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14In accordance with School and District Daily Attendance policies, students must be physically presentin school for aminimum of 2 hours in order to be counted as present for attendance purposes. Failure to be physicallypresent for a minimum of 2 hours will result in an absence for the entire school day.Excused AbsencesParents/guardians are to contact the office if their child is going to be absent from school. On theday he or she returns to school, parents/guardians must send a handwritten note explaining thereason for their child’s absence, or a note from the child’s physician. Notes submitted more than 3days (72 hours) after of the child’s return to school will not be accepted, and the absence(s) will bedeemed unexcused. A maximum of 10 handwritten notes will be accepted per school year. Oncethe maximum of 10 handwritten notes has been reached, a note from a physician will be required inorder to deem the absence as excused.A student will be referred to student services after reaching the school’s maximum allowance of 10handwritten notes, and may result in the student’s report card reflecting insufficient attendance forreceiving a grade. Receiving any three behavior notifications in a school year may result inadministration action. The following reasons are considered excused: Student illness: Students missing 5 or more consecutive days of school due to illness or injuryare required to provide a written statement from a healthcare provider. The writtenstatement must include all days the student has been absent from school and a medicalprovider signature. If a student is continually sick and repeatedly absent from school due to aspecific medical condition, he or she must be under the supervision of a healthcare providerin order to receive excused absences from school. Healthcare providers may be contactedby attendance clerk to ensure written statements reflect accurate information. Medical appointment: If a student is absent from school due to a medical appointment, awritten statement from a health care provider indicating the date and time of theappointment, must be submitted to the teacher. Death in the immediate family. Observance of a religious holiday or service when it is mandated for all members of a faiththat such a holiday or service is observed. School-sponsored event or educational enrichment activity that is not a school-sponsoredevent, as determined and approved by the principal or principal’s designee. For non-schoolsponsored events, the student must receive advance written permission from the principal orthe principal’s designee. Examples of special events include: public functions, conferences,and region, state and national competitions. Court appearance of the student, subpoena by law enforcement agency or mandatory courtappearance. Outdoor suspensions. Other individual student absences beyond the control of the parent/guardian or student, asUpdated 07/2021

15determined and approved by the principal or the principal's designee. The principal shallrequire documentation related to the condition.If the absences are excused, all educational requirements for the course shall be met before apassing grade and/or credit is assigned. The student shall have a reasonable amount of time, up tothree (3) school days, to submit make-up work for excused absences. Students will have theopportunity to submit assignments in a period of time equal to the number of days absent.Unexcused AbsencesAny absence that does not fall into one of the above excused absence categories is to beconsidered unexcused. Any student who has been absent from school will be marked with anunexcused absence until the required documentation is received. Failure to provide the requireddocumentation within three school days upon the return to school will result in an unexcusedabsence. The following absences are considered unexcused: Absences due to vacations, personal services, local non-school event, program or sportingactivity. Absences due to older students providing day care services for siblings. Absences due to illness of others.Absences due to non-compliance with immunization requirements (unless lawfully exempted).Any student who fails to attend any regularly scheduled class and has no excuse for an absenceshould be referred to the appropriate administrator. Disciplinary action should include notification toparent.For every three unexcused absences, the student will receive a behavior notification. Additionally,three or more unexcused absences may result in truancy referral as specified on the section below.Receiving any three behavior notifications in a school year may result in administrative action.Truancy ReferralsIn accordance with Florida Statue (F.S.) 984.03 (27) (a), “Habitually truant” means that the child has15 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days with or without knowledge or justifiable consent ofthe child’s parent or legal guardian,” and is subject to compulsory school attendance underF.S.1003.21 (1) and (2)(a), and is not exempt under F.S. 1003.21(3), F.S.1003.24, or any otherexemptions specified by law or the rules of the State Board of Education.The primary goal of the truancy prevention program is to foster and promote long-term changes,consequences are specifically designed to educate and reintegrate the child back into school withthe support of family and school officials.Prior to submitting a truancy referral, when a student has reached a total of 10 absences (excused orunexcused) prevention services are provided by the leadership team.Updated 07/2021

