Back to School

List of 9 items.

• 2019-20 Academic Calendar

  Please review the 2019-20 academic calendar. As always, we respectfully request that families plan vacations, college visits, medical and other appointments, and other commitments at times that do not require students to miss classes. Key dates for parents next fall include Middle School Back-to-School Night on September 5 and Upper School Back-to-School Night on September 12.
   
  We will also offer on October 21 and October 28 Parent Conference Days that will provide parents the opportunity to schedule one-on-one time with each of their child’s teachers. This is a change from previous years, when we offered meetings only with each child’s advisor. We will share more details with you in the fall about the purpose of these meetings, and how to schedule them.
  

• Parent Access to the school website / myCOMPASS

  The school uses myCOMPASS to keep students and parents informed about assignments and grades, and to communicate information about co-curricular activities, upcoming RE events and important school announcements. MyCOMPASS also includes class and team pages, and a Resources page with calendars, school forms and other important materials not available anywhere else or to the outside community.

   

  Please familiarize yourself with myCOMPASS before the start of school in August. MyCOMPASS is a primary form of communication with parents. Therefore, it is essential that you are able to access information consistently on myCOMPASS and that you configure notifications so you can receive information by email and/or text.

  
  

  All new parents must create a password the first time they log in. Please refer to the "Welcome to myCOMPASS" email sent to all new parents on April 23, 2019, for instructions. If you cannot locate that email and need assistance, please call 305 460 8883 or email webmaster@ransomeverglades.org.
  A welcome pop-up window with a "Getting Started..." panel will appear, listing a sequence of brief tutorials on the features of myCOMPASS. Please take just a few minutes to work through the tutorials, which explain:

  • How to adjust your privacy settings for the online directory, which will be available July 1, and
  • How to subscribe to various notifications from the school via email and text message.

  Please also take a few minutes to browse through the:
  

  • Resources that have been posted for your convenience.
  • Calendar. Among the best features of the calendar is the set of options in the left menu bar, which allow you to customize the calendar by filtering out those events not of interest to you.

  Student schedules and class pages will be available once classes begin in August. On class pages, students and parents can see assignments, syllabi, course calendars, and other resources that pertain specifically to each course.

   

  Please also note that extensive information is also available to you on our school website. The public school website is not a substitute for myCOMPASS; it is a helpful complement where you can see a daily calendar and news updates, access the school directory, and view general information about our academic, co-curricular programs, and connect with us on social media.
  

  Should you have questions or need assistance, please email webmaster@ransomeverglades.org.
  

• New student access to myCOMPASS, email, etc.

  New students in Grades 7 through 12 will receive password access to email, GSuite, and myCOMPASS during orientation, the first day of classes. Grade 6 students will receive their access during the first week of school.
  
  

• School Forms (due August 1)

  School forms are available on myCOMPASS. It is important that you complete the online school forms and paper school forms for your students, updating contact and emergency information, medical information, and giving or declining permissions for certain school activities, at your earliest convenience.
  
  The school forms are due August 1. Students will not be permitted to attend classes or participate in any sports tryouts or practices until all of their school forms have been completed and turned in. To ensure the safety of our students, this policy will be strictly enforced. If you have difficulty accessing the forms, please contact our webmaster.
  
  

• Bus Service

  Ransom Everglades School offers bus service to and from pick-up/drop-off locations in Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Pinecrest / Coral Gables. The service is provided to and from both campuses by Franmar Bus Company. Routes and pick-up / drop-off locations and times, cost and other details are found in the Bus Service online form available in myCOMPASS with the required school forms. Contact Daniel Perez with any questions regarding bus service.
  
  

• Summer Reading

  summer reading list
  
  

• Textbooks

  Required textbooks for the 2019-20 school year are available through MBS Direct, the school’s official online textbook provider. We hope that families will appreciate the variety of options for purchasing books that MBS Direct provides. Please visit the MBS Direct website now to order your child's textbooks and ensure you receive them in time for the start of classes on August 19.
   
  Order your child's textbooks today through July 25 (midnight central time zone) to get free shipping on orders over $99. Orders placed through MBS Direct will be mailed to the address you designate when placing your order online. These books will not be distributed at school.
  
  Note that you will need your child’s student ID number to view the required textbooks for your child’s classes. You can find your child’s student ID number on his/her “contact card” in myCOMPASS, right below “gender.” Your child’s student ID number can also be found on his/her student ID card. Once you have obtained your child’s student ID number, you may proceed to MBS Direct. Please direct questions to Director of Bookstores Katrina Patchett via email or by calling 305 460 8885.
  
  

• Middle School Uniform

  All Middle School students are required to wear RE school uniforms, which may be purchased in person at the AA Uniform Store at 8807 SW 132 Street or online from AA Uniform or online from Lands’ End.
  Please note:
  Students must wear polo shirts with the school logo that are long enough to be tucked in. Boys may wear shorts or pants with the logo; girls may wear shorts, pants, skirts, skorts or capris with the RE logo.
  
  All shorts must have a length of at least four inches from the top of the knee. Shorts must have the hem that is sewn by AA Uniform or Lands’ End; they may not be hemmed, folded further, rolled under or cuffed.
  
  In cold weather, students may also wear over the regular uniform long-sleeved T-shirts, sweatshirts or fleece jackets with the RE logo that are available at the Middle School or Upper School bookstores. All pants, shorts, skirts, capris and skorts with belt loops require a belt. Tie shoes (including sneakers) or loafers with closed toes and backs are permitted. Socks are required at all times.
  
  

• Upper School Dress Code

  Please note changes for 2019-20 with respect to the length of shorts and skirts.
  
  The faculty, staff and leadership of the school wish to maintain standards of dress and appearance appropriate to serious academic pursuits while permitting individual taste and considering the South Florida climate. The school expects students to use common sense and conservative judgment in following these guidelines for attire and grooming during the school day. The faculty has become increasingly concerned about tight fitting and revealing clothing worn by some students that presents them in an unflattering manner and/or that reveals a lack of respect for the academic environment that is our school. Only clothing consistent with the guidelines below may be worn. The Upper School Dean of Students and the Head of the Upper School reserve the right to determine whether students are dressed and groomed according to the following guidelines. Students not adhering to the guidelines will receive disciplinary points, may be sent home to change into proper attire, and will have any resultant absences marked as unapproved.
  
  Clothing must fit appropriately and be in good repair (no holes, rips or tears) at all times, whether one is sitting, standing, bending, or climbing stairs, and should completely cover one’s shoulders, chest, torso, back and buttocks.
  
  

  • Shirts and blouses: Polo-style collared shirts with two or three buttons and an optional logo on the chest or sleeve, appropriately buttoned oxford shirts, and blouses are acceptable. Flannel, fully zippered, and hooded shirts are not permitted. T-shirts with RE logos or symbols may be worn on Fridays. All shirts and blouses must have sleeves.
  • Shorts: Only appropriately fitting Bermuda-style shorts, cargo-style shorts or capris, long enough to reach at least the tip of the thumb when the arms hang straight down alongside of the hips, are acceptable.  An acceptable example: J. Crew 5- or 7-inch chinos shorts.
  • Pants: Pants: Only Khaki-style, dress pants, or cotton denim jeans, worn at or above the hips, are acceptable.
  • Skirts/Dresses: Only dresses that cover the shoulders, have a collar, and are appropriate for an academic environment are acceptable. Skirt length must be equal to or extend beyond the tip of the fingers when the arms hang straight down alongside of the hips. Skirts and dresses may not have slits; a kick pleat is acceptable. Scoop-neck, low-cut, form-fitting, or backless dresses may not be worn. T-shirt dresses are not appropriate for the Ransom Everglades academic environment.
  • Footwear: Flip-flops and other beach shoes are not allowed.
  • Outerwear: Sweatshirts, jackets and sweaters may only be worn with a turtleneck or visible collared shirt underneath.
  • Hats: Hats and hoods are allowed outdoors only.

  
  Professional or business attire is required on special assembly days. Appropriate examples of this attire are:
  

  • Business suits, sport coats and/or vests.
  • Skirts or dresses that do not have a slit; a kick pleat is acceptable.
  • Blouses or dresses that are appropriate for an academic environment, cover the shoulders, and are not scoop-neck, low-cut, or form-fitting.
  • Oxford dress shirts.
  • Dress slacks.
  • Ties or bow ties.
  • Shoes must be dressy: loafers, closed flats, closed-toed shoes that can be tied or high heels.
  • The following are prohibited: bare midriffs, low-cut tops, shrugs, shawls, visible undergarments, transparent clothing, strapless, halter tops, beach flip-flops and open-toed sandals.
  • “Rompers” are not permitted.

  
  PE attire, which can be purchased in the bookstore, must be worn during physical education classes. During the swimming rotation, female students must wear a one-piece bathing suit.