Student / Parent Handbook

accident insurance :: additions :: arrival and departure :: bike riders :: bus safety and conduct :: change of address and phone number :: courier :: dress code :: drop-off and pickup :: early dismissal :: exceptional education programs :: field trips :: health room (clinic) :: homework :: lost and found :: measuring student achievement :: parent teacher association :: parent teacher conferences :: parties :: safety patrols :: school advisory council :: school lunch/breakfast program :: student attendance absences :: tardies :: student progress :: parking :: student discipline :: report cards :: student records :: telephones :: textbooks :: transfers to other schools :: visitors

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

The school board does not provide medical benefits for injuries occurring on school property. You will receive information regarding school insurance coverage at the beginning of the year. Please note that the premiums are to be mailed directly to the insurance company and not sent to the school.

ADDitions

We like to encourage parents and community members to work as school volunteers in the Additions program. Volunteers provide an extra pair of hands so that students can receive the individual help they need. There are no academic requirements for becoming a school volunteer, just a desire to love and help children. We have had excellent volunteers in the past and due to their dedication we have won the Golden School Award for the number of hours our volunteers have contributed. If you would like more information about joining our Additions program, please call the school. Curriculum Resource Teacher (ext. 224), is the coordinator of Lake Como's program.

BIKE RIDERS

An area is provided for the parking of student bicycles. It is required that students who ride bicycles to school use a lock. It is also required by law that students under 16 years old wear a bicycle helmet. Bicycles are not to be ridden on the school grounds during school hours. Students are to walk their bicycles when they are on the school grounds. For safety reasons, students are to walk their bikes on sidewalks that run along the school on Bumby and Gore.

BUS SAFETY AND CONDUCT

School bus transportation is furnished to eligible students. Those who are eligible will receive a copy of the district's bus rules at the beginning of the school year. Please review these rules with your child for the safety of all children who ride the bus. If you move and this requires a change of buses or school for your child, please notify the school of the address change. No student may ride a bus to which he/she is not assigned.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER

Parents are requested to submit any change of address or telephone number to the office so that our files contain accurate information. A day time phone number at which we can reach you is required.

COURIER

The Courier is Lake Como's monthly newsletter that is jointly published with PTA. It is sent home during the last week of each month and includes the monthly menu for breakfast and lunch.

DRESS CODE

The dress and grooming of Orange County Public Schools students shall contribute to the health and safety of the individual, promote a positive educational environment and not disrupt the educational activities and processes of the school. These minimum standards of dress and grooming apply to all students (K-12) in the public schools of Orange County, unless a specific exemption is granted by the principal. Any request for an exemption shall be made to the principal. The following standards shall be enforced in all schools.

a) Clothes shall be worn as they are designed - suspenders over the shoulders, pants secured at the waist, belts buckled, no underwear as outerwear, no underwear exposed.
b) Clothing with holes, tears or inappropriate patches will not be allowed if considered obscene.
c) Bare midriffs and bare sides should not show even when arms are extended above the head.
d) Clothing normally worn when participating in a school sponsored extra curricular or spots activity may be worn to school when approved by the sponsor, coach or principal. Examples would be cheerleader, drill team and band uniforms, team shirts, etc.
e) Clothing that is too tight or revealing is unacceptable.
f) Garments and/or jewelry, which display or suggest sexual, vulgar, drug, alcohol or tobacco, related wording/graphics or may tend to provoke violence or disruption in school shall not be worn.
g) Gang paraphernalia jewelry, tattoos or other insignias, which display, suggest, provoke or may tend to provoke violence or disruptions, are not allowed.
h) The following items have potential to cause disruption or threat to a safe and positive school environment and are prohibited:
1. Hats, caps visors, sunglasses or bandanas while on campus during the school day
2. Chains hanging from the neck, belt, pocket or attached to wallet
3. Jewelry that contains any type of sharp object
i) Hemlines of shorts, dresses, skirts and skorts shall be no shorter than mid-thigh.
j) Sleeves on shirts/blouses must follow the four finger wide rule at the shoulders.
k) Shoes shall be worn. The following are not acceptable:

Thong sandals (K-12)
Cleated shoes (K-12)
Backless shoes (K-8)

EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

We are fortunate to have a wide range of exceptional education programs at Lake Como. The following are the available programs at Lake Como:

Speech and Language Therapy; Specific Learning Disabilities; Gifted ; Educable Mentally Handicapped; Trainable Mentally Handicapped; Autistic/Varying Exceptionalities.

EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM

Our Extended Day Program is an after school day care program that provides supervised activities for our students until 6:00 p.m. There is a registration fee of $10.00 and a weekly charge of $30.00 per child. First and last week plus registration fee is required. There is limited space and a waiting list may result if more applications are received than available spaces. If you are interested and would like more information, contact our school office. Our Extended Day Coordinator can be reached after 1:45 p.m. at extension 230.

FIELD TRIPS

Educational field trips are planned as a part of the school program. Permission slips are required for each field trip, except those which are countywide and are considered a part of the curriculum for every Orange County Student (Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center, Symphony). Written notice will be sent home prior to the trip for any countywide field trip. PTA helps to fund our field trips.

HEALTH ROOM (CLINIC)

Orange County is now calling school clinics "health room." The school has responsibility for First Aid Only. In case of illness, the student will be cared for until the parent arrives or the student is returned to class. In case of minor injury, attention will be given, and the student will return to class. In the event of head lice, you will be contacted immediately with instructions for treatment. The district maintains a "no-nit" policy on all students.

MEDICATION:
School Board policy prohibits the dispensing of medicine to students without written authorization from parents. This form is available in the office. When sending medication to school, it must be in a properly labeled prescription bottle (recent date, child's name, directions for giving, physician's name), accompanied by the completed authorization form. A new form is required whenever there is any change in your child's medication. Only designated school staff may dispense medication to your child. Nonprescription medicine also requires the written authorization form. The medicine must be properly labeled and in the original bottle.

HOMEWORK

We feel that the "habit" of study is as important as the study itself. Providing a specific place and time to complete assignments or to read, is a good way to develop a habit of study. Therefore, a student ALWAYS knows when it is time to study. He/she should "study" even if no homework is assigned. Writing a letter to a relative or reading a book are examples of excellent activities that help the student apply what is learned at school. Homework amount is based on grade level and the individual needs of students. In general, assigned homework will not exceed 15 to 45 minutes per day.

LOST AND FOUND

Children should assume responsibility for the care of their belongings. To assist your child, parents are urged to label personal belongings with the child's name.

MEASURING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Students in the third, fourth and fifth grades participate in the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) for Reading and Math. The Reading component assesses the reading related elements of the Sunshine State Standards in language arts while the mathematics component assesses as many of the benchmarks in the Mathematics Sunshine State standards as appropriate for the selected grade levels. The Comprehensive Assessment Design also specified other features for these assessments including application of skills in cognitively challenging situations and inclusion of constructed response questions (performance tasks) that require students to demonstrate their understanding instead of just choosing a correct answer. Fourth and fifth graders answer multiple choice questions as well as short and extended response questions. A Norm referenced Portion of the test (NRT) is given in grades 3, 4, and 5 in both reading and math. This portion of the test is multiple choices. Fourth grade also takes the writing portion of the FCAT.

Students in grades K through third grade are administered the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) a minimum of three times a year to assess each child's rates of reading progress and for identifying children who may require different forms of instruction.

K-5 school based testing is done in both reading and math several times a year to inform instruction.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)

The purpose of the PTA is to promote open communication and to work at enhancing the program and facility of Lake Como. Three general meetings are scheduled during the year. PTA also sponsors many other activities throughout the year such as Harvest Fest and Art Fest. We invite you to be actively involved with our PTA! Please call the school office for more information.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

It is important that the parent/teacher/student work as a team in the educational process. Conferences with your child's teacher are encouraged. They may be requested by the teacher or parent. The best way to arrange a conference is to send a written request to your child's teacher or call the school office and leave a message on voice mail. The teacher will contact you. We encourage you to meet regularly with your child's teacher. Our goal this year is to have 100 percent participation in parent/teacher conferences!!

PARTIES

Each class is permitted two parties during the school year, one prior to the winter holidays and one at the end of the school year. A 5th grade party is held at the end of the year.

SAFETY PATROLS

Fifth grade students will be selected as Safety Patrols. They will promote a safe climate at Lake Como. Encourage your child to respect and follow the instructions given by our safety patrols.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

The School Advisory Council or SAC is a group of people whose sole purpose is to assist the principal in developing and evaluating the results of the school improvement plan in order to help students achieve success. The SAC is made up of individuals from various segments of the community --- parents, teachers, school administrators, support staff, business/industry personnel and other interested community members. Members of the SAC reflect the ethnic, racial and economic community served by a school. Please contact the school if you have any interest in school improvement. All meetings are open and are advertised in our monthly Courier and on our marquis.

