1. Pirates Go for the Gold! Pinecrest Academy South Charter School welcomes you to our 2016-2017 Open House

2. First Day of School Parents may walk students in Kindergarten directly to their classrooms the first week of school. Parents may walk 1 st -5 th grade students directly to their classrooms on Monday and Tuesday. As of Wednesday, parents may not enter the hallways or classrooms. All supplies should be labeled and may brought throughout the first week of school.

3. First Day Folders Several important documents will be sent home in the Pinecrest folders during Open House These include: First Day Reminders Student Data Cards –Must be returned with or without corrections Parent & Student Handbook acknowledgement form P.A.L.S Membership form Lunch Application form School Insurance form- ALL Students PLTW form with payment

4. School Communication School website School Calendar Lunch Menu Classroom, Special Area, Clubs and Activities Home learning assignments Email –jnieto@pinecrestacademysouth.com Phone messages Automated email and phone message system Please provide a preferred email address to receive our school wide automated email and phone messages on the parent sign in sheet All phone and email messages should be returned within 24 hours (excluding holidays and weekends).

5. Daily Schedules 8:30am – 8:45 Morning Announcements 8:45-11:00 Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies 10:30-11:00-Library (Nieto HR only) 11:00-12:00- Specials 12:00-12:15- Recess 12:15-12:45- Lunch 12:45-3:30- Reading, Language Arts and Writing 12:45-1:45- Specials on Friday only 2:30-3:00 (Library- Rosales HR only)

6. Curriculum Pinecrest Academy South will follow the Language Arts Florida Standards, the Mathematics Florida Standards and the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science and Social Studies Language Arts / Reading Mathematics Science Social Studies Special Areas

7. Advanced Classes and Gifted Classes Advanced Explorer Program Our Advanced program offers a challenging and stimulating curriculum to qualifying students. We incorporate rigorous activities that challenge and motivate learning. Our advanced curriculum is tailored to offering our students an in depth study of a particular topic and to enhance the regular curriculum. Project based learning is incorporated to nurture creativity and independence. Gifted Explorer Program Our Gifted program offers acceleration and enrichment to our gifted students. Project based learning is encouraged to build organization skills and to stimulate the students’ minds. The aim of the Gifted program is to teach the standards with in-depth knowledge of the topic while challenging the students in the process. Students will participate in the VEX IQ or LEGO Robotics program. We envision that this program will assist our students in fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

8. Project Lead the Way- PLTW Our school will be a Project Lead the Way showcase school as we begin our second year of implementation. Through PLTW Launch, our Kindergarten through 5 th grade students will begin problem solvers using the engineering design process and critical thinking. We have a new lab for PLTW. The PLTW teacher is Ms. Raysa Perez. Other schools in Miami implementing PLTW include Gulliver Academy and Rivera Preparatory Private School. PLTW Lab Materials include Launch Log and Project Supplies: Kindergarten and First Grade: $10.00 Second through Fifth Grade: $20.00

9. Positive Behavior Support PBS, Positive Behavior Support, uses effective instructional strategies, consistent correction procedures, logical consequences and positive reinforcement to teach students the skills and behaviors necessary for their current and future success. PBS is implemented at PAC school wide. PAC Expectations Be Respectful Treat others kindly, and take care of school property. Be Responsible Keep your word, do your share of the work, and own up to your actions. Be Safe Act in ways that keep you and others from harm or the possibility of harm.

10. Grading Policy -Standards Based Assessments *Weighted grades-posted on class website Reading: benchmarks assessments, vocabulary, listening comprehension quizzes Language Arts: grammar, writing prompts, spelling assessments *Parent Portal to view grades

11. Home Learning 1.Homework is to be completed on a daily basis. 2.Reading Plus-letter with information will be forthcoming 3.If a student misses homework assignments you will receive an Incomplete Assignment Notice. 4.Policy for repeated missing/incomplete homework (morning detention, parent meeting with administration) 5.Homework completion will affect effort grade after the third missed assignment.

12. Attendance Policy Excessive Absences/Tardies/Early Dismissals: – Students who accumulate 10 tardies and/or early dismissals will receive a Warning Notice of Excessive Tardies/Early Dismissals. For every 10 tardies/early dismissals accumulated throughout the year, students will be issued a Notice of Excessive Tardies/Early Dismissals and a Student Case Management Referral (SCM) indicating excessive tardies/early dismissals. – Students exceeding the School's maximum allowed tardies/early dismissals/absences will be referred for a meeting with the School’s Attendance Review Committee. Maximums are as follows: 10 unexcused absences 10 excused absences 20 tardies and/or early dismissals

13. General Procedures  Parents are not allowed to drop off book bags, lunch, or any other items to be delivered to the classrooms  For safety reasons, all cars entering the campus will be stopped by security for identification purposes  No Birthday Celebrations will be permitted  Parking spaces are reserved for faculty and staff. Parents may park in the Visitor parking areas only.

14. General Procedures  Lunch Procedures and Payments  Conferences-parents will be contacted individually with a proposed date and time.  Volunteer Hour Requirement  Field Trips-parent volunteer clearance  Uniform Policy  Girls- navy, yellow or white polo with school logo/ khaki, plaid or navy blue skort or pants (NO SKIRTS)  Boys- navy, yellow or white polo with school logo/ khaki or navy shorts or pants  Shoes- navy blue, black, brown or white close toed shoes with socks/ no stripes, décor or logos/ no boots, sandals, open toe, or platform shoes

15. Silent Dismissal Students will be dismissed from their classrooms The Silent Dismissal decal must be displayed on the right side of the dashboard Parents who walk into the building to pick up their children during dismissal time must have the Silent Dismissal decal For the safety of all students, parents who do not have the Silent Dismissal decal at dismissal time will have to visit the main office to pick up their child: No Exceptions! Anyone picking up your child from school MUST be listed on the Student Data Card

16. General Procedures  T.E.A.M.S before and after care program and hours (prices have changed, please review updated T.E.A.M.S handbook)  Outsourced activities(subject to change due to enrollment):  Cheerleading  Soccer  Basketball  Tennis  Dance

17. Parent Portal: New Accounts  In order to volunteer or view your child’s grades you must create a Parent Portal Account on the M-DCPS website.  Parent Pin numbers will be issued by the main office. Please bring identification for verification.  Please visit the www.dadeschools.net website for detailed instructions on how to create a parent portal account.www.dadeschools.net

18. Parent Portal : Existing Accounts  Parents who have a Parent Portal Account from a previous year must log on to the Portal after the first day of school to renew their account for the current school year.  If you forgot your username or password, click on “forgot username/password” on the parent portal login page and the information will be sent to the email associated with your account.  For questions regarding this process, please see the front desk clerk.

19. Fundraising  Several fundraising opportunities will be available throughout the school year.  These funds are essential to maintain continuous improvements in our school.  We are confident that our Pinecrest family will continue to support our school through participation in these events. **Please sign up with our P.A.L.S organization to see how you can help! -If you are interested in being our class PAL please contact me via email.

20. School Improvements  Tutoring opportunities throughout the school year  Summer Tutoring Program  New state-of-the-art PLTW Lab  New Math Classroom with student computers  Recognition Ceremonies and Materials  Loot Activities  End of Year events and activities  Website Maintenance  Maintain technology programs such as Mathletics, Reading Plus, I-Station, and i-Ready  Teacher Assistants  New online payment options- No Fees

21. Student Recognition Pinecrest students will be recognized for various accomplishments in the areas of Academics and Character Development. A lanyard and recognition pin will be given to eligible students during pinning ceremonies. Pinecrest students have the opportunity to earn pins for the following accomplishments: Principal’s Honor Roll * Honor Roll Perfect Attendance Accelerated Reader Pirate of the Month* Mathletics Participation in clubs and activities sponsored by Pinecrest staff. *Parents will be invited to select ceremonies.

22. Our School’s Website www.pinecrestacademysouth.comwww.pinecrestacademysouth.com The following information will be posted on our School’s Website www.pinecrestacademysouth.com :www.pinecrestacademysouth.com  Monthly Calendar  Lunch Menu  School events, activities, and fundraisers  Photo Album  School Supply Lists  Online Payment Option- No Fees  Educational Links

23. Our Class Website Our class website is updated weekly and will include: Weekly learning objectives Home learning assignments Assessment dates Field Trip and Event information Educational Links Classroom Wish list *Power point will be uploaded to website.

24. Classroom Wish List Will be sent home on Monday. Our wish list is posted on our class website.

25. Class Supplies -Brought in by Friday, August 26 th. -Additional items: 3 ring binder (1 inch)-pack of five dividers 1 pack of sticky notes-Novel “Holes” by Louis Sachar 1 duo-tang plastic folder with fasteners and inside pockets

26. Questions Please stop by our Gym to meet our Special Area Teachers Various school vendors will be in the Cafeteria -Prices are the same online as in person. Shirts will increase to $11.00 after today!!!!