SCS values a systematic and ongoing program of curriculum review.  SCS encourages the professional staff to identify and review new curricular ideas, develop and improve existing programs and evaluate all instructional programs.  

The Principal will oversee the curriculum development and implementation process.  As used in this Policy, curriculum is the process, attitudes, skills and knowledge that is taught and learned at appropriate levels.  

All curriculum developed and/or adopted by SCS shall be based on current research relative to how students best learn.  SCS is committed to providing a current curriculum based on sound educational research findings that correlate to the mission and vision of the school.

Curriculum Frameworks

The Principal and Instructional Coaches will ensure that curriculum frameworks identifying the instructional objectives to be met at each grade level taught at SCS are created and implemented.  Curriculum Frameworks will be updated by instructional teams and maintained in the school's Shared Drive.

Standards Alignment

The organization shall ensure that all textbook and curricular materials utilized by the School will align with Florida’s most current standards and/or the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. 

Challenged Materials

The Governing Board has the ultimate responsibility for establishing the curriculum and for purchasing instructional and/or media materials to be used in the School. While the Board recognizes the right of students to free access to the many different types of books and instructional materials, the Board also recognizes the right of teachers and administrators to select books and other materials in accordance with current trends in education and the established curriculum.

It is therefore the policy of the organization to require that books and other instructional materials shall be chosen for values of educational interest and the enlightenment of all students in the community. Instructional materials shall not be excluded on the basis of the writer's racial, nationalistic, political, or religious views. Every effort will be made to provide materials that present all points of view concerning international, national, and local problems and issues of our times. Books, or other instructional or media materials of sound factual authority, shall not be prescribed, nor removed from library shelves or classrooms on the basis of partisan or doctrinal approval or disapproval. The organization will strive to provide stimulating, effective materials that will be appropriate to the community's values and the students' abilities and maturity levels.

Instructional or media materials used in the School's educational program consist of various types of print and non-print materials. Despite the care taken to select those materials deemed to be educationally useful, occasional objections to the selection of instructional materials may be made by the public. However, the principles of academic freedom and the freedom to read must be defended, rather than the materials. 

If a challenge is made, it should be properly channeled through the complaint process described elsewhere within this policy manual.

SCS employees are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the provisions of the copyright laws currently in force under Title XVII of the United States Code. Any reproduction of copyrighted materials shall be done either with permission of the copyright holder or within the bounds of the “fair use” doctrine of the copyright law; otherwise, the individual employee responsible for reproduction may be individually liable for breach of copyright under existing laws. 

It is the rightful duty of a qualified teacher to encourage within students a never-ending search for truth in its many forms. Such a search may inevitably lead to areas of controversy. It is the belief of SCS that discussion of such issues, dealing with local, state, national and international affairs, shall be encouraged. Free, logical, and intelligent dialogue within the classroom is a necessity in the search for truth. Such freedom of expression should be viewed, not simply as a constitutional guarantee, but as a fundamental necessity for the successful practice of scholarship in a free society. All sides of such controversial issues shall be presented where reasonable and feasible in the judgment of the teacher and Principal. 

It is recognized that the application of this principle in a K-12 program differs somewhat from its application at higher educational levels. Teachers shall consider the relative level of maturity of their students and their need for guidance in the study of such issues to arrive at objective and balanced views. 

Teacher use of potentially controversial materials: 

It is the responsibility of the teacher (or other instructional staff member) that intends to use materials that may be considered controversial to reasonable persons within the community, to notify the Principal of the potentially controversial materials. It is the Principal’s responsibility to ensure that the materials used are at grade level or below, and appropriate and consistent with Florida’s academic standards. If the materials are potentially controversial, a notice will be sent home to the parents giving them the opportunity to opt out of receipt of such materials and allow their student to do an alternative project.

The primary focus of the School's staff and programs is maximization of student learning. While learning occurs as a result of extracurricular activities and as a result of non-structured interaction between students and between students and staff, most learning occurs as a result of planned learning activities during class time. Therefore, every effort will be made to minimize disruptions in instructional time. Public address announcements and pull-out programs will be planned to avoid loss of critical instruction time.  All extracurricular, field trips, celebrations or movie viewing should be approved by the Principal.

