PARENT & STUDENT HANDBOOK - 2022-2023 Ana C. Diaz
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PARENT & STUDENT
HANDBOOK
2022-2023
Ana C. Diaz Amber Pfefferkorn
Principal Vice Principal
14301 S.W. 42nd Street
Miami, Florida 33175
(305) 207-1027
http://www.pinecrestprepacademy.com
1Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to Pinecrest Preparatory Academy Charter School. On behalf of the administration,
faculty and staff we assure you that we are committed to providing an innovative, challenging
curriculum in a learning environment that promotes individualized instruction and academic
success for all of our students.
We look forward to a rewarding and exciting new school year. At PPA we recognize that parents
are an integral part of our school’s success and your collaboration is essential in promoting our
school’s mission.
While flexibility and innovation are at the core of how we operate, we also believe that high
standards and character development are important for providing clear guidelines for students.
This handbook outlines our policies and procedures. Please take some time to review this
handbook with your child. This handbook is also accessible on our website at
www.pinecrestprepacademy.com
We update the handbook every year to reflect changes in our policies and the changing world
in which we live. In addition, you may find routine updates posted on the school’s website. If
a major policy revision is made, you will be informed. We encourage you to participate in this
process by offering your suggestions and raising any concerns you have about any topic
documented in this handbook. Please send an email to me or any member of the administrative
team to share your thoughts.
We are honored that Pinecrest Preparatory Academy Charter School has been designated as
a School of Excellence by the State Board of Education for maintaining a high ranking among
all elementary schools in the state of Florida. Thank you for selecting PPA as your School of
Choice!
Ana C. Diaz
Principal
2CHARTER SCHOOL INFORMATION
Charter schools are non-profit, self-managed, entities that enroll Miami-Dade County public school
students. They must be approved and monitored by the local school board, yet they are run
independently. Charter schools are funded by state and local monies and are open to any student
residing in the Miami-Dade County School District who would otherwise qualify to attend a traditional
public school in Miami-Dade County. Charter school students are Miami-Dade County public school
students, subject to applicable policies.
ADMINISTRATION
Ana C. Diaz, Principal Amber Pfefferkorn, Vice Principal
adiaz@pinecrestprepacademy.com apfefferkorn@pinecrestprepacademy.com
OFFICE STAFF
Jessica Swindell, Registrar Mercy Silva, Treasurer
jswindell@pinecrestprepacademy.com msilva@pinecrestprepacademy.com
Veronica Vigil, Receptionist
vvigil@pinecrestprepacademy.com
Board Meeting Dates
For a current list of our Board of Directors and Meeting Dates, please visit our school website or
contact the main office.
https://www.pinecrestprepacademy.com/index.jsp
Procedures for adding items to the board meeting agenda and filing complaints: Board
meeting schedules are posted outside of the main office. Items may be added to the board meeting
agenda by contacting Kelly Mallon at (305) 669-2906 at least 5 days prior to a scheduled board
meeting. For information on how to address our Board of Directors, please visit our school website or
contact the main office.
Vision & Mission Statement
The vision of Pinecrest Preparatory Academy is to provide every student with a high-quality education
that focuses on academic improvement in an environment where everyone grows and shares
responsibility for academic success.
The mission of Pinecrest Preparatory Academy is to use differentiated instruction to support individual
student growth in a rigorous and challenging learning environment where students are motivated to
succeed.
Student Enrollment/Lottery
Students will be admitted to Pinecrest Preparatory Academy regardless of race, gender religion or
ethnic origin and our admission and dismissal procedures will be equitable for all students. All “Pinecrest
Academy Inc.” schools will implement the following enrollment/lottery policy:
1. Effective immediately, Pinecrest Preparatory Academy will set and advertise a registration / lottery
date.
32. The following groups of students will not have to participate in the lottery and will gain automatic
admission/re-admission.
i. Current students enrolled at Pinecrest Preparatory Academy
ii. Siblings of enrolled or accepted students at Pinecrest Preparatory Academy
iii.Children of teachers at Pinecrest Preparatory Academy
iv. Children of governing board members, however, for Federal Grant Recipient Schools,
preference will only be given to children of founding board members of the grant recipient
school, Pinecrest Preparatory Academy, while the school is in the grant period. Any
governing board members which are nominated and/or elected to the governing board after
the founding of the school shall not be eligible for any enrollment preference while the school
is in the grant period.
v. Children of an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. (Not
applicable to Federal Grant Recipient Schools)
For Federal Grant Recipient Schools, sibling and children of teacher exemptions only apply to
children of the grant recipient school. An exemption cannot be granted if the child does not have a
sibling in the Federal Grant Recipient School and/or the teacher is not employed at the Federal
Grant Recipient School.
