West Essex Middle School Home of the Knights

West Essex Middle School Home of the Knights Parent Orientation Grade 6

AGENDA ★ Core Team ★ Middle School Model ★ Registration ★ Scheduling ★ Transition

West Essex Regional School District Title Name Superintendent of Schools Mr. Damion Macioci Director of Athletics Mr. Anthony Minnella Director of Curriculum Mr. Ryan Gupta Director of Guidance Mrs. Lisa Hulse Director of Special Services Mrs. Tania Symmons Supervisor of Arts Mrs. Lisa Swanick Supervisor of English, Reading, & Library Studies Mrs. Stacy Casais Supervisor of Math & Business Mr. Greg Aschoff Supervisor of Science & Environmental Safety Mr. Jason Lerner Supervisor of Social Studies & World Languages Mrs. Laura Drago

WEMS CORE TEAM Title Name Principal, Middle School Dr. Gina Donlevie Assistant Principal, Middle School Mrs. Lisa Tamburri Counselor (Grade 7) Lauren Macko Counselor (Grade 8) Carly Crescibene Student Assistance Counselor Dana Leblein Nurse Denise Logan

Accolades Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) • Teaming and Academic Coaching Programs (2016) • Academic Interventions via teaming, character education, student supports (2017) • WE Rise Program (2019)

National Schools to Watch • Recognized as a “Spotlight School. ” • Commended for • positive school climate • rigorous academic program • student support initiatives

Safety First Locate Emergency Exits Sandy Hook Promise (2018) • Say Hello random acts of kindness • Say Something Anonymous Reporting • one of the first schools in NJ to join • NJDOE later partnered to bring program to NJ Public Schools https: //www. state. nj. us/education/news/2018/1019 sandy. htm.

West Essex Middle School Home of the Knights Middle School Model

WE MISSION Produce self-sufficient citizens who are adaptable to change and who possess the self-esteem, motivation, and skills to: ● continue life-long learning and individual growth ● meet the challenges of the future, both societal and technological ● think critically and creatively ● communicate effectively ● solve complex problems ● make responsible decisions ● respect cultural differences

Association for Middle Level Education ○ Developmentally Responsive ○ Challenging ○ Empowering ○ Equitable ○ Heterogeneous Grouping & Differentiation ○ Team Model Excerpt From: Association for Middle Level Education. “This We Believe. ” i. Books. https: //itunes. apple. com/us/book/this-we-believe/id 526816469? mt=11

Team Model • Divides grade into smaller groups of students • 3 teams per grade • Nomenclature (Team A, Team B, Team C) • Team teachers collaborate weekly • discuss interdisciplinary connections • identify best teaching strategies • track student progress • collaborate on academic and behavioral interventions • meet with students individually to discuss expectations and provide support • communicate with parents

Educating the Whole Child ○ understand manage emotions ○ set and achieve positive goals ○ feel and show empathy for others ○ establish and maintain positive relationships ○ make responsible decisions

West Essex Middle School Home of the Knights Counseling Team

Role of the School Counselor • Assist with your child’s transition to 7 th grade • Act as a support system and confidant • Foster your child’s academic, social, and emotional growth • Provide a safe space and open ears • Help your child navigate problems and make positive decisions • Brainstorm solutions to ease fears and worries • Celebrate successes and achievements!

West Essex Middle School Home of the Knights REGISTRATION PROCESS

Registration Process All incoming students must register for West Essex, as we are a separate school district from the Elementary Schools. Completed forms can be handed in this evening OR brought to your child’s Homeroom Teacher at their current school by February 6 th. Demographics 1. The white sheet lists the information that is currently on file for your child at his/her elementary school. If you have not done so, please make any necessary corrections in pen. 2. The yellow sheet indicates information you still need to provide. 3. Reminder - what we need: ● 2 Guardians ○ If there are not 2 guardians, please be sure that the primary caregiver is listed ○ Please be sure your cell phone is listed and your email is accurate ● 2 Emergency Contacts ● Doctor Information

Registration Process (cont) • Should there be any errors or changes, you will be able to manually correct them in August when we open the Genesis Parent Portal. Two-Household Families • All students were given a blue sheet during our Guidance visits to the elementary schools. We have extras on hand tonight. If you are a 2 household family, please fill out the blue Parent Portal form for the additional household. What you can access through Genesis • Genesis is not just for report cards! We use it to post grades, communicate mid-marking period progress reports, and more. Parents should check Genesis weekly (not daily), and passwords should not be shared with students. Students will get their own Genesis Portal to keep track of grades.

