SENECA RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE THUNDERBOLTS
SENECA RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE THUNDERBOLTS!
SRMS Administrative Team n Mr. Mc. Dermott, Principal n Ms. Lewis, Assistant Principal and Special Education contact n Mrs. Patton, Assistant Principal and Testing Coordinator
Seneca Ridge School Counseling Department Mrs. Diamond 6 th grade Counselor Ms. Norton 7 th grade Counselor Ms. Mc. Chesney 8 th grade Counselor
How many of you are first time middle school parents? Everyone with your hand up, look around for someone with his/her hand down and immediately exchange contact information!
Tonight’s Agenda: Staff Introductions n Middle School Structure n Communication Guidelines n Schedules n Assessment Philosophy n Programs n Course Selection n After School Activities n Questions n
SRMS Structure Each grade level is located in 3 separate House Areas: A, B, C Each House Area contains a locker area, classrooms, restrooms, as well as a Dean, Counselor, and Secretary. Within each House, the grade levels are divided into Teams, consisting of two Language Arts teachers and one Science, Math, and Social Studies teacher. Teams have a time built into their schedules to meet with students and parents. Grade Level Dean, Counselor, and Secretary House Team
Communication Guidelines If you have a question or a concern about a specific class, please contact the teacher directly. If the information/concern requires additional attention, please contact your grade level dean or counselor. Dean: Questions about discipline, cafeteria, attendance Counselor: Questions about grades, peer relations, emotional and social well-being, course selection, scheduling a parent/teacher conference Finally, if the information is serious in nature, one of the assistant principals or the principal would then intervene.
n SRMS Hours of Operation The doors open at 8: 15 am for students During inclement weather, the students will report to the auditorium at an earlier time. n D. E. A. R. begins at 8: 30 am n There are 5 min between classes n The school day ends at 3: 18 pm n After school activities run from 3: 20 -4: 20 pm n
Block Scheduling n n n n n 8 blocks total 4 GOLD day classes and 4 BLUE day classes D. E. A. R. is first thing then 1 -4 (GOLD) 5 -8 (BLUE) Language Arts every day with S. A. M. S. every other day for 30 to 45 min Math, Science, Social Studies, Health/PE, Art/Keyboarding, and Music every other day Each class is approx. 90 min. in length The Music block is 45 min music instruction and 45 min. Resource Time Spectrum class will replace Resource Time STORM: Student Advisory period once/twice a week from 10: 00 -10: 20
STORM Seneca Ridge Advisory Group Goals: 1. Increase the academic achievement of the students. 2. Increase the number of students who feel comfortable approaching an adult in the building if they have a problem they need help with. 3. Create an atmosphere of school unity. n
n Assessment Grading for Philosophy Mastery: n Formative Assessment: An assessment that working with a student until he or she can demonstrate the highest level of understanding. This may look different for each student. provides feedback to the teacher and guides continued classroom instruction. Ex: Homework, classwork, bell ringer, exit ticket n Summative Assessment: An assessment that demonstrates a student’s level of mastery for a specific unit/skill. These grades will determine a student’s final grade for each quarter.
Homework at SRMS
Homework What is the teacher’s role? n n n Teachers will provide homework that is aligned with SOL standards and classroom assessments. Teachers will provide specific studying tasks for students in preparation for tests. Teachers will have students record homework in their agenda as a part of the daily routine in each class. Teachers will provide time (5 -10 minutes) for students to begin working on any homework assigned. Teachers will assign homework lunch for students that come to class unprepared. Teachers will communicate to parents if students consistently fail to bring in completed homework.
Homework…. . How can parents help? n Provide a set time and area for your child to do homework. n Ask to see homework if your child says he or she completed it at school. n Insist that your child use their agenda and review it as often as possible. n Have your child view teacher websites for information instead of doing it for them. n Talk with your child’s teacher if you have homework concerns. n Use Clarity as a tool to monitor your child’s progress in school and completion of assignments.
Homework…. What is the student’s responsibility? n n n Complete every assignment that teachers give. Talk to teachers when you are absent so that you can get back on track. Remember that studying and independent reading are homework too! Use resource to get help when you don’t understand. Complete your homework on the night it was assigned.
Report Cards, Interims, and CLARITY n n When will you receive report cards? Every 9 weeks Interims will be sent home halfway through each quarter What does my child need to be promoted to the next grade? Must pass 3 of the 4 core subject areas-Math, English, Science, Social Studies and one elective CLARITY-on-line access to your child’s classroom performance. Account set up information will be created in the fall.
How you can help your child succeed at Seneca Ridge n n n Attendance is key- A/B schedule If school is missed, encourage your child to meet with his/her teachers during Resource time. Pack backpack the night before with homework, materials, and agenda. Create a “Locker” at homework where all SRMS things can be stored. Ex: box or crate Encourage your child to join an after school club or intramural sport.
After School Activities n n n Student must have a permission slip or note from the parent to stay after school Late Bus After school help SOL Practice Clubs Intramural Sports
PBIS n Positive Behavior and Interventions and Supports n Setting school wide expectations Teaching school wide expectations Modeling school wide expectations Consistent positive language when addressing behavior: “please walk” instead of “don’t run” Recognizing students when they demonstrate learned behaviors n n Tickets ¨ Intrinsic and extrinsic rewards ¨
Things to consider for 6 th grade course selection n n n What kind of learner is my child? Does he/she need help studying and completing daily homework? Will my child raise his/her hand in class to ask for help? Does he/she read or write above grade level? Is my child a concrete thinker or are they able to think abstractly? What is my child’s weekly schedule of activities?
SRMS Math n Courses currently offered: ¨ Math 6 –Grade level math Topics: all operations with fractions and decimals, integer applications, conversions between fractions, decimals, and percents, estimation, multi-step problem solving, geometry, applications of probability, and solving one step equations. ¨ Next Math class would be Math 7.
¨ Accelerated n n n Math 6/7 -Algebra 1 Prep course Topics: All of Math 6 topics will be covered in addition to: algebraic expressions, investigating linear relationships, solving multistep equations & inequalities, and working with formulas 2 years of math in one year Basic arithmetic fully under control Brisk pace, consistent homework completion Willing to ask for help when necessary. Next math class would be Algebra. I (high school credit)
SRMS Math n n How do I know which class my child should take? ¨ Teacher Recommendations (best predictor of success) ¨ IAAT scores ¨ SOL scores How do I help my child prepare for middle school math? ¨ Memorize addition and subtraction facts ¨ Memorize multiplication and division facts ¨ Work on simplifying and finding equivalent fractions ¨ Work on adding and subtracting fractions
Drop Off & Pick Up Key Information: n n Safety is our first concern. Our campus design is such that we have one entrance and one exit for cars. ¨ early birds Park & Ride inclement weather brings more vehicles picking up/dropping off students and creates longer delays
We are all in this together for the class of 2020!
Questions
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