Pinecrest Academy South Charter School Welcomes you to

Pinecrest Academy South Charter School Welcomes you to our 2017 -2018 Open House PAC Pirates sail towards a bright future

We are an “A” School Again! • We are an “A” school for the 12 th year in a row! • Our school ranks among the top 2% of the 1, 824 elementary schools in the state of Florida. • We ranked among the top 4% of the 202 elementary schools in Miami Dade County School district. • We are a Silver STEM Designation School (awaiting this year’s designation) • Students have the opportunity to participate in various academic competitions such as Geography Bee, Math Competitions, SECME, Fairchild Challenge, MDCPS Robo Slam, World VEX IQ Robotics competition • Affiliation with National Elementary Honor Society

First Day of School • Parents may walk 2 nd grade students directly to their classrooms on Monday. As of Tuesday, parents may not enter the hallways or classrooms. • All supplies should be labeled and may be brought throughout the first week of school.

Traffic Concerns • Pinecrest Academy South has been in contact with the Miami-Dade County Commissioner's Office for current updates for the construction on 80 th street. • We have been informed that the completion date will be Friday, August 18 th. • The Miami-Dade Commissioner's office will be assisting Pinecrest South by providing police presence throughout the first week of school. • We will be flexible with tardies until construction issues have been resolved. • You may drop off your child as early as 7: 30 a. m. without being charged a fee until further notice.

Solar Eclipse • Due to the Solar Eclipse, we will be cancelling all outdoor activities between the hours of 1: 30 pm to 4: 30 pm on August 21 st, first of school!. • During dismissal the school staff will be taking all precautions to keep the students safe.

First Day Folder • Several important documents will be sent home in the Pinecrest folder on the first day of school. These include: • First Day Reminders • Student Data Cards –The blank card must be completed and the pre -printed one must be returned with corrections • Parent & Student Handbook Acknowledgement form • P. A. L. S Membership Information • Lunch Application form • School Insurance form • PLTW form with payment • And other important documents

School Communication q You will find the following information on the school website: www. pinecrestacademysouth. com • Calendar • Lunch Menu Pinecrest Academy South Charter School • School Events, Activities, and Fundraisers • Class website PACSPirates • Clubs and Activities • Photo Album and Videos @PACSPirates • School Supply Lists • Educational Links • Online payment options • School staff email q 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

Daily Schedule Your child will receive a copy of the schedule in their binder. Please use the schedule as a reference when making appointments.

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 (Spelling, Grammar, Writing/Benchmarks, Fluency, Vocabulary) • Mathematics (Quizzes & Chapter Tests) • Science • Social Studies • PLTW (Fee) • STEM Lessons • Special Areas (P. E. , Spanish, Music, Art)

Advanced Classes and Gifted Classes Advanced 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 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 our programs will assist our students in fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Project Lead the Way- PLTW • Our school is a Project Lead the Way showcase school as we begin our third 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. The fifth grade gifted students will participate in the PLTW Gateway middle school program. • We have a lab for PLTW. The PLTW teacher is Ms. Raysa Perez. • Other schools in Miami implementing PLTW include Pinecrest Prep Middle High School, Gulliver Academy, and Rivera Preparatory Private School. • PLTW Lab Materials include Launch Log and Project Supplies: • Second Grade: $10. 00 (Due the first week of school)

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.

Grading Policy 1. Standards Based Assessments 2. How parents can view grades online 3. Grading Scale • • • A= Excellent Progress (4) B= Good Progress (3) C= Satisfactory Progress (2) D= Minimal Progress (1) F= Unsatisfactory (0)

Home Learning 1. Homework will be assigned on a daily basis. 2. Students are expected to complete all required computer program lessons (AR, IXL, IReady, Reflex Math) 3. Homework completion will affect effort grades.

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

General Information § Parents are not allowed to drop off book bags, lunch, or any other items to be delivered to the classrooms. § No Birthday celebrations will be permitted. § Parking spaces are reserved for faculty and staff. Parents may park in the Visitor parking areas only. § Look out for information regarding event parking via email or social media.

General Procedures § Lunch Procedures and Payments (new this year: online payments available) § Conferences /How to contact me § Volunteer Hours § Field Trips

Uniform Policy § Pinecrest Academy is a mandatory uniform school Kindergarten – 5 th Grade: • Girls: – – • Navy, yellow, or white polo shirt with school logo embroidered Khaki, plaid or navy blue “skort” or pants (NO SKIRTS) Boys: – – Navy, yellow, or white polo shirt with school logo embroidered Khaki or navy shorts or pants White uniform shirt required for individual school picture day! • Cold Weather Days: – – • Jackets and sweaters are acceptable and must be solid navy blue with NO DESIGNER LOGOS. Navy blue sweatshirts, jackets, and sweaters are available at the uniform company. Solid white or navy turtlenecks, or long sleeve shirts and solid white or navy stockings underneath the uniform are acceptable. Sweatshirts will be on sale in the cafeteria and on the school website. Shoes: – Must be solid color: navy blue, black, brown, or white closed toe shoes or sneakers with solid color socks (no stripes, décor, or logos on socks)

Uniform Policy • Hair: – • continued Hair must be neat, clean, and away from the face. No hats, bandanas or sweatbands may be worn. Hair must not be dyed with unnatural colors, worn unusually, or maintained in an unacceptable condition. Boys’ haircuts must be above the collar and above the ears. Hair length MUST NOT exceed students’ neckline nor cover ears (male students). ALL students must have symmetrical haircuts. “Mohawks”, “Frohawks”, Dreadlocks, or designs of any kind are NOT permitted. The administration will send students home whose hair is unacceptable in condition or length. It is up to the administration’s discretion what is deemed appropriate. Uniform Violations: – Students should have enough uniform tops and bottoms that laundry issues should not interfere with the uniform policy. Any student not wearing a complete school uniform, or in violation of any of the above mentioned infractions, will be issued a Uniform Violation Form for repeated dress code violations.

Dismissal Procedures • Teachers will dismiss students from their classrooms. • The Silent Dismissal decal must be displayed on the right side of the dashboard- electronic picture of the Silent Dismissal decal will not be accepted. • Parents who walk into the building to pick up their children during dismissal time must have the Silent Dismissal decal. • Parents who do not have the Silent Dismissal decal at dismissal time will have to visit the main office and show identification to pick up their child. • Anyone picking up your child from school MUST be listed on the Student Data Card.

After School Activities § T. E. A. M. S - before and after care program § Outsourced activities(subject to change due to enrollment): § Cheerleading § Soccer § Basketball § Tennis Visit the cafeteria today for more information.

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.

§ 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.

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!

School Improvements § § § § § Tutoring opportunities throughout the school year Summer Tutoring Program New Intercom System 24 new cameras were added to the existing surveillance system. Recognition Ceremonies and Materials Loot Activities End of Year events and activities Website Maintenance Maintain technology programs such as IXL, Reading Plus, and i. Ready Teacher Assistants

Student Recognition Pinecrest students will be recognized for various accomplishments in the areas of Academics and Character Development. A lanyard and recognition pins 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* IXL Participation in clubs and activities sponsored by Pinecrest staff. *Parents will be invited to select ceremonies.

Questions Please stop by the special area classrooms: Spanish. Room 200 Art. Room 202 Music. Room 203 PE GYM PLTW Room 119 Visit the cafeteria for school spirit items and information on after school activities.