PUTNAM ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, INC.

STUDENT AND PARENT HANDBOOK

OUR VISION Motivated students will be given the opportunity to grow and develop into 21st century learners. OUR MISSION Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences, in partnership with parents and community, provides challenging, well-rounded educational opportunities in a safe and supportive environment. Our school fosters creative minds, critical thinkers, and ethical character. We are dedicated to the individual development of the attitudes, skills, knowledge, and responsibility essential to successful achievement in school and society. OUR BELIEFS Our school will create a climate of honor, respect, and integrity by establishing an Honor Code to advance authentic learning. Our school will establish a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum which meets and exceeds the standards of Floridas Next Generation and the core curriculum. Our school's curriculum will enable students to become self-directed learners and decision-makers, capable of both collaborative and independent learning. Our school will commit to reading and math success with school-wide improvement in standardized test scores as well as in other measurements. Our school will keep students and staff safe by developing clear lines of communication and procedures for all situations. Our school will create a partnership with parents to enhance our students' success. We will define, teach, and support appropriate student behaviors, reinforcing and rewarding positive behaviors.

OUR 90% PHILOSOPHY Students will show their commitment to learning and to success with: 90% attendancestudents will come to school AT LEAST 90% of the time 90% on timestudents will be prompt to school and to class AT LEAST 90% of the time. 90% good behaviorstudents will show appropriate, positive behavior AT LEAST 90% of the time 90% homework donestudents will have homework completed and turned in AT LEAST 90% of the time.

We will use the District grading scale: 90 100 = A 80 89 = B 70 79 = C 60 69 = D ACADEMIC CURRICULUM EACH STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FOR PROMOTION FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL: 1. Three middle school or higher courses in English. These courses shall emphasize literature, composition, and technical text. 2. Three middle school or higher courses in mathematics. Each middle school must offer at least one high school level mathematics course for which students may earn high school credit. To earn high school credit for an Algebra I course, a middle school student must pass the Algebra I end-of-course assessment, and beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, to earn high school credit for a geometry course, a middle school student must pass the geometry end-of-course assessment. 3. Three middle school or higher courses in social studies, one semester of which must include the study of state and federal government and civics education. Beginning with students entering grade 6 in the 2012-2013 school year, one of these courses must be at least a one-semester civics education course that a student successfully completes in accordance with s. 1008.22(3)(c) and that includes the roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments; the structures and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government; and the meaning and significance of historic documents, such as the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States. 4. Three middle school or higher courses in science. To earn high school credit for a Biology I course, a middle school student must pass the Biology I end-of-course assessment. 5. One course in career and education planning to be completed in 7th or 8th grade. The course may be taught by any member of the instructional staff; must include career exploration using Florida CHOICES or a comparable cost-effective program; must include educational planning using the online student advising system known as Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students at the Internet website FACTS.org; and shall result in the completion of a personalized academic and career plan. The required personalized academic and career plan must inform students of high school graduation requirements, high school assessment and college entrance test requirements, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program requirements, state university and Florida College System institution admission requirements, and programs through which a high school student can earn
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college credit, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Advanced International Certificate of Education, dual enrollment, career academy opportunities, and courses that lead to national industry certification. ATTENDANCE: The District policies for attendance are in effect. Parents are responsible for student attendance for 180 days, except in cases of illness or as otherwise provided by law. When a student is absent from school, he/she must bring a note from home explaining the absence. Absences will be determined excused or unexcused by the administration. Excused absences may include: Student illness Student illness as determined by a note from a physician Family illness requiring the students presence at home Death in the family Court appearances or other legal matters Extraordinary circumstances approved by the Principal in advance Absence for a religious holiday or religious instruction as provided by 232.0225, F.S. Other District attendance policies: The principal shall require independent verification of the circumstance or condition resulting in extended, excused absences beyond five (5) days in a forty-five (45) day grading period (nine weeks). The parent/guardian may secure a waiver of this policy by making the condition known to the principal in advance and the principal approving the parents request. Unexcused absences or tardies - Shopping trips, pleasure trips, vacations, appointments, or other avoidable absences shall be deemed to be unexcused absences or tardies. Any suspension from school shall be an unexcused absence unless the suspension was made in error or the principal directs that such absence be excused. Habitual truancy for any student under compulsory attendance requirements shall be defined as fifteen (15) or more unexcused absences in a period of ninety (90) calendar days (228.041, F.S.) Regular Attendance" is defined as attendance in each class or subject at least forty (40) days in a forty-five (45) day grading period. Attendance shall be the actual presence of a student in the class or subject or away from the class or subject or school on an educational activity that is part of the approved school program. The Parent Portal will give the students the number of days missed. It is the students and parents' responsibility to keep accurate records of absences. Exceptions to the attendance policy may be made due to extenuating circumstances. Parents must contact the principal, who will make a decision. Parents should consult the District Code of Conduct for further information regarding attendance.

