School Handbook

2011-2012

Mission Statement

The GAP School is a not-for-profit, private day school that provides daily intensive interventions focused on the “whole child” through educational, cognitive, developmental, and social/emotional training. The GAP School focuses on individualized academic problem solving, as well as, building and reinforcing social skills.

The GAP School is unique in that it is founded upon the concept of social skill building, supports an anti-biased curriculum in a bully-free environment, and enforces the concepts of personal character, tolerance, diversity, and social responsibility. The GAP School strives to set up students for success by reconnecting them to their sense of learning, belonging, and acceptance.

People

GAP School Administration

Robin Ahearn, CDA, CPE, Program Director | Robin@theGAPschool.org
Carla Patton, M.A., I.M.H.C., C.T. Mental Health/Guidance Director | Carla@theGAPschool.org

GAP School Teaching Staff

Lisa Morgan, M Ed. – Language Arts | Lisa@theGAPschool.org

Valerie Butler, B.S. – Math | Valerie@theGAPschool.org

Joshua Golden, A.P. – Personal Fitness | Joshua@theGAPschool.org

Carla Patton, M.A., I.M.H.C., C.T.-Social Skills/ Counseling | Carla@theGAPschool.org

Important Numbers

The GAP School office: 941-552-9090

Fax: 941-552-9081

Emergencies – Please call the main school number for assistance. If necessary, leave a voice mail message. We check for messages several times each day.

Pre-Registration Policy

 Our pre-registration policy allows parents to pre-register their child(ren) for the upcoming school year, anytime from February of the current school year through April. Pre-registration, while giving priority status, does not guarantee acceptance or a specific spot in any of The GAP School programs.

To pre-register:

1. Complete the GAP School registration forms.
2. Submit completed registration forms together with the registration fee of $300.00.

Registration

1. Pre-registered children take priority if there is a shortage of space for student enrollment.

2. Siblings of actively enrolled GAP students take priority in the event there is a shortage of space for student enrollment.

3. All pre-registration activities, forms, questionnaires and follow-up recommendations need to be in place to receive a completed registration status.

Admissions

 Children entering any school system are required to be 5 years of age by September 1st of the current school year. For registration into any GAP School program the following are required: health records (including immunization records and a current physical examination within twelve months), academic records, and any testing results from doctors, educational specialists, service providers, or learning environments.

Admission Criteria for New Students

 In order to become a member of The GAP School Community, please follow these steps:

Visit – We invite you to visit, tour our school, and sit in on a class in action. Individual appointments can be scheduled through the school office.

Meet with an administrator – Schedule an appointment with an administrator to get information about our program, ask questions, and understand our philosophy.

Student visit – we invite your child to shadow for a day. Call to make an appointment with the school office with a little background information about your child so that we can match your child with the appropriate group or student to follow for the day. We want your child to see a true picture of their day at The GAP School.

Apply – Apply for admission, complete all paperwork, and sign a “Release of Academic Records.”

Non-Discrimination Policy

The GAP School admits students of any race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The GAP School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational or admissions policies, or other school administered programs.

Hours

 Pre-care

Pre-care will be provided on site from 7:30a.m to 8:00am. Drop-off is at the front door entrance of The GAP School. Escort your child inside and sign-in with a GAP school staff member. *There is an addition fee for this service.

School Begins

The car-line starts at 8:00 a.m. for student drop-off. There will be staff available to check-in your child and direct or supervise him/her.

School Day

 The official school day starts at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. The Spirit Spot/Flag ceremony will begin at 8:15 a.m. This is a time for the Pledge of Allegiance, school announcements, and general celebrations. When students arrive late, they miss announcements that can impact their day; therefore, it is essential that students arrive on time and ready to begin at 8:15 a.m.

Pre-Care: 7:30 a.m.

Car-Line Door Open: 8:00 a.m.

Spirit Spot/Announcements: 8:15 a.m.

OT Activities and Cognition Rotations: 8:30 a.m.

Academic Classes Begin: 10:00 a.m.

Dismissal/Carline: 2:45 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

After Care- 3:00-6:00

Students remaining after 3:00 p.m. will be placed in aftercare and the family will be charged accordingly unless other arrangements have been made with The GAP School Administration.

Aftercare

Aftercare will be provided on site from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The charge for this service is $180.00 per month (per child), due and payable to The GAP School on the first day of each month. Aftercare ends promptly at 6pm, a late fee will be charged for any student picked up after 6pm. The late fee charge is $10.00, with an additional $1.00 per minute after 6pm. Habitual tardiness will result in dismissal from the aftercare program.

