Parents @Cougar Camp

Orientation for Parents of Students Transitioning to Middle School

YIKES! It’s middle school.

• Middle school is a big step and a big change for both students and parents– More teachers - more responsibility

– More independence - more apprehensive

• Parents role for their middle school student

Middle School Basics

How it has changed since you attended Middle School

Stay Focused on:Calendar

• Grading periods start and ending dates

• When report cards come out

• Test dates and events

• AISD Calendar

• Curtis web-site calendar

Attendance Policy

• Full name of student, date, and reason for absence is a must

• Parent hand signed note for all absences, even if called or emailed in.

• Doctor/Dentist notes if an office visit was necessary

• Vacation and club sports absences are UNEXCUSED

• After three days of an excused absence, work can be collected and picked up by parent at the front office

• Mrs. Lambert

Stay Focused on:School Rules

• Phone policy

• Code of Conduct

• Late or missing grades policy

• Tardies

• Extra curricular activities

Skyward – Family Access

• All grades are posted in a timely manner by teachers

• Students have a calendar on their student Skyward account with due dates of assignments and test dates

• Get password information from Lisa Palmeri, our Registrar

• Reports cards ARE NOT sent home. They are accessed through Skyward

Stay Focused On:Changes

• Physical

– Mature at different rates

– Variety of sizes and shapes

– Feeling self-conscious or embarrassed by their bodies

• Emotional

– Moody - Figuring out who they are

– Where they “fit” in the world

• Intellectual

– Ready to learn about life

– Strong sense of what is “fair”

– Attempts to discuss serious topics and express their opinions

– Desire for respect

• Social

– Friends move to the top of the list of people to impress

– Searching for identity

– NOT TO BE DIFFERENT

While being with friends is very important to middle schoolers, doing things with their parents and families provides them with a much needed sense of security.

Procedures PARENTS @ Cougar Camp

PROCEDURES @ CMSLunch

• Three lunch periods / No cash taken

11:15 -11:45 11:45-12:15 12:15-12:45

• Seats are not assigned

• Students need ID to purchase lunch

• Sections are called to go purchase their lunch

• Please write your child’s name on any lunches being dropped off. (YOUR CHILD ONLY!)

Lost & Found

• Located in office near clinic

• If an item is found, should be turned in

• Please put full name on all supplies, athletic equipment, phone, lunch bags, etc.

PROCEDURES @ CMSVisit the Nurse

• Clinic is in the office

• Students must sign into the clinic until Nurse Shewmaker can see them

• MAY NOT have any type of medication, cough syrup, and/or pills on their person.

• Fill out a form to keep medication on campus for your child

Visit the Counselor

• Located in office

• Drop ins are welcome

• Email Mrs. LeCroy or Mrs. Smith to ask questions or to visit with us.

• Bullying reports/concerns go to the Assistant Principals. Incident reports can be found on the website and in the office .

• Our APs are: Ms. Franklin (A-G), Mr. Falbo (H-O), & Mr. Anthony (P-Z)

PROCEDURES @ CMSTardies to Class

• Arriving to class AFTER the bell rings is being tardy.

• Lunch detention could be the result of three or more tardies.

• Tardies are reported to parents and are kept all school year.

• Being late to all seven classes would equal seven tardies.

• Students have FIVE minutes to pass to their next class.

Catch the Bus

• Bus routes are located on-line.

• Bus drop off and pick up is located at the east entrance to the building (near flag poles). Proceed to the lunchroom or gym.

• Busses leave at 3:40pm. Don’t miss the bus!

• Cameras are on every bus recording at all times.

PROCEDURES @ CMS• BULLYING

– NOT acceptable on this campus

– If you witness bullying, you must fill out a report

– All Incident Reports ARE investigated by appropriate principal. Consequences may be rough.

– Cameras are all over the building and on every bus. Be aware!

SUCCESS SKILLSPARENTS @ Cougar Camp

SUCCESS SKILLS

Middle School is the time when parents NEED to be the most involved and the most vigilant. A whole new world has opened up and this is often the time when they are tempted to “try new things”.

SUCCESS SKILLSIn the classroom

• Pay attention, this is not the time to be social

• Take good notes, get the name and number of a student from each of your classes

• If you have problems taking notes, TELL YOUR TEACHER!

• Use study aides like note cards and highlighting

• Don’t CRAM- Study a little each night

Time Management

• Balance academics and extra-curricular activities

• Plan your study time – same time each day & same place each day

• Use ten minutes of study time to put papers in the correct place, clean notebook and check your supplies

• Keep organized!! Looking for papers, pencils and assignments burn your energy and time

SUCCESS SKILLSTIPS TO Remember

• Ask questions – use a sticky note to jot them down if you are home to ask the next day

• ALL teachers tutor. If you do not understand a concept, let the teacher know. Ask for tutoring. It free!

• Re-Take failed tests/quizzes! Test and quizzes count for a large percentage of your grade! YOU must ask for a re-take. It is YOUR responsibility

• BE RESPONSIBLE for yourself, your actions, your assignments, and your behavior!

Projects

• Break the big project down into little tasks.

• Do a little task each day until the big project is complete

• Ask your teacher for help if you have problems breaking down big projects

• If you work with a group, make sure you understand YOUR part. Share with the teacher is someone is not doing their part BEFORE the project is due.

SUCCESSFUL PARENTING

PARENTS @ Cougar Camp

How to help your child be all THEY can be!

• Middle schoolers need to understand that with increased independence comes increased responsibility!

- Make homework your child’s responsibility.

- Encourage involvement in school related activities

- Communicate with the teacher, after allowing your child to attempt to solve problem.

“Tonight is the third night you have not had any homework. I will email the teacher and confirm that”.

“Really, the teacher would not let you re-test? Let me give her a call and hear her part of the problem.”

“If I were to call the teacher, would she agree with what you are telling me?”

Not all you can be for them!

WHEN MORE HELP IS NEEDED

Sometimes a parent-teacher conference is necessary. Here are some discussion topics that make help:

• Is my child on time to class? Prepared?

• Does my child seem organized?

• Does my child participate in class?

• Does my child use class time wisely?

• Does my child pay attention?

• Is my child working up to their potential?

• What does my child need to work on?

• Do you have any suggestions for my child?

Parent – Teacher Conference

Meet the Teacher Night

August 19th

3-5 PM for 8th graders

5:30 -7:30 PM for 7th graders

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