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

Jpiacentini@wallingford.k12.ct.us

Julie Foss, Assistant Principal 203-741-2900

Jfoss@wallingford.k12.ct.us

Courtney Barber-Devine, School Counselor 203-741-2907

Cbarber-Devine@wallingford.k12.ct.us

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