Absences/Tardies
When your child returns to school,
he/she must bring a note explaining theabsence, preferably from a doctor. As
of April 18, 2007, the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida approves a
new Student Attendance Rule (6Gx13-5A-1.041), which would be in effect during
the 2008-2009 school year. One critical change is that ALL ABSENCES will
initially be reported as unexcused until appropriate documentation is
submitted, as outlined in the Student Board Rule. This rule may be accessed on
the Districts website at
http://www2.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/rules/Chapt5/5a-1.041.pdf and serves
to strengthen accountability for students and schools and defines excusable
student absences. Additionally, grades and credits will be withheld for
excessive unexcused absences, that is, five (5) or more absences in a semester
course and/or absences in an annual course, pending action taken by each
schools Attendance Review Committee. Bob Graham Education Center begins
promptly at 8:20 a.m. on the Main Campus and Middle School, and at 8:15 a.m.
for the Primary Learning Center. If a student arrives after the 8:30 a.m.
bell, he/she will be marked tardy. Being on time is the first step towards a
successful school day. Absences (up to 10) are EXCUSED for the following
reasons: a) student illness b) medical appointment c) death in the family d)
observance of a religious holiday or service, when it is mandated for all
members of a faith. All other absences are unexcused, including outdoor
suspensions.
School Board Rule 6Gxl 3-5A-1 .041, Student Attendance--Specific
Responsibilities (see EXHIBIT #7. Pages 50-55) defines Excused School Absence
as: Student Illness: Students missing five (5) or more consecutive days of
school due to illness or injury are required to provide a written statement
from a health care provider. The written statement must include all days the
student has been absent from school. If a student is continually sick and
repeatedly absent from school due to a specific medical condition, he or she
must be under the supervision of a health care provider in order to receive
excused absences from school. • Medical Appointment: II a student is absent
from school due to a medical appointment a written statement from a health
care provider indicating the date and time of the appointment must be
submitted to the principal • Death In Family • Religious Holiday: Observance
of a religious holiday or service when it is mandated for all members of a
faith that such a holiday or service be observed: The religious holiday must
be listed on the district’s approved list of religious holidays (see EXHIBIT
#2, Pages 41-42). Note: To be updated annually. • School-sponsored Event or
Educational Enrichment Activity: Schoo[-sponsored event or educational
enrichment activity that is not a school- sponsored event, as determined and
approved by the principal or principal’s designee: The student must receive
advance written permission from the principal or the principal’s designee.
Examples of special events include: public functions, conferences, and
regional, state and national competitions. • Subpoena by law enforcement
agency or mandatory court appearance. • Outdoor Suspensions: Outdoor
suspensions are to be considered excused absences. Refer to “Procedures (or
Promoting and Maintaining a Safe Learning Environment,” Guideline #11 -
Suspensions. • Other individual student absences beyond the control of the
parent/guardian or student, as determined and approved by the principal or the
principal’s designee. The principal shall require documentation related to the
condition.
CELEBRATIONS/PARTIES IN SCHOOL
Only school scheduled celebrations
will be permitted. Family celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
should be held at home.
CAFETERIA MEALS/LUNCH PROGRAM
Elementary students pay $2.25 daily
for lunch. If you received free or reduced lunch last year, you MUST FILL OUT
A NEW APPLICATION. Additionally, NO FAST FOOD LUNCHES WILL BE ALLOWED.
CLOSED CAMPUS
As a result of the Jessica Lunsford
Act (HB 1877), beginning with the 2007- 2008 school year, Bob Graham Education
Center will maintain a closed campus. Parents/guardians must drop off students
in the designated drop off areas.
VISITORS
Please be advised that if you are
visiting the school due to an activity in your child's classroom, you are NOT
allowed to bring a sibling or any other child that does not attend our school.
Having children on school grounds that do not attend this school is a
liability as well as a distraction.
VOLUNTEERS
Parents, please be advised that all
volunteers MUST fill out a School Volunteer Program Registration Form,
FM1746E. You MUST be cleared by Miami- Dade County Public Schools before
initiating your volunteer service. Once you have obtained a volunteer number,
it does not have an expiration date. At the discretion of either M-DCPS or the
volunteer, it can be terminated at any time.