Beachland Elementary School has a long history and tradition of excellence. Our mission is to create an environment where all children can be successful. We accomplish this by providing quality instruction of the Sunshine State Standards in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Media, Physical Education and Music. In addition, we strive to teach character development through the Positive Behavior Support Program (PBS) in conjunction with the “Character Counts” program which encompasses six pillars: Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Fairness, Citizenship and Trustworthiness. In addition, we offer a variety of extra-curricular activities and clubs to create well-rounded students who will be prepared for their futures. Together, with parents, volunteers and mentors, we create a “team approach” to learning. Please join us, in our efforts, by reading and adhering to the information in this folder. You will be well informed and will assist your child in learning.
SCHOOL DAY
Classes begin at 8:55 a.m. and conclude at 3:20 p.m. Student supervision is available beginning at 8:15 a.m. Tardiness is unacceptable. If a student arrives after 8:55 a.m., he/she is to report to the Main Office with a parent/guardian to sign in and receive a “tardy slip” prior to proceeding to the classroom. Students are expected to remain in school for the entire instructional day. Upon the request of the parent/guardian, a student may be dismissed early from school, for medical appointments, etc., however, it is expected that early dismissals would be kept to a minimum. If you must make an appointment during the regular school day, please send a written note to your child's teacher. If you must relay a message regarding change of pick up for dismissal, please contact Mrs. Brown at the front office (772-564-3300) no later than 2:50 p.m.
ATTENDANCE
By law (FL 232.09), it is the responsibility of parents to see that their child attends school on a daily basis. Excused absences include personal illness, death of a family member, established religious holiday, emergencies and educational or justifiable reasons approved by the principal. If a student's illness is expected to exceed three days, parents are requested to call the school's health aide at 564-3348. Students who are in attendance less than four academic hours will be counted as absent. A written excuse is expected upon the student's return to school in order for the absence to be excused. Unexcused absences include shopping trips, pleasure trips and vacations. If a pupil has accrued five unexcused absences, the principal shall notify the student's parent/guardian.
EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM
The Extended Day Program at Beachland Elementary is administered by the Adult Education Department of the School District of Indian River County (564-4970). The hours of the program are 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. A weekly and/or daily fee is arranged through the Extended Day Program. The daily schedule is planned to provide a balance of indoor and outdoor activities. Activities include a daily snack, free play and arts & crafts, computers, homework supervision and other opportunities. Students who are on campus during the aforementioned hours must be enrolled in this program.
FEES: Registration - $10.00 per child Late PickUp Fees: $10 per child for every 15 minute increments after 6:00pm.
NO DAILY FEES-- 1 - 3 DAYS $15 PER CHILD 4 -5 DAYS $25.00 SIBLINGS $20
MORNING PROGRAM - $10 PER WEEK REGARDLESS OF THE DAYS USED.
EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOL
In the case of weather or other situations that appear to be dangerous to the health and safety of students, the Superintendent of school is authorized to close schools. Please monitor the radio and television station coverage in such situations. If a student evacuation should ever be necessary, students will be moved to Riverside Park, south of Beachland Elementary.
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
BUS RIDERS: Bus privileges are extended to all students who live in excess of a two-mile distance from the school. Bus schedules are published in the Press Journal newspaper prior to the opening of school. Questions and concerns about bus transportation should be directed to the Transportation Department at 978-8825. Only students assigned to a bus may use the service. Parents are responsible for making transportation arrangements for after-school activities. Students are expected to follow the bus safety rules defined by the bus driver. Failure to follow bus rules may result in suspension of bus transportation privileges.
CAR RIDERS: Parents must drop off and pick up their children at the designated benches as follows: K and 1st grade students and siblings at the K/1 Loop off of Mockingbird Drive. Students in grades 2-5 will be picked up at Sharks' Cove (off of Indian River Drive, E.)
BIKE RIDERS: Bikers must adhere to the rules of bicycle safety at all times. Bikers may cross Mockingbird Drive and Beachland Boulevard under the direction of the crossing guard. A bike and walking trail is provided immediately north of the Mockingbird loop entrance so that no child will need to cross the entrance of the school. Bikers must proceed directly to the fenced in area (racks provided) on the northeast corner of the campus to secure bicycles. Bike locks are strongly suggested. All bike riders must wear helmets in accordance with Florida state law.
WALKERS: Walkers must use the sidewalk system on the east side of campus, along Mockingbird Drive. Students coming from the north of the Mockingbird entrance shall use the fenced path. Those students coming from the south side shall use the original biker/walker entrance.
