BRIGHT FUTURES ACADEMY

2010-2011 ACADEMIC YEAR

Welcome and Thank You for Sharing this Important Time with US!

• Parental Involvement• United Front• Open Door Policy• Kindergarten – 4thGrade Principal-Jaime Madden

– Office Team: Carolyn Garcia & Elizabeth Muniz– Lead Teacher: Tom Amenita

• 5th – 8th Grade Principal- Henry DiGiacinto– Office Team: Marianne Kraut & Cheryl Kovalsky– Lead Teacher: Ken Campbell

• Building a team requires:– Trust– Commitment to the mission– Communication– Collaboration– Courtesy– Conflict Resolution

BUILDING A TEAM

Research conducted by the State of Michigan Department of Education• Family participation in education was twice as

predictive of students’ academic success as family socioeconomic status. Some of the more intensive programs had effects that were 10 times greater than other factors.7

• The most consistent predictors of children’s academic achievement and social adjustment are parent expectations of the child’s academic attainment and satisfaction with their child’s education at school.10

“Decades of research show that when parents are involved students have6”:

• Higher grades, test scores, and • Graduation rates • Better school attendance • Increased motivation, better self-esteem • Lower rates of suspension • Decreased use of drugs and alcohol • Fewer instances of violent behavior

Joyce Epstein of Johns Hopkins University has developed a framework for defining six different

types of parent involvement. • Parenting• Communicating • Volunteering• Learning at Home• Decision Making• Collaborating with Community

• Parent education and other courses or training for parents

• Family support programs to assist families with health, nutrition, and other services

PARENTING:

• Design effective forms of school-to-home and home-to-school communications about school programs and children's progress– SNAP GRADES- Weekly Newsletters- Website- Automated

Telephone Announcements- Agendas

• Conferences with every parent at least 2x Per Year– PEP/IEP/504 Conferences 2x Per year- REQUIRED

• Language translators to assist families as needed– Spanish, French & Creole

COMMUNICATING

• Recruit and organize parent help and support – V.I.P.S Programs– School Volunteering Requirement of 15 Hours

• School and classroom volunteer program to help teachers, administrators, students, and other parents– Contact Morgan Mitchell!!!

VOLUNTEERING:

• Provide information and ideas to families about how to help students at home with homework and other curriculum-related activities, decisions, and planning– PTA Information Sessions

• Information for families on skills required for students in all subjects at each grade– Sunshine State Standards

• Information on homework policies and how to monitor and discuss schoolwork at home

LEARNING AT HOME:

• Include parents in school decisions, developing parent leaders and representatives– PTA – BFA Board of Directors

• Independent advocacy groups to lobby and work for school reform and improvements– Political Action Group

DECISION MAKING:

• Identify and integrate resources and services from the community to strengthen school programs, family practices, and student learning and development– Collaboration with NPB Recreation Center– Resource Depot– University of Florida Cooperative Extension Program– Florida Power and Light– Dr. Terry Couch– South Florida Fair Grounds– School District of PB County– Palm Beach County Health Department

COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY:

Chain of Command

TEAMS HAVE RULES!!Federal

Government

School Board of Palm Beach County

Florida Department of Education

Bright Futures Academy School

Board

Administrative Staff

Teaching Staff, Support Staff

and Assistants

Chief Executive Officer-

Kendall Artusi

Utility Taxes

Property Taxes

Income Taxes

Funding

Jaime Madden- PrincipalHenry Di Giacinto- PrincipalJanine Korody- Webmaster & Special ServicesEllen White- Business ManagerMarsia Tucci- Testing & PublicationsAlice McAnelly- Admissions & Extended Day Morgan Mitchell- Community OutreachCarol Merman- Health & Food ServicesPhil Robinson- Facilities & TransportationMarianne Kraut- Dismissal & AdministrationSherry Vazquez- Data ProcessingCarolyn Garcia- Dismissal & Administration

½ Cent Sales Tax

Federal Tax Revenue

Where do your federal tax dollars go?

