WelcomeWelcomeJames H. Moran Middle SchoolJames H. Moran Middle School66thth Grade Parent Orientation Grade Parent Orientation

June 19, 2014June 19, 2014

Contact Information:

Joseph Piacentini, Principal 203-741-2900

Jpiacentini@wallingford.k12.ct.us

Julie Foss, Assistant Principal 203-741-2900

Jfoss@wallingford.k12.ct.us

Kerri Funaro, School Counselor 203-741-2907

Kfunaro@wallingford.k12.ct.us

Wallingford Public Schools Wallingford Public Schools

MISSIONMISSION To inspire, educate and support all To inspire, educate and support all

students as they discover and pursue their students as they discover and pursue their personal best.personal best.

VISIONVISION Wallingford Public Schools, with families Wallingford Public Schools, with families

and community, will distinguish itself with and community, will distinguish itself with innovative teaching and learning innovative teaching and learning experiences in a safe and supportive experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Our goal is to ignite passion environment. Our goal is to ignite passion for learning and excellence in every for learning and excellence in every student so that each becomes a life-long student so that each becomes a life-long contributor to the local and global contributor to the local and global communities.communities.

Our MissionOur MissionMoran Middle School is committed to guiding Moran Middle School is committed to guiding

students from childhood through adolescence by students from childhood through adolescence by

encouraging encouraging independent thinkingindependent thinking,, self-worthself-worth and and

the the mutual respectmutual respect necessary to become responsible, necessary to become responsible,

productive citizens in our ever-changing society.  productive citizens in our ever-changing society. 

We strive to provide a We strive to provide a safesafe, , nurturingnurturing environment environment

throughout our quest for throughout our quest for academic excellenceacademic excellence. .

“Teaching middle school is an adventure not a job.” ― Angela K. Bennett

Parents

Teachers

students

WE WILL GET

THROUGH THIS

TRANSITION TOGETHER!

AcademicsAcademicsRigor- curriculum and instruction that challenge students at their level of readiness

Relationships- set high expectations, research suggests increased academic success impacted by student relationships with adults

Relevance- curriculum and instruction reflect knowledge and skills that will equip students to be college and career ready

Responsibility- development of students as conscious participants in learning and self-advocates

Benefits of Benefits of TeamingTeaming

Student-centered focus Student-centered focus Small learning community Small learning community Builds a network of student & adult supportBuilds a network of student & adult support Strong commitment to academic Strong commitment to academic

achievementachievement Teacher collaboration for the benefit of Teacher collaboration for the benefit of

students and consistency of policiesstudents and consistency of policies Regular communication with familiesRegular communication with families A proactive approachA proactive approach

Association for Middle Level Education

Team PlacementsTeam PlacementsThe scheduling process is ongoing and will The scheduling process is ongoing and will

continuecontinueinto the summer. Your student’s placement will into the summer. Your student’s placement will

be onbe onone of two heterogeneous teams, which are one of two heterogeneous teams, which are

balancedbalancedbased on:based on: Gender consideration (boy/girl ratio)Gender consideration (boy/girl ratio) Academic Performance Academic Performance

CMTs CMTs OLSATsOLSATs District AssessmentsDistrict Assessments Special learning needsSpecial learning needs

Independent Work habitsIndependent Work habits Social-emotional developmentSocial-emotional development Special NeedsSpecial Needs

Core ClassesCore ClassesTeam Academic StructureTeam Academic Structure

MathMath Language ArtsLanguage Arts Social StudiesSocial Studies ScienceScience World LanguageWorld Language Special EducationSpecial Education

paraprofessionalparaprofessional

Additional Academic Additional Academic Resources: Resources:

Website http://www.wallingford.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=12562

Brochure

Encore ClassesEncore ClassesThese courses expose students to a diverse set of These courses expose students to a diverse set of skills in applied and fine arts. Students have two skills in applied and fine arts. Students have two

Encore classes each day.Encore classes each day. Music (Year Long)Music (Year Long)

BandBand ChorusChorus General Music General Music StringsStrings

Physical Education (Year Physical Education (Year Long)Long)

Health (1 qtr)Health (1 qtr)

Computers (1 qtr)Computers (1 qtr)

Technology Education (2 qtrs)Technology Education (2 qtrs) Mechanical Drawing Mechanical Drawing Intro to ElectronicsIntro to Electronics

