Welcome to Ellicott Mills Middle School Introductions S

Welcome to Ellicott Mills Middle School

Introductions S Christopher Rattay, Principal S Michele Doyle-Wetzelberger, Assistant Principal S Elizabeth Campbell, Sixth Grade Team Leader S Katie Rusu, 6 th Grade School Counselor

Today’s Agenda S The Promise S What is a middle schooler? S School procedures: S Schedule S Cafeteria S Transportation S Important folks to know S Save the dates! S Dismiss to homeroom

The Promise “The essential promise of America…where you start, should not and will not determine how far you go. ” - Barack Obama, 2014

What is a middle schooler? S Good question. There as many different answers as there are middle schoolers. S Collection of opposing qualities: loud, quiet, disorganized, tidy, funny, serious, secretive, tell-all, etc. , S “[Middle schoolers] straddle two worlds and that defines a lot of who they are during this time of their life and how they function as learners” (p. xvi). - Heather Wolpert-Gawron, 2011

What is a middle schooler? S Each year in a middle schooler’s life is distinct from the others. Each year bringing new challenges and opportunities. S The human brain develops from back to front. The area of the brain that possesses the skills they need to be most successful, the frontal lobes, develops last. S During this time, as the frontal lobes reformat, students struggle with the executive skills of organization, time management, inhibitory control, and working memory.

So what do we do as their advocates? S Another great question! S As their parents and teachers, we deepen our understanding of their developmental needs and add a healthy dose of patience to that endeavor. S We work together as partners to fulfill our promise to our children.

So what do we do as their advocates? S Student Growth S Intellectual, social, emotional, and physical S Supporting their development of self-confidence S S S and self-advocacy by including their voice and decisions Expanding their social capacity and emotional growth Experiencing the WOW! of an intellectual discovery with them Applying their skills to real-world situations Realizing that growth is non-linear, different rates for all students Understanding that we teach a ”whole child”

School Procedures S A Sample Schedule:

School Procedures S Cafeteria Updates: S Breakfast ($2) S Lunch ($3. 25) S Oops! Forgot my lunch. Now what? (Thank you, Mary Campbell, Cafeteria Manager!) S Myschoolbucks. com S Pre-pay/ Free & reduced paperwork in first day folders

School Procedures S Transportation: S Bus lists are posted on the HCPSS website under Transportation https: //www. infofinderi. com S Students MUST ride the bus to which they are assigned S Drop-off/pick-up procedures S What if your child needs to ride a different bus for childcare?

Important People to Know Front Office Jennifer Johnson, Principal’s Secretary – EMMS Website Karen Good and Joan Alagna, School Secretaries – emergency information, Lobby Guard, required forms, field trip information, school e-newsletter Stacey Naecker, Registered Nurse Tonya Barksdale, Health Assistant – OTC medication, medical forms, extended trips (outdoor education), special concerns

Important People to Know Student Services Katie Rusu, 6 th Grade Counselor Karl Friedheim, 7 th Grade Counselor Rachel Schwaab, 8 th Grade Counselor Ellen Rice, Student Services Secretary – late arrivals, early dismissals, absences, conferences Jen Young, Data Clerk – scheduling, HCPSS Connect, Canvas

Ellicott Mills Middle School PTA S EMMS PTA will spend about $50 per student this year S Board members and Casual Volunteers needed S Newly re-designed website – Now accepts online donations S Funds go to Teacher Mini-grants, Eighth Grade Celebration, Hospitality and STEM Events S Please join or donate ~ Thanks!

Outdoor Education North Bay S October 4 th to October 6 th S Parent night – September 7 th, 6: 30 – 7: 30, Cafetorium S Students will receive information through homeroom the first week of school

Save the Date S ODE Parent Night, September 7 th @ 6: 30 S Back-to-School Night, September 14 th @ 6: 30 S Outdoor Education at North Bay, October 4 th to 6 th S PTA Meeting, TBA S Picture Day, September 27 th

Dismiss to Homeroom Last Names HR Location • • • ART Sci Lab 2 Portable #1 CR 2 Sci Lab 1 CR 5 CR 1 CR 7 CR 4 CR 3 CR 57 Adil – Brighton Brogno – Cucuzella Dacombe – Goldman Goodman – Jensen Ji – Kuo Lee – Mizer Mohsen – Paul Pillai – Scoby Shafie – Thakar Varala – Zink Busch, Cliff, Sugar