3. If the number of applicants is less than or equal to the number of available slots, each qualified
applicant will be accepted.
4. If the number of applicants meeting the established criteria of the charter exceeds the stated
capacity of the school, or individual classroom or program, each child will be placed in a random
lottery (the “Lottery”).
5. Each application will be given a number, and all numbers for each classroom/program will be placed
in a database. Numbers will be drawn on a random basis and all slots available per grade will be
filled based on the rank order of their drawing. The remaining numbers will be used to create the
waiting list (the list will be developed based on the rank order in which the remaining assigned lottery
numbers are randomly drawn).
6. There will be at least one school administrator plus a member of the board and/or a representative
from an independent auditing firm present at the Lottery.
7. After the Lottery is completed, students will be contacted in the rank order in which names were
randomly drawn and established on the waiting list.
8. As openings arise throughout the year, the next child on the waiting list for that particular classroom
will be offered the “space”. If the school accepts applications during the school year and already
has a waiting list from a previous lottery, the school may either re-draw all names to date (less those
accepted/withdrawn/removed by request) or conduct periodic subsequent lotteries and add the
names in the rank order drawn to the initial list created via a random lottery.
9. The parent has 48 hours to accept/refuse the space and complete all required documentation for
admission into program. If the parent is not able to do so, the space will go to the next child on the
waiting list. Applicant names for parents who do not respond within 48 hours or who do not accept
the available space will be removed from the list and requested to reapply in the future if they would
like to be considered at a later date.
10. If there are more spaces than applications, the school may accept all students after the registration
period has ended. If the school continues to accept applications after the initial registration period,
the school will:
4A) Conduct subsequent registration periods with advertised due dates and determine whether a
lottery is necessary at the end of that period; or,
B) Conduct a “rolling” registration weekly. At the end of each week, determine whether or not a
lottery is necessary.
1. If the school receives more applications that week than the available seats, the school will:
a) Conduct a lottery;
b) Notify families that received available spaces, and
c) Put remaining applications on a waiting list in the rank order their numbers are randomly
drawn OR let families know they will be included in the next lottery when spaces become
available.
2. If no lottery is necessary at the end of the week because the school has more space than
applications received, all applicants may be accepted.
3. Repeat steps a and b above at the end of each week or as long as the school continues to
accept applications for each school year.
11. The school may choose the option of maintaining a waiting list application pool rather than a rank
ordered waiting list. When the school chooses this option, it will conduct the lottery from all available
applications received to date and stop when all available spaces have been filled. Each time the
school has available space, it will conduct a new lottery.
Registration
Please visit our school website to complete the application process.
***SCHOOL CALENDAR & HOURS ***
In lieu of weekly early dismissals on Wednesdays, we will be implementing monthly early release days
at the following times. See our current school calendar for specific dates.
Regular School Hours Monthly Early Dismissal Days
K – 1st 8:30 am – 2:00 pm 11:30 am
2nd – 3rd 8:30 am – 3:00 pm 12:00 pm
4th – 5th 8:30 am – 3:30 pm 12:30 pm
Arrival Procedures
Arrival time is from 7:45 am to 8:25 am. Students must be in their seats at 8:30 am for the
commencement of homeroom. Any student arriving after the commencement of homeroom will be
marked tardy.
Our PPA Before & After School Care program will be available for students who arrive before 7:45 am
and/or remain after their scheduled dismissal. Students who are not enrolled in our PPA Before & After
School Care program and remain after their scheduled dismissal time will be charged a service fee of
$5.00 per 5 minutes (or any part thereof).
• All vehicles must enter the school through the entrance driveway and drop off students in the
designated drop off/pick up areas only.
• Under no circumstances will parents be allowed to park or leave their vehicles unattended in the
drop off/pick up areas.
• Do not attempt to stop your car in front of your child’s classroom. Please drive all the way around
the driveway until directed to stop and let your child out of the car.
5• Pedestrians must use one of the designated pedestrian gate located on the east side of our
campus. Pedestrians may not enter the building though our vehicle driveway.
Dismissal Procedures
Students will remain with a faculty member for up to 10 minutes after dismissal. Students who are not
picked up 10 minutes after their scheduled dismissal time will be charged a late fee of $5.00 per 5
minutes (or part thereof).
• Each student will receive a color-coded car decal.
• All vehicles entering the school driveway must display their car decal(s) on the right side of the
vehicle dashboard.
• Vehicles will be allowed to enter the school driveway at their child’s scheduled dismissal time.
• Parking to wait for dismissal on Bird Road is prohibited by both school policy and traffic laws.
Vehicles who arrive prior to their child’s scheduled dismissal time will be directed to continue
driving.
• Parents are discouraged from picking up students enrolled in the aftercare program during
regular dismissal times.
To provide safe and effective student supervision, we ask that parents refrain from conferencing with
supervising staff member during dismissal.
The following acts are prohibited and may jeopardize student safety and the continuance of our Charter
School contract:
♦ Parking along Bird Road
♦ Dropping students off along Bird Road
♦ Blocking the entrance/exit of any residential home or shopping center
♦ Stopping or standing on eastbound or westbound of Bird Road
The school gates will open no earlier that the designated dismissal times listed in this handbook.
In addition to the issuance of citations from local law enforcement, Pinecrest Preparatory Academy will
implement the following consequences for violation of these rules:
1. Documented warning
2. Incident report
3. Administrative meeting for breach of contract
PPA Before & After School Care program
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy offers extended hours of student supervision through our PPA Before
& After School Care program. Detailed information is available on our website
www.pinecrestprepacademy.com.
Before Care Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
After Care Hours: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mini Care (K – 1st grade): 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sibling Care (2nd – 3rd grade): 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
*Sibling-Care is a FREE service offered to our 2nd and 3rd grade students who have siblings in
4th or 5th grade. We encourage all of our families to utilize this service to assist in minimizing
traffic in and around our school and the greater community.
6Outstanding Fees
Failure to pay all outstanding fees may result in the loss and/or suspension of school activities and
privileges. Fees may include but shall not be limited to: lost books, late library fees, lunch accounts,
before/after care fees, and any and all fees which may accrue in the normal course of the school year.
Attendance Policy
In accordance with School and District Daily Attendance policies, students must be physically present
in school for a minimum of 2 hours to be counted as present for attendance purposes each day. For
each day a student is absent, Parents/guardians must submit supporting documentation explaining the
reason for the absence via the attendance notification link located on our website. Documentation
submitted more than 3 days (72 hours) after the student’s return to school will not be accepted, and the
absence(s) will be deemed unexcused. Students with excessive absences will be referred to the
Attendance Review Committee; Referrals will be issued after reaching the school’s maximum allowance
and may result in the student’s report card reflecting insufficient attendance for receiving a grade.
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy will abide by the following M-DCPS Student Attendance
Reporting Procedures. These procedures can be found on the following website:
www.dadeschools.net
COVID-19 (dated August 2021)
The school shall continue to monitor guidance and implement procedures which are recommended by
The Florida Department of Health, The Center for Disease Control, The Florida Department of
Education and/or Miami-Dade County Public Schools. We will update our community as further
guidance is received and policies developed.
If your child is COVID-19 positive or is pending COVID-19 results, please do not send your child to
school.
Tardies
All tardies are unexcused. Any child who is not in their classroom by 8:30 a.m. will be marked
“TARDY”. Students arriving after the commencement of the school day must report directly the main
office. Students who are tardy are not eligible for perfect attendance certificates.
Early Dismissal
Students who are dismissed early must be signed out by a parent or guardian in the main office.
Students will not be released to persons whose names do not appear on the emergency contact card
kept on file. A photo ID must be shown to release a student from the premises. Students may not be
dismissed 30 minutes prior to dismissal time. Students who dismiss early are not eligible for perfect
attendance certificates.
Excessive Absences/Tardies/Early Dismissals
A notice of Excessive Absences/Tardies/Early Dismissals will be sent home for students who are in
danger of exceeding the school’s maximum allowed absences/tardies/early releases. A Student Case
Management Referral (SCM) will be issued when students accumulate:
• 5 or more unexcused absences
• 10 or more excused absences
• 10 or more tardies/early dismissals
Students exceeding the school’s maximum allowed tardies/early dismissals/absences will be referred
to the Attendance Review Committee. Maximums are as follows:
• 10 absences (excused or unexcused)
7• 20 tardies and/or early dismissals
Withdrawals
A parent/guardian must come to the main office to request a withdrawal or transfer.