Family and Consumer Science Family and Consumer Science (2 qtrs)(2 qtrs) Nutrition and WellnessNutrition and Wellness Life SkillsLife Skills

Art (2 qtrs)Art (2 qtrs) Elements of Design 1Elements of Design 1 Elements of Design 2Elements of Design 2

STEP (Student Enrichment STEP (Student Enrichment Program)Program)

Additional Academic Additional Academic ProgramsPrograms

Intervention/Special Education ServicesIntervention/Special Education Services Students who require additional support in math and/or reading Students who require additional support in math and/or reading

will receive specific instruction by a 6will receive specific instruction by a 6thth grade interventionist or grade interventionist or Special Education Teacher. This support occurs during the school Special Education Teacher. This support occurs during the school day and occurs during student’s world language block. day and occurs during student’s world language block.

STEP (Student Enrichment Program)STEP (Student Enrichment Program) seeks to unlock the potential of intellectually gifted students. seeks to unlock the potential of intellectually gifted students.

Within the classroom setting and in enrichment programs and Within the classroom setting and in enrichment programs and independent studies, individualized programs will challenge, independent studies, individualized programs will challenge, accelerate and enrich students as well as encourage self-accelerate and enrich students as well as encourage self-development and service. development and service. **Participation criteria are based upon **Participation criteria are based upon standardized testing, academic achievement, and task standardized testing, academic achievement, and task commitment.commitment.

The Middle School The Middle School Schedule Schedule The BasicsThe Basics

Benefits of a 7-day rotating schedule

30 minute lunch for all students

2 FLEX periods, 3rd rotating FLEX per grade level FLEX is be used for music,

exploratory/specials make up, team activities, assemblies, etc. so core instruction is not lost.

Scheduled Music for all students

Scheduled Computers for all students

Developmental guidance lessons- 12x/ year

Extra-Curricular Extra-Curricular ActivitiesActivities

Student Governm

ent Associati

on

Theater Producti

ons

Moran Newspap

er

Jazz Jazz BandBand

GeograpGeography Beehy Bee

MVPMVPNewsNews

Dance Team

SportsSports

PartnershiPartnership with p with

Park & RecPark & RecFriends of Friends of

Rachel Rachel ClubClub

Varsity Choir

Middle School SportsMiddle School Sports

Fall SportsFall Sports Boys and Girls Cross Boys and Girls Cross

CountryCountry

Winter SportsWinter Sports Boys and Girls Boys and Girls

BasketballBasketball

Spring SportsSpring Sports Boys and Girls TrackBoys and Girls Track Girls SoftballGirls Softball Boys BaseballBoys Baseball

What is needed for What is needed for participation?participation? Sports physical form Sports physical form

completed by a completed by a doctor after July 1.doctor after July 1.

Parent permission Parent permission formform

Both forms cover theBoth forms cover the

student for the year student for the year and will be and will be included in our included in our summer mailingsummer mailing

ATTENDANCE ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is very importantRegular attendance is very important Consistency of instructionConsistency of instruction Developing relationshipsDeveloping relationships MS about developing good school habitsMS about developing good school habits Research connects student achievement and Research connects student achievement and

instructional time spent in schoolinstructional time spent in school

"Middle school is a training ground for building resiliency for later years.”- Meg White

What to do if your student What to do if your student is sickis sick

Please call the office and leave a message as Please call the office and leave a message as

early as possible but by 9:00 at the latestearly as possible but by 9:00 at the latest

Give your child’s full name, homeroom, and Give your child’s full name, homeroom, and reason for absencereason for absence

Options for makeup work-Options for makeup work- Homework Requests after 2 days of absenceHomework Requests after 2 days of absence Email contact with teachersEmail contact with teachers

Attendance continuedAttendance continued

State of Connecticut & truancyState of Connecticut & truancy First 9 absences- excused with parent noteFirst 9 absences- excused with parent note Each absence after 9Each absence after 9thth needs doctor’s note to be needs doctor’s note to be

excusedexcused Legally bound to file FWSN if 4 Legally bound to file FWSN if 4

unexcused/month OR 10 unexcused absences unexcused/month OR 10 unexcused absences in a year (after the 9in a year (after the 9thth absence) absence)

Communicative ResponseCommunicative Response Letter after 5 absences regardless of excused or Letter after 5 absences regardless of excused or

unexcusedunexcused Meeting after 10 absences regardless of excused or Meeting after 10 absences regardless of excused or

unexcusedunexcused

TardiesTardiesDoors open at 7:40Doors open at 7:40

Locker/organization time 7:40 – 8:00Locker/organization time 7:40 – 8:00

Tardy to school after 8:00Tardy to school after 8:00

Tardy to homeroom if not in seat by beginning of Tardy to homeroom if not in seat by beginning of homeroom at 8:00homeroom at 8:00

If the bus is tardy the student is not tardyIf the bus is tardy the student is not tardy

Excused tardies are doctor/dentist visits that are Excused tardies are doctor/dentist visits that are validated by doctor/dentist note or appointment cardvalidated by doctor/dentist note or appointment card

DISCIPLINEDISCIPLINE"An error doesn't "An error doesn't

become a mistake become a mistake until you refuse to until you refuse to correct it." correct it." Orlando A. BattistaOrlando A. Battista

Discipline as an opportunity for growth

High expectations communicated to students

Traditional and Non-traditional consequences

Communication

DRESS CODEDRESS CODE

• Research- academic success tied to how students feel about themselves • Self-esteem• Message of appearance • Minimize distractions

• No hats• School- appropriate slogans/logos• Fingertip length of skirts/dresses/shorts• No tank tops• No flip flops• Gym uniform for gym

Great Support Great Support NetworkNetwork

Speech and

Language

Pathologist

School Nurse

School School CounseloCounselo

rsrs

School Psychologist

Interventionists

Library Library Media Media

SpecialistSpecialist

School Social

Worker

School School AdministratorAdministrator

ss

Paraprofessionals

TeachersTeachers

The role of the School Counselor:

To support Personal/Social, Academic and Career growth.

This is accomplished through: Looping model Individual and Group counseling as needed Classroom lessons throughout each academic

year Career exploration using Naviance Consultation and coordination with teachers,

parents, administrators , and support staff.

• Regular Correspondence The Student’s Agenda The Moran Website

http://www.wallingford.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=11520 http://www.wallingford.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=11520 Triad (monthly Newsletter) Teacher/Team updates Principal Piacentini’s blog

http://jameshmoranmiddleschool.edublogs.org/http://jameshmoranmiddleschool.edublogs.org/

• Progress Reports and Report Cards• Power School Grading System Parent Portal (real time

information)• End of quarter grading information is mailed home 4 times

per year

• Parent/Teacher Conferences• November & April• Throughout the year as needed

School- Home Partnership

JOIN US!JOIN US!New Middle School Parent New Middle School Parent

Checklist- Checklist- Tammy RaccioTammy Raccio

Mid-August Mid-August -- Summer packet mailing -- Summer packet mailing Team and Homeroom assignments Team and Homeroom assignments Parent Portal login informationParent Portal login information

End of August End of August –FOR Student welcome- Self-guided –FOR Student welcome- Self-guided tours and locker practicetours and locker practice

Wednesday, Wednesday, August 27August 27thth ----First day of schoolFirst day of school Extra support those first days to ease transitionExtra support those first days to ease transition

Early - MidEarly - Mid SeptemberSeptember (TBA) --The 6 (TBA) --The 6thth grade grade ““Open HouseOpen House””

Important DatesImportant Dates::

Additional Resources & Suggestions

Encourage students to read over the the summer!summer!

Reassure students that while change is not easy, they will get through it!

Practice combination locks Get involved- PTO, PTAC, Parent Coffees

Helpful websites: http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/817-moving-up-to-middle-schoolfamily-articles/article/817-moving-up-to-middle-school

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/back-to-school/http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/back-to-school/kids-biggest-middle-school-fearskids-biggest-middle-school-fears

Thank you for your Thank you for your participation this participation this evening. We look evening. We look

forward to working forward to working with you and your with you and your

student!student!

Student ToursStudent Tours 1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 5

PinkPink BlueBlue OrangeOrange GreenGreen WhiteWhiteSamantha Kristen Taylor Rajan AnaleighSamantha Kristen Taylor Rajan Analeigh

Jessica Corrine Elise Tyler McKenzieJessica Corrine Elise Tyler McKenzie

Hannah Beslen Ashley Ian Hannah Beslen Ashley Ian KatherineKatherine

Brandon Jenna Isabella Reese RyanBrandon Jenna Isabella Reese Ryan

Café Encore LMC Classrooms Gym/

Music

* Each tour will begin at their assigned location and rotate in order through each

tour location*