Browardschools



Dania Elementary School

300 Southeast 2nd Avenue

Dania, Florida, 33004

(754) 323-5350

Student/Parent Handbook

2015 - 2016

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Principal: Dr. Lewis Jackson

Assistant Principal: Ms. Leslie Phillips

School Hours 7:50 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.

Office Hours 7:20 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Faculty Hours 7:20 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

Breakfast Served 7:05 a.m. - 7:35 a.m.

School Mascot Dolphin

School Colors Blue and White

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This Agenda Book belongs to:

Name: _________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

City: _____________________, Florida Zip Code _______________

Home Phone: ______________________________ Cell Phone: ______________

*Emergency Contact Name: _________________________ Phone: ______________________

*Emergency Contact Name: _________________________ Phone: ______________________

Teacher: __________________________________ Grade: _________________

Lunch #__________________

SCHOOL HOURS

Office 7:20 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.

First Bell 7:45 a.m.

Classes Begin 7:50 a.m.

Dismissal 1:50 p.m.

Student/Parent Handbook

The pages of this handbook are filled with important information regarding school policies and procedures. This section has been prepared to answer some of the questions frequently asked by parents and students. Its purpose is to explain the policies, safety, rules, and regulations governing conduct and the general operational guidelines of our school.

We suggest that parents and students review the contents together. Additionally, we feel that the handbook will serve as a helpful reference for you at school and home. If you have any questions that remain unanswered after reading the handbook, please contact the school office.

I have reviewed the School Agenda Book and discussed it with my child. I understand that I am encouraged to review this Agenda Book daily and communicate with the teacher when necessary. I also understand that I can expect communication from teachers, counselors, and administration whenever there is a concern about my child.

__________________________________________ __________________

Student’s Signature Date

Parent’s Signature Date

____________________________

Teacher’s Name

Let your child know that you plan to monitor his/her progress through the Agenda Book and call on him/her to meet required responsibilities. Please sign, tear out and return this page to your child’s teacher.

Nota Para los Padres

Entiendo que debo leer la agenda de mi hijo/hija a diario y comunicarme con sus maestros cuando sea necesario. Tambien entiendo que los maestros, consejeros y administradores se comunicaran conmigo cuando haya algun problema con mi hijo/hija.

____________________________________ __________________

Firma del padre Fecha

Digale a su hijo/hija que usted va a vigilar como esta yendo en la escuela a traves de la agenda y hablara con el/ella para ayudarlo a cumplir con sus responsabilidade.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the Principal 5

Agenda Book Usage 6

Arrival Procedures 6

Attendance 7

Excuses, Make Up Assignments, and Tardiness

Baked Goods 7

Before & After School Care (ASP) 7

Birthday Party Policy 8

Breakfast & Lunch 8

Price, Payment, and Free/Reduced Application Process

Cell Phone Use 8

Communication 9

Conferences 9

Discipline 9

Dismissal Procedures 9

Car, Bike, Walkers, Bus,

Early Release, Rainy Day, Emergency 10

Early Release Days 11

Eligibility to Enroll 11

Registration and Medical

Field Trips 12

Guidance 12

Health 12

Homework 12

Illness/Injury 12

Clinic Policy and Head Lice Policy

Insurance 13

Interim Reports 13

Lost & Found 13

Media 13

Messages 13

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) 13

Pets 13

Report Cards 13

Safety 13

School Advisory Committee (SAC) 14

Student Achievement Recognition 14

Student Responsibilities 14

Student Services for Exceptional Students (ESE) 14

Support Staff 14

Tardy Policy 14

Telephones 15

Testing Programs 15

Textbooks & Materials 15

Title 1 15

Truancy 15

Visitors 16

Volunteers 16

Weapons Policy 16

Withdrawal Procedures 16

Principal’s Message to Parents

I am the proud principal of Dania Elementary School, and I have the distinct honor of welcoming you to another school year. Dania Elementary School has a history of being an outstanding school; we are entering the 102nd year as a Broward school site. It is my commitment to continue the tradition of excellence by providing your child with challenging, rigorous, and rich education experiences.