Social Security

Medicare

Medicaid

UnemploymentWelfareInterest on Debt

Defense

War on Terror

Health and Human Services

Education

Florida State Tax Dollars

Revenue

Florida State Tax Dollar Expenditures

Local Taxes Derived from:

• 77.88% Property Taxes: $3.1 Billion• 10.91% Individual Certificate Sales• 7.42 % State of Florida • Remainder= Miscellaneous Taxes

– 2009 Tax Roll

Local Tax Expenditure

• 37.04% School District of Palm Beach County– $1,166,223,982.02

• 19.32% County Expenses• 15.95% Municipalities• 9.36% Waste/Water/Utilities• 6.30% Fire• Remainder= Miscellaneous Taxes

• 2009- Tax Roll

BUDGET COMPARISON

PBC SCHOOL DISTRICT• $2.7 Billion Total Budget• $1.4 Billion General Operating

– 51 % of Total Budget

• $1.0 Billion Capital Projects– 37% of Total Budget

BRIGHT FUTURES ACADEMY• $ 4,737,074.50 Total Budget• $ 4,113,804.50 General Operating

– 87% of Total Budget

• $338,650 Capital Needs– 7% of Total Budget

GET INFORMED- GET INVOLVED VOTECharter Schools get $0 from State PECO funds for CapitalCharter Schools get $0 from the ½ cent sales taxThe PBCSD voted last year to move a portion of their general operating funds into their capital fund and in doing so cost PBC Charter Schools over $1,000,000

What is a Charter School?

• Charter Schools in Florida shall….– Meet High Standards– Provide Parents with information about their child’s growth– Improve student learning– Encourage the use of innovative learning methods– Create innovative measurement tools– Provide competition – Create new professional opportunities for teachers

Charter Schools Have Board of Directors

• Bright Futures Board of Directors• Mr. John Gnecco- Chair• Mr. Bob Frein- Vice Chair• Mrs. Rebecca Nelson- Secretary• Mr. Frank Walker• Dr. Terry Couch• Mr. Giovanni deFrancisci

Board Meetings are held at the Riverside Campus6:30 PM on the 4th Tuesday of every month

Mission Statement• “Provide families with an educational alternative to the

currently available school programs, for students enrolling in grades K-8, in accordance with the highest professional standards and in cooperation with school families, key stakeholders, and community members, in an effort to foster academic excellence in a small, safe and nurturing environment that uses an integrated, interactive, multicultural program where each student’s individual talents are recognized and students are encouraged to reach their full potential, while striving to achieve 100% literacy growth. All parties are taught to recognize the different developmental stages of growth from childhood to adolescence with the ultimate goal of the student realizing their full potential and becoming productive, competitive citizens in a global

economy.”

• Car Decals– See Appendix ID

• Student Identification Badges• Staff Uniforms• Visitor ID Badge Printers• Crisis Response Training

– See Appendix CR

BFA IS A SAFE SCHOOL!!NEW FOR 2010-2011:

Attendance & Absences

• Students must be in attendance for 40 of each 45 days in a 9 week period

• Make up work must be submitted within ONE DAY on return for each day absent.

• You must turn in a note, SIGNED BY THE PARENT, in order to receive an excused absence (Details PBCSD P7)

• Riverside Staff: – Phil Robinson-Marianne Kraut-& Ken Campbell

• Lighthouse Staff:– Carolyn Garcia-Lynnae Steinberg-Rhonda Gordon

• Prosperity Staff:– Tom Amenita- Steve Soloman

Arrival and Dismissal Team

Arrival Time

• School Starts at 8:00AM (this does not mean you arrive into the parking lot at 8:00AM!)

• EARLY BIRDS– Students can arriving as early as 7:30-7:44 AM(NO

EARLIER) and must be signed in to Before Care! After 7:45 AM they may go directly to their class!

• LATE ARRIVERS– After 8:00AM students are considered tardy and

MUST be signed in at the front office!

• Map• See Appendix P

– Please review your arrival/dismissal map • Manners

– No cell phones in line– Do not block traffic– Obey street signs (no left turn out of lot)– No Yelling at Staff– No drinking and driving– Stay Alert– Remain in your car

MAP and Manners

• Dismissal begins at 3:15 on regular school days and 11:15 on half days.

