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7460 Southwest 118th Street Pinecrest, Florida 33156-4599 (305) 235-1360
2007 - 2008 Student Handbook “Vis Per Scientiam”Strength through Knowledge
WELCOME FROM YOUR PRINCIPAL
Welcome to Miami Palmetto Senior High School where we are all extremely proud to be Panthers! You will find that this is a school where you can really grow and shine. The staff and I look forward to an outstanding year of learning, growing and involvement. Palmetto is one of the finest senior high schools in the nation. We have continuously been successful because our students, parents, and teachers take learning seriously. We have high academic and behavioral standards, and we fully expect all students to live up to the standards stated in this handbook. We pride ourselves on a safe and orderly environment with a firm but fair attendance and discipline policy. To help us maintain that high level of security all Panthers are required to wear a student identification badge on a blue lanyard. These are provided for the students and assist us in immediate identification of outsiders. Please be aware that our campus is closed at lunch, that we do have a dress code, and driving priveledges are restricted to only 11th and 12th grade students who officially obtain a parking permit from the school. In addition, we are proud to be a school of honor and integrity and all students are asked to sign an honor code agreement. There are many excellent extracurricular activities, clubs, athletics and special activities in which you are encouraged to participate. I encourage you to become involved and not only learn, but enjoy your years at Palmetto. This truly is a great school with wonderful traditions. Please take the time to read this handbook. It has been prepared to make things easier for you and to assist you with organizational skills. Keep it around for reference. If everyone follows its guidelines, it will be the best year ever at Palmetto High!
Sincerely,
Howard Weiner, Principal
Miami Palmetto Administrative Staff
Miami Palmetto Support Staff
Miami Palmetto Counseling Staff
The School Board of Dade County, Florida
Superintendent of Schools
Academic Grades 9 Week Average
Yearly
Average
Effort Grades Symbols for effort (the degree to which a student works to ability) are as follows:
1 - Outstanding 2 - Satisfactory 3 - Insufficient
Conduct Grades Conduct implies the degree to which a student relates to others in socially acceptable ways.
A. Outstanding B. Good C. Satisfactory D. Improvement needed E. Unsatisfactory
Students’ academic grades reflect their academic achievement. Students who receive passing grades on their report cards can be assumed to be working within a range acceptable for the subject. Students are advised by the teacher of the grading criteria employed in each class at the beginning of the course. Grades in conduct and effort reflect objectively the student’s progress independent of academic achievement. Effort implies the degree to which a pupil has demonstrated a desire to learn or to engage in learning tasks which should lead to a mastery of educational goals. Conduct implies the degree to which a student relates to others in socially acceptable ways. The determination of the specific grade a student receives must be based on the teacher’s best judgement after careful consideration of all aspects of each student’s performance during a grading period. Each nine weeks, students receive a report card indicating their scholarship, effort, and conduct to that point. The final grade is the average of the entire year’s work and will become a part of the student’s permanent record.
Academic Integrity
Integrity is an integral part of the Miami Palmetto community. Cheating is not tolerated at Miami Palmetto, and is dealt with by the Honor Council, a body of student and faculty. Consequences for cheating are decided on a case by case basis, but can inculde Saturday school and suspension from activities. Responsibilities of students, faculty, and parents are detailed in the Miami Palmetto Honor Code, which is distributed at the beginning of the year. Miami Palmetto hopes that students and parents will value education and integrity over grades and test scores.
Any student found guilty of cheating or plagiarizing in any subject area will be subject to any combination of the following consequences:
Forgiveness Policy
Students receiving a grade of “D” in senior high courses may repeat the exact course to improve the grade and GPA, if the student receives a “C” or higher. The lower grade will not be used to compute the GPA, but will appear on the student’s transcript. A student may not repeat a lower course of a clearly established sequence of courses after a higher course of the sequence has been successfully completed. For example, a student may not repeat Algebra I after receiving credit for Algebra II. Grades of “F” will be averaged in the GPA until the course is made up and a grade of “C” or higher is achieved.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Grade points are numerical values assigned to letter grades (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). Bonus points are additional numerical values assigned to letter grades in honors and Advanced Placement classes. Students must earn a minimum of five points in the second semester to pass a class, in addition to the minimum required ten points for the entire year.
Cumulative grade point average is a grade point average computed by using grades received for more than one grading period a year.
Noncumulative grade point average is a grade point average computed by using grades received for a single term.
Weighted grade point average is a grade point average which includes bonus points.
Unweighted grade point average is a grade point average without the inclusion of bonus points.
