Ansonia Middle School Grade 7 Orientation Dr. Michael Marotto, Principal Mr. Steve Marchetti, AsSt. Principal

Goals This Evening’s Orientation The Middle School Years Decrease anxiety about entering middle school The Middle School Years To work with your child to help them grow socially, emotionally, and academically in a safe and nurturing environment.

Intellectual & Cognitive Growth Student’s desire to ask WHY? At home: WHY do they have to follow certain rules or WHY they can’t have a particular piece of clothing At school WHY do we have the rules we do? WHY do we ask students to learn the things we are asking them to learn? At Ansonia Middle School, we not only accept this fact, we embrace it!

How do you support a Middle School Student? Preparation

Transition Process Ability to handle transition is beneficial for a lifetime Today is the first step in this transition process Mixing of students from both elementary schools on each team. All 7th grade classes, with the exception of Unified Arts Classes are located on one floor A brief overview of middle school schedule is being presented

First day of School 7th Grade - gather in front of the building just outside of Main Entrance Students will proceed directly to their Advisory classes upon entering the building Extended Advisory

How do you support a Middle School Student? Preparation Information

Middle School Model This is NOT a Jr. High or K-8 school! Developed with the needs of early adolescence in mind Teachers and students are grouped into Teams “Sense of belonging” Team teachers meet regularly Students switch classes

Curriculum Ansonia Middle School will continue to work hard to establish a culture of excellence The curriculum is rigorous and teachers have high expectations We constantly strive to motivate our students Create lesson plans using instructional strategies that work best for early adolescence and the Middle School Model Hands-on projects Working in groups or pairs Relevant work

Curriculum Continued… 6 period school day Core Classes (4) Language Arts Math Social Studies Science Unified Arts Physical Education Music Spanish Computers Health Art

How do you support a Middle School Student? Preparation Information Communication

What is the next step? Communication is the Key!! Open House – Wednesday, 9/20 at 6pm Website as a Valuable Resource Progress Reports / Report Cards Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences PTO Meetings Email Communication

How do you support a Middle School Student? Preparation Information Communication and a little TLC…

Thank you for attending tonight’s orientation.

Next Stop… All parents and students are invited to the Gym to pick up their Back-to-School Packets. Organized by Last Name A-G H-M N-S T -Z Refreshments will be served in the Main Lobby compliments of Ansonia Middle School PTO