School Lunch
Students may bring their lunch to school in the morning or purchase lunch from the cafeteria. Lunch
payments will be accepted online. Cost for meals is as follows:
Regular: Reduced:
Breakfast: $2.50 Breakfast: $0.30
Lunch: $3.75 Lunch: $0.40
The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs as administered by Pinecrest Preparatory
Academy provides free and reduced priced meals for children unable to pay the full price. Applications
must be completed every school year; forms are sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians
the first week of school. Meal benefits begin on the day the application is approved and continue
throughout the school year in which the application is approved, the summer, and approximately the
first twenty days of the next school year.
Students who do not bring lunch will be provided with a school lunch and will be required to pay the
money owed. It is the parent’s responsibility to monitor the student’s lunch account and make sure that
the student has sufficient lunch money.
To minimize classroom interruptions, parents may not drop off lunch, homework or other items
for their child during school hours.
School Safety and Security
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy Charter School has plans and procedures in place to protect your
child and communicate with you in the event of an emergency. Our administration works with school
staff, local law enforcement and other public health and safety leaders to make our campus a safe
place to learn. To protect our students and staff, Pinecrest Preparatory Academy is outfitted with
electronic security systems including burglar alarms, digital video recorders, and access controls.
Incidents on or near School Campus
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy Charter School has set up emergency plans and has a Critical Incident
Response Team (CIRT) that focuses on prevention and reaction to incidents. Furthermore, a Crisis
Intervention Team provides support to students and staff after an incident. If there is a potential threat
or unsafe situation to a school, the school may go on “lockdown” to protect students, staff, and visitors.
Accidents
Parents will be notified immediately in case of illness or serious accident. If a parent cannot be
contacted, the person(s) named on the emergency contact cards will be called. Please review and
update your child’s emergency contact card to ensure accuracy. Please notify the office
immediately of any accident or injury that occurs during arrival or departure from school.
Children who are ill should remain at home to minimize the risk of passing the illness onto others.
Please notify the school of any chronic condition your child may have.
8School Closings and Delays
As with inclement weather, community incidents may require us to cancel classes, open schools late
or close them early. In such a situation, the following plan goes into effect.
• The school’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) will monitor and manage the
situation.
• The school’s website will post the announcement of the closing, delay or early dismissal.
• If classes are canceled or dismissed early, all athletic and extracurricular events at the
school will be canceled.
• Before & After School Care programs will be cancelled if the school is closed.
Visitors
All visitors must report to the main office to obtain a visitor’s pass. Only persons with pertinent business
are permitted on school grounds. Children, including family members, who are not currently enrolled
at Pinecrest Preparatory Academy will not be permitted on school grounds during school hours.
Instructional time may not be interrupted by parent visits.
All special events and activities must be pre-approved by the administration. Birthday party celebrations
are not permitted during school hours.
Independently Contracted Services
Parents must request a meeting with the principal prior to scheduling independently contracted
services for students from outside agencies. These services include but are not limited to
psychological counseling, behavioral therapy and other related services that are not documented on a
student’s Individual Education Plan.
Parent to School Communication
Parent conferences can be scheduled by contacting your child’s teacher. Conferences with teachers
during arrival, dismissal or classroom instruction may impede the teacher’s ability to effectively
supervise his/her students.
Always attempt to resolve any school-based concerns/conflicts with your child’s teacher first. If you are
unable to resolve issues or conflicts with your child’s teacher, you may contact the main office to
schedule an appointment with a member of the administration.
Please notify the office immediately to:
1. Change your address or contact information.
2. Update your child’s emergency contact information.
3. Make a change to your child’s transportation.
EESAC
Educational Excellence School Advisory Committee (EESAC) - The EESAC is the sole body
responsible for final decision making relating to school improvement and accountability. If you would
like additional information regarding the EESAC, please visit the state website indicated below.
http://www.flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2010/1001.452. EESAC Meetings/Board Meetings are posted on
the bulletin board by the Main Office.
Authorization for Medication
9Miami-Dade County School Board policy “prohibits school personnel from administering any prescribed
medication without parental consent and a medication authorization form signed by the child’s physician
and parent(s).”
For medication to be administered to your child, we must have an Authorization for Medication form on
file. This form is available in the office and must be completed by a pediatrician or a family doctor.
Trained staff members will administer medication according to the instruction on the Authorization for
Medication form and will document dosage in the student medication log.
Medication must be in its original container labeled with the following information: the child’s name,
dosage, name of the drug, physician’s name, and the name and phone number of the pharmacy that
filled the prescription.
