1. WELCOME ABOARD!

2. HOME OF THE ADMIRALS SPIRIT SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP

3. Principal Bridget Loft Director of Counseling John Barnes Assistant Principals Renee Harber Shannan Ellis Scott McKeown 2013-2014 Enrollment 1000

4. The School Day 7:50 a.m. – 2:24 p.m. Breakfast served at 7:20 a.m. 3 minutes between classes Classes are 46 minutes Grade level lunches: 35 minutes long Afterschool Program: ASP I: 2:30- 3:30pm ( Clubs, Sports, ACT 2, Homework help, PTA enrichment classes) ASP2: 3:30-4:21pm Late bus: Monday- Thursday at 4:15pm Check-In

5. The Swanson Statement We are Swanson Admirals! We are scholarship-striving to think deeply and open our minds We are service-connecting to one another, our community, and to the world We are spirit-celebrating our successes, ourselves and our school. We are Swanson Admirals!

6. STAR: Swanson Teacher Advisory & Reading 7:50 – 8:10 am daily Opportunities for… New student orientation Development of interpersonal skills & team building Improving organizational and study habits Career Education Character Education by the 8 th grade CEAs Service projects and Spirit activities (Team and School-wide) Televised school announcements Swanson Statement Distribution of progress reports, report cards, important information, etc. SQUIRT: Sustained Quiet Uninterrupted Reading Time (Mondays and Thursdays)

7. Sixth Grade Core Subjects Core Teams: Clippers, Schooners and Sea Hawks Mathematics- Math 6, Math 7 for 6 th Graders Social Studies- American History to 1865 Science - Physical and Earth Sciences Language Arts- Reading & Writing Reading- Reading Comprehension and Note Taking Strategies Reading/Transitional Spanish 6 ( prerequisite: FLES, Immersion)) – a semester of reading, and a semester of Spanish for 6th graders (not for high school credit) Health & PE

8. 6 th Grade Electives Admiral’s Wheel Fine Arts – Art, Drama, and Chorus Practical Arts - Technology Education, Family Consumer Science, and Computer Keyboarding World Languages (semester, not for high school credit and paired with Reading) Introduction to French Introduction to Spanish Introduction to Latin Instrumental Music Beginning Orchestra Beginning Band Beginning Chorus Math Strategies: (teacher recommendation)

9. Due back 3/3

11. Counseling Services Individual and Group Counseling Classroom Guidance: Academic Planning and Course Selection Bullying Prevention lessons Character Education activities Orientation and Transition Activities Career Education Activities Admirable Admirals recognition Parent-Teacher Conferences Consultation and Referral (tutors, mental health) Summer School and summer enrichment recommendations

12. 6 th Grade Transition Activities Orientation night for rising 6 th grade parents Swanson administrators or counselors visit elementary schools in late winter/spring 5 th graders visit Swanson in April/June Orientations/tours offered in summer Open House at the end of August

13. How We Support & Engage Parents Student-led conferences in the fall and spring Active PTA and music boosters organizations Opportunities to volunteer : simulations, special activities, chaperone field trips PTA Anchor newsletter & PTA listserve, announcements & team emails

14. Examples of “Act 2” After School Classes Art Tech Education: Computer Aided Drafting Chorus Beginning Band Core Plus PTA enrichment classes ( new 2013-14 ) No Fear Shakespeare Chess Video Game Design Photography Song Writing Group

15. After School Activities-Sports Girls Soccer* - September-October Tennis*- September-October Dive – September-November Boys Soccer* - September-October Girls Basketball* - October-December Boys Basketball* - January-March Cheerleading* - October-March Wrestling – January - March Swim – February - April Track – March – May *Students must tryout for Teams and cuts will be made. An up-to-date (post May) physical is required to participate!

16. After School Activities-Clubs Academic Hallmarks Anime/Manga Club Book Clubs (TAB) Science in the Kitchen FBLA Team Homework Tutorials Intramurals Math Counts Latinas Leading Tomorrow Literary Magazine : Wavelength Science Club American Sign Language Club Video game design Youth Ballroom Dancesport Pep Band Minecraft Club Yoga American Sign Language Musical Theatre Got an idea for a new club! See Mr. Holland!

17. After School Activities ASP1: - 2:30PM-3:30PM ASP2: - 3:30PM-4:15PM Most clubs meet during ASP1. Once the meeting has ended at 3:30, walkers should walk home, while bus riders can remain in Open Gym until the late buses arrive at 4:15.

18. Check-In Tameka Martin, Supervisor (703-228-5497)-Enroll through APS Extended Day Office 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm, Monday-Friday in the cafeteria Check-in students can participate in Swanson’s after school activities while in Check-In Activities are self-directed Organized events include field trips, theme days and special activities

20. Academic Planning APS has now created an academic planning roadmap and student companion documents to assist students and families with academic planning. The roadmap has essential information that will help students when planning for coursework now and in the future. Use the links below to access these resources on the APS website. http://www.apsva.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=2202 http://www.aspva.us/Page/22703

22. SWANSON Anchors: 6 th grade Counselor: Judy Jankowski Judy.Jankowski@apsva.us 703-228-5509 HILT Counselor/Minority Achievement Monica Lozano Monica.lozano@apsva.us 703 228-5512

23. Important Anchors Math Content Lead Teacher: Laura Partridge Laura.Partridge@apsva.us 703-228-2344 Reading Specialist Cyndi Chiu Cynthia.Chiu@apsva.us 703 228-5520 Sharen Humann Resource Teacher for the Gifted Sharen.humann@apsva.us 703 228-5521

24. Final thoughts…What can you do to support your child’s transition? Help set good study habits: time and place Check the student’s agenda book Encourage organization: filing papers, homework in the binder the night before, backpack ready Responsibilities at home build independence and confidence Keep the lines of communication open & validate concerns Balance is key for extra-curricular activities Read daily (Summer library program) Complete the math packet!