Miami-Dade County Public Schools

6856 SW 53 St
Miami, FL 33155

Main Telephone Number
305-666-5871

Main Fax Number
305-666-635

Mission Statement

Preparing our students to succeed in tomorrow's global community

Alma Matter

Our hope and pride,

a school we’ll always stand beside.

Through passing years,

through changes, challenges,

pleasures and tears.

As one and all,

a mighty spirit standing tall.

We will cherish, honor,

and be true to

South Miami High!

School Colors

Orange and Brown

Mascot

The Cobra

Newspaper

The Serpent’s Tale

Yearbook

DeCapello

Website

http://smsh.dadeschools.net

Feeder Pattern Schools

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

Coral Terrace Elementary

Emerson Elementary

David Fairchild Elementary..

Flagami Elementary

South Miami K-8 Center

Sylvania Heights Elementary

2008-2009 Calendar

Important Dates - Tentative

Interim Report Distribution	Report Card Distribution
September 17, 2008	November 10, 2008
November 26, 2008	February 2, 2009
February 18, 2009	April 15, 2009
May 6, 2009	June 18, 2009

Testing Calendar

The calendar will be updated periodically at the district’s website as additional information is obtained about the district, state, national, and international tests administered to the students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2008-09 TESTING CALENDAR, GRADES K-12 Updated: June 20, 2008
DATE	DESCRIPTION	ABBREVIATION	PARTICIPANTS	REASON FOR TEST
July 28-29	Alternative Assessment for Grade 3 Promotion	AAGTP	Grade 3, retained only	State
August 18- September 29	Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener Early Childhood Observation System Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills Indicadores Dinámicos del Exito en la Lectura	FLKRS ECHOS DIBELS IDEL	Kindergarten	State
TBA	Preliminary ACT Test	PLAN	Grade 10, optional	Nationally Offered
September 3-9	Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test SSS Computer Accommodations Pilot	FCAT SSS	Grades 6 & 9, selected schools and students	State
September 15-September 26	Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills	DIBELS	Grades 1-3; Grades 4 & 5*	State and District
September 15-September 26	Florida Oral Reading Fluency Assessment	FORF	Grades 6-12*	State
September 29-May 8	Florida College Entry-level Placement Test	FCELPT CPT	Grades 10-12, optional	State
October 6-13	Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Retake Reading and Mathematics	FCAT	Grades 10-12, as needed	State
October 15	College Board Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test	PSAT/NMSQT	Grade 10	State
October 15		PSAT/NMSQT	Grade 11, optional	Nationally Offered
October 20-31	Florida Alternate Assessment Science Field Test	FAA	Grades 5, 8, & 11***	State
November 17	Grade 3 Mid-Year Promotion	GTMYP	Grade 3, retained only	State
December 2-3	FCAT Writing+ Field Test	FCAT Writing+	Grades 4, 8, & 10, selected schools	State
December 3-9	Florida Competency Examination on Personal Fitness	FCEPF	Grades 9-11, optional	State
January 13- February 27	Florida Alternate Assessment	FAA	Grades 3-11***	State
January 20-May 8	Grade 3 Reading Student Portfolio	GTRSP	Grade 3	State
January 23-February 5	Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills	DIBELS	Grades K-3; Grades 4 & 5*	State and District
January 23-February 5	Florida Oral Reading Fluency Assessment	FORF	Grades 6-12*	State
January 26- March 4	National Assessment of Educational Progress/Trial Urban District Assessment	NAEP/TUDA	Selected schools, Grades 4, 8, & 12	Federal
February 10-13	Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Writing+	FCAT Writing+	Grades 4, 8, & 10	State
March 10-23	Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Sunshine State Standards Reading and Mathematics	FCAT - SSS	Grades 3-10	Federal and State
	Science	FCAT - Science	Grades 5, 8, 11	State
	Retake	FCAT-Retake	Grades 10-12,** as needed	State
	Norm-Referenced Test (NRT) **** Reading & Mathematics	FCAT-NRT	Grades 3-10	State
March 10-23	Stanford Achievement Test, Tenth Edition Reading and Mathematics Reading	SAT-10	Grade 2 Grade 1, Reading First schools only	District and State State
April 20- May 22 (Tentative)	Comprehensive English Language Learning Assessment	CELLA	Grades K-12, all current ELLs and selected former ELLs	Federal and State
April 29- May 19	Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test	PPVT	Grades K-3, Reading First schools only	State
April 29- May 19	Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills	DIBELS	Grades K-3; Grades 4 & 5*	State
April 29- May 19	Florida Oral Reading Fluency Assessment	FORF	Grades 6-12*	State
May 4-8	Florida Competency Examination on Personal Fitness	FCEPF	Grades 9-11, optional	State
May 4-15	Advanced Placement Examinations	AP	Grades 9-12, enrolled, registered only	Nationally Offered
May 4-22	International Baccalaureate External Written Examinations	IB	Grades 11-12, enrolled only	Internationally Offered
June 22-26	Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Retake Reading and Mathematics	FCAT-Retake	Grade 12, as needed	State
June 22-26	High School Competency Test Communications and Mathematics	HSCT	Eligible students	State
DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS FOR PROGRESS REPORTING
DATE	DESCRIPTION		ABBREVIATION	PARTICIPANTS
August 18 –29	Baseline Benchmark Assessments Reading, Mathematics, and Science		BBA	Grades 3-11
August 25-September 5	District Writing Pre-Test		DWT	Grades 1-10
October 20 –31 December 15-19 or January 5-9 April 20-May 1 (Optional)	Interim Assessment Tests Reading, Mathematics, and Science		IA	Grades 3-11
April 13-24	District Writing Post-Test		DWT	Grades 1-10
Note: Fall and Mid-year administrations of the Interim Assessment and Pre/Post administrations of the District Writing Test are mandated for schools required to submit State progress reports. They may be administered by other schools for instructional purposes, progress reporting, or as a measure for their School Improvement Plans.
TESTS GIVEN ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS
DESCRIPTION		ABBREVIATION	PARTICIPANTS	REASON FOR TEST
Aprenda La Prueba de los Logros en Español Segunda Edición Placement and/or exit decision for Gifted Program Spanish-speaking LEP students		APRENDA	Grades K-12, eligible ELLs	State
Diagnostic Assessment of Reading Administered as needed for instructional decisions		DAR	Grades K-12, As selected	State
Metropolitan Achievement Test Placement and/or decisions for ESOL Program		MAT	Grades 4-12, As eligible	Federal and State
Oral Language Proficiency Scale Placement and/or decisions for ESOL Program		OLPS-R	Grades K-12, ELLs	Federal and State
Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition Placement and/or decisions for Gifted Program		SAT-9	Grades K-12, As selected	State
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS NATIONALLY OFFERED FOR INTERESTED, REGISTERED STUDENTS
SAT Reasong and SAT Subject Tests			ACT Test
October 4, 2008			September 13, 2008
November 1, 2008			October 25, 2008
December 6, 2008			December 13, 2008
January 24, 2009			February 7, 2009
March 14,2009 (Sat Reasong Only)			April 4, 2009
May 2, 2009			June 13, 2009
June 6, 2009

* Only includes students in FCAT Reading Levels 1 and 2 at these grade levels.
** Students who need to pass one or more sections of the test. Grade 10 retained students only participate in Spring administration.
*** Only includes ESE students exempted from standardized testing at these grade levels.
**** If FCAT NRT is eliminated, a district-wide NRT may be administered at selected grade levels.

Activities

Clubs

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ students may participate in a wide variety of activities, including student council, subject-area clubs, honor societies, service clubs, school publications and class activities. School-sponsored clubs may be curriculum-related or noncurriculum-related.

Curriculum-related clubs are student groups whose goals are an extension of the activities and objectives in a particular subject area within the school's curriculum. Conversely, noncurriculum-related clubs are student groups whose goals are special interest oriented and not directly related to the curriculum. Meetings of noncurriculum-related clubs may be scheduled only at times when instruction is not taking place, either before or after school.

Non-School Sponsored Clubs

The State of Florida prohibits the participation of public school students in Fraternities or Sororities, or any other secret society whose active membership is comprised wholly or partly by public school students and its members are selected based on the decision of its members, and not on the rules of the school.

Fieldtrips and Special Activities

The Student Activities Office is responsible for coordinating fieldtrips and activities pertaining to clubs and classes. Participation in fieldtrips requires that the student present a fieldtrip form signed by the parent/guardian to his/her teacher(s) in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to make up the work missed while on a fieldtrip. In addition, at times vendors who have a “no refund” policy will require schools to pay the full amount of the fieldtrip prior to the event. In this case, students/parents will be notified in advance of the vendor’s “no refund” policy.

Senior Activities (Customize)

Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) must read and sign the Miami-Dade county Public Schools Contract for Student Participation in Interscholastic Competitions or Performances (FM-7155) (08-07).

Fundraisers – Board Rule 6Gx13- 5C-1.07

Sale of magazines is only permitted by students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Solicitations are permitted in homes only if a student is accompanied by an adult. Fundraising activities in each school are limited to two weeks, and promotional activities must be kept within reasonable bounds and competition.

Athletics

Eligibility/Student Contracts

Any student interested in participating in interscholastic sports must purchase school insurance prior to participation at any level. Additional information on the school’s athletic programs may be obtained from the Athletic Director.

A student is eligible to participate in interscholastic sports if he/she:

· undergoes a physical evaluation no earlier than April 1

· presents an original birth certificate

· has a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 unweighted scale

· is in ninth grade and was regularly promoted from the eighth grade the immediate preceding year

· adheres to the principles of good sportsmanship and the ethics of competition at all times

Students may be declared ineligible:

· By the principal due to lack of attendance, improper conduct, or other valid reasons

· After four (4) consecutive academic years from the date he or she first enrolls in the ninth (9th) grade

· Upon reaching the age of 19 years 9 months

Attendance Policy – Board Rule 6Gx13- 5A-1.041

Student attendance is a means of improving student performance and critical in raising student achievement. Together, the staff of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, students, parents and the community must make every effort to lessen the loss of instructional time to students. In order to accomplish this goal, on April 18, 2007, the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida approved a new Student Attendance Board Rule, which is stated below.

The Attendance Review Committee

The Attendance Review Committee is comprised of a minimum of a student services representative and an administrator or administrative designee and will provide guidance and support to students with significant absences. They are expected to:

1. Provide early intervention by convening when students reach an accumulation of five (5) unexcused absences in a semester or ten (10) unexcused absences in an annual course.

2. Convene a minimum of six (6) designated times per year.

3. Give consideration to all extenuating circumstances surrounding student absences. The Attendance Review Committee is charged with the responsibility of prescribing activities designed to mitigate the loss of instructional time and has the authority to recommend the following:

a. Issuing of quarterly, semester or final grades.

b. Temporary withholding of quarterly, semester or final grades. The following are among possible options:

(1) Make-up assignments

(2) Attendance probation for the following grading period(s)

(3) Completion of a school service project

c. Permanent withholding of quarterly, semester or final grades and credit. The student is to be informed of his/her right of final appeal to the regional superintendent or designee.

4. Review attendance history for student(s) exhibiting patterns of excused and/or unexcused absences and provide appropriate referrals and counseling support.

Excused School and Class Absences and Tardies

1. Student illness: Students missing 5 or more consecutive days of school due to illness or injury are required to provide a written statement from a health care provider. The written statement must include all days the student has been absent from school. If a student is continually sick and repeatedly absent from school due to a specific medical condition, he or she must be under the supervision of a health care provider in order to receive excused absences from school.

2. Medical appointment: If a student is absent from school due to a medical appointment, a written statement from a health care provider indicating the date and time of the appointment, must be submitted to the principal.

3. Death in family

4. Observance of a religious holiday or service when it is mandated for all members of a faith that such a holiday or service be observed.

5. School-sponsored event or educational enrichment activity that is not a school-sponsored event, as determined and approved by the principal or principal’s designee: The student must receive advance written permission from the principal or the principal’s designee. Examples of special events include: public functions, conferences, and regional, state and national competitions.

6. Subpoena by law enforcement agency or mandatory court appearance.

7. Outdoor suspensions

8. Other individual student absences beyond the control of the parent/guardian or student, as determined and approved by the principal or the principal's designee. The principal shall require documentation related to the condition.

Unexcused School Absence

Any absence that does not fall into one of the above excused absence categories is to be considered unexcused. Any student who has been absent from school will be marked unexcused absent until he/she submits required documentation as specified above. Failure to provide required documentation within three school days upon the return to school will result in an unexcused absence. Unexcused absences include:

1. Absences due to vacations, personal services, local non-school event, program or sporting activity

2. Absences due to older students providing day care services for siblings

3. Absences due to illness of others

4. Absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements (unless lawfully exempted)

Arrival/Dismissal

2007-2008 BELL SCHEDULE

Late Bell 7:30 AM
Period 1 7:30 AM –8:29 AM
Period 2 8:35 AM –9:34 AM
Period 3 9:40 AM –10:39 AM
Period 4

1st Lunch
(Class:11:20-12:19)
2nd Lunch
(Class:10:45-11:44)

Period 5 12:25 PM –1:24 PM
Period 6 1:30 PM –2:30 PM

NOTE: 1ST LUNCH: New Building 1st Floor in Main Building
2nd LUNCH: 2nd Floor of Main Building and Portables

Pep rallies will take place during 5th period.

Early release day and parent conference day schedules will be provided on the Monday prior to each early release or parent conference day.

Students who are tardy to school must report to the Attendance O