Volunteer Hours
Parents/guardians are asked to complete thirty (30) volunteer hours, or the equivalent, per academic
year.
Procedures for volunteering on campus:
1. Obtain volunteer clearance through the Concierge Pad link on our website. This must be done
at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled visit. Three volunteer hours will be awarded
once clearance has been obtained.
2. Contact the classroom teacher to determine the date, location, and approximate time of
service.
3. The classroom teacher must provide the office staff with the volunteer information at least 48
hours prior to the visit.
4. Present valid identification to the office staff to obtain a visitor’s pass or present the Badge
available through the Concierge Pad Application.
To ensure the safety of all our students, PARENTS/VISITORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED BEYOND
THE MAIN OFFICE WITHOUT A VISITOR’S PASS. NO
EXCEPTIONS.
Parents may complete hours by any of the following:
• Attend school meetings
• Assist with school events
• Classroom teacher assistance
• Chaperone field trips
• Donate supplies, wish lists items and/or items for school fundraising events
Internet and Media Policy
The School may photograph and video tape school events which may include student images.
These images may be projected on the school website and/or other media. If any parent wishes to
exclude the use of their child’s image, please contact the main office to request the media opt out
form.
No recording, either photographic or audio/visual in nature may be made on school property without the
expressed permission of the administration. No document or media that exists or is produced about the
school, its staff or students including photographs, letters, yearbooks and other material may be
published where it is accessible to the public without the expressed permission of the administration.
Furthermore, the unauthorized use of the Pinecrest Preparatory Academy Charter School name or any
of its logos is expressly prohibited. For purposes of this section, the term “public forum or media”
10includes but shall not be limited to publicly accessible websites and web forums, newspapers, print and
other media sources.
Uniform Policy
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy has a school uniform that must be worn during regular school days.
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy reserves the right to interpret these guidelines and/or make changes
during the school year. Students are expected to follow these guidelines with support from their
parents/guardians. School uniforms may be purchased at All Uniform Wear located at 7346 SW 117th
Avenue, Miami, Florida 33183.
Kindergarten – 5th Grade:
Navy, red, or white polo shirt with an embroidered school logo. Khaki, plaid or navy blue skort, shorts
or pants.
Navy blue sweatshirts, jackets, and sweaters are available at the uniform company for cold weather
days. Solid white, red or navy long sleeve shirts and solid white or navy stockings may be worn
underneath the uniform.
Shoes must be solid color navy blue, black, brown, or white closed toe shoes or sneakers with socks.
Sneakers with “lights”, sandals, and platform shoes will not be permitted.
Hair must be neat, clean, and away from the face. No hats, bandanas or sweatbands may be worn.
Hair may not be dyed with unnatural colors or maintained in an unacceptable condition. Students may
not wear distracting or dangerous jewelry such as large hoops, large necklaces with charms. Make-up,
tattoos, colored nail polish/acrylic nails, or glitter will not be permitted.
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 any of the above-
mentioned infractions, will not be able to participate in special events or activities and will not be chosen
for leadership roles within the classroom or school. Parents will be notified of uniform violations.
Repeated violations of our uniform policy may result in disciplinary action.
School Spirit Shirt will be on sale at the uniform store throughout the school year and may be worn on
the last day of each week. Please purchase at least one School Spirit Shirt since they will be required
for Field Trips and special events. Students who participate in our annual Jean Day fundraiser may
wear blue jeans on designated jean days.
Lost and Found
To minimize the quantity of lost and found articles, we ask that you please write your child’s name
on everything he/she brings to school. Lost items will be placed in the Lost and Found box located
outside the Media Center. Items left unclaimed after one week will be donated to a local charity.
Student Conduct
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy will follow the Miami-Dade County Public School’s Code of Student
Conduct including the policies for Wireless Communication Devices, and Utilization of the Internet
and Inappropriate Use of Computers found at:
http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/90/index.htm
These rules, regulations and due process procedures are designed to protect all members of the
educational community in the exercise of their rights and responsibilities. Administration will make the
final decision on disciplinary actions.
11Pinecrest Preparatory Academy teachers and staff have developed school-wide behavioral
expectations for our students. A system of incentives and consequences will be implemented to ensure
student success in maintaining our expectations.
Bullying policy
The Guidance and the DOE Model policy may be found here:
https://www.fldoe.org/safe-schools/bullying-prevention.stml
School Expectations:
Be Safe
Be Responsible
Be Respectful
• Student Case Management Referrals (SCM) will be used to document serious or repeated
infractions of our school-wide expectations for behavior. This information will remain on the
student’s permanent record.
• Behaviors listed in the Student Code of Conduct as level 3-5 may result in suspension from
school. These behaviors include but are not limited to bullying/ harassment, fighting, and
disorderly conduct.
Unauthorized Items:
Please note that students are not allowed to bring toys, pets, or animals to school. Cell phones may not
be turned on inside of the school building at any time. Cell phones may not be visible at any time during
the school day. The school will confiscate unauthorized items a student brings to school. Confiscated
items will only be returned to parents at which time a parent/student conference may be required.
Continued violations of this policy may result in further penalties and may subject the student to
disciplinary action and/or referral to the administration. While the school will take every measure to
protect such items, the school shall not be responsible for loss or damage to any unauthorized items
which have been confiscated. Any items not claimed by the last day of the school year shall be disposed
of without further liability to the school.
School Curriculum
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy follows the standards and objectives stated in the Florida Standards
and Next Generation Sunshine State Standards as adopted. It encompasses the core subject areas of
Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. In addition, we offer classes in
Spanish, Art, Music and Physical Education.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS):
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy personnel will provide a system of multi-tiered supports for students
designed to maximize each individual student’s academic potential. Academic support intervention is
intended as a resource for educators to assist in integrating academic and behavior supports and
services for all students. The MTSS model for instruction and intervention is based on the principle that
academic and behavioral supports are first provided at a core or universal level to effectively address
the needs of all students in a school (referred to as Tier I). However, not all students respond to the
same curricula and teaching strategies. As a result, some students with identified needs will receive
supplemental or targeted instruction and intervention at Tier II. Finally, at Tier III, a few students with
the most severe needs will receive the most intensive and individualized behavioral and/or academic
support.
12Classroom Placement
Our administrative staff reviews each student’s scores and performance evaluations to provide students
with the best possible learning environment. A student’s individual personality, development, and
character are also considered in our final decisions. The school is not obligated to honor requests
for classroom placements. In addition, we reserve the right to change student classroom
assignments as needed to ensure the most appropriate learning environment for all students.
General Education Classes
All Pinecrest Preparatory Academy Teachers have been trained in the use of differentiated instructional
strategies to address the individual needs of each student. Students whose assessment data indicates
the need for remediation or acceleration will be provided with diverse educational strategies to meet
their individual needs. If at any time you feel that your child is either not being challenged or needs
remediation, please contact your child’s teacher so that a plan of action can be developed to ensure all
students meet their academic potential.
Gifted Program
Pinecrest Preparatory Academy will be offering services to students who are eligible for Gifted
Education. Based on our enrollment of eligible students, we may provide one of the following levels of
service:
• Self-contained gifted class: All students enrolled in this class must be eligible for Gifted
Education or demonstrate advanced academic performance. The class will be taught by a
certified Teacher of the Gifted.
• Combination of Advanced and Gifted placement
• Pull-out gifted program: Students will be in a general education classroom for a portion of the
school day and will be pulled out by a certified Teacher of the Gifted for selected subject and
course areas.
Textbooks
Students will be issued textbooks at the beginning of each school year. Students must immediately
inform teachers about any lost or damaged books so that they can be replaced. Parents will be
responsible for the cost of the replacement book(s). The same rule applies for lost library books.
Field Trips
Participation in field trips requires the submission of a signed permission slip. Once the field trip has
been paid for, the school may not issue a refund. If a hardship exists where a student cannot afford the
cost of the field trip, please notify the field trip sponsor. All outstanding school fees must be paid for
student participation in field trips.
Field Trip sponsors will select field trip chaperones as needed. All chaperones must be cleared and
must wear the designated school shirt. Chaperones may not bring other children on field trips. Students
will not be released during a field trip unless authorized by the principal or his/her designee.
Grading and Reporting Student Progress
Instructional staff uses evaluative devices and techniques as needed to report individual achievement
in relation to school goals, acceptance norms, and student potential. Student grades, unsatisfactory
work notices, parent reports on state assessment, and/or standardized testing, parent conferences, and
adult/student conferences should serve as the primary means of communicating student progress and
achievement of the standards for promotion.
A student’s academic grade reflects the teacher’s most objective assessment of the student’s academic
achievement. Students have the right to receive a conduct and an effort grade consistent with their
overall behavior and effort.
