Somerset Academy

1. SomersetAcademy Elementary School Orientation

2. Our Theme for 2013-2014: Expedition: College Creating college bound students through research and fun!

3. Administrative Contacts: • Mrs. Enriquez jenriquez@somersetacademy.com LEAD TEACHER: • Mrs. Iber kiber@somersetacademy.com K-2 SPECIALIST: • Mrs. Machin mmachin@somersetacademy.com ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: • Mrs. Barber tbarber@somersetacademy.com • School phone number is 954-442-0233 • School fax number is 954-442-1762

4. Meet our Administrative Staff-The “A” Team • Mrs. Iber Elementary Lead Teacher • Mrs. Machin Primary Learning Specialist • Mrs. Coto-Hernandez Elementary Reading Specialist • Ms. Barber K-12 Administrative Assistant • Mrs. Fernandez Kindergarten Team Leader • Mrs. Gonzalez 1st grade Team Leader • Mrs. Portela 2nd grade Team Leader • Mrs. Anon 3rd grade Team Leader • Mrs. Campi 4th grade Team Leader • Ms. Lichtman 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

5. Somerset Academy: The Dream Team! • Members of our faculty, please stand and be recognized!

6. 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

7. A few words from our PTSO! • Mrs. Sonia Wisdom, President

8. 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.

9. FCAT 2.0 Assessments for 2013-2014 • February 25-26, 2014 FCAT 2.0 Writing • April 22-May 1,2014 Grades 3-10 Reading, Math and Science • Remember that our entire school is in testing mode during these assessments and visitors will not be permitted on campus on these dates.

10. Independence Day! • Wednesday, August 21st 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.

11. 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.

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 after 1:30pm.

13. Breakfast and Lunch Services Cafeteria Manager: Mrs. Grau 954-442-0233 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!

14. 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.

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

16. Meet the Masters Benefits • Children are exposed to a variety of artists from around the world. • Children learn to express their ideas about the artist's works and their own. • Children gain creative time with an art project. • Children with exposure to art often show improved test scores.

17. 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!

18. 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.

19. 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! • Here’s our S.R.O. with some helpful traffic flow information!

20. 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 enrolled in our “LEAP” program will be escorted to the proper classrooms. • 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. • TRAFFIC WILL BE BAD. REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR BEST SMILE!

21. What else can I do while here tonight? • Order 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, Kids Art • 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 Meet & Greet – Friday (8/16) from 2:00-3:00 (Parents and students will have a chance to meet their new teachers. This is a great time to bring your school supplies.)

22. Thank you for coming tonight! Go Panthers!