WELC

OME TO

SOMERSET ACADEMY!

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

• Mr. Montero, Principal

• Ms. Soberon, Vice Principal

• Ms. Camus, Assistant Principal

• Ms. Stewart, Lead Teacher/Activities Director

• Ms. Barber, Administrative Liaison (K-12)

• Mr. Sotomayor, Dean of Discipline

• Mr. Fanakos, Head of Security

• Officer Weatherford, SRO

GUIDANCE/STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

• Jessica Kirker, 6/7th Grade Guidance Counselor

• Jennifer Hicks, 8th Grade Guidance Counselor

• Jonele Estomba, 9-12th Grade (A-K) Guidance Counselor

• Julia Muñoz, 9-12th Grade (L-Z) Guidance Counselor

• Erin Pierce, BRACE Advisor

• Lory Sakay, Student Support Specialist

• Elsa Acevedo, Student Support Specialist/ESE Assistant

• Raquel Escudero, Student Support Specialist/Peer Counseling Advisor

• Valentina Vetencourt, ESE Specialist/Gifted Coordinator

MONDAY, 8/18 & TUESDAY, 8/19 SCHEDULE

PERIOD TIME

Homeroom 7:30am – 9:00am

1st Period 9:05am – 9:20am

2nd Period 9:25am – 9:40am

3rd Period 9:45am – 10:00am

4th Period 10:05am – 10:20am

5th Period, Lunch & 30 min READ 10:25am – 12:55pm

1st Lunch 10:25am – 10:55am

2nd Lunch 11:05am – 11:35pm

3rd Lunch4th Lunch

11:45pm – 12:15pm12:25pm - 12:55pm

6th Period 1:00pm – 1:45pm

7th Period 1:50pm – 2:30pm

DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE

PERIOD TIME1st Period 7:30am – 8:30am

Homeroom 8:35am – 8:45am

2nd or 3rd 8:50am – 10:20am

4th or 5th, READ & Lunch 10:25am – 12:55pm

1st Lunch MS

10:25am – 10:55am

2nd Lunch MS 11:05am – 11:35pm

3rd Lunch HS4th Lunch HS

11:45pm – 12:15pm12:25pm – 12:55pm

6th or 7th 1:00pm – 2:30pm

A Days: 1, 3, 5 & 7B Days: 1, 2, 4 & 6

ATTENDANCECOMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

1. All children who have attained the age of six years or who will have attained the age of six years by February 1 of any school year, or who are older than six years of age but who have not yet attained the age of 16 years or age specified by state statute, whichever is older, except as hereinafter provided, are required to attend school regularly during the entire 180-day school term.

2. A student who attains the age of 16 years during the school year is not subject to compulsory school attendance beyond the date upon which he or she attains that age if the student files a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment with the School Board. The declaration must acknowledge that terminating school enrollment is likely to reduce the student's earning potential and must be signed by the child and parent. A student who attains the age of 18 years during the school year is not subject to the legal sanctions for compulsory school attendance.

3. Students under 16 years of age may not be permanently withdrawn from school for any reason unless expelled through Board action or covered by an exemption allowed by Florida Statute.

4. Compulsory school attendance requirements may be met by attendance in a home education program, Although 180 days is the standard requirement for compulsory school attendance; Florida Statutes requires a longer term for Department of Juvenile Justice Programs. For students in those programs, the compulsory school attendance requirement is consistent with state law and regulations.

ATTENDANCEPATTERNS OF NON-ATTENDANCE

1. Non-attendance for instructional activities is established by tardiness, early-sign-outs, or absences for all or any part of the day. The maximum number of days that a student may be absent without acceptable documentation is 5 in a marking period.

2. A student who has had at least five unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown, within a calendar month, or 10 unexcused absences, or absences for which the reasons are unknown within a 90-calendar-day period, may be exhibiting a pattern of non-attendance.

