Welcome to OHS and our Fundamental Program!
We are pleased that you are interested in our school and hope that our website has much to offer you. If you are new to Osceola and its fundamental program, we trust that you will find our school to be academically rigorous, uniquely progressive, caring and helpful to our students and parents.
Osceola is the first fundamental high school in Florida and is among only a handful of fundamental high schools in the country. What do we mean by fundamental? We mean that we have created a program that is “like schools used to be.” We have created a school where parents are involved, students are on task and are successful, and teachers are responsive and highly communicative.
Among the unique aspects of our school:
- Mandatory parent meetings each month
- Regular communication with teachers
- A homework heavy curriculum
- A system of demerits that requires students to stay on task
- A stricter dress code than other high schools
- High expectations for student behavior and cooperation
We are unique among the high schools in Pinellas County because we are the district’s only countywide magnet program. Though we’re not actually a magnet, we fall under the magnet guidelines because we require an application to attend Osceola and our seats are filled to capacity each year. We have no specific entry requirements (which is why we’re not technically a magnet) as we want to be a school that is open to all types of students and families.
Our students are strong academically and involved in extracurricular activities. We endeavor to create a school that is worthy of their attendance and true to their expectations of excellence. We seek to hire the best teachers in Florida and are very proud of our current faculty. They are first-rate educators.
This combination of strong students and high-performing teachers is uniquely Osceola. Though we still work to improve each year, we have all the key ingredients to make our school a world-class high school that our principal envisions and our community demands. There is no stopping us now.
Mr. Finkbiner
Asst. Principal / Fundamental Program
5 Great Reasons to Choose Osceola Fundamental High School
- Fundamental Expectations and Procedures
We are the only fundamental high school in the district and in the state. Our program began in 2006, and in 2010 our first fundamental class graduated. Fundamental means improved communication with parents, a demerit system that helps students stay on track with their coursework, a stricter dress code than other high schools and mandatory parent involvement at a monthly night meeting for Boosters, PTSA and SAC.
- Exciting Curriculum Options
We continue to build our course offerings to match student needs and interests. Some of the programs that we have added include: Center of Excellence for pre-engineering and new AP electives in psychology, human geography, and American Government. We now have 14 AP courses to challenge our college-bound students. Some of our signature programs include: culinary arts Center of Excellence, world languages in Spanish, French and Italian, television production, graphic arts, and an award-winning fine arts program.
- Strong Teachers and Staff
We continue to hire strong teachers who care about kids and provide the right balance of rigor and support. During the past year, we have been flooded with resumes, and have a great blend of enthusiastic, young teachers and caring, seasoned veterans.
- School Spirit, Clubs and Sports
We have some of the most spirited students and staff members in the district. Stop by our campus on Fridays and you will see students and staff dressed in orange and blue and you might even hear our band as it marches throughout the campus to encourage school spirit during football season. We have a full range of clubs and sports, including top athletic programs, award-winning band and chorus programs and one of the top literary magazines in the state.
- Unique Programs and Services
We offer a number of programs that help our students feel welcome and encourage them to succeed. These include our Doorways scholarship program, our AVID courses that promote high achievement, our 5000 Role Models of Excellence mentoring program and our 9th grade community to help freshmen transition into high school.
Osceola High School Fundamental Policies
Student / Parent / Teacher Commitment
Students must:
- Sign and adhere to the Fundamental Commitment Agreement.
- Adhere to all rules and regulations of the Code of Student Conduct.
- Dress and act appropriately per school and fundamental policy.
- Follow any and all additional requirements listed in fundamental policy.
- Complete all homework / classwork per policy guidelines.
Parents must:
- Sign and adhere to the Fundamental Commitment Agreement.
- Attend eight PTSA, SAC or Booster Meetings throughout the year.
- Attend all parent-teacher conferences when scheduled.
- Sign all homework assignments and tests per policy.
Teachers must:
- Present an image of professionalism.