During aftercare, the time is structured around snack time, homework and reading support, social activities, and limited time in the computer lab.

 Absences/Tardy Policy/ Early Dismissals

The responsibility for attending class lies with the student and family, and student success is tied directly to attendance. In order to show progress, a student must attend 90 percent of his/her classes.

At The GAP School, we focus on providing the best academic, emotional, and cognitive environment for our students’ education. GAP students are to be in attendance from 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Students are to arrive on campus by 8:15 a.m. so they will be ready for the beginning of the morning announcements (Spirit Spot) and academic learning time.

An absence from school will be recorded as either excused or unexcused. A written explanation from the parent/guardian explaining the absence is required upon a child’s return to school. Excessive absences may jeopardize the promotion of a student to the next grade level.

Late Arrival/Early Release

We are aware that some appointments cannot be scheduled before or after school. We are also aware that some mornings just don’t go the way they are supposed to go. However, tardiness and early dismissal need to be kept to a minimum as the entire day is spent in a learning situation. If your child arrives after class has already begun; sign them in and (s)he will be required to wait in the school office until the next class period begins in order to limit the distractions in the classroom. If a student needs to leave during the day, (s)he will be released to the office for parental sign-out and pick-up.

 Student and Parent Behavior

School rules have been developed to encourage respect for self, others and property. Students and staff must be guaranteed a safe environment. Mutual respect is the underlying principle in the classroom or group environment. All rules will be publicized, explained, and equitably enforced. Please see Code of Conduct for more detailed information.

Dress Code/Uniform

The school uniform includes a polo shirt of any solid color with the GAP school logo (available for purchase through both online and local vendors), and khaki or dark blue shorts, pants, or skorts. Shorts and skorts should be worn no shorter than just above the knee. On Fridays, students can wear jeans, with no holes, and a GAP school shirt or the school Spirit shirt. Tennis shoes or a solid sport shoe with socks are acceptable footwear. No flip flops or high heeled shoes are permitted.

Jewelry is often distracting. Therefore, we enforce the following policies for students: body piercing is not to be exposed unless you have pierced ears. If you do wear earrings, they must not be distracting. A student may wear no more than two bracelets or rings, and no more than 1 necklace. No visible tattoos permitted.

Badge Ceremony

There are weekly awards that are presented at Spirit Spot on Friday mornings. The awards are to acknowledge the students’ weekly progress and accomplishments.

Students who receive these awards can wear their regular (street) clothes to school the following Monday. Additionally, if students are showing effort towards a specific goal, their achievements will be acknowledged.

All students’ academic successes are celebrated at the end of each quarter. Please refer to the 2011 – 2012 school calendar for correct dates. This is a time when we highlight the curriculum in which the students have been participating and all of the successes the students have had during the quarter. Please plan to participate in these wonderful celebrations to show support for your child’s efforts. Please note—the day after a Badge Celebration will be a professional day and there will be NO SCHOOL for the students.

Homework Policy

The GAP School is a therapeutic, training intervention program. Homework assignments will be written in the agenda book and/or will be posted on the internet on a daily or weekly basis. Most of the assignments will be posted on our website www.thegapschool.org with the understanding that more detailed information should be available in your child’s agenda book.

 Agenda Books

The GAP School agenda book is required for daily communication, and is also a text book to be used during social skills class. It is imperative that the agenda book accompany the student each day. Students receive credit in their Employability Skills grade for having their agenda book. If a student is reporting a lost or misplaced agenda book for a period of one week, it will be replaced and a charge of $12.00 will be added to the family’s invoice.

Please sign your student’s agenda book on a daily basis so that we know that you have seen what is being done and what assignments are made.

The agenda book is a tool for brief communication; please do not write long notes in the agenda books to teachers or administrators. For detailed messages or concerns, please call the school or e-mail Robin Ahearn, robin@theGAPschool.org to schedule an appointment.

Hurricane Procedures

Please follow Sarasota County School Board announcements via local television or the local radio stations. When Sarasota County Schools close due to weather, the GAP School will also be closed. You will also be able to call into the main number at the GAP School and hear a message regarding school closures. Hurricane make-up days are already built into the school calendar. If we miss more than two days of school due to a hurricane, the makeup days will be at the end of the school calendar and will extend our school year by as many days as needed to meet the required hours in class.

Report Cards

 A – Mastery (85-100%)

B – Independently working (70 – 85%)

C – Needs assistance (55- 70%)

Anything below a 70% must be redone and resubmitted to the appropriate teacher.