CALENDAR AND SCHOOL HOURS We will follow the District school calendar. Our school hours are 7:45 AM until 2:00 PM. Students should be in their first period classrooms, seated and ready to begin work before 7:45 AM. DISCIPLINE PLAN Safety and Security Rules: All District rules related to safety and security are in effect at all times. Rules and Expectations Supporting the Orderly Operation of the School and the Educational Process. Rules and expectations covered in this section are designed to meet the following goals: 1. Maintain an orderly school operation. 2. Maintain optimal learning opportunities for students. School facilities and classrooms must be free of behaviors that interfere with teaching and learning. 3. Help students learn how their decisions affect the quality of their lives and others. 4. Help students develop responsibility and character. School Behavior Rules 1. Treat others with the same respect you are treated with by the adults in this school. 2. Your actions, dress, possessions, etc., may not cause a problem for anyone else. 3. If your actions, dress, or possessions cause a problem for anyone else, you will be asked to solve that problem. If you cannot solve the problem, or choose not to, staff members will give you an appropriate consequence. This consequence will depend upon the situation and the person or persons involved. Staff members will use their best judgment based upon the information they have at the time. 4. If students and/or parents feel that the consequences are unfair, they should request a due process hearing. A due process hearing is a discussion and does not need to be formal in nature. It is simply a time for concerned individuals to meet and share information related to the situation in question. In the event that this discussion provides additional information that sheds light on the situation, or shows the consequences to be unfair, the consequences may be changed or eliminated to better fit the unique situation. Core Beliefs That Guide Enforcement of School Rules and Expectations Each student is a unique individual with unique personal, social, and educational needs. As a result, every disciplinary situation is unique in nature. Consequences for misbehavior provide the learning value when matched to the unique student and the unique situation. The odds for students learning from their mistakes increase dramatically when students see a reasonable connection between their behavior and the resulting consequences.
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The Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences staff dedicates itself to following a set of core beliefs that provide a guide for dealing with student discipline. These core beliefs guide our attempts to individualize disciplinary procedures and to help students see reasonable connections between their behavior and the resulting consequences. Since these core beliefs provide the guiding light for our professional decisions, the staff encourages parents to bring concerns and questions to us in the event that we operate in way that appears to be inconsistent with these core beliefs. Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences Staff Core Beliefs The following list of core beliefs outlines the professional actions and attitudes of all staff members in this school. 1. Every attempt will be made to maintain the dignity and self-respect of both the student and the teacher. 2. Students will be guided and expected to solve their problems, or the ones they create, without creating problems for anyone else. 3. Students will be given opportunities to make decisions and live with the consequences, be they good or bad. 4. Misbehavior will be handled with natural or logical consequences instead of punishment, whenever possible. 5. Misbehavior will be viewed as an opportunity for individual problem solving and preparation for the real world. 6. Students are encouraged to request a due process hearing whenever consequences appear to be unfair. 7. School problems will be handled by school personnel. Criminal activity will be referred to the proper authorities. DRESS CODE CHOICES Khaki or black dress pants (no jeans) without holes or worn spots. Pants and shorts must be worn at the waist. Khaki or black knee-length dress shorts (no jeans) without holes or worn spots. Khaki or black knee-length skirts, jumpers, or skorts for girls Dark green (forest green) polo shirt, short or long sleeves, with buttons and collar Dark green, khaki, or black cardigan sweater, sweater vest, or V-neck sweater Athletic or leather shoes with closed toes and flat, closed heels Plain belt must be worn if clothes have belt loops