Teacher’s Lesson Plans

Teachers will be expected to submit lesson plans that correlate with both the School’s Curriculum Framework and aligned to the State and/or National Standards. Lesson plans shall be available electronically through the method identified by the Principal, not later than one hour prior to the start of school each Monday morning. Lesson plans will be reviewed to ensure compliance with school and state requirements and will be kept on file for five years.

In addition, all Google Classroom sites will be shared with the Principal and appropriate Instructional Coach.  Lesson plans and Google Classroom sites will be used as information for performance evaluation.

Movies

SCS emphasizes the use of multiple intelligences and as such, will use various media to educate students.  Teachers are welcome to occasionally use videos in the classroom and at school sponsored events, providing that the following policies are adhered to:

• Copyright: Staff are required to follow the legal copyright requirements of videos and media within the classroom.

• Notification:  The Principal should be notified via email of any movies that will be shown.  Staff must provide this notification at least 48 hours in advance of showing the movie.  Should the movie require special permission (see below), staff must acquire permission from the Principal at least 48 hours in advance of sending out parent notification.

• Elementary Students: Elementary students may be shown "G" movies without parental permission.  Movies which are "PG" require the staff member to notify parents at least one week in writing, giving the parents the option to opt-out of having their student watch the movie.

• Middle School Students:  Students in grades 6-8 may be shown "G" or "PG" rated movies without parental permission.  Movies which are rated "PG-13" require that the staff notify the Principal for permission.  Once permission is received, staff must notify the parents at least one week in advance, in writing, giving the parents the option to opt-out of having their student watch the movie.

• "R" Rated Movies:  No.  Not allowed under any circumstance.

Movie viewing is limited to one feature per quarter.

Link to student policy on Field Trips and Extracurricular Activities

Applicable Standards

In the absence of Florida Statutes or State Board of Education Rules mandating teacher certification requirements, the Principal is directed to establish and keep in force procedures for appropriate certification guidelines. The provision of the Standards shall apply to all teaching certificates issued for grades taught at the School. 

Certification Renewals

Professional staff members are required to maintain their state educator certification in accordance with Florida regulations. Professional staff members are responsible for the completion and submission of all applicable forms and fees for the certification renewals. Once a professional staff member has renewed their certification, they must provide a copy of the certification to the Office Manager and Human Resource Department.

Familiarity with Statutes, Rules and Policies

All instructional personnel are expected to be familiar with Florida Statutes, State Board of Education Rules, and Policies of the School, which have particular application to their responsibilities as educators. When in doubt about the existence or applicability of any such statute, rule or policy, personnel should check with the Principal, who can also provide links to the appropriate documents.

Private Tutoring

No teacher shall receive compensation for privately tutoring a student who is enrolled in the teacher’s class during the regular school term. No private tutoring by teachers for compensation is allowed on the Organization’s property. Private tutoring is defined as reviewing curriculum that is taught within the classroom. 

Membership in Organizations

Membership in any Organization shall not be a condition for employment by the Organization.

All employees are required to engage in continued professional development and keep all certifications current. Continued education at institutes of higher education or in certain approved organizations may contribute to an employee achieving a higher rate of compensation. Workshops and seminars are periodically offered by SCS at no or low cost during designated professional development days or after normal school hours. Professional Development meetings that take place during contracted hours are required. Staff members should come to meetings prepared, with any data, reading or information requested. Days at times designated for professional development or training that do not require meeting with a supervisor must be used as such unless the Principal agrees to another use of the time in writing.

Staff members should contact the Human Resources Manager in advance if they cannot attend the meeting. Instructional staff are responsible for any follow-up and record-keeping required. Staff members may contact the Professional Development Contact for more information. 

Reimbursement for professional development activities, courses, and certification assessments requires prior approval from the principal. To be reimbursed, the staff member must provide documentation showing successful activity completion and all required follow-up. Requests may be submitted here! All requests should align with the school’s current School Improvement Plan (SIP).