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It's that time again: a back-to-school guide to help parents and their children prepare for new school year.  Miami Herald 8/23/09

BY LEORA ARNOWITZ   larnowitz@MiamiHerald.com
 

New school shoes? Check. Pencils and notebooks? Check. Clean backpack? Check. Starting a new school year is all about paying attention to the little details as well as the big ones.

Whether you're concerned about getting the up-to-date info about school vaccines or the weekly lunch menu, it pays to do your homework early.

Check our back-to-school guide to help navigate the many issues that pop up inside and outside the classroom. REGISTRATION

If you're new to the district and aren't sure what school your child should attend or what documents you'll need to submit, check registration information at these sites:

• Miami-Dade: Find regulations at http://tinyurl.com/msvbqd.

• Broward: Access a registration checklist at http://tinyurl.com/nynuk2.

DRESS CODES

The kids want to show off their own style, but before they head out the door in a short skirt or baggy pants, get familiar with your school's dress code.

• Miami-Dade: Dress code regulations are listed at http://tinyurl.com/nv4puz.

• Broward: Visit www.browardschools.com, click the Code of Student Conduct and look for the dress code on pages 24-25.

BUS, CARPOOL

If your kids need a ride to school, they can hop on a bus or ride with a friend. Check out the websites below to get answers about transportation.

• Miami-Dade: Go to http://dot.dadeschools.net/ and click on Private Bus List on the left-hand side.

• Broward: Bus and carpool information can be found at http://www.pupiltrans.org; click on the Bus Terminals tab.

CELLPHONES

Trying to separate kids from their phones is a challenge, but they need to know the rules before texting their BFFs.

• Miami-Dade: Having a cellphone is not against the school code of conduct, but the phone should be turned off during the school day. For details, see http://tinyurl.com/ndjppq.

• Broward: Students are allowed to use cellphones only during noninstructional time at school. For more details, see the Code of Student Conduct at http://tinyurl.com/nojhe2; click on Code of Student Conduct on Page 1.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Getting up and out every day gets tiresome, but there are only a certain number of days kids can miss. To see the attendance rules, go to:

• Miami-Dade: http://tinyurl.com/knf8fz.

• Broward: http://tinyurl.com/nf8y4g.

LUNCH MENU

Go to the online school lunch menus to see what's cooking.

• Miami-Dade: Check http://tinyurl.com/lzclde.

• Broward: Go to http://tinyurl.com/nwjfhp; individual high schools also might carry different items.

TEST INFO:

FCAT:

Teachers will be preparing students for the FCAT for months, but mark your calendar so you'll be prepared. You've probably heard it before, but make sure the kids get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast before they take a test.

• Grades 4, 8 and 10: Feb. 9-11, 2010 FCAT Writing and Assessment.

• Grades 5, 8, and 11: March 9-19, 2010 FCAT Science.

• Grades 3-10: March 9-19, 2010 FCAT Reading and Mathematics.

PSAT:

The PSAT is Oct. 14.

• Grade 10 and optional for Grade 11.

SATs:

There are plenty of dates to take the SAT, but teens need to register on time.

• Test dates: Oct. 10, Nov. 7, Dec. 5, Jan. 23, March 13, May 1, June 5.

• For more information, go to collegeboard.com.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT:

By taking college-level classes, students are ahead of the game. Now they just have to get credits from the AP exams.

• Test dates: May 4 to May 16.

• Morning tests begin at 8 a.m.

• Afternoon tests begin at noon.

• For more information about AP tests, go to collegeboard.com.

BEFORE, AFTER SCHOOL

There are lots of alternatives, depending on your interests -- for school options, go to these websites:

• Miami-Dade: Several organizations in Miami-Dade County offer before- and after-school care: http://sacc.dadeschools.net/.

• Broward: For before- and after-school care: http://tinyurl.com/lswg2w.

VACCINES

Miami-Dade: For a list of the required school immunizations, go to http://tinyurl.com/nnyxb9.

To qualify for free vaccines, call 786-845-0550.

Broward: For information about required school vaccinations, go to http://tinyurl.com/nuh3o2.

MEDICINE

Miami-Dade: A physician's treatment plan and a consent form signed by the parent or guardian must be filed with your child's school in order for school personnel to administer prescribed medication to a student. For more details, go to http://tinyurl.com/m6z2zh.

TUTORING

• Miami-Dade: No Child Left Behind Supplemental Educational Services offers free tutoring for your child. To find out more, go to http://tinyurl.com/lau57q.

• Broward: No Child Left Behind Supplemental Educational Services offers free tutoring for your child. To find out whether your child's school qualifies for the tutoring program, contact the school or the school district.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

There are many ways to get involved in the school, whether you volunteer for the book fair or fight budget cuts. These organizations give you a chance to lend a hand and make a difference in your child's education.

• Miami-Dade: Check with the parental involvement office at http://parents.dadeschools.net/.

• Broward: Parents can get involved in organizations like the PTA, PTO, District Advisory Council and much more: http://tinyurl.com/ny5kf3.

TIP LINE

If you or your child see something of concern, don't hesitate to report it. You can e-mail, call and even text in a tip to the right officials.

• Miami-Dade: The Miami-Dade school police department can be reached at 305-757-7708 or by e-mail at Schoolpolice@dadeschools.net

• Broward: Students and parents can e-mail anonymous tips to school911@browardschools.com. The emergency hot line is 754-321-0911. Tips also can be sent in by text message to CRIMES (274637). To send a tip by text message, write SBBC followed by the tip.

HURRICANE POLICY

• Miami-Dade and Broward: School cancellations vary based on the severity of the storm. To find out about school on a hurricane day, call individual schools or district offices. Cancellations are also broadcast on local radio and television.

MIAMI-DADE NUMBERS

Administration:

• Superintendent Alberto Carvalho: 305-995-1430.

• Carmen Marinelli (Region I): 305-687-6565.

Jose L. Dotres (Region II): 305-523-0901.

• Essie S. Pace (Region III): 305-883-0403.

• Janet Hupp (Region IV): 305-595-7022.

• Valtena Brown (Region V): 305-258-7100.

School Board (305-995-1334)    -   Miami-Dade Schools

• Chairman Solomon C. Stinson.

• Vice Chairman Marta Pιrez (District 8)

• Agustin J. Barrera (District 6)

• Renier Diaz de la Portilla (District 5)

• Lawrence S. Feldman (District 9)

• Perla Tabares Hantman (District 4)

• Wilbert ``Tee'' Holloway (District 1)

• Martin Karp (District 3)

• Ana Rivas Logan (District 7)