Required Tutorial for Parent Portal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

For the 24-25 Instructional Year, we have created a Parent Portal. This is the only way to communicate with our staff so that we can focus on creating the best educational experience for your child. This tutorial will assist you in navigating our system so that you can get your questions answered and feel heard. This is a mandatory tutorial. Thank you!

Student Name *

First NameLast Name

If you have other students attending Ocala Preparatory Academy, please list their names here:

Parent/Guardian Name *

First NameLast Name

Email*

example@example.com

As the parent/guardian for the above listed student, I understand that the STUDENT INQUIRY form is for the following inquiries ONLY: General Question or Inquiry, Request for Parent/Teacher Conference, Financial Inquiry (SUFS Scholarship question or inquiry, Parent Participation, etc), Add Authorized Pick up Person, Update phone number, address, email, Upload documents (requested by our staff or documents you would like reviewed), Update Allergy Information, Update Medical Information. Please initial below that you understand you are required to complete a Student Inquiry form to contact our staff.*

As the parent/guardian for the above listed student, I understand that the ABSENCE/TARDY Reporting Form the only way to report absences and tardies. I will read the ABSENCE/TARDY Reporting Form and the policies pertaining to absences and tardies. We will not accept phone calls or emails regarding absences or tardies. No exceptions. Please initial below that you understand this and will follow our Absence/Tardy Policy as found in our Parent/Student Handbook. *

As the parent/guardian for the above listed student, I understand that the CREDIT AUTHORIZATION form is generally completed during the month of May or June annually (or whenever a new student enrolls). This form should only be completed again if you need to change the credit card on file with us. Please initial below that you understand this and will complete the card card authorization form annually or as needed. *

As the parent/guardian for the above listed student, I understand that the DONATION form is used to donate for parties, staff appreciation, etc. Please initial below that you understand this. *

As the parent/guardian for the above listed student, I understand that the Ocala Preparatory Academy Instructional Calendar is available at all times on the Parent Portal and this will be the most updated copy available. I furthermore understand that Ocala Preparatory Academy does not follow the Marion County Public Schools calendar and my child is expected at school during days listed on the Ocala Preparatory Academy instructional calendar. Please initial below that you understand and will abide by this. *

As the parent/guardian for the above listed student, I understand that the MEDICATION DISPENSING FORM must be completed prior to dispensing medication and that we must have any prescribed medication in the original bottle or box with my child's name on it and must not be expired. OTC medications or supplements do not need a prescription unless federal or state law requires it. Please initial below that you understand this. *

As the parent/guardian for the above listed student, I understand that the PAYMENT FORM (you enter your own amount) can be used in lieu of waiting for a bill to be sent if you want to pay a bill right away (our staff at times uses this form if other forms are not working.Please initial below that you understand this. *

As the parent/guardian for the above listed student, I understand that the PAYMENTS Form (out of uniform, uniform order form, supply fee, registration fee) is a form that can be used to make payments for the items listed only. Of special note, you must pay IN ADVANCE for out of uniform Fridays for the 24-25 Instructional Year. If you do not pay in advance, and your child shows up out of uniform on Friday, you will be billed for the entire quarter-no exceptions. Please initial below that you understand this. *

As the parent/guardian for the above listed student, I understand that the AFTER FOLLOWING STEPS 1-4, COMPLETE THIS FORM is to be used only after following our Parent Concerns policy (as shown on the STUDENT INQUIRY form and in our Parent/Student Handbook). Please do not use this form unless you have exhausted all other options. Please initial below that you understand this. *

POLICY UPDATE (partial policy shown-see Parent/Student Handbook for full policy): We want to make sure that you understand to our dress code policy has been updated (you are responsible for reading the entire policy in our Parent/Student Handbook) as it pertains to your student regarding OUT OF UNIFORM FRIDAYS: Students have an option to be out of uniform on Fridays. Your student may wear his or her not ripped pants, shorts or skorts(not more than 5 inches above the knee) of choice, and a shirt that is not ripped or immodest (not showing cleavage, etc.), does not have foul language,emojis or signs, immoral or inappropriate pictures, excessive violence, etc. Please ask if you have questions regarding an appropriate Friday out of uniformattire. The following are now the only options for Out of Uniform Friday: Options for advance payment are as follows: Cash, check or credit card at the cost of $30 per quarter, $55 per semester or $95 for the entire instructional year. If you do not pay and your child shows up out of uniform, you will be charged with your ACH or credit card on file for the quarter. No exceptions. Please initial that you understand this.*

POLICY UPDATE (partial policy shown-see Parent/Student Handbook for full policy): Arrival Procedures: Promptness and consistency are very important in a student's life. All students should arrive no later than 8:44am, instruction starts promptly at 8:45am (after our morning prayer). Starting the 24-25 Instructional Year, we are no longer offering before care, due to lack of interest/minimum of 5 students not being met. Students should be dropped off at the front desk between 8:30am-8:45am.Special note: Our front desk does not open until 8:30am. This time is based on our reception area clock. Students are considered tardy at 8:46am and at that time, must be signed in. When you are dropping off your child, you must park your vehicle in our parking lot (not Globalwide Realty’s parking lot) or in the overflow parking area (the grassy area near Capstone Academy) you must bring your child to one of our staff members-no exceptions. Please do not block the road at any time or drop your child off and leave him/her to walk on their own-this is strictly prohibited. The road in front of our building is a right of way to other buildings, so we must not block it. Late arrival is extremely disruptive to the teachers and studentsin a class so please arrive on time. Additionally, your child will also miss out on instructional time if their class is Please initial that you understand this and will follow our Arrival Procedures.*

POLICY UPDATE (partial policy shown-see Parent/Student Handbook for full policy): Departure Procedures: At the end of the instructional day, pick up isat our front desk from 2:45pm-2:59pm forall classes. When you are picking up your child, you must park your vehicle in our parking lot (not Globalwide Realty’s parking lot) oruse the overflow parking area (the grassy area near Capstone Academy), no exceptions. If you need to sign your child out early, you must sign your child out before 2:30pm. Our phone lines are not picked up after 2:30pm. We reopen at our front desk at 2:45pm SOLELY for end of the day dismissal, we are not available for discussion at this time. If you have a concern, please complete a STUDENT INQUIRY FORM through our Parent Portal. We will not discuss student concerns at dismissal time. No exceptions. Your child must be picked up by 2:59pm rain or shine, no exceptions. Please make picking your child up from school on time a priority. Parents that pick up their child late habitually (on a regular basis) could jeopardize their child’s enrollment with us. Furthermore, if you “car pool” with another parent or your child is picked up by someone else, you are responsible for contacting the person picking up your child, not our staff. Please initial that you understand this and will follow our Departure Procedures.*

POLICY UPDATE (partial policy shown-see Parent/Student Handbook for full policy): Late Pick Up: At the end of the instructional day, late pick up is defined as 3:01pm for the purpose of late fees. This time is based off our clock, not yours. The late fee is $4.00 per minute-no exceptions (your card on file will be charged). Starting the 24-25 Instructional Year, we are no longer offering aftercare due to lack of interest/minimum of 5 students not being met. Please make picking your child up from school on time a priority.Parents that pick up their child late habitually (on a regular basis) could jeopardize their child’s enrollment with us. Furthermore,if you “car pool” with another parent or your child is picked up by someoneelse, you are responsible for contacting the person picking up your child, not our staff. Please initial that you understand this and will pick up your child on time-as we no longer will offer after care and will not contact another parent regarding picking up your child if you "car pool" with another parent. Please intial below that you understand our Lake Pick Up fees and your responsibilities regarding payment and pick up of your child. *

POLICY REMINDER (partial policy shown-see Parent/Student Handbook for full policy): Please immediately let us know if your child has received any LIVE VIRUS immunization or vaccine so that we can be protective of students or staff members that have medical conditions which may cause them to have issues. We kindly request that you make an appointment on a Friday, when possible, for your child to receive vaccines or immunizations. Your child will have their absence excused. Thank you for being respectful of this policy. (Of Special Note: We accept all vaccine exemptions & would be happy to assist you with information on this exemption. The State of FL does not require any student to receive vaccines & as a religious entity, we respect parents’ God given choice not to vaccine their child.) Please initial you understand and will alert us if your child has received a vaccine or immunization and do your best to make appointments on Friday if your child receives a live vaccine or immunization. *

New Policy: INCLUSION-ACADEMIC Our academic inclusion policy means that every enrolled student is given the opportunity to learn and grow alongside their peers in the least restrictive environment, whenever possible. From our inception, we have always considered ourselves a “Lab School”. What is a Lab School? “A Lab School is designed to test and develop new educational models and incubate new ideas. The concept is that we arecreating new schools that themselves are laboratories of innovation,” says Brian Greenberg, chief executive officer of the Silicon Schools Fund, anonprofit that funds lab schools. These schools “pilot new approaches to teaching, create new curriculum and work on increasing students’ autonomy andagency of their own education,” he says. Moving into the 24-25 Instructional Year, we have created a “lab classroom” to start the process of true inclusion, donethe right way. Once we have perfected this method in our lab classroom, our goal is to offer this opportunity to more classrooms in the 25-26 Instructional Year and moving forward. Our goal for our lab classroom is that students needing additional supports will be included with peers working on the same grade levelwith a paraprofessional to provide these supports. Our long-range goal is that students of all academic abilities will have the opportunity to participate in the least restrictive classroom, and be included in meaningful activities, and social events. Research has shown that inclusion not only benefits students with disabilities but also enhances the overall learning experience for all students by promoting empathy, understanding, and collaboration. By embracing students that need additional supports, (alongside those that are working on grade levelor are working above grade level), we are opening the door to endless possibilities, where your child can thrive and reach his/her full potential ina supportive environment. Please initial that you understand this new policy and embrace it wholeheartedly. *

POLICY REMINDER (partial policy shown-see Parent/Student Handbook for full policy):LUNCH/SNACKS/BEVERAGES POLICY All students are required to bring a healthy lunch (plus healthy snacks, if desired) provided from home. Please pack your student's lunch and snacks in an insulated lunch bag, as we do notrefrigerate items for students. Healthy lunches can be leftover homemade dinners, sandwiches, soup, salads, etc. Please ask if you have any questions. Fast food or sweet treats of any kind are not permitted. Students eat in classrooms or outside in our overed/shaded area. Microwaves are available for food to be re-heated (not cooked). Our staff will assist in heating up food for our K-3rd grade students, and all other students will have access to microwaves to heat their food. Glassware is permitted to heat/reheat food. Each class will have two snack periods per day (if your child has amedical need, please provide proper medical documentation) Candy, sugary treats, soda, and sugary drinks ofany kind are NOT allowed. Water is the only beverage allowed for students unless a medical exception is provided. We will need a note from your medical provider if any other beverage is required.Otherwise, please do not send your student any sugary drinks of any kind. Each student is required to bring a water bottle (closed top, glass, or stainless steel preferred) each day. Please initial that you understand and will follow this policy.*

Policy Update: BIRTHDAYS/OTHER CELEBRATIONS/RELIGIOUS OBSERVATION REGARDING HOLIDAYS/CELEBRATIONS Do not send any food or drink for a birthday or other celebrations without prior approval from our associate or our executive director (many of our students have food allergies). If approval is given to bring in a birthday snack, we willonly allow this during the last period of the instructional day-no exceptions. Of additional note, if your family does not celebrate birthdays or other celebrations due to religious observation, we must have a letter from a clergy member explaining what the child is not allowed to celebrate to make accommodations, if possible (or excuse the absence, if needed). Please initial you will follow this policy and provide any documentation from a clergy member, as required. *

Parent/Guardian signing below*

First NameLast Name

My signature below indicates that I understand that the only way to contant OASN and Ocala Preparatory Academy staff is through the Parent Portal. I have completed this tutorial to ensure I understand what form to utilize and that our staff is not required to respond to requests for information via other modes of communication (email, phone, etc). I understand that OASN/OPA staff gets hundreds for emails each day and using the Parent Portal is the best way to get my questions answered. I furthermore understand some key changes to policies as reflected above.