1. Somerset Academy Charter School
High School Orientation

2. Staff Bernardo Montero, Principal Walkiria Soberon, Vice Principal
Cristina Camus, Vice Principal
Karina Iber, Assistant Principal
Christine Stewart, Lead Teacher/Activities Director
Jonele Estomba, Guidance Director 10TH -12TH (A-K)
Julia Muñoz, Guidance Counselor 10TH -12TH (L-Z)
Gabriella Valdes, Guidance Counselor 9th (A-Z)
Erin Pierce, BRACE Advisor

3. 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 652 schools with a total enrollment over 270,000 students.

4. Curriculum 8 period model- A: 1,2,3,4/B: 5,6,7,8 Schedule
90 minutes of instruction
Summer Reading
Somerset Arts Conservatory
Academic Rigor
Advanced Placement Courses
Dual Enrollment

5. 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.
Free tutoring is provided by our Honor Societies on selected days.

6. Staff Communication All teachers have email
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

7. Guidance Social/emotional, academic, and career planning.
Individual, small, and large group counseling.
Character Education
Virtual Counselor
Anti-Bullying policy
Parent Forums

8. Graduation Requirements
Total of 24 credits needed for graduation
Must complete 40 hours of community service by February 1, (SENIORS)
All high school students must pass the Math and Reading sections of the FCAT/FSA and EOC exams.
All incoming 9th grade students are required to take one online class before graduating.

9. Testing Calendar FSA Writing: Grades 9-10th FSA Reading: Grades 9-10th
Dates:
Writing: February 26 – March 2, 2018
FSA Reading: April 9 – May 4, 2018
AP: May 7 – 18, 2018
EOC Exams for Algebra I, Biology, Geometry, US History: April 16 - May 11, 2018
Senior Finals: May 1 – 18, 2018
Final Exams: May 31 - June 5, 2018
After School, Pull-Out, and Saturday FSA Boot Camp Tutoring Programs Available
*DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

10. BRACE Advisor 9-12th Grade College Applications Scholarships
Career Assessments
Workshops (Financial Aid, Resumes/Mock Interviewing, College Essays)
College Tour: January 22-24, 2018
FSU, UF, UCF, USF, FGCU
9-12th grade
2.75 Unweighted GPA
Deposit $120 Cash or Online Payment
VERY LIMITED SPACE!

11. College Prep College Readiness Classes SAT/ACT Testing Site
Dual Enrollment Classes
AP classes
PSAT All students in 9 -11th grades will take this test on October 11th

12. Attendance/Tardies
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 formal meeting will be held with SARC to eliminate the pattern. F.S
Compulsory Attendance
F.S The School Attendance Review Committee will target 5 excused or unexcused absences and excessive absences.
Ages 6-16

13. Consequences
Schools are required to collaborate with local and state agencies that are involved in truancy prevention, intervention, and judicial action.
Refer to Collaborative Problem Solving Team
May result in NO grade for course
Unable to apply and obtain a Florida Driver’s License
Academic/Attendance Contract- violation will jeopardize re-enrollment.
Parent’s driver’s license may be suspended

14. Please note the school requires proper documentation!
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!

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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- $2.50 Lunch- $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)
Accepted forms of payment: cash, check or online
Breakfast is only served in Panther Zone
Lunches are served in both Le Café and Panther Zone

18. Lunch Application
Families are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to complete a Lunch Application Form by September 29th (ONLY 1 FORM PER FAMILY)
Part 1: List family members that live in the home
Part 2: Complete if you receive State/Government Benefits. Must include case number and beneficiary’s name
Part 3: ONLY include name of family member with income
Part 3: Select Income Type and include Income Frequency
Part 4: Complete personal date section, including Primary Income Provider’s Signature and last 4-digits of social security number
Part 5: Choose Ethnicity & Race
ONLY COMPLETE FRONT PAGE OF APPLICATION
For more info, contact Jennie Garcia at

19. Transportation
Several private providers 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
Please refrain from using your cell phone while in the carpool line (NO texting nor talking)
Speed Limit

20. 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 8:00 and 8:30 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 8:00 and 8:30 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!

21. 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 7:30 and 8:00 a.m.
Drivers will then be directed to return to Somerset Way to leave campus.

23. 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 25th, 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.

24. Code of Student Conduct Student/Parent Handbook
Handbooks can be found online
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 your 1st Period teacher by August 25th

25. 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 (NO shorts, NO holes, NO tearing/shredding)
Senior Spirit Day: Fridays (can wear Jeans/Seniors can wear Senior Sweatpants with Class Shirt/Jersey)
Somerset Sweatpants are only for cold days in PE
IDs are required!
Somerset Hoodies or Plain Navy Blue or Black Jackets/Hoodies

26. Schedules/Supplies
Schedule Distribution Locations will be posted on our web-site on Thursday evening, August 17th (Grouped by Grade/Last Name)
Although the use of planners are strongly encouraged, we will 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.

27. Somerset Academy Middle/High/Arts Conservatory Daily Schedule
NEW Bell Schedule
Somerset Academy Middle/High/Arts Conservatory Daily Schedule
"A" Days Period 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th "B" Days Period 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Start Time
End Time
Length
Doors Open
7:30 AM
7:55 AM
25 min
1st Block: Period 1 or 5
8:00 AM
9:30 AM
90 min
2nd Block: Period 2 or 6
9:35 AM
11:05 AM
3rd Block: Period 3 or (READ 1st 15 minutes of class and Lunch)
11:10 AM
1:25 PM
135 min
4th Block: Period 4 or 8
1:30 PM
3:00 PM
Student Dismissal

28. Schedule
August 21st : Report to Schedule Distribution Location then follow an “A” Day Schedule (1,2,3,4) at 8:00am.
August 22nd: Report to 5th period, “B” Day (5,6,7,8)
Schedule Change forms are due: August 25th
Forms can be found online on Aug. 21st after 3:30pm
Forms are to be returned to 1st Period Teacher

29. PERSONALIZATION PERIOD
Each 6th – 12th grade student will be assigned a Personalization Period (study hall). This is a non-credit earning course. Students will not be exempted from this course. The purpose of the course is for students to get organized, study and work on assignments during the school day (online courses, homework, etc.). Teachers are to take attendance and maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to self-learning. Teachers are not mandated to keep lesson plans for this period nor to enter grades in Pinnacle for this course.
Students may use personal electronic devices only for instructional purposes to complete assignments (phones, computers, lap-tops, tablets, etc.). However, Somerset Academy is not responsible for any theft, loss or damage to personal electronic devices brought to school. Students that use electronic devices for non-instructional purposes will have their electronic devices confiscated.
Additionally, Personalization Periods may be used for guidance presentations, IEP/EP meetings, pull-outs/push-in interventions, therapies, etc.
Students are expected to study and complete assignments during this period in a quiet and respectful manner. Those that do not follow instructions or cause a disruption, will receive behavioral consequences as delineated in the Somerset Academy Progressive Discipline Plan and Broward County Public Schools Administrative Discipline Matrix.

30. School Activities Public Calendar Online Clubs/Organizations Athletics
School Functions and Activities
Clubs/Organizations
48 Clubs/Honor Societies, Fall/Spring Recruitment
Athletics
14 Sports, Athletic Fees Apply, Physical Required to Participate
Parent Volunteer Hours
30 hours

31. Senior Panther Package
Includes: Senior Attire (personalized Class Shirt, Hoodie, Jersey, Sweatpants, Knee-High Socks), Yearbook, Homecoming Ticket, Prom Ticket, Busch Gardens Trip, Grad Bash with Pre-Party, Senior Picnic, Senior Breakfast, Cap & Gown, 7 Graduation Tickets, 1 Final High School Transcript
Seniors must meet Senior Panther Package requirement in order to participate in senior events
TOTAL: $705
Deposit: $255
Monthly Payments from Sept. – Feb.: $75

32. England, Ireland, Wales and Paris Trip June 2018
It's not too late to join us!! Incoming th Graders and Families Tour # VJ $95 Deposit
For more information, contact Trip Group Leaders:
Sarah Fye:
Christy Stewart:
Included: Round-trip flights, comfortable motorcoach,7 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms, European breakfast and dinner daily (lunch not included)

33. Additional Info… Panther Zone: PE Uniform Sale ($10 Shirt/$10 Shorts)
PTSO Member Registration ($5 per Family)
PTSO Uniform Swap: Media Center
* Campus Tours led by Student Leaders

34. See you Monday, August 21st!
Any questions?