Carmen B. Fuentes                 Principal	Miami Dade County School Board Frank J. Bolaños, Chair Dr. Robert B. Ingram, Vice Chair Agustin J. Barrera Evelyn Langlieb Greer Perla Tabares Hantman Dr. Martin Karp Ana Rivas Logan Dr. Marta Pérez Dr. Solomon C. Stinson Superintendent of Schools Rudolph F. Crew, Ed.D.
August 2007 Dear Parents: Welcome to Calusa Elementary School , where your child will join a community of learners in a safe and nurturing environment.  This is an exciting time in your child’s life.  Children who know their families are interested in and support their school program are less likely to have problems in school and more likely to enjoy greater success. We want your child to be happy and successful at school and in life, and believe you play a key role as your child’s first teacher.  That role is to continuously show interest in and support for your child, which can be accomplished through communicating high expectations; creating a quiet space in your home where your child can complete homework; reading with your child for 20 – 30 minutes each day; talking with your child about the highlights of his/her day; making sure your child is on time and prepared for school every day; and joining the PTA and participating in school activities. We believe communication among parents, students and teachers helps students succeed.  Please share with your child’s teacher any information that will help us better serve your family.  It is important to keep your telephone number current so that we can reach you if a concern or emergency arises. Our District office provides free resources to help your child succeed, including: The Parent Academy ’s workshops and family learning events; the Parent Portal, which enables parents to monitor their child’s attendance and grades through any computer with Internet access; free breakfast for all children; and Destination Success (Riverdeep), a web-based software program to help your child in reading, science and mathematics. For more information about these and other available resources, please contact The Parent Academy at (305) 995-2680, or visit their Web site at www.theparentacademy.net. The Calusa Elementary School family welcomes you.  Let’s work together to ensure your child’s success. Sincerely, Carmen B. Fuentes, Principal CALUSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 9580 West Calusa Club Drive Miami , Fl. 33186 Telephone:  305-385-0589                                                                                               Fax: 305-383-3829

ABSENCES
Every absence must be followed by a written note from home on the day the student returns to school. Acceptable excuses for student absences are illness, physician/dentist appointment, death in the family, a school sponsored event or activity that has been previously approved, or a religious holiday. After a 3 day consecutive absence, parents will be called. Students with frequent unexcused absences will be referred to the Truancy Program for intervention.
All other absences are unexcused, (i.e. vacations, babysitting, or no explanation). Assignments missed because of an unexcused absence will NOT be allowed to be made up. A student accumulating ten or more unexcused absences may be subject to the withholding of passing of final grades.
Students who are granted an excused absence will be given assigned work upon their return to school as per School Board policy. Parents should not request class work while the child is absent/ill. Students will have 3 days for every day absent to make up the work.
Tardies
Any student arriving at school after 8:30 AM is tardy, and must report to the office to sign in and receive a pass to be admitted to the classroom.  Excused tardiness is granted for the same reasons as excused absence. All other tardiness is unexcused. Three tardies excused/unexcused per grading period will disqualify a student from receiving the perfect attendance award.

    1.       A student, who is tardy to class, not only places his/her own learning in jeopardy, but also interrupts the learning of other students.
    2.       After the second (2^nd) unexcused tardy a warning will be issued.
    3.       After the third (3^rd) unexcused tardy the parent/guardian will be contacted by the counselor.
    4.       After the fourth (4^th) unexcused tardy a detention will be issued.
   5.       After the fifth (5^th) unexcused tardy the student will be referred to the principal and assistant principal.
   6.       After the sixth (6^th) unexcused tardy the student’s opportunities to participate in special activities may be affected.
When a child arrives late to school, he/she should report to the office. A note or call from the parent to the office staff will be accepted.

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL/SCHOOL HOURS
                                                                 Arrival                                                Dismissal 
Breakfast for walkers                                                7:30 - 8:15 AM                                   Grades Pre-K - 1 2:00 PM
Breakfast for bus riders                                            until 8:20 AM                                      Grades 2 - 5 3:00 PM
Morning supervision -PE Court/ 3^rd -5^th                after 7:30 AM                                      Wednesday: All Grades 2:00 PM  
                              Patio/K – 2^nd                       after 7:30 AM
Office hours                                                                7:30 AM/4:00 PM
Teachers’ hours                                                        8:15 AM/3:20 PM                                         

Students need to learn the importance of regular school attendance. In addition, it is important that students report to school on time. The 1996 legislature passed a law clarifying the school’s responsibility for the supervision of students.  The safety and supervision of our students are of primary concern to the faculty and staff at Calusa Elementary School . Adult supervision of students on campus is available 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after our normal school hours, which are 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM and 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM on Wednesdays. Students are to proceed immediately to breakfast or sit quietly in the designated area on the Patio (K, 1, 2) or P.E. hard court (3, 4, 5) until teachers pick up students at 8:20 AM . If a student is enrolled in a specific program or class that requires him/her to report before the aforementioned times or stay after school, we are requesting that you adhere to the hours of that program. Students who are dismissed at 2:00 PM MAY NOT wait for older siblings, unless they are enrolled in an after school program.