Grievance Procedure

In the event that a parent has a question or concern with a specific class we ask that the following procedure be followed:

1) Make an appointment with the teacher in question and try to correct the problem through direct communication with the specific goal of resolving the situation.

2) In the event that the situation is not resolved, make an appointment with an administrator.

3) In the event that the situation is not resolved after speaking an administrator, schedule an appointment for a Parent/Staff Meeting.

Respectful communication will aid in the resolution of many concerns. Gossiping is counterproductive to all. It is okay to use mutual respect and arrange meetings to talk with the appropriate staff person(s). We understand that we don’t have to agree with each other, but we must also understand that it is okay to disagree respectfully.

Technology Acceptable Use Policy

All persons using the computers are required to abide by the following rules. Failure to do so will result in appropriate disciplinary action determined by the school administration. All computers should be used in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner. Violations of the following guidelines may result in the revocation of access privileges and possible disciplinary actions.

Internet Access: The school community–students, faculty, administrators, and staff—have the privilege of access to the Internet. The school encourages students and teachers to use the Internet to expand their knowledge. The Internet allows users to send and receive e-mail, to log onto remote computers, and to browse databases of information. It also lets users send and receive files and programs contained on other computers. Files are not to be downloaded to the school’s local or network hard drives. While the school cannot effectively restrict the content of information obtained by students via the Internet, obtaining material that is explicitly labeled as not intended for minors will be considered a violation of school rules. Furthermore, making public or passing on any material that is pornographic, violent in nature, or otherwise harassing is totally unacceptable and will be dealt with immediately by the appropriate administrator

Internet Safety: At the present time there are no explicit rules governing the Internet. Please note, however, for a minor to give out his or her personal information (address, telephone number, etc.) over the Internet is deemed unsafe. While students are always monitored while on the internet, safety is the responsibility of the student. The school is not liable in any way for irresponsible acts on the part of the student.

Pirated Software: The term “pirated software” refers to the use and transfer of stolen software. Commercial software is copyrighted, and each purchaser must abide by the licensing agreement published with the software. There is no justification for the use of illegally obtained software. The school will not, in any way, be held responsible for a student’s own software brought to school for personal use.

Network Access: Accessing the accounts and files of others is prohibited. Attempting to impair the network or to bypass restrictions set by the network administrator is prohibited. Obtaining another’s password or rights to another’s directory or e-mail on the network is a violation of school rules as well as a form of theft. Taking advantage of a student who inadvertently leaves a computer without logging out is inappropriate. Using someone else’s password or posting a message using another’s log-in name is a form of dishonesty, just as is plagiarism or lying, and will be handled through the school’s behavioral referral policy. The school reserves the right to inspect user directories for inappropriate files, to remove them if found, and to take other appropriate action, if deemed necessary, including notification of parents.

E-Mail and Chat Rooms: E-mail, short for electronic mail, is any system that transmits some form of electronic representation of a page or message from one location to another. It should be clear that electronic mail should not be used for personal reasons while at school and cannot be used to harass others. The school reserves the right to randomly check e-mail. E-mail messages must not include personal attacks and should follow the normal rules of appropriate public language. They should not contain any language or content which the author would not be willing to share from the podium at a school meeting. Students should be made aware that deleted e-mail can be undeleted. Participation in “chat rooms” on campus is prohibited.

Viruses: Every effort is made by the school to keep our system virus-free. Even with the best techniques, however, computer viruses can be transmitted to and from any computer, including those in the Computer Lab and Media Center. The school is not responsible for the transmission of any virus or for damage suffered from a virus.

Computer Care: Members of the school community will not abuse, tamper with, or willingly damage any computer equipment, use the computer for anything other than appropriate work, or bring food or drink into any computer area. Any intentional acts of vandalism will result in disciplinary actions and the student or students will be held responsible for replacement or repair.

Before ANY changes are made to the settings of ANY computer in The GAP School, students must attain permission from the classroom teacher in which the computer resides or a school administrator.

Health and Safety

Emergencies

While your child is at The GAP School, it is imperative that the administration be able to contact parents at any given time. It is the parent’s responsibility to give current and updated emergency information to the school office staff. If you move or your contact numbers or those of a person you have named as an emergency contact change, YOU MUST PROVIDE UPDATED INFORMATION TO THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Occasionally, medical emergencies may arise. In the event of a life-threatening situation (heavy bleeding or trouble breathing) or a serious injury (unconsciousness or the inability to “get up”), the school or its representative may need to contact the appropriate emergency medical services first, then the parents will be called. In case of an accident or illness where immediate emergency care is not judged to be necessary, but where a child is unable to remain at school, the school will contact the parents to arrange transportation home. If the school is unable to contact either parent, the school will contact the people listed on the Health and Emergency Information/Medical Release. Please remember that the school must be able to reach either a parent or guardian at all times! If a parent is unable to be reached at home, work, or by cell, the emergency contacts listed will be phoned and asked to pick up the child.

If transportation to a medical facility is needed, it will be by authorized medical personnel only. Staff members will not transport a student.

 Illnesses

For your child’s well being, as well as, the well being of other children and staff, children are to remain at home or will be sent home if:

1) S/he has had a fever within the last 24 hours; children will be sent home immediately with a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above and may not return to the school for a minimum of 24 hours. (For example, a student sent home Wednesday @ 11am with a fever, may return 24 hours AFTER the fever breaks.)

2) S/he has diarrhea; children with 2 or more cases of diarrhea in a single day will be sent home immediately.

3) S/he has been on prescribed medication for less than 24 hours.

4) S/he is sneezing, or coughing due to a viral or bacterial illness.

5) S/he seems tired, cranky or “under the weather”.

6) Infected eyes, especially red eyes with discharge and drainage, or matting of the eyelids until examined by a physician and approved for readmission.

7) Presence of any rash with fever or behavioral change.

Mouth sores that interfere with the control of saliva (unless the child’s physician or local health department states that the child is noninfectious) and/or open sores around the mouth area.

9) Any open sores that are raw and/or bleeding must be treated and covered properly.

10) Impetigo or ringworm—may be allowed back 24 hours after appropriate treatment has begun. The affected area should be covered.

11) Head lice –may return 24 hours after treatment has begun. ** SEE LICE/NIT POLICY

12) Scabies—may return 24 hours after therapy is complete.

13) Strep throat – may return 24 hours after treatment has been started and 24 hours after the child has been without a fever.

14) Vomiting—two or more times in the previous 24 hours, unless the vomiting is determined to be due to a noncontiguous condition and the child is not in danger of dehydration.

15) If the child has any of the following conditions: fever, wheezing, lethargy, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or other signs of possible severe illness.

If the child shows symptoms of illness during the day, the child will be isolated and the parents will be called to pick up the child immediately. THE STUDENT MUST BE PICKED UP WITHIN 20-30 MINUTES. If a parent is unable to be reached at home, work, or cell, the emergency contact listed will be phoned and asked to pick up the child.

Lice/Nit Policy

The school follows these procedures for the prevention and treatment of Pediculosis:

1) Students displaying signs of head lice will be sent to the office to be checked.

2) If lice/nits are present, the siblings will be checked.

3) If lice/nits are present a parent/guardian will be called to pick up the student(s).

4) After treatment, the student must report to the office for recheck before attending classes.

5) Students will be rechecked on week after the treatment was administered. If lice/nits are found, steps 2-5 will be followed accordingly.

6) As a preventative measure and according to the Dept. of Health guidelines, all families will be notified if there is a case of lice within the school.

Medication

The GAP School will administer medication only if the parent completes an authorization form giving permission to do so. The authorization, medication, and the doctor’s instructions for administration must be given directly to an administrator. Under no circumstances may medication be placed in a backpack or lunchbox. Medication should not be sprinkled on top of a food item- it’s possible that another child might accidentally “sample” the food! The term medication covers- prescription drugs, over-the- counter drugs, vitamins, cough syrups, cough drops, and bug sprays and/or medicated ointments.

The GAP School Student/Parent Code of Conduct

Respect for Others

*Students will be polite and respectful to other stuents, teachers, and parents. Good manners and courtesy will be demonstrated at all times. Rudeness, indecent language, roughness, fighting, purposely physically injuring and/or bullying another student or adult is not tolerated and will result in consequences by the school. Students should always act in a way that respects the rights of others.

*It is understood that mistakes will happen from time to time. Students are encouraged to acknowledge the error/mistake (“I made a mistake”) apologize (“I am sorry for….”), make amends, accept the consequences, and move on (not hold a grudge).

*Students may not use sarcasm, or crude/vulgar language. Cruelty, teasing or name-calling is not okay. Saying, “I am just kidding” is not an excuse for saying something that hurts the feelings of another person.

*Student behavior will reflect standards of good citizenship, respect for authority, and the rights of others.

Respect for Class Time

*The GAP School student values education. Inappropriate and/or disruptive behavior by students is not tolerated. If a student has a problem or question that is not related to the lesson at that time, s/he should wait till the designated time to discuss it with the teacher.

*To start the day on a positive note, students must arrive to school on time. Students should be in the school building at 8:10 a.m. to allow time to put lunches and backpacks away, and be ready to begin at 8:15 a.m.

*Students need to understand that tardiness is disruptive to learning and they need to limit lateness and missed days. If excessive absences or tardies are noted, students will be required to make up the time after school on a prearranged date. Appointments are to be scheduled after school. If there is an ongoing health issue, it is the family’s responsibility to contact and inform the school administration.

*Since we are a therapeutic intervention school, students need to come to school every day with all necessary class materials, supplies, nutritional lunches, and homework assignments completed.

*Students are expected to keep common areas (hallways, classrooms, lunchroom, and bathrooms) neat and clean. Students will not litter and will pick up litter when seen.

*Any damage or defacing of the school building, grounds, or property will require restitution by the student through community service and/or financial reimbursement.

Pride in School

*Students will always promote a positive image of the school on and off campus.

*On fieldtrips, students will behave courteously, use good manners, and wear their school uniform, unless otherwise instructed. Students will listen to directions by their teachers and chaperones.

Accountability

 *Students & parents must follow the Code of Conduct and promote an atmosphere where all points of view are welcomed as long as they are presented with respect and are constructive with the goal of improving the school. Students & Parents must address concerns respectfully to the appropriate staff at the appropriate time.

*Students & parents are required to follow through on the established agenda book usage. It is the student’s responsibility to have their parent/guardian sign their agenda book as outlined by their teacher along with test or assignments sent home to be reviewed and signed.

*Homework assignments are to be written in the agenda books or accessed by the internet. Students can also call a homework buddy if they have any questions regarding assignments.

*Students are responsible for following through and completing all assignments on time. Deadlines are set and are expected to be met.

Safe Environment

*Students are not allowed to bring to school weapons, illicit drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and/or inappropriate print or electronic media that present a danger or are disrespectful to others. If any of these items are found in a student’s possession (personal spaces, backpacks, and locker space), they will be confiscated and reported to the administration immediately. Administration will determine the appropriate action to be taken.

*Students are not allowed to keep medications of any kind in their lockers, backpacks, purses, etc. All medications must be inventoried through an administrator.

*Students & parents must follow car-line procedures and be aware of possible safety hazards. Only legal guardians or persons named in the school’s database under “family authorization pickup list” can pick up students at dismissal times. Students must bring in signed notes from their parent/guardian if they are going home with someone who is not listed in their file. Students may not knowingly get into the car with someone whose name is not on file, even if they know that person.

*Students must adhere to the Health and Safety policies as written in the Handbook.

* Any visible safety hazards or dangers must be reported immediately to a staff member.

*Never prop outside doors open, including classroom doors that open to the outside unless otherwise specified. This presents a safety hazard.

*Students must immediately report to a staff member any suspicious persons, objects, items or behavior.

*Students must be familiar with emergency and fire drill procedures and follow all instructions by staff.

Consequences

 The administration is responsible for determining the consequences for any violation of the Handbook.

Consequences will be determined based on the seriousness of the violation and may not always follow in the listed order. The school has the right to discipline the students in accordance with the violation.

Possible consequences will include, but are not limited to:

• Classroom reminder/warning
• Phone call home to parent
• Working lunch
• T.O.A.S.T. – Time out after school today – After school detention
• Sent home for remainder of day
• Making amends for violation
• Confiscation of item
• Revocation of student privileges (i.e., participation in field trips, class trips, badge or team ceremonies)
• Conference with parent/guardian
• Suspension or expulsion

Commitment Hours and Volunteering

The GAP School is requiring each family to commit 4 hours per month towards participating in the overall success of our students, families, staff, and administration. Listed below are many examples of how families can complete their volunteer hours.

• at the school – cleaning, organizing, copying, correcting papers, etc.
• at an after-school function – organizing the event, preparing, helping, cleaning-up
• or at an acceptable community event – planning, chaperone, donations (i.e. water, snacks)
• authorized continuing educational resources – support groups, seminars, workshops

Each family should sign in at all school functions or when volunteering within the GAP School. For events that are held off-site, signed documentation by the facilitator of the event must be provided to receive credit for your commitment allocation.

All hours must be documented in order to receive credit for this commitment.