1. Orientation for Parents of Students Transitioning to Middle School
Cougar Camp
Orientation for Parents of Students Transitioning to Middle School

2. YIKES! It’s middle school.
Middle school is a big step and a big change for both students and parents
More teachers - more responsibility
More independence - more apprehensive
Procedures and “Nuts and Bolts”
Staying Connected
Success Skills – helping your middle schooler flourish

3. PTA

4. TOUR

5. Procedures and Nuts & Bolts at Curtis??
Cougar Camp
Procedures and Nuts & Bolts at Curtis??

6. Procedures @ CMS New School Hours New Homeroom
Our school day begins at 8:25 am and ends at 3:25 pm. Students are required to wear their ID on a lanyard at all times. IDs will be picked up during Meet The Teacher Night on August 15th . Lost IDs can be replaced at a cost of $5.
We have added an extra period to our day. Every student will have homeroom during 4th period daily. This time will be used to mentor, coach, build relationships, set goals, focus on AISD Be The One Character traits, social media tips and hints, how to navigate in middle school, etc.

7. PROCEDURES @ CMS Lunch Lost & Found Located in office near clinic
Three lunch periods
11:15 -11: :45-12: :15-12:45
Cash free system – PAYPAMS.COM
Students need ID to purchase lunch
Seats are not assigned
Sections are called to go purchase their lunch
Please write your child’s name on any lunches being dropped off. (YOUR CHILD ONLY!) Allow plenty of time.
Located in office near clinic
Please put full name on all supplies, athletic equipment, phone, lunch bags, etc.
Anything with a name is typically returned to the student during the day.

8. PROCEDURES @ CMS Visit the Nurse Visit the Counselors
Clinic is in the office
Students must sign into the clinic until Nurse Jen Rau can see them
MAY NOT have any type of medication, cough syrup, and/or pills on their person.
Fill out a form to keep medication on campus for your child.
Turn in all immunizations BEFORE Meet The Teacher (8/15)
All 3 Counselors in office
Student drop ins are welcome
Students can also us to ask questions or to visit with us.
Bullying reports/concerns go to the Assistant Principals. Incident reports can be found on the website and in the office .
Our APs are: Mr. Falbo – 7th grade, Mrs. Cooley, and Mr. Anthony

9. PROCEDURES @ CMS Catch the Bus Tardies “Being late” to Class
Bus routes are located on-line (Transportation)
Bus drop off and pick up is located at the east entrance to the building (near flag poles).
In the morning, students proceed to the gym (7th) or cafeteria (8th).
Busses leave at 3:45 pm. Don’t miss the bus.
Cameras are on every bus recording at all times.
Arriving to class AFTER the bell rings is being tardy.
Consequences for two or more tardies. (i.e. Lunch detention, etc.)
Tardies are reported to Skyward and are kept all school year.
Students have FOUR minutes to pass to their next class.

10. PROCEDURES @ CMS BULLYING NOT acceptable at Curtis
If you witness or experience bullying, you must fill out a Safety Incident report.
All Incident Reports ARE investigated by appropriate principal. Consequences may be rough.
Cameras are all over the building and on every bus. Be aware!
Practice confidence skills with your child!
AISD Be The One Character traits continue

12. Cougar Camp
STAY CONNECTED

13. Stay Connected SKYWARD CANVAS
All grades and attendance are maintained here.
Students have a calendar on their student Skyward account with due dates of assignments and test dates
Reports cards ARE NOT sent home. They are accessed through Skyward,
Get password information from Lisa Palmeri, our Registrar
Your in Skyward is used for parent messages!!
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Notes, Assignments, quizzes
Digital Learning Night: Sept. 27th Come learn more about Skyward, CANVAS, social media and the brain, & any other questions you might have about the technology used here at school.

14. Stay Connected Other sites Curtis Website
Parents section and News section
Phone policy
Code of Conduct
Late or missing grades policy
Tardies
Extra curricular activities
Copy of daily announcements
PTA Facebook Page
Follow Curtis on Twitter
Reminder 101 – many teacher use
CHARMS – band and orchestra students

15. Stay Connected Calendar Attendance Policy
Grading periods start and ending dates
When report cards come out
Test dates and events
AISD Calendar
Curtis web-site calendar
Full name of student, date, and reason for absence is a must
Parent have 3 days to send in a hand signed note for all absences, even if called or ed in.
Doctor/Dentist notes if an office visit was necessary
Vacation and club sports absences are UNEXCUSED
After three days of an excused absence, work can be collected and picked up by parent at the front office
Mrs. Lambert

16. Stay Connected With your middle schooler Physical Emotional
Intellectual
Ready to learn about life
Strong sense of what is “fair”
Attempts to discuss serious topics and express their opinions
Desire for respect
Social
Friends move to the top of the list of people to impress
Searching for identity
NOT TO BE DIFFERENT
With your middle schooler
Physical
Mature at different rates
Variety of sizes and shapes
Feeling self-conscious or embarrassed by their bodies
Emotional
Moody
Figuring out who they are
Where they “fit” in the world
While being with friends is very important to middle schoolers, doing things with their parents and families provides them with a much needed sense of security.

17. Cougar Camp
SUCCESS SKILLS

18. SUCCESS SKILLS
Middle School is the time when parents NEED to be the most involved and the most vigilant. A whole new world has opened up and this is often the time when they are tempted to “try new things”.

19. SUCCESS SKILLS In the classroom Time Management
Pay attention, this is not the time to be social
Take good notes, get the name and number of a student from each of your classes
If you have problems taking notes, TELL YOUR TEACHER!
Use study aides like note cards and highlighting
Don’t CRAM- Study a little each night
Balance academics and extra- curricular activities
Plan your study time – same time each day & same place each day
Use ten minutes of study time to put papers in the correct place, clean notebook and check your supplies
Keep organized!! Looking for papers, pencils and assignments burn your energy and time

20. SUCCESS SKILLS TIPS TO Remember Projects
Ask questions – use a sticky note to jot them down if you are home to ask the next day
ALL teachers tutor. If you do not understand a concept, let the teacher know. Ask for tutoring. It free!
Re-Take failed tests/quizzes! Test and quizzes count for a large percentage of your grade! YOU must ask for a re- take. It is YOUR responsibility
BE RESPONSIBLE for yourself, your actions, your assignments, and your behavior!
Break the big project down into little tasks.
Do a little task each day until the big project is complete
Ask your teacher for help if you have problems breaking down big projects
If you work with a group, make sure you understand YOUR part. Share with the teacher is someone is not doing their part BEFORE the project is due.

21. How to help your child be all THEY can be!
Middle schoolers need to understand that with increased independence comes increased responsibility!
- Make homework your child’s responsibility.
- Encourage involvement in school related activities
- Communicate with the teacher, after allowing your child to attempt to solve problem.
“Tonight is the third night you have not had any homework. I will the teacher and confirm that”.
“Really, the teacher would not let you re-test? Let me give her a call and hear her part of the problem.”
“If I were to call the teacher, would she agree with what you are telling me?”
How to help your child be all THEY can be!
Not all you can be for them!

22. WHEN MORE HELP IS NEEDED
Sometimes a parent-teacher conference is necessary. Here are some discussion topics that make help:
Is my child on time to class? Prepared?
Does my child seem organized?
Does my child participate in class?
Does my child use class time wisely?
Does my child pay attention?
Is my child working up to their potential?
What does my child need to work on?
Do you have any suggestions for my child?
WHEN MORE HELP IS NEEDED
Parent – Teacher Conference

23. Meet The Teacher Night August 15th
3-5 PM for 8th graders
5:30 -7:30 PM for 7th graders
Pick up schedule and ID, tour building, purchase school supplies and spirit wear, set up lunch account; meet new teachers, parents & friends!!

24. Thank you for coming today
Thank you for coming today. Please help us by completing a brief survey that will be sent to you by this week.