The traditional system for calculating a weighted commutative GPA is used until a student acquires 15 credits. Add one extra grade point for grades of “A”, “B”, and “C” for each honors class. Add two extra grade points for grades of “A” and “B” and one extra point for a grade of “C” to each Advanced Placement course. Add the total number of points earned and divide by the total credits attempted.
The process for calculating an unweighted and weighted GPA for the purpose of high school graduation and college applications is as follows:
Unweighted Cumulative GPA = Total grade points (without bonus points) / Number of credits attempted
Weighted Cumulative GPA = Total grade point + Total bonus points / Number of credits attempted
A maximum of six credits earned in middle school can be transferred to the senior high school. These credits will be used in calculating the grade point average. Grades earned in dual enrollment classes and Florida Virtual School are also included. Students will be identified for honors as follows: SUMMA CUM LAUDE (top 5% of graduating class), MAGNA CUM LAUDE (top 10% of graduating class), and CUM LAUDE (4.0 GPA and higher).
High School
Graduation In addition to the course requirements outlined previously, graduation requirements include:
In order for a student to participate in the graduation ceremony, he/she must complete all requirements by May of that year. A graduation ceremony will be held at the conclusion of summer school for those individuals who did not meet requirements in May.
Under provisions of the Student Progression Plan, teachers assign meaningful homework assignments on a regular basis. Parents should insure a quiet area and help promote good study habits. If there are questions regarding this policy, please feel free to call an assistant principal or counselor for clarification or for a conference. Additionally, students are reminded of the requirement to complete 30 minutes of reading each day.
Make-Up Work A student who has an excused absence is to take the initiative to make up work missed. All work missed is to be made up as soon as possible after the student’s return to school. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with each teacher to do the make-up work.
Report Cards Report cards are issued approximately one week following the conclusion of each grading period by the third period teacher. These reports are to be retained by the parents and not returned to the school. Report cards will be distributed to the students during the week of October 29, 2007, January 21, 2008, April 17, 2008, & June 9, 2008.
*If students wish to have their last report card mailed home, they are to bring a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Otherwise, they will have to come to school to pick them up. Each grade represents the achievement of the student in the subject he/she has taken during a particular period. At the beginning of the course, students are advised by the teacher of the grading criteria employed in each class. Progress is measured by considering individual oral work, participation in group discussion, written work, oral and written tests, investigative projects, etc. Regular attendance and punctuality as well as effort and good conduct help the student achieve good grades. To receive credit for a course in senior high school, a student must have received at least a “D”. In addition, a student must have a 2.0 overall GPA. The final grade is the average of the entire year’s work and will become a part of the student’s permanent record.
Student Progress Report--Interim Progress Report and Principal Viewer At the mid-point of each nine-week grading period each teacher in each class will complete an electronic Interim Progress Report for each student. Students are instructed to take this report home. This report will notify the parent of the present status of the student’s work and provide comments and/or recommendations. Interim dates: week of September 17, November 26, February 16, & April 28, 2008. Unsatisfactory reports are given to students by the subject matter teacher at any time during a grading period when it is apparent that the student may fail or is performing unsatisfactorily in academics, effort, or conduct. These individual notices are to be returned to the issuing teacher. Once a parent has been notified of unsatisfactory progress, it is incumbent upon him/her to contact the teacher for further assessment of the student’s performance.
Both parents and students are able to view academic grades per class on-line (Parent Viewer) through a school provided code. Specific instructions are given1` at the beginning of each school year.
Study Help Students may receive help with homework and make-up assignments. This assistance is provided by faculty members and by members of the various honor societies during the lunch break, before, and after school. Specific times and places for this help are posted in classrooms and on bulletin boards throughout the building.
WEEKLY TEST SCHEDULE (subject to change)
All units, chapter or weekly tests will be given on the day designated for each department.
If a student is absent for a test, he/she may make it up provided the absence is excused and arrangements have been made with the teacher. If the absence is unexcused, the student will receive an F. Quizzes and other assignments may be due on other days of the week. ACTIVITIES
The School Colors are Columbia Blue and White. The Athletic Teams are known as the Panthers. The Panther Update is a weekly newsletter that provides information on activities. It can be found on our school website.
Student Council
Every student at Miami Palmetto is represented on the Student Council. The House of Representatives (homeroom representatives) is elected from the attendance period. There will be one representative and one alternate from each attendance period to act as a liaison between students and the council. The business of the Student Council is carried on through the cabinet and class boards. Special committees are established for specific purposes and are dissolved when they complete their business. This method of operation makes it possible for many more students to become truly active in school-wide activities. Any student wishing to bring business before this organization should consult with the Student Council President.
