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MIAMI SPRINGS ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER

“COME SHINE WITH US AT NIGHT”

Off-Campus Centers Hialeah Gardens Senior High School

Ronald W. Reagan/Doral Senior High School Westland-Hialeah Senior High School

2012 – 2013

HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM

FACULTY & STAFF HANDBOOK

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I. Administration of the 2012 – 2013 Adult Education Program PRINCIPAL: Mr. Miguel Veloso ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS: Mr. Terence Braithwaite, Assistant Principal

Mr. Jorge Diaz, Assistant Principal Mr. Victor Ferrante, Part-time Administrator (RWR) Mr. Alex Gonzalez, Part-time Administrator (WH) Mr. Ryan Hamilton, Part-time Administrator (HG) Ms. Corina Mills, Part-time Administrator (Riverside) Mr. Bruce Moore, Part-time Administrator (HG)

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS/SUPPORT STAFF: Ms. Jessica Acuna, Case Manager, ABE

Ms. Marisol Castellanos, Case Manager, ABE Ms. Solmaria Cohen, Part-time Counselor (WH)

Mr. Jose Fraga, Part-time Counselor (HG) Ms. Analida Irizarry, Case Manager, ABE Ms. Cinnamon Key, O2 Part-time Counselor (HG) Ms. Audrey Martin, Part-time Counselor (RWR) Mr. Julio C. Montiel, Case Manager, ABE Ms. Yvette Pino, Part-time Counselor (HG) Mr. Robert J. Porras, Case Manager, ABE Ms. Yixsi Quintana, Part-time Counselor (HG) Ms. Cleofe Rodriguez, Part-time Counselor (MSP) Ms. Rita J. Rodriguez, Case Manager, ABE Mr. Eduardo A. Sabillon, Case Manager, ABE Ms. Nurylin Rivera-Weinstein, Part-time Counselor (MSP) CLERICAL/SUPPORT STAFF: Mr. Alex Alvarez, Clerk (HG)

Mr. Jorge Calderon, Clerk (RWR) Mr. Walter Centeno, Principal’s Secretary Ms. Antonia Echavarria, Clerk (RWR) Ms. Irenia Dominguez, Bookstore Clerk (RWR) Ms. Josefa Garcia, Clerk (Riverside) Mr. Raul Garcia, Principal’s Assistant Ms. Adela Gelabert Fernandez, Clerk (Riverside) Ms. Veronica Gonzalez, ASNAP Clerk Ms. Sheree Jackson, Registrar Mr. Giovanni Latoni, Test Administrator (CASAS & TABE) Ms. Cynthia Mantilla, SAVES (MSP) Ms. Ivon Manzo, SAVES (RWR)

Ms. Urania D. Martinez, Treasurer Ms. Odalys Morell, Bookstore Clerk (HG)

Ms. Isel Morales, Testing & ESOL Clerk (HG) Ms. Luissette Perez, Clerk (RWR) Mr. Adrian Rodriguez, Gradebook Manager & Testing Mr. Ryan Roque, ASNAP Clerk Ms. Norma Silva, Clerk (HG) Ms. Maribel Tejeda-Valle, Clerk (HG)

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II. Orientation Orientations will be held one week after classes start (week of January 21st). The orientations will be conducted by an administrator and/or counselor. The topics to be covered include:

ü Awarding of credit (one credit or ½ credit) ü Student Academic Expectations ü State Policy Regarding Credits (two courses per year) ü Student Behavior Expectations/Contract ü Attendance and Tardy Policy ü Dress Code ü Student Referrals ü Break Schedule ü Food, Drink, and Smoking Policy ü Electronic Devices ü Student Agreement ü ID Badge Requirement ü Visitors ü Excused early from school

At the conclusion of the presentation, teachers will be asked to continue their individual orientations in their classroom, outlining policies and procedures unique to their course. Topics covered should include:

ü Overview of Coursework (syllabus) ü Classroom behavior ü Reinforcement of topics presented by the administration

III. Awarding of Credit In order for students to receive credit for the course, they must:

ü Complete 80% of the course work listed on the Sunshine State Standards (SSS) and/or Curriculum Frameworks, and complete at least 80% of the required number of hours in class (90 hours for one credit course, 45 hours for half-credit course)

The teacher should control the instructional pace so that course work can be completed within the length of the trimester, but not less than the minimum required hours. (Remember that your class meets for a required number of hours, unless it is an arranged program, such as the E2020.)