CHANGES in your child's normal mode of transportation must be submitted to the Principal (in writing) for signed approval.
SCHOOL VISITATION
Family, business and community involvement in our school is an integral part of our mission. We encourage parents to come for lunch with their child. ALL VISITORS MUST REPORT TO THE MAIN OFFICE TO SIGN IN (and receive a visitor's badge) PRIOR TO ANY STOP ON CAMPUS. Under no circumstances will a child be dismissed directly from the classroom. Please help us insure a safe learning environment at our school by complying.
CAFETERIA
Breakfast and Lunch are offered daily in our school cafeteria. A la carte items, such as milk, chips, ice cream and snack foods will be available to purchase on a “cash only” basis. Selections are limited to one per customer. Students are not permitted to share snack money or food at school. Children who choose to bring their lunch must eat it in the cafeteria with their class. Not permitted: carbonated beverages, glass containers, and chewing gum. A monthly menu will be provided in the regular issue of Sharkbytes. The menu is subject to change depending upon availability. Applications for the federal Free and Reduced lunch program are available from the Cafeteria Manager's office. Students who pay may do so by cash or check. Parents will be notified in writing, via the student, when funds in their child's account are low. In the event that the child has no money in his/her account, a sandwich and milk will be offered in place of the regular menu. For further information, call the Cafeteria Manager at 564-3361.
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
A written copy of the School District's Code of Student Conduct will be given to each parent at the beginning of the school year. This document includes the responsibilities and rights of students. It outlines offenses and consequences when school rules are violated. The principal or the principal's designee shall exercise his/her professional judgment in determining what consequences to impose for violations.
At Beachland Elementary, teachers develop classroom procedures to maintain an appropriate learning environment. Teachers will contact the parents of students who cause minor disruptions. Recurrent and/or severe disruptions will warrant an administrative classroom intervention. The student will be removed from the classroom, interviewed and counseled. Appropriate consequences will be assigned. A written disciplinary report will be completed. Disciplinary reports must be signed by parents and returned to school on the subsequent day of their issuance. Disciplinary reports are reported to the State and become part of the student's permanent record.
GUIDELINES IN RESOLVING SCHOOL-RELATED PROBLEMS
It is our belief that the majority of misunderstandings and problems can be resolved through discussion between parents and school personnel. Our guidelines are designed to provide a “step-by-step” procedure to follow. Before coming to school to express a concern, parents should make every reasonable effort to gather accurate facts. Please follow the following procedure:
Contact the teacher to schedule an appointment. If a solution is not reached, proceed to step 2.
Contact the principal to schedule a conference with the involved parties.
If all possibilities, at the school level, have been exhausted, the principal will direct you to the appropriate District personnel.
Contact the District authority to schedule an appointment.
MOVING
If you have a change of address, please notify the school office (564-3300). If you move to a different school zone in Indian River County, notify the Attendance Department at the District Office (564-3044) for reassignment. If you move out of the county, please notify the school office. Twenty-four hours notice is needed to check materials and records. School records will be sent to the student's new school, upon request.
EDUCATIONAL RECORDS OF STUDENTS
Parents/guardians and students over the age of 18, are given the right, upon written request, to be shown any record relating to the student which is maintained by the school and to be given an explanation of such records. Access must be granted within thirty days. Records maintained are: Cumulative, Health, Individual Basic Skills Record, Teacher Class Record, Test Scores and Attendance Records. Students are also guaranteed the right of privacy with respect to educational records kept. Personally identifiable data may not be released without written consent. However, legitimate educational exceptions are provided by this law.
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION
It is the policy of the Indian River County School Board and Beachland Elementary School that no person shall, on the basis of race, gender, color, national origin, marital status or handicap, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving state financial assistance.
IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
Parents are requested to mark all valuable articles so that they may be returned to the child. Unmarked articles are turned in to the office and will be placed in “lost and found”. Students should not bring personal items such as video games, CD players, and other toys to school. The school will not be responsible for the loss of such items.
STUDENT PROGRESS
Report cards for grades K – 5 are distributed every nine weeks. This report will be based upon the student's classroom work, observations, tests, district and state assessments and other relevant information as per section 232.245, F.S. Mid-term reports are sent, as needed. Official parent/teacher conferences are held twice a year. However, parents may request a conference at any point in the course of the year. Parents are encouraged to maintain communication with teachers on a regular basis and certainly when questions arise about student progress.
