Springview Elementary School Student Handbook
"A Model School of Excellence"

School and Office Hours:

Miss School! Miss Out! Here at Springview Elementary School we strive for 100% attendance each day. Springview Elementary School participates in the Truancy Intervention Program (TIP). Any student with 5 or more unexcused absences or tardies is automatically enrolled in TIP. The program involves law enforcement agencies and becomes part of your child’s permanent record. Therefore, it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that a student has good attendance and arrives on time to school. Good attendance provides your child with the best possible opportunities for academic achievement and social and personal development. Students’ absences are marked as “EXCUSED” or “UNEXCUSED” based on guidelines set by Miami-Dade County Public Schools. An excused absence is: Illness, death in the family and/or an emergency/crisis to be determined by the principal. A parent note is required for each absence.

Make-Up Work

Excused Absence

Students granted an excused absence have the right to make up all classwork. Teachers will issue all classwork missed and will require that the student make up all assignments within a reasonable length of time as determined by the teacher or within two days of the absence. Failure to make up all assignments will result in lower assessment of the student’s academic and/or effort grade. Please note that due to the nature of instruction, some classwork is not readily subject to make up work.

Unexcused Absence

Any absence that does not fall into one of the above excused absence categories will be considered unexcused. All unexcused absences will result in a failing grade being issued for any work missed on the date of the unexcused absence.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance in ensuring that your child has good attendance.

The school offers a unique curriculum in English and Spanish. The Bilingual School Organization (BISO) allows all children to participate in Spanish language instruction. In addition to the regular instructional program in the English language (60% of the day) students are given instruction in Spanish Language Arts and content areas (40% of the day).

The BISO program offers incentives to children by offering opportunities to participate in field trips and activities within the school community to help increase the students’ knowledge and appreciation of the multicultural community in which we live. In 2006-2007 the Dual Language program will be implemented in grades K-3.

All students who ARRIVE to school by car MUST be dropped off on the hard court area on Bluebird Avenue by 8:20 A.M. Supervision is provided on the physical education court starting at 7:50 A.M. each morning. Teachers will meet their students promptly at 8:20 A.M. and escort them to their classrooms. Please do NOT take your child to the teacher's classroom in the morning.

Students who plan to have breakfast should arrive by 7:50 A.M. No student should arrive before 7:50 A.M. Supervision is available 30 minutes before and after the beginning and end of the school day schedule. See Before/After School section for information regarding care before 7:50 A.M.

AFTERNOON PARENT PICK-UP for 2nd - 5th grade students is on Partridge Avenue and K - 1st grade students is on Hammond Drive. Please parallel park along the designated street and wait for your child to go to your vehicle. Automobiles and bus vehicles CANNOT be parked together. It’s the LAW!

On COLD OR RAINY DAYS, students will assemble in the cafetorium starting at 7:50 A.M. and in this case you should drop your child off in front of the main entrance to the school (on Bluebird Avenue).

Please discuss what your child should do on rainy days at dismissal time. For example, he/she is to wait for you, walk home, accept a ride from a neighbor, etc. Whatever is decided, make sure your child understands it fully.

For safety purposes, do NOT drop off or pick-up your child inside the teacher parking lots.

All students MUST leave the school grounds promptly at dismissal.

During the school year, the district requires practice emergency exercises be held at each school site such as fire drills and Code Red. In the event that the school site is under Code Red, parents may NOT sign out their children until the emergency exercise has been completed.

Any child who will have attained the age of five (5) years on or before September 1st of this year shall be eligible to enroll in kindergarten.

Any child who will attain the age of six (6) years on or before September 1st of this year shall be admitted to first grade at the beginning of the school year, or any time during the school year, provided that the child has successfully completed kindergarten. Any child, who has successfully completed kindergarten and will attain the age of six (6) AFTER September 1st of this year, MUST initially be enrolled in kindergarten.

It is imperative that we have up-to-date, accurate emergency contact information on each pupil. This means a home telephone number of the student, alternate name, address and telephone number of a relative, neighbor, or friend in case you cannot be reached. Include information about your doctor and hospital preference. In case of emergency, this information will help us serve the needs of your child. Be sure to keep the school informed if your child suffers from serious allergies and/or other medical conditions. Please provide information regarding adults who may pick up your child in the event that you are unable. Please do not request that an older sibling be allowed to pick up a student. You must be at least 18 years of age. Only adults listed, who have proper identification, will be allowed to pick up a student.

Whenever a student becomes injured, he/she will be brought to the office. Parents will be contacted immediately. No treatment or medication is given at any time unless you have given prior consent and appropriate forms have been completed. See the secretary in the office to obtain forms. In the event of an emergency, 911 will be called and appropriate action taken.