Rainy Day Procedures
Please have an understanding with your child regarding special dismissal procedures that you wish him/her to follow on rainy days. On rainy days
walkers will be detained until the weather no longer presents a safety hazard. These children will need rain attire to walk in light rain conditions.
You will be asked to fill out a form pertaining to your child’s rainy day procedure and return it to school. Students regularly transported (bus, car,
etc.) will be dismissed from the covered areas of the drop off/pickup zones on the SW 96^th Street and West Calusa Club Drive sides.
In the event of a hurricane or severe storm warnings, parents should listen to radio/TV weather broadcasts for information
about early school dismissal and should be prepared to pick students up at school, if possible.

ATHLETICS
Physical education is a regular instructional period, required by law, for all grades. Students in grades 2-5 will have physical education taught by a certified physical education instructor. All students are expected to participate. The degree or extent to which they participate will affect their academic and/or effort grades. If illness or injury makes physical activity unsafe, a note from the parent should be sent to the PE teacher. For students who must be excused or exempted on a regular basis a physician must complete the prescribed "Physical Exemption Card", which is available at the school.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
We are pleased to have before and after school care programs at Calusa Elementary School. A variety of activities, including homework assistance, indoor 
and outdoor games, and arts and crafts are planned for your child’s time in our program. The program managers supervise group activity leaders who have been screened by Miami-Dade County Public Schools to work directly with your children in smaller groups. All activity leaders receive a minimum of 40 hours 
of Department of Children and Family Services training. The programs will begin the first day of school and will run every day that school is in session. The programs will not operate on teacher planning days and during school vacations.

The After School Care office is in the main office.  If we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call us at (305)-385-0589 ext.119.

                      Before School Care                                                        7:00 AM – 8:20 AM                          
Fees are payable in advance on a monthly basis at the rate of $ 3.00 per day.                                                                                                

                      After School Care                                                            2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Fees are payable in advance on a monthly basis at the rate of $ 6.00 per day.

                  Story Time K/1^st at the rate of $ 3.00 a day               2:00 PM – 3:00 PM               

CAFETERIA
Breakfast
Breakfast is served from 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM daily.
Lunch
All Calusa students eat lunch at school in the cafeteria.  Students may either bring lunch from home or buy it at school.  Lunch boxes and/or bags should have your child’s name and room number on them. Please remind your child to bring the lunch box home each day. Students who bring their lunch may purchase milk, juice, frozen juice bars, or ice cream. 
                           Complete lunch                                                                 $1.75
                          Milk                                                                                       $0.30
                                   Juice Bars/Ice Cream                                                       $0.30
                         Juice                                                                                     $0.25
Payment  
Students wishing to purchase milk, juice bars, etc. simply pay the cashier. The same is true for students purchasing the complete lunch. If your child will be purchasing the complete lunch each day, it is strongly recommended that lunches be paid for weekly by cash or check (checks should be made payable to Calusa Elementary School). This saves a considerable amount of time in the lunch line. Payment should be made on the first day of each week. For your convenience your child's meal may be prepaid through www.PAYPAMS.com.
Lost or Forgotten Lunch Money
Periodically lunch money will be lost or a parent will forget to give the child money for lunch. When this happens, the child will report to the teacher or the cafeteria manager that he/she is without funds, and the student will be given a minimal lunch, consisting of milk and cereal, or he/she may try to contact a parent. Parents will be advised when a minimal lunch is given to their child. Therefore, parents are urged to prepay for students’ lunches 
Behavior in the Cafeteria
Lunchtime is a time for your child to socialize with friends and relax from classroom work. Unfortunately our cafeteria can get very noisy if the students do not follow some basic rules, which our teachers will explain to them. A child’s cafeteria conduct reflects his home training. Please discuss basic table manners with your child.
Procedures for Appropriate Behavior in the Cafeteria
                        Teachers will lead their classes to the cafeteria.  At the end of the lunch period, teachers will escort their students back to class.
                        Students will enter the cafeteria and will take their assigned seats; switching seats/tables will not be tolerated.
                        Students will be called by table and asked to form a single file when directed to the serving line. All students will stand in line
                                whether they are purchasing a full lunch or a la carte items.
                        All students must input their numerical code as they pass the cashier in line.
                        Students should clean up the area around his/her seat. No food is allowed outside the cafeteria.  
                        After emptying trays, students will be seated in their assigned seats and await dismissal by the door.
                        Glass bottle drinks are not allowed in the cafeteria.
Free/Reduced Price Meals
An application for free and reduced price meals will be sent home on the first day of school. If your family meets the basic eligibility requirements, the application should be completed and returned to the office. Students receiving free and reduced price meals simply receive a regular prepaid meal card. Payment for reduced price meals is due on the first day of the school week, just like the regular prepaid meals. The applications are available throughout the school year.

