Parent Information

Arrival Procedures

PES doors are opened at 7:45 a.m.  The earliest time for a student to be dropped off is 7:45 am. This is extremely important, if your child is dropped off earlier, there is not any supervision.  Supervision begins at 7:45 a.m.to guarantee that every student is safe. Please use the front (east side) of the school by the flag poles when dropping off your child in the mornings.  The tardy bell rings at 8:25 a.m. It is critical that all students are in their classrooms ready for the day’s instruction by this time.

Dismissal Procedures

Students are dismissed from their classrooms at 2:50 p.m.  Our dedicated teachers definitely maximize the instructional time throughout the day.  They teach right to the dismissal bell.  When a student leaves early, they are missing a vital part of their education.

Early Pick-Up

Whenever possible, please schedule your child’s appointments outside of school hours.  However, if you must pick up your child during the school day, please note the procedural guidelines:

Parents who must sign their children out during the school day must do so through the front office. Children who have dental appointments, doctor appointments, etc. will be called to the office, where they will be officially signed out by the parent or the adult authorized in writing by the parent.  At no time should parents go to the classroom to remove their child as this violates our safety policies.

Transportation

Your child’s safety while traveling to and from school is of great importance to us.  To ensure his/her safety, please notify the teacher of the method by which your child will arrive and depart, i.e., walker, biker, car rider, or bus rider.  If it is necessary to change methods (even for a day), you must notify the teacher in writing or your child will travel as previously arranged.

• Please plan birthday celebrations outside of the school day.  The purpose of school is to educate therefore, birthday parties are not celebrated at the school.  There are many reasons for this; hurt feelings, loss of education time, and disruptions to the classroom.  Thank you for planning birthday celebrations after school hours. 
   
• Each classroom teacher recognizes students on their birthday in their own unique way. 
   
• CCPS does not permit homemade foods to be brought to school.  Many students have allergies and cannot be allowed to inadvertently eat something to which he/she may have an allergic reaction.  Commercially prepared items are labeled so that ingredients are known.  Any distribution of food to students must come in individually pre-packaged and sealed products.
   
• Treats, pizza and/or other outside items will not be distributed to students in the cafeteria during lunch.

If a parent would like to support a classroom teacher by sending in individually pre-packaged items, they should reach out to the teachers at least 72 hours in advance and make arrangements. The teacher can then provide information about which items they can accept due to allergies and ideas of what to send in. The teacher will distribute as they see fit for class-wide goal achievements. 

• Instead of treats, consider non-food items such as pencils, pen, etc. 
   
• To avoid disruption of the school environment, we ask parents to refrain from having flowers or balloons delivered to their child at school. These items cannot be transported by bus nor delivered to the classroom during school hours.
   
• Distributing party invitations at school causes several problems including classroom disruptions, children’s hurt feelings, and weakening in the cohesiveness of a classroom team. Please refrain from this practice

Student possession of electronic devices on school grounds and school buses is a privilege for communication with parents and/or law enforcement and/or for the purpose of teacher-directed and approved research and instructional practice. Electronic devices include but are not limited to the following: cell phones; computers; smart watches; portable game units; digital media players, other mechanisms that enable users to communicate electronically person-to-person or through internet social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter). In order to preserve the proper educational environment and prevent disturbances, the following conditions must be observed:

1. Electronic devices are to be powered off and NOT to be used during instructional time for personal use. Use during any other part of the school day is at the discretion of each Principal.
    
2. Electronic devices are to be powered off and silenced on District buses except as authorized by the driver.
    
3. The Principal may grant permission to use a cellular phone in the presence of an administrator for an emergency when other means of communication are not available (e.g., school phone).
    
4. The use of electronic devices while at school or on buses to record sound or visual images without the consent of the person being recorded or photographed is strictly prohibited.
    
5. The student may be disciplined for inappropriate content stored on electronic devices brought to school, school functions, and/or on the school bus.
    
6. The following will result in student discipline at school: A. refusal to turn off an electronic device when told to by a teacher, administrator, coach, counselor, or other school official; B. damaging an electronic device owned by the school; C. causing a disruption; using an electronic device to cheat, including getting and giving answers to tests and copying from the internet; D. using the electronic device to bully, threaten, harass, attack another student or school personnel whether or not communicated directly to that person; E. sending (or asking to receive) pictures or videos of people 2023-2024 Code of Student Conduct – Page 27 who are partially or completely undressed, or are pretending to or actually performing a sexual act.
    
7. The school may impose consequences to students who misuse electronic devices away from school on their own time if both of the following are true:
   
   The student’s use of the electronic device causes significant disruption at school or serious emotional, physical, or psychological harm to the school, other students, or school personnel and the student knew, or should have known, that the harm would happen.
    
8. All school issued devices are for educational and instructional purposes only. Students are responsible for their devices and the contents searched and stored on their devices. Inappropriate use is strictly prohibited.
    
9. All Technology/Internet Use policies will be strictly enforced concerning student electronic devices.

Loss/Theft of personal items at school or on the bus is not the responsibility of the school or District.

Emergencies

In the event there is an emergency involving your child, it is essential that the office be able to contact you.  Please be certain that we have on file your correct home phone number and address, your work phone number and address, and the name, address, and phone number of a person to contact in the event you cannot be reached.  If this information changes during the course of the year, please notify the office immediately of these changes.

Change of Address

It is very important, for emergency and administrative reasons that every child maintain an up-to-date address record at the school office. Notify the school immediately if you have a change of address or phone number during the school year. 

Medication

School Board Policy permits authorized personnel to assist students in the administration of prescription medication only when the medication is received and stored in original containers with labels specifying dosage, and a written authorization signed by the parent or guardian accompanies the medication.  If your child requires medication during school hours, be sure to complete and sign the appropriate form in the school office. 

Visitors

Visitors are always welcome at Poinciana.  For the safety and security of all boys and girls, visitors are REQUIRED to stop in the school office for a visitor's pass before proceeding through the hallways.

Volunteers

An important part of our school is our volunteer program.  Parents and community members are encouraged to come and help our students and their teachers in a variety of ways.  To learn more about the volunteer program, please attend the orientation session early in the Fall or visit the district's volunteer page.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

The PTO brings parents, teachers, administrators, and other staff together to work as partners in the best interest of the children.  All parents and school staff are members and need to be actively involved in PTO-sponsored activities, which are intended to make the school year a rewarding experience for you and your children.

Partners in Education

Poinciana Elementary recognizes that it takes all facets of the community to help educate our children. We encourage partnerships with our business community through the "Partners in Education" program through the Collier County Education Foundation. Through our business partners, we are able to offer additional opportunities for our children, enrich educational experiences and extend ourselves to the business world as a resource which in turn benefits everyone.  If you are interested in becoming a partner with Poinciana, please call the office (377-8100).

School Advisory Council (SAC)

Poinciana's School Advisory Council is formed according to state and county guidelines based on the Accountability Legislation of 1991. The members of the Council work with parents, community members, students, and staff to implement our School Improvement Plan. Parents interested in becoming a School Advisory Council member are requested to call the principal for more information.