“Often, it’s not about becoming a new person, but becoming the person you were meant to be, and already are, but don’t know how to be.” - Heath L. Buckmaster, Box of Hair: A Fairy Tale

Catch the wave of EXCELLENCE...

Who Is the Blue Team?

"Hard work is a two way street. You get back exactly what you put in."

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A 7 th GRADER? MORE independence. MORE responsibility. MORE homework, projects, tests, etc. MORE student-teacher communication.

CORE SKILLS Time Management Study Skills Organization Reading Comprehension

“Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

BLUE TEAM MISSION Students will learn to work collaboratively with their peers, respect the ideas of others, and consistently put forth their best effort in all classes.

BLUE TEAM VISION Students will become more responsible for their education and take an active approach to learning.

BLUE TEAM KEYS TO SUCCESS ALWAYS DO YOUR HOMEWORK ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST RESPECT OTHERS BRING ALL MATERIALS TO CLASS PARTICIPATE IN CLASS ACTIVITIES

“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” - Malcolm X

GENERAL SUPPLY LIST 3 – Ring notebook with dividers Loose leaf paper Lots of pencils Pens and erasers Appropriate free reading material (At all times, in all classes!) Set of colored pencils Highlighters Textbook covers Clear sheet protectors Index Cards (4 packs) Post-it notes (lots) Assignment book (supplied by Arcola)

SUBJECT SPECIFIC SUPPLIES MATH Spiral Notebook (single subject) ENGLISH Pocket Folder Wire-bound, hole- punched notebook SCIENCE/HISTORY 2 Pocket Folders ½ inch 3-ring binder OR section in large team binder (for each subject) READING Composition Book and/or spiral notebook (single subject)

Donations of tissues, hand sanitizer, and cleaning wipes are GREATLY appreciated!!

BLUE TEAM SCHEDULE Periods 1: Core Classes Periods 2, 3, & 4: Core Classes & Health/PE Lunch: 11:27 – 11:57 Period 5: Core Classes Period 6: Expressive Arts Period 7: Core Classes Period 8: Homeroom

SPECIAL TEAM EVENTS Team Days Field Trips What we do depends on YOU!!

STUDENT RECOGNITIONS Honor Roll –Distinguished –Meritorious Highest Average (in each subject area from each section) Most Improved Student Team Awards “Terrific Tickets”

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS Semester Reward Trips –Bowling –Aquatic Adventure All students are eligible as long as they meet the following criteria: 80% homework completion in each individual core subject No administrative action (detention, ISS, OSS) Fewer than 4 team issued disciplinary detentions (dress, behavior, handbook violation, etc.)

“Working Lunch” 1 lunch detention = parent contact from homeroom teacher –(5 missed team assignments) 2 lunch detentions = guidance meeting with student –(10 missed team assignments) 3 lunch detentions = teachers contact administration –(15 missed team assignments) Lunch Detentions –5 Missing or incomplete homework assignments –Team related discipline issues

Essential Classroom Courtesies If you open it, close it. If you turn it on, turn it off. If you break it, fix it. If you can’t fix it, get someone who can. If you use it, take care of it. If it belongs to someone else, get permission before you use it. If you borrow it, return it. If you make a mess, clean it up. If you move it, put it back. If it doesn’t concern you, leave it alone.

TEAM POLICIES Incomplete work is not acceptable. Illegible work is not acceptable. Projects that are completed in morning homeroom the day an assignment is due will not be accepted as “on time”. NO printing of assignments the day an assignment is due! Be sure to check with each teacher and/or assignment guidelines for “paperless” options. You do NOT have the liberty to leave the classroom at your leisure. –School Pass –Blue Team Pass Work Heading –First & Last Name –Date –Class Period

HANDBOOK HIGHLIGHTS Dress Code Attendance Policies Student Passes Student Sign-Out Hallway Behavior Gum Chewing Cheating/Plagiarism

“D” DAY PROCEDURES “Flex” Day is dedicated to school-wide character programs including “One Book One School”.

7 th Grade ALUMNI TIPS Keep or find a sense of humor- you’ll need it! Make friends you can depend on. Proofread your work before you hand it in. Never wait until the last minute; it’s very stressful that way. Participate in class! Be organized!

7 th Grade ALUMNI TIPS DON’T CHEW GUM- you will get caught and they will catch you- especially Ms. Prendergast! Ask questions if you need help! Study more than you normally do, because you’ll need it! This ISN’T sixth grade anymore! Always have your pass.

7 th Grade ALUMNI TIPS Remember to follow directions on all tests and projects! Always have your pass. Be nice to substitutes. Shoving papers into your binder is a REALLY BAD idea. DO ALL OF YOUR WORK... YOU’LL BE FINE!

TECHNOLOGY ACCESS Students will be encouraged to use their “virtual locker” both at home and at school. Students will NOT have “due date” access to printers. There are NO classroom printers!! Colored printing will NOT be available. Inappropriate use of technology will result in technology privileges.

WARNING !!!! Summer reading books should be nearly finished or finished at this time. All AR tests need to be done by September 5th!!!!!

ANNOUNCEMENTS Team Handbook Signature Page is due back to the homeroom teachers signed by Friday, September 12 th. –The signature page must be printed from the Blue Team Website. –Please contact the homeroom teacher if you have any special circumstances regarding technology. Emergency cards and the signed handbook page is due by Friday, September 5 th. Picture Day is Friday, September 5 th.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you chose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go... - Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You'll Go!