Miami-Dade County Public School Calendar

CELL PHONE POLICY
Cell phones and beepers are prohibited. They will be confiscated and held by administration until a parent/guardian comes to retrieve them. 

CLUBS
Calusa Elementary offers the following Clubs: Art, Future Educators of America, Chorus, Student Council, Safety Patrol and Chess.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
The primary objective of Miami-Dade County Public Schools is to ensure that students are given the opportunity to develop their potential for learning and to interact positively with other students in a safe environment free of disruptions. The Code of Student Conduct describes both student rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities reflect the need for providing students with greater opportunities to become independent citizens in society. Nowhere is it stated in the booklet, nor even implied, that the school should relinquish its authority and responsibility. Within every school, the principal and staff inevitably have the responsibility and authority for maintaining the orderly education process.
Appropriate behavior is expected for all related areas and activities. Most students behave themselves properly at school.  Occasionally a child will misbehave and either disrupt school routine or inflict injury on another person. Such behavior is of serious concern and requires prompt and firm action. In these situations, parents will be contacted to meet with school personnel.
The Code of Student Conduct explains in detail the following procedures:
Measures teachers and administrators will take to create a safe positive environment, types of violations, which disrupt the educational process, and formal disciplinary actions, which can be taken when a student violates the Code of Student Conduct. These safeguards protect the rights of students and parents.
Description of student rights and responsibilities
As a parent, it is important to understand, that, according to School Board rules, the more serious violations described in this Code of Student Conduct must be reported to the appropriate police authorities and to the Miami-Dade County Public School Police. Violations that are less serious may be reported to the Miami-Dade County Public School Police. A copy of the complete and revised Elementary Code of Student Conduct is available on the M-DCPS website at http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/90/index.htm.
Suspensions and Expulsions
Only the Miami-Dade County School Board, by law, has the right to expel a student from school. Suspensions and/or expulsions may be issued when a student has possessed, used, handled or transmitted a substance capable of modifying mood and/or behavior; possessed, used, handled, or transmitted a weapon, including but not limited to, a gun, knife, razor, explosive, ice pick or club; used any article as a weapon or in a manner reasonably calculated to threaten any person, committed a serious breach of conduct, including but not limited to, an assault on school personnel or another pupil; a lewd or lascivious act; arson, vandalism or any other act which disrupts the orderly conduct of the school or school activity; engaged in less serious but continuing misconduct, including, but not limited to, the use of profane, obscene or abusive language or other acts that are detrimental to the educational function of the school.

DRESS CODE

GIRLS	Jumper	Any style in khaki with logo, left chest
	Blouse	White round collar
	Shirt	Gold, white or navy blue polo style with logo on left chest
	Culottes	Solid khaki
	Skirt	Solid Khaki (NO DENIM)
	Shorts	Solid Khaki (NO DENIM)
	Slacks	Solid Khaki (NO DENIM)
BOYS	Shirts	Gold, white or navy blue polo style with logo on left chest
	Slacks	Solid khaki (NO DENIM)
	Shorts	Solid khaki (NO DENIM)
ALL STUDENTS	Shoes	Any closed style shoe. NO SANDALS OR OPEN SHOES
	Belt	Any solid color
	Socks	Socks must be worn
	Winter Shirt	White or navy blue long sleeve polo or oxford shirt
	Sweater/Sweatshirt	Calusa Sweatshirt, white or navy solid color any style

Every Wednesday is Calusa Spirit Day. The Calusa T-shirt is sold by the PTA and may be worn on Wednesday, in lieu of a uniform shirt.

EMERGENCY CONTACT AND RELEASE CARD
Only individuals listed on the EMERGENCY CONTACT AND RELEASE CARD will be allowed to pick up students from school during the school day. A valid photo identification will be required of all individuals picking up students. If someone arrives at school to seek the release of a student and the person's name is not on the emergency contact card or the person does not have valid photo identification, the student will not be released. Important: For your child’s safety, if there are any changes in your emergency contact information card, you must submit them in writing or come to the office to make the corrections. The students will be called to the office for dismissal.  TEACHERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RELEASE A STUDENT FROM THE CLASSROOM WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE.
To avoid having the school become involved in personal family conflicts, parents or guardians should submit to school authorities a copy of any legal documents which indicate who has legal access to the child and his/her records during school hours. In the absence of legal documentation, school officials will provide access only to those individuals whose names appear on the student's data card (Form-2733E). Friends and strangers will be denied access to a student in the absence of  verified parental consent. In the event that neither the parent nor the emergency contact can be reached, the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue Squad will be called, if warranted by the child’s condition.

