Welcome to Transit Middle School May 30 2017

Welcome to Transit Middle School May 30, 2017

What are we about? • Academic Achievement • Character Education

We want Transit students to be Asset Strong! (40 Developmental Assets) External Assets Support Empowerment Boundaries & Expectations Constructive Use of Time Internal Assets Commitment to Learning Positive Values Social Competencies Positive Identity

TMS Class of 2021 We are welcoming about 260 5 th grade students About 1, 000 students attend Transit

Transitioning to Middle School is a Giant Leap

We are committed to helping parents and students start their middle school journey 4 th Grade student visit May 2017 Parent orientation May 2017 5 th Grade student orientation (August 24, 2017) First week of school with teachers Grade Level Assembly with Dr. Bohen Open House (September) Parent conferences (November)

Transition to Middle School WEB, or Where Everybody Belongs, Ø Orientation and transition program Ø Welcomes students to middle school Ø 8 th graders are trained Ø 8 th graders act as positive role models & mentors Ø 5 th graders discover what it takes to be successful

Team building with 5 th graders

Transition to Middle School Safety August 24, 2017 5 th Grade Orientation Information Connection

Transition to Middle School 8 th Grade WEB Leaders will assist with locks and lockers at orientation Parents may visit the building after orientation

Teaming • Shrinks a large school • Creates family-like atmosphere • Increases teacher collaboration to support & challenge students • 5 th grade hall

Placement of Students Based on Multiple Factors Reading Level Math level Performing groups Unique needs Social/Emotional dynamics Class size Gender balance

Placement of Students ü Avoid teacher requests ü Avoid friend requests ü Feel free to share unique information about your child ü Trust our team – our process allows time to carefully assign students to appropriate classes and teachers

Logistics About Transit School Hours Attendance Office 8: 45 Doors unlock & students enter 24 -hour hotline (626 -8760) Report absence before 8: 45 8: 55 Homebase 3: 35 Dismissal All tardy/absences require a parent note Early release requires a note Students will only be released to adults on their emergency card

Logistics About Transit (716) 639 -8500 www. justforkidsonline. org

Logistics About Transit Multiple locations for parent pick up & drop off

Logistics About Transit Health Office 626 -8761

Logistics About Transit 5 th Grade Lunch A nice time to relax with friends Last four digits of student ID# = lunch code (This number is on the student’s schedule)

Technology Integration Provides students with a 21 st century tool that engages and empowers students in their learning and provides students the resources to: *Gather & evaluate information *Communicate *Collaborate *Think critically *Solve problems creatively

WITS Parent Portal The WITS parent portal offers secure access for parents and guardians to monitor their student’s progress and communicate with your student’s teachers. Parents of students in grades 5 -12, can view cumulative grades, assignments and assessment scores. Attendance information is available on students in any grade level. With the creation of one account, you will access all of your children’s information across the school district, print report cards and be able to email their teachers directly. With a WITS parent login you will: · have one account for all of your children in Williamsville Schools · be able to have private correspondence with your child's teachers · automatically be added to the schools email list to receive important school news by email Call 626 -8058 to receive your letter and activation code.

Get Involved INTRAMURALS AVAILABLE TO ALL GRADES • Football, Soccer, Field Hockey, Volleyball and Cross Country Running • Basketball, Fitness, Floor Hockey, Learn to Swim, • 5/6 Swim, 5/6 Track & Field Sports Strength/Conditioning Speed Stacking Art Chess Newspaper Kids Helping Kids Wellness Homework Academic Competition Woodworking Wellness Team Service Learning Concerts Recycling Character Days Spirit Days Sports & Socializing Community Days Photo Jazz Band Stage Crew…

PTSA A great way for you to get involved in the middle school years… Gina O’Neil (PTSA President)

5 th Grade Program 8: 45: Enter building 9: 55: Homebase -Announcements/Pledge -Silent Sustained Reading 9: 20 -3: 35 -Core-1 Math -Core-2 ELA -Core-3 Social Studies/Science -Lunch -Clinic/French or Spanish -PE/ art or music -Band/Orchestra/Chorus 3: 35: Dismissal In addition… Special Ed. Services Academic Intervention Math Lab Library & Research Support Computer Lab Support Gifted Programing Clubs Sports Field Trips

Behavioral Expectations With Dr. Bohen Wellness Character Development Positive Behavior & Discipline

