1. Welcome to Coolidge Middle School
Grade 6
Parent “Move Up Night”

2. Introductions Sarah Marchant, Principal
Brie Karow, Assistant Principal
Julie Lascher, Team Explorer Team Leader
Mollie Pelletier, Team Voyager Team Leader

3. Needs & Characteristics of Young Adolescents
Physical
Intellectual
Emotional
Social

4. The Middle Years… Emotional and Physical Changes
Need to be accepted by peers and adults
Exploratory… Students beginning to find out who they are.
Intellectual… Learning about the world and their place within

5. When Their Needs are Taken Care of, Students are Best Able to Learn

6. How we address these needs…
Staffing:
Our staff understand and appreciate the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of students during this time of life.
They are passionate about nurturing and educating students through this challenging time.
The importance of making connections.

7. How we address these needs…
Smaller communities of learning (Teams)
Teams of teachers meet regularly to discuss students, program, coordination
All academic classes/lockers in clusters
School within a school
Support structures are in place so that no student falls through the cracks emotionally or academically (Leadership Team; Student Support Team)

8. Perseverance Accountability Respect Teamwork
At our Foundation: Coolidge Community Core Values ALL community members are “PART” of our values!
Perseverance Accountability Respect Teamwork

9. Move-up Day! Teams vs. Groups vs. ELA teachers…. Oh my!

10. Today, your child came home…
As a member of a team (Voyager or Explorer)
As a member of group (number 61 – 66)

11. 6th grade (130ish students)
Team Explorer:
Groups 61 & 62
Share the same 4 Explorer teachers
Team Voyager:
Groups 63, 64, 65, 66
Share 4 of 5 Voyager teachers.

12. Sixth Grade Teacher Teams
Team Explorer
Ms. Lascher, Team Leader & ELA
Mr. Smith, Math
Mr. Bernard, Social Studies
Ms. Walsh, Science
Team Voyager
Ms. Conry, Math
Ms. Jacobsmeier, Social Studies
Mr. Simpson, ELA (groups 63 & 66) or Mr. Henerberry, ELA (groups 64 & 65)
Ms. Pelletier, Science & Team Leader

13. Other 6th Grade Staff Special Education Teachers:
Roisin Munson, Learning Center
Tara Herlihy & Alanna Shone, Connections Program
Megan Nelson & Nikole Pendleton, Crossroads Program
Jessica Lozzi, Therapeutic Support Program

14. Other 6th Grade Staff Student Support Staff Team Discovery Teachers
Marlene Lifshin, School Counselor
Laura Vance, School Psychologist
Rachel Herman, School Psychologist
Team Discovery Teachers
Art, Music, Band, Chorus, Wellness, Library/Media, Technology

15. Daily Schedule/ General
7:15 a.m.: Doors Open
(Students may go into cafeteria or receive extra
help from teachers, if available)
7:40: Students dismissed from cafe to go to lockers/ homerooms
7:48: Warning bell
7:50 (late bell) - 8:12 a.m.: Homeroom/ Advisory/ WIN Block
10:40 – 11:10 a.m.: Grade 6 Lunch
2:30 p.m.: Dismissal

16. Grade 6 Program
Daily schedule: six day rotation (Day 1 through Day 6).
Classes meet at different times each day.
Each period is 50 minutes long (including travel time).
No bells between periods.
Students catch on quickly (adults take longer).

17. Grade 6 Program (Per 6 Day Cycle)
English Language Arts: two periods each day
Math, Science, & Social Studies: one period each day
Wellness (PE): one period every other day
Band/Chorus/Enrichment: one period every other day
Art & Music: one period every other day (for one semester each)
“Team Time” Periods: two periods per cycle
Library/Media: one period per cycle

18. Example of a 6th Grade Schedule
7:50 – 8:12: Homeroom/ Advisory
8:15 – 9:00: Art
9:00 – 9:50: ELA1
9:50 – 10:40: Enrichment (i.e. band/chorus)
10:40 – 11:10: Lunch
11:10 – 12:00: ELA2
12:00 – 12:50: Math
12: 50 – 1:40: Social Studies
1:40 – 2:30: Science

19. Homeroom Advisory & WIN (What I Need) 7:50-8:12 a.m. daily
All students are assigned a “Homeroom” of students with one teacher.
They check in every day, and then move on to…
Monday – Tuesday: What I Need (organization, Mindfulness, time for reading) (small or large group)
Wednesday – Friday: Advisory in “Homeroom” group.

20. After School Activities
Math Team
Science Olympiad Team
Musical (Theater)
Student Council
EQUAL Club
Yearbook (8th grade)
Chime Choir
Select Chorus

21. Additional After-School Activities
(Sponsored by the PTO)
(Examples)
Dodge Ball
Drop the Bass: Acapella
Minecraft
Whatever the kids want!

22. After - School Homework Support
Teachers (as available)
Library Open Until 3:45 (no cost)
(Monday-Thursday; not on Early Release days)
“HPR” (no cost)
TBD: Homework Hangout (minor cost)

23. Common Concerns of Incoming Students
Changing for gym
Getting lost
More homework
“Bullying”
Detention
Lockers/Locks
Will I be with friends?
Are the teachers nice?

24. Helpful for the transition...
Family Math & Science Night (done!)
Move-up Day (today!)
“Welcome to Coolidge” Summer Program (August 21 – 23)
Summer Visits
Hang out with friends from new group.

25. Future Events “Welcome to Coolidge” program
21 – 23 (8 – 10 or 10:30 – 12:30 sessions)
August 29: First Day of School
September 12: “Back to School” Evening Open House for Parents
October: Daytime Open House

26. Communication/ Involvement
Coolidge website
Plus Portal: homework, grades, report cards, some communication
Phone Calls/
Team Meetings

27. We Need Parents! PTO: School Council Volunteer Opportunities
Direct donation ($100)
School Council
Volunteer Opportunities

28. Coolidge PTO President: Bob Alfieri Vice President: Michele Malley
Co-Treasurers: Linda Kiene & Laura Santini
Secretary: Melissa Gresch
Meet once a month to support and plan

29. Coolidge School Council
Meet once per month: the first Thursday of each month (3:00 – 4:00)
Topics: School Improvement Plan; School Handbook; parent – school connectedness; parent input on school events/ issues/ topics.

30. Parenting in Middle School
Stay Involved
Partner with the School/ Communicate with the school
Talk with your children about technology and cell phone use, and monitor closely
Communicate with other parents / Network
Support Core Values at home and school

31. For further information…
Contact Principal Sarah Marchant at Coolidge Website: reading.k12.ma.us/coolidge
The mission of Coolidge Middle School is to create
a challenging and respectful environment for all students and to provide the varied experiences necessary for becoming confident, independent learners.

32. Questions?