Somerset Academy Middle School Orientation

Charter Schools What is a charter school? Independent public schools of choice created on the basis of an agreement between a group of school organizers (Academica) and a sponsoring body (Broward County Public Schools). They are among the fastest growing educational choice options for students in Florida since the first five charter schools were opened in Charter schools have grown from 5 to over 358 schools with a total enrollment over 120,000 students.

Staff Bernardo Montero, Principal Walkiria Soberon, Vice Principal Cristina Camus, Vice Principal Karina Iber, Assistant Principal Christine Stewart, Lead Teacher/Activities Director Jessica Kirker, 6 th, 7 th (A-L)Grades Gabriella Valdes, 7 th (M-Z),8 th Grades

Curriculum 7 period Block Schedule…A Days/B Days Summer Reading High school courses: Foreign languages Math courses Online courses Somerset Arts Conservatory Remedial, on-grade level and advanced curriculum

Monitoring Academic Progress Progress/Interim Reports are issued at the halfway mark of the grading period. Report Cards are issued at the end of each grading period. Parents can check website for access to the grade book in order to monitor daily progress. Tutoring is provided by our Honor Societies on selected days.

Staff Communication All teachers have Please contact teacher/or counselor to discuss specific course concerns Please do not approach teachers during instruction Check school website in order to keep current with daily school activities and information about your child’s classes

FSA: Florida Standards Assessments Writing: Grades 5-11 th Reading: Grades 5-11 th Math: Grades 5-8 th Science: Grade 8 (FCAT 2.0) Dates: Writing: February 28, 2017 Reading, Math, Science: April 17 – May 5, 2017 After School, Pull-Out, and FSA Boot Camp Programs Available

Promotion Requirements Must pass 4 out of 7 classes with a “D” average or better Must pass 4 core classes Language Arts Math Science Social Studies 7 th grade students will take an End of Course exam for Civics 8 th grade students must complete a PAC plan (Personal Academic Career Plan) in US History class

Attendance Compulsory Attendance F.S The School Attendance Review Committee will target 5 excused or unexcused absences and excessive absences. Ages 6-16

Broward County Attendance Policies A pattern of non-attendance is established when the student has missed 5 days (excused or unexcused). May be accumulated by tardiness, early sign- outs, or daily absences Once a pattern of non-attendance has been established, a statement must be provided to the school to explain the pattern. F.S

Excused Absences Illness of student; Illness of immediate family member; Death in the family; Religious holidays of the student’s own faith; Required court appearance/subpoena; Scheduled medical/dental appointment. Please try your best to schedule medical appointments outside of instructional time. Please note the school requires proper documentation!

Tardiness/Early Sign-out Tardiness/early sign-out is disruptive to the learning environment and can have a negative impact on student achievement. No students shall be released within the final 30 minutes of school. Traffic Issues

Consequences Schools are required to collaborate with local and state agencies that are involved in truancy prevention, intervention, and judicial action. Collaborative Problem Solving Team No grade for course

Returning to School Students have two days to make up assignments. Students who are externally suspended cannot make up assignments unless student participates in an alternative suspension program. Students should bring a note to school to excuse the absence. This note is to be handed to the attendance clerk in the main office.

Food Service Our campus is equipped with two cafeterias. Le Cafe and the Panther Zone provide the students with a well balanced lunch aligned to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) standards. Prices:Breakfast- $2.50Lunch- $3.50 Free and reduced lunches are available for qualified individuals for purchases made in the Panther Zone and Le Cafe. Lunch accounts can be set-up with the Cafeteria Managers. The cafeterias are the only places on campus that accept checks (Somerset Academy) Breakfast is only served in Panther Zone Lunches are served in both Le Café and Panther Zone

Transportation Several private companies provide transportation to our school. We highly encourage you contract transportation services from Broward County approved vendors. Contact school office for more information. Traffic safety – please comply with staff directions and traffic safety Speed Limit

Traffic Pattern Somerset Academy Elementary- Parents will turn onto Somerset Way to drop off ALL students (Pre-K through Fifth grade) including morning care and Pre-Kindergarten. Drivers should follow the security monitors and posted signs to the rear of campus then turn right and follow signs. Students in grades 3-5 may be dropped off in the turnabout closest to the bleachers (Building B) where staff will meet them for arrival between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. Students in grades Pre-K through 2 will be dropped off at the turnabout closest to the front of the elementary (Building A)where staff will meet them for arrival between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. Drivers will then be directed to return to Somerset Way to leave campus. The front entrance to Building A/ Elementary School will become a BUS ONLY LANE!

Traffic Pattern Somerset Academy Middle/High and Arts Conservatory Parents will turn onto Somerset Way to drop off ALL students (6th-12th grade). Drivers should follow the security monitors and posted signs to the rear of campus then turn right and follow signs. Students in grades 6-12 may be dropped off in the turnabout closest to the bleachers (Building B) between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. Drivers will then be directed to return to Somerset Way to leave campus.

Traffic Pattern "NO PARKING" signs will be enforced and drivers may be cited for parking in spaces that are designated NO PARKING. As of August 26 th, there will be NO PARKING allowed at Rose Price Park. The city has informed us that they will tow vehicles at the owner’s expense.

School Activities Public Calendar Online School Functions and Activities Clubs/Organizations 45 Clubs/Honor Societies Athletics  14 Sports, Athletic Fees Apply, Physical Required to Participate Parent Volunteer Hours  30 hours 8 th Grade Panther Package (TOTAL: $280 Deposit: $100 Sept. – Dec.: $45)

Guidance Social, academic and emotional concerns. Individual, small, and large group counseling. Character Education Virtual Counselor High school and post secondary planning Anti-Bullying policy

Code of Student Conduct Student/Parent Handbook Code of Excellence Progressive Disciplinary Plan Verbal Warning-parent contact Detentions Suspensions- indoor, outdoor, expelled, Academic Behavior and Attendance contract, dismissed by the governing board of Somerset Academy. Electronic Devices Will be available on-line (main page on website) Signed paperwork needs to be returned to the HOMEROOM teacher by August 26 th

Dress Code Uniforms can be purchased at All Uniform Wear Westfork Plaza (Pines Blvd/Dykes Rd) Uniforms are MANDATORY: Monday – Thursday Friday Spirit Day: School Polo, club/honor societies, class shirts, athletic shirts, dry-fit spirit shirts with Jeans (Jeans with NO holes nor shredding/tearing. NO SHORTS/LEGGINGS/CAPRIS.) Somerset Sweatpants are only to used on cold days in PE IDs are required! Somerset Hoodies or Plain Navy Blue or Black Jackets/Hoodies

Schedules/Supply Lists There will be a Homeroom period this upcoming school year. Homeroom period assignments will be posted on our web-site Thursday evening, August 18 th. Homeroom period on Monday morning, August 22 nd. Although the use of planners are strongly encouraged, we do not sell planners at school. School supply lists will depend on the individual teacher. Each course syllabus will indicate what is required for the class.

Bell Schedule Doors Open7:15 AM7:25 AM10 min 1st Block: Period 17:30 AM8:30 AM60 min Homeroom8:35 AM8:45 AM10 min 2nd Block: Period 2 or 3 8:50 AM10:20 AM90 min 3rd Block: Period 4 or 5 (READ 1st 30 minutes of class and Lunch) 10:25 AM12:55 PM155 min 4th Block: Period 6 or 7 1:00 PM2:30 PM90 min

First Week Schedule August 22 nd and 23 rd : Report to homeroom with a modified schedule for all 7 periods August 24th : Report to 1st period, A Day Schedule Change forms are due: August 26th Forms can be found online Forms are to be returned to Homeroom Teacher

Additional Info… Panther Zone: PE Uniform Sale ($10 Shirt/$10 Shorts) PTSO Member Registration ($5 per Family) Lockers: FEW AVAILABLE! PTSO Uniform Swap: Room 304 Band Booster Snack Sale! Campus Tours led by Student Leaders

See you Monday, August 22 nd ! Any questions?