Policies & Procedures

2023-2024 School Year

Dress Uniforms: Dress uniforms are required every Monday from August through May. Dress uniform days may also be announced at other times throughout the school year.

Girls in grades K-3: Red polo (or optional white Peter Pan style oxford) and a plaid jumper with gym shorts underneath.

Girls in grades 4-5: May choose to wear K-3 attire described above or a plaid skirt (with built in shorts) with a red polo.

Girls in grades 6-8: Plaid skirt (with built in shorts) and a black polo.

Boys in K-5: R.W.Blake oxford cloth shirt with red logo and khaki uniform pants or shorts.

Boys in 6-8: R. W. Blake oxford cloth shirt with black logo and khaki uniform pants or shorts.

Tuesday through Friday Uniforms: Children may choose to wear their dress uniform as described above or

Girls K-5: plaid skirts, or khaki shorts, skirts, skorts or pants with red polo shirt displaying Blake logo.  Capri pants, Leggings/Jeggings and double layered Scooter skirts are not allowed. 

Girls 6-8: plaid skirts, or khaki shorts, skirts, skorts or pants with black polo shirt displaying Blake logo.  Capri pants, Leggings/Jeggings and double layered Scooter skirts are not allowed. 

Boys K-5: Khaki shorts or pants with red polo shirt displaying Blake logo.  Cargo shorts or cargo pants are not allowed.

Boys 6-8: Khaki shorts or pants with black polo shirt displaying Blake logo.  Cargo shorts or cargo pants are not allowed.

• Shoes: Shoes may be purchased at the store of your choice. Both girls and boys must wear tennis shoes or rubber-soled shoes with the uniform.  Shoes must be tied/fastened tight at all times.
  1. All shoes must be CLOSED TOE and CLOSED HEEL.
  2. No high heels, toe shoes, lighted, skate shoes, platform, or boots are permitted.
  3. Shoes must be conservative and matching.

• Neatness & Cleanliness: Uniforms should be clean and in good condition with shirts tucked in at all times. Students should come to school with clean bodies.
• Undershirts: White short sleeve undershirts are the only permissible undershirts.
  1. Spirit Shirts: Spirit shirts must be purchased from Blake Academy and may only be worn on Fridays.
  2. Club Shirts: Club shirts may only be worn on Fridays.
• Bottoms: Shorts/skort/skirt length must meet the tips of the student’s fingers when arms are extended and must be made of cotton twill fabric. Cotton knit bottoms are not acceptable.  Bottoms must be the appropriate size and worn at the waist.  Skorts and skirts may not be rolled at the waist.  It is suggested that girls wear athletic shorts under their jumpers and skirts.  These shorts must not be visible.  Girl’s bottoms must be khaki or plaid only.  Boy’s bottoms must be khaki only.
• Belts: Solid colored (brown, black, or red) belts must be worn with shorts or pants.
• Socks: Socks must be plain white, black, or grey.  Socks cannot have visible logos.  Ankle or calf length socks must be plain white, black, or grey.  Socks that go to the knees are unacceptable.  Girl’s hosiery/tights may only be plain white, black, or grey and must be closed toed.  Leggings or Jeggings of any kind are not allowed.

• Cool days & Cold Weather Conditions: If the news reports that it is a very cold morning (below 50 degrees), students may wear a non-uniform jacket on top of their uniform. Once school begins, all non-uniform jackets must be left inside the students’ backpack or classroom.  Additionally, students may choose to wear a plain, solid white or black colored turtleneck or a plain, solid white or a black colored long sleeve shirt to wear as an undershirt for added warmth.  Jeans are not allowed.  Students may wear long khaki uniform pants for warmth.
• Jackets: The vendors for all jackets is Risse Brothers. All outer garments must have an embroidered school logo and are the only acceptable outer garments.  Hoodies, sweatshirts, and sweaters of any kind are unacceptable.

• P.E. Dress Code:  Elementary
  • All K-5 students attend P.E. three days per week and should wear athletic shoes for class.
  • During warm weather, NO jackets or overcoats permitted outside.

  P.E. Dress Code: Middle School

  • During warm weather, NO jackets or overcoats permitted outside.
  • Dressing out will begin 2nd nine weeks – 1st nine weeks, students will not dress for PE.
  • PE dress out uniform information to come.
  • Students may also choose to dress out with the same expectations as listed above.

• All middle school students (grades 6-8) will be issued a school I.D. badge and (1) lanyard, at no cost.  Students are expected to wear their I.D. badge at all times while on campus and on bus transportation.
• The I.D. badge must be visible, around the student’s neck.
• Students who lose, misplace, forget, or damage their I.D badge will be issued a new one for $5. If a student is found without his/her badge, they will be sent to the office to get another one for a $5 fee.
• Each time a student gets a new badge, the student will get charged a $5 fee.  Outstanding fees will exempt students from participating in elective field trips and events and will follow students to high school.
• It is mandatory and District policy that all students wear their I.D. badges, every day. This helps ensure the safety and security of the students and staff. Please review this protocol with your student.

1. If the news reports that it is a very cold morning (below 50 degrees), students may wear a non-uniform jacket on top of their uniform. Once school begins, all non-uniform jackets must be left inside the students’ backpack or classroom.  Additionally, students may choose to wear a plain, solid white or black colored turtleneck or a plain, solid white or a black colored long sleeve shirt to wear as an undershirt for added warmth.  Jeans are not allowed.  Students may wear long khaki uniform pants for warmth.
2. Jackets: The vendors for all jackets is Risse Brothers. All outer garments must have an embroidered school logo and are the only acceptable outer garments.  Hoodies, sweatshirts, and sweaters of any kind are unacceptable.

1. Field Trip Attire: The school and teachers will provide information specific to each field trip and the attire appropriate for the specific event or activity scheduled.  Students are expected to follow the dress code expectations and be an attentive, responsible, and respectful representative of Blake.
2. Special Dress Days:
   1. PBS Reward Days that allow for special dress out (i.e. Book Character Dress-Up Day, Nerd Day, etc.) are scheduled periodically and students’ attire must be appropriate for school and should meet the dress code expectations. Information regarding these specific dress out days will be provided through the school and classroom teachers.  These are not to be considered a No Uniform Day.
   2. Nut Day Passes and Jeans Days are allowed only on pre-approved school days for special events and activities and families will be notified prior to the event. (i.e. PTA Nut Days and United Way Jeans Days)

1. Earrings/Jewelry: Expensive and/or excessive jewelry such as necklaces, rings, and bracelets are not recommended due to distractibility, safety, and the chance of loss. Earrings for young ladies must be smaller than a dime. No other piercings are permitted.  Necklaces with pendants larger than a quarter are not allowed.
2. Hair: All students should have clean and well-groomed hair each day.
   1. Boys: Young gentlemen’s hair length may not obscure vision in any way.
   2. Girls: Bangs may not be worn below the eyebrows. Beads or hair ornaments that obscure vision or otherwise provide distraction to the wearer or other students are not allowed.
   3. No colored hair, such as green or blue, no numbers, designs, Mohawks, Faux-hawks, spikes, and no side-haircuts, nor side shavings, nor undercuts or writing may be shaved into the hair.
   4. Hair accessories, including beads, must be minimal and must be neutral or uniform colors (white, grey, or black).  Any hair extensions must be a natural hair color.
3. Make-up/Nails/Tattoos: Make-up, nail polish, and body glitter are not permitted. Tattoos, artificial nails, and other distracting body art are not permitted.

Backpacks:

• Backpacks are ONLY for grades Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
• For safety purposes, backpacks on wheels are not allowed.

1. Dress code infractions: All students are expected to fully comply daily with the required uniform dress code, as agreed upon by parent/guardian signature of the Blake Academy Contract.
2. Parents/Visitors: You are helping us to set the proper example for our students. Please dress appropriately when visiting the school or chaperoning field trips.
3. School administrators will determine if a student’s appearance is appropriate for school and in compliance with the school uniform policy.
4. THE ONLY AUTHRIZED USE OF OUR LOGO is through approved Vendor, Risse Bothers. NO OTHER VENDOR, INCLUDING HOMEMADE ITEMS WILL BE ALLOWED.

More information to come.

Blake Academy expects students to maintain a positive image at all times on or off campus.  Students will:

• Arrive at school on time, in seats, ready to learn by 8:00 a.m.
• Arrive at school with supplies, a good attitude, in proper school uniform attire, with a neat and clean appearance.
• Show respect to school staff, parents, and members of the community.
• Abide by the PCPS Code of Conduct at all times.
• Return the signed agenda planner on a daily basis.
• Wear ID badge at all times (middle school).
• ensure electronics and their accessories are off and away while on campus

School attendance is directly related to school achievement. Parents have the responsibility to make sure that students attend school every day, to arrive promptly, and remain throughout the scheduled day.  ACCORDING TO PCSB POLICY-FOR THE PURPOSE OF A TRUANCY PETITION FOR ALL STUDENTS, 3 UNEXCUSED TARDIES AND/OR UNEXCUSED EARLY DISMISSALS WILL BE RECORDED AS ONE UNEXCUSED ABSENCE.

1. Students are expected to be in attendance every day.  When a student is absent, there should be a written note to the teacher that includes the date, reason, and signature of the parent/guardian.  A determination will be made using the criteria in the Student Progression Plan to determine if the absence is excused or unexcused.
2. Excessive tarries and/or absences could be addressed by the school’s social worker or attendance team and might require a parent conference.
3. Instances where students will be absent from school due to a trip or vacation with parents will need to be pre-approved by the principal.  Please submit in writing or by email to the principal the dates and the reason for the absence.  Trips or vacation may not be approved for an excused absence if the child has already accumulated 10 days of excused absences for the year.  All requests for make-up work should be made to the teacher(s).

Arrival

Supervision of students who are car riders, bikers, or walkers is not provided until 7:30 a.m.   All students should be on campus and in their classroom before the tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m.  Please keep in mind that students who arrive after the tardy bell rings, must enter through the main office with a parent and sign in.  District attendance policies will be used to determine whether a tardy is excused or unexcused.

Early Checkout

Early checkout is strongly discouraged due to the loss of instructional time. If an early check out is necessary, please make every effort to check your child out before 2:30 p.m.  Three unexcused check-outs may result in one unexcused absence.

Dismissal

• It is important for every child’s mode of transportation to stay as consistent as possible.  Any change must be communicated in writing as the teacher is responsible for dismissing the students.
• We understand that emergencies occur and a change in transportation may be necessary.  If this situation arises, the main office must be notified no later than 2:00 p.m.  Changes in transportation over the phone can only occur due to a true emergency.   All non-emergency changes should be a written request.
• NOTE:  Students may not ride a different bus without the consent of the district’s transportation department.
• All car riders should have a school issued car tag with a number on it.  Required car tags for student pickup should be obtained during student orientation or from the front office.  Car tags must be visible the entire time while in the car line.  If a vehicle does not have a car tag, the parent will be directed to the main office to checkout their children.  A photo I.D. is required for check out.

Rainy Dismissal

In the rare occurrence that we have inclement weather during dismissal, we will hold all biker riders and walkers.   If parents choose to pick up their child, a car rider tag will be required and should be picked up in the office prior to the first rainy dismissal. A decision will be made by 2:45 p.m. if we are implementing the rainy dismissal procedures. Students will be held in the classroom or office until it is safe for them to walk home or until a parent pick them up.

Students should be picked up and delivered only in front of the school.  Loading and unloading procedures must be followed to ensure the safety of all students.

When dropping off your child in the morning:

• supervision begins at 7:30 am
• take turns entering the lot
• drive at a safe speed
• move your car to the orange cone in front of the school to unload children
• follow the flow of traffic and wait until all cars are stopped before unloading
• use the crosswalk by the flag pole where traffic is monitored

When picking up your child in the afternoon:

• Pick up before 3:20 pm
• Display your Blake Academy car rider sign in your front window. If the car rider sign is not visible, parents will be asked to go into the office, and show ID to pick up their child.
• We discourage parents from picking up students across the street or in other unauthorized locations for student safety

Bike riders are to walk bikes on school grounds.  Bikes are to be kept locked in the bike cage in the front of the school.  Walkers should observe safety procedures while walking to and from school.

• Follow adult directions while crossing streets or the parking lot

• Polk County Public School’s Guidelines
• Stand back from the roadway while awaiting bus
• Emergency door must not be tampered with and must not be used for ordinary boarding and exiting of the bus
• Keep arms and head inside windows
• Cross the roadway 3 or 4 steps in front of the bus. Wait for the driver’s signal before crossing
• Please do not move about within the bus while it is in motion
• Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct is to be observed
• The driver is in full charge of the bus and students. Students must obey the driver
• The driver has the right to assign students certain seats if necessary to promote order on the bus
• No eating, drinking, or smoking allowed on the bus
• Student must be on time; the bus cannot wait. Plan to be at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to scheduled boarding time.

Blake Academy students are expected to:

• • Tell an adult if a stranger tries to pick you up
  • Use kind words to others
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself
  • wait in a safe place away from the roadway
  • when the bus stops, wait for the drivers signal to board

At Blake Academy, we welcome volunteers during the day and on Field trips.  Volunteers must have approval from the district and attend volunteer orientation each year. Staff may request that parents accompany their child on a field trip and will notify parents in advance of the trip.