Change is inevitable; growth is intentional.

Welcome Mr. Rafael A. Villalobos Principal

Our School Board Member Dr. Marta Perez Wurtz

Ferguson spotlight Our students received over 7.2 million dollars in scholarship money Our student athletes earned over $595,000 in athletic scholarships International Business and Finance Academy received the 2016 Magnet Schools of America Award of Distinction IT students also participated on the “Hour of Code” and won $10,000 Accumulated 185,240 hours of community service Thespians, Chorus and Band all competed in National and State competitions 13 Silver Knight Award Nominees, One Honorable Mention

Mindy Acosta-Leon

Requirements for Graduation Every student: Grade 10 ELA Algebra I EOC Students must participate in the following EOC assessments and the results constitute 30% of the final course grade. (Geometry, Biology, US History, Algebra II) Complete his/her Service Learning requirement. (Community Service Hours) Complete one online course Have a minimum 2.0 unweighted cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) to graduate. Accumulate 24 credits including English, Math, Social Studies, Science and electives.

Promotion Promotion to Grade 10: A minimum cumulative total of 4 credits (Must include one credit of English or Math) Promotion to Grade 11: A minimum cumulative total of 10 credits (Must include two credits in English and Math) Promotion to Grade 12: A minimum cumulative total of 16 credits, (Must include three credits in English and Math)

Academy Completion Becoming an academy completer is an important first step towards earning certification, college credit and scholarships! To be an academy completer at Ferguson Sr. a student must: Complete all State of Florida graduation requirements Complete a minimum of 100 hours of community service Earn a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.0 Earn a minimum un-weighted grade point average of 3.5 in their academy major Complete four consecutive courses in a recognized major

Opportunities for Acceleration Schedules AP – Advance Placement IB – International Baccalaureate DE – Dual Enrollment Industry Certification Student Portal - Schedules - Schedule Concerns Parent Portal - Room 144 Schedules

Testing PSAT will be on Wednesday, October 19th. Only one day of testing. 9th and 11th grade students pay $15, Free for all 10th graders. The new Florida Standards Assessment Writing Test will be administered February 27th through March 10th. The new Florida Standards Assessment Reading, End-of-Course exams in Algebra I, II, Geometry, Biology, and US History will be administered during the months of April and May. AP and IB exams will be administered in May. Specific testing dates in 2016 will be established during the school year.

Ideal Garcia

Code of Student Conduct A copy of the Code of Student Conduct is available at: http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/9/index.htm (subject to change) Students are responsible to adhere to all policies at all times.

Discipline Policy Continued defiance of school authority and policies and/or serious violations of The Code of Student Conduct may result in disciplinary action. Ferguson employs a progressive discipline policy in accordance with district policy which includes warnings, parent conferences, work detail, detentions, indoor suspension (SCSI) and assignment to student success center. Disciplinary action is judged on an individual case by case basis. Please visit our website to review an overview of the Ferguson’s progressive discipline plan.

Dress Code All students are expected to be in uniform everyday unless otherwise notified. Proper uniforms include: solid color gray, black, or white polo or oxford shirts. black, gray, or khaki pants such as Dockers, chinos, joggers or Dickies. Dark Blue jeans may ONLY be worn on Friday along with a uniform shirt or a school sanctioned spirit shirt. (Each “quarter,” this will be revisited).

District Dress Code The following items are not permitted to be worn at any time, and will call for immediate disciplinary action: Tube tops, spaghetti straps, see-through blouses, shirts revealing the lower back or midriff, or sleeveless shirts. Shorts, skirts, leggings, tights, yoga pants. Clogs, sandals, flip flops, or any shoe without back straps. Hats, bandanas, or any other headgear, including hoodies. No written messages or symbols deemed inappropriate for school.

Athletes must: Maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average Athletics Athletic Director Mr. Kelvin Justice Assistant Athletic Director Mr. Edward Lopez Athletic Business Manager Robyn Hertler Athletes must: Maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average Have a current Athletic Eligibility Pack Purchase school insurance for $30, (Football requires $76) Complete a physical (forms can be found on the school’s website under the Athletic section) Complete the concussion course Have less than 10 absences and/or 20 tardies to school

Stanley Thompkins

Attendance Policy Students are expected to be in attendance every day. Excused absences include: Illness of self. Medical appointment. Death in the immediate family. Religious observance. Immigration or court appearance. When a student is absent he/she must present a note to the attendance office within three days. Notes should include: Student’s name, ID number, date of absence, reason, and parent’s signature. Notes then must be submitted to all teachers for documentation. If an admit is not obtained within the three days, the absence will remain unexcused and the student will not be permitted to make up work missed. The student should retain all admit notes for their records.

Tardy Policy Students are tardy after 7:20 a.m. Between 7:20 a.m. and 7:45 a.m., students must report to a PLASCO location (located at entrances to buildings 10, 12, and in front of the auditorium) to secure an admit to class. Unexcused tardies will result in disciplinary action and loss of activity privileges. After 7:45 a.m., students need to report to the attendance office to secure an admit. The first nine tardies may be excused with a parent escort or doctor’s note in the attendance office. Once a student accumulates ten (10) tardies, parent escorts are no longer accepted, and the tardy will remain unexcused. Make-up work may not be accepted for time missed because of tardiness.

Attendance Office Located in Room 20 Hours are from 7:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Admits can be obtained before school, during lunch and after school. Emergency Contact Cards Sign-outs are not allowed after 1:50 p.m.

Electronic Device Policy All electronic devices must be turned off and out of sight from 7:20 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. unless for educational purposes as deemed by the teacher. Ferguson is not responsible for any lost, stolen or broken electronic devices.

What you should have received: 9th Grade Tablets What you should have received: Student tablets Protective case USB Dongle USB Keyboard Kickstand Power Adaptor Shoulder and Hand strap

Device Use Belongs to the school district and must be used in accordance with the District plan Locked down so students cannot install apps. LightSpeed Internet Filter will enforce District’s Acceptable Use Policy. OneDrive, available through the portal, should be used to store files in cloud instead of on device. Designated Site Person to handle the reporting of broken, lost, or stolen devices in the Media Center.

LUNCH Information Online applications can be found and submitted at https://freeandreducedmealapp.dadeschools.net/ Please remember that you must reapply yearly.

Kathryn Guerra

Transportation Students may be transported to and from school if they live two miles or more from the school within school boundaries. Transportation is not provided for magnet students who are out of school boundaries. Students may be eligible for a “space available” pass after the first ten days of school on a first come, first serve basis. No student is allowed to ride a school bus other than the one to which he/she is assigned. The school bus driver has absolute jurisdiction over all students on their school bus. Private busses may be hired to transport students to and from school. Afternoon pick-up is on the Driver’s Ed Range for all private busses. Information is available when you visit the Cafeteria as part of today’s school tours.

Student Drop-off/ Parking Students may be dropped off in the parent loop on the west side of the school. Parents should avoid dropping students off in areas of heavy traffic. Parents may not use the Faculty Parking Lot or bus loop to drop-off or pick up students. Parents should attempt to drop-off students by 7:00 a.m. due to the volume of students at Ferguson. It is suggested that parents and students have a pre- arranged location for pick-up. Carpooling is appreciated! Make sure to have rainy day plans.

Activities Director Ms. Tanya Rae-Schulze Activities Office is located in room 50 Clubs (Service Clubs/ Interest Clubs, Honor Societies, and Student Government/ Class Boards) To get text message reminders from Activities, please sign up for Remind 101 by texting to @jafactsga to 81010 Student Government Twitter and Facebook

Freshman Class sponsor Ms. Erica Fernandez Contact Info: Ms.fernandez@dadeschools.net To get text message reminders from JAF Class of 2020, please sign up for Remind 101 by texting to @jaf2020 to 81010

Student Picture Day September 15 and 16, 2016 Picture Day Flyers will be available at the Resource Fair in the gymnasium Photos will be taken through your child’s Language Arts classes Payment must be made the day of the photograph. (Cash and check accepted)

Get Involved Not only encourage your child to get involved, but get involved too Use the Parent Portal at http://www.dadeschools.net/parents.asp Your child’s classes Your child’s grades Your child’s attendance Get to know your child’s teachers Volunteer and attend events These four years will go fast

Resources STOP Financial System http//fl-dade.stopforschools.com username: student id number password: DOB (mm/dd/yyyy) Stay current with school information and activities by visiting our school website www.fergusonhs.org

Social media Ferguson’s Twitter Account: @FergusonSHS Ferguson’s Instagram Account: @fergusonfalcons Gmail Account: jafsocialmedia33185@gmail.com Dade County Public School Mobile App Available to Apple and Android users. No cost for the download

South Region Office Administration http://southregionoffice.dadeschools.net/region_staff/default.html

Michelle Vigoa Suarez

Talking Points for FAST   This school year, we anticipate that Ferguson HS will be working with Dr. Annette La Greca and her research team at the University of Miami on a research project for entering freshman. The project is called FAST 2020 (Ferguson Adolescent School Transitions – 2020). FAST 2020 project will focus on risk and resilience factors that predict adolescents' academic, behavioral, and emotional adjustment during the transition to the first year of high school. The project will involve administering questionnaires to 9th grade students at three time points over the course of the academic year (early fall, late fall, late spring). Dr. La Greca is currently in the process of obtaining all the needed University and School Board ethics review and permissions for the project. Once the project is formally approved, more information will follow. At Ferguson Senior High School, we understand that the transition from middle to high school can be challenging for some students, and we view this project as a very important step in helping make the transition easier for students. We think this is an important project and hope you will agree. We anticipate that in the next month or so, your son or daughter will bring home a letter describing the project and also a parental consent form for you to sign. Please read the materials carefully. Please sign and return the form, regardless of whether you want your child to participate. That way, we know that all parents have reviewed the materials. We note that Dr. La Greca and her team will also be donating their time to help our Psychology Honors Society this year with a school-based prevention project.

Enjoy the rest of your morning… Falcon Bazaar and Information Fair Gymnasium Activity and Athletic Information, P.E. Uniforms, Clubs, Yearbook, PTSA, and School Fund Raisers. Parent Information Room 144 Parent Portal, Volunteer Information, PIN Numbers. Counselors available. Transportation Cafeteria School Tour Sign Up Gymnasium No Goal's Too High Where Falcons Fly!