Dania Elementary parents are our most valued partners in the important job of educating the children of our community. It is our belief that transparent communication between school and home is very important in promoting the achievement of every student. This Agenda Book can be a valuable communication tool if it is used effectively. I encourage you to regularly read and discuss items written in this booklet with your child(ren).

I look forward to working closely with each of you. Adhering to high expectation and abiding by the ancient African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”, we can/will collaborate to accomplish greatness.

Sincerely,

Lewis Jackson, Ed.D.

Principal

AGENDA BOOKS: Dania Elementary School is happy to provide each student in grades 1-5 with an Agenda Book at the beginning of the school year. If a child loses or misplaces his/her Agenda Book, there will be a $6.00 replacement fee.

Hints for Using Your Agenda Book

Please review the “Hints for Using Your Agenda Book” with your child and become familiar with its format and contents.

Please review and sign your child’s Agenda Book daily to ensure that classwork/homework is properly completed. This will also keep you current with upcoming school activities and projects.

During the School Day

1. Listen carefully when your teacher gives an assignment. Look at your teacher and think about the assignment. If you have a question about the assignment, ask your teacher.

2. Locate today’s date on the calendar.

3. Locate the date when the assignment is due. All long-term assignments should be recorded on the due date, the date the assignment is to be turned in. Homework should be recorded on the day that it is assigned.

4. Write an entry for the assignment on the due date. Make your entries brief, but be sure that you can understand them.

Before You Leave School

1. Check your planner. Decide what homework you need to do this evening.

2. Get out the materials you will need for your homework.

3. If you don’t understand one of your assignments, ask your teacher or a classmate about it before you leave school.

At Home

1. First, do the assignments that are due immediately. When you finish an assignment, draw a single line through the entry on the calendar.

2. Next work on assignments that are due in the future.

ARRIVAL: Students should not arrive at school before 7:20 a.m. except for those students who participate in the breakfast program. Parents of Pre-Kindergarten through third grade students should use the south parking lot for drop off. Fourth and fifth grade students and siblings will use the south side of Building #2 (old cafeteria). All vehicles should slowly move forward to the farthest empty drop off spot before having their child(ren) exit the car.

If your child is a bus rider, make sure he/she is at the appropriate bus stop ten minutes early. Also, we ask that you be patient with bus transportation the first few days of school. The children on the buses will be dropped off at the school’s Bus Loading Zones and directed to their classes. Students may ONLY ride the bus to which they are assigned and should not ask permission to ride another bus.

The east parking lot is reserved for school buses only. Please adhere to the signs.

ATTENDANCE AND/OR ILLNESS AT SCHOOL: Punctuality and regularity in attendance are necessary for successful academic performance. If students are ill, they should remain at home until fully recuperated. All absences must be reported by telephone within 48 hours, followed by a note when the student returns. This note should state the cause and date of the absence (State Law). The attendance phone number is 754 323-5352.

Children will be excused for the following reasons:

1. Illness of student

2. Illness of immediate family member

3. Death

4. Religious holidays of the student’s own faith.

5. Required court appearance or subpoena.

6. Special event. Examples of special events include important public functions, conferences, state/national competitions, as well as exceptional cases of family need. The student must get permission from the principal/designee at least five days ahead of time.

7. Scheduled medical or dental appointment.

8. Students having, or suspected of having, a communicable disease or infestation which can be transmitted are to be excluded from school and are not allowed to return to school until they no longer present a health hazard (F.S. 1003.22). Examples of communicable diseases and infestations include, but are not limited to, fleas, head lice, ringworm, impetigo and scabies. Students are allowed a maximum of five excused days absence for each infestation of head lice. Students on field trips and students who attend alternative to suspension programs are not considered absent.

Make-Up Work for Absences

It is the student’s responsibility to make up all assignments due to an EXCUSED ABSENCE. Students have two school days for each day they are absent (not including the day of return) in which to make up assignments. Previously assigned work is due on the day of return. It is suggested that the students have the phone number of a homework buddy to help with details regarding an assignment. Hospital and/or homebound instruction are provided for children with illnesses, which extend beyond 15 school days. Information regarding this service is available from the Guidance Office.

Tardiness

School is the child’s first job. Punctuality is a valuable part of learning and should be stressed. By being on time students will have the needed time to prepare for the day’s work in a relaxed manner. If parents know students are going to be late, please send a note stating the reason. In this way, the teacher will know that the student was not lingering or playing on the way. The tardy bell rings at 7:50 a.m. Students arriving at 7:51 a.m will be marked tardy on their attendance card and must report to the office for a tardy pass to enter their classroom.

BAKED GOODS: Due to Florida Health Regulations, home-baked goods or home cooked dishes may NOT be brought to school for consumption by students, only commercially prepared goods.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE: Before school care is not available for students at Dania Elementary. After School Provider (ASP) provides after school care for the students at Dania Elementary. Dania Elementary staff also work in the program. For more information call (954) 596-9000.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES: Birthday celebrations in the classrooms are discouraged. Parents may send in cupcakes or cookies and these items will be distributed during the students lunch period. No home-prepared food is permitted per School Board policy.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM: Our cafeteria provides students with a hot lunch. Meals are balanced within the guidelines of good nutrition. A breakfast program is also offered and participation is voluntary. Breakfast is served at 7:05-7:35 daily.

Breakfast- $1.20 Reduced Price - $0.30

Lunch -$1.90 Reduced price - $0.40

Ice cream will be available on Wednesdays and Fridays for $0.60

Meals may be paid monthly, weekly or daily. Advance payments may be made on Mondays or the first day of each week. Please put advance payments in an envelope with the student’s name, grade level, and lunch number. Parents may come in and make breakfast/lunch payments from 7:20 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

Children who qualify may be eligible for free or reduced priced meals. Online applications can be accessed online at

Lunch application information packets are placed in the students’ first day packets, or are available in the front office. Applications are processed in 2-10 business days.

Meal payments may be completed online using School Payment Solutions at . You will need to have the following information to register and create your account:

• Child’s School District (Broward)

• Child’s School (Dania)

• Child’s Student ID, Birth Date, Address

• A valid email address for your account

You will be required to add one student to your account when registering. However, once your account is active, you can login and add any number of additional students to your account. Once you have completed registration, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address you specified during registration. You MUST confirm your email address via the instructions in the email in order to activate your account and login for the first time.

Charging Lunches

To facilitate the smooth operation of the cafeteria you are only allowed ONE lunch charge. Students with more than one charge will be provided a nutritional option.

Our school is a School of Wellness, it is very important that our children are encouraged to eat nutritious, healthy meals. For this reason, it is very important that you adhere to the following requests:

• NO candy is to be brought to school.

• NO soft drinks are to be brought for lunch.

• NO glass containers are to be used in lunchboxes.

CELL PHONES: Cell phones may be brought to school, but must be turned off and kept out of sight during school hours (per Code of Student Conduct). The School is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones.

COMMUNICATION:

Menu- a monthly menu for breakfast and lunch will be sent home.

School newsletter - The Dania Dolphin Press will be sent home each quarter. It will contain news, highlights, notices of upcoming events, and timely information.

PTO newsletter- The PTO newsletter will be published as needed and will contain information regarding PTO projects and plans.

Parent Link - Parent Link is used to send reminders and urgent information via telephones, email, and/or text.

Website – The school website () provides valuable information, including our School Improvement Plan, Cafeteria Inspection Results, Important Dates, and Contact Information.

CONFERENCES: Parents and teachers must work closely together to develop and implement good educational programs for children. Conferencing represents one of the ways in which the home and school come together. For conferences to be successful and informative please follow these suggestions:

1. A request in writing or a phone call to the teacher requesting a conference will ensure sufficient time and privacy. Teachers are available for conferences from 7:20 –7:50 a.m. and from 2:15 – 2:50 p.m.

2. Before the conference, decide if the conference is of a nature that should be discussed in the presence of the child. (Children are often included in conferences.)

3. If you have a scheduled conference, please let the teacher know if you will be there or if you need to reschedule at another time. At least two conferences will be scheduled yearly to discuss your child’s progress.

