“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

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

Catch the wave of EXCELLENCE...

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

Who Is the Blue Team? Ms. Sharon Branca Subject: Math

Who Is the Blue Team? Mrs. Liz Motley Subject: English

Who Is the Blue Team? Ms. Dana Prendergast Subject: Science

Who Is the Blue Team? Mr. Ralph Murgia Subject: History

Who Is the Blue Team? Mrs. Eileen Patram Subject: Reading

Who Is the Blue Team? Mrs. Samantha Rodriguez Mrs. Linda Hargesheimer Subject: All Learning Support

Who Is the Blue Team? Ms. Katie Fetterman Subject: All Learning Support Read 180

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

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.

GENERAL SUPPLY LIST 3 – Ring notebook with dividers Loose leaf paper Pencils (we encourage lead pencils), pens, and erasers Appropriate free reading material (At all times, in all classes!) Set of colored pencils Highlighters Textbook covers Clear sheet protectors Assignment book (supplied by Arcola) Flash drive Index Cards (2 packs)

SUBJECT SPECIFIC SUPPLIES MATH Spiral Notebook ENGLISH Pocket Folder Bound Marble Notebook (wide- ruled) SCIENCE Pocket Folder ½ inch 3-ring binder OR section in large team binder

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

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

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

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

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS Honor Roll –Distinguished –Meritorious Highest Average (in each subject area from each section) Most Improved Student Student of the Month Team Awards “Terrific Tickets”

INCENTIVE PROGRAMS Semester Reward Trips. Bowling Aquatic Adventure All students are eligible unless they receive any of the following disciplinary actions: Lose 2 Team Days (six lunch detentions) Any single administrative suspension (ISS, OSS) 3 or more after-school administrative detention.

“Working Lunch” Lunch Detentions –Missing or incomplete homework –Team related discipline issues 3 lunch detentions = 1 – parent phone call 2 – contact guidance 3 – administrative action

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 “D” Day is dedicated to a school-wide character program called “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!

WARNING !!!! Summer reading books should be nearly finished or finished at this time. All AR tests need to be done by September 7th!!!!!

ANNOUNCEMENTS Blue Team packets due back by Friday, September 7 th. Emergency cards and the signed handbook page is due by Friday, September 7 th. Picture Day is Friday, September 7 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!