3. Unless acceptable documentation is available, an accumulation of daily absences (excused or unexcused) by tardiness, or early sign-outs that equals 5 days (30 hours) in a marking period or 10 days (60 hours) within two marking periods may establish a pattern of non-attendance.

4. Habitual truant means a student has 15 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days with or without the knowledge or justifiable consent of the child's parent or legal guardian, is subject to compulsory school attendance at Somerset Academy Charter.

ABSENCESEXCUSED ABSENCES

Students must be in school unless the absence has been permitted or excused for one of the reasons listed below.

1. Illness of student.

2. Illness of an immediate family member.

3. Death in the family.

4. Religious holidays of the student's own faith.

5. Required court appearance or subpoena by a law enforcement agency.

6. Scheduled medical or dental appointment.

Please be advised that for an excusable absence Somerset Academy requires that all parents must report the absence within 2 school days

following the absence. Any absence is unexcused until the school receives a written notice to excuse the absence from the parent or provide documentation of illness from a physician or public health unit.

ABSENCES

UNEXCUSABLE ABSENCES

1. Students without a completed Certificate of Immunization indicating compliance with the current required schedule of immunizations will not be allowed to attend classes until this document is provided or a waiver is obtained. Absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements shall be considered unexcused.

2. For students transferring into Broward County, including but not limited to foster care students, or a homeless student, a temporary 30 day waiver of both health examination documents and certificates of immunization may be granted.

3. Students who have been externally suspended may be offered an opportunity to participate in an alternative to suspension program. If they do not attend, the assigned days, the absences will be considered suspensions.

TARDINESS(Tardiness is defined as a student not being in the

classroom when the class is scheduled to begin.)

1. Parents must follow the same process to excuse a tardy as they do to excuse an absence. A tardy will only be excused if the student has a doctor’s note.

2. Excessive tardiness will be addressed on a case-by-case basis to determine if a pattern of non- attendance exists. Non-attendance for instructional activities is established by tardiness, early-sign-outs, or absences for all or any part of the day.

3. Tardiness to any class without documentation may be considered unexcused.

4. Habitual tardiness is defined as being tardy 5 times within a marking period.

TARDINESS

UNEXCUSED TARDY POLICY TO SCHOOL

• Students will not be allowed into any class without a tardy pass. The teacher will have the door locked even if it is right after the bell rings.

• If you are tardy, you must get a pass and you will then be allowed into class with the pass.

• Your tardy records will be kept by the school system. As soon as you have a tardy, the system will automatically contact the parent/guardian to inform them of the tardy.

• There will be consequences for tardiness that will be handled by the disciplinary specialist and the attendance committee

UNIFORM POLICY

Please Note:

Students who are not wearing the correct uniform will receive an automatic DETENTION.

All uniform attire must be purchased at All Uniform Wear Inc. Students wearing any item not purchased

at All Uniform will be asked to conference with administration and a parent will be contacted in

order to rectify and clarify any misunderstandings outlined by the following:

UNIFORM POLICY1. All students are required to wear uniform polo shirts with the

Somerset Academy logo in colors which include navy blue, light blue, white and striped blue/white. Somerset Arts Conservatory students are required to wear uniform polo shirts with the Somerset Arts Conservatory logo in colors which include kiwi green, navy blue and gray.

2. All students are required to wear straight cut, full length khaki or dark blue pants with the Somerset Academy embroidery labeled by the pocket.

3. All students are allowed to wear Khaki or dark blue Bermuda shorts with the Somerset Academy embroidery labeled by the pocket.

4. The pants or Bermuda shorts may not have cargo pockets, unusual tailoring and/or labels, may not be manufactured from jean material and must be fitted to the student correctly. Pants that are too big or too tight, as determined by the Administration, for the student are not acceptable and will be deemed in violation of the uniform code.

UNIFORM POLICY5. Belts must be worn at all times; these belts must be plain,

black or brown leather belts and fastened securely at waist level. Pants must be worn at waist level. Loosely worn pants are not acceptable.