13Specific guidelines for grading student performance and for reporting student progress are provided
below and detailed in the Student Progression Plan. To view the plan, go to
http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/93/index.asp
Academic Grades: Academic grades are to reflect the student’s academic progress. The grade must
provide for both students and parents a clear indication of each student’s academic performance as
compared with norms that would be appropriate for the grade or subject. The academic grades of “A,”
“B,” “C,” “D,” or “F,” are not related to the student’s effort and conduct grades. Grades in all subjects
are to be based on the student’s degree of mastery of the instructional objectives and competencies for
the subject. The determination of the specific grade a student receives must be based on the teacher’s
best judgment after careful consideration of all aspects of each student’s performance during a grading
period.
Kindergarten
NUMERICAL VERBAL GRADE POINT
GRADES VALUE INTERPRETATION VALUE
E 90-100% Outstanding progress 3.50 and above
G 80-89% Above average progress 2.50 – 3.49
S 70-79% Average Progress 1.50 – 2.49
M 60-69% Lowest acceptable progress 1.00 – 1.49
U 0-59% Failure 0.99 and below
Grades 1 – 5
1-5 NUMERICAL VERBAL GRADE POINT
GRADES VALUE INTERPRETATION VALUE
A 90-100% Outstanding progress 3.50 and above
B 80-89% Above average progress 2.50 – 3.49
C 70-79% Average Progress 1.50 – 2.49
D 60-69% Lowest acceptable progress 1.00 – 1.49
F 0-59% Failure 0.99 and below
Effort Grades: Effort grades are utilized to convey both to students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) the
teacher’s evaluation of a student’s effort as related to the instructional program. These grades are
independent of academic and conduct grades. In assigning an effort grade, the teacher must consider
the student’s potential, study habits, and attitude. Kindergarten students do not receive effort grades.
Three numerical grades are used to reflect effort in grades 1-5:
An effort grade of “1” indicates outstanding effort on the part of the student. The student will, when
necessary, complete a task again in order to improve the results. The student consistently attends
to assigned tasks until completed and generally exerts maximum effort on all tasks. The student
consistently works to the best of his/her ability.
An effort grade of “2” indicates satisfactory effort on the part of the student. All work is approached
with an appropriate degree of seriousness. The student usually finishes assignments on time and
usually stays on task. The student usually works at a level commensurate with his/her ability.
An effort grade of “3” reflects insufficient effort on the part of the student. Little attention is paid to
completing assignments well and/or on time or to completing them in a manner commensurate with
the student’s ability.
Conduct Grades: Conduct grades are to be used to communicate clearly to both students and their
parents the teacher's evaluation of a student's behavior and citizenship development. These grades are
independent of academic and effort grades. The conduct grade must be consistent with the student's
overall behavior in class and should not be based on a single criterion.
14Kindergarten Conduct Grades
GRADES VERBAL INTERPRETATION
E Excellent conduct on the part of the student
G Good conduct
S Satisfactory conduct
M Some improvement is needed
U Student behavior needs improvement
1st – 5th Conduct Grades
GRADES VERBAL INTERPRETATION
A Excellent behavior on the part of the student
B Consistently good behavior
C Satisfactory behavior
D Improvement is needed in the student's overall behavior
F Unsatisfactory behavior overall
Home Learning Assignments
Home Learning Assignments are an important part of learning and may be viewed on each teacher’s
class page on our school’s website http://www.pinecrestprepacademy.com. These assignments are
designed to provide support for proficiency in academic concepts.
Student responsibilities for completing home learning activities:
1. Students are responsible for recording and completing all Home Learning Assignments
independently. Parents may provide assistance, but students should complete the work on their
own.
2. If a student does not understand the assignment(s), they are encouraged to bring it in the next
day and ask the teacher for assistance.
3. A daily calendar or agenda should be used to keep track of home learning assignments for each
night.
Honor Roll Qualifications:
Students will be recognized for Academic Achievement and Perfect Attendance at Quarterly and End-
of-Year Awards Ceremonies. The following qualifications are necessary to achieve these awards:
1. Principal’s Honor Roll
Academic Grades All A’s
Effort All 1’s
Conduct Grades All A’s
2. Honor Roll
Academic Grades All A’s and B’s
Effort All 1’s and 2’s
Conduct Grades All A’s and B’s
3. Perfect Attendance
Students who are tardy or leave early during the quarter will not be eligible for
Perfect Attendance.