SCHOOL LUNCH/BREAKFAST PROGRAM

If you would like for your child to eat breakfast at school, the breakfast time for walkers is 8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. Bus riders go to breakfast upon arrival. Walkers should use the east door for entrance into the cafeteria. Bus riders are to use the south door. The price of a student's breakfast is: $.85 and ($.35 reduced price for qualifying students). Students qualifying for free lunches also may eat breakfast at no cost. School lunches offer the students low-cost nutritious meals which are designed to fulfill one-third of daily nutritional requirements. Some students may be eligible for free or reduced priced meals. Applications are sent home on the first day of school. The forms are available in the office throughout the school year. Prices subject to change. Students are encouraged to pay by the week. Advanced payment should be sent on Monday morning. Send check or money order in a sealed envelope clearly marked on the outside with the following information: child's name, teacher, grade, date and amount enclosed. We discourage you from sending cash to school. Prices for lunch are:
Lunch: $1.80 Reduced lunch: $ .45
Milk: $ .35 (Prices are subject to change)
Ms. Serena Harvin is our lunchroom manager. If you have any questions or concerns, you may call her at 897-6433.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE ABSENCES

Regular attendance is required by law and necessary for the completion of a successful school year. Please note the following:
1. On a daily basis, student absences will be recorded as unexcused. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to promptly report the reason for the student's absence to the school.
2. Excused absences include: a. Illness, injury or other insurmountable condition b. Illness or death of a member of the student's immediate family c. Recognized (or established ) religious holidays and/or religious instruction d. Medical appointments e. Participation in an approved activity of class of instruction held at another school site f. Prearranged absences of educational value with the principal's prior approval g. Up to four days during the school year due to head lice infestation
3. A student between the ages of 6 & 18 who has 15 or more unexcused absences will be considered a habitual truant. Days of suspension are not included in the number of absences when determining habitual truancy. Whenever a student attains 15 days of unexcused absence, the student will be reported to the Department of Family and Children CINS/FINS (Children in Need of Services/ Families in Need of Services).
4. If a student is repeatedly absent from school, the school is authorized to require the parent/guardian to provide a written physician's statement for subsequent absences to be considered excused.
5. Student will be given a reasonable amount of time to make up any work assignments that were missed during an absence.
6. A student's progress report and report card shall contain the number of days absent and tardy for the grading period.
7. Academic instruction that is missed shall be made up by the student in a manner acceptable to the teacher and principal and shall be in accordance with the district pupil progression plan. Students may make up work missed during a suspension within a time limit established by the school principal
8. A student shall be deemed to be in attendance if actually present at school, or away from school on a school day and engaged in an educational activity which constitutes a part of the school approved instructional program, for at least one half of the student's instructional day.

TARDIES

Students arriving after 8:30 a.m. are tardy and must report to the office to obtain a tardy pass before going to class. All tardies are considered to be unexcused and are recorded electronically. For truancy purposes, five tardies to school equal one unexcused absence. However, this is for referral purposes, and the electronic record is not to be altered. Tardies remain recorded as tardies in the electronic record. Two of the values that all children need to develop in order to become responsible adults are promptness and responsibility. Our expectation of all Lake Como students is that each student will demonstrate responsibility and arrive at school on time every day. Our teachers begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Entering a classroom after this time disrupts the learning process.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Student hours at Lake Como are 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. except on Wednesday when student hours are 8:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Students should not arrive at school before 8:20 a.m. unless they plan to have breakfast. Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria for walkers between 8:00 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. Bus riders will go to breakfast upon arrival to school.

Students may wait on the benches by their classroom until the bell rings. No student should be wandering around campus. Students are to leave school at the end of the day unless there is a planned activity or they attend the Extended Day Program.

NOTICE: School's Supervisory Responsibility of Students on Premises Pursuant to Florida Statute Section 232.25
(1). Orange County Public Schools employees are not responsible for supervising students not in attendance at school or students not authorized to participate in school sponsored activities.
(2). Orange County Public Schools employees are not responsible for supervising students arriving on these premises more than 30 minutes before school sponsored activities begin or students remaining on these premises more than 30 minutes after the end of school sponsored activities.
(3). Under no circumstances should parents or guardians rely upon Orange County Public School employees to supervise students outside of the scope of this statute.

EARLY DISMISSAL

If it is necessary for a child to leave school during the day for a medical appointment or any other reason, please send a note to his/her teacher indicating at what time and for what reason he/she is to be excused from class. All students must be signed out in the office.

For the protection of the child, the parent or guardian must come into the office and sign the dismissal log. Only people whose names are on the list submitted by the parent will be able to sign out a child from school. Identification may be required. No child will be released to any individual during school hours without approval from the office.

