1. Incoming 6th Grade Parent Meeting
Welcome to the Harris Family!

2. With hard work… there are no limits!!!

3. A Day in the Life of a 6th Grader

4. Before School Supervision begins at 7:45am
Parents drop off/pick up students at the back of school
Buses drop off in the front of school
6th graders report to the courtyard by the tennis courts
If students wish to eat breakfast, they may do so at this time.
Breakfast is $1.00
The Homework Center, Tutoring, and the Library are open from 7:45-8:10 Monday-Friday. Students must have a pass/note from a teacher or parent for tutoring.
Students who are carrying instruments may enter through the cafeteria and put their instruments away in the Fine Arts hallway.
When the 8:10am bell rings, students will proceed to 1st period

5. During the School Day
The majority of 6th grade classes are located in the “6th Grade House.” (Some exceptions are Fine Arts and PE)
Student have 8 periods with 4 minute passing periods
During regular schedule—6th Graders eat lunch together from 10:45-11:20am. Lunch is $2.50
Students may use their lockers during the passing periods.
Backpacks should be kept in students lockers during the day.
A phone is available in the office for student use, in case of an emergency.

6. Important Items
Your child’s wellbeing is important to us. All students with health related issues must be seen in the Harris Clinic prior to calling home.
ALL MEDICATION (OVER THE COUNTER, PRESCRIPTION, VITAMINS, COUGH DROPS, ETC.) must be brought to the clinic by a parent/guardian. Students are not allowed to carry any medicine at any time. If your child has any medical concerns or special needs, please see the nurse for more information and clarification.
Please adhere to the dress code. If a student violates the dress code we will give them something to wear for the day.

7. Important Information
It is acceptable if you would like to bring lunch for your child. We have tables in the hallway if you would like to stay and eat with them. HOWEVER, food may not be brought for students other than your own. (p. 7 Secondary Handbook)
Please help your child monitor their lunch account through the parent portal. Money can be deposited by cash, check, or you can charge if you go online through My School Bucks.com.

8. Enrichment Period - Wednesdays
Each Wednesday we will follow a special schedule which will allow for a 24 minute enrichment period.
The focus will be on organization, backwards mapping, persistence, overcoming obstacles, motivation, goal setting, and using resources & time wisely.
Lunch times will be different on these days.

9. After School Supervision ends at 3:45pm.
Students who ride the bus should report immediately to the front of the school, through the front doors of the school. Buses pull out of the parking lot at approximately 3:35pm. (See bus routes here)
If students walk home, they should leave through the back of the school
Students who ride their bikes should leave campus immediately through the back of the school
If you are going to pick up your child, please do so by 3:45pm. Parent pick-up/drop-off is in the back of the school
The district offers a KIN afterschool program (until 6:30pm) to help meet your needs. Information can be found on the district webpage.

10. Attendance Procedures
If your child misses school, notes need to be turned in to the attendance clerk, Mrs. Ochoa, not your child’s 1st period teacher.
For your convenience, notes can be faxed ( ), ed (to or hand delivered.
There will be no sign-outs from 3:10-3:25 each day. Please plan accordingly.
More information can be found on the Harris website.

11. Parent Resources
Parent Portal - Teachers post grades weekly (please allow for a hour upload time)
Check grades (and set alerts!)
Check cafeteria balance
Check attendance / discipline
Please keep your , address and phone number updated in the system. This is how we communicate with parents.
Teachers will be available for tutoring throughout the week. Check the schedule on their websites.
Free tutoring is available through the homework center (M-F 7:45- 8:10) or free online tutoring (through San Antonio Public Library if you have a library card)

12. Parent Portal – Tips for Secondary Students/Parents
Set Alerts!
You can determine which options to select
You can select different criteria for each class
Stay current with grades, attendance, discipline, cafeteria balance, STAAR scores, etc.
Alert not set
Alert set

13. Practice makes Perfect
Buy your student a combination lock to practice using it over the summer. This will help them to avoid a lot of stress the first week of school!

14. Agendas
Organization seems to be one of the biggest challenge for 6th graders. Your student will receive a new agenda free at the beginning of each 9 weeks.
We highly encourage the use of them. Each teacher will have an agenda posted in their room and it should be copied daily.
This helps your student remember daily assignments, tests, and projects.
There is a place for parent signature.

15. Cell phones
Cell phones must be kept off and out of sight during the instructional day (8:10-3:25). With good behavior, students may use their phone during lunch.
Headphones are not to be used in the hallways.
If your child's phone is taken up for violating the policy, a parent must come to the school to retrieve it. Cell phone privileges may be revoked with repeated offenses.

16. Teacher Websites and communication
If your child misses school, you may utilize each teachers website to obtain missing classwork and homework. Quizzes and Tests will need to be made up during tutoring. Encourage your child to communicate with their teachers to catch up immediately.
Please contact teachers first with questions regarding your child. Please give them 24 hours to respond. is the best form of initial communication (as there are no phones in the classrooms).

17. SSI classes
If your student was NOT successful on the STAAR test they will be removed from one or more electives to be placed in a workshop class for additional supports.

18. Information will be posted to the Harris Webpage.
Summer Reading
Information will be posted to the Harris Webpage.
Assignment and instructions are also on the front table.
Due date is September 1st.

19. Communication!
Keep your phone numbers, address and address updated on parent portal. This allows you access to what is going on around campus.
Sunday evening newsletter each week with an updated calendar.
Webpage
Twitter
Remind 101
Agendas
Parent Portal
Marquee

20. Follow us on Twitter!
Our username is
@harrishawks

21. http://hmsinvolve.weebly.com/ GET INVOLVED!!!
Another key to being successful in Middle School is being INVOLVED!
6th graders can’t play UIL sports just yet, but they can join clubs. Check out the website below and get involved!

22. INVOLVE and Ambassadors
Service
Explore SA
Intramurals
Clubs

23. PTA President – Mrs. Garza Please consider joining
Spirit Items for sale in the cafeteria and atrium tonight

24. Upcoming Parent Meetings
th Grade Camp Parents are welcomed to attend
8:30-9:45 for last names A-M
9:45-11:00 for last names N-Z
Greenback Night (Meet the Teacher)

25. Upon leaving this meeting…
Please feel free to walk around the building, your child can be your tour guide.
We have computers set up at the back of the cafeteria so that you may:
Apply for Free & Reduced Lunch
Sign up for parent portal
Purchase a PE uniform (available online through July 14th - code is HMSPE)
Watch the Harris website for additional 6th grade camp information - Students will receive their schedule and locker at that time

26. Thank you for coming. We look forward to the 2017-2018 school year
Thank you for coming! We look forward to the school year! This presentation will be posted to the Harris Webpage

27. INVOLVE webpage