, at the conclusion of the first 18 weeks of school, will reflect an average of two nine-week grades plus one final examination computed on the following percentages: 40% for each of two nine-week grading periods, 20% for final exam = 100%. Authorized annual courses: The final grade, at the conclusion of 36 weeks, will reflect an average of two nine-week grades, mid-year examination, two nine-week grades, and final examination, computed on the following percentage. 20% for each of four nine-week grading periods, 10% for mid-year examination, 10% for final examination = 100%. There is a provision for a teacher override in the issuance of final grades for designated semester and annual courses. Teachers should maintain sufficient documentation to substantiate their reasons for issuing a grade other than one, which is the numerical average.


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Please adhere to the following grading scale when calculating and grading assignments:

Individual Assignment Grade Determination Chart 2009 – 2010

Individual

Assignment Letter Grades

Entered by Teacher into Gradebook

Associated Assignment

100-Point scale (Use for

Converting to a Letter Grade)

Associated 4-Point scale

(Use for 9-Week Grade Averaging)

9-Weeks Grade

Associated 9-Weeks Grade Range Scale for Averaging

Used by ISIS for Course

Grade Averaging

A+ 100 4.0

A 95 - 99 3.75 A 3.5 – 4.0 4

A- 90 - 94 3.5

B+ 87 - 89 3.4

B 83 - 86 3.0 B 2.5 – 3.49 3

B- 80 - 82 2.5

C+ 77 - 79 2.4

C 73 - 76 2.0 C 1.5 – 2.49 2

C- 70 - 72 1.5

D+ 67 - 69 1.4

D 63 - 66 1.25 D 1.0 – 1.49 1

D- 60 - 62 1.0

F+ 40 - 59 0.9

F 20 - 39 0.5 F 0 – 0.99 0

F- 0 - 19 0

Z N/A

0 = Not turned in/ No Credit/ Missing

Assignment

F N/A N/A

X N/A

Student is excused from

activity, does not affect the grade

N/A N/A N/A


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ANDOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL “STEPPING IT UP” Bell Schedule

MONDAY 9:10 – 9:30 Homeroom 9:30 – 9:34 Bell 9:34 – 10:26 Period 1 10:26 – 10:30 Bell 10:30 – 11:22 Period 2 11:22 – 11:26 Bell 11:26 – 1:02 Period 3 1:02 – 1:06 Bell 1:06 – 1:58 Period 4 1:58 – 2:02 Bell 2:02 – 2:54 Period 5 2:54 – 2:58 Bell 2:58 – 3:50 Period 6 11:34 – 12:04 1st Lunch 11:44 – 12:14 2nd Lunch 11:54 – 12:24 3nd Lunch 12:04 – 12:34 4th Lunch 12:32 – 1:02 5th Lunch

BLOCK SCHEDULE TUESDAY – FRIDAY 9:10 – 9:50 Homeroom/Literacy Block 9:50 – 9:54 Bell 9:54 – 11:38 Block 1 11:38 –11:42 Bell 11:42 –2:02 Block 2 2:02 – 2:06 Bell 2:06 – 3:50 Block 3 11:45 – 11:15 1st Lunch 12:09 – 12:39 2nd Lunch 12:29 – 12:59 2nd Lunch 12:49 – 1:19 4th Lunch 1:32 – 2:02 5th Lunch Tuesday & Thursday Wednesday & Friday Periods 1-3-5 Periods 2-4-6


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Lunch Schedule for Six Period Day (Monday)

Monday Periods 1-6

Period 3 (Lunch)

Lunch Shift 5 – Students will be released from the Cafetorium

Lunch Shift 1

11:34 – 12:04

Lunch Shift 2

11:44 – 12:14

Lunch Shift 3

11:54 – 12:24

Lunch Shift 4

12:04 – 12:34

Lunch Shift 5

12:32 – 1:02 Allen – 3111 Alpert – Media Center Beaudin – 2110 Garcia – 1110 Juste – 2113 Thomas – 3103 Abramoff – 3104 Morris – 3101 Banks – 4106 Taylor, N. – 2111

Shannon – 3112 Foutch – 3102 Lebrun – 3214 McDonald – 2204 Vincent - 3203 Boyd – 4206 Velasco - 3204 Johnson, K – 2215 Chester - 2202 Pierre – 3202

Johnson – 4205 Naducci – 3201 Math TBA5 – 2101 Alexander – 3213 Taylor, T. – 2213 Holland – 2201 Frame – 4113 Sci TBA2 - 3312 Sci TBA – 4203 Gay – 2212

Theoc – 2214 Body – 3303 Smith, A. – 3315 Sci – 3304 Preston – 2313 Lewis – 2315 Peiken – 3314 Coby – 3215 Math TBA – 2314 Math TBA – 2301

Ryan – 5107 Jackson – 5105Ponder – 4112 Ladd – 4102 Johnson, S. – 2304 Henfield – 3301Wallace – 3313 Math TBA – 3302 Taylor, A. – 2112

Leave Class Drop- off Pick- up

Lunch 1 11:30 11:34 12:04 Lunch 2 11:40 11:44 12:14 Lunch 3 11:50 11:54 12:24 Lunch 4 12:00 12:04 12:34 Lunch 5 12:28 12:32 1:02 **(Lunch 5 - No Pick-up, release from Cafetorium)


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Lunch Schedule for Block Days (Tuesday – Friday)

Tuesday and Thursday Wednesday and Friday Periods 1-3-5 Periods 2-4-6 Period 3 (Lunch) Period 4 (Lunch)

Lunch Shift 5 – Students will be released from the Cafetorium

Lunch Shift 1

11:49 – 12:19

Lunch Shift 2

12:09 – 12:39

Lunch Shift 3

12:29 – 12:59

Lunch Shift 4

12:49 – 1:19

Lunch Shift 5

1:32 – 2:02 Allen – 3111 Alpert – Media Center Beaudin – 2110 Garcia – 1110 Juste – 2113 Thomas – 3103 Abramoff – 3104 Morris – 3101 Banks – 4106 Taylor, N. – 2111

Shannon – 3112 Foutch – 3102 Lebrun – 3214 McDonald – 2204 Vincent - 3203 Boyd – 4206 Velasco - 3204 Johnson, K – 2215 Chester - 2202 Pierre – 3202

Johnson – 4205Naducci – 3201 Math TBA5 – 2101 Alexander – 3213 Taylor, T. – 2213 Holland – 2201 Frame – 4113 Sci TBA2 - 3312 Sci TBA – 4203 Gay – 2212

Theoc – 2214 Body – 3303 Smith, A. – 3315 Sci – 3304 Preston – 2313 Lewis – 2315 Peiken – 3314 Coby – 3215 Math TBA – 2314 Math TBA – 2301

Ryan – 5107 Jackson – 5105 Ponder – 4112 Ladd – 4102 Johnson, S. – 2304 Henfield – 3301 Wallace – 3313 Math TBA – 3302 Taylor, A. – 2112

Leave Class Drop- off Pick- up Lunch 1 11:45 11:49 12:19 Lunch 2 12:05 12:09 12:39 Lunch 3 12:25 12:29 12:59 Lunch 4 12:45 12:49 1:19

Lunch 5 1:28 1:32 2:02 **(Lunch 5- No, pick-up, release from Cafetorium)

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