Behavioral Expectations

Navigating Middle School 5 th Grade School Counselor Mr. Whitney Abbott School Social Worker Mrs. Katie Cageao School Psychologist Mrs. Mary Baumgart

Student Services • Comprehensive 5 -8 program with support from counselors, social worker and school psychologist • School Counselor assigned to 5 th grade class to work with students and families throughout the middle school experience • Coordination with parents and teachers to support student success

School Counselor’s Role • Student Advocate • Facilitate communication between home & school • Work closely with teachers to support students’ academic/social/emotional growth • Monitor student academic progress • Provide social/emotional support

Academic Counseling and Groups • • • Transition to middle school Organization / study skills Test taking strategies Asset building Social skills

Gifted Programming Services Mrs. Miranda

Purpose of Gifted Programming Services in Middle School Ø To facilitate creative, productive and selfdirected learners Ø To provide opportunities to meet the needs of students who exhibit gifted behavior Ø To provide additional services to assist students to better develop their capabilities

Identification… Ø We don’t identify students but we DO identify strengths and interests allowing us to plan for appropriate and meaningful programming opportunities Ø We use a variety of resources to identify students in need of academic services beyond what is provided in the regular classroom. These resources have included student interest inventories, teacher observation, academic performance / grades, pretests, screening activities, standardized assessment data, classroom motivation, and mastery of classroom curriculum as demonstrated on assignments Above Average Ability Creativity Gifted Behavior Task Commitment

Moving up to Middle School If my child participated in Gifted Programming in Elementary School, will they automatically be participating in Middle School? Ø Not necessarily. Gifted Programming is a revolving door with prior students returning and new students entering. Ø Students peek at different times (being in GPS in 4 th grade is not a categorizing label they keep for life) Ø There is communication between elementary and middle school GPS providers. Ø Teachers meet to discuss student strengths and needs.

Types of Gifted Programming Services (GPS) Ø Content specific programming: both pull-out from class AND during clinic & lunches Ø Interest based groups – from study halls and clinic times Ø Clubs – interest and strength based Ø Competitions – Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, Math Olympiad Services provided each year vary, as they are based on the unique needs of the students attending Transit Middle School.

Frequency of Services Ø Varies based on student needs Ø Schedules change throughout the year Ø Clinic and lunch times are the central times for Gifted Program Services Ø Gifted programming is a revolving door ~ A student is not “in” or “out” of the GT program; rather, they are provided with services varying in intensity and frequency based on need

Final Thoughts What can I do as a parent of a child displaying gifted behavior? Ø We appreciate parent feedback. If you feel your child is in need of academic services beyond those provided in the regular classroom you may contact Mrs. Miranda and/or the classroom teacher. Ø Encourage your child to try clubs and teams to broaden their experiences. Ø Encourage your child to participate in competitions. Mrs. Miranda posts information for students on WITS. Ø GPS looks for a variety of traits for different services, however, at the core is: Motivation/Effort, Skill/Knowledge, and Creativity/Critical Thinking

For more information: Feel free to contact Mrs. Miranda with any questions! Email: kmiranda@williamsvillek 12. org

What to Expect in 5 th Grade

5 th Grade Students will receive these items if they ordered them over the summer

5 th Grade Students can also purchase a locker ladder to help them get organized!

5 th Grade School Supplies The supply list is in your packet and will be posted online this summer. (This list is an abbreviated sample)

5 th Grade Make sure all supplies are labeled!

Walk through your child’s schedule with them after orientation. They’ll learn where to go and you’ll learn the layout of our building together!

What does the 1 st week of school look like?

Put your child on the bus and send him/her off to middle school! They will enter the building with their classmates and we will make sure they get to their correct destination!

School Tour: We’ll visit the dining rooms together, explain how to order a lunch, and find old and new friends to sit with!

We’ll get to know each other… …and transition to the Transit Middle School 5 th grade family

5 th Grade Field Day with Mr. P

You will learn more about the 5 th Grade curriculum at Open House in September E. L. A. Math Social Studies Science

We know how to learn and have fun at the same time! Here are some activities in 5 th grade…

Students make hot air balloons…

…then we fly them!

Some fly right over the school!

Dress Up Days

Orange for Unity Day

Fun Assemblies

Snowshoeing

We also learn about plants and animals!

Mr. Walh braves the cold, too!

We learn about trees, pond life, animals, and herbs!

Middle school is just up the road! We’re looking forward to meeting your child and building lasting memories !

Questions