• THERE WILL BE NO DISMISSALS BETWEEN 2:45 AND 3:15 UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE OR THERE IS A FAMILY EMERGENCY

• No pick up changes without prior written notice.

Dismissal- the basics

• Half Days: – 11:15AM regular dismissal– NO AFTERCARE– PTA hosts Art in the Park!!!

• Regular Days:– 3:15PM regular dismissal– 3:30PM Shuttle Bus Rider Dismissal

Dismissal- the nitty gritty!

• Shuttle Bus Departs Promptly at 7:35AM from each campus and you MUST have your child there on time or you must transport!– (See Appendix T)

• Shuttle Bus forms must be filled out for your child to ride the Bus. – (get out your forms!)

• Bus Rules must be followed.– (See Appendix BR)

Shuttle Bus Riders

• Students at BFA ride the bus for various reasons- (get out your Bus Permission Form!)– AM/PM Shuttle– Sick Clinic– PE Transportation– Sports– Clubs– Connections– Aftercare

Bus in General

• Before Care-– Opens at 7:30AM– Breakfast $1.00

• After Care- (See Appendix A)– Begins Monday, August 23– All AC students will be shuttled to Riverside

Campus– $50 Registration Fee

• See Aftercare Forms

Extended Day ServicesALL AFTERCARE ON RIVERSIDE

• Full Time Care: 3:30- 6:00– 1st Child: $200 Per Month– 2nd Child: $150 Per Month– 3rd Child: $100 Per Month

• Part Time Care: 3:30- 4:30– $100 Per Month Per Child

August is paid for by the $50 Registration Fee!

Aftercare FeesDue the 1st Friday of the Month

• Connections Begins Monday, August 23• All Connections Classes will be held on the

Riverside Campus• All Connections students will be shuttled to

the Riverside Campus• Connections Dismissal is at 5:00PM Sharp!• Please do not be late to pick up your child!

– See Forms

Connections ProgramSee Appendix C

• Art• Music• Drama• Athletic Training• High School Portfolio Preparation• Tutoring

Connections Classes

Connections Fees

• Classes are offered Monday- Thursday• $10 Per Class for BFA Students• $15 Per Class for Non-BFA Students• You can take as many as you like- up to 4 per

week!• Scholarship Opportunities are Available!

– See application form

Student HealthNO SHOTS, NO SCHOOL, NO KIDDING• Student Illness Policy (See Appendix IP)

– Do not send your child to school sick!! Use common sense-

• Fever Free for 24 hours• Diarrhea/Vomit Free for 24 hours• NO RASHES or OPEN SORES- Chicken Pox-MERSA• No Lice! No Scabies!• Pink Eye Symptoms

• To reduce the spread of communicable diseases, students that are not picked up with in an hour after parents are contacted (or if the parents can not be contacted) will be sent to the Riverside Clinic where they will be isolated from the general population. The clinic staff will continue to attempt contacting the parents- letting them know where to pick up their child. A $5 convenience Fee will be charged for each hour a child is kept in the clinic.

BFA Health Clinic

• See Appendix HC• BFA will offer immunizations to our students

and the community at large, free of charge, at the Lighthouse Campus from 3:45-6:30PM on dates to be announced.

Community Outreach Immunization Program

Medications Policy

• See Appendix MP• Your child may need a 504 Plan!!

– Notify the school if your child has a diagnosed health condition that requires accommodations, or medications, or could require special care in emergency situations!

– If your child does not have a 504 plan and you feel he/she may need one- Please contact Janine Korody or Carol Merman to discuss your child’s needs!

MEDICATION POLICYMUST HAVE A DOCTOR AND PARENT

SIGNATURE• NO MEDICATIONS (PRESCRIPTION OR NOT)• NO LOTIONS OR CREAMS INCLUDING

SUNSCREAN• NO EYE OR EAR DROPS• NO SPRAYS• NO PERFUMES• NO DEODORANT• NO COUGH DROPS

• See Appendix KC• See Appendix SI• See Forms-2• Florida Kid Care offers health insurance

options for families!!• Florida School Insurance offers accident

insurance based on the needs of students and their parents!

Florida Kid Care & Accident Insurance

• TEAM- Telephonic Emergency Announcements and Messages (Please fill out form)

• Friday School Newsletter• School Website• Classroom Newsletters• Message Boards• Calendar- School District & BFA Calendar

SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS

SNAPGRADES.COM

• Empowering Parents and Students• Parents and Students can log on and review

homework assignments, grades, attendance and communicate with the teacher

• Log on to Snapgrades.com– Enter your child’s name– Bright Futures Academy– North Palm Beach– Florida

DisciplineFlorida State Statute 1003.04

(1) Each public K-12 student must remain in attendance through the school year, unless excused by the school for illness or other good cause, and must comply fully with the school’s code of conduct.”

See Forms: Parent Student Acknowledgement

• PEP- Personal Education Plan• IEP- Individual Education Plan• 504 Plan- Medical Needs Plan• LEP Plan- Limited English Proficiency PlanGoal is to review progress and goals- Academic

and Social

Parent Teacher Conferences2 Times Per Year!

DisciplineFlorida State Statute 1003.04

• “The parents of each public K-12 student must cooperate with the authority of the student’s district school board, superintendent, principal, teachers, and school bus drivers according to ss. 1003.31 and 1003. 32, to remove the student from the classroom and the school bus and, when appropriate and available, to place the student in an alternative education setting, if the student is disobedient, disrespectful, violent, abusive, uncontrollable, or disruptive.”

School’s Code of Conduct See Appendix D

• Should be followed at all times when at school, on the school bus and/or at a school function

• NO Behaviors:– Disruptive-Rude-Disrespectful-Non-Compliant– Lying-Cheating-Stealing-Destroying Property– Irresponsible Bathroom Usage– Bullying-Gangs-Cyber Threats-Gossip– Inappropriate Touching of ANY KIND

Consequences

• Detentions- Held at the Riverside Campus– 5-8: Monday-Wednesday-Thursday 3:30-4:30– 3-4: Tuesday 3:30-4:30

• Conduct Improvement• Suspension- Repeat Offenses or Level 2 or

Higher 1st time offense• Removal from the Program- Repeat Offenses

or Level 2 or Higher 1st time offense

Conduct Improvement1 or 2 in conduct on report card

• Conduct Improvement Classes are held at the end of each 9 week period from 3:30-4:30PM Monday- Friday

• Report Card Conduct Grading Scale– 4: Contributes to the learning of self and others– 3: Contributes to learning of self– 2: Disrupting the learning of self– 1: Disrupting the learning of self and others

Grading • 4.0 Regular Scale• 4.5 Honors Scale

• Grading Scale: – 100-90 “A”– 89-80 “B”– 79-70 “C”– 69-60 “D”– 59-Below “F”

• Grading Composition– Participation– Homework– Assessments

• Principal’s Honor Roll:– All “A’s” All 4s in Conduct

• Honor Roll:– All “A’s & B’s” All 3s/4s in Conduct

• B.U.G Roll:– Up in at least one subject- down in none

Academic Dishonesty- Including Plagiarism and Cheating will result in a ZERO for the assignment or assessment!

Curriculum Methodology and Assessments

• Curriculum: Materials and Books used to teach students

• Methodology: The Way the information is taught

• Assessments: Measurement Tools

Curriculum

BFA uses a WIDE variety of curriculum materials to teach students on their various levels and learning styles

We use almost every major text book publisher used in education! Holt Mifflin-National Geographic-Scott Foresman- McMillan-McGraw Hill- Harcourt-Steck Vaughn-Write Source-Zaner-Bloser-Glencoe-Prentice Hall-Singapore Math to name a few!

• Front Load • International Awareness• Foreign Language Acquisition• Achievement Grouping• Physical Activity every day• Art/Music/Theater/Film Integration• Student Directed- Teacher Facilitated

– “Human beings migrate for various reasons to meet their basic needs and may alter their new location”

Methodology

• Classroom Assessments– Teacher generated – Written Tests, Essays, Student Projects, Oral

Presentations• FCAT

– Reading-Math-Science-Writing• SSS Diagnostics

– 2 Times Per Year

Assessments

Back Packs and LockersStudent Organization

• Students may bring backpacks to school every day- except for the last week of school

• Please do not allow your student to “HOARD” stuff in their back packs- teach them to empty them regularly!