Uniforms may be purchased at any store (Penneys, Kmart, Wal-Mart, Target, Sears) or online at thechildrenswearoutlet.com/school-uniforms.html, Amazon.com, LLBean.com, frenchtoast.com. or any source of your choice. Students must wear their uniforms every day. Clothing choices for physical education will be announced. ELECTRONIC DEVICES Please do not bring MP3 players/iPods, Game Boys or other gaming devices, or headphones to school. Cell phone policy: students may bring a cell phone to school with parent permission. Cell phones are to be turned off during all class periods. Phones may be used before school or after school. The school is not liable for lost or stolen phones. FIELD TRIPS We will try to provide students with as many educational and cultural field trips as possible. Parents are encouraged to join us whenever possible. Field trip policies are as follows: Teachers will review the goals and learning expectations for the field trip. Students must wear their uniforms on field trips. We will be transported on District school buses or on privately-contracted buses. If a student is to ride in the parents car, the student must be checked out by the parent. Chaperones must be approved volunteers who have completed the required background check. Chaperones should dress appropriately. Chaperones may not bring other children who do not attend Putnam Academy on field trips. Chaperones are on duty supervising students for the entire field trip. HONOR CODE Every student will commit to our schools honor code: I promise I will not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate anyone who does. An Honor Council comprised of students and teachers will determine consequences for students who break the Honor Code. LOCKERS We do not have lockers at our present school location. Students should have backpacks or other bags for books and personal belongings. Students should not bring valuables to school, including personal electronic devices such as tablets or laptops. If a student brings an electronic device to school, with or without a request from the teacher, it is with the understanding by the students and parents that the school is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of the device. LOST AND FOUND Lost items are to be returned to the office. Please mark student possessions with the students name whenever possible.
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MEALS: Breakfast and lunch are served by the Putnam County School District in our school cafeteria. Children will not be given a choice of menus. The lunch count will be taken each day. Money will be collected on a daily basis as the student is served or may be paid several days in advance. Please bring whatever lunch money is owed. Parents may pay by check made out to Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences, Inc. Prices will be posted on our website. Breakfast will be served every morning at 7:15. Breakfast is free to all students. Lunch begins at 11:30 AM and ends at 12 noon. Applications for Free or Reduced Lunch are available in the school office or from your childs teacher. A completed application must be returned to school to determine if your child qualifies. Students may bring their lunches from home. We do not have a microwave to heat lunches or a refrigerator in which to store lunches. Please send lunches which do not require refrigeration or heating. All information regarding breakfast and lunch may be obtained from the principal, Mrs. Aycock, or from the District Food Service office, 329-0524. Lunches should not be shared with other students; many students have food allergies. MEDICATION: Medication may be administered at school if required. Medicines may be administered by trained school personnel only. The following District policies must be followed: The parent/guardian has provided to the school a completed "Authorization to Administer Prescription Medication" (Form E-33) or "Authorization to Administer Non-Prescription Medication" (Form E-34) for each medication. School personnel are informed of any side effects or complications that may result from the medication. (Medication information sheets can be obtained from your local pharmacist.) Medications ordered "two times per day" or "three times per day" will not be administered at school unless the written authorization specifies administration times during school hours. The first dose of a medication must be given at home or in the doctor's office and documented on the "Authorization to Assist Student in Administration of Medication" form. If medication requires equipment for administration (measuring cup, spoon, dropper, nebulae), the parent is responsible for supplying the articles. These items will be sent to school in a plastic bag labeled with the student's name and date of birth. Students who are being administered a medication both at home and at school must keep an adequate supply of the medication at school because the medication cannot be transported between home and school on a daily or weekly basis. If the licensed healthcare provider has given the parent sample bottles of medication, the bottle(s) must be labeled with: student's full name, name of medication, directions concerning dosage, time of day to be given, health care provider's name and date.