- Promote and foster positive parent / guardian involvement.
- Maintain an atmosphere of learning and good citizenship.
- Promote academic challenge and excellence for all students.
- Take an active role in school, team and committee meetings.
- Maintain all records accurately.
- Participate in ongoing professional training.
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Meetings
Parents/guardians are required to attend eight Parent-Teachers - Student Association (PTSA), School Advisory Council (SAC) meetings or school-based Booster Meetings each school year. The meeting dates are listed on the school calendar.
When circumstances arise, which make it impossible for a parent/guardian to attend a required meeting, a representative (18 years of age or older) may be sent. The representative may represent only one family and representation may be sent to no more than two meetings per year. If a parent must exercise this option, they must notify the principal prior to the meeting. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to make the representative aware of all obligations.
Sign-in at meetings must be completed no later than ten minutes after the scheduled start of the meeting as the sign-in cards are removed at that time. Meetings last approximately one hour and parents are expected to be present for the entire meeting. Arriving late, leaving early, or failure of a parent/guardian to sign in will result in the meeting being counted as unattended. Sign-in cards must be handed in by the individual who signed the card for that meeting.
The procedure for unattended meetings is as follows:
- After one missed meeting, a reminder letter will be sent to the family.
- After two missed meetings, a letter will be sent placing the parent/family on probation. Once a family is placed on probation, a representative may not be sent to any meetings. The parent or legal guardian will be required to attend all remaining meetings.
- After the third missed meeting, the student/family will be referred to the school-based Intervention and Appeal Committee (IAC).
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Conferences
Conferences are required when necessary for the success of the student. Parents/Guardians are asked to schedule and attend conferences if the student receives homework violation or probation, a discipline warning or violation, a D or F in an academic class, or upon request by the student’s teacher.
Conferences concerning the student’s progress in a fundamental school can, at times, be accomplished by telephone or electronic mail. When a person-to-person conference is deemed necessary for the success of the student, the parent/guardian is required to attend. Parents/guardians will receive a written notice requesting a person-to-person conference.
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Student Responsibilities
Homework / Classwork Requirements
- Homework and classwork must be completed each day.
- Homework not completed or turned on time = 2 demerits.
- Homework not having the required parent / guardian signature = 1 demerit
- Students not bringing the required materials to class = 1 demerit
- 5 demerits in any class in any grading period results in a Notice of Violation which is a warning.
- 10 demerits in any one class in any grading period results in referral to IAC.
NOTE: This is only brief summary of some the key points of the district Fundamental Policy Document. A complete version of the policy document is available from the school or district.
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Discipline Requirements
- All students are expected to follow the district Code of Conduct.
- All students are expected to follow the additional requirements of fundamental policy.
The minimum consequences for specific offenses are listed below however; the administration will make the final decision based on a review of the student’s record and the severity of the offense.
Offense/consequences
1. Skipping class or leaving class without permission
A. First offense - grade of F for classwork, parent/guardian contacted, minimum of two detentions/referral
B. Second offense - grade of F for classwork, parent/guardian contacted, referral to  the Intervention and Appeal Committee
2. Tardy
A. A third tardy in one class in one grading period - one detention and three tardies are equal to one unexcused absence.
B. Each additional tardy - one detention, plus possible office referral
3. General cafeteria misconduct
A. Violation of the cafeteria rules will result in a warning, detention, work detail, office referral or suspension, as deemed appropriate for the offense.
4. Missed detention
A. First no show - office notification, parent notification, additional detention
B. Second no show - additional detention, referral to Intervention and Appeal Committee
5. Prohibited articles
A. Fundamental high schools prohibit articles in addition to those listed in the Code of Student Conduct. Prohibited articles include materials not related to the school curriculum including but not limited to hats, electronic equipment and other items listed in the school handbook.
1. First offense - confiscation, parent/guardian notification, detention
2. Second offense - confiscation, parent/guardian notification, detention
6. Dress code violation
A. Each offense - parent/guardian notification, possible detention
7. Prohibited behaviors - displays of physical affection on campus
A. Violations will result in a warning, detention, work detail, office referral or suspension, as deemed appropriate for the offense.
Other - gossip, slander or unkind/hurtful remarks about another person
A. Violations will result in a warning, detention, work detail, office referral or suspension, as deemed appropriate for the offense.
Discipline Steps
- Step 1: Six detentions in one school year results in a Notice of Disciplinary Warning.
- Step 2: Four additional detentions resulting in a total of ten detentions will result in the student’s referral to the Intervention and Appeal Committee.
- Step 3: Violation of the probation agreement will result in immediate assignment to another high school
Detentions
- Teachers give only one detention per offense.
- Six detentions in one school year results in a Notice of Disciplinary Warning.
- Parents/guardians must call the school within 48 hours of receipt of the warning to schedule a mandatory conference.
- Any additional detentions resulting in a total of ten will result in the student’s referral to the Intervention and Appeal Committee.
Detentions will be held on Mondays and Thursdays after school from 2- 3 p.m. Failure to show for a detention will result in two detentions and may result in referral to the IAC.
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Fundamental Dress Code
- The Code of Student Conduct lists the dress code for all Pinellas County schools. The requirements below are in addition to the dress code requirements listed in the Code of Student Conduct.
- All clothing must be worn in the manner in which it was designed to be worn.
- Students violating the dress code will be sent to the office to call their parents and request a change of clothing.
- The student may be issued a warning or a detention for violation of the dress code policy. Repeated violations may result in a referral to the school’s Intervention and Appeal Committee.
- Students wearing pants or slacks must wear ankle length pants or slacks and shoes with some form of heel straps.
In addition, high school students may not wear:
- Shorts of any kind
- Culottes or skorts above the knee
- Capris
- Thongs (flip flops), sandals and shoes without back straps
- Dresses, shirts, and blouses which bare the midriff
- Tank Tops
- Hats
The Code of Conduct and Fundamental Policy manual has a more complete listing of student responsibilities.
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Fundamental Probation / Dismissal
Intervention and Appeal Committee (IAC)
Each fundamental school has a school-based Intervention and Appeal Committee for the purpose of reviewing and enforcing cases including severe or repeated discipline infractions, continued lack of compliance with homework and /or classwork policies, failure to follow the dress code, parental absences from PTSA/PTA/SAC meetings and parental non-attendance at required conferences.
The IAC may recommend alternatives and interventions for improvement, recommend probations with stipulations and removals from the school. This committee is not authorized to reinvestigate situations but must accept the validity of administrative decisions regarding incidents. This committee is the first level of appeal regarding a student’s removal from the school.
The principal, who is not a committee member, selects the members of the IAC. The IAC shall be composed of 5+ members including three teachers, three parents and a community member. The Intervention and Appeal Committee members will serve a renewable one-year term.
Only the committee members will vote. Decisions will be based on majority vote. The proceedings will be held in strict confidence.
Referral to the Intervention and Appeal Committee
A student/family will be referred to the Intervention and Appeal Committee for violations of the fundamental agreement. Reasons for student referrals to the Committee include but are not limited to:
1. Excessive demerits
2. Upon receiving two referrals in a grading period
3. Upon receiving one suspension or work detail
4. Upon serious violation of the Code of Student Conduct
5. Parent not meeting parent requirements
5. Parent missing three of the required parent meetings
6. At the request of an administrator
Appeals of an IAC decision
- First to the school-based Intervention and Appeal Committee
- Second to the district-based Fundamental School District Appeal Committee.
- Decisions of the Fundamental School District Appeal Committee shall be considered final and shall not be reviewed by the School Board. The School Board hereby delegates to the committee its final decision-making authority for such decisions.
*Note: A more detailed explanation of the IAC’s role and the appeals process is available in the district Fundamental Policy Document.
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