1. STMA MIDDLE SCHOOL WEST
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
2018

2. Meeting Targets Welcome you and your child to Middle School West
Give you information to help support your child
Answer questions

3. Agenda WELCOME to STMA Middle School West WEB Information
5th Graders/Student Council
WEB Information
8th Grade WEB Leaders
STMA Middle School West Information
Empowering your child
School Day
Courses
Responsive Hour
Building Information
Responsive Hour Registration Information
Questions & Answers

4. 5th Grade Student Council Representatives Renae Foster Lydia Hawkins Avery Lungstrom Kali Merfeld

5. A 5th Grader’s Perspective
Things to know:
Feel comfortable with teachers
I like 52 minutes because classes go quicker and you change classes a lot
WEB Leaders are there to help
Don’t be afraid of the older kids. They are nice and help you.
Be social and get to know people
Counselors are always available

6. A 5th Grader’s Perspective
More choices at lunch and recess
More classmates/More teachers- variety!
Four minutes of passing time is a LONG time
Use your planner
Keep your locker organized

7. A 5th Grader’s Perspective
What to look forward to:
Independence/Freedom/Responsibility
Different Teachers/Classes
Sleeping In! School Starts Later (8:30)
Mr. Merfeld is super nice and funny

8. A 5th Grader’s Perspective
Opportunities- GET INVOLVED
Student Council, KORT Activities, WEB Activities, Activity Night, Destination Imagination, Math Masters, Band and Choir, Yearbook
(Many meet outside the school day)

9. WEB at STMA Middle School West “Where Everybody Belongs”

10. Welcome to STMA Middle School West
Welcome to STMA Middle School West! WEB Leader Representatives: Adam Herbst Metabelle Schaben Trevor Thorp

11. WEB “8th Grade Leaders help kids feel more comfortable and successful”
5th Grade Tour
WEB Leaders available after the meeting in the 5th grade area
WEB PARENT ACTIVITY!!!!
Introduction to WEB
Where Everybody Belongs!
“8th Grade Leaders help kids feel more comfortable and successful”

12. WEB Orientation First Day of School 5th Grade Monthly Meetings Events
Fun with WEB Leaders
Taking a Tour
Team Building
Practice Lunchroom
First Day of School
Visibility-WEB Shirts
Help with Lockers/Finding Classrooms
First few weeks-check in
5th Grade Monthly Meetings
Character Building Activities
Team Building
Help Organize Lockers
Events
Haunted Hallway/Fall Festival
Sledding/Snowmen
Spring Event

13. School Counselors Mrs. Keyes Mrs. Chapman Last names A-L
Last names M-Z

14. School Counselors Social/ Emotional Support Problem Solving
Academic Support
Anxiety
Family change
Social skills
Resources for parents
Friendship
Conflict resolution
Empowering students
Schedule changes
Study skills
Organization

15. When to contact your School Counselor
Schedule concern
Family change
Social/emotional concern
Academic concern
Resources

16. Ways to empower your child!
Lockers
Practice at Open House
Emphasize keeping combination private
Adults and WEB Leaders will be available to assist
Schedule
Review schedule with your student
Walk through schedule with student at Open House
Passing Time
4 minutes is enough time!
Work with your student to develop a passing time plan

17. Ways to empower your child!
Staff
We are here to help!
Introduce yourself at Open House
Involvement
Get involved with school activities!
Chess Club, Drama Club, Knitting Club
Opportunities posted in Community Ed and on STMA Website

18. Empowering Parents ParentVUE:
Allows parents access information on their child’s attendance, grades, lunch account, health information and discipline.
Parents needing login please visit the school office to obtain login information.

