1. Welcome to Garvy’s Open House Introduction to Sixth Grade Mrs. Hehn Mr. Strawinski Mrs. Gillespie Sixth Grade September25, 2015

2. A GENDA  Student Expectations  Language Arts Curriculum  Science Curriculum  Social Studies Curriculum  Math Curriculum  Grading Scale  Summer School  Homework Policy  Discipline Pyramids, Pink Slips, and PBIS  Communication  Questions

3. W ELCOME TO M IDDLE S CHOOL  We are preparing your child for a successful future. We emphasize personal responsibility as they enter this new phase of their life. We are guiding them through making positive choices, problem solving and acquiring life skills.  Use respect and courtesy in speech and behavior  Come to class prepared and ready to work  Listen carefully and completely  A great attitude and a positive work ethic  Arrive on time and ready to work  Complete all homework and classwork on time  Follow Garvy and classroom rules, this includes dress code.  Be responsible with technology

4. L ANGUAGE A RTS /R EADING  Promotes comprehension and increased vocabulary  Integrates reading strategies and focus skills  Incorporates fluency, word study, grammar, listening, speaking and writing (Constructed Responses)  Small and whole group instruction  Leveled readers  Centers  AR/Renaissance Reader  Novel studies  Grade is base on:  40% Assessments/projects 30% Classwork  10% AR/Renaissance Reader 20% Homework

5. L ANGUAGE A RTS W RITERS ’ W ORKSHOP  Mini-lessons followed by application of writing strategy  Narratives, memoirs, informational, poetry, expository and persuasive writing  Teacher conferencing – individual feedback  Writing, revising, editing, publishing, sharing  Reinforce proper grammar and spelling within writing and as skills lessons  Grade is based on:  45% Final essays  30% Grammar work and assessments  25% Spelling work and assessments

6. S CIENCE  5 units  Fossils  Climate and Weather  Dynamic Planet  Earth’s Resources  Space Science  Grade is based on:  Labs/journal: 40%  Quizzes/Projects 40%  Homework: 10%  Participation: 10%

7. S OCIAL S TUDIES  Students will explore the ancient civilizations of  Egypt  Greece  Rome  China  The Americas  There is a focus on primary reading sources, comparing sources of information, and connections to the world today. Grade is based on: Projects - 25% Assessments - 25% Classwork/participa tion - 40% Homework - 10%

8. C ONNECTED M ATH P ROGRAM K HAN A CADEMY – FOR HELP WITH HOMEWORK  Focus of each lesson is to have students explore real life problems to find their own solution and learn other strategies from classmates.  Work in small groups and partners.  Notes are very important and will be uploaded (when necessary) to the website for reference  Unit outline provides what we are learning, vocab words, and color coded homework.  Color coded hmwk meets the needs of all learners! Strict grading on homework. √+( 100),√ (75%),√- (65%)  55% Assessments, 25% all classroom graded assignments, 10% Homework and 10% Participation and Preparation

9. H OMEWORK POLICY  School homework policy is followed  Homework is posted on whiteboard daily and should be written in homework planner, we do check this as a routine at the beginning of the year.  Homework is also posted online. Garvy has a new site: garvyschool.org. While we used classjump in the past, we will transition to this new site in the near future and deactivate classjump when everyone is comfortable.  Unexcused late work is due the following day for 50% off final grade.

10. D ISCIPLINE P YRAMID Students will receive warnings and calls home for a targeted off task/ negative behavior. After warnings and phone calls home a detention may be given.

11. P INK S LIPS  Each time a student misses a homework assignment they must fill out a pink slip. One part stays with the teacher, the other part is to go home, be signed by a parent and returned to school the next day. It is the child’s responsibility to get the slip signed and returned. We will follow up with the parent if a pattern forms, but we really want the students to take ownership of their responsibilities

12. Bathroom passes  WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO USE THE BATHROOM WITHOUT DISRUPTING CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION. W E HAVE CREATED A PACKET OF PASSES TO ASSIST IN THIS ROUTINE AND ALSO TO TEACH SOME RESPONSIBILITY. S TUDENTS ARE GIVEN A NEW PACKET OF PASSES AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH MONTH. T HEY ALSO HAVE THE MORNING, LUNCH AND RECESS TIME TO USE THE BATHROOM. W E DO HAVE BLANK PASSES FOR STUDENTS TO USE IF PASSES ARE LOST OR FORGOTTEN. N O CHILD IS DENIED USE OF THE BATHROOM.  W E ARE FLEXIBLE AND AWARE SOME STUDENTS MAY NEED MORE OFTEN AND WE WILL WORK WITH THESE STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY.

13. PBIS  School wide we have implemented a Positive Behavior Intervention System where positive choices and actions are rewarded and encouraged, while negative behaviors are corrected with interventions.  PAWS tickets - Issued to any student by any staff member. Used to purchase items in the Bulldog Bazaar.  Success links – Earned by classes “caught” being good. Rewarded with the “Golden Bulldog” for receiving the most links.  Bulldog Bazaar – Specific dates for students to purchase items at the school store.

14. S UMMER S CHOOL Last year’s promotion policy* was: 3 rd, 6 th, and 8 th grades are considered the Bridge years for Summer school.**** Students who received an F in Reading or Math attended summer school. Students who did not score above 11% on the Spring NWEA Tests in Reading and/or Math attended summer school Students that scored between 12-24%, and received a D in Math or Reading attended summer school. Please be aware the NWEA test questions and content change at the middle school level.

15. C OMMUNICATIONS  Please use the emails listed below for communication. Parent portal does not notify us if a note has been written: (but the new website should)  garvyschool.org garvyschool.org  Mrs. Hehn tmhehn@cps.edutmhehn@cps.edu  Mrs. Gillespie joconnor1@cps.edujoconnor1@cps.edu  Mr. Strawinski jgstrawinski@cps.edujgstrawinski@cps.edu  Phone: 773-534-1185  CPS Parent portal is the best place to check on student progress daily/weekly. A score of “M” or “msg” indicates a missing assignment. See/contact Mr. Ravury if you need assistance with parent portal.

16. T HANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ! Y OUR SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT IS APPRECIATED !