1. WELCOME
TO THE BLUE TEAM

2. Catch the wave of EXCELLENCE . . .

3. BLUE TEAM INTRODUCTIONS

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

5. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A PARENT OF A 7th GRADER?
Keep the lines of communication open.
Assist student with studying for tests.
Check team websites for homework assignments.
Check with your student for homework completion.
Have high expectations for learning and behavior at home and at school.
Have regular homework time; do not allow TV, gaming, or social media to interfere with academic time.
Make a study area with materials your child will need to do school work.

6. 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.

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

8. CORE SKILLS Time Management Study Skills Organization
Reading Comprehension

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

10. GENERAL SUPPLY LIST 3 – Ring notebook with dividers
Pencils (we encourage lead pencils), pens, and erasers
Appropriate free reading material (At all times, in all classes!)
Set of colored pencils
Index cards (4 packs)
Post-it notes
Highlighters
Textbook covers (2)
Assignment book (supplied by Arcola)

11. SUBJECT SPECIFIC SUPPLIES
MATH
4 wire-bound, hole-punched notebooks (single subject used exclusively for math)
Sheet protectors
ENGLISH
wire-bound, hole-punched notebook (single subject used exclusively for English)
Pocket folder
1 Plastic sheet protector
READING (MacLuckie)
3 SUBJECT wire-bound, hole-punched notebook (used exclusively for reading)
READING (Newell)
Marble composition book
1 Pocket Folder
SCIENCE/HISTORY
1 Pocket Folder (for each subject)
½ inch 3-ring binder OR section in large team binder (for each subject)
Wire-bound, hole-punched notebook (single subject – history only)
1 Plastic sheet protector (science only)
HEALTH
Section in binder exclusively for health papers/notes

12. Donations of tissues, hand sanitizer, and cleaning wipes are
GREATLY appreciated throughout the year!!

13. STUDENT SCHEDULES
Don’t forget to bring your schedule with you on the first day of school!

14. PARENT COMMUNICATION The Seventh Grade counselor is Mrs. Berardelli.
The Blue Team is available for parent conferences during period 5
(12:00 – 12:40). Contact guidance.
Parents are reminded to check the Parent Portal regularly as well as the Blue Team website (Look under the TEAM PAGES link on Arcola’s homepage).
The most efficient method of communication with team teachers is .

15. REMIND 101
On your iPhone or Android phone, open your web browser and go to the following link: rmd.at/29kf3
Follow the instructions to sign up for Remind. You’ll be prompted to download the mobile app and you will receive push notifications. OR
Send text message to with the
Regular text messaging rates apply.
For , visit: rmd.at/29kf3 leaving the subject line blank.

16. TEAM MESSAGES
Individual teachers may be requesting addresses to set up class distribution lists.
Messages may be posted on the Parent Portal, team website, and/or Remind 101 as well.

17. STUDENT RECOGNITIONS Honor Roll Distinguished Meritorious
Highest Average & Most Improved Student (in each subject area from each class period)
Team Awards
“Terrific Tickets”

18. INCENTIVE PROGRAM Semester Reward Trips
Bowling
Aquatic Adventure
All students are eligible as long as they meet the following criteria:
Maintain a minimum of 65% average in ALL core subjects
No administrative action (detention, ISS, OSS)
Fewer than 4 team issued detentions (disciplinary and/or academic)

19. “Working Lunch” Lunch Detentions
5 Missing or incomplete assignments
Homework
Projects
Not meeting IRP benchmarks
Not dressing for gym
Team related discipline issues
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)

20. FLEX DAY THURSDAYS
Flex time is a “special” time devoted to school-wide initiatives such as:
Bullying awareness/prevention
One Book One School
Advisory

21. 8th PERIOD EXPECTATIONS
Time to do homework/study
Time to get help from teachers
Time to make-up work
Students are expected to utilize this time for the above tasks.
Passes (team/student) must be used to leave the room.
If your child participates in music groups (band, orchestra, chorus, and ensemble groups), they will have limited time in 8th period homeroom.

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

23. BUDGET ? “A Christmas Carol” ($20 - $25) Zoo Trip ($15 - $20)
Bowling Incentive ($10 - $15)
Aquatic Adventure Incentive
($5 - $10)
7th Grade Class Trip - ??
($15 - $20)

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

25. WARNING !!!!
Summer reading books should be nearly finished or finished at this time.
All AR tests need to be done by Friday, September 9th!!!!!

26. PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Click on the “Volunteering in Methacton” link found on the Home Page of the District Website.
Volunteer Approval Process
Registration
TB Testing
Clearances
Act 34 - Pennsylvania Criminal History Background Check
Act  Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance Form
Will be looking for help to coordinate a team breakfast on 12/23/16!

27. ANNOUNCEMENTS Bring your backpacks on the first day of school!!
Students should come to class prepared with all necessary supplies no later than Monday, September 12th.
Picture Day is Wednesday, September 14th.
Students must have a PE uniform by Thursday, September 15th.
Uniforms can be purchased today in the Commons Area.
Uniforms can be purchased at Schuylkill Valley Sports.

28. ANNOUNCEMENTS
MSD Emergency Form (pink paper) is due back to the homeroom teachers updated and signed by Thursday, September 8th.
Arcola Student/Parent Handbook signature page is due back signed to homeroom teachers by Thursday, September 8th.
The signature page must be printed from link on Arcola Website.
Please contact the homeroom teacher if you need a hard copy of the signature page.
Team Handbook Signature Page is due back to the homeroom teachers signed by Friday, September 9th.
The signature page must be printed from the Blue Team Website.

29. Robert Maynard Hutchins
"The objective of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives."
Robert Maynard Hutchins