All students are encouraged to take a sincere active interest in the development of the school through participation in the Student Council. You may volunteer to help on your corresponding class board by signing up in the Student Activities office.
Requirements of School-Sponsored Organizations
All activities conducted by school-sponsored organizations must be approved in advance by the Director of Student Activities who will record them on the Activities Calendar. A monthly report including a formal copy of the minutes for each meeting must be submitted to the Director of Student Activities on the day following each meeting. Forms for this purpose are available in the Student Activities Office. Additional requirements can be found in the Organization Handbook.
Fraternities And Sororities
Non-school sponsored clubs are reminded they are not permitted to:
Only school or community-sponsored clubs may wear club jewelry or club shirts in school.
Performing Groups
Dance,
drama, and musical groups for school-related functions and at
community events are sponsored by various organizations. Large numbers
of students find opportunities to develop their particular talents,
express themselves, and serve their school through participation in
one of the performing groups. For further information about a
particular group and its requirement for membership, contact the
specific instructor. The performing groups include: Chatonettes, Cheerleaders, Chorus, Color Guard, Concert Band, Concert Chorus, Concert Orchestra, Drama, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Omega Singers, & Variations Dancers
Publications
Student publications permit students interested in various aspects of journalism (e.g., writing, layout, sales, advertising, proofreading, editing, photography, bookkeeping, etc.) to gain some practical experience with developing their own abilities. Palmetto has three publications: a literary magazine, a newspaper, The Panther, and a yearbook, The Palm Echo.
For further information about a particular publication or about the requirement for becoming a member of the staff, contact the specific advisor. Students interested in broadcast journalism can become a part of television production.
School Sponsored Clubs Honor Societies
Interest Clubs/Performing Groups/Classes\
Service Clubs
Work Program Clubs
Any group of students who wishes to form a new club should contact the Student Activities Director for further information. Clubs must be approved by the end of the 1st month of school in order to function that particular school year. Clubs approved after May of 2007 will not be found above.
For further information on our school clubs, look on our school website, http://mpsh.dadeschools.net
Sales
The sale of candy and/or other merchandise on school grounds or at school events must be approved in advance and in writing by the Director of Student Activities, Principal, & School Treasurer. Individual fundraisers are strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with this policy may result in administrative consequences, including suspension.
The Miami Palmetto Athletic program is the finest in Dade County. The Miami Herald has often rated Palmetto as having the most outstanding athletic program in Dade County. Varsity and Junior Varsity teams are open to all Palmetto students. The teams are coached by well-qualified individuals. You are encouraged to try out for any of these teams. During the past year over 600 letters (P) have been given to outstanding athletes on the various teams. The sports are divided into three groups.
Fall Sports During the fall season competition takes place in football (varsity and junior varsity), cross-country, swimming, volleyball (female) (varsity and junior varsity), bowling and golf.
Winter Sports Soccer (male/female) (varsity and junior varsity), basketball (male/female) (varsity and junior varsity), and wrestling (varsity and junior varsity).
Spring Sports Baseball (male), volleyball (male), softball (female), water polo, track, tennis and badminton are the spring sports. Many of these have both male and female teams. The softball and tennis teams have won honors not only at the county level, but also at the state level. The athletic staff is looking forward, with great enthusiasm, to your participation in Palmetto’s athletic program. Pride is the key word to success; you can carry on the traditions that the athletes before you worked so hard to achieve. For further information about any phase of the athletic program, call the school, 235-1360, and ask for the athletic director.
Athletic Eligibility Students entering senior high school who intend to participate in junior varsity and varsity athletics must follow certain procedures. They must become eligible under the Florida High School Activities Association, which governs all high school sports in Florida. Some sports start the first day of school. Varsity and junior varsity football starts each year on August 1. All students interested in any of the sports offered at Palmetto are responsible for having complete understanding of the requirements associated with participation in varsity and/or junior varsity athletics.
