International Studies

Preparatory Academy

Student Orientation

Home of the Phoenix

PrincipalDr. Alina M. Diaz-Blanco

Assistant Principal

Ms. Felicia Diaz

Administration

We Are Here to Help

Ms. AcevedoActivities Director / Clubs / School Trips / Field Trips School Events & Activities / Gradebook ManagerCommencement Ceremony / Student Parking / Student Portal

Ms. Alamo ESOL Chairperson / Gifted Chairperson / Testing Coordinator / MetroCards

Ms. LedoAP Coordinator / PSAT Coordinator / SAT & ACT CoordinatorForeign Language Advisor / Lead TeacherProficiency Testing Coordinator / Teacher & Student Aide Coordinator

Ms. MarquezAcademic Advisement / Dual Enrollment / FLVSStudent Services / School Counseling / Schedule Changes SAT & ACT Waivers

Ms. Luis CAP Advisor / Scholarships / College Signing Day

Support Team Members

Bell

Schedule

PHASE 2

Period 1/2 + Homeroom 7:20 A.M. - 8:56 A.M.96 Minutes

90 minutes + 6 min for HR

Passing / Brain Break 8:56 A.M. - 9:04 A.M. 8 Minutes

Period 3/4 9:04 A.M. - 10:34 A.M. 90 Minutes

Passing / Brain Break 10:34 A.M. - 10:42 A.M. 8 Minutes

Period 5/6 10:42 A.M. - 12:42 P.M.120 Minutes

90 minutes + 30 minutes for lunch

Lunch 1 10:50 A.M. - 11:20 A.M. 30 Minutes

Passing 11:20 A.M. - 11:28 A.M. 8 Minutes

Lunch 2 11:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. 30 Minutes

Passing 12:00 P.M. - 12:08 P.M. 8 Minutes

Lunch 3 12:12 P.M. - 12:42 P.M. 30 Minutes

Passing / Brain Break 12:42 P.M. - 12:50 P.M. 8 Minutes

Period 7/8 12:50 P.M. - 2:20 P.M. 90 Minutes

The 8-minute passing between classes will allow for appropriate social distancing.

A/B

Schedule

✘ Students who live further than 2 miles from ISPA are eligible to

receive a MetroCard.

✘ A shuttle service will be provided from the South Miami station

to the school every morning from 6:45 a.m. and 7:05 a.m. and afternoons at dismissal time.

✘ If your address changes, you must provide the necessary

documentation to Ms. Calvo.

✘ An MS Form is available in your GRADE LEVEL TEAM

& on the ISPA website that you can access if you have any issues with your Metro Card: Request a Metro Card / Metro Card is not working / Need to transfer account to a replacement card

Metro Cards

Contact Ms. Alamo for questions

aalamo@dadeschools.net

Metro Card Form

Virtual

Learning

Rules & Expectations

✘ Designate a quiet place at home to learn

✘ Make sure phone, TV, and music are turned off

✘ Avoid gaming, social media, YouTube, and any other distractions duringschool hours

✘ Have your electronics fully charged

✘ Use headphones/earbuds - if helpful

✘ Virtual Backgrounds must be a still-background & school appropriate.

✘ Enter your FULL NAME & Student ID when attending aZoom and/or Microsoft Teams Meeting.

✘ Make sure your camera is ON. NO EXCEPTIONS.

✘ Have all materials and supplies with you

✘ Do not eat during a Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams Meeting

✘ Taking pictures and videos of teachers or classmates during a

Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams Meeting isprohibited

✘ Online sessions are for learning; misbehavior or disruptions

to the class will be reported to parent/guardian and

the ISPA Administration

✘ Any rules/procedures not followed will result in

GRADE DEDUCTION(S) anddisciplinary action

✘ Assignments will be graded and posted to thegradebook

✘ Academic honesty and independent work is

expected

✘ Students are required to wear straight cut, khaki pants.

✘ Pants must be worn at the student’s waistline.

✘ Shorts, jogger pants, capri pants, or skirts are not permitted.

✘ Shirts may be Navy Blue, Hunter Green or Red and must have the ISPA

logo on the upper left-hand side of the shirt.

✘ Jeans are ONLY allowed on FRIDAYS.

✘ No open-toed or backless shoes: no sandals, flip-flops, slides or slippers

are permitted. Sneakers are recommended for all students.

✘ Sweaters must be ISPA sweaters. NO other sweaters are allowed.

✘ Club shirts can be worn on FRIDAYS.

✘ The PTA will be selling ISPA uniforms & sweaters at the PTA Spirit Store and on their website:

www.ispa-ptsa.com

Uniform Policy

✘ The ISPA uniform policy will be enforced and masks are required

for all students attending the Schoolhouse model.

✘ Effective, October 26th, all masks must be ISPA masks.

✘ N95 and/or blue surgical masks may be worn UNDER the ISPA mask.

✘ The PTA will be selling the ISPA masks on their website:

www.ispa-ptsa.com

Mask Policy

✘ In both face-to-face or online learning environments,

there is no factor more important to a student’s

academic progress in school than regular and

punctual attendance.

✘ For the 2020-2021 school year, ISPA along with MDCPS

will continue to followestablished district attendanceprotocols and procedures as defined in School Boardpolicy, 5200 - Attendance.

ISPA Attendance Policy

Excessive Absences/Tardies/Early Dismissals Consequences:

✘ A student who has five (5) or more cumulative absences, tardies and/or early dismissals will receive a call from the School

Counselor as a Warning Notice of Excessive absences, tardies, and/or early dismissals.

✘ A student who has ten (10) or more cumulative absences, tardies and/or early dismissals in an annual course or five (5)

or more class absences in a designated semester course may have quarterly, semester and final grade(s) withheld. At this time, a Student Case Management Referral (SCM) indicating excessive absences, tardies and/or early dismissals will be issued. A meeting with the School’s Attendance Review Committee will be scheduled.

✘ A student who has ten (10) or more cumulative absences, tardies and/or early dismissals will not be allowed to participate

in interscholastic competitions or performances for the remainder of the school year.

✘ As a reminder, school attendance has a direct impact on academic achievement. In order to make the most of

educational opportunities, students must have consistent, punctual daily attendance. We are asking for your cooperation in making sure your child’s school attendance improves.

ISPA Attendance Policy

✘ Procedures for Parents to Submit an Excused Admit/Note to School✗ If a student’s excuse for being absent does not meet the criteria for excused

absences set forth in the school board attendance policy for excused absences, or the

parent(s) fails to report and explain the absence(s) within five days, the

student’s absence will be considered unexcused.

✘ Absences shall be reported to the student’s enrolled school by the parent/legal guardian

no later than five (5) days from the date of the absence.

✘ Parents will submit an admit VIA EMAIL to 7571attendance@dadeschools.net.

Parents can send an email stating the cause for the absence and attach documents.

✗ Include the following:

✗ Student’s Full Name and MDCPS Student Seven Digit Identification Number

✗ The email subject line should read “Excused Admit”.

✗ Date of Absence and the Reason for theabsence.

Attendance – MSO & Physical

✘ CLASS ATTENDANCE:

✗ Students will be counted in attendance to class if theylog into their teacher’s live sessions.

✗ Students will log into their teacher’s live session at the beginning of each class period/block.

Virtual Attendance

✘ SCHOOL ATTENDANCE:

✗ Daily school attendance will be taken every scheduled

school day during all periods of the day.

✗ Students are to be counted in attendance to school only if they

attend the online classes.

✗ A student is considered tardy to school if the student is not

present at the moment the attendance is taken.

Virtual Attendance

Tardy Policy

• ✘ Students who are tardy to school must report to the office to secure an admit, maintaining social distance.

• ✘ Excessive tardies may result in loss of privileges, detention(s), parent conference, and/or suspension.

• ✘ If you are an MSO student and you are tardy to schoolor leave early, your parents must submit an EMAIL to 7571attendance@dadeschools.net.

20/10 Policy

✘ A student who has ten (10) or more cumulative absences and/or twenty (20) or more cumulative tardies will not be allowed to participate in:

✘ Interscholastic competitions, school performances, school events and/or field trips for the remainder of the school year.

Participation is a PRIVILEGE and NOT a RIGHT.

Cafeteria Policy

✘ Plexiglass has been installed in the cafeteria to provide protective barriers

✘ Maintain social distancing at all times

✘ Be polite to cafeteria staff when requesting and paying for food items.

✘ Clean up any spills that you make & pick up after

yourself by throwing your trash into the garbage bin.

Fire Drill Procedures

✘ Familiarize yourself with your classroom’s evacuation route.

✘ Exit the building in an orderly fashion without talking.

✘ Stay together as a class.

✘ Stay on the sidewalk at all times.

✘ Follow all verbal instructions.

✘ During DRILLS, exit the building, while maintaining social distancing.

