Gulfstream Elementary School

20900 SW 97 Avenue

Miami, FL 33189

http://gulfstreamelm.dadeschools.net/

Si necesitan una copia en español, por favor pregunten en la oficina

Main                305-235-6811                           Cafeteria        305-235-1041

ESE                305-251-4036                           Fax                  305-254-1721

Administration

Susan Lyle

Principal

Karen Bentley

Assistant Principal

Office Staff

Tonia Gaines

Elementary School Assistant

Janet Kunde

Treasurer

Diana Zaldumbide

Data Input Specialist

Deyanira Del Rosario

Principal’s Secretary

Clara Cabrera

Counselor

TBA

Community Involvement Specialist

Before And After School Care

305-234-4804

Jo Anne Bowers

Program Manager

Diane Sammy

Community School Specialist

Table of Contents
Click on the Links to Access Specific Areas of the Handbook

Principal’s Message

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

The staff at Gulfstream Elementary School extends greetings and a warm
welcome to our school.  We are looking forward to the new school year and
the implementation of an exciting curriculum for students.

We invite you to join with us, the Gulfstream Elementary faculty and staff, to make
 this year a most rewarding and successful experience for all.  With your support
we will continue to provide our students with a meaningful and challenging
educational experience.  It is within this cooperative spirit that we seek to nurture
a love of learning in our students so that they may become productive citizens.

This handbook contains valuable information about our school.  Parents and students
should review the contents together.  If there are any questions please contact us.  Quality communication between school and home is essential to the success of our students.

We encourage your participation and if at any time we may be of assistance to you, please call us at 305-235-6811.  Working together we will move forward to achieve our goals.

Sincerely,

Susan Lyle

Principal

Gulfstream Elementary

Parent Student Handbook

Mission Statement

Gulfstream Elementary will provide the educational foundation for students to become productive members of society.

Vision Statement

Support and encourage children to achieve success to develop their maximum potential.

School Hours

School hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and 1^st grade and to 3:00 p.m. for 2^nd – 5^th grade.  On Wednesdays, all children are released at 2:00 p.m.  The classrooms open at 8:20 a.m. so that each child may be seated and ready to begin school by the time the 8:30 a.m. bell rings.  PARENTS ARE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM BY 8:30 A.M.

Arrival

Students must not arrive before 7:45 a.m.  Students arriving between 7:45 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. are to go to their designated area.  Kindergarten students wait outside their classrooms.  All other students report to the physical education court.  Students who have breakfast at school must go directly to the cafeteria when they arrive (note breakfast hours).  After breakfast, students leaving the cafeteria go to the PE court where they line up and wait until the teacher comes to pick them up at approximately 8:20 a.m.  Adult supervision is not provided before 7:45 a.m. unless students are enrolled in the Before Care School Program. 

Dismissal

Students must be picked up by 3:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.  Students departing by bus will be escorted to their buses by school personnel and/or their classroom teacher.  Designated school personnel will supervise and see that these students get aboard their buses accordingly.  Students in all grades attending the After School Care Program will be picked up from their classrooms by After School Care Leaders.  Teachers will escort students who are picked up by their parents at dismissal to the designated area to wait for their parents.  UNDER NO CURCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY STUDENT REMAIN IN OR RETURN TO THE BUILDING AFTER DISMISSAL.  ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL GROUNDS WITHIN THE 15 MINUTES FOLLOWING DISMISSAL TIME.  Children who are not picked up at dismissal and are left to roam grounds unsupervised are in violation of school, district and state policy.  Parents must notify the school if there is an emergency.  Parents whose work hours interfere with school hours and need to pick up their children later than 3:00 p.m. should consider the After School Care Program.

Rainy Day Dismissal

Students should be prepared with raincoats and/or umbrellas during the rainy season.  Students departing by bus will be escorted by the classroom teacher or designated school personnel to the bus area.  After School Care Program students will be dismissed as usual.  Any time lightening occurs, students will remain in classrooms.  Under unusually stormy conditions, parents are asked to park their cars and come in the school to pick up students.