Students missing more than six consecutive days in a one-credit course or more than three consecutive days in a ½ credit course will not be able to earn a grade unless approved by the principal or his designee.

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IV. Paperwork Requirements for Teachers

In the present climate of high accountability, it is important to keep neat, accurate, and up-to-date records. The following is a description of paperwork that teachers are responsible for:

v Lesson Plans & Textbooks ü You must plan lessons so competencies are fully covered in a manner

that encompasses the entire trimester for the hours designed for the course you are teaching.

ü Maintaining a weekly written lesson plan detailing competencies, classroom activities, and methods of evaluation is suggested. (Please keep in mind that if you assign a home learning activity, students may not take textbooks home, as they are for classroom use only.)

ü Textbooks are to be distributed and collected daily to avoid loss of inventory. If a student vandalizes a textbook, please send that student to an administrator immediately via a security monitor near your classroom area.

ü Teacher resource materials may be obtained as they are available. Please keep these materials secured as they belong to the day school program.

v Student Work Folders ü Maintain samples of graded student work (quizzes, tests, projects,

writing samples, home learning activities, etc.) in the student work folder that supports grades earned on competencies.

ü Student work folders need to be available for review by school administrators, Region and/or the District Office at any time.

ü Student work folders will be turned in at the end of the summer program. Please make sure the student name and identification number appears on the folder (please print).

v Electronic Grade book Attendance

See Grade book Training Packet /Powerpoint Presentation

V. Emergency Lesson Plans

ü Teachers are to provide two-days of emergency lesson plans by Monday, January 21, 2013. The lesson plans must cover 7 hours’ worth of substantive assignments. Please provide lesson plans/assignments that are meaningful and cover competencies for the course.

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VI. Attendance, Tardies, and Withdrawal Information

ü After the 6th consecutive absence, withdraw the student by filling out the appropriate withdrawal form (see appendix) and noting it in the electronic attendance grade book.

CODE DESCRIPTION

N No Show (only used if you have never seen student) A Absent (used after seen the student at least once)

WN Student has six consecutive “N”s (no shows) WX Student has six consecutive “A”s (absences)

• After using “WN” and “WX”, please do not place any codes after that unless the student is re-entered by the student services office.

ü Any student who leaves after break for more than three times receives

an immediate referral (see appendix) to the counselor or administrator. (The counselor or administrator will respond to you via email or through the referral itself.)

ü No excused absences - unless approved by the principal or designee. ü Students must be seated within five (5) minutes of the scheduled

starting time to avoid being tardy. ü Students must go to the main office and receive a “tardy pass” if

he/she is late more than five minutes. ü On the third (3rd) tardy, refer the student to the counselor by filling out

a student referral form (see appendix). ü If a student returns after they have been withdrawn, check with the

counselor, office staff, or site administrator prior to accepting a student back into class if a note or student schedule is not provided.

ü Take attendance at the beginning of class, after break, and prior to the dismissal of students. This way, you will not be caught in a position where hours were issued to a student who was not in class or left early. Please use the sign-in/sign-out sheet so you may justify student attendance (see appendix).

VII. Grading Scale

Academic Letter Grade Scale A 90% - 100% B 80% - 89% C 70% - 79% D 60% - 69% F 0% - 59%

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Note: The Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) – Electronic Handbook 12 – 13 requires that there must be a minimum of two grades recorded per week for each trimester in every subject. VIII. Interim Progress Reports

ü All students in a full-credit class must receive an Interim Student Progress Report midway through the trimester. Please make sure to note in your gradebook the grade the student received and have him/her sign that the interim progress report was received (see appendix). A memorandum detailing progress report distribution procedures will be given to you a week prior to the date that they are to be issued.

PROGRESS  REPORTS  WILL  BE  ISSUED  THE  WEEK  OF  FEBRUARY  25,  2013.  

IX. Forgiveness Policy

ü Please remind students that the Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ forgiveness policy is limited to replacing a grade “F” with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in the same or a comparable course. (Grades of “D” cannot be forgiven as the State is only allowing students to recover grades of “F”.)

X. Duplicating Services

ü Duplicating services are provided by an office staff member on your campus. Submit material to be copied 48 hours or more in advance. Please complete a Duplicating Request Form (see Appendix).

