Middle School Orientation Emerson Elementary School 2015-2016 School Year

Welcome & Agenda Welcome students, parents, and families to what is going to be an exciting, new year! Agenda: Introductions Middle school expectations and policies Scheduling Parent-teacher communication Questions Free time to visit classrooms

Introductions Ms. Calderon – Math Mrs. Mancilla – Science Ms. Miller – Social Studies Mrs. Ramos – English Language Arts

Middle School Expectations Emerson Middle School Students will have a rotating schedule with seven class periods a day that will include: Intervention/ Study Skills English Language Arts (ELA) Social Studies Math Science Electives Lunch

Arrival Students will line up in alphabetic order with their homeroom classes each morning by the gate nearest the middle school pod, where they will be greeted by the middle school teachers When entering each class, throughout the day, students should check the information board for the day’s objectives, agenda, materials, bell work, and homework Students are to immediately take out any assignments that are due and materials listed on the board, then begin bell work

Dismissal At the end of each class, students must record homework and daily objective, focus question, or a reflection of the day’s learning in their planners Students must line up to exit each class in alphabetic order When in the corridor, students’ must be silent so as not to disturb other classes in session There is no passing period Students will exit one classroom, escorted by the teacher, and immediately enter the next classroom

Personal Responsibility As middle school students, Emerson 6th and 7th graders will be expected to be independent learners that are responsible for their own learning. They will be expected to: come to class prepared with necessary assignments and materials. actively participate in class lessons and discussions. be knowledgeable about assignment and project due dates. study for upcoming quizzes/tests. ask for and make up missed classwork. organize class materials and keep notes. manage their time and prioritize tasks in and out of class. ask questions and advocate (ask for help support).

Absences Students are expected to be in class on time everyday In the case of an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with teachers about make up work Each teacher will have a designated spot where students can look for missed work It is the student’s responsibility to check with a classmate for any missed notes When a student is absent, he or she will be given an extension equal to the time absent (1 day absent=1 day to make up work, 2 days absent=2 days to make up work, etc)

Make Up Quizzes/Tests If a student is absent, he or she has five days to make up any missed quizzes or tests upon returning to Emerson Make up testing may be completed before school, during homeroom, lunch, or after school with the permission of the teacher

Late Work Policy It is the responsibility of each student to come to class prepared with all homework and materials each day. If a student does not have homework on the due date, they will be expected to make it up Missing homework will result in a PBIS minor infraction If missing two or more assignments, a behavior plan will be implemented and the student may have to make up work during lunch/recess Late work will only be accepted up to five days after the original due date

Grading Policy All middle school teachers will use an A-F grading system Missing assignments will be entered as Incompletes If not made up within the allotted five days, the Incomplete will become a grade of 50% Zeros will not be given

PBIS PBIS is our school-wide behavior intervention program Minor disruptive behaviors, tardiness, missing signatures in planner, and missing homework will result in minor infractions and be documented Repeated offenses may result in a reflection sheet sent home, call to parents, discipline referral, suspension, or loss of privileges

PBIS 1st Offense: Reteach 2nd Offense: Minor Infraction and meeting with Ms. Mack 3rd Offense: Reflection Sheet 4th Offense: Call home 5th Offense: ODR

Student I.D. All 6th and 7th grade students will have a student I.D., which he/she will be required to wear at all times. Students will be provided with a lanyard that will hold their I.D. and bathroom pass 6th and 7th grade students are responsible for having their I.D. and bathroom pass at all times when at school

Restroom Pass Each student will receive ten restroom passes per trimester The restroom pass is the responsibility of the student If the card is lost or full, the student may not use the restroom during class Students are expected to use the restroom before school, after school, and at lunch If there are unused passes at the end of the trimester, the student may cash them in for Eagle Dollars

Electives Students will choose two electives at the beginning of the school year. Electives are year-long classes. Students will attend one Monday-Tuesday elective and one Thursday-Friday elective. **First choices for electives will not be guaranteed.** Monday-Tuesday Electives Choices: 2-D Art Seasonal Sports World Drumming 6/7 Band Thursday- Friday Electives Choices: 3-D Art Fitness Education Choir 6/7 Strings

Signing Up for Classes On Wednesday, August 5th, Emerson 6th and 7th graders will attend an informational meeting about elective classes Later that day, students will submit their preferences for electives online using Google Classroom Students will designate their first, second, and third choice for both electives First choices for electives are not guaranteed. Elective classes will begin the week of Monday, August 10th

Lunch and Recess Period 6th and 7th grade lunch will be from 12:25 - 12:55

Communication It is your right as a parent to have various opportunities to communicate with your child’s teachers. We’ve thought of a few ways to make that easy for you. Calls/Emails/Meetings Website Text Alerts Progress Reports Student Planners

Calls/Emails/Meetings Phone: Best time to call teachers is during prep period (9:00-9:50), before school or after school. Email: Email at any time – we will definitely response within 48 hours. Meeting: Call or email to set up a meeting time with your child’s teacher Find teacher contact info in student planner and website.

Website and Text Alerts You can find contact information, information about in class work and homework if absent and other class announcements. Text Alert You can sign up to receive text alerts from the middle school teachers to give reminders about homework, tests/quizzes and other important info. *We will take a few minutes right now to help you sign up!!

Progress Reports Progress reports will go home approximately every 3 weeks. Parents will be required to sign progress reports to ensure they have seen their child’s grades. Progress Reports include: Student’s current letter grade and percentage score in 4 core class Student’s missing work for each class A line for parent signature

Student Planners Students are required to carry their planners to school and to every class everyday. Planner procedures are as follows: Students write down homework and upcoming quizzes/tests in their planner in designated week and class (this will be done in every class) Students shows parent their nightly Parents review planner and initial in parent initial box nightly Homeroom teacher will check planners every morning for parent signature – no parent initial will be treated the same as not having homework on due date.

Supplies 6th and 7th graders will be expected to have certain supplies to help in their learning. Please be sure to pick up a supplies list this evening. Students should have all required supplies by Monday, August 10th. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the supplies list.

Questions?

Thank you for attending our 6/7 Orientation! Have a lovely evening!