Early Dismissal

Parents who need to have their children dismissed early must come to the office and present proper identification (picture ID) to authorize the school to dismiss the student early.  Once this procedure is completed, the teacher is notified through the intercom and proceeds to send the student to the office for dismissal.  Please note that students will only be released to the persons designated in the “Emergency Contact and Release from School Information” card.

Early dismissal can only occur for medical reasons, illness, doctor’s appointments, religious holidays and school related activities. 

Please do not ask for your child to be released within 15 minutes prior to dismissal.

Drop-off/Pick-up of students

Parents picking up students should use only Gulfstream Road. Upon dismissal, students are escorted to this area where they are kept safe under the supervision of designated school personnel until released to parents or persons designated by parents to have the student(s) picked up.

Exceptional Student Education Busses

Use the gated area on 210th Street. Only parents/guardians who qualify for a handicapped sticker may use the gated area for drop-off and pick-up.  All others must park outside the gated areas.

General Safety

Use the crosswalks and cross only at the corners.

Obey the Safety Crossing Guards and the Safety Patrols.

Look both ways before crossing streets.

Do not cut through the parking lot; use the sidewalk.

Watch for cars in areas all around the school.

As an additional safety concern, lists of sexual predators will be distributed and computerized reports will be sent home.

Safety Patrols

The School Safety Patrol is made up of fifth grade boys and girls.  They are students selected and trained to maintain a safe environment during arrival and dismissal time. These students are stationed on corners and in and around the school.

It is considered an honor to be selected for the School Safety Patrol.  Any fifth grade student who wants to be on the Safety Patrol must be recommended by the classroom teacher, and fulfill the following requirements:

Above average grades
Demonstrate a sense of responsibility
Good conduct grades
Able to arrive at school at 7:45 a.m.
Able to leave at 3:10 p.m.

Before and After-School Care Program

The Gulfstream Elementary Before and After-School Care Program provides supervised care before and after school at minimal cost.  Interested parents should contact the School at 305-234-4804.  Care is provided as early as 7:00 a.m. in the morning until 6:00 p.m. in the evening.  All students must be picked up by 3:15 p.m. or enrolled in the After School Care Program.

Breakfast/Lunch Program

Breakfast and a hot lunch are served everyday.  Free or reduced price meals are available to those who qualify.  Forms are sent out at the beginning of the year or may be obtained anytime by calling the office.  Breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.  Breakfast is free for all students.

Lunches served in school are prepared and served in accordance with sound nutritional principles.  Full price for lunch is $1.25 per day and reduced price is $0.60.

Breakfast and/or lunch may be paid in advance the first day of the week.  Payment may be in cash or by check payable to Gulfstream Elementary School.  Parents may send the money in a sealed envelope indicating it is lunch money with the name of the child.  In the event a student whose lunch has been prepaid is absent, the balance is carried forward. 

Students who wish to bring lunch from home may do so.  However, no candy, glass containers of any kind, gum or soda pop are allowed.  It is also recommended that no fast-foods, McDonald’s, Burger King, etc., are brought to school at lunch time by parents.

If a student comes to school without money to pay for breakfast and/or lunch, the Cafeteria will lend the student the money only the first time this happens.  The second time and thereafter, the cafeteria will provide the student with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Parents must make sure that their children bring money or lunch from home.

Attendance and Tardiness

Regular attendance is essential to succeed in school.  A student not only misses work on the day of absence, but is not prepared for the next day because of missing instruction.

Every absence or tardy must be recorded by the teacher.  Accumulated unexcused absences (5 or more) will be referred to the Truancy Intervention Program (TIP).  For an “excused absence,” a written note explaining the nature of the absence is required within two days.  Medical reasons, illness, doctor’s appointments, religious holidays and school related activities are the only absences or early dismissals permissible or excused.  A telephone call in case of prolonged illness is requested.  Communicable diseases must be reported to the school immediately.  Children should not come to school if they are suffering from running sores, headache, nausea or fever.

