About Us
Students at Brigham Academy are chosen through a lottery system. Polk County’s “Open Enrollment” period. This is when parents complete an application to place their child /children into a pool of applicants for selection. In the spring, the applicants are drawn through a lottery system. For those students who are not selected to attend that year, parents may reapply the following year. If a parent does not have access to a computer to complete the application, our office has one available for parents to complete the application online. Check the Polk County website for open enrollment periods.
Our Mission
Vision Statement:
Click to view: Vision Statement
Mission Statement:
The mission of Brigham Academy is to ensure rigorous, relevant learning experiences that result in high achievement for all students. Students will excel in all areas of academic learning by utilizing cooperative teaching strategies and a project-based learning approach while focusing on high expectations and critical thinking skills. We will develop principled, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others in the world around them.
Dress Code
Brigham Academy is an educational facility that promotes a structured learning environment. Research has shown that a uniform dress code makes children feel self-confident and reduces distractions so students can concentrate on learning.
Student dress reflects the image of the entire school. Students are expected to dress appropriately for school and be clean and neat at all times. The parent will be notified if the child does not follow guidelines.
Students are required to wear appropriate clothing according to the situation and the grade level involved. Inappropriate clothing and appearance are disruptive to the school program.
UNIFORMS – Solid color navy blue dress shorts, pants, skirts, skorts or jumpers are required. A belt is to be worn if the shorts or pants have belt loops. Solid navy-blue Jumpers (with logos), skirts or skorts must be no more than 3 ½ inches above the knee. No sweatpants or sweatpants type material may be worn as uniform shorts or pants. No athletic types of shorts are permitted. Blue collared dresses and pants with zippers around the legs are not allowed. School related t-shirts are permitted only on designated days. Gray or red polo type collared (no color trim) shirts with the Brigham logo are required and all shirts must be tucked in. Embroidered polo shirts with the school logo are available for purchase at the website: PMGSCHOOLGEAR.com. Students are required to wear shirts with school logo every day.
SHOES – Traditional type athletic shoes (no higher than top of the ankle bone) are required daily. Tennis shoes must be secured to the foot. Shoes with a heel, platform shoes, dress shoes, Mary Jane, slip on shoes, open-toed shoes, backless shoes, skating shoes (wheelies or heelies), knee high shoes, boots and shoes that have lights/sequins/sparkles/etc. on them are not permitted.
SOCKS – Socks must be short (no show or low cut) and solid white, gray, navy or black.
UNDERGARMENTS– Age-appropriate undergarments are to be worn by all students.
COLD WEATHER – Heavy winter coats may be any type/color. Sweatshirts, sweaters and sweatshirt type jackets must be solid red, gray, or navy. Red, gray or navy turtlenecks may be worn under uniform shirts. No hoods are to be worn during the school day. Please make sure your child’s name is on all outerwear. No sweatpants or sweat pant type material may be worn as uniform shorts/pants.
NEATNESS – All students should have a neat and clean appearance and should come to school with clean bodies, combed and clean hair, and practice good oral hygiene.
HAIR – Sweatbands, curlers, bandanas, picks, or other headgear are not allowed. No colored hair, such as green, blue, etc. No distracting hair styles, such as Mohawks, words, lines, designs, etc. cut into the hair.
HATS/SUNGLASSES – Students may wear hats during PE classes only. Sunglasses are not permitted.
JEWELRY – Earrings (one per ear) must be small. Bracelets and large necklace pendants are not allowed. Small link chain necklaces may be worn under the uniform shirt. Jewelry may not distract from the educational focus.
MAKEUP AND NAILS – No makeup or fake fingernails are to be worn by any student.
School Administration will determine if clothing is appropriate for school and complies with district rules. For more information, please refer to the Code of Student Conduct for a copy of the student dress code.
DRESS DOWN DAYS – Students may wear any attire that complies with the PCSB dress code, found in the Student Code of Conduct. (For example…. No short shorts, bike/tight bottoms, bare midriff, tank tops, etc.) Tennis shoes are still required on all dress down days.
Dress Code: Additional Information for Clarification
The uniform must be as follows:
BOTTOMS: Navy
o Shorts, pants, skorts, skirts, skirted jumpers
o Must be plain, solid-color twill or corduroy
o Shorts, skorts, and skirts should be no more than 3 ½ inches above the knee.
TOPS: Gray and Red with collar (Embroidered with Brigham logo)
• If you choose to purchase shirts on your own rather than going through the school approved vendor, please make sure the shirt colors match. All shirts need to be the same color even after they have been washed. Otherwise they are not uniform.
1. Skirts and Dresses: The hem of girls’ skirts or dresses shall be no shorter than 3 ½ inches above the knee. No navy-blue polo type dresses.
2. Appropriate Sizes: Students shall wear clothing of appropriate size.
3. UNACCEPTABLE ATTIRE: Students are not allowed to wear clothing, jewelry, buttons, or other attire or markings, which are offensive, suggestive or indecent such as:
Clothing associated with gangs
Clothing encouraging the use of drugs, alcohol, wrestling or violence
Clothing exposing the torso or upper thighs such as see-through garments, mini-dresses, halters, backless dresses, tube tops or tank tops without over-blouses or shirts or blouses tied at the midriff
Clothing not properly fastened or with tears which are indecent
Clothing or outer garments traditionally designed as undergarments such as boxer shorts, bloomers, tights, or hosiery cannot be worn as uniform bottoms.
Athletic shorts, sweat or jogging pants, including the spandex “bicycle” shorts, short shorts, and see-through boxer-type shorts are not allowed
Leggings, yoga pants and other form fitting pants and shorts are not allowed. Girls may wear solid Navy-Blue leggings under a skirt or jumper in cold weather.
4. Footwear: Athletic shoes should be worn each day. No cleats, heels, platform shoes, sequins/sparkles/lights, open-toe, knee high shoes, or backless are allowed.
5. Socks: Must be short (no show or low cut) socks in navy, black, gray or white. No knee high, mid-calf, or brightly colored socks are permitted.
6. Under Garments – Age appropriate under garments must be worn by all students.
PARENTS/VISITORS – You are helping us set the proper example for our students. Please dress appropriately when visiting the school. Revised and
Approved 6/2/2023
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
In order to have a safe and enjoyable PE program, a few rules and suggestions are necessary:
1. All students are required to wear traditional type athletic shoes at all times on the playground. No sandals or dress shoes.
2. All students should dress according to the weather. During cold weather, children should wear a sweater or coat.
3. If parents do not wish their child to participate in P.E. because of illness or injury, a note from home is necessary. This note should contain the nature of the illness or injury and the length of time the parent/s wish the student to be excused. If this is a long period of time, a note from the attending doctor is necessary. (One week or more.)
4. All children should be encouraged to participate in the P.E. program to the best of their ability.
5. Any child with a physical disability issue should be brought to the attention of the coach. The coach should also be told the limits within which this child can or cannot participate. In the event of a student’s inability to participate in the P.E. program, a restricted PE form should be on file in the cumulative record.
Bell Schedule
7:45- 8:12 – Students begin arriving. Please note: no student/s is to arrive and/or be dropped off before 7:45 a.m. There is no adult supervision before this time.
Students who are car riders in the morning can only be dropped off at the car rider area located off Avenue C. Entrance is right turn only.
There is no drop off in the bus loading area from Avenue A or the office / cafeteria parking lots. Please go through the car line when dropping your child off in the mornings. If you are coming on campus for a conference, you must sign in through the front office and get a visitors pass. This is for safety purposes.
When students arrive at school, they are to report directly to their classroom unless eating breakfast. Any student eating breakfast should go to the cafeteria before they report to their designated area.
8:15 – School start time.
Car line gate closes at 8:12am. Any student who does not arrive in time to be in their classroom by 8:15 must be accompanied by a parent to the front office where parent must sign a tardy slip. Tardiness will be documented on the student’s records. Excessive tardiness and/or absenteeism may result in dismissal from Brigham Academy. Try to make all medical appointments after 3:00 p.m.
2:45-3:00 p.m.: Dismissal begins. Students must be picked up no later than 3:20 pm.
For safety purposes, please remember that if you are coming on campus you must sign in through the front office.
Early Dismissal Days
Students are dismissed from school 150 minutes (2.5 hours) early on each of these days:
Friday, August 25, 2023*
Friday, September 22, 2023
Friday, October 20, 2023
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Friday, December 15, 2023
Friday, January 12, 2024
Friday, February 16, 2024*
Friday, March 8, 2024
Friday, April 12, 2024*
Friday, April 26, 2024*
*Designated for Teacher Staff Development
Transportation Changes
Please do not change the way your child goes home from school unless absolutely necessary. It is very confusing for students to have changes to their normal routine. All changes must be in writing to the teacher. District policy states that we may not accept phone calls changing how a student goes home because identification of the adult calling cannot be verified.
Book Bags
All students need a book bag. For safety reasons, rolling book bags are not permitted. Please write your child’s name on the book bag so it can be identified. Please check your child’s book bag daily for important information. Leave all non-essentials at home (toys, electronic devices, etc.). We are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Special Classes/STEM Labs
In addition to our core curriculum, your child will be attending the following special area classes and STEM labs:
Art: Once per week
Music: Once per week
P.E.: Three times per week
Math STEM Lab: Once per week
Engineering STEM Lab: Once per week
Science STEM Lab: Once per week
Technology Lab: Twice per week (this may vary depending on scheduling and testing).
Spanish Instruction: Once a week in Grades 2 – 5
Illness
Please email your child’s teacher before 9:00 a.m. if your child is not in attendance. In order for your child to be excused, we must receive an email and or hand written excused.
Medicine
Medicine required for your child must be administered by designated personnel in the office. You must fill out the appropriate medical form from the office. No medicine should ever be sent to school with a student.
Visitors
For safety purposes, all visitors and parents must sign in the front office with a driver’s license or other approved form of identification. You will be given a printed sticker to wear for identification purposes while on campus. This sticker must be worn at all times. Everyone, including parents, must be an approved volunteer prior to volunteering or chaperoning school related trips. Approval forms can be located on the district website https://polkschoolsfl.com/getinvolved/ .
Agendas/Weekly Reports
All grade levels use an agenda. This is an important tool for communication both to and from school. They are sent home daily and offer pertinent information pertaining to homework, discipline, and classroom news. Weekly reports are typically sent home at the end of each week, with an overview of the week. Please review these documents, sign and return them the next school day.
Toys
Do not bring toys to school. No toy guns or toy knives can be brought to school. Leave all toys at home.
Newsletters
To keep you informed, newsletters will be sent home monthly throughout the school year. Check your child’s backpack daily for important information.
Portfolio Conferences
Portfolio conferences will be held at least twice (each year) with your child’s teacher to review how your child is progressing. Parent attendance is required.
P.T.O.
Our Parent Teacher Organization and is very active in supporting our school. If you’re interested, please go to the office for more information to join!