welcome james h. moran middle school 6 th grade parent orientation june 2, 2015 contact information:...
TRANSCRIPT
WelcomeWelcomeJames H. Moran Middle SchoolJames H. Moran Middle School66thth Grade Parent Orientation Grade Parent Orientation
June 2, 2015June 2, 2015
Contact Information:
Joseph Piacentini, Principal 203-741-2900
Julie Foss, Assistant Principal 203-741-2900
Courtney Barber-Devine, School Counselor 203-741-2907
Mission & VisionMission & VisionOur Mission is to inspire and support students as they grow from childhood to adolescence. We value the diversity of contributions made to our school community. Because of this we commit to providing opportunities for all learners to discover their strengths, pursue their passions, and fuel their personal creativity.
The Moran Learning Community will be empowered to be compassionate, independent, and confident contributors to a global society.
“Teaching middle school is an adventure not a job.” ― Angela K. Bennett
Parents
Teachers
students
WE WILL GET
THROUGH THIS
TRANSITION TOGETHER!
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.
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
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
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)
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)
Intervention (Reading & Math Intervention (Reading & Math Support)Support)
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 & Rec
Friends of Friends of Rachel Rachel ClubClub
Varsity Choir
After-School Activities
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
• Regular Correspondence The Student’s Agenda The Moran Website Triad (School Blog) Teacher/Team updates Principal Piacentini’s blog PTO Website PTAC
Parent Checklist (handout)
• 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• Daily Bulletin
• Parent/Teacher Conferences• November & April• Throughout the year as needed
School- Home Partnership
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 needs doctor’s note to
be excused for medical reasonsbe excused for medical reasons 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 3 unexcused absences Letter after 3 unexcused absences Meeting after 7 unexcused absences Meeting after 7 unexcused absences
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
Para Educators
TeachersTeachers
District Calendar 2015-2016District Calendar 2015-2016
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
August 28August 28thth – – 8:30-10:30 am – Meet Your Teacher8:30-10:30 am – Meet Your Teacher
Monday, August 31Monday, August 31stst ----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
Check Out “I Am Proud”Check Out “I Am Proud” 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
QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?
Is it possible to get books on tape or an extra set if books sent home
in certain circumstances?
Do you offer a homework program after school? If so, what days and times? How
does one sign up? Is transportation provided?
Student ToursStudent Tours