McCarthy Middle School A Smooth Transition to Middle School

Agenda Introduction 6:00-6:10PM PowerPoint Presentation 6:10-6:30PM Curriculum Discussion/Tours 6:35-7:00 PM (Cafeteria/Around the building) Curriculum Discussions/Tours 7:00-7:25 PM End of the evening 7:30PM

Communication Continually improving communication is part of our School Improvement Plan Electronic Communication – /Connect Ed – X2 Aspen Family Portal – X2 Teacher Pages – McCarthy home page and calendar

How to Make a LARGE School Much Smaller: Teams! Five Grade 5 Teams 2 classroom teachers per team Approximately 45 students per team Students spend the majority of the school day with these two teachers Team planning time to collaborate on student needs and curriculum

TEAM ORGANIZATION Two person teams for Grades 5 and 6 include a teacher for Math and Science and a teacher for LA and Social Studies Teams meet with guidance counselor and resource teachers on a regular basis These team teachers work together to discuss lessons and create projects that span the subject areas

Placement Process Meeting with elementary teachers soliciting their information Parent input via letter (Due May 20) – Learning style – Please separate from… OR try to place with… – We do the best we can to accommodate Students are heterogeneously grouped into classes No leveling in grades 5 & 6 Factors affecting placement – Support services received – School input – Parent input

ACTIVE LEARNING Investigations Problem solving Cooperative learning Interdisciplinary research projects and integrated technology ACTIVE LEARNING is essential for the Middle School learner

Technology Integration Technology Integration Across the Curriculum Three Computer Labs Most Rooms have interactive white boards with ceiling mounted projectors. When specific projects are done, links are placed on the website by the Technology Integration Specialist and Librarian to support student research in many curriculum areas. Grade 5 & 6 Computer lab - students have scheduled time in the computer lab and library.

Library Resources McCarthy Middle School has a state-of-the-art Library Gr. 5 students have scheduled classes with the Librarian

Real World Experiences Grade 5 students enjoy enrichment activities in school and on field trips A field trip to Drumlin Farm allows students to explore a real working farm and a wildlife sanctuary. Students learn about Colonial life and crafts at the Concord Museum The Museum of Science visits McCarthy to teach about electromagnetism Students enjoy a visit from Barry Burbank!

Arts Block & Specialists The Chelmsford Public Middle Schools offer a comprehensive program in: – Art/General Music OR Performance Music – Physical Education – Health – Library – Computer

Arts Block Offerings 5 th grade Students choose one of the following options: – Band – Orchestra – Chorus – Art/General Music (two terms of each) We are asking you to make a decision. Forms were delivered to your schools recently. Please note that certain support services are offered during the arts and specialists block. Therefore, depending on the services your child receive, he or she may not be able to take these courses.

Typical Schedule 8:00- Drop off begins (CPD side) Supervised in Café until 8:10 8:09- Buses unload 8:19-8:24 Homeroom 8:25-10:22 ELA/SS 10:25-11:09 Arts Block 11:12-12:22 Math 12:25-1:05 Lunch/Recess 1:08-1:52 Specialists (2xPE/Health/Library/Computer) 1:55-2:40 Science 2:46 Buses leave McCarthy 2:45-3:45 After School Activities (Tues.- Wed.-Thurs.) 3:45-4:10 Late Buses leave McCarthy (Tues.-Wed.-Thurs.)

SUCCESS FOR ALL We value the importance of daily homework. We feel it is critical for success. All students will receive a Reminder Binder on the first day of school. Students have an average of minutes a night of homework.

SUCCESS FOR ALL- What do we do when students do not learn? Get Extra Help from the classroom teacher Attend McASAP

SUCCESS FOR ALL How else do we support kids? Try to create a safe, comfortable learning environment for all students Created and implemented a schoolwide bullying rubric Chelmsford’s bullying policies are in accordance with the state policies and are available on the main Chelmsford School webpage. Please let us know as issues arise.

SUCCESS FOR ALL- OUR SOCIAL CONTRACT McCarthy Middle School is a PAWS-itive Community! We agree to: –Be compassionate, supportive and safe –Be responsible, inclusive and respectful –Put forth our best effort

SUCCESS FOR ALL- OUR COMMUNITY Recognizing “Paws-itive” & PRIDEful behaviors Student Advisory Program- Building relationships Research has shown student achievement increases when a student feels connected to their school Student are assigned in small groups to a teacher Meet weekly Theme based (Decision making, Goal-setting, current events, community building, community service projects) Supports for our students include: – Guidance Counselors – School Psychologist – Supervisor of Students – Special Education Services – Reading Specialists – Health Services

Community Service Community service experiences such Pennies For Patients, Coats for Kids, and Project 300 for families in need during the holidays drive give students a sense of connection to the larger community. Project 300

After School Activities After school clubs are an important offering to our students Community Service Organization Cross Country Track Art Club Backstage Crew McASAP Writer’s Society Math Counts Yearbook Select Choir Orchestra Jazz Band Musical- Drama Club Intramural Sports Game Club Science Olympiad

To Sum It All Up We offer a creative, challenging, engaging curriculum in a caring environment. We have a “Whatever It Takes” attitude to support success for all students. We educate the whole child. We are proud of our schools’ and our students’ achievements – and we always seek to get better. Active, supportive PTO!

Thanks for joining us! School tours for your children – Byam & Harrington- May 1:00 – Center- May 9:30 – South Row- June 9:30

Thanks for joining us! Feel free to contact us if you have additional questions – Kurt McPhee, Principal – Donna Martin, Assistant (Twitter) – Elyse Seero, Guidance Counselor