Report cards are issued quarterly according to the dates identified on the official Miami-Dade County
School Calendar. Individual Progress Reports are issued to all students’ mid-way through each quarter.
Additional progress reports may be issued on an individual basis. Please feel free to consult your child’s
teacher regarding his/her academic progress.
15THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
ADHERES TO A POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION IN THE EDUCATIONAL AND
WORK ENVIRONMENT
IMINATION / HARASSMENT
It is the policy of the School Board that all students and employees be treated with respect. The School
Board affirmatively strives to provide a workplace and educational environment free from discrimination
and harassment (including sexual harassment), as required by law. Through this policy, the School Board
establishes its intent to provide equal access, opportunity, and treatment to students in the provision of
educational programs and activities and to applicants and employees in all aspects of employment. Slurs,
innuendos, hostile treatment, violence, or verbal or physical conduct against a student or employee
reflecting on his/her race, ethnic or national origin, gender or any other of the categories described below,
will NOT be tolerated by the School Board.
The School Board Policy Covers the Following Protected Categories:
AGE - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational opportunities because of a
person’s age.
CITIZENSHIP STATUS - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational
opportunities because of a person’s citizenship or immigration status.
COLOR - This category prevents denial and/or educational opportunities because of a person’s skin
tone. Color discrimination can occur within the same race; for example, someone who has a darker
complexion may discriminate against someone that has a lighter complexion.
DISABILITY - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational opportunities
because of a person has or is perceived to have a permanent impairment that substantially limits or
prevents a major life activity; for example: walking, seeing, hearing, talking, sitting, or standing.
ETHNIC/NATIONAL ORIGIN - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational
opportunities because of a person’s ancestors’ place of origin; or because an individual has the
physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics of a particular group.
GENDER - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational opportunities because of
a person’s gender or sex.
GENDER IDENTITY - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational
opportunities because of a person’s gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior,
regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth.
GENETIC INFORMATION (GINA) - This category prevents denial of equal employment and/or
harassment because of a person’s genetic information; it ensures that individuals are not treated
differently because of genetic information.
LINGUISTIC PREFERENCE - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational
opportunities because of the language a person speaks.
MARITAL STATUS - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational opportunities
because of a person’s marital status, i.e., single, married, widowed, or divorced.
POLITICAL BELIEFS - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational
opportunities because of a person’s support and/or affiliation or lack thereof with a particular political
party.
PREGNANCY - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational opportunities for
women who are pregnant.
RACE - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational opportunities because of a
person’s race. The five federally recognized racial categories are American Indian or Alaskan Native,
Asian, Black, or African American, Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White. Persons from a
mixed racial background do not need to prove their exact heritage in order to assert that they have been
16discriminated against based on race. Likewise, this category covers persons being discriminated
against because they are married to persons of a different race other than their own.
RELIGION - This category prevents denial of employment and/or educational opportunities because
of a person’s sincerely held religious beliefs.
SEX - This category prevents denial of equal employment and/or educational opportunities because of
a person’s male or female gender.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION - This category prevents denial of equal employment and/or educational
opportunities because a person is, or is perceived to be, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or heterosexual.
SOCIAL AND FAMILY BACKGROUND - This category prevents denial of employment and/or
educational opportunities because of a person’s socio-economic, family and/or educational
background.
Sexual Harassment will NOT be tolerated.
TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1972 PROHIBITS SEXUAL
HARASSMENT WHICH INCLUDES:
UNWELCOME SEXUAL ADVANCES; REQUESTS FOR SEXUAL FAVORS.
AND OTHER VERBAL OR PHYSICAL CONDUCT OF A SEXUAL NATURE, WHEN:
• Submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of
employment or participation in an educational program.
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment
or educational decisions affecting such individual; or
• Such conduct has the purpose of effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or
academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational
environment. Unwelcome verbal or physical sexual conduct must be either severe or pervasive.
Retaliation occurs when an employer takes an adverse action against an employee because he or she
engaged in a protected activity, such as complaining about discrimination or threatening to file a
charge of discrimination. An employee cannot file a complaint of retaliation unless he/she has filed a
charge of discrimination, participated in an investigation, or opposed an unlawful employment
practice.
For additional information about Title IX or any other discrimination/harassment concerns
contact:
Academica / ESP
General Counsel
6340 Sunset Drive
South Miami, Florida 33143
Phone: (305) 669-2906
Email: cpapa@academica.org
Rev: 8/2018
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