1. Somerset Academy Central Miramar
Welcome Warriors!
Somerset Academy Central Miramar
Middle School Orientation February 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
We’re going to start off with a little quiz:
True or False – THIS class that you are in now is a graduation requirement?
The State of FL offers scholarships for students that pays for 75 or 100% of tuition in certain FL colleges and universities. How many types of scholarships are there?
Raise your hand if you think 1 or 2? 3?
More than three?
True or False – Colleges and Universities begin looking at your high school grades only once you are in 11th grade?
Some of the things that you need to know in high school include:
Graduation Requirements
How you earn credits
FCAT and other tests
Bright Futures Scholarships
Where can you go to find out this information
Although I work with 9th graders… 2

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

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. 13

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! 14

15. Activities/Sports National Junior Honor Society JV Cheerleading
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
Dress Up -White LS Oxford with logo and Black Pants and Black Tie –(Tuesdays Only) 17

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. Pre-Advanced Placement for 6th Grade only
Class Types
Regular
Honors
Math (GEM)
Pre-Advanced Placement for 6th Grade only
Course Descriptions
Curriculum Guide 19

20. What are your test scores? Want to check your schedule?
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 20

21. Pinnacle Grade Viewer Helps track attendance records and grades.
Teachers will expect you to keep track of assignments and grades using Pinnacle!
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: )
4) Password: Type in date of birth:
year first, then month, then day (Ex: Nov. 2, 1999 = )
5) Click on the drop-down box next to “School” and choose
Somerset Academy Central Miramar 21

22. Thank You We will be available for questions.
Go Warriors! 22