Mom and/or Dad…Please take the time to write me

a note on here,

My teacher and I will read it tomorrow!

Ms. Sarmiento’s

Second Grade Class

Welcome, Parents!

Somerset Academy Miramar is a

TITLE I School!

• Title I is the largest federal assistance program for our nation’s schools.

• The goal of Title I is a higher quality of education for every child.

• The program serves millions of children in elementary and secondary schools each year.

• “What every parent should know about Title I” brochures are available in our front office.

• For a detailed description of Title I, please attend our first School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting on Wednesday, October 7th.

• The federal government provides funding to states each year for Title I.

• The Florida Department of Education sends the money to the district.

• The school district identifies eligible schools based on the number of students receiving free/reduced lunches, and allocates Title I funds.

• Somerset Miramar implements a school wide Title I program. This means that all students receive the benefits of our Title I funding.

How Title I Works

• As part of our Title I compliance, we are expected to reach certain achievement levels dictated by our School Improvement Plan.*2015-2016 Standardized Test Scores are TBA and school grades will be available in December 2015.

• In order to determine our achievement goals, we will utilize:– FLKRS and STAR Early Literacy (reading, kindergarten)– i-Ready (reading, grades 1 &2)– FSA (reading, grades 3-8)– FCAT (science, grades 5 & 8)– EOC (civics, grade7 and math GEM grades 7 &8)

• Somerset Miramar Elementary and Middle School are both “A” rated schools!

School Status and Testing

• Title I law requires meaningful involvement of parents in the decisions made at our school.

• How we work together is listed in our:• School Level Parent Involvement Plan

• District level Parent Involvement Plan

• Parent-School Compact

• Title I Plan (School Improvement Plan)

All information is available on our school website. The best way you can be involved is by participating in our School Advisory Council (SAC).

If you have any questions, please contact administration or our Title I liaison- Ms. Almendarez.

Working Together

School Advisory Council• A group intended to represent the school community and

those persons closest to the students who will share responsibility for guiding the school toward continuous improvement.

• Referred to as SAC

• Required by all schools, including charter schools

• Have the goal of increasing student achievement for all students in a safe learning environment

SAC Role• Assists in preparation and evaluation of The School

Improvement Plan (SIP)

• Decides how school improvement funds are spent and assists principal with the school budget

• Make suggestions relating to the improvement of the school in all areas

SAC Meetings• SAC meetings are held quarterly

• Students are notified of SAC meetings by distribution of flyers, parent link notifications, teacher emails and the Somerset School website.

• Meetings are usually held at 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center

• 2 volunteer hours are given for attending these meetings

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Castillo

Working hand in hand for the success of the students and the school!

All About Me• My background

• Cuban-American born and raised in Miami, FL.• I graduated FIU with a Bachelor’s Degree in

Elementary Education and ESOL. • My experience

• This is my fourth year teaching at Somerset Miramar.

• I have previous experience in kindergarten, first, and third grade.

• I love to…• Be with my baby girl, go out to

dinner, boating, relax on the beach, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

MY LIFE…

Family

LOVE

• Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns at any point during the year

• Class Directory (please fill out today)• School to Home Folders• Parent teacher conferences (Fall and Spring)

After all pre-tests• Class DOJO• Class Website: Somersetmiramar.com- Contact

Staff

My Email: jsarmiento@somersetmiramar.com

Communication

Homework

• Whole class: Brownie Points• Teamwork: Candy Bar Points• Individually: Where’s Your Clip?• Continuous modeling and

reinforcement of positive behavior• Class Dojo (new)

Discipline

Classroom Expectations

This year we will be focusing on building important life skills such as working hard and participating.

I’ll be using ClassDojo to give students feedback on these skills :)

Why use ClassDojo?

ClassDojo is the easiest way to see your child’s progress on these skills.

I’ll be sending classroom updates and photos with you through ClassDojo, too!

Get out those phones :)

Download the app Sign up as a parent Enter your code!

Let’s try it outI’ll send you a message now!

Go ahead… send one back :)

How else can we work together?

Check ClassDojo regularly.

Keep me updated on how your child is doing at home.

Encourage the life skills we are working on in class outside of school.

Celebrate wonderful classroom moments at home :)

Let me know how I can be most helpful!