Registration Assistance Ms. Pat Galese Guidance Office Secretary 973 -228 -1200 (x 3311)

West Essex Middle School Home of the Knights Scheduling

Core & Elective Courses Core Subjects (Grade 7): ○ English, Reading, Social Physical Education/Health ○ Special Education Services Studies, Science, Math, World Languages: ○ French, Italian, Spanish ○ If a student wants to study French, start in the 7 th Grade Electives: ○ Exploratory Cycles: Art, Computer Science, Music, STEM ○ Band ○ Orchestra ○ Chorus

Placement (Math 7 -1) Must meet 2 of 3 criteria 1. NJSLA Results (Grade 5) 2. MAP Math Results (March) 3. Placement Test (Invitation Only) Parent Letters of Select Students (Week of March 16) 1. qualified for 7 -1 2. invited to take placement test Level changes can occur during school year

Rotate & Drop Bell Schedule Block Time A Drop 4 & 8 B Drop 3 & 7 C Drop 2 & 6 D Drop 1 & 5 1 7: 42 -8: 39 1 4 3 2 2 8: 43 -9: 39 2 1 4 3 3 9: 43 -10: 38 3 2 1 4 L 10: 41 -11: 41 L L 4 11: 45 -12: 39 5 8 7 6 5 12: 43 -1: 37 6 5 8 7 6 1: 41 -2: 35 7 6 5 8

Typical Student Schedule

Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) ○ Introduction ○ Services Provided: ■ Individual Counseling ■ Crisis Intervention ■ Substance Abuse Training ■ Social Skills Groups ○ 504 Coordinator ○ Frequent Concerns Amongst Middle School Students: ■ Making and Maintaining Friendships ■ Academic Challenges ■ Increase in Anxiety

West Essex Middle School Home of the Knights MS TRANSITION

Common Student Fears ○ Getting to class on time ○ Class changes, navigating hallways ○ Finding and accessing lockers ○ Finding bathrooms and lunchrooms ○ Getting on the correct bus ○ Perception of their new teachers ○ Homework demands ○ Following new rules ○ Establishing social norms

Transition Events ○ Move-Up Day ○ 7 th Grade Orientation ○ First Days of School ● Transition Lesson Plans ● Peer Lunch Groups ○ Fairview Lakes Trip ○ 7 th Grade Tailgate ○ Spirit Week ○ Dodgeball Tournament

Key Dates Activity Date MAP Testing (Grade 6) March 2, 3, 4, or 5 Math Placement Test (Invitation Only) March 23 @ 4: 00 p. m. or March 28 @ 9: 00 a. m. Move-Up Day June 11 7 th Grade Open House August 27

Athletics & Extracurricular Activities Club Offerings ● Art Club ● Book Club ● Builders Club ● Dance Team ● Glee Club ● Jazz Ensemble ● Knightlights Literary Magazine ● The Knightly News ● Math Counts ● Rogate - gifted and talented club ● STEM Club ● Steppingstone - MS yearbook ● String Ensemble ● Student Council ● Trep$ - Entrepreneurship Club ● WE Welcome Athletics Fall Season • Boys’ Soccer • Girls’ Soccer • Field Hockey Winter Season • Boys’ Basketball • Girls’ Basketball • Wrestling Spring Season • Boys’ Track & Field • Girls’ Track & Field • Baseball • Softball Descriptions of extracurricular activities can be found on our website. Students must pay a $75 Activity Fee in order to participate in a sport or extracurricular activity. This fee is paid once per school year and covers multiple activities.

West Essex Middle School Home of the Knights Go Knights!