Delivery, Storage and Handling Medication will be delivered to school and picked up by a parent/guardian or responsible adult. The person dropping off the medication must sign the drop-off log before leaving the school. Upon receipt of all medication at school, a designated school employee will count the pills, tablets or capsules received. If the medication is in liquid form, the bottle will be marked at top level of liquid with a marker or piece of tape. All medication being dropped off and received shall be recorded after being counted on the Form E-35, entitled "Health Services Department Medication Drop-off Log". The parent, guardian or responsible adult must provide a supply of medication in its original container. Medications will NOT be transported between home and school on a daily or weekly basis. Parents will arrange for a separate supply of medication for school. Students on long-term medications require maximum supply of medication guidelines. The maximum amount of pills school staff shall receive has been established as follows: o Twenty (20) pills, tablets or capsules for students needing a once a day medication. o Forty (40) pills, tablets or capsules for students needing twice per day medications. All empty medication bottles will be discarded. Empty medication bottles will not be sent home. Parent/guardian or responsible adult must deliver refills in an appropriately labeled container from the pharmacy. All medications to be administered by school personnel will be kept in a securely locked cabinet. Those medications requiring refrigeration should be kept in a safe place in the refrigerator. (Placing them in a box in the refrigerator minimizes the likelihood of their being contaminated from bacteria in food.) When medication is discontinued or at the end of the school year, medication not taken home by the parent will be discarded in a manner that prevents anyone from gaining further access to the medication. PARENT FACILITATORS By law, each charter schools governing board must appoint a representative to facilitate parental involvement, provide access to information, assist parents and others with questions and concerns, and to resolve disputes. Please consult your childs teacher and Mrs. Aycock before consulting the Parent Facilitators. This year, our parent facilitators are Lindsey and Mark Motl. Parents should consult Mr. or Mrs. Motl for questions, problems, or ways to become a more active and involved parent. Mr. and Mrs. Motl may be reached by email at mmotl@gmail.com. PARENT INVOLVEMENT To conform to ESEA Section 1118(b) The school will involve parents in every way possible. This statement shall serve as the policy statement for parent involvement, and the policy shall be available in a format and language accessible to every parent. We will have an annual meeting to which all parents of all enrolled children are invited. At this meeting we will explain our participation in Title I and explain the requirements of participation in this program.
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We will have regular PTO meetings to offer information to parents about our programs, our curriculum, our assessment plans, and our policies. We offer parents opportunities for meetings with teachers and staff to discuss their childrens progress. We encourage parents to use the Parent Portal frequently. Parents will be represented on the School Advisory Council, a group which meets regularly to plan programs for our school. Parents will be represented on the Governing Board of Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences, Inc. Parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children shall be provided with information and school reports in a format and, if possible, in a language such parents understand. We believe that parents, students, and the entire school staff have a shared responsibility for student achievement. We are a partnership dedicated to achieving the States high academic standards. We encourage parents to: speak to teachers about any academic concerns parents may have about their childrens educational progress check school work assignments every day and talk to their children about what was learned each day ask for any school notices that may have been handed out that day provide a daily homework time monitor school attendance and follow student attendance policies attend school meetings refer to the schools website, www.putnamacademy.org

We encourage all parents to become school volunteers. Please speak to the Principal about the procedure for becoming a volunteer. STUDENT SAFETY If a student must leave campus for an appointment, the parents must come to the office to sign out the student. Please try to schedule appointments outside of school hours. For the safety of all students, we must know Who has permission to sign out a student? These names should be listed with addresses and phone numbers on the pupil information sheet Who to contact if you cannot be reached Who to contact in case of an emergency

Any change of address or phone number during the school year for parents and all persons who may pick up your student.

Please note the location of the parent pick up and drop off area. The central gates are for entrance only. Please do not drop off students more than thirty (30) minutes before the beginning of the school day. Please pick up students no later than fifteen (15) minutes after the last school activity of the day. Do not leave students outside the school gates. VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS We welcome you to our school! We strongly encourage parents and grandparents to become involved in our school as chaperones, tutors, lunch monitors, and club sponsors. We value your time and your talent! Please consider how you can help your child and our school by volunteering. Volunteers must undergo a yearly background check before being allowed to volunteer. Please contact the school for information about volunteer policies. Volunteers and visitors must sign in and out in the front office. Visitors should sign in and receive a visitors pass before going to the classroom or any other area of the school. CONTACT INFORMATION For any questions you may have, please contact: Principal/Director Mrs. Carla Aycock, 386-326-4212, caycock@putnamschools.org Executive Secretary Mrs. Nancy McClellan, 386-326-4212, nmcclellan@putnamschools.org You may leave a message for your childs teachers at 386-326-4212, through the Skyward parent portal, or as your childs teachers direct. Fax number 386-326-6235 Website www.putnamacademy.org

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