Policies

PALM LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Welcome to Palm Lake Elementary School! We are a community of happy learners where students are the center of the curriculum. Palm Lake is a very successful school because of our unique combination of students, parents and staff. We extend to you an invitation to join in our learning adventure. We want you to become an active member of our Palm Lake family.

Absences and Excuses

Students may be excused when the absence is due to personal illness, serious illness/ death in the immediate family, or to observe recognized holidays of the student's religious faith. When a child must be absent from school, the parent or guardian must send a note to the teacher stating the reason for the absence within 2 days. The notes cannot be emailed, but can be faxed as long as they are signed. If we are not notified of the reason for an absence, attendance records will reflect an unexcused absence. All absences will receive a Connect Ed. phone call from the county.

A student must be in school for a minimum of 3 hours to be considered in attendance.

If it is necessary for a student to leave during the school day. Please come to the school office to complete our sign-out roster. Your driver's license will be requested. Students may not leave the school during school hours unless they are picked up by their parents or guardian and signed out in the office. Students will not be released the last 30 minutes of the day.

ADDitions Program

Parents are invited to visit school, donate time daily or weekly to our program, and/ or lend their talents and knowledge to our school. Contact the school office if you would like to volunteer your time.

Change of Address or Telephone Number

We cannot stress enough the importance of having a telephone number where parents may be reached during the day. So that our files can contain accurate information, parents are requested to submit to the office any change of address or telephone numbers. School zones are enforced by Federal Court Order. Therefore, students must attend the school within their assigned zone.

Clinic

The school generally administers First Aid only. In case of illness the student will be cared for until the parent arrives or he/she is returned to the classroom. In case of major injuries, first aid will be given, and the parent will be immediately notified. Be sure you keep us up-to-date on telephone numbers! In the case of serious injuries 911may be called. Under no circumstances will prescription medication be given without a physician's order and an Authorization for Medication Form being completed by the parent. Non-prescription medication also requires completion of the Medical Authorization Form. Authorization forms are available in the clinic. Medication must be brought to school by the parent or guardian in the original container. Prescription medications in solid form will be counted and the number of tablets/capsules recorded and signed for by the parent/guardian.

Clothing

The dress and grooming of students shall contribute to the health and safety of the individual, promote a positive environment and not disrupt the educational activities 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 school board will not allow shoes with wheels to be worn by any student in grades Kindergarten - 12.

1. 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.

2. Clothing with holes, tears, or inappropriate patches will not be allowed if considered obscene.

3. Bare midriffs and bare sides should not show even when arms are extended above the head.

4. Clothing normally worn when participating in a school sponsored extra curricular or sports activity may be worn to school when approved by the sponsor, coach or principal.

5. Clothing that is too tight or revealing is unacceptable.

6. 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.

7. Gang paraphernalia, jewelry, tattoos or other insignias which display, suggest, provoke, or may tend to provoke violence or disruptions are not allowed.

8. 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

9. Hemlines of shorts, dresses, and skirts shall be not shorter than mid-thigh

10.Clothing must follow the four finger wide rule at the shoulders

11.Shoes shall be worn. The following are not acceptable:

  1. Thong sandals (K-12)
  2. Cleated shoes (K-12)
  3. Backless shoes (K-8)

Directory Release

Orange County Public Schools reserve the right to release directory information without prior permission of the parent, unless you have notified the principal to the contrary in writing within ten calendar days of the beginning of school.

Discipline and Student Conduct

Each student is expected to behave so that he/she will not interfere with the education opportunities of classmates. Parents share major responsibility for their child's conduct. We may request a parent come to school if a child has a discipline problem requiring parental intervention. A copy of the Orange County Code of Student Conduct is given to each student. Families should read and discuss this code telling about the rights and responsibilities of students. It tells about the rules students should follow and what will happen if rules are not followed. Please sign and return the slip at the bottom to the classroom teacher.

Exceptional Education Programs

Exceptional education services in Autism, Specific Learning Disabilities, Speech, Language, and Gifted Education are provided to ensure the most appropriate learning opportunities for every child. Students are staffed into these programs based on specific program criteria.

Guidance

Palm Lake's Comprehensive Guidance Program is designed to be an integral part of the total instructional program and is under the direction of a certified guidance counselor. Our school focus on Character Education includes classroom lessons, individual and group counseling, student planning, and consultation with staff, families and community agencies.

Homework

Homework is assigned on the basis of need. An instructional program that stresses individual differences in children means that homework, when assigned, may vary from child to child. In general, homework is assigned not to exceed 15-60 minutes per day based on grade level.

Immunizations

Immunization records and student physical examinations are required of all students in Florida schools. No child may be assigned to classes without completed immunization records.

Student Insurance

Student Insurance may be purchased through an OCPS authorized insurance program. Please read the insurance form carefully. Notice that checks for school insurance should be filled out and mailed directly to the insurance company.

You are advised that in case of an accident, you must initiate your own action for a claim to the insurance company. The school will provide you with a claim form in case of injury.

Head Lice

Medicated shampoo must be used and all nits removed before a child can return to school. Before returning to the classroom, the child must be checked by the school nurse. Please accompany your child to the clinic when returning to school.

Pictures

Student pictures will be taken twice during the school year. One sitting is for school records, as well as for purchase. The second sitting is a class picture and special image picture, which is also available for purchase. Money generated from picture sales will be used to purchase student supplies and materials.

Physical Education

Safe and comfortable shoes are important for physical education. Sneakers should be worn for this activity. When a student must be excused from PE for any reason, the parent must state in writing the reason for the excuse and the number of days to be excused. For extended periods of time a doctor's note is required.

Report Cards

Report cards are issued every nine weeks in grades kindergarten through five. They are a record of a student's progress based on expected achievement. A five-week progress report is issued at the mid-point of each nine weeks and is not a part of the permanent record. Its purpose is to inform parents of how the student is progressing prior to the issuance of the report card. If a parent has any questions concerning a student's progress, he/she should arrange for an appointment with the teacher.

School Hours

School begins at 8:45 a.m. Dismissal time is 3:00 p.m. for all classes, except on Wednesdays. On Wednesdays of each week, we will dismiss at 2:00 p.m. Bus students may be dismissed several minutes earlier. Children should not be on school grounds before 8:15 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:45 are tardy. A tardy slip must be obtained from the office before a student will be admitted to class. Students are expected to leave campus promptly when school is over. Arrangements should be made ahead of time if a student is to stay for after school activities. YMCA extended care is available for parents before and after school.

Telephone Use

Student use of the telephone is discouraged, except in cases of emergency. Please arrange visits to friends, Scouts, music lessons, transportation, etc. before your child comes to school. Have a "rainy day" plan prearranged. We will deliver Emergency messages to students, but other messages cause classroom disruption and will be avoided. Student cell phones may only be used before or after the school day.

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 expected to pay for those books, which are lost or damaged.

Transportation Changes

Please send the teacher a written note if you change your child's method of transportation to/from school. The teacher will not allow the student to alter the normal routine without this note. Students must ride their assigned bus. Any bus change must be approved in the office. They are approved only for emergency situations.

Visiting Students and Parents

We do not permit friends of regularly enrolled students or younger children who are not enrolled at Palm Lake to attend classes. Parents or visitors must report to the office prior to entering classrooms.

Withdrawals

Parents should call or notify the office in writing as soon as possible prior to the student's last day of school. The note should include the last day of attendance. A student's transfer card and copy of the health record will be sent home with the student. Students must turn in school property and pay any monetary obligations.

The School Board of Orange County

does not discriminate in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, handicap, or any other reason prohibited by law.