Unexcused absences result in failing grades for the day of the absence.

School Board policy states that an elementary school student who accumulates ten (10) or more unexcused absences for the year may be subject to the holding of final passing grades.  This may affect the child’s promotion to the next higher grade.

A student is tardy to class if he/she is not in his/her assigned classroom when the tardy bell rings at 8:30 a.m.  It is a reasonable expectation that in order for a learning activity to benefit the student, each student must arrive at school on time.  A student who is tardy, not only places his/her own learning in jeopardy, but also interrupts the learning of other students.  We ask your cooperation in assisting your child in getting to school on time.  Excessive tardiness may result in your child’s conduct or effort grade being lowered.  A student who arrives late must report to the office to obtain a “late pass” which is given to the teacher.

All absences and tardies are recorded and become a part of the student’s permanent record.

Visitors

For the safety and protection of all students, all visitors, including parents, must notify the office before going to the classrooms, cafeteria, etc.  This is for the children’s protection and benefit.

A child will not be released to anyone whose name does not appear on the emergency contact card on file in the office.  Forgotten books, lunches, etc. should be left in the school office to be delivered to children.

Accidents and Illness

The health and physical well being of all students is a matter of great concern to the school.  If a child is injured or ill while in school, parents will be contacted immediately and the student will be kept as comfortable as possible.  When parents cannot be contacted, the person(s) listed on the Emergency Contact and Release from School Information card will be called. 

It is of utmost importance that parents make sure that the information on the Emergency Contact card is current.

If a student becomes ill in class, the school will call the parent or guardian.  It may be necessary for the parent to come to the school and take the child home.  The school does not have facilities, personnel of expertise to care for a sick child for long periods during the school day.

Medicine, including aspirin, cough drops etc., cannot be administered by school personnel.  Students who need to take prescribed medication must have a note (Form MIS – 12702) signed by the physician and parent before medication can be brought to school.  The medication, in the original container, and note must be left in the office clinic.

Parents are to update the emergency contact information insuring that the correct phone numbers for work and home and other pertinent information is listed.

A student that contracts a contagious disease or condition must be removed from school by the parent or guardian and must remain at home until the condition or disease is corrected.

In addition, parents should make the school aware of any medical problems a child might have.

School Insurance

The health and well being of the students is important to us.  Parents may purchase Student Accident insurance at a minimal cost, which is reflected in the accident insurance literature that is sent home with the students.  This insurance provides coverage in the event a child is injured at school or on a field trip and needs immediate first aid, ambulance, emergency room, or doctor’s attention.  Parents are encouraged to attend to this important matter as soon as possible.

Health Screening

According to the guidelines established by the Florida Legislature, annually, at the beginning of each school year, parents shall be notified of the screening activities available through the School Health Services Program.

State Statute 402.32 provides for the School Health Services Act of 1974, which mandates vision and hearing testing Kindergarten, and grades one and four.  Health appraisal and screening services such as vision, hearing, height, weight, nutrition, and behavioral observations may be provided to other students in all grade levels in accordance with priorities reflected in the local county health plan, is subject to availability of staff and funds.

It should be understood that such screenings do not substitute for a thorough examination in a doctor’s office, but are simple tests that can be given with ease to large numbers of apparently healthy children in an attempt to identify those children who are in need of a more thorough examination.

It is requested that you provide the school with written notification if you DO NOT want your child to participate in the screening program.

Emergency Contact and Change of Address

Please notify the office immediately of any changes of address, phone number or other vital information.  It is extremely important for the school to have an emergency contact on file, as well as the authorized person(s) for release of student from     school.  It is the parents’ responsibility to inform the school of any changes in information so that we may notify you immediately in case of an emergency.

