MCA Academy

Students whose personal attire or grooming does not meet the expectations and requirements previously described, shall be required to make the necessary alterations to such attire or grooming before entering the classroom or be sent home by the principal to be properly prepared for school. Students whose personal attire or grooming repeatedly fails to meet the minimum acceptable standards as determined by the principal and as specified in this rule shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures including suspension.

It is the policy of MCA Academy that all of its students and school employees have an educational setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying of any kind. MCA Academy will not tolerate bullying and harassment of any type. Conduct that constitutes bullying and harassment, as defined by the Florida Department of Education Model Policy Against Bullying and Harassment, is prohibited. Concluding whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy requires a determination based on all of the facts and surrounding circumstances. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for students who commit acts of bullying or harassment may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion.

Students may use electronic devices before and after school hours. Students are solely responsible for their electronics. During school hours all electronic devices must be turned in upon arrival and retrieved at dismissal. High school students who leave campus for recess and lunch are allowed to take their electronics when they leave and use them outside the building only. High school students must resubmit their electronics upon reentering the building. Any electronics not turned in and/or being used in the building will be confiscated and returned only when a parent comes in for a conference. If a student needs to use the telephone for any reason, they must obtain permission from their teacher.

Middle and high school students are required to bring their own laptops and flash drives, and use them solely for educational purposes under teacher supervision during school hours. Use of electronics during the school day for non-educational purposes, including but not limited to surfing the Internet, watching videos, emailing, texting, or chatting, is subject to appropriate disciplinary measures including suspension or expulsion.

We maintain a smoke and drug free environment. The possession or use of any tobacco product, including smokeless tobacco, is prohibited. The possession or use of illicit drugs, any medication or substance for any purpose other than that for which it is intended, or alcohol is prohibited. Use or possession by students of tobacco, illegal drugs, alcohol, or any other mood-altering substances during the school day, on field trips, or any special events, shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures including suspension or immediate expulsion.

Every student is provided an agenda on the first day of school. The agenda provides a means of daily communication between the school and home. Students are required to have their agenda each day and place it on their desk open to the current day’s page during each class. Parents are to sign the agenda every Friday as part of their child’s homework assignment for the weekend. If a child misplaces their agenda, parents must purchase another one from the school.

Weekly progress emails are provided the last day of the week with the exception of the week prior to parent/teacher conference days. Questions or concerns regarding the progress reported on any given subject are to be addressed with the respective classroom teacher directly.

Should it be necessary to close MCA Academy because of weather or other emergencies, MCA Academy will follow the decisions of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and an email message will be sent home.

If a Hurricane Warning is issued (meaning that a hurricane will strike within 24 hours), MCA Academy will be closed in order to prepare for the storm.

It is required that students be immunized before attending MCA Academy. Every student must have a Physical Exam Form 3040 and Florida HRS Form 680 Part A on file according to the vaccination schedule for Miami-Dade County before or on the first day of school.

• A child with a fever of 100 degrees or above must stay at home. A child developing a fever of 100 degrees or above during school hours, will be sent home.
• A child may return to school after they have been free from fever for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Motrin or any other antipyretics.
• A child who has vomited within the last 24 hours must stay at home. A child who becomes sick and vomits during school hours will be sent home.
• A child with uncontrollable diarrhea (3-4 stools per hour) must stay at home.
• A child diagnosed with Strep Throat must have been treated with antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.
• A child diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) must have medication for 24 hours before returning to school. Children with viral conjunctivitis must have a doctor’s release/report before returning to school.

In order for a child diagnosed with chickenpox to return to school, the lesions must be crusted over, fading and or disappearing 24 hours prior to return to school. The child must be free of fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medication.

A child with head lice must have been treated with a medicated shampoo and be clear at a check at MCA before returning to class.

Students are not allowed to possess medication of any kind or take medication on their own. If a child must take non-prescription medication and/or has been prescribed medication, which must be administered at MCA, MCA must be notified in writing. In the case of prescription medications, a physician’s note must be submitted to MCA and the original medication container is required.

AM workroom will take the place of AM recess for students who do not use class time properly, fail to follow directions or expectations, or fall behind benchmarks. Students will use this additional work time to catch up on assignments or to complete a Think Sheet and apology letter(s) for their actions. Students assigned to workroom must report to the workroom with their assignment(s) and snack by 10:05 and work silently until dismissed by the workroom teacher at the end of recess, even if all work is completed prior to said time. Any student arriving to the workroom after 10:05, failing to focus on their work, or disrupting the workroom will be assigned workroom the following day. AM workroom begins on Monday, August 25th.

Students who fall behind benchmarks for more than one week must remain after school for detention until successfully caught up. Students who fall further behind benchmarks, will be placed on academic probation. In order to avoid expulsion, the stipulations of the probation must be met.

Students who stay afterschool for tutoring and/or MCA after school classes must wait in Spartan Hall for the afterschool teacher to collect them.

MCA Academy does not provide afterschool care. Parents and the afterschool teacher are solely responsible for communicating and supervising the child before and after every afterschool class or tutoring session.