6. If a student chooses or needs to wear a jacket due to cold weather, it must be an official Somerset Academy apparel, Somerset club hoodie or a plain, blue jacket/sweater/hoodie.

7. Any attire, including back packs, displaying gang related paraphernalia or symbols, profanity or any inappropriate logos or displays are not allowed.

8. Clothing, jewelry, buttons, haircuts, or other items or markings which are, *suggestive, * revealing, or *indecent, associated with gangs or cults, encourage the use of drugs, alcohol, or violence, or support discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, linguistic differences, marital status, national origin, race, religion, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or on any other basis are not allowed.

UNIFORM POLICY9. Any articles of clothing or jewelry that may cause injury

including, but not limited to: with spikes or sharp objects, wallet chains, and heavy link chains are not allowed.

10. All uniform must be clean and pressed at all times; good grooming of hair, skin and fingernails is expected at all times.

11. All headgear (hats, scarves, bandanas etc.) are forbidden on school property.

12. No buttons, tags, or labels may be worn on the school uniform unless approved by the administration.

13. All students must wear their Somerset’s Student ID card on a lanyard.

UNIFORM POLICY

Boys Uniform

In addition to the above, boys must:

1. Pants/Bermuda pants must be worn at waist level.

Girls Uniform

In addition to the above, girls must:

1. For safety reasons earrings must be plain and stud type, or small hoops (total size must be smaller than a quarter - $.25).

SPIRIT DAY ATTIRE

• Students will only be allowed to wear class/club/spirit shirts with uniform bottoms on Wednesdays. Senior shirts/jerseys/sweatpants are allowed to be worn on Wednesdays and Fridays.

 

• Athletes will be allowed to wear team jersey/uniform tops on game days with uniform bottoms.

 

• Dance Team/Color Guard/Cheerleaders are allowed to wear their track suits on Wednesdays and performance days.

JEAN DAY ATTIRETops: No tank, tube or spaghetti tops. No midriff

showing. No undergarments should be visible or revealing clothing worn. No lewd or suggestive graphics should appear on clothing.

Bottoms: ONLY JEANS ALLOWED!!!

Shoes: Closed-toe shoes or sneakers. No high heels, open toe shoes, or flip flops.

Footwear must be worn at all times. For grades K-12, bedroom slippers are not allowed. Parents should ensure that the footwear their students wear to school does not impede their safety.

Headwear: All headgear (hats, scarves, bandanas etc.) is forbidden on school property.

DRESS CODE VIOLATION INTERVENTION/DISCIPLINARY ACTION

EXPECTED STUDENT BEHAVIOR

1. Treat your peers and authority with respect. 2. Be honest and fair. 3. Be responsible for your actions. 4. Obey all school rules. 5. Always be prepared for class (i.e., complete homework

assignments, have your class materials on hand). 6. Be on time to school and to all of your classes. 7. Complete all assigned work. 8. Treat school property with respect. 9. Adhere to school uniform policy. 10. Be a positive role model at Somerset Academy Charter.

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE PLAN1st Consequence - verbal warning should be issued to student. Teacher

must document the date and time the verbal warning was issued.

2nd Consequence - parent contact must be established and it must be logged in the parent contact log.

3rd Consequence - mandatory 1 hour detention will be given to student by teacher. The teacher will be responsible for supervising the detention with the student. Please note that parent(s) of the offender must be informed 24 hours prior serving the detention. You must document the method of parent notification whether it was done via email, letter/detention form, or phone call on your parent contact log.

4th Consequence (Administrative Consequence) - depending on the severity of the infraction, the student will serve a 2 hour detention closely supervised by the Disciplinary Specialist. Subsequently, he will email the teacher confirmation of the served detention; OR, the student will serve Saturday School Detention for 4 hours. The hours of operation are from 8 am – 12 noon. Saturday Detentions will be conducted twice a month.