Mobile Devices

✘ All students must have a mobile device.

✘ All students will have 2 options:✘ BYOD - Bring Your Own Device

Form Required✘ Checking-out a mobile device to

use throughout the school year Form Required

✘ Devices cannot be shared

✘ Desktop computers will not be available

✘ DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR DEVICE & CHARGER[S]

✘There are NO printers available for students.

Contact Assistant Principal, Ms. Diaz

for questions regarding mobile devices

Internet PolicyNetwork access is a privilege. Each student must agree to the following set of rules in order to use the Internet. If these rules are violated in any manner,

student access will be terminated, and disciplinary actions may follow.

• Use the Internet to access only educationally relevant materials as requested by teachers.

• NEVER transmit obscene messages or pictures through web pages or e-mail.

• NEVER damage computers or alter the computer network in any manner.

• NEVER use inappropriate language, nor engage in illegal activities, and never use the Internet in such a way as to disrupt others.

• NEVER download games, music, or programs onto a school computer unless permitted by an administrator.

Graduation RequirementsGraduation Requirements of 24-Credit Program

English4 credits, with major concentration in composition, reading for information, and literature

Mathematics4 credits, one of which must be Algebra I or its equivalent, or a higher-level mathematics course

Science 3 credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component

Social Studies1 credit world history / 1 credit American History .5 credit American Government / .5 credit Economics

Foreign LanguageInternational Studies (IS)

4 credits of Language and Literature (French, Italian or Spanish)4 Credits of Humanities (French, Italian or Spanish)

Fine Arts or Performing Arts

1 credit in fine or performing arts, which may include speech and debate

Physical Education 1 credit in physical education to include the integration of health

Electives 8 elective credits

Online Course 1 credit

Graduation Requirements of 24-Credit Program

StateAssessmentRequirements

• Grade 10 reading (or ACT/SAT concordant score)• Algebra I end-of-course (EOC) or a comparative score

on the SAT / ACT / PSAT

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale

Community Service 200 Community Service Hours

• Students at International Studies Preparatory Academy at Gables (ISPA) fulfill their State of Florida graduation requirements as they progress through the International Studies program at ISPA.

• Every student is required to take multiple courses in Language Literature and Humanities as part of the IS Program. These courses may not be required by the State of Florida for graduation but will be required for the specific dual diplomas being offered at ISPA.

Graduation Requirements

5 Point Rule1st Nine Weeks25%

2nd Nine Weeks25%

3rd Nine Weeks25%

4th Nine Weeks25%

Points Final Grade

Multiply EACH nine weeks grade by 2.5

EXAMPLE# 1

C = 5 F = 0 C = 5 F = 0 10D

PASS

EXAMPLE# 2

B = 7.5 B = 7.5 F = 0 D = 2.5 17.5

FFailed due to 5 Point

Rule

Students must earn a minimum of 10 points in total for the YEAR and a minimum of 5 points during the second semester

in order to pass an annual class.

GRADE Points Per Nine Weeks

A 10

B 7.5

C 5.0

D 2.5

F 0

Community Service

http://ispa.dadeschools.net

✘ STUDENTS TAB → COMMUNITY SERVICE

✘ STUDENT GUIDE TO COMMUNITY SERVICE

✘ International hours will be accepted from

recognized agencies

Club Offerings

Class of 2021 HIP STEM

Class of 2022 History Bee Turning Point

Class of 2023 ISPA Band National Honor Society

Class of 2024 Key Club National Art Honor Society

CLEO - Climate Model UN National French Honor Society

Dance Club Music Production National Italian Honor Society

F.E.A. PRISM Alliance National Spanish Honor Society

Fitness Club SGA Rho Kappa Honor Society

Geography Bee Social Justice Tri-M Music Honor Society

Virtual Club Fair = October 12 - 16Visit MS TEAMS for more information

Look for that icon in MS Teams

Media Release Form

• During the school year, you may be photographed, videotaped, or interviewed at various school sponsored events.

• With your consent, the photograph, video, or interview may be reproduced and released for use in the media, i.e., newspapers, brochures, videos, television, the internet, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools websites & social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Stay Connected:ISPA Website: http://ispa.dadeschools.net

@ispaatgables

ISPA PTSA

DOWNLOAD the ISPA APP

Stay Connected

Feeling Sick

If you feel unwell or have the following symptoms, please leave the building and contact your health care provider.

Then follow-up with your supervisor.

DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING IF YOU HAVE:

Thank You for Joining Us