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 519 schools with a total enrollment over 179,931 students.

Curriculum 7 period Block Schedule…A Days/B Days Summer Reading High school 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. Each teacher has a personalized website where important information about their class is updated on an ongoing basis Tutoring

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

State Assessments FCAT All grades – math and reading Eighth grade – science and writing Dates  Writing – WAITING ON DISTRICT  Reading, Math, Science – WAITING ON DISTRICT EOC Civics – WAITING ON DISTRICT After School, Pull-Out, and Saturday School Tutoring Programs. Advance Math students taking Algebra and Geometry EOC are exempt from taking their grade level FCAT.

Promotion Requirements Must pass 4 out of 7 classes to be promoted; Must pass 4 core classes all 3 years of middle school to be promoted from 8 th to 9 th grade. Core classes:  Language Arts  Comprehensive Science  Social Studies  Math 8 th grade students will take a career planning course in conjunction with 8th grade US history and complete an ePEP – plan for high school

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.  Child Study 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 offers a wide assortment of food choices such as wings or ice cream, while the Panther Zone provides the students with a well balanced lunch aligned to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) standards. Prices: Breakfast- $2.50 Lunch- $3.50 Free and reduced lunches are available for qualified individuals for purchases made in the 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

School Activities Public Calendar Online  School Functions and Activities Clubs/Organizations Athletics Parent Volunteer Hours

Guidance Social, academic, physical and emotional concerns. Individual, small, and large group counseling. Character Education Virtual Counselor 8 th graders must choose an area of career interest. Anti-Bullying policy

Code of Student Conduct Student/Parent Handbook Code of Excellence Dress code-uniform policy 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

Schedules Homeroom assignments will be posted on our web-site Thursday evening, August 16 th. Schedules will be available during homeroom on Monday morning, August 20 th.

Bell Schedule Somerset Academy Middle/High School Daily Schedule 7:00-7:25 amStudent Arrival 7:15 amDoors Open 7:30-8:30 am1 st Block: Per. 1 8:35-8:45 amHomeroom 8:50-10:20 am2 nd Block: Per. 2 or 3 10:25-12:55 pm3 rd Block: Per. 4 or 5 (READ 1 st 30 minutes of class and Lunch) 1:00-2:30 pm4 th Block: Per. 6 or 7 2:30 pmStudent Dismissal Lunch Schedule 1st Lunch (MS)10:25-10:55 2 nd Lunch(MS)11:05-11:35 3 rd Lunch(HS)11:45-12:15 4 th Lunch(HS)12:25-12:55 “A” days are periods 1,3,5,7 “B” days are periods 1,2,4,6

THE END See you Monday, August 20 th ! Any questions?