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE PLAN5th Consequence - All previous parental communication

established by the teacher and referral will be submitted to the disciplinary specialist. The student will serve a mandatory 3 Day Internal Suspension. In case the Broward County Discipline Matrix outlines the consequence of the infraction as more severe than a 3 day indoor suspension, Somerset Academy Administration will at least match the number of either indoor or outdoor suspension days the county assigns. In addition, the disciplinary specialist will provide a letter notifying the suspension (Internal or Outdoor) to the student’s family attached to the copy of the referral given to the student. They will also make parent contact via phone to discuss disciplinary status of the student. Should the parents disagree with the consequences outlined by the disciplinary specialist, a parent has the right to request a conference to be held with the Administration, the disciplinary specialist, the teacher who issued the referral, and the student referred.

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE PLAN

6th Consequence - the student will be given Outdoor Suspension. Please note profanity towards a staff member or authority, defiance or skipping will result in immediate outdoor suspension from school.

1. A student may not attend school or any extra-curricular activities on the day(s) he or she is assigned to Outdoor Suspension.

2. A student does not receive credit for the assignments he/she missed during the assigned days of Outdoor Suspension. Assignments may be made up, only if child participates in Alternative to Suspension Program.

ELECTRONICS

• Students are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day under any circumstances. In case of an emergency, students will be able to use the phone in the Main Office. However, devices such as iPods, iPads, personal computers, etc. can be used during the school day under the direct supervision/approval of the teacher. These approved devices are to be used for educational purposes only. Somerset Academy is not responsible for lost and/or stolen electronic devices.

• Confiscated electronic devices are to be kept in a secure location until the teacher is able to register the item with the Dean of Discipline by the end of the school day (2:45pm).

• Student will be given a receipt which must be presented along with a student identification card in order to retrieve confiscated item.

HALL PASSES• Students excused from class must have an individualized

yellow hall pass signed by the teacher indicating the time of departure and destination. No child is ever to be out of class without a yellow hall pass signed by the teacher excusing him/her from class to go locations other than the restrooms. If a student is sent to see another teacher, the other teacher needs to record the new time student leaves them and also sign the hall pass.

 

• All restrooms have a designated color that will match the restroom hall passes given to the teachers based on room location. For example, upper level restrooms in building E will be “Green,” all teachers on that level will be given “Green” restroom passes for student use. Should a student be found out of the designated color-coded area, he/she will be deemed out of assigned area and security will walk him or her back to class

CAFETERIAS: LE CAFÉ & PANTHER ZONE

• Students will eat in the cafeteria or in designated area including the courtyard seating areas outside of Le Café. Students are expected to stay in the designated lunch area for the entire time assigned to eat.

• Students are not to roam freely around campus during lunch time.

• Students are not allowed to order food from local restaurants and the school authorities will confiscate the illegal purchase of unauthorized food brought on campus by either parents or vendors.

• Students may either bring their lunch or purchase lunch in Le Café or Panther Zone

• Breakfast for $2.50 and Lunch for $3.50 in the Panther Zone Cafeteria

• Breakfast and lunch food prices range from $1 - 3.50 (cash only)

• Free and reduced breakfasts/lunches are available through the county for qualified individuals in the Panther Zone Cafeteria

FUNDRAISERS

• At NO time may a student conduct personal sales on school grounds, or using the school’s name, which have not been pre-approved by the administration

• All sales are conducted by official school organizations for the benefit of the school. An official Activities Fundraising Sticker will be attached to the box of the sale items

• Items are to be sold before or after school, during lunch or during class transitions

• Consequences for such actions will range from confiscation of items and money involved in the sales, as well as suspension of the student(s) involved as well as further consequences at the administrations discretion

SCHEDULE CHANGESRETURN FORMS TO HOMEROOM TEACHER

ONLY!!Please consider the following before submitting your form.

• Schedule changes will be considered, but are not guaranteed.

• Only one schedule change request will be honored and the classes cannot be adjusted back to its original schedule after the change. *Note: in order to change one class, your other classes may also be re-arranged or changed.

