Mission

 We believe through the arts and sciences our school will create an atmosphere in which all students will be intrinsically motivated.

Low child to teacher ratio, family contracts and community interaction facilitates the students’ ability to construct their own knowledge.

We maintain high expectations for all students to grow academically, physically, emotionally, and socially in order to continue their growth as citizens and their love of Manatee County

Discipline: 

Manatee School of Arts and Sciences, Inc. implements the “ Essential 55” by Ron Clark as the internal classroom discipline policy. A copy of the book is available at the public library. A student code of conduct for Manatee School of Arts and Sciences, Inc. (student contract) can be found in the school office. Please note discipline referrals that are written requiring a student to be sent to the school office should be strictly for illegal use, possession or sale of controlled substances, possession of a firearm, knife, weapon, or an item which maybe used as a weapon by any student while the student is on school property or in attendance at school functions, violence against any school personnel or another student, sexual harassment, vandalism, theft, and misuse of school property. This list may be expanded in the development of the school’s discipline policy.

The school agrees to maintain a safe learning environment at all times. The school shall be guided by “Florida state law and the Sponsor”(School Board of Manatee County) policies in the development of the School’s disciplinary policies.

Any of the following student behaviors are grounds for disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal of the student by the school:

  1. The illegal use, possession or sale of controlled substances, as defined in chapter 893, Florida Statutes, or possession of electronic pagers, by any student while the student is upon school property or in attendance at a school function.
  2. The possession of a firearm, knife, a weapon. Or an item which may be used as a weapon by any student while the student is on school property or in attendance at a school function.
  3. Violence against any school personnel or another student.
  4. Sexual harassment.
  5. Vandalism e.g. theft, defacing, or misuse of school property.

Manatee School of Arts and Sciences, Inc. may expand this list in the development of the school’s disciplinary policy. Please see Manatee School of Arts and Sciences, Inc. Student Code of Conduct)

Manatee School of Arts and Sciences, Inc. agrees to comply with the Federal Gun Free Schools Act of 1994 and any other applicable state and/or federal law pertaining to the health, safety, and welfare of students.

Corporal Punishment
Corporal Punishment shall not be administered in the Manatee School of Arts and Sciences. Any failure to comply with this policy shall be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Attendance       
Students are required to be present every school day unless a situation exists which makes their absence absolutely necessary. Each parent and legal guardian of a child within compulsory attendance age is responsible for the child's school attendance as required by law. Section 1003.24 F.S.

A. Attendance RecordingA student, who is not actually present in school or in a class, whether excused or unexcused, shall be counted as absent from school. If it should become necessary for a student to sign out of school for the day, it must be for one of the reasons listed under Excused Absence(s). A student will be marked absent if he or she is not in attendance at least one-half of the school day. If it is an abbreviated day, such as an early release day, the student will be marked absent if he or she is not in attendance one half of that day.

B. Excused Absences
Absence from school may be excused, by the principal or the principals designee, for the following reasons or as otherwise provided by law, when documentation is presented:
  1. an absence for religious instruction or for a religious holiday;
  2. an absence due to sickness, injury or other insurmountable condition;
  3. an absence due to participation in an academic class or program;
  4. a subpoena or a forced absence by any law enforcement agency;
  5. an appointment with a doctor or dentist; or
  6. a school board approved activity.
Students who are absent more than nine (9) days per semester must provide documentation from a physician to receive additional excused absences.

C. Parent Responsibilities
  1. Parents or guardians are to report and explain the cause of any absence to the school office personnel on or prior to the day your child will not be inattendance. Please notify the office before 10:00 am.
  2. If parents or guardians of a student within compulsory school attendance age are found to be responsible for the non-attendance of that student, criminal prosecution against the student’s parents/guardians may be instituted provided in Section 1003.27, F.S.

D. Excessive Absence

  1. After 1 and prior to 4 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days. one or more meetings must have been held, either in person or by phone, between adesignated school representative, the student’s parent or guardian and the student, if necessary to report and to attempt to solve the truancy problem.
  2. After 3 and prior to 6 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days, a designated school representative shall give written notice, in person or by return receipt mail, to the parent or guardian of the student.
  3. Students who are habitually truant (unexcused absences in 90 calendar days) from school will be referred to the judicial system as provided in Section1003.27, E.S.
  4.  If a student has prior knowledge of an absence, classroom and homework assignments must be turned in prior to the student’s absence. The onlyexception shall be when the student has made prior arrangements with his or her teacher to turn in the assignments or take the examination at a timespecified by the teacher.
  5. Following an absence, the student has the responsibility to contact his/her teacher on the day the student returns to school to obtain assignments givenduring his/her absence. Work assigned prior to the absence is due the day the student returns. Work assigned during the student’s absence is due within a period of time equal to the length (number of days) of the student’s absence.The time extended for makeup should not exceed two (2) weeks.

Tardiness Students are expected to arrive at school on time. Manatee School of Arts andSciences, Inc. begins its school day at 8:15 am. Students are to be in their class no later than 8:20 and any student who arrives late to school and is not in class by 8:20 is considered tardy and MUST check in at the front office to be marked present at school.

A. Excused Tardiness    Tardiness may be excused, by the principal or the principal’s designee, for the following reasons:

  1. late due to sickness, injury or other insurmountable condition;
  2. late due to participation in an academic class, program, or school board activity; 
  3. late due to subpoena or forced late by law enforcement agency;
  4. late due to doctor or dentist appointment, documentation to be presented.

B. Unexcused Tardiness  Habitual tardiness is unexcused. It is important for all students to arrive to school on time. Classroom instruction starts at 8:20 am. and students who come into school late may miss important information. Habitual tardiness could affect your child's progress.

Dress Code

All students attending Manatee School of Arts and Sciences. Inc. are required to wear the school uniform. The uniform for the Manatee School of Arts and Sciences, Inc. is a polo or t-shirt with the school logo with shorts, slacks or skirts (navy, cream, or jean material) and tennis shoes. Students may not wear extremely short shorts. Shorts should fall where your arm falls when held by your side. The shorts inseam should be at least 3 to 4 inches.

School shirts may be purchased by phone or online from:

DelMar Sportswear/Custom Creations
2270 Whitfield Park Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-758-2700
www.classroomcolors.com

Field Trips

Field trips are an integral part of our curriculum. These field trips may take many forms. Your child may walk from school to a place in the community, or the entire school may take a field trip on chartered busses. Some field trips will require parental chaperoning for each child as well as transportation, while other field trips will require only a few parents and transportation will be provided.

Please remember that each field trip requires thorough preparation to insure safety. Whenever these trips are planned, your child will be asked to assume responsibility for bringing home a note that informs you of the trip. If for any reason you do not wish your child to participate in these programs, please send a note to the teacher and other arrangements will be made for your child.

It is the responsibility of the parent and child to return the permission slip and any money due by the deadline or he/she will not be able to participate. There will be no refunds.

Volunteers

All volunteers working on school property must be fingerprinted at your own expense at the Sheriffs Department of Manatee County. Payment must be in the form of a money order or credit card (Mastercard or Visa). Volunteers will not be allowed on school property without proof of fingerprinting. All volunteers must provide proof of a negative TB test valid within two years prior to working on the school property.

Telephone School Telephone

Students will be called from class to the phone in the event of an emergency. Students will not be allowed to use the phone to ask permission to ride the bus, play with other children after school or to have articles brought to school.

When you call and wish to speak to a teacher, it is possible the teacher may be involved in a conference or be in class and not able to take your call. Office personnel will take a message and the teacher will return your call as soon as it is convenient.

Emergency Telephone Number 

Your telephone number, work number, pager, and cell phone number as well as an emergency contact are very important to us. Please notify the school immediately it your number or emergency number has changed. In case of an emergency this will help us to reach you as quickly as possible.


Health and Safety ClinicManatee School of Arts and Sciences, Inc. does not provide a school clinic. If your child becomes ill during the day he/she will be sent to the school office. The following procedures will be followed:

  1. Student will be asked to explain what is wrong.
  2. The student’s temperature will be taken.
  3. If the child has a temperature above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit the parent or guardian will be notified and asked to pick up the student.
  4. If the child has a normal temperature he/she will remain in the office to rest for a period of 5 to 15 minutes.
  5. If the child is vomiting, the parent or guardian will be called and asked to pick up the student.
  6. If the child has a rash of any kind, the parent or guardian will be called and asked to pick up the student.
  7. If the child comes to the office with a hump, bruise, bloody nose, bug bite etc. ice will be applied.
  8. If a child has fallen and hit their head or face, the parent or guardian will be notified immediately after ice has been applied.
  9. If an emergency occurs, where school personnel determine 911 is needed, they will call 911 first and then call the parent or guardian.

The first day of school and the first day of every month following, as well as after a school break, children will have a lice head cheek. Manatee County has a no nit policy and our school follows that policy.

Allergies  Please notify your teacher and the school office of any allergies your student may have.

Medication  By law, the school is only able to dispense medication that has been prescribed by a physician. The medication must be kept locked in the office and parents must fill out an

Authorization for Medication Form. Any over the counter medication such as cough medication, throat lozenges, aspirin, etc. are not allowed with the students. Please do not ask your children to carry medication to school.

Arrival/Dismissal/Early Release/Rainy Days ARRIVAL

  1. All students should arrive at school between 8:00 and 8:15 AM. (the school doors will be locked until 8:00 every morning and there will be no one to supervise your child until that time.)
  2. Parents or guardians should go through the drop off line and let children out of their vehicles. Please let your children out of the car on the passenger side.

DISMISSAL

  1. All students should be picked up at their child’s learning community pickup time.- Primary Learning Community (PLC) 2:35- Intermediate Learning Community (ILC) 2:40- Upper Learning Community (ULC)2:45
  2. The school doors will be locked at 3:00 PM.
  3. Parents or guardians should pick up their child in the pickup car line located at the front of the school.
  4. Your child’s home base teacher will dismiss your student. No child will be dismissed to anyone not listed on your alternate transportation form.

EARLY RELEASE   Any parent or guardian picking up a student prior to dismissal should send a note indicating the reason. Students will wait in the classroom until the parent or guardian arrives and signs the student out of school. Please do not request that your child be dismissed early unless it is an unavoidable emergency. Each request for early dismissal disrupts your child’s education.

RAINY DAYS  If it is raining at arrival or dismissal time a car line procedure will be formed at the front entrance of the school. Please be patient, as escorting each child to their car will take some time. For safety reasons, if there is wind staff will not use umbrellas when escorting your child to their automobile. In the event of lightening, dismissal will be held until the lightning passes. Please be patient and remain in your car.

Lost and Found   All items left at school will he placed in the lost and found. At the end of every month items still left in lost and found will be donated to a charity.

School Supplies  At the beginning of the school year your child’s teacher will send home a list of consumable supplies your child will need to study and learn at school. Please provide your child with those materials.From time to time your child will bring home a list of supplies needed for an upcoming project or for their classroom. Please support your school program by providing additional materials needed.For the safety and security of the students at Manatee School of Arts and Sciences, Inc. backpacks are prohibited.

Textbooks  Textbooks will be provided to your child, as they are needed. Parents are responsible for all textbooks loaned to students. Lost or damaged textbooks must be paid for, by the parent, at the cost to the school for replacement.