2012-2013 Parent Handbook
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PARENT HANDBOOK The MAST Academy A Nationally Recognized School of Excellence Miami-Dade County Public Schools http://www.Gomakos.com The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman,, Chair Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman, Vice-Chair Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall Mr. Carlos Curbelo Mr. Renier Diaz de la Portilla Dr. Wilbert “Tee” Holloway Dr. Martin Karp Dr. Marta Pérez, Member Ms. Raquel Regalado Ms. Hope Wilcox, Student Advisor Superintendent of Schools Mr. Alberto M. Carvalho Central Region Superintendent Dr. Albert Payne, Jr. Central Region Administrative Director Ms. Jennifer D. Andreu Principal Ms. Jane Garraux Assistant Principal Ms. Sandra Smith-Moise Assistant Principal Dr. Maggie M. Rodriguez Lead Teacher Dr. Margaret E. Haun Lead Teacher for Cambridge Program Ms. Dana Ligocki-Vignale 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL Family involvement plays a critical role in determining a child's success in school. MAST Academy provides numerous opportunities for parent involvement: an active PTSA, several booster groups, the Educational Excellence School Advisory Council, assistance with field trips, academic symposia, and classroom volunteerism. The many avenues for involvement underscore our belief that the process of educating a child requires a partnership between the home and the school. I encourage parents to reinforce the high educational standards MAST sets for students and to recommend ways to improve school procedures and establish even higher learning goals. You might want to consider following MAST Academy CAP office and MAST Academy PTSA on Facebook. This along with MAST’s website http://www.Gomakos.com will provide a wealth of information about parent meetings, school-related fundraisers and college admissions. You will find in this document the procedures and policies that govern students and staff on a daily basis. Perhaps you will find the opportunity to relax for a few minutes and read the Parent Handbook. What emerges in these pages is a practical guide to navigating MAST Academy. Please contact me if you require clarification on any of the issues addressed here. Sincerely, Jane Garraux, Principal 3 MISSION MAST Academy provides a marine setting and nurturing environment for studies leading to academic success, career preparation, an appreciation of the sea, and environmental awareness. Stakeholders work together to instill a commitment to life-long learning and to advance and improve a challenging curriculum integrated with the sciences and technology. BELIEFS We at MAST Academy believe that: • Curriculum, instructional practices, and assessments must incorporate a variety of learning activities and opportunities to enable students to achieve academic success. • Individual student performance is increased when students are actively involved in the learning process, presented with a challenging curriculum, and provided with a variety of instructional approaches. • A safe, attractive, comfortable, and clean environment promotes student learning. • Students should be encouraged to be members of an academic family that sets high standards for everyone. • Stakeholders share the responsibility for advancing the school’s mission and nurturing intellectual freedom. • A small focused center where stakeholders truly care about each other is the MAST model. SCHOOL DESCRIPTION MAST Academy is a maritime and science technology public high school of choice, designed for 681 students in grades 8 - 12. Students who have high academic and personal development expectations seek admission through a multifaceted application process. Students use a range of technology applications and real world laboratory equipment to experience hands-on learning. Different learning styles are addressed through diversified teaching strategies, simulations, and internship/job placements. Athletics and activities incorporate the marine theme. INVOLVEMENT MAST Academy encourages parent involvement and awareness. You can play a part in supporting your child’s education: Decision Making Educational Excellence School Advisory Council (EESAC) Support Operations Parent/Teacher/Student Association (PTSA) http://www.mastptsa.org Athletic Booster Club (ABC) JROTC Booster Club Participation as classroom assistants, chaperones, and speakers Participation in student recruitment and community relations activities (Parents must be registered as volunteers with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.) 4 Awareness Visiting and observing classes (after making an appointment to do so) Attending parent seminars/workshops and parent/teacher conferences TOOLS Parent Portal Parents are the most important influence in a child's education. We encourage you to visit http://myportal.dadeschools.net/parent to register and create a profile that will enable you to access your child's grades, schedule, and transportation routine. PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES A student's family plays an extremely important part in his/her education. The following are areas in which parents are asked to offer support and/or assistance: • Provide a loving, nurturing home environment that motivates your child to succeed in school. • Instill a respect for others. • Insure regular and punctual school attendance. • Limit the amount of time the student works after school. • Help your child to understand the connection between success in school and success in adult life. • Become familiar with MAST Academy school policies and procedures. • Attend parent/guardian meetings at MAST Academy. • Provide an environment conducive to study. • Support the school's homework policies. • Stress the importance of reading. • Meet with your child's teachers at least once a year, or more often if requested. HOURS School hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; telephones are covered from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (305-365-MAST). EARLY DISMISSAL If a student must leave school during the day, he/she must be issued a permit, in advance, from the attendance office based on parent permission prior to leaving. The permit must be presented to the student’s teachers upon return in order to have the absence considered excused. Students may not be signed out of school after 2:30 pm. TEACHER CONFERENCES AND WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORTS Contact the counselor or teacher at least 24 hours in advance to request a conference. Weekly Progress reports are available from Student Services. SCHOOL PROPERTY Lost, damaged, or stolen textbooks are the responsibility of the student/parents. 5 FEES Fees are used to purchase instructional materials for special classes. Students/parents are responsible for payment. Student/parents who are unable to make payment due to financial difficulties are responsible for notifying the administration so that fees can be waived. Students who fail to pay fees and/or reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged books will not be allowed to participate in field trips and extracurricular activities. Overdue accounts will also result in the delay of transcripts. TRANSCRIPTS All fees associated with transcripts have been waived for the 2011-2012 school year, as voted upon by EESAC. LOST AND FOUND Lost and Found is located in the Activities Office. Contact the Activities Director. FOOD Breakfast and lunch are served in the Ward Room (cafeteria) and may be eaten in that area and on the patio. Food may be eaten in other designated areas only during special events. Carry-out service is not permitted. Food is not permitted in classrooms and the media center. Free and reduced lunch applications are available from the student’s Homeport teacher or Main Office. COMMUNICATIONS Parents may leave a message with the receptionist only in case of extreme emergency; students will be contacted as soon as possible. Cell phones must not be used during school hours. Text messaging is not allowed from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. under any circumstances. ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP): TECHNOLOGY All MAST Academy students are required to sign the school's AUP. This document provides a full and clear description of appropriate and inappropriate uses of technology. Parents are encouraged to discuss MAST'S AUP with their children. PDAs, iPhones, Pocket PCs, Smartphones, etc., are useful organizational tools. However, during classtime, students are not permitted to communicate with peers in other sections of the building--or in the same classroom--using these devices or traditional cell phones. EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE Two grades per week are issued based on classwork, tests, quizzes, homework, and other assessments announced by the instructor. Students typically have at least 18 grades per nine weeks in each course. 6 Semester courses: 40% for each of two 9-week grading periods and 20% for final examination, with a provision for teacher override. Annual courses: 20% for each of four 9-week grading periods, 10% for midterm, 10% for final, with provision for teacher override. Academic Grades: Z N/A 0= Assignment not turned in/Missing/No Credit Letter Grade Numerical value Grade Point Value X N/A Student excused from activity, does not affect the grade A 90-100 4 B 80-89 3 Effort Grades: C 70-79 2 Symbols for effort represent the degree to which a D 60-69 1 student works to his/her ability. F 0-59 0 1 - Outstanding 2 - Satisfactory 3 - Insufficient MINIMUM REQUIRED GPA Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students who fall below the required minimum GPA are placed on academic probation and contract. STUDENT PROBATION POLICY It is a privilege to attend MAST Academy. Academic achievement and good behavior are expected. Academic Probation