XI. Hall Passes

ü Student may not be in the hallways without an identification (ID) badge or a hall pass. Security personnel will detain students who do not have a hall pass or an ID badge.

XII. Keys

ü Classroom keys will not be issued. An administrator, custodian, or security monitor will open your classroom door five minutes prior to the start of class. If you wish to have it opened prior to the five minutes, please see someone in the main office so that they are able to locate one of the staff members mentioned above.

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XIII. Teacher Absences/Teacher Pay/Payroll Procedures

ü Teachers in the adult education program are paid on an hourly (not daily) basis. There is no “sick leave/personal leave” in adult education. Your consistent attendance is an essential component in a successful instructional program. However, if you must be absent, it is necessary to call your work location prior to 12:00 p.m. on the date of the absence. You must provide a detailed and meaningful lesson plan for the substitute to implement. In addition, please leave two days of emergency lesson plans with the administrator in charge of the campus you are employed at.

ü Teachers are to sign-in and sign-out (time) on the payroll sheets located on the bulletin board in the main office. Sign-in when you arrive and sign-out when you leave in blue ink. Do not sign-in and sign-out at the same time.

SUBSTITUTE LOCATOR E-MAIL ADDRESS OFFICE PHONE NUMBER Mr. Walter Centeno wallydecr@dadeschools.net (305) 698-5012

HOURS TAUGHT BACHELOR’S MASTER’S SPECIALIST DOCTORATE 0 – 500 $23.64 $26.34 $27.95 $29.83

501 – 1000 $24.87 $27.55 $29.16 $31.06 1001- UP $26.15 $28.80 $30.47 $32.27

XIV. Student Referrals for Non-Progress or Behavior Problems

ü Students exhibiting poor academic progress or inappropriate behavior should be referred to the guidance counselor. If, after an initial conference with the counselor, non-progress or inappropriate behavior continues, a second referral should be written and sent to the office. The second conference will most likely result in student being withdrawn from the program by an administrator.

ü Students who create or are involved in any type of disturbance,

distraction, or in any way interfere with the education of themselves or others in a class, the building, or school property might be withdrawn from class and/or arrested as needed. A sample referral form is located in the Appendix. NOTE: Teachers are not allowed to send students home for any reason; teachers are to send disruptive students to an administrator or a counselor via a security monitor, with a referral describing the disruptive behavior in question.

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ü Students leaving class without permission (during class, not returning to class after scheduled break, or at any other time) must be referred to an administrator or student services immediately. Again, please keep in mind that you are not authorized to send students home during class time for any reason. The site-administrator and/or designee are the only ones authorized to send a student home after a parent/guardian contact has been made.

XV. Break Schedule

ü Students are not to leave the building during break time. Snacks and refreshments will be sold during break time.

ü Any student who leaves after break receives an immediate referral to the counselor.

ü Please do not send students to get you food. Remember that if anything happens to that student/those students, you are liable.

ü Please look at the break schedule located in the Appendix. XVI. Staff or Student Accident/Injuries/Illnesses

ü If you, or your student, has an accident or becomes injured/ill, it is necessary to report the issue(s) to the office immediately. Please press the emergency button or send a student to locate the nearest administrator, security monitor, or another staff member immediately. A copy of an accident report is located in the Appendix.

XVII. Food, Drinking, and Smoking

ü Food and drinks are NOT permitted inside the classrooms. Snacks and/or refreshments are to be consumed at the front patio only/designated areas.

ü All M-DCPS buildings are designated “tobacco-free”. XVIII. Fire Drill, Emergency Evacuation or Code Red & Code Yellow

ü In the event of a fire drill or emergency requiring evacuation, please follow the exit route posted on the classroom wall.

ü If a code red or code yellow is announced, please follow the CODE RED & CODE YELLOW procedures found in the Appendix.

XIX. Electronic Devices

ü Students may not use cellular phones, iPods, MP3 players, PSP’s, headphones (unless used in a lab setting), or any other electronic devices while in class. If you confiscate it, please return it to the student at the end of class and write a referral (if necessary). Keep in mind that if you keep the device and it is lost, YOU are responsible for the reimbursement of the value of the device.

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XX. Visitors

ü Only students who are currently registered are permitted on campus. All others must report to the main office for information or assistance. If you see any “wanderers” or trespassers, please send a student to locate an administrator, an office staff member, or security monitor immediately.