• Volunteer Tasks • Room parent – special activities, etc.• Copies• Donations (wish list/classroom needs)

• Special school events• 30 hours required for elementary• Must have receipt to receive hours

Volunteers

• 8:45-9:51 Reading/Language Arts• 9:51-10:21 Specials• 10:21-10:51 Reading/Language Arts• 10:51-11:21 Lunch • 11:21-11:45 Recess• 11:45-12:15 Reading/Language Arts• 12:15-12:45 Social Studies• 12:45-2:00 Math• 2:00-3:00 Science • *Library on Tuesdays 12:00-12:30 *PE on

Tuesdays 9:51-10:21

Our Daily Schedule

• On February 18, 2014, the State Board of Education revised elements of the Common Core State Standards and renamed the benchmarks the Florida Standards. The board voted unanimously to revise the student performance standards in English/Language Arts and Mathematics.

• Visit www.cpalms.org for more detailed information.

Grades: Pinnacle

• Specials: one Special per quarter except PE

Spanish - Art – Music – Computer Lab – Library

CurriculumAligned with Florida

Standards

Language Arts Florida Standards LAFS

• The LAFS consist of Six Strands: • READING STANDARDS FOR LITERATURE

• READING STANDARDS: FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS

• READING STANDARDS FOR INFORMATIONAL TEXT

• WRITING STANDARDS

• STANDARDS FOR SPEAKING AND LISTENING

• LANGUAGE STANDARDS

*Writing is incorporated within the Language Arts standards. Extended responses and writing will be based on textual evidence.

*The use of digital tools and technology to conduct research and publish writing using keyboarding skills is required.

• Guided reading • Whole Group• Centers (differentiated)• Poetry• Individual• Shared / Buddy Reading• Assessments (i.e. weekly story

test, quizzes, cold reads, Accelerated Reader/STAR tests)

• Reading Eggs• Writing: Four Square

Reading & Language Arts

*Practice spelling and

grammar with your child at home daily. Use home

learning as a guide.

• The MAFS consist of different Domains (varies by grade level)

*Some Common Domains are:

• OPERATIONS AND ALGEBRAIC THINKING

• NUMBER AND OPERATIONS IN BASE TEN

• MEASUREMENT AND DATA

• GEOMETRY

Mathematics Florida StandardsMAFS

MathNew Math skills are introduced and practiced throughout the year.

In class, small group work will help struggling students and excelling students alike by providing each with the appropriate level of difficulty.

Our Go Math series is available online through Think Central.com. Your child’s Think Central.com login information will be forwarded to you.

Students will be assigned Mathletics for homework. At least 30 minutes should be completed EACH WEEK. They may choose to explore or practice the skills we are working on in class. I will run weekly reports to check on their progress. Your child has already been given his/her login information.

Science & Social Studies

Science and Social Studies instruction will continue to be guided using the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. However, we will be incorporating Science and Social Studies content into the Reading/Writing lessons. Times weekly will be incorporated once we receive a class set.

Accelerated Reader is an incentive based reading program in which students are recognized and rewarded for reading books. Your child should read a book from the selected AR list, available at www.arbookfind.com, and take a multiple choice test on a computer in school. Students should check out books within their reading range. This reading range can be found on the STAR test report will be sent home next week. I have set up a tracking system in class, where students will be able to see how they are doing in comparison to other students in our class. This way they can monitor their own progress. I recognize students who succeed in my class and the school rewards winning classes as well.

Accelerated Reader (AR)

• One book order per month • First order due TBA• Checks only please• Optional online ordering with

classroom code• Bonus points for classroom

library and supplies

Scholastic Book Orders

Important Reminders• Morning procedure – students wait in courtyard area• Be on time 8:45 AM – students may enter at 8:30 AM• Daily Supplies, Binder & Planner• Parent/Teacher Conferences• Money collection – labeled with student’s name• Spirit / PE shirts – order forms• Free/reduced lunch – apply ASAP • Sibling Care / Aftercare • Dismissal 3:00-3:15 P.M. – West side carpool• Rainy day procedures – morning/afternoon

. Don’t forget to sign in and Check out my wish list on

your way out.

Have a great night!

Thank you for coming!

Let’s have the SWEETEST year!