1. Welcome Parents! 2015-2016 Scorpion Team

3. Middle School Responsibility Middle school comes with a great deal more responsibility. The students are afforded many more freedoms than in past years. It is their responsibility to fill out their agendas for every class and to pack their backpacks at the end of the day. They are not escorted to their lockers at the end of the day and are solely responsible for staying organized. If you have any questions, please ask a member of the Scorpion Team.

4. Dress Code: > Shoes or other proper footwear are to be worn at all times. > Sleeveless shirts are not permitted. T-shirts must be worn with all tank tops. Cover shirts are to be worn with spaghetti strap tops. No off the shoulder shirts are to be worn. Under garments are not to be visible. This also includes basketball jerseys. > If shorts or skirts (even with leggings) are worn to school, the length should be appropriate; the length must at least be to the student’s fingertips. > Headgear such as hats, bandanas, scarves (on the head), etc. are not to be seen or worn. > Flannel pants, pajamas, or pants with words on the back are not to be worn at school. Leggings, tights, and leotards are to be covered with shorts, skirts, dresses or shirts at fingertip length.

5. > Coats and outdoor jackets are not to be worn in the classroom. (Sweatshirts and hoodies are permitted). > Pants are to be worn at the waist. If pants with holes are worn, holes must be below the student’s fingertips. > No skin is to be exposed between the waist of the pants or dress and the bottom of the upper garment (shirt, blouse, or sweater). Abbreviated or low cut tops will not be acceptable as proper school dress. > Chains are not permitted. > Dress that advertises or promotes the use of alcohol, tobacco products, or controlled substances, and clothing or symbols that denote membership in a gang, promote violence, that are lewd, profane, or have sex-related language or innuendoes, are prohibited. > Appearance or attire that disrupts the educational environment is not permitted. Failure to follow the dress guidelines could result in the student being requested to change the clothing, or other disciplinary action.

6. Homework Policy The students are expected to turn in their homework on the day it is due. Avon Middle School North has an emergency late work policy. Each student receives one late pass per quarter per class. This is NOT a homework pass. Subsequent assignments that are not completed on the due date will result in a zero. This is to be used for emergency situations and not simply to postpone an assignment. The late assignment is due the very next day. If at anytime you have questions regarding missed work, please contact us.

7. Grading Scale and Policy A+ 100% A 93%-99% A- 90%-92% B+ 87%-89% B 83%-86% B- 80%-82% C+ 77%-79% C 73%-76% C- 70%-72% D+ 67%-69% D 63%-66% D- 60%-62% F 0-59% The Avon Middle School North handbook states that each student is permitted turn in one (1) late assignment per nine weeks, per class, for full credit. This policy is in place for emergency situations and is not to be used to postpone an assignment.

8. Absent Policy If your student is absent it is their responsibility to obtain their homework when they return. They have as many days as they missed to make up the work (if they missed 2 days, they have 2 days to make up their work). This system is in place to instill responsibility in our students. If you have any questions please ask!

9. Where do I check for homework updates? Schoology is our new learning management system in Avon. This is a one-stop-shop for checking what is going on in your student’s classes. The students have already been trained in how to use this system. They should have brought home their access code paperwork earlier this week. Please have them show you around!

10. Use of Technology Avon has implemented the STEP-UP technology program for specific grade levels this year. Even though your seventh graders have not received laptops this year, please know that we still integrate technology into our classrooms on a regular basis.

11. Safety Drills We regularly practice fire, tornado, and manmade drills at Avon Middle School North. The students have been trained in these procedures and we require their utmost cooperation during these times.

12. After-School Activities Avon Middle School North has a great deal of after-school activities that are open to our students. We do not send home paperwork regarding these clubs and activities. It is up to your student to listen to announcements every morning for information. We also update the school website frequently.

13. Curriculum Science Social Studies Language Arts Math 7/Pre-Algebra

14. High Ability Requirements If your student is enrolled in a high ability class it is their responsibility to maintain a B- average in that class for three successive grade checkpoints (midterms and report cards). If that requirement is not met, they will be moved to a grade level class.

15. Science We will be practicing science and the characteristics of scientific knowledge all year. Your student will learn about how math is an integral part of the work we will be completing in our science labs and activities. Your student will also learn about how to stay safe while working in the lab. We will be studying earth science, physics, and the life sciences. The textbook is very different from most - it's meant for your student to write in it. Therefore, it is a record of learning. Please have your student share with you the lessons they have completed in their textbook and in our BOW! Our BOW is our interactive notebook we will be keeping this year!

16. Social Studies This year in Social Studies we will discuss landforms, weather climates, latitude and longitude, ancient civilizations and many other exciting topics along the way. We will focus on the Eastern Hemisphere including Africa, Australia, and Asia.

17. Language Arts Our textbook this year is entitled Springboard. The textbook is consumable which means that the students will write, highlight, and take notes directly in the book. This class will allow your students to actively apply what they are learning in class with many different group activities and hands-on elements. We also are working very hard to create class notebooks. These notebooks are referred to as LABs (Language Arts Book). These notebooks are created page by page in class and every single one will match. This approach makes it easy to refer back to our notes. Independent reading is also something that is extremely important during the 7 th grade year. Your student should have brought home their reading workshop contract tonight for you to sign and return. I am very excited about this approach to cooperative learning. Please let me know if you have any questions

18. Math 7 Math 7 is a mix of computation, algebra and geometry topics all leading to preparing your student for pre-algebra in 8 th grade. The grade for this class is weighted 45% for tests/quizzes, 40% for homework and 15% for the quarterly assessment. We will be computing with rational numbers, solving equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations, working with applications involving percents, and studying geometry concepts. * Students will have nightly homework. Each student is responsible for bringing to class a three ring binder, book, workbook, pen and pencil everyday. The binder will hold all notes, homework, and tests/quizzes.

19. Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra/Pre-Algebra HA is a course designed to prepare students for algebra next year. This course will cover much of the same content at a lower intensity. Students must maintain a course grade of B- or higher to remain in the class. Students whose GPA drops below that will be placed on academic probation and will have interventions put in place to attempt to increase understanding. Grades are weighted 60% for tests and 40% for homework. The quarterly exam taken each nine weeks makes up 15% of the test and quiz section. During this class we will be adding and subtracting rational numbers, writing and solving equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations and inequalities, and adding/subtracting/multiplying polynomials. We will have nightly homework and will move at a rapid pace. Students will be responsible completing all assignments and for having all necessary materials daily.

20. Encore Rotation In 7 th grade, most students will have a rotation of all four Practical Arts classes: Art, Family and Consumer Science, Computer Applications, and Industrial Technology. All 7 th graders have music. They chose either Band, Choir, or Orchestra. First semester, 7 th graders will be in Health and Directed Studies. Second semester they will take Physical Education. Please see these teachers, if you have any questions!

21. How to contact us The best way to contact a teacher is to email us. We are very busy during the day, so it is difficult to reach us by phone. Our email addresses can be found either on the Avon North website or on our Schoology pages. We do not have parent/teacher conferences at the 7 th grade level. We can set up a team meeting with you if necessary.

22. What’s next? All of you should have been provided with a schedule by your student. Feel free to take a tour of our school and our classrooms down the Scorpion hallway. Please email us with any questions or concerns.

23. Thank You Parents! We are looking forward to a great year!