• Please note that period changes or teacher changes will NOT be honored.

• If changes have been denied or approved, the up to date schedule will be placed in your homeroom teacher’s mailbox.

• NO Phone or email requests will be honored; this paper must be completed for all changes.

• Make sure you do not have duplicate classes.

No forms will be accepted after August 22nd

FORMS TO BE TURNED IN TO HOMEROOM

• Free/Reduced Lunch Application…ONE PER FAMILY!

- If you qualified for Free/Reduced Lunch last year, your parent/guardian must still submit this application within 10 days. After this time period, you will be charged the regular lunch fee if the application is not filed

• Emergency Contact Form and Copy of Health Insurance Card

• Page 9-12 from Broward County Code of Student Conduct Handbook (A link is provided on the Somerset website.)

• Pages 26-33 from Somerset Student/Parent Handbook. (Can be found on the Somerset website)

DUE DATE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd

INCENTIVE

FIRST HOMEROOM TO RETURN ALL FORMS WILL WIN A PRIZE

NEXT WEEK!!!!!

ACTIVITIES

• Jean Day• $2 Wristbands when bought on Wednesdays or Thursdays• $4 Wristbands when bought on Friday Jean Day

• Underclass Picture Days• Taken during your Language Arts/English Classes• Sept. 4: 1 Middle School LA, 3, 5, 7• Sept. 5: 1 High School English, 2, 4, 6• Seniors do NOT take pictures• Juniors that do NOT have an English class may take their picture during 1st period

or during their lunch block• MUST wear Somerset uniform

• Athletics• Join a TEAM…listen out for try-out dates either on the website or the morning

announcements

• Club Recruitment Time: Sept. 8 – 19• Join an Honor Society or an Interest Club or BOTH!

ACTIVITIES

• Panther Packages• 8th Graders• $80 deposit due by Aug. 31st• $45 per month (Sept. – Dec.)• Includes: Class Shirt, Islands of Adventure/Universal Studios Trip,

Yearbook, Prom ticket, Free Planner• 12th Graders• $220 deposit due by Aug. 31st• $80 per month (Sept. – Feb.)• Sign-up and get a FREE SOMERSET CLASS OF 2015 Lanyard!!• Includes: Personalized Class Shirt, Jersey, Hoodie, Sweatpants, Busch

Gardens Trip, Grad Bash, Yearbook, Homecoming Ticket, Prom ticket, Senior Picnic, Senior Breakfast, Senior Lunch, Cap/Gown, 4 Graduation Tickets, Graduation DVD, 1 HS Transcript, Parent Volunteer Hours Waived

ACTIVITIES

• Check the Somerset Website for upcoming events and information!• Sign-up to your teacher’s class pages to get updated assignment

info

• Buy your planner in the Main Office/Activities Office…$5 cash only!

• Buy your PE uniforms from your PE teachers…$10 shirt/$10 shorts! Cash only!

• Buy your YEARBOOK now…LOWEST prices of the year! • $75• www.yearbookordercenter.com• #10549

• Buy your Class Shirt!• $15 (online or cash)• Contact class sponsor for more info!

COLLEGE TOUR

• Open to all 9-12 graders that have a minimum of a 2.5 weighted GPA

• Tour Dates: October 29 – 31

• $100 Deposit due by August 29th (cash or online payment)

• $295 Deposit due by September 12th (cash or online payment)

• All transportation, hotel accommodations and meals are included • Except breakfast on Oct. 29th

Touring: University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida University of South Florida Florida Gulf Coast University

For more information, please contact Ms. Pierce at epierce@somersetacademy.com

OPEN HOUSE

• Middle School Open House• Tuesday, September 9th

• 6pm• Print out schedule for your parents to follow

• High School/Arts Conservatory Open House• Tuesday, September 16th

• 6pm• Print out schedule for your parents to follow

QUESTIONS?????

When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask for HELP!!!!