1. Somerset Academy Middle School Orientation 2015-2016

2. 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 1996. Charter schools have grown from 5 to over 358 schools with a total enrollment over 120,000 students.

3. Staff Bernardo Montero, Principal Walkiria Soberon, Vice Principal Cristina Camus, Vice Principal Karina Iber, Assistant Principal Christine Stewart, Lead Teacher/Activities Director Jessica Kirker, 6-7 th Grades Jennifer Diaz de Villegas, 8 th Grade

4. Curriculum 7 period Block Schedule…A Days/B Days Summer Reading High school courses:  Foreign languages  Math courses  Online courses Somerset Arts Conservatory Remedial, on-grade level and advanced curriculum

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. 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. FSA: Florida Standards Assessments Writing: Grades 5-11 th Reading: Grades 5-11 th Math: Grades 5-8 th Science: Grade 8 (FCAT 2.0) Dates:  Writing: February 29 – March 4, 2016  Reading, Math, Science: April 11 – May 6, 2016 After School, Pull-Out, and Saturday School Tutoring Programs Available

8. Promotion Requirements Must pass 4 out of 7 classes; Must pass 4 core classes  Language Arts  Math  Science  Social Studies 7 th grade students will take an End of Course exam for Civics 8 th grade students must complete a PAC plan (personal academic career plan) in US History class

9. Attendance Compulsory Attendance  F.S. 1003.21. The School Attendance Review Committee will target 5 excused or unexcused absences and excessive absences.  Ages 6-16

10. 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. 1003.24

11. 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!

12. 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

13. Consequences Schools are required to collaborate with local and state agencies that are involved in truancy prevention, intervention, and judicial action.  Collaborative Problem Solving Team  No grade for course

14. 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.

15. 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)

16. 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

17. School Activities Public Calendar Online  School Functions and Activities Clubs/Organizations  35 Clubs/Honor Societies Athletics  14 Sports, Athletic Fees Apply, Physical Required to Participate Parent Volunteer Hours  30 hours

18. Guidance Social, academic and emotional concerns. Individual, small, and large group counseling. Character Education Virtual Counselor High school and post secondary planning Anti-Bullying policy

19. Code of Student Conduct Student/Parent Handbook Code of Excellence 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 1 st period teacher by August 28 th

20. Dress Code *NEW 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) Senior Spirit Day: Fridays (can wear Jeans/Senior Sweatpants with Class Shirt/Jersey) IDs are required! Somerset Hoodies or Plain, Navy Jackets/Hoodies

21. Schedules/Supply Lists There will be a Homeroom period this upcoming school year. Homeroom period assignments will be posted on our web-site Thursday evening, August 20 th. Homeroom period on Monday morning, August 24th. 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.

22. Bell Schedule Doors Open7:15 AM7:25 AM10 min 1st Block: Period 1 7:30 AM8:30 AM60 min Homeroom8:35 AM8:45 AM10 min 2nd Block: Period 2 or 3 8:50 AM10:20 AM90 min 3rd Block: Period 4 or 5 (READ 1st 30 minutes of class and Lunch) 10:25 AM12:55 PM155 min 4th Block: Period 6 or 7 1:00 PM2:30 PM90 min

23. First Week Schedule August 24th and 25th: Report to homeroom with a modified schedule for all 7 periods August 26th : Report to 1st period, A Day Schedule Change forms are due: August 28th  Forms can be found online  Forms are to be returned to Homeroom Teacher

24. THE END See you Monday, August 24th ! Any questions?