QUALTERS MIDDLE SCHOOL

6TH GRADE PARENT ORIENTATION

May 28, 2015

WELCOME TO QMS!

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MIDDLE SCHOOL IS NOT AS SCARY AS YOU MAY THINK

TONIGHT’S GOAL Ease your worries about the transition

process

Provide you with information/access to more information, if you need/want it.

Introduce you to a few key people

Answer your most pressing questions

AGENDAIntroductionsOrganizational Structure of QMS Major Differences Between Middle School and Elementary School

Common ConcernsStudent VoicesDaily LogisticsPlanned Transition ActivitiesQuestions/Answers

INTRODUCTIONS

QMS Administrative TeamSuzanne RyanKerri SankeyMark DeGirolamo

Jim Leonard - Assistant Special Education Director (QMS/MHS)

Christine Kalinowski - Math Department Chair Patti Coyne – JJ Coordinator of Summer Achievement

Academy

Lynn Cavicchi - PAC President

Pam Reith - Surviving Parent

STRUCTURE OF QMSHouse Model

House 1 House 2

Assistant Principal Assistant Principal

Guidance Counselor(s)

Guidance Counselor(s)

6th - Navy 6th - Purple 6th - Orange

6th -Yellow

7th - Blue 7th - Gold 7th - Aqua 7th - Red

8th Grade Guidance Counselor

8th - Bronze 8th - Silver 8th - Green 8th - White

MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. ELEMENTARY Teaming Grading Increased expectations Increased independence,

responsibility, and pressure Other changes

Hormonal and physical changes

Communication

MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. ELEMENTARYTeams Composed of 4 content teachers who

share a common group of students

Math Social Studies

ELA Science

TEAMS Teaming provides:

Greater student support by fostering collaboration between teachers

The opportunity for clear and consistent communication around team-wide expectations, and support between school and home

Increased opportunity for students to build connections with teachers Balance of teacher personalities

All students are assigned to a team 4 teams in each grade (2 in each house) Team classroom are located close together

MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. ELEMENTARY

Grading/increased academic expectations Numerical gradingPromotion policy

Increased independence, responsibility, peer pressuresLocker, materials, schedule, homework,

after school, balancing school/friends/activities

Hormonal/physical changes Change in communication

Students/parents – one word responses (good, fine, nothing)

School/parents – more adults

COMMON CONCERNSBasic Needs… Lockers – Will I be able to open my lock? Lunch – What is for lunch? Will I be able

to see my friends? Safety – What if I get lost? Will anyone

pick on me? Academic Challenges – How much

homework will I have? Are the classes much harder? Are the teachers mean?

Bus – Are older kids on the bus? Where do I sit?

QMS… STUDENT VOICES

ACADEMICS: WHAT CLASSES WILL 6TH GRADERS TAKE?

Required Core Classes (Full year) ELA Math Science Social Studies

Required Specials (Part of the year) Computers/Art PE/Health

Other: ASB – Academic Support Block Reading Study skills

Elective classesBand/Orchestra

6TH GRADE SCHEDULE

6 period day Each period is 58 minutes Schedule rotates each day (6 day cycle) Parents will not understand the schedule

Your children will master it very quickly - within the first two weeks

Locker breaks are built into the schedule

Tip – Keep a copy at home (PE days, etc.)

SAMPLE SCHEDULEA B C D E F

1 Math ELA Computers/ Art

Math ELA Computers/ Art

2 ELA Science Math ELA Science Math

3 Science Computers/ Art

Science Science Computers/ Art

Science

4 Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

5 ASB/Band/Orchestra

PE/Health ASB/Band/Orchestra

PE/Health ASB/Band/Orchestra

PE/Health

6 Computers/ Art

Math ELA Computers/ Art

Math ELA

DAILY LOGISTICS Hours – 7:25-1:49

Doors open 7:10 – 6th graders wait in cafeteria Dismissal 1:49 – buses line up out front

Lunch All 6th graders eat together 20 minutes Same PIN code

After school help Monday-Thursday 1:49-2:20

After school activities Monday – Thursday 1:49-3:00

Bus/late bus

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIESGet involved!

After school Study center Student Council Art club Intramurals/fitness club Ski Club Book Chat Common connections club French club Yearbook Drama Creating Writing/Hornet’s Hive Percussion ensemble/Wind ensemble/ Jazz ensemble Tri-M Music Honor Society Math team Robotics

WHO DO I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS

Teacher

Team Liaison

Counselor

Assistant Principal

Principal

WHAT TRANSITION ACTIVITIES WILL MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN? QMS Visit – 6/1-6/4

6th Grade Guidance Counselors/Team Liaisons/Student Representative visit all 5th grade classroom Student generated questions

Move Up Days - 6/4 and 6/9All 5th grade students visit QMS; tour; meet

administration/students/teachers Jump Start – offered sessions 1-5 Summer Achievement Academy Open Door Day – 8/27

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD PREPARE? Be positive, relaxed, and reassuring about

the transition… they will be okay! Establish expectations

School is a priority Attendance matters Homework helps – set up a quiet, central work

place Organization

Communication is the key– progress reports, report cards, regular updates

Reach out if you need help or have questions

Mrs. Reith…

WHEN WILL YOU KNOW MORE? Team assignments will be mailed out in mid-

August Summer reading – information will be provided

by JJ teachers; QMS websites Updated supply lists will be posted on the

website Bus information (posted on website) Curriculum Night – chance to meet teachers

and hear about specifics of each course Meetings/progress updates as needed Progress reports/report cards QMS website PAC…

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS