1. Things to do while you wait…
Welcome to Open House!!!
Things to do while you wait…
Please make sure to sign in and fill out the other important sign-up sheets
Contact Information Sheet
Permission to watch PG Movies
1st Day of School ‘Love Note’
Room Parent- Please indicate on the numbered post it, if your interested in being room parent.

2. Welcome to
Ms. Sutton’s Class!

3. Welcome!
Welcome to Somerset Academy’s Open House! I am Ms. Sutton and I am very delighted to be your child’s 2nd grade teacher. This is my fourteenth year teaching at Somerset Academy. I have also taught thirteen years in Miami –Dade County. I have two amazing children, my daughter attends Somerset’s Conservatory Arts School in the eleventh grade. My son attends Barry University Fire Academy. Our Teacher Assistant is Ms. V and together, we are pleased to be part of your child’s learning journey this year.

4. Curriculum
The 2nd grade curriculum consists of Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Our curriculum follows the Florida Standards (LAFS and MAFS), and writing is infused with the Reading portion. This provides your child with a well-rounded and complete education.
We utilize Journeys Reading Curriculum and Go Math Curriculum by Harcourt. Along with the textbooks, I will also incorporate Scholastic News, educational websites, such as I-Ready, and 2nd grade novels into their learning and enrichment.
Novels include: 1. Magic Tree House- Midnight on the Moon
2. Magic Tree House- Thanksgiving on Thursday
*** Please keep these books at home until you’re asked to send them in.

5. Tests/Exams/Assessments: 45%
Grades and Pinnacle
100% – 90% A
89% - 80% B
79% - 70% C
69% - 60% D
59% and below F
Pinnacle is our student database system. Parents will be able to access their child’s grades through this system.
You may also set the parameters to become notified on your child’s progress if your child falls below your desired percentage. Certain settings will allow you to receive a “warning ” when your child goes below a specific grade.
Login information will be distributed in the upcoming weeks.
Tests/Exams/Assessments: 45%
Class work = 30%
Quizzes = 10%
Homework = 10%
Projects = 5%

6. Thursday- Spanish at 1:55-2:25
Ms. Sutton’s Schedule
8:15-8:30 Morning Business
8:30-9:50    Reading/Language Arts
9:50-10:00 Snack
10:00-10:30 Recess
10:40-11:10 Specials
11:10-11:30 Math
11:30-12:00 Lunch
12:05-1:00 Math
1:00-2:00 Science/ Social Studies
2:00-2:20   S.S.R. (Sustained Silent Reading)
2:20-2:30    Dismissal
Specials Schedule
Monday- Art at 10:40-11:10
Tuesday- STEM at 10:40-11:10
Wednesday- PE at 10:40-11:10
Thursday- Spanish at 1:55-2:25
Friday- Music at 10:40-11:10

7. Classroom Management Rules Rewards Consequences Compliment System
Groups
Individuals
Consequences
Compliment System
Class Dojo

8. Planner
Students are responsible for copying down their homework in their planner at the beginning of each class. The planners are the most reliable source of updated information.
Planners are used daily and provide important information such as the year long calendar of school activities, homework, spelling/vocabulary words, and notes from school to home.
Reviewing the planner nightly will give you an opportunity to check and discuss your child’s homework and progress. It will also give me the opportunity to communicate with you if needed.
You can purchase the planner on-line Have your child bring receipt and his /her planner will be delivered to my classroom.
Please check your child’s planner every night.

9. Homework Homework is assigned daily and turned in the following day.
Students should expect approximately 30 minutes of homework daily in order to reinforce material covered in class and maintain their grades.
Your child will have homework Monday through Thursday. Every FRIDAY, I will update my web page with the following weeks work, spelling and vocabulary words, homework, important dates, upcoming events, reminders, etc. on
Please keep all homework assignments including the composition notebook (this is where your child will complete their vocabulary and spelling homework) inside the Red Homework Folder.

10. Homework Vocabulary Homework Mondays : Vocabulary – Define words 1-4
Tuesdays : Vocabulary – Define words 5-8
Wednesdays : Readers Notebook Page
Thursdays : Spelling Words 5x each/ Study for Tests
Fridays : Copy down the following week’s spelling and vocabulary words from my webpage into their planner to show on Monday
Math
Students complete the assigned pages for each night and turn them in the following day.
Reading
Students are required to read minutes every weeknight, and may choose any book or story of their choice.

11. Tests Tests count for 45% of your child’s final average.
Each Friday, our tests will include: Spelling, Vocabulary Definitions, and Reading Comprehension.
In addition, your child will alternate between taking a phonics quiz and/or grammar quiz at the end of the week.
Math, Social Studies, and Science Tests will vary based on the length of the chapter.
Please keep in mind, Reading, Social Studies, and Science tests are Open Book. (Due to yearly reproductions, these assessments will not be sent home).
If a student receives lower than a 70% on a test, I will send it home to be signed and returned in their Homework binder.
Please check Pinnacle weekly to track your child’s progress.

12. Communication and Friday Folder
Friday folders are sent home each Friday. Please look through it, keep any papers from the left pocket, and return anything from the right side on Monday.
Communication is an important part of success for your child. We will provide weekly updates via an distribution list and online through our Web-Pages on Somerset Academy.com
The fastest way to reach me is by . Please feel free to me at with any questions or concerns anytime.
It is our commitment to help your child succeed by establishing a strong school-home connection created through parent-teacher communication. Please be advised that we will begin conducting conferences in October.

13. Parent Volunteer Hours
Parents must complete a total of 30 volunteer hours
These hours may be completed by helping out in the classroom or school, purchasing supplies for the class, volunteering for special events or projects, donating snacks, or chaperoning on field trips.
Please visit our WISH LISTS for classroom items. Please remember to keep the receipt and attach it to the Volunteer Record Form. I will sign the form and turn it in to the office.
Somerset is happy to announce that we have created a link on our website to facilitate the tracking of your volunteer hours. Please follow the steps below to view your account:
  1) Go onto:
2) Click “Stop (Obligations)”
3) Log on: ########## (student ID number)
4) Password: mm/dd/yyyy (student’s birthday)
(*** slashes are required***)
~ Room Parent: If you are interested in becoming a room parent for our class, please indicate it on the numbered post it.

14. Uniforms Follow Somerset School Uniform Policy.
Fridays: (please check calendar in planner for exact days)
P.E. Days – Students wear their P.E. uniform on Wednesdays.
Spirit Days - Students can wear their Blue Spirit shirt shirt and jeans.
Dress Down Days – Students can dress down for $2 (Please check the school uniform policy on which attire is appropriate for dress down days).
Example: Shorts and skirts can not be higher than three inches from knee, no midriff shirts, no spaghetti strap shirts, no tight attire, no open toe or backless shoes, etc.)

15. Attendance
Somerset Academy follows Broward County Schools Attendance Policy 5.5!
This means every minute counts, from absences,
tardiness, and early sign outs.
School begins at 8:30 am. If students are not on campus by 8:35, they will be marked tardy. Students that arrive late to school must have parents sign them in the office and pick-up a late pass before walking to the classroom. However, I strongly suggest your child arrives by 8:15 am, that is when I will open my doors.
5 tardies = 1 absence. If your child is absent more than five times in a quarter The Broward County School Board may be contacting you regarding the excessive absences.
For absences: Please go through the Somerset website to note your absences.
If you are planning for a trip or special occasion, you must submit a letter and get prior approval. Failure to get pre-approval may result in unexcused absences on your child’s attendance record.
Please do not plan trips during the month of May. This is when our Primary End of Year Tests take place.

16. Dismissal Carpool pickup is from 2:20 -2:45 p.m.
If your child is not picked up by 2:45p.m. you will receive a phone call and your child will be placed in a LEAP classroom. You will have to pay a fee of $25.00 for picking up your child late.
Early Release Days – Dismissal is at 12:30 p.m.
If you pick-up from the car lane: Please hang colored decal from rearview mirror and make sure to include your child’s name using a dark marker.
Early Pick-up is not allowed after 1:30 P.M.
If someone new is picking up your child, please send me an or call the office and please inform that person they will need to show me their driver’s license before I release your child to them.

17. Morning Sibling Care @ 7:45am - one-time $100 fee
Morning 7:30am- $100 month

18. Reminders Student of the month –Students’ vote
Lunch is $3.25/ Breakfast is $1.50.
Accounts are up and running and payments can be made online
Checks will be allowed for Lunch accounts only.
Snacks must be healthy (No candy or soda) it should be something he/she can eat within 5 minutes. (Provide utensils if needed)
Birthday celebrations will be celebrated during lunch time monthly.
Field Trip payments must be paid online. Field trips must be paid by the due date if not your child will not be able to attend. This is a school-wide policy. Only registered volunteers will be allowed to attend.
At times, it is quite cold in the classrooms. Please send your child with a sweater to school if needed.
Students are required to bring a chapter book daily if they complete their work.
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications are now available on-line. Please visit our Somerset Academy Website, select the Parent Tab on the top to locate the document.

19. Forms to be Returned School Forms
(Please fill out completely and return to
me no later than Friday, August 17, 2018)
2 Copies of Insurance Card (Front and back)
Student Emergency Contact Card
Student/Parent Acknowledgement form
Volunteer Application
Broward County- Code of Conduct- 4 pages
Payment Agreement
Parent/Guardian contract
Spirit Shirt (online)
$10 Specials Fee (online)
Planner- $8 (online)

20. Final Note
We are truly excited to be teaching your children! I know that all children can learn and that it is a collaborative effort between the parents, teacher, and student. We are committed to the success of your child and hope to inspire and educate them. I know we will have a successful year!