SOMERSET ACADEMY

Elementary School Orientation

OUR THEME FOR 2014-2015:

Students+teachers+staff=WINNING!

MEET OUR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF-THE “A” TEAM Mrs. Enriquez Elementary Vice Principal

Mrs. Iber Elementary Lead Teacher

Mrs. Machin Primary Learning Specialist (K-2)

Mrs. Coto-Hernandez Elementary Reading/Writing Specialist (3-5)

Ms. Barber K-12 Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Marin Exceptional Student Education

Mrs. Fernandez Kindergarten Team Leader

Mrs. Landa 1st grade Team Leader

Mrs. Portela 2nd grade Team Leader

Mrs. Anon 3rd grade Team Leader

Mrs. Campi 4th grade Team Leader

Mrs.. Hariton 5th grade Team Leader

Mrs. Capiro “Specials” Team Leader

Mrs. Oharriz Registrar/Information Management Technician

Mrs. Rhoden Administrative Assistant/LEAP Director

Mrs. Gonzalez ESOL Coordinator/Parent Coordinator

SOMERSET ACADEMY: THE DREAM TEAM!

Members of our faculty, please stand and be recognized!

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 lsakay@somersetacademy.com

A FEW WORDS FROM OUR PTSO!

Mrs. Sonia Wisdom, President

IF I NEED TO SPEAK TO MY SCHOOL, HOW DO I?

COMMUNICATION PROCESS Contact your child’s teacher via email. Please give Teachers 24 hours to respond. Unless it is an emergency, we will not call into a teachers classroom.

Before contacting an administrator, please contact the teacher to discuss specific class concerns.

Team Leaders are also available to help with any questions, or concerns.

If you still have not had your concern addressed, please contact the elementary office to set up an appointment with Mrs. Enriquez.

FLORIDA STANDARDS ASSESSMENT: THE F.S.A.

It is important that each and every child in this state have the opportunity to learn and succeed in college, career and in life. This new method of assessment will allow teachers to emphasize critical thinking, which will provide our students with even greater opportunities to live and learn in Florida. Business growth will continue as Florida graduates show the ability to be the best in the nation, providing a strong workforce in the nation's most desirable location to live, to work and to learn.

With new, more rigorous standards in place to help Florida students succeed, the FCAT

2.0 no longer serves the purpose of measuring student progress and

achievement.

INDEPENDENCE DAY! Wednesday, August 20th 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. 1003.24

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. Grau954-442-0233 ext. 347

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.

Before dismissal each day, teachers will explain tomorrows lunch choices and ask students to choose. This will assist us in

eliminating waste!

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!

Is an art appreciation program presented to your children by parent volunteers like you.

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!

DO YOU HAVE A GREEN THUMB  

THE SOMERSET GARDEN CLUB IS LOOKING FOR YOU!

Earn Volunteer Hours by helping Mr. Lee with our Edible Gardens.

Please contact Rebekah Dudley, somersetediblegarden@gmail.com

http://edibleschoolyard.org/program/somersets-garden 

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 emails 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!

The park will not be a parking option. Please use the carpool lanes.

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 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 at the front benches 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.

ROSE PRICE PARK IS NO LONGER A PARKING OPTION

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 (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

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 (8/15) 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!