Discipline Code/School Rules

Gulfstream Elementary School consists of approximately 750 students and approximately 150 adults who work together daily.  The goal is to create an atmosphere that is friendly, cooperative, and conducive to learning.   To make sure that this goal is achieved, as well as to protect the well-being of all students and staff, the following rules have been established:

Students are to exercise self-control, respect, and cooperation at all times.

Students are to walk quietly at all times, particularly during arrival and dismissal.

Students are to remain quiet and orderly in the classroom and be attentive to instruction.

Students must behave courteously when speaking to any adult or another student.

Students must walk together in a quiet and orderly fashion.

Students must use spoken expressions of consideration towards others (excuse me, please, thank you, etc.).

Students must care for textbooks, furniture and equipment, so that they are clean, free of marks, and in usable condition.

Students must care for the immediate areas of their classroom so that they are free from litter.

Students must show evidence in recess activities of the good sportsmanship principles that are stressed in the physical education program.

Students must use appropriate table manners during breakfast and lunch, and must respect the authority of the lunchroom monitors.

Students must refrain from engaging in any type of fighting or threatening of other students.

Students must refrain from throwing objects.

Students must refrain from using profane language or gestures.

Students must not leave the school grounds during school hours at any time without following the proper procedures for dismissal.

The increasing importance placed upon education by our society has made Suspension, Expulsion, or Exclusion from school a very serious consequence to be employed only after all available school and support services have been considered.  The Miami-Dade County School Board has authorized the Superintendent of Schools and the Principal to take such disciplinary action against students or other individuals who may:

 Violate the established code of conduct of a school.

Possess, use, handle or transmit narcotics and drugs.

Possess, use or handle guns, knives, or other dangerous weapons. Even toy weapons are not permitted at school.

Use any article as a weapon to create a threat.

Assault other students or school personnel.

Commit lewd or lascivious acts.

Set fire to, or otherwise vandalize, school property.

Continue to misbehave in a less serious manner which may also be detrimental to the educational function of the school.

While we recognize that most students and parents neither condone nor participate in the misbehavior outlined, we ask your cooperation in making certain that your son/daughter understands the need for responsible behavior.  You can further aid our endeavor by notifying the school if you should witness any unlawful act or have prior knowledge of any disruptive or unlawful act involving either our students or building.

Also, do not hesitate to contact our local law enforcement agency in case an emergency should arise after school hours.

A Code of Student Conduct (available at the school) has been developed by Miami-Dade County Schools.  This publication describes in detail the procedure for parents, students, and schools to work cooperatively to foster positive interpersonal relationships and maintain a school environment free of disruptions, which interfere with teaching and learning activities.

Misbehavior on the part of the students can usually be corrected when the home and school work cooperatively.  When a child misbehaves, the reason for the misbehavior is determined and the following corrective actions/procedure are followed:

Initial misbehavior

1.                  Teacher-Student conference

2.                  In-class disciplinary action

3.                  After school detention

Repeated misbehavior

4.      Parent contact

5.      Principal-Assistant Principal disciplinary action

The main concern is to help students develop acceptable and good patterns of behavior/social skills through positive actions taken by parents and staff.  When other corrective actions are necessary, recommendation for placement in an alternative program may be utilized.

Textbooks

Names and room numbers should be written on the inside cover of the book.  Students are expected to take good care of their books and will be charged for damaged or lost books.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences are essential to the success of students.  Conferences are usually held after school, unless otherwise arranged.  It is suggested that plans for conferences be made at least 24 hours in advance of date since teacher fulfill their professional responsibilities during the school day.

Efforts are made by the administration and teachers to notify parents of the many good things students do in school.  We value and emphasize positive communication between the home and school.

All students at Gulfstream Elementary are required to wear uniforms to school.   Uniforms can be purchased at a store of your choice. Ibiley Uniforms is one of the uniform supply stores that you might consider.

It is important to note that wherever the parents decide to purchase the uniform, the following standards must be observed: