SOMERSET ACADEMY Elementary School Orientation

MEET OUR SERGEANT MAJORS: Mrs. EnriquezElementary Vice Principal Ms. BarberElementary Assistant Principal Mrs. MachinPrimary Learning Specialist (K-2) Mrs. Coto-HernandezElementary Reading/Writing Specialist (3-5) Mrs. MarinExceptional Student Education Mrs. HaritonScience Fusion and Mathematics Mrs. FernandezKindergarten Team Leader Mrs. Landa1st grade Team Leader Mrs. Portela2nd grade Team Leader Mrs. Anon3rd grade Team Leader Ms. Ziadie4th grade Team Leader Mrs. Suarez/Mrs. Flores5th grade Team Leader Mrs. Capiro“Specials” Team Leader Mrs. OharrizRegistrar/Information Management Technician Mrs. RhodenAdministrative Assistant/LEAP Director Mrs. GonzalezESOL Coordinator/Parent Coordinator Mrs. SotolongoTEST CHAIR and Administrative Assistant

OUR THEME FOR : This year, we are building on the strengths we built last year as FSA was introduced. As a school and campus we are like an ARMY…the strongest force in the WORLD! We are asking students, teachers and staff to be all that they can be!

SO WHAT’S NEW IN  TECHNOLOGY BOND!  NEW SPECIALS… PANTHER PRINCIPLES PROGRAM/CODE ACADEMY  NEW BACKPACK TAG REQUIRED ON ALL BACKPACKS  MY ON READER  DISMISSAL TIME IS NOW 2:00 P.M.

STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM Sometimes it’s good to have someone to talk to…. Our Student Support Specialists hold group sessions dealing with everything from DIVORCE to BULLYING and many concerns in between and do SO MUCH more for our student body! Referral forms for both students and parents will always be available in the main office. Mrs. Lorena Sakay and her team are available at

SOCIAL MEDIA  Please work with us to help combat cyber bullying by talking to your children about the dangers associated with the internet.  Somerset Academy has a zero tolerance policy for bullying of ANY SORT.  Do you want to make sure your child is NEVER involved in a Social Media event?

A FEW WORDS FROM OUR PTSO!

FLORIDA STANDARDS ASSESSMENT: THE F.S.A. IS BACK IN GRADES 3-5 Although we are still waiting on data from the Florida Department of Education, we are confident that our students will once again rise to meet the demands and challenges of the F. S.A.

INDEPENDENCE DAY! Thursday, August 27th is Independence Day! Students will celebrate their Independence by wearing red, white and blue (uniforms will not need to be worn if students are dressed for Independence Day) After Wednesday, students will not be permitted to be walked into school by mom/dad or guardian.

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 Include: 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.

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 after 1:30pm.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SERVICES Cafeteria Manager: Mrs. Grau ext. 620 Breakfast price: $1.50 Lunch price: $3.25 Free and Reduced Lunch-applications will be available in your child’s first day packet of information. Monthly menus are available on our website.

WHAT DO I DO ABOUT VOLUNTEER HOURS? VOLUNTEER HOURS Tracking  Parents must fill out a Family Contribution and Acknowledgement Form (in the first day packet)  Every time you volunteer time at the school, you must fill out a Volunteer Log and submit it to your child’s teacher  Every time you spend money for volunteering purposes, you must fill out a Volunteer Log and submit it with original receipts  30 hours per family per school with a maximum of 50 hours Hour completion  Volunteer in classroom or on field trips  Donate supplies into the classroom $4 = 1 hour  Gift Cards are not acceptable for meeting your Volunteer hours.

VISITING OUR SCHOOL Parents and families are welcome to visit our school! Please remember to follow procedures for the safety and security of all of our Panthers:  Valid FL Drivers License is required  Elementary Office check-in required  A reason to visit….field trip, classroom event or ceremony.  Please remember all of the procedures are to keep your children safe!

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Do you want to be involved? Do you want to have fun with kids; hear their ideas, see their creations? Can you volunteer 1 hour per month during school hours? Are you reliable? Do you want 20 hours of volunteer time for only seven(7) classes? Signup to learn more about becoming a Meet the Masters volunteer!

HOW DO I STAY INFORMED ABOUT MY CHILD’S PROGRESS IN THE CLASSROOM? MONITORING ACADEMIC PROGRESS Parent/Teacher Conferences (Each parent is required to have two in-person conferences per year) Your child’s teacher has a website on somersetacademy.com. Create a Parent Account to receive s about homework nightly. Progress Reports are issued at the halfway mark of each grading period. Report Cards are issued at the end of each grading period. Check our website for the exact dates for progress reports and report cards.

TRANSPORTATION Several private providers provide transportation to our school. Contact school office for more information. Traffic safety – please comply with staff directions and traffic safety Speed Limit will be strictly enforced! Here’s our S.R.O. with some helpful traffic flow information!

HOW IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL GOING TO WORK? DROP – OFF/PICK-UP PROCEDURES (PLACE A BACKPACK TAG ON EVERY STUDENT BACKPACK) PK-2 South Entrance off of Johnson Street (First Right) 3-5 West Entrance off of Johnson Street (Second Right) Students with younger siblings will be escorted to that classroom so that there is only one pick-up point. This only includes elementary siblings. (Middle/High siblings will be picked up from their dismissal point) Parents will receive hang tags to display with grade level and teacher. Students riding the bus will wait in the cafeteria until the correct bus number or name is called. Although attendance IS taken by all drivers, please make sure your child/children know the name or route number of their bus. PLEASE BE PATIENT DURING THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS. TRAFFIC WILL BE BAD. REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR BEST SMILE!

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO WHILE HERE TONIGHT? Purchase your Spirit Shirts Purchase your student PLANNER and TAG (Pre K students do not need an agenda) PTSO Sign-up Enroll in LEAP (our after care program) Enroll in Panther JUDO, Bricks4 Kids, Youth Orchestra, CHESS, WTU Enrichment Enroll in After School Sports (ALM) Visit our Uniform Swap Receive your Teacher/Student Assignments (see our MAP for locations) Don’t forget about our OPEN HOUSE – Friday (8/21) from 5:00-6:00 for K-2 and 6:00-7:00 from 3-5. (Parents and students will have a chance to meet their new teachers. This is a great time to bring your school supplies.)

THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT!