1. Qualters Middle School 6th Grade Parent Orientation
May 26, 2016

2. Welcome to QMS!

3. Middle school is not as scary as you may think

4. Introductions Suzanne Ryan - Principal
QMS Administrative Team
Suzanne Ryan - Principal
Mark DeGirolamo – Assistant Principal
David McGovern – Assistant Principal
Jim Leonard – Assistant Director of Special Education
Lynn Cavicchi - PAC President
Lisa Rawlings - Surviving Parent

5. Tonight’s Goal Ease worries about transition to middle school
Introduce a few key people
Preview sixth grade expectations
Answer pressing questions

6. Agenda QMS Organizational Structure Middle School v. Elementary School
Common Concerns
Student Voices
Daily Logistics
Planned Transition Activities
Questions/Answers

7. Guidance Counselor(s)
Structure of QMS
House Model
House 1
House 2
Assistant Principal
Guidance Counselor(s)
6th - Navy
6th - Purple
6th - Orange
6th -Yellow

8. How will Middle school differ from elementary school?
Teaming:
A group of 4 academic teachers who share a common set of students
Math ELA Science Social Studies
Every student is placed on a team
Team Leader – Liaison

9. What are the advantages of a team?
Teaming provides:
Greater student support through increased collaboration between teachers
Opportunity for clear and consistent communication around team- wide expectations, and support between school and home
Increased opportunity for students to build connections with teachers
Balance of teacher personalities
Team classroom are located close together
Team liaison as point of contact
Common set of students who share the same teachers

10. How will Middle school differ from elementary school?
Increased Academic Expectations:
Promotion policy
Alpha-numeric grading system
Progress reports and report cards issued each term
Nightly homework in most subjects

11. How will Middle school differ from elementary school?
Increased independence and responsibility:
Locker
Manage materials for multiple classes
Rotating schedule
Nightly homework
Switch classes
After school

12. How will Middle school differ from elementary school?
Increased independence and responsibility:
Balance after school obligations (sports/activities)
Shifting social groups and peer pressures
Hormonal/physical changes – all students develop a different rates
Change in communication
Students/parents – one word responses (good, fine, nothing)
School/parents – more adults
Increase use and access to social media

13. Common Concerns Basic Needs… Lockers Lunch Safety Academic Challenges
Will I be able to open my lock?
Lunch
What is for lunch?
Will I be able to see my friends?
Safety
What if I get lost? Will anyone pick on me?
Academic Challenges
How much homework will I have?
Are the classes much harder? Are the teachers mean?
Bus
Are older kids on the bus?
Where do I sit?

14. QMS… Student Voices

15. ACADEMICS: What classes will 6th graders take?
Required Core Classes (Full year)
ELA
Math
Science
Social Studies
Required Specials (Part of the year)
Computers/Art
PE/Health
Other:
ASB – Academic Support Block
Reading
Study skills
Elective classes
Band/Orchestra

16. 6th Grade Schedule 6 period day Each period is 58 minutes
Schedule rotates each day (6 day cycle)
Parents will not understand the schedule
Your children will master it very quickly - within the first two weeks
Locker breaks are built into the schedule
Tip – Keep a copy at home (PE days, etc.)

17. Sample ScheDule A B C D E F 1 2 3 4 5 6 Math ELA Computers/ Art
Science 3
Computers/ Art 4
Social Studies 5
ASB/Band/
Orchestra
PE/Health 6

18. Daily Logistics Hours – 7:25-1:49
Doors open 7:10 – 6th graders wait in cafeteria
Dismissal 1:49 – buses line up out front
Lunch
All 6th graders eat together
20 minutes
Same PIN code

19. Daily Logistics After school help Monday-Thursday 1:49-2:20
After school activities
Monday – Thursday 1:49-3:00
Bus/late bus
May be a different bus than the regular bus; bus stop may not be the same as the regular stop; 3:15 pick up

20. After school activities
Get involved!
After school Study center
Student Council
Art club
Intramurals/fitness club
Ski Club
Book Chat
Common connections club
French club
Yearbook
Drama
Creating Writing/Hornet’s Hive
Percussion ensemble/Wind ensemble/ Jazz ensemble
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Math team
Robotics

21. Who Do I contact with Questions?
Teacher
Team Liaison
Counselor
Assistant Principal
Principal

22. What transition activities will my child participate in?
QMS Visit – 5/31-6/3
6th Grade Guidance Counselors/Team Liaisons/Student Representative visit all 5th grade classroom
Student generated questions
Move Up Days – 6/7 and 6/8
All 5th grade students visit QMS; tour; meet administration/students/teachers
Jump Start – offered sessions 1-5 (Summer brochure)
Summer Achievement Academy
Open Door Day – Late August

23. How can you help your child prepare?
Be positive, relaxed, and reassuring … they will be okay!
Establish expectations
School is a priority
Attendance matters
Homework helps – set up a quiet, central work place
Stay organized
Communication is the key– progress reports, report cards, regular updates

24. How can you help your child prepare?
Reach out if you need help or have questions – we want to work WITH you
The kids need coaching… they will make mistakes and won’t always know how to handle each situation
Mrs. Rawlings…

25. Where can I find more information?
Team assignments will be mailed out in mid-August
QMS Website:
Summer reading – information will be provided by JJ teachers
Updated supply lists will be posted on the website
Bus information (posted on website)
Fall Mailings
Curriculum Night – chance to meet teachers and hear about specifics of each course
Meetings/progress updates as needed
Progress reports/report cards
PAC…

26. Questions and answers