XXI. Dress Code Policies and Procedures for High School Students

ü Although the adult education program does not require students to wear uniforms, appropriate attire is expected. Student apparel should not detract from the educational environment. Students who are not dressed appropriately will be sent home and marked absent for the day. The following attire is NOT permitted at school:

• caps/hats/bandanas/visors • do-rags/scarves • halter tops (permitted only when a jacket/shirt is worn

over them) • tube tops (permitted only when a jacket/shirt is worn over

them) • spaghetti strap tops permitted under a blouse only • see-through tops • belly T’s • short-shorts (daisy dukes) • micro-mini skirts • off-the-shoulder tops • pants/shorts worn with waist any level below the buttocks • sandals without a back • sleeveless t-shirts (muscle shirts) • T-shirts with concepts that are profane or have expressions

deemed offensive, illegal/inappropriate advertisement, or threatens the health and/or safety of students, faculty, or staff (i.e., alcohol, drugs, etc.).

XXII. Other Professional Responsibilities

ü Providing meaningful instruction during the entire instructional period. ü Covering the competencies as outlined in the Sunshine State

Standards (SSS) and/or Curriculum Frameworks. ü Beginning/ending class on time ü Monitor classroom textbooks to prevent damage or theft. ü Promptness - please be on time! ü Do not dismiss students early for break or from the scheduled ending

time unless approved by the site administrator. Students must remain in class for the entire class scheduled time.

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ü Dress appropriately and professionally. Staff members should not wear shorts (unless a physical education teacher), gym clothes, or any other articles of clothing that are not professional or appropriate.

ü See Appendix for Teacher’s Responsibilities and Code of Ethics. XXIII. End of Trimester Reminders

Please adhere to the information below in order to have a smooth closing of winter term and to avoid any audit exceptions.

1. If the student DID NOT complete the course, due to hours, please turn in

the student’s folder with a copy of the student’s grade and hours printed from the electronic attendance grade book.

2. Only on special circumstances will a student be allowed to complete hours the following trimester. (Approval from the principal or his designee is required prior to granting permission to the student.)

3. All textbooks and resource materials must be turned in on the last day of class. (A security monitor and/or administrator will go by your room to pick up all school materials.)

4. Please do not allow students to use the teacher’s computer. If the student is using materials from the day school program, please make sure it is placed in its original location.

5. A final exam must be given on the last day of class. If you need Scantron cards, please see the site administrator and inform him/her at least two weeks in advance so that they may be ordered.

6. Please make sure to take your personal belongings on the last day of class so that nothing is taken or lost.

7. Print-out of electronic attendance and grade book must be turned in to an administrator or his designee on the last day of class. Please make sure that each assignment is labeled and that the proper scale is used. This document must be printed and signed by the teacher for review by the District Office and/or Auditor.

8. Electronic Grade book Attendance should be verified for proper hours documented. Please check hours carefully before submitting required documents to the main office on the last day of class.

9. Adult Education is “performance-based”, not FTE-funded. Funds are provided when students complete courses and receive credit.

10. Students with three or more absences should be referred to the student services staff so that a parent/guardian is contacted. Please review the hours with your students at least three times during the trimester.

11. Turn in a withdrawal form for non-completers on the last day of class. Any student not receiving a grade for the trimester must be withdrawn.

12. All grades and attendance reports must be completed on the last day of class. Your class records (i.e., gradebook - Pinnacle) are shut down by ITS on the last scheduled class date.

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Students may be released at the completion of the final exam, on the last day of class, so that you may use the remainder of the time for completing all end-of- trimester tasks. Please do not give final exams early unless approved by the principal or designee.

13. Classroom keys and cabinet keys must be turned in on the last day of class if the school provides you with keys. No exceptions!

14. Classrooms must be kept clean and neat at all times. Please do not allow students to eat in class.

15. Students should never be left unattended! If you have an emergency and you must leave the classroom, please notify the nearest hallway monitor so classroom coverage can be arranged.

16. Please read all required materials (Code of Ethics, Use of E-mail System and Internet, Do’s and Don’ts, to name a few). For additional information on other policies and procedures related to M-DCPS, please refer to the Electronic Staff Handbook at: www.dadesschools.net/ehandbook/staffhandbook/index.htm

17. If you have any questions in reference to any items above, please do not hesitate to see the site administrator, office staff, or counselor, prior to turning in all the required documents.

FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR STUDENTS!