Important School Policies
SCHOOL WIDE ATTENDANCE POLICY
Absences/Tardies
When your child returns to school, he/she must bring a note explaining the
absence, preferably from a doctor. As of April 18, 2007, the School Board
of Miami-Dade County, Florida approves a new Student Attendance Rule (6Gx13-
5A-1.041), which would be in effect during the 2007-2008 school year. One
critical change is that ALL ABSENCES will initially be reported as unexcused
until appropriate documentation is submitted, as outlined in the Student
Board Rule. This rule may be accessed on the Districts website at
http://www2.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/rules/Chapt5/5a-1.041.pdf and serves
to strengthen accountability for students and schools and defines excusable
student absences. Additionally, grades and credits may be withheld for
excessive unexcused absences, that is, five (5) or more absences in a
semester course and/or absences in an annual course, pending action taken by
each schools Attendance Review Committee.
The presence or absence of each student shall be officially checked during
the first hour of the instructional day. Present applies to the presence of a
student for a minimum of 2 hours of the instructional day in which school is
in session.
Absences (up to 10) are EXCUSED for the following reasons:
a) student illness
b) medical appointment
c) death in the family
d) observance of a religious holiday or service, when it is mandated
for all members of a faith.
All other absences are unexcused, including outdoor suspensions.
CELEBRATIONS/PARTIES IN SCHOOL
Only school scheduled celebrations will be permitted. Family celebrations
such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc. should be held at home.
CAFETERIA MEALS/LUNCH PROGRAM
Elementary students pay $2.25 daily for lunch. If you received free or
reduced lunch last year, you MUST FILL OUT A NEW APPLICATION. Additionally,
NO FAST FOOD LUNCHES WILL BE ALLOWED.
CLOSED CAMPUS
As a result of the Jessica Lunsford Act (HB 1877), beginning with the 2007-
2008 school year, Bob Graham Education Center will maintain a closed
campus. Parents/guardians must drop off students in the designated drop off
areas.
VISITORS
Please be advised that if you are visiting the school due to an activity in
your child's classroom, you are NOT allowed to bring a sibling or any other
child that does not attend our school. Having children on school grounds
that do not attend this school is a liability as well as a distraction.
VOLUNTEERS
Parents, students, employees, and community members who wish to volunteer at
a school, regional center, or district office MUST register online as
follows:
•Parents, will log into Parent Portal.
•M-DCPS Students, will log into Student Portal.
•M-DCPS Employees will log into Employee Portal.
•All other volunteers/community members, will log into Community Portal.
After portal login, follow these steps:
1.Click the Services and Sites tab at the top.
2.Click on the Be a School Volunteer! link.
3.Choose your school(s) and activity(ies) in which you wish to volunteer.
4.Go to your selected school/location and show your identification for final
approval.
RETURNING SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS
However, volunteers who registered in 2016-2017 WILL have to log into the
appropriate portal as outlined above, to re-select the school(s) and activity
(ies) in which they wish to participate for the 2017-2018 school year.
Returning volunteers will be re-approved on a school-by-school basis. After
logging in, volunteers should follow steps 1 through 4 above.
Employee and student volunteers must update emergency contact information
before re-selecting school(s) and activity(ies).
LEVEL 1 volunteers will require a new background check every three years.
LEVEL 2 volunteers will require re-fingerprinting every five years.
Directions and user guides outlining the procedures for volunteer applicants
can be found at http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/user_guides/166.pdf.