16Truancy prevention services are provided and documented through the following: Daily Attendance Screenings: Instructional staff closely monitors student attendance,including tardy and early sign-outs. Truancy Child Study Team Committee Meeting and Report: Once a total of ten (10)absences are accumulated a written notification of conference is sent to parents.Parents are invited to participate in a conference with the truancy team committee tofurther discuss and find solutions to improve student attendance. Attendance Agreement: At the time of Team Committee Meeting all stakeholdersdiscuss and agree on possible solutions to attendance issues. Truancy Home Visit: Truancy Team Committee Members may request a homevisit should the parent/guardian may not be located through writtennotification.Late ArrivalAll tardies will be considered unexcused. We understand that emergencies may arise. In such cases,we will need a letter signed by the parent or guardian explaining the reason for being tardy. Pleasenote that parents will NOT be allowed to walk their children to class or speak to the teachers onceschool has started. If your child arrives after the commencement of homeroom, please send them tothe front office to receive a tardy pass. After ten (10) unexcused tardies, the student will be issued areferral notification form that will be placed in the student’s permanent record.Early Sign OutsThe early release of students causes disruption to the academic performance of all students and maycreate safety and security concerns. No students shall be released within the final 30 minutes of theschool day without previous written notice. There are NO EXCEPTIONS!For a student to be dismissed early, parents must report to the front office. Students who wish to bedismissed early (on a regular school day) are required to provide proof of a medical/dentalappointment within 48 hours of such appointment. Notes submitted more than 48 hours after an earlydismissal will not be accepted, and the early dismissal will be deemed unexcused. After five (5)unexcused early dismissals, the student will be issued a behavior notification that will be placed in thestudent’s permanent record.AcademicsStudent Progression PlanSpecific guidelines for grading student performance and for reporting student progress are provided below an,gotoUpdated 07/2021

dex.aspClassroom PlacementOur administrative staff reviews each student’s scores and performance evaluations in order to provide students withthe best possible learning environment. We also consider a student’s individual personality, development, andcharacter in our final decisions. We are not in any way obligated to honor any special requests for classroomplacements. In addition, we reserve the right to change student classroom assignments as we see fit. Somerset mayconsist of multi-age education. Be aware that students will be placed in a multi-age (mixed grade) classroom asdetermined by the administration of the school.Grade cademicprogressbasedonthecompetencies/benchmarks for the grade level/course in which the student is enrolled. The academicgrade must not be based upon the student’s effort and/or 0-89%S70-79%M60-69%U0-59%VERBAL INTERPRETATIONGRADEPOINT VALUEOutstanding progressAbove average progressAverage progressLowest acceptable progressFailureVERBAL anding progress4B80-89%Above average progress3C70-79%Average progress2D60-69%Lowest acceptable T VALUEEffortEffort grades are used to communicate with both students and their parents/guardian the teacher’sevaluation of the student’s effort related to the instruction. When assigning effort grades, the teacherUpdated 07/2021

18considers the student’s potential, study habits and attitude. Kindergarten does not receive effortgrades. Three numerical values are used to represent effort in grades 1-8:EffortGradeVerbalInterpretation1Outstanding effort - The student works to the best of his/herability by participating, completing assigned tasks, andoften exerts maximum effort on all acceptable degree of seriousness by often participating,completing tasks and usually works at an acceptable levelof his/her ability.3Insufficient effort - The students demonstrates little attentionto participating, completing tasks well and/or on time andworks at an unacceptable level in accordance to thestudent’s ability.ConductConduct grades are to be used to communicate to both students and their parents/guardians theteacher’s evaluation of a student’s behavior and citizenship development. These grades areindependent of academic and effort gBAbove e Point AverageWhen calculating the grade for a semester or an annual course, the following grade pointaverages are to be used:A 3.50 and aboveUpdated 07/2021

19B 2.50 – 3.49C 1.50 – 2.49D 1.00 – 1.49Honor RollThe following qualifications are necessary to achieve honor roll status at Somerset Academy SouthMiami.Principal’s Honor Roll:Academic Grades- all AsEffort- all 1sConduct Grades- all AsHonor Roll:Academic Grades- As and BsEffort- 1s and 2sConduct- As and BsInterim Progress ReportsInterim progress reports are disseminated to all students midway through each nine-week gradingperiod. Performance is considered unsatisfactory when the student is receiving a D average or lowerin academics, a “3” in effort, or is demonstrating poor conduct.Homework / Make-up AssignmentsTeachers are required to provide students with make-up assignments once an absence has beenexcused; however, it is the responsibility of the student to request the assignments from theteacher(s). Students are required to request make up work upon their return to class, within 3 days. Itshould be noted that all classwork, due to the nature of instruction, is not readily subject to make-upwork. Students shall complete the make-up assignments for classes missed within the equivalentnumber of days absent. Failure to make up all assignments will result in a lower assessment of thestudent’s academic and/or effort grade.Academic RecoveryIf the school identifies your student as requiring additional instruction and/or remediation including butnot limited to: mandatory tutoring, summer school, etc., attendance at and successful completion of,shall be required. Where a lack of attendance at such causes a loss of academic proficiency, it mayresult in administrative action.In addition, Somerset Academy South Miami complies with State and District ComprehensiveResearch Based Reading Plans (CRRP) in regards to immediate intensive intervention for strugglingstudents. As stated in the 2016 – 2017 CRRP District Plan, “Students in need of additional interventionwill be scheduled to attend small group immediate intensive intervention for a minimum of 30 minutesdaily in addition to the 90 minute reading block during the regular school day.”Updated 07/2021

20An intervention program will be designed to meet the specific diagnosed needs of each individualstudent. “Teachers will group students according to need and place students appropriately within theprogram/levels. Highly qualified teachers and/or formally trained paraprofessionals will administer theintervention program with fidelity.Continual progress monitoring data, using the computer program i-Ready, and EasyCBM ongoingprogress monitoring assessments, will be utilized to adjust the intervention schedules, rosters andstrategies as well as monitor fidelity of implementation.RTI ProcessStudents experiencing difficulties academically, socially, or emotionally should be referred toacademic intervention through the Response to Intervention (RTI) process (Tier 2) and a Request forAssistance. The RTI process will offer additional supplemental instruction and classroom strategies asrecommended for further assistance. A minimum of 18 weeks of academic interventions (Tier 3),along with proper documentation of progress monitoring are required prior to referring a student tobe evaluated.Special EducationThe School Board of Miami-Dade County ensures that all students suspected of having a disability areidentified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate, specially designed instruction and relatedservices, if it is determined that the student meets the state's eligibility criteria and the parent consentsto initial placement. Prior to referral for evaluation, the student must have participated in the school'sProgress Monitoring Plan (PMP) program and must have been referred to the school's interventionteam.Students with disabilities who are eligible and require special education will have an IndividualEducational Plan (IEP). The IEP describes the student's strengths and weaknesses and documents theservices and supports the student needs in order to access a Free and Appropriate Public Education(FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).The IEP is a working plan that must be developed by the IEP team at least once every 12 months andreviewed, when appropriate, to revise and address any lack of expected progress toward annualgoals, or to consider any new information that has been provided through re-evaluation or by theparent/guardian.Parent involvement in the special education process is very important. Parents will be asked toparticipate in the IEP process each year and to consider the need for their child's re-evaluation atleast once every three years. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that parentsof a child with a disability have certain procedural safeguards. The Summary of ProceduralSafeguards for Parents of Students with Disabilities documents all the information about the rights ofparents/guardians. This notice of procedural safeguards is made available to the parent.Rights that are presented in the procedural safeguard document include, but are not limited to, theright of prior written notice; informed consent; participation in meetings; records, independentUpdated 07/2021

21educational evaluation, mediation, state complaint; local education agency complaint; due processhearings; resolution meetings; due process; attorney fees; discipline; and private school placement.As the parent/guardian of a child with disabilities, you are a very important member of the team thatplans your child's education. Be informed and get involved. If you have any questions, please contactyour child's school. Staff from the special education department and your child's student serviceprovider will help to answer your questions. Additional information may also be found athttp://ese.dadeschools.net/.Retention PolicySomerset Academy South Miami has implemented a strict policy regarding retention. Students whohave not received required intervention strategies will not be retained. Early identification, timelyintervention, and recording of services are a must. It is extremely important that each classroomteacher meet with the requirements concerning any student who is experiencing academicdifficulties. Students will be retained with the implementation of documented strategies inaccordance with the requirements. The following activities must occur prior to retention:1. Teacher – Student conference2. Principal – Teacher conference3. Individual counseling4. Developmental Group Counseling5. Parent Conference – Contact parents concerning possible retention6. RTI Team/Cooperative ConsultationFinal decisions regarding promotion and retention are the responsibility of the principal.Interim Progress Reports and Report Cards Distribution DatesGrading PeriodProgress Reports1st Grading Period2nd Grading Period3rd Grading Period4th Grading rt /21/2022CafeteriaFood CostPlease contact the school for the most current food cost. Lunch payments will be handled throughSchool Wallets; a secure online payment solution. Please contact Ms. Elizabeth Juelle, LunchApplication Processor, at ejuelle@somersetsomi.com or call the school at (305)740-0509.Updated 07/2021

22LunchCostStudents 3.50Reduced Price 0.40StudentsFree/Reduced Lunch ProgramThe National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs as administered by Miami-Dade CountyPublic Schools provide free and reduced priced meals for children unable to pay the full price.Applications must be filled out every school year; forms are sent to all homes with a letter to parentsor guardians during the first week of school. Meal benefits begin on the day the application isapproved and continue throughout the school year in which the application is approved, thesummer, and approximately the first twenty days of the next school year.Cafeteria Rules Stand quietly in line Keep your hands and feet to yourself Use soft voices when talking in the cafeteria Raise your hand for help Stay in your seat until an adult tells you to get up No sharing foodStudent InformationStudent Enrollment/Lottery PolicyStudents will be admitted to Somerset Academy South Miami regardless of race, gender religion or ethnic origin andour admission and dismissal procedures will be equitable for all students. All Somerset Inc. schools will implement thefollowing enrollment/lottery policy:1. Effective immediately, Somerset Academy South Miami will set and advertise a registration / lottery date.2. The following groups

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Somerset Academy South Miami Somerset Academy, Inc. 3 Updated 07/2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS TOPIC Principal's Message PAGE # . Red Fire Drills Closing of School Transportation Elevator 44 Student Services Counselor Request SoMi ViP's EESAC