19. The School Day
Our school day is from 8:30 – 3:05. The building will be open at 8:00 a.m. for students to enter.
Students participate in a 25 minute KORT-Advisory Program
Students attend 52 minute CORE class periods for Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science

20. The School Day
Students explore Active Learning Block (ALB) classes on a rotating 3 day cycle.
Grade Level Lunch/Recess- 5th Grade 40 minutes

21. Warning Bell 8:25 1st Period -KORT 8:30 - 8:55 2nd Period 9:00 - 9:52
Students Welcome/Doors Open 8:00
Warning Bell 8:25
1st Period -KORT 8: :55
2nd Period 9: :52
3rd Period-RH 9:56 – 10:41
Lunch :42 – 11:22
4th Period :24 – 12:16
5th Period :20 – 1:12
6th Period 1:16 – 2:08
7th Period 2:12 – 3:05

22. KORT Advisory Period starts each school day
5th through 8th students /smaller setting
Students stay with advisor 5th-8th
KORT focuses on Character Education, Reading, Community Building and Academic Advising

23. KORT Schedule Monday: Reading (Accelerated Reader)/Academic Checks
Tuesday: Reading (Accelerated Reader)/Academic Checks
Wednesday: SNAP- Student Needs Assistance Period
Thursday: Character Education
Friday: Character Education/Community Building
SNAP (Student Needs Assistance Period)- Students are able to get support from teachers, make up labs and tests, focus on current school work, or work on reading goals.

24. MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSES Math Language Arts Science Social Studies
CORE includes
Math
Advanced Math
Language Arts
Advanced Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
ALB – Active Learning Block
Technology Education
Family and Consumer Science (FACS)
Art and Media Art
Keyboarding
General Music
Spanish
Health
Physical Education

25. FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE (FACS)
ALB CLASSES
GRADE 5
ART
GENERAL MUSIC
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
GRADE 6
KEYBOARDING
GRADE 7
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE (FACS)
HEALTH
GRADE 8
SPANISH
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

26. Responsive Hour
The ultimate goal within the Responsive Hour is to assure the basic math and reading skills of all students while providing enrichment classes at a variety of levels for students demonstrating proficiency.

27. Responsive Hour
Students who have demonstrated a need for additional assistance in the area of reading and/or math will be scheduled for classes increase time and support.
Band and/or Choir is an option provided during Responsive Hour (year-long)

28. Responsive Hour
Students who do not choose Band or Choir will be assigned other enrichment opportunities with our ALB Teachers.
Students needing support in math or reading may be able to attend both academic support and Band or Choir on a daily rotation.

29. Music Selection Process
All Core/ALB classes scheduled for students
Responsive Hour Registration-Google Form
Indicating if interested in Band and/or Choir
5th Grade Students encouraged to consider music option
A Google Form will be ed to families – Registration May 3rd-11th.

30. A Shift in Communication
From Friday Folders to Teacher Websites
District Transition to Synergy
Teacher Websites:
Updated weekly and contain information regarding lessons and assignments covered and assigned during class. Often have links to online textbooks and class notes when available.
Weekly Agenda
Classroom Resources
Teacher contact information

32. Additional Transition Supports
WEB Orientation- Orientation Day for incoming students- August 22nd
5th Grade Open House - August 22nd
Walk Through- Opportunity to walk building and schedule as well as practice locker-August 23rd

33. The Power of Praise
We NEED YOUR HELP encouraging student learning! Growth versus Fixed Mindset- Carol Dweck The power of praising students…..children

34. How might this relate to the transition from Elementary to Middle School?

35. THANK YOU Being such a great support student, schools, community
Getting engaged in your child’s education
Taking time to meet with us tonight
Allowing us to teach to your child
Asking questions and sharing your concerns
Assisting students with the transition to Middle School

36. Questions and Comments?
We are here to help your child successfully transition into St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West!
Please don’t hesitate to call
STMA Middle School West
Andrew Merfeld – Principal
Lynn Jennissen– Assistant Principal
Melanie Chapman- Counselor
Lauren Keyes-Counselor
Scott Graham-Social Worker
Scott Sukalski – MS Activities Director/Dean of Students