4. Notify the teacher if you feel that an additional conference is needed.

DISCIPLINE: The School Board of Broward County has adopted a Student Code of Conduct. Please review the Code of Conduct, which outlines behavior expectations for ALL Broward County students. Please sign and return the “Acknowledgement Form”. Teachers MUST have this form signed and on file for each student.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES: It is very important that we make the arrival and dismissal from school as safe as possible. You are the most significant role model that your child has. If you are picking up a car rider, please stay in your car in the car line and move along. It is also impossible to have every parent park their car and walk their child to their classroom. Please adhere to the following procedures to ensure a SAFE arrival and dismissal. Teachers must be notified in writing if a student will be taking transportation home that deviates from the normal routine. If the written notification is not received, the student will go home in the usual way.

Car Riders

Cars should maintain a single file, stay close to the curb and not pass another car unless directed to do so. Please pull all the way forward before stopping to pick up or drop off your child. Cars in the line may not stop and wait for a child or get out and leave the vehicle unattended. Students will not be allowed to leave the pickup area and walk to a parked car unless accompanied by an adult. If there is a need to enter the building, a suitable parking place should be found so that the flow of traffic is not interrupted. Be sure to place the completed car rider form on your dashboard with the student’s name, grade and teacher. Car pick-up and drop off will be on the south side of the school. Parents of kindergarten through third grade students should use the south parking lot for drop off. Pre-K, fourth, fifth grade students and siblings will use the south side entrance to the old cafeteria.

Due to safety concerns, parents should not drop students off in the bus area.

Bus Riders

Bus transportation is provided for students residing 2 miles or more from school. In order to help ensure the safety of all passengers, each bus rider is expected to cooperate and follow bus safety rules. Bus pick-up/drop-off is on the east side of the school.

Bike Riders and Walkers

Bike riders and walkers will use assigned exits. Florida law requires all students to wear their bicycle helmets every time they ride their bicycles. All students should have locks for their bikes. All bike riders and walkers are to use their designated walkways. Students who must cross streets are to walk to the Crossing Guard. Bicycles are to be walked on the school grounds at all time.

Emergency Dismissal

In case of an emergency, due to inclement weather or equipment failure, children will be dismissed and sent directly home unless otherwise notified. Be sure you fill out the Emergency Dismissal Form you received in the first day packet. It is the parent’s responsibility to be sure that we have the most current information.

Three different phone numbers must be listed on the emergency form and updated immediately when there is a job change or any other vital information changes.

Rainy Day Dismissal

PLEASE have an understanding with your child about what is to be done on rainy days. For example: wait for you, go home even if it is raining, or permission to ride with another child. Please indicate this on the Emergency Dismissal Card. Whatever you decide, EXPLAIN the plan FULLY to your child in advance. In case of a heavy downpour and/or lightening at dismissal time, children will be held until it subsides or parents come to pick up the student.

Early Dismissal

Students will NOT be released after 1:20 p.m. according to School Board Policy.

We ask that parents make doctor and dentist appointments after school hours when possible Homework and final instructions for the day are being given during this time. A student will be released only to parents unless the school has been notified in writing by the parents (Emergency Contact Form) that they have granted permission for someone else to pick up their child.

Please make arrangements to pick them up prior to 1:20 p.m.

Early Release

Students will be released at 12:00 Noon on Early Release days. Please make sure your child has a way to get home.

EARLY RELEASE DATES 2015-2016

September 17, 2015

October 22, 2015

January 7, 2016

February 25, 2016

March 17, 2016

June 9, 2016

ELIBIGILITY FOR ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL:

Kindergarten:

Children who have attained the age of five (5) years on, or before, September 1st of the school year may be admitted to kindergarten.

First Grade:

Children who have attained the age of six (6) years on, or before, September 1st of the school year may be admitted to first grade.

At the time of registration, you will need the following:

• Original Birth Certificate or Passport

• Florida Certificate of Immunization with dates for each immunization (Form 680)

• Florida Certificate of Health/Medical Exam (Form 3040) within 12months

• Two proofs of residency (examples: electric, water, or phone bill, etc.)

