Somerset Academy Central Miramar

1. Somerset Academy Central Miramar Welcome Warriors! Middle School OrientationFebruary 28, 2013

2. Administrative Team • Principal Athena Guillen • Vice Principal Donyale McGhee • Assistant Principal Geyler Herrera • Director of Guidance Monique Machado • Dean of Discipline Joe Parker • Curriculum Coach Samantha Franconeri

3. 2011-2012 Accomplishments • Somerset Neighborhood School is an “A” rated school • Somerset Preparatory Middle School is a “B” rated school • Somerset Central Miramar High School is an “A” rated school • SACS Accredited Schools • Gold Seal of Excellence Schools • We are a Title I School

4. Vision & Mission VISION: Somerset Central Miramar is dedicated to providing equitable, high–quality education. MISSION: Somerset Academy Central Miramar promotes a culture that maximizes excellence in student achievement and fosters the development of responsible, respectful, self directed life-long learners in a safe and enriching environment.

5. 5th Grade Promotion Criteria • At a Level 2 or higher on FCAT Reading AND • At a Level 2 or higher on FCAT Mathematics ___________________________________ • OR At a proficient level on a District Approved Assessment: Stanford Diagnostic Test: At or above the 30th percentile in Reading and/or Math. • End of Year Test: Scores at or above 60 % GO MATH - at or above 70% on the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Benchmark Reading Test.

6. Achievement Level Definitions Level 5 This student has success with the most challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring in Level 5 answers most of the test questions correctly, including the most challenging questions. Level 4 This student has success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring in Level 4 answers most of the test questions correctly, but may have only some success with questions that reflect the most challenging content. Level 3 This student has partial success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards, but performance is inconsistent. A student scoring in Level 3 answers many of the test questions correctly but is generally less successful with questions that are the most challenging. Level 2 This student has limited success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards. Level 1 This student has little success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards.

7. STUDENT PLACEMENT IN COURSESStudents will be placed in the appropriate math and reading classes according to their scores on the FCAT 2.0. Students scoring a level one or two on the Florida Comprehensive Test will be enrolled in an Intensive class as their elective. GEM (Great Explorations in Math)The GEM Program is designed to allow students to move faster than they would in a regular math program. Qualifying students for the GEM program must have a level 5 or above in Math on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT 2.0) and take a GEM placement test that proves academic readiness to enter the program. In sixth grade, students take a Pre-Algebra course. These topics are studied in depth and prepare the students for Algebra in 7th grade and Geometry in 8th grade.

8. Official Subject Selection Forms Distributed March 8. Signed & Due back March 13

10. Sample Bell Schedule 7:45am – 2:50pm Period 1 7:45am-8:45am Homeroom 8:45am-9:00am Period 2nd/3rd 9:05am-10:45am Period 4th/5th 10:50am-1:05pm Lunch* 11:35am-1:05pm (3 Shifts) Period 6th/7th1:10pm-2:50pm “A” Day = 1, 3, 5, 7 “B” Day = 1, 2, 4, 6 *Your lunch schedule is determined by your 4th or 5th period.

11. Schedules for 2013-2014 School Year • Schedules will be made available to students on the first day of school.

12. Schedule Information • Students will be scheduled based on individual FCAT scores, student performance, and teacher recommendations. • Schedule change requests will be reviewed on an individual basis. Schedule changes will only be granted for administrative reasons, to ensure proper placement in core classes. • Elective choices are not guaranteed. • 1 semester ( 18 weeks) of Physical Education or Dance is mandatory.

13. Middle School versus Elementary School • You will have a different teacher for each of your subject areas. • You will change classrooms every period. • Classes give you points that you need in order to be promoted from one grade level to another. • 1 class = 1 point • How many classes do you take per school year? • 7 classes = 7 grades on your transcript • Remember…the grades you earn NOW will determine the types of classes that you will be taking in the future.

14. Your future is up to You! • This is the start of your time in middle school, make it count! • The grades that you earn will set the course for your time in middle school and the classes that you take! • We are here to help you, take advantage of what Somerset Academy Central Miramar has to offer!

15. Activities/Sports • Enrichment, experience and learning are effectively conveyed outside the classroom setting and students are given the chance to grow as effective community participators. • ______________________________________________________ • National Junior Honor Society • JV Cheerleading • JV Basketball • JV Baseball • JV Volleyball • JV Flag Football • JV Soccer • Glee Club • Drama Club • Chess Club • And many many more……

16. Personal Possessions • Inappropriate personal possessions visible during school instructional hours will be confiscated i.e., iPods, MP3 players, toys, etc. These items will be kept until Winter Break or Last Day of School (whichever is closer). • Cell phones will be confiscated if heard, used or visible during school instructional hours; the student’s parent or guardian will have to come to the school office to pick up the phone in order for it to be returned.

17. Uniform Policy and Expectations Girls • Polo - Black or Gray with logo • Pants - Black or Khaki Pants with Black or Brown belt • Dress Up - White LS Oxford with logo and Black or Khaki Pants (Tuesdays Only) • Sweaters must be solid white, black, gray or red. • Shoes – Black, White, Red, or Grey Boys • Polo - Black or Gray with logo • Pants - Black or Khaki Pants with Black or Brown belt • Dress Up -White LS Oxford with logo and Black Pants and Black Tie –(Tuesdays Only) • Sweaters must be solid white, black, gray or red. • Shoes – Black, White, Red, or Grey

18. Middle School Graduation Requirements • English 3 points • Math 3 points • Science 3 points • Social Studies 3 points (includes Civics, World Geography, and U.S. History) • Maintain good grades • Do well in elective courses

19. Class Types • Regular • Honors • Math (GEM) • Pre-Advanced Placement for 6th Grade only Course Descriptions Curriculum Guide http://www.somersetcentral.org/

20. Want to see your grades? • What are your test scores? • Want to check your schedule? • Which classes should you take? • What do you still need for graduation? All this and more at the click of a mouse! Access Virtual Counselor through the link @ www.somersetcentral.org

21. Pinnacle Grade Viewer • Helps track attendance records and grades. • Teachers will expect you to keep track of assignments and grades using Pinnacle! www.SomersetCentral.org 1) Click on: Pinnacle Grade Viewer (link on left side of the screen) 2) Scroll down and select: “CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PINNACLE” 3) STUDENT ID: Type in 10-digit student number (ex: 0611223344) 4) Password: Type in date of birth: year first, then month, then day (Ex: Nov. 2, 1999 = 19991102) 5) Click on the drop-down box next to “School” and choose Somerset Academy Central Miramar

22. Thank YouWe will be available for questions. Go Warriors!