Eligibility
Bureau Of Vital Statistics 1350 N. W. 14th Street Miami, Florida 33125 Telephone: 377-0341
** G.P.A. based on a 4.0 scale
Special Athletic Form
The form may be obtained from the coach of the sport in which you are interested. It consists of:
(1) physician’s statement (2) school insurance policy (3) emergency contact form (4) eligibility (5) FHSAA Consent Form (b) The form is to be completed and filed with the coach or athletic director at the beginning of the sport. ATTENDANCE & TRANSPORTATION
Attendance Bulletin Student absences will appear on the Attendance Bulletin as unexcused until a note, written by a parent, is brought to the Attendance Office before school, during lunch, or after school until 3:00 PM. This must be completed WITHIN 72 HOURS OF THE ABSENCE. At the time it will be determined whether or not the absence is excused and an admit will be issued. The student is then responsible for showing the admit to all of his/her teachers and obtaining signatures. The Attendance Bulletin will also reflect the corrected absence.
Parents can access their student’s attendance on-line (Parent Viewer) with the use of a school provided code. Specific instructions are provided at the beginning of each school year.
Attendance Policy Students are expected to assume the responsibility of regular and prompt attendance to each class. If a student is not physically present in the classroom assigned he/she will be marked absent regardless of the reason. Each absence will be designated satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
Attendance Procedures: Student/Parent Responsibilities Upon an absence, a student will appear on the Attendance bulletin as unexcused. A parent note (up to 10 absences) or other documentation (illness, medical appointment, death in the family, observance of a religious holiday, school sponsored event or educational enrichment activity, court appearance, etc.) must be submitted to the attendance office WITHIN 72 HRS OF THE ABSENCE if it is to be considered for a status change. Failure to provide required documentation within three school days upon the return to school will result in an unexcused absence. Parent note or documentation will be accepted by the attendance office from 7:00 A.M. - 7:25 A.M., during lunch and after school until 3 PM. An admit will be issued if an absence is excused, and must be retained for the duration of the school year in case an appeal is necessary.
Unexcused absences include: absences due to vacations, personal services, local non-school events, program, or sporting activity; absences due to older students providing day care services for siblings; absences due to illnesses of others; absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements unless lawfully exempted.
A student accumulating ten (10) or more class unexcused absences in an annual course or five (5) or more class unexcused absences in a designated semester course will have quarterly, semester, and final grade(s) withheld pending an administrative screening and completion of assigned interventions by the Attendance Review Committee. Unexcused absences do not require that the teacher provide make-up work for the student. However, the Attendance Review Committee may assign educationally-related activities to mitigate the loss of instructional time.
Students missing 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.
If 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.
When a student reaches ten or more absences (excused, unexcused), a parent is required to bring required documentation in order for an admit to be excused. This must also be done within a 72 hour period.
Conduct and Attendance Records The conduct record and attendance records are consulted in determining the dependability of any student who desires a recommendation for a job, entrance to another high school, college, the armed services, or participation in school athletics and other activities.
Emergency Contact Card Dade County school policy requires that each student have an emergency contact card filled out and signed by his/her parent or guardian when student enrolls in school each year. This card is used to contact someone responsible. It is important that the information on the Emergency Contact Card be kept up-to-date at all times.In order for a student to be excused from school, the specific names of adults, 21 years and older, authorized to do this must be on the emergency contact card. When these adults come to take a student out of school, they will be required to provide picture identification. Only authorized personel may remove a student from school.
Metro Bus Pass Any student wishing to ride the Metro Bus at a reduced fare may pick up a Metro Bus Pass in the Assistant Principal’s office.
Permission To Leave School Permits to leave school will be granted by an Administrator on an emergency situation only. Students are urged to arrange all appointments at hours that are not in conflict with school time.
Parents must come in to have their child released from school. Phone calls, faxes, or notes will not be accepted as an alternative to release a student. Failure to do so will result in the student not being released. Parents that come into school requesting a permit to leave will be required to present a picture identification and be listed on the emergency contact card as guardian. no students will be released unless the person signing student out is on the Emergency contact card, has proper identification, i.e. photo id, AND IS 21 OR OLDER.
NO STUDENTS WILL BE PERMITTED TO CHECK OUT AFTER 1:30 PM, NO EXCEPTIONS!
Satisfactory Reasons For Absences And Tardies The following reasons are considered satisfactory for either an absence or tardy:
**Family emergency is not considered to be an excused absence or tardy.**
Tardy To School Students arriving to school after the 8:30 A.M. bell are to report to the attendance office for a late pass. A tardy is unsatisfactory unless a note or documentation is provided that meets the satisfactory standard at the time the student signs in. After the tenth (total) tardy to school, no tardies will be excused despite of the circumstance. Failure to sign in will result in disciplinary action. A STUDENT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO SIGN INTO SCHOOL AFTER 1:30 PM – NO EXCEPTIONS!
Disciplinary
Action For Tardies If a student is tardy to class or school he/she will incur the following disciplinary action:
Participation in Extracurricular Activities including performances & sports: To be eligible for participation on the day of an event, students must be in attendance for at least half a day.
Transfer Or Withdrawal From School
Transported Students Students may be transported to and from school in county school buses if they live two miles or more from the school. They are required to ride the same bus each day and to board and leave the bus at the stop assigned by the driver. The bus driver has the authority to prohibit any disruptive student from his or her bus. No student is allowed to ride a bus other than the one on which (s)he is registered. Students are not permitted to take the bus except from their home to the school. Students must only get on and off the bus at their specific stops. In the event of a bus breakdown, or late arrival of a bus, students are to wait at their regular stop until a relief bus arrives. The Transportation Department has facilities for taking care of emergencies. If a student is absent from school because (s)he failed to wait for transportation, (s)he will be given “unsatisfactory” in the classes for which (s)he was tardy or absent. The bus driver has absolute jurisdiction over all students on his/her bus. Students should become familiar with the following regulations which must be observed:
Penalty: For violating these rules a student will be reported by the driver to the school principal, who has the authority to suspend him/her temporarily from the bus.
Unsatisfactory Absences-No Credit School Board Policy 5A-1.04 requires teachers to withhold final passing grades when a student has ten or more unsatisfactory absences in an annual course or 5 or more in a semester course. An “NC” (No Credit) will appear on the report card. Students who wish to petition the withholding of final passing grades will be given the opportunity to appeal to the attendance review committee. Unsatisfactory absences will be reflected in the grade book as an “F” and will be averaged in the total grades.
The Miami Palmetto Media Center is open daily Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. See media specialist to ask about extended hours.
Circulation: Students MUST present a Miami Palmetto Senior High School student identification badge to check out materials. Books from the general collection are circulated for a two week period. Reserved books, reference books and magazines are circulated overnight. There is no limit on the number of books that may be checked out; however, students are limited to three books on a given topic.
Computers/Technology: The computers in the media center are to be used for educational purposes only. Students must have an Acceptable Use Policy consent form on file in order to access the Internet. Students may use computers before and after school. During the school day, students may use an open computer, providing they have an official yellow hall pass and a Miami Palmetto Senior High School Student ID Badge. Students may use computers to conduct research using the media center web page which provides links to various data bases, including magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias and other reference sources. Students may also use various word processing, desktop publishing and multi-media programs for projects and assignments. The electronic catalog is also available for locating books and other materials in the media center collection. All media center online resources, including subscription databases and book catalogs are accessible via the Internet from any computer with Internet access.
Conduct: The Media Center is a reference and resource area for classes and individual students. Students are expected to work quietly and exhibit courtesy to all patrons.
Fines: Five cents per day, excluding holidays and weekends is charged on overdue materials from the general collection. Books checked out overnight are due back before first period the following morning. A charge of ten cents per period applies to materials that circulate overnight.
Media Center Visits: Students must present an official yellow hall pass when they come from a class. Passes are not required before school, after school, or during lunch. Do not bring food or drinks into the media center.
Other Services: Students must purchase a copy card for $1 to use the copy machine. The copy card will allow you to make 10 copies. Students may print both in color or black & white from any computer. Black & white costs 10 cents per page; color printing costs 50 cents per page. For data storage, floppy discs and compact discs are available for purchase. Flash drives (USB) are currently not permiited on the media center computers. A binding machine and basic office supplies are also available for student use.
Additional information may be found in the Media Center Student Handbook. SCHOOL POLICIES & SERVICES
Accident Report Any student who witnesses an accident in school or at any school-sponsored activity should report it to the sponsor or nearest school official. If the injured student has purchased the student accident insurance, (s)he should request an insurance claim form from the Student Services Secretary.
Cafeteria Food is provided daily in the cafeteria and in other designated areas throughout the building for your convenience. For the smooth functioning of this service, certain practices need to be followed by all students:
For the purpose of establishing this policy, an electronic device is defined as any mechanical or electrical device that is capable of playing, recording, storing, or transmitting sounds, images, or data. Examples of these types of devices include cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, CD players, radios, media players, PDA’s, computers, and calculators.
Although not recommended, students may have an electronic device on their person, in their book bag or purse, while on campus from 7:00 AM until 2:30 PM, Monday through Saturday provided the device is turned off and out of sight. However, it is strongly recommended that students secure all electronic devices at home or in their car. Miami Palmetto Senior High School or its representatives will not assume responsibility for devices that are lost, stolen, or confiscated.
Please be advised of the following:
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