• Three emergency contacts

Required Series of Immunizations For All Grade Levels:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (4 or 5)

• Polio (TOPV) (4)

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (2 each)

• Hepatitis-B Series, Varicella vaccine or documented history (year) of Varicella

Disease (chicken pox)

• Two doses of Varicella Vaccine or proof of Varicella Disease (Kg and 1st Grade)

Medical examinations:

• Certificate of medical examination performed within a 12-month period prior to school registration for the first-time entrance in the State of Florida.

• Notification of health/medical problems requiring school/staff awareness and/or supervision for data processing entry.

• Three (3) emergency contact telephone numbers—different from parent/guardian

FIELD TRIPS: Field trips are planned as an extension of class activities during the year. A Field Trip Authorization Form, giving permission for your child to participate, will be sent home to be signed and returned. School administration may deny participation on a field trip to any child who exhibits unacceble behavior.

Important: All money for field trips must be received on or before the due date on the permission slip. Money cannot be accepted on the day of the field trip.

GUIDANCE: Florida has authorized Health Education of which Family Life/Human Sexuality is a component to be taught in our school. Our students K-5 will be involved in this unit, under the direction of the Guidance Counselor. Classroom activities will also be used in all grade levels dealing with self-awareness, decision- making and substance awareness.

Please contact our Guidance Counselor to discuss study habits, grades, test scores or family concerns.

HEALTH: Florida Statute requires the Broward County School to conduct health screenings. These screenings consist of the following.

• VISION-students entering a Florida school for the first time, students suspected of being exceptional and students in specific grade (K, 1, & 3)

• HEARING-students entering a Florida school for the first time, students suspected of being exceptional and students in specified grades (K & 1)

• SPEECH-students in specified grades and students referred by a teacher.

• HEIGHTS AND WEIGHTS- annually in specified grades (1 & 3)

• BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)-annually in specified grades (1&3)

HOMEWORK: Homework is an essential part of a student’s education. Homework is assigned to review and expand on topics taught in class. Please be sure that your child completes his/her daily assignments. Parents can help students by providing a quiet, well-lit place to study. Contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions. Students should write his or her homework in their Student/Agenda Book.

ILLNESS or INJURY: If a student becomes ill at school, parents will be notified so that they can make pick-up arrangements. In case of an injury, staff will administer first aid treatment. If emergency medical treatment is required, parents will be contacted and 911 will be called. Please have three phone numbers on file so that we can contact a parent or responsible adult. The emergency numbers are critical when there is a need for special attention.

Clinic

If a student feels ill, they may request to go to the clinic. Their temperature may be taken and if they do not have a fever, nausea, possible injury, or swelling they will be sent back to class. Parents will be responsible for picking up their child if deemed necessary by the Nurse or designee. Staff is not allowed to administer medication.

Head Lice

Each class will be checked quarterly for head lice. If your child is found to have head lice, you will be contacted to pick your child up from school. Following the removal of all nits and head lice, a parent must accompany the child to the school clinic and wait until the child is rechecked. School Board Policy states that children must be nit free before returning to school.

Anyone can have head lice. Therefore, it is important to look carefully at the hair and scalp of everybody living in the house. This condition looks similar to dandruff but adheres to the hair and does not move when contacted. Look on separate hair strands for little white eggs, especially close to the scalp on the top of the head. If there are nits, there are lice on the head even if you don’t see them. Be sure to look very slowly and carefully. Sometimes the nits are difficult to find.

INSURANCE: Accident insurance applications will be sent home with all students the first week of school. The decision to purchase or not to purchase is an individual family decision. Applications should be mailed DIRECTLY to the insurance carrier.

INTERIM REPORT: An interim report will be sent home to inform parents of student progress no later than midway between marking periods. Interim Reports are distributed to students who are experiencing difficulty in academics and/or behavior.

LOST AND FOUND: The Lost and Found is located in the front office. In order to lessen the chance of losing personal items, parents are strongly encouraged to write their child’s name on lunch boxes, jackets, sweaters and rain gear.

MEDIA: Students are encouraged to display responsible behavior in keeping track of their library books. No fine will be assessed, but payment is expected for damaged or lost books. Students who have an overdue, lost or damaged book will not be allowed to check out another book until the book is returned or paid for. Students may check out books for one week. Audio and videotapes are available as are other educational resources.

MESSAGES: To ensure time on task and minimize classroom interruptions messages will be forwarded to the teacher’s voice mailbox to be picked up during their Planning or Specials time. This could mean that your child may not receive your message in a timely manner. Therefore, plans for non-curricular activities should be made before the school day begins.

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION (PTO): The Dania Elementary School PTO actively supports the school’s instructional program, and enhances community/school relations. All parents are encouraged to become a member and actively support this important organization. Parents will be notified of all PTO/Advisory meetings planned during the school year. The membership drive is conducted each September; however, your family may join at any time during the school year. Our PTO coordinates a variety of school activities.

PETS: Please know that for the safety and health of our students, no pets are permitted on our campus.

REPORT CARDS: Pupil progress reports inform parents of the child’s social and academic progress. Every child will receive a report card at the end of each nine-week grading period. Please review the report card with your child, sign the report card envelope and promptly return it to school. If there are any questions, parents should contact the teacher.

SAFETY: Unauthorized items have no place in school and must be left at home. These items include but are not limited to; electronic games or toys, laser pens, pets, skateboards and trading cards. In addition, any item that may cause injury is not permitted.

We encourage children to wear clothing that is appropriate, practical and comfortable. All classrooms are air-conditioned and students may bring a sweater or light jacket to use as needed. Closed shoes or sneakers, are recommended. Zorries, clogs, backless shoes, tank tops, short tops, and short shorts are prohibited.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC): The School Advisory Council (SAC) at Dania Elementary is comprised of elected stakeholders representing the staff, parents and community. They meet on a regular basis to discuss important issues and policies. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend the meetings as visitors. This advisory parent group meets regularly to discuss school issues, which need to be addressed such as safety, traffic problems, etc. Reminders about meetings will be sent home via the school newsletter, flyers and parent link.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION: The Principal’s Honor Roll, A/B Honor Roll, Student of the Month and other academic awards have been established to recognize and celebrate the achievement of our students. Students are recognized for their efforts and outstanding accomplishments.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend class daily and be on time.

• Come to class with the necessary materials (paper, pencils, etc).

• Respect all individuals and property.

• Use courteous language.

• Adhere to conduct that is safe and responsible.

STUDENT SERVICES EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION: Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs are provided for children who are eligible according to county and state guidelines. These programs include but are not limited to; varying exceptionalities, gifted, speech and language, autism, hearing impaired, visually impaired and physically impaired. Occupational therapy and physical therapy services are also provided. Students participating in these programs have met specific criteria and requirements and have an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), which documents their needs and services to be provided. Any questions regarding ESE programs should be directed to our ESE Specialist.

SUPPORT STAFF: Our support staff members are available to assist you with educational concerns. Our Support Staff includes a Guidance Counselor, ESE Specialist, Autism Coaches, Curriculum Specialist and Reading Coach. Please do not hesitate to contact them with your questions and/or concerns.

TARDY POLICY:

• Breakfast begins at 7:05 a.m. and ends at 7:40 a.m.

• Students report to their respective areas by 7:45 a.m.

• Students enter their classrooms at 7:45 a.m.

• The tardy bell rings at 7:50 a.m. Any students arriving after 7:50 a.m. will be marked tardy by their classroom teacher and require an office pass for classroom entrance.

• Tardiness is traced by Broward School District, and there are consequences for chronic tardiness.

TELEPHONES: Student use of telephones is limited to emergencies. Children are expected to be prepared with lunch money, homework, materials, or plans for special after school activities.

TESTING PROGRAM: Formal and informal testing is done each year in an effort to assess needs and to obtain information regarding the academic strengths or weaknesses of each child. These results are used along with other information, to strengthen, revise, or modify our instructional program. If you have any questions regarding the testing program, please contact our Guidance Counselor.

TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS/BOOKS: The State of Florida furnishes all basic textbooks for loan to the students. Students are responsible for all textbooks, library books and materials issued to them during the school year. Books not returned to the school and those damaged must be paid for by the student. If lost books or materials are found, money paid will be refunded.

TITLE 1: Due to the percentage of families on Free/Reduced Meals, Dania Elementary is considered a Title 1 school. Following are important documents available to you:

• The School Improvement Plan (SIP), that contains the school’s Title 1 Parent Involvement Plan (PIP), is located in the school lobby for review and a copy will be available at all School Advisory Meetings. The SIP can also be viewed on our website.

• The District Parental Involvement Plan is located in the school lobby, at SAC meetings, and on the Title 1 website

• School Grades, FCAT Results, and AYP information can be found at the following website:

• Family Network on Disabilities information can be found at

• School Board of Broward County Title 1 Center for Parent Involvement is located at 701 Northwest 31st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. Their phone number is (754) 321-1425.

TRUANCY: The Broward County Public School and the State Attorney’s Office have initiated the Broward Truancy Intervention Program (BTIP). Your child’s attendance will be monitored on a daily basis, and unexcused absences will be reported to you. Should your child have a series of unexcused absences, the State Attorney’s Office will be notified via a state automated system. You are required to contact the school each time your child is absent and provide the school with the reason for absence. Following are the reasons accepted for excused absences:

1. Illness. Students who expect to miss at least 15 consecutive school days due to illness, a medical condition, or for social/emotional reasons, or who would miss excessive days intermittently throughout the school year for the same reasons and could benefit from instruction, should obtain a copy of the Hospital/Homebound referral packet from the Hospital/ Homebound contact person at their school.

2. Illness of an immediate family member.

3. Death in the family.

4. Religious holidays of the student’s specific faith.

5. Required court appearance or subpoena by a law enforcement agency.

6. Special event. Examples of special events include important public functions, conferences, state/national competitions, as well as exceptional cases of family need. Students must get permission from the principal/ designee at least five (5) days in advance.

7. Scheduled doctor or dentist appointments.

Students having or suspected of having a communicable disease or infestation that can be transmitted are to be excluded from school and are not allowed to return to school until they no longer present a health hazard (Florida Statute 1003.22). Examples of communicable diseases and infestations include, but are not limited to, fleas, head lice, ringworm, impetigo, and scabies. Students are allowed a maximum of five (5) days excused absence for each infestation of head lice.

To report absences, please contact the school office at (754) 323-5350 and send a note to the teacher.

VISITORS: To ensure the safety of all children visitors must report to the front office with a photo ID to be scanned into the STAR system and will receive a security nametag. This process must be completed each time you visit the school. No unauthorized person is permitted on school grounds at any time. Visitors may NOT walk directly into the learning areas. Classroom visits need to be pre-arranged with the classroom teacher at least 24 hours in advance. We will not interrupt teaching time during the instructional day. Messages may be left with our office staff or on teachers’ voice mail and will be delivered appropriately. Forgotten lunches, money, raincoats, books, keys and other belongings should be brought to the office. Arrangements will be made to deliver them.

VOLUNTEERS: If you are interested in becoming a school volunteer, please see Mrs. Cheryl Williams, our school volunteer coordinator in the front office. All volunteers must complete the Volunteer Registration Form and be approved to work as a school volunteer before participating in any school activities. This procedure applies to any and all classroom volunteer work and to field trip chaperones. Volunteers Assisting Students and Teachers (VAST) guidelines do not permit non-enrolled children or younger siblings to accompany a volunteer during their volunteer time. A volunteer orientation will be conducted early in the school year to review policies and procedures.

WEAPONS POLICY: The Weapons Policy of the School Board of Broward County is strictly enforced, and no student is permitted to bring any form of a weapon to school. The importance of this policy cannot be overemphasized; therefore you are encouraged to consistently review the policy below throughout the school year. Your attention to this matter will avoid lengthy proceedings that will occur if your child is found to be in violation of the policy.

The possession, use or transmittal of weapon, or use of any article as a weapon, or use in a manner reasonably calculated to threaten any person, such as articles as are defined as weapons in Board Policy 2304, shall be subject to suspension and possible expulsion as provided by School Board Policy 5006.

WITHDRAWAL OF STUDENTS: If you are withdrawing your child from school, please contact the school office by telephone or by written communication at least 24 hours prior to the withdrawal date. This will give us ample time to complete the necessary paper work.

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