In cases involving court ordered custody of children, the school MUST have on file the appropriate legal documents of the custody in order to assure compliance with any limiting court order.

DROP-OFF AND PICKUP OF STUDENTS

Students are to be dropped-off/picked-up at the Gore Street entrance to the school only. The Bumby Avenue entrance is for buses and day care vans only at the following times: 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. This policy is in effect for the safety of all students and will be strictly enforced. We ask for your cooperation in this matter.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

Each student is expected to behave so that he/she will not interfere with the educational opportunities of classmates. Parents have the primary responsibility for their child's conduct. You will be notified if your child is referred to the principal for disciplinary action. We may request that you come to school when your child has a discipline problem. A copy of the Orange County Code of Student Conduct is given to each student. The Code of Student Conduct tells you about student rights in the school and also explains the rules that you must follow as a student in the Orange County School System. Consequences for misconduct are also explained.

Classroom teachers will be sending home a list of classroom rules, expectations and consequences for misconduct. When you have read and discussed the documents with your student, sign the Student/Parent Acknowledgment form, tear it off the front cover of the booklet and return it to the school. Students are also required to sign the agreement.

Failure to return the Acknowledgment will not relieve a student or the parent/guardian of the student from responsibilities for knowledge or the noncompliance of the contents of the Code of Student Conduct and the Internet Use Policy.

STUDENT PROGRESS

Report Cards

Grading Scale:
A 100-90
B 89-80
C 79-70
D 69-60
F 59 or below

For kindergarten and first grade, S, W, and N are used for all areas. For grades 2 - 5, A, B, C, D, and F are used. Effort grades are 1, 2, and 3. Social Development and Work Habit grades are S, N and U.

Art, Music and PE receive a grade for grades 2 - 5 and an effort grade.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards are issued every nine weeks in grades Kindergarten through five. They are a record of the student's progress based on expected achievement. A five week progress report is issued at the midpoint of each nine weeks. It's purpose is to inform of how your child is progressing prior to the issuance of the report card. If you have any concerns about your child's progress, we encourage you to schedule a conference with your child's teacher.

STUDENT RECORDS

The Orange County Public Schools maintain educational records in accordance with the state and federal laws. Parents or legal guardians have the right to review records on their child, the right to copy (at a nominal cost), the right to challenge information contained in the record, the right of a hearing if the school refuses to change or destroy information when challenged, and the right to waive access to letters or statements of recommendations or evaluations. Parents who wish to review their child's records should make an appointment with the principal or school counselor.

Natural parents have access to student records regardless of whether or not they have custody of the child. The school will release record information to them upon written request, unless the school has a copy of a court order to the contrary on file.

The Orange County Public Schools reserve the right to release the following "directory information" without prior permission of the parent unless the parent has notified the principal in writing within ten (10) calendar days of the beginning of school that directory information is not to be released. The following information is considered "directory information": student name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, participation in school activities, awards received, weight and height of athletic team members, attendance dates and graduation date.

Personally identifiable information can be disclosed, transferred or released without prior consent of the parent of a student or the eligible student in connection with enrollment in another school, application for financial aid, research, a state statute and an accrediting organization. Personally identifiable information will be released without parent consent to appropriate officials in emergency situations, to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena and in cases involving compulsory school attendance and child abuse. The school district will release attendance records, grades, discipline information and student identification data to the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services pursuant to Florida Statutes 39.046 and 39.047.

TELEPHONES

Students' use of the telephone is discouraged except in cases of emergency and requires permission from office. Emergencies DO NOT include forgotten homework, books, permission slips, etc. In the event a student receives a call, he/she will be called out of the class only in the case of an emergency. Please make rainy day plans with your child ahead of time.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are furnished by the State of Florida and become the responsibility of the student to whom they are assigned. Students will be expected to care for the books issued to them and are expected to pay for those books that are lost or damaged. Students will sign a textbook receipt when issued their books.

TRANSFERS TO OTHER SCHOOLS

If it becomes necessary for your child to transfer to another school, please notify us immediately so that the school records may be completed without disrupting the learning process. Also, be sure that all library books, textbooks and other materials are returned to the school and that any lunch charges are paid.

VISITORS

You are always welcome to visit Lake Como at any time. We do request that you make an appointment with the teacher for conferences or classroom visits so he/she can plan accordingly.

School board policy requires that all visitors check in the office before proceeding to a classroom or any area on campus. This is for your protection as well as the safety of our children.