Springview Elementary has a mandatory uniform policy. Uniforms may be purchased at any local uniform store or department store. Contact the office if you need any information and/or assistance. The contact person is the school counselor. The uniform colors are khaki, hunter green, yellow, white and/or a green and gold plaid. Students must wear closed shoes with a rubber sole (i.e., sneakers, loafers, tennis, etc.). Jeans are NOT part of our school uniform.

Parents and guardians have the right to review student cumulative records. Please call or ask to speak to an administrator if you are interested in reviewing your child’s records.

Free breakfast is available in the cafeteria between 7:30 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. The price for lunch is $2.25. You may prepay by the week in the cafeteria. Students may bring their lunch from home to school. Please follow healthy food guidelines when preparing your child’s lunch. All students will receive a lunch application form the first day of school. Please complete the form and return it to your child’s teacher. Notification will be sent home regarding the status of the application.

You can prepay for student lunch at www.PayPAMS.com.

Before School Care is available from 7:00 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. The fee is $3.00 before and $6.00 after. After School Care is available from dismissal time to 6:30 P.M. It is most important that you pick up your child on time since additional fees will be charged. Enrichment classes are also available after school. Registration forms are available in the main office. Please see the Program Coordinator for more information.

The school’s number is (305) 885-6466. It must be available for normal business transactions and emergency needs. Only in case of an emergency or illness will a student be allowed to use the phone. All staff members are equipped with voice mailboxes. Please contact your child’s teacher whenever you have a question or concern or would like to request a conference.

The Competency-Based Curriculum and the Sunshine State Standards provide the basis for instruction at Springview Elementary School. Higher order thinking skills of application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation are stressed throughout the day in all subject areas. Students are expected to be active learners and to demonstrate their ability to use knowledge. Instruction is also provided in the areas of art, music, physical education and computer literacy. Please speak with your child’s teacher or an administrator if you have any questions.

Additionally, Springview Elementary offers Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs. We provide programs to students who qualify for services to address specific learning disabilities beginning at the Pre K level and continuing through fifth grade. We also provide educational services for students who qualify in kindergarten through fifth grade that address the needs of the gifted learner. ESE teachers use a differentiated curriculum in which they design the goals, instruction and materials that match the individual learning styles, strengths, and needs of each child within these programs.

Field trips are also a very important part of the instructional program. Students at every grade level also have opportunities to study at sites around the county with their teachers and approved chaperones. Each field trip requires parent signed consent forms for student participation.

Tentative Dates

*These dates subject to change due to the 2008-2009 implementation of the electronic gradebook at Springview Elementary.

The home learning policy is based on School Board Rule 6GX12-6A-1.23. Home learning assignments will be related to the objectives being pursued in the classroom, clear and definite in purpose and an outgrowth of the classroom instruction. The recommended frequency and quantity of home learning assignments as per Board Rule 6A-1.23 is listed below:

According to Board Rule 6A-1.23, when no specific home learning is given or when home learning is finished in an expeditious manner, students will read to complete the amount of time specified above. In addition, a minimum of 30 minutes of daily leisure reading is mandated by Miami-Dade County Public Schools for all students. This planner includes four Reading Logs (1 for each quarter) where students will log books read daily, as directed by their teachers.

NOTE: The assignment of the "Below Grade Level" indicator will be associated with Reading. As per the Student Progression Plan, students performing below grade level in Reading will receive a D or an F as the report card grade.

Note: All grades are averaged, including special areas such as, but not limited to, Spanish, Music, Art, and Physical Education. Each of the following grading periods, students are given a fresh start in terms of grades and attendance. This will provide students with an opportunity to be eligible for the above referenced awards each quarter.

Students are assigned to classes after careful educational planning. Students’ educational needs, class enrollment, student schedules, etc., are some of the factors in determining a student’s placement.

Children are responsible for all textbooks and/or library books issued to them. All lost or damaged books must be paid for. If a book is lost, your child’s teacher will contact you and request the necessary funds to replace the book. Please cooperate with these requests.

When a parent visits the school, he/she should report directly to the office for a pass. NO UNAUTHORIZED PERSON WILL BE PERMITTED IN THE HALLS, ROOMS OR GROUNDS OF THE SCHOOL. If you need to bring anything to your child during the school day, please stop by the office before you go to your child’s room. This is for the safety and protection of your children and teachers.

Volunteers are very important to the total educational program. Whether you have a small or large amount of time we welcome your talents and energy. Please see the assistant principal to enroll in the volunteer program.

The PTA is an important part of our school. The association enables parents and teachers to work together for the continuous improvement of the social, physical and educational climate of the school community. All parents are urged to join and attend meetings. Please join and actively support our PTA.