FAMILY RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACTS
The Revised Family Right and Privacy Act became a Federal Law in 1974.  The intent of this law is to protect the accuracy of student educational records. Without the prior consent of parents, only parents and authorized individuals having legitimate educational interest will have access to a child’s educational records.

FIELD TRIPS
Field trips are another way of increasing your child’s learning experience. All field trips will be appropriate for the student ages and will relate to subject being studied in the classroom. Parent’s permission must be given in order for a child to participate in a field trip.  The teacher will send a form home giving information about a field trip, well in advance of the date. There is usually a fee for each field trip to cover the cost of transportation, the destination, and admission fee. To ensure that field trips are adequately supervised, parents are asked to assist the teacher, as chaperones.  It is greatly appreciated when parents can help in this way. Siblings may not participate. Students going on the field trip must travel to and from school with their class.

GRADING POLICY/ PROGRESS REPORTS / REPORT CARDS
Report Cards are sent home every nine weeks to report the progress of your child. Grades are given for achievement, effort, and conduct in all subjects. Miami-Dade County Public Schools has established minimal objectives, which must be met if the student is to progress satisfactorily.
             1.     We seek the best communication possible with parents by means of the telephone, personal contact, and written notices. Interim
                        Progress Reports will be sent home approximately four weeks prior to the close of each nine week marking period. School Board
                        rules require that you be notified in writing whenever your child is doing unsatisfactory work.
             2.     Unsatisfactory work notices do not necessarily mean failing work, although this is frequently so. These notices serve as a warning
                        and encourage a closer and more diligent application to school studies. Please acknowledge receipt of these progress reports by
                        signing and returning as directed.  It is recommended that you make an appointment for a conference with your child’s teacher
                        immediately upon receipt of a notice.

GRADE	NUMERICAL VALUE	VERBAL INTERPRETATION	GRADE POINT VALUES
A	90-100%	Outstanding Progress	4
B	80-89%	Above Average Progress	3
C	70-79%	Average Progress	2
D	60-69%	Lowest Acceptable Progress	1
F	0-59%	Failure	0

Kindergarten students take home a checklist of the skills attained, worked on, and which need additional reinforcement in lieu of a report card. The following criteria are necessary to achieve honor status at Calusa:
        Principal’s Honor Roll                                                                                           
                            Academic Grades                                               All A’s
                            Effort                                                                      All 1’s
                            Conduct Grades                                                 All A’s
        Superior Honor Roll
                            Academic Average                                              3.60
                            Academic Grade                                                 All A’s and B’s
                            Effort                                                                      All 1’s and 2’s
                            Conduct Average                                                3.60
                            Conduct Grades                                                 All A’s and B’s
        Citizenship Honor Roll
                           Conduct Average                                                 4.00
                          Effort                                                                      All 1’s and 2’s
        Perfect Attendance Honor Roll
                          100% attendance during the nine week period. 

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
The Guidance and Counseling program is designed as an integral part of the total instructional program and is under the direction of a certified, professional counselor/s. The program provides students with a sense of belonging, self-respect, emotional security, and helps to provide a school environment in which effective leaning and appropriate behavior exists.

HEALTH SCREENING
The Florida Primary Education Program stressed early identification of children at risk through a program of screening all kindergarten students and new entries in grades one, two and three. These children will receive the following screening services, hearing testing, height and weight and general health appraisal. 
The School Health Services Act of 1974 mandates vision and hearing testing in grades K, 1, 2 and 3. Health appraisal and screenings services such as vision, hearing, height and weight, nutrition and behavioral observations shall be provided to other students in all grade levels in accordance with priorities reflected in the local county health plan and subject to availability of staff and funds. It should be understood that such screening does not substitute for a thorough examination in a doctor's office. It is requested that you provide the school with written notification if you do not want your child to participate in the screening program. 

HOMEWORK
Homework assignments will be appropriate for the student’s grade level, and will enhance or reinforce assignments completed at school. They serve the following purpose(s):
               ·       To develop student’s responsibility to write down the assignment, take home all books, papers, etc. necessary to complete it, and
                           return it to school accurately, completed on the date it is due.
               ·        To provide drill or practice on a principle or skill already taught, and provide real life application of skills and understanding.

Students will read books (of their choice) for 30 minutes each evening as homework. When specific assignments are not given, or when homework is completed quickly, the allocated time should be devoted to reading. The recommended daily homework averages are as follows: