Parent and Student Handbook - Ada Merritt K-8 Center - Miami ...

- 26 -• Please do not open the side entrances of the school when someone is knocking from theoutside as this poses unnecessary safety risk. This bullet was a recommendation fromthe Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Safety Committee. Please make every effort touse the main entrances, which have school staff present.• A School Patrol Program will be implemented for fifth through eighth grade students.These student patrols will be available at arrival and dismissal to assist with schoolsafety procedures. Parents your support of our school patrols will be appreciated.• If you request any changes in your child’s dismissal, pick-up information, authorizedpersonnel, etc. please ensure you send a note with your child to the teacher clearlyidentifying your request and specify the dates. If an emergency occurs, as to where youhave to call the school to request a change in dismissal, it will be required that you faxyour request to (305) 326-0927 and attach a copy of your Driver’s License.• Arrival Procedures: Students in Building Two (2) will wait for their teachers sitting downoutside of their classroom until 8:20 a.m. at which time the teachers will open their doorsfor the students to enter the classroom. Students in Building One (1) will wait for theirteachers at their designated table in the cafeteria. Once the teachers pick-up theirstudents from the cafeteria the teachers will escort and supervise the students to theappropriate classroom.• Dismissal Procedures for Students: The security monitor(s), assigned teachers, andadministrator(s) will supervise students in the pick-up areas of the “walkers” area locatedby the northern gate between building one and building two; and in the “parent pickup”area located by the southern gate at the circular driveway. Parents will wait on theoutside of the building and the large pull-down gate will be lifted to dismiss students.Assigned teachers will supervise students who go to the “walkers” area or “parent pickup”.Students will stand with their assigned teacher until picked up by parents. Anystudent not picked up by 2:15 p.m. (Kindergarten – first grade) and 3:15 p.m. (second –eight grade) will be taken to the After School Care Office, located in Room 104. A fee of$10.00 will be assessed for any student picked up fifteen minutes after dismissal timeaccordingly, 2:15 p.m. or 3:15 p.m.Code Red / Code YellowIn the event of an emergency, the primary responsibility of all school personnel is to provide forthe safety of all students. In the event a school administrator announces a possible threat tostudents and staff exists within the community (Code Yellow), or an imminent threat to studentsand staff safety exists within the school (Code Red), the students will comply with all theprocedures outlined in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Critical Incident Response Planand remain on Lock Down until a school administrator makes an “All Clear” announcement.Closing of SchoolThe emergency closing of a school for any cause, such as weather or in which the safety ofindividuals may be endangered, may be at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools.Fire DrillsTen fire drills will take place according to the Miami-Dade County Public School Policy andEmergency Procedures. At the sound of the emergency bell, students must stop what they aredoing and follow the teacher’s instructions. Promptly clear the building by the prescribed route.Any student who is in the hallway or the restroom at the sound of the emergency bell mustproceed to the nearest exit and locate a teacher. Students, teachers, and staff must remainoutside the building until permission is given to re-enter.The purpose of a fire drill is to train students to evacuate the school efficiently so that in a realemergency, students will react automatically without wasting time in panic or confusion. Treatfire drills seriously and be prepared.