PROMOTION, PROMOTION WITH PMP, RETENTION
Student promotion in kindergarten through fifth grade is based upon an evaluation of each student's achievement in attaining specific district and/or state requirements. A student will be eligible for promotion when all promotion criteria have been met. A student who does not demonstrate achievement as described in Section 232.245, F.S. and the Indian River County Pupil Progression Plan will be referred to the school's Promotion Review Committee. The Committee will make a determination for (1.) promotion with an Progress Monitoring Plan (PMP) or (2.) retention. The District shall provide a program of remediation for students who are retained or promoted with a PMP
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
SAC- Parents, teachers, administration, and business and community leaders work cooperatively to examine current issues and trends that effect learning at Beachland Elementary School. These interested persons make up the School Advisory Council (SAC). This Council meets monthly to create policy, review the budget and formulate the yearly School Improvement Plan. If you are interested in participating in this important group, please contact the Principal.
PTA- This group of interested people takes an active role in the day-to-day functioning of the school. The group is a child advocacy group which has influence in the government bodies of the State of Florida. At the local level, this group raises funds and disburses them to help the students of this school. Expenditures include enrichments programs, field trips, teacher requests, playground equipment, etc.
SCHOOL VOLUNTEER AND MENTOR PROGRAM - These helpful individuals tutor, read, listen, share and guide our students. In addition, others may choose to copy, type, cut and paste. There is a job for every interested individual. For more information, call Caroline Barker, Assistant Principal, at 772-564-3312.
PHOTOGRAPHY OF STUDENTS
There are many student activities that occur during the year that are captured for our yearbook, newspaper articles, the School District's local television broadcast channel, etc. You must sign a permission form in order for your child to be photographed. Parents frequently video tape performances and the School cannot be held responsible for these forms of photography. Please be sure to inform your child's teacher if your child is not permitted to be photographed.
MONDAY FOLDERS
Each Monday (or Tuesday following a Monday holiday), teachers will send home weekly work, class or school news, homework, or other important information. You are encouraged to read all of the enclosures and discus them with your child. Please sign any requested items and return them to school.
If you do not receive a Monday folder, please contact your child's teacher immediately.
MEDICATION and ILLNESS/INJURY
When it is necessary for a student to receive prescription medication during school hours, it is recommended that the parents come to the school and administer the medication to the child. If the parent is unable to come to the school, the school will assume this responsibility only when the medication is in its original container and is accompanied by a completed medication permission form. All medication, including over the counter, must be brought to the Health Room (not the classroom) by the parent/guardian. When necessary, a month's supply of medication may be sent to school. The medication will be kept in the Health room and the teacher will allow the student to come to the Health Room when necessary. The Health Assistant will administer ALL medication with written parent permission. An asthmatic student shall be allowed to carry a metered-dose inhaler with parent and physician approval. The school principal shall be provided with a copy of this approval. With the exception of inhalers, students are not allowed to carry medication of any kind. Nebulizer treatments during school hours will be managed on a case-by-case basis. (See health assistant for proper permission forms for nebulizers and inhalers).
In case of accident or serious illness, school personnel will attempt to contact the parent or emergency contact listed on the emergency card. If contact cannot be made, school personnel will determine appropriate action which may include ambulance transport or emergency room care. IT IS VITAL THAT EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS BE KEPT CURRENT IN THE SCHOOL OFFICE.
In order to keep Beachland a “healthy” learning environment for the entire school community, students should be kept home from school who are experiencing temperatures, vomiting, sore throat or an undiagnosed rash. School work may be requested if a student's absence exceeds forty-eight hours. Please allow ample time so that the teacher can compile the assignments. In the case of pediculosis capitis (lice), the child will be sent home from school. The parent/guardian will be informed of the proper treatment procedure. When the child returns to school, the school nurse will check for lice/nits.
SCHOOL INSURANCE
Parents have the opportunity to purchase school accident insurance for their child. An information sheet explaining the program will be available at the school. The school and/or School District will not assume financial responsibility for medical costs related to a school accident unless negligence is proven.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Grade Level: K-5
School Mascot: The Shark
School Colors: Teal and Pink
School Slogan: “Fins Up!”
School Song: “We Are The Beachland Sharks”
We are the Beachland Sharks,
Gliding through the sea of life.
Trying to do our best
Doing what we know is right.
We can bite off any task,
If hand in hand, we stay.
Future looks bright
And success is in sight,
‘Cause we're learning, growing,
Sharing, glowing, working
Growing stronger each day!