• Lockers are available at the Riverside Campus and will be assigned during the first week of school. Each MS bag has a coupon for $5.00 toward the cost of a lock and locker.

Student Organization

• Each 1-4th Grade Bag contains an Agenda• Please check your child’s agenda each day for

notes and conduct grades• 5-8 will only get agendas when deemed

necessary• Students need to work toward self-

management so they will be prepared for High School and beyond

School Activities

• Civil Air Patrol• EDU-Garden• Sports Program• Field Trips• School Social Events• Clubs See form: Permission to Participate in School Activity Form

Civil Air Patrol

• The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

• NPB County Squadron Flight-152• Student receive aerospace education, drill and ceremonies, fly

away trips and are tasked with various operations to support the US Government and the State of Florida

• Meets Monday Nights 6:30-9:00 for students 12 and older• Fees are from $70 and up- depending on uniforms and travel

expenses

EDU-Garden

• “Teaching our children respect and responsibility for the environment while motivating them to develop an intrinsic desire for learning and the courage to think beyond the classroom”

• Research field for hands on exploration!– Archaeology, Botany, Entomology, Conservation,

Recycling, Team Work, Gardening, Animal Husbandry, and Much More

Sports Program5th - 8th Grade

• “Encouraging a love for the outdoors and athletics for life, while providing a competitive team building program, and teaching sportsmanship to meet the needs of all athletic abilities”

• Intramural and scholastic sports activities• Sports include: Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball

and Lacrosse

Field Trips

• K-4: One grade level field trip per 9 weeks• 5-8: One subject area field trip per 9 weeks• 4th Grade: St. Augustine• 5th Grade:• 6th Grade:• 7th Grade:• 8th Grade:

Field Trips are a privilege, not a right! Students must meet behavior requirements to attend field trips!NO 1s or 2s in conduct

School Social Events

• Friday Night at the Riverside (K-8)• School Dances (5-8)• Veterans 5K Run- Community Outreach (K-8)• Thanksgiving Day Feast (K-8)• Giving Chain and Toy Drive (K-8)• Charter School Week (K-8)• Holiday Musical (K-8)• Showcase of the Arts (K-8)

Clubs

“After school extra-curricular activities that encourage camaraderie and foster self esteem”

• Scottish Dance• Jump Rope• Chess• 4H

– Clubs Begin September 13th– $10 Fee per club! Space is limited

PTA“Together we’re Better!”

• YAHOO-BOOHOO- Lighthouse Campus• PTA Art in the Park Days- ½ days • Fundraisers• PTA Café- Oct. 27th Lighthouse Campus• PTA Fun Night- January 22nd • PTA Family to School Week February 14th-18th

• Teacher Appreciation May 2-6• Monthly Meetings with guest speakers

VolunteeringConfidentiality Agreement

• Bright Futures Parents must volunteer 15 hours, per active parent each year

• All volunteers and school visitors must present identification upon entering school grounds

• All volunteers/visitors must sign into the VIPS program

• All volunteers/visitors must wear the printed name tag indicating that they are a visitor at Bright Futures Academy

• PTA Events• Concession Stand Duties & Food Specials• Thanksgiving Feast• Class Parties• Field Trips• EDU-Garden• Sports Teams• Friday Night at the Riverside• Facility Needs

Volunteer Opportunities

Food and Concessions• See Appendices CS, EC & GW• PTA Sponsored PIZZA FRIDAY• Great Wrap Wednesday• Concession

– Lighthouse- Select Days– Prosperity- M-F 9:50-1:30– Riverside- M-F 9:50-1:30

• School District Food Service – $1.75 K-5– $2.00 6-8

• Supply Drop Off:– Lighthouse: Week before school starts items may

be dropped off in bins outside the office and brought in during the 1st Week of School

– Riverside: Week before school starts or 1st Week of School

• The first week of school- supplies will be collected out front at drop off or in the home room class

• We follow the PBCSD days for hurricanes and other make up days

Question and Answers: