Pollard Middle School

Rising Grade 7 Information Session

March 21, 2012

Agenda

I. Introduction to Pollard

II. Academic Programs

III. Guidance and Health Services

IV. Extracurricular Activities

V. Communication

VI. Transition Events and Important Dates

Pollard Students, Administration, and Staff

Ms. Evelyn Atkinson, Mr. Sam Cruickshank, Ms. Margaret Ms. Evelyn Atkinson, Mr. Sam Cruickshank, Ms. Margaret Cullen, Mr. Zach Dore, Ms. Jessica Kent, Mr. Ben Lewis,andCullen, Mr. Zach Dore, Ms. Jessica Kent, Mr. Ben Lewis,andMs. Alexa Tierney (Students)Ms. Alexa Tierney (Students)

Ms. Megan Bonomolo (Assistant Principal Grade 7)Ms. Megan Bonomolo (Assistant Principal Grade 7)Ms. Merle Berman (Assistant Principal Grade 8)Ms. Merle Berman (Assistant Principal Grade 8)Ms. Chris Brumbach (Dir. Student Development & Program Eval)Ms. Chris Brumbach (Dir. Student Development & Program Eval)Ms. Tammy Ghizzoni (Coordinator Math and Science Grades 6-8) Ms. Tammy Ghizzoni (Coordinator Math and Science Grades 6-8)

Ms. Holly Pacis and Mr. Ken Lundberg (Teachers)Ms. Holly Pacis and Mr. Ken Lundberg (Teachers)Mrs. Rosemary Leone (School Nurse)Mrs. Rosemary Leone (School Nurse)Ms. Nicole Rice and Mr. Mark Yetman (Guidance Counselors)Ms. Nicole Rice and Mr. Mark Yetman (Guidance Counselors)Ms. Mary Grace Summergrad (Community Education)

Pollard Middle School

We dedicate ourselves to cultivating academic excellence, civic responsibility, and the personal growth of each

member of our community.

You belong here. This is important.

Effort makes a difference.

Pollard Middle School: A Snapshot

Projected Enrollment September 2012• 438 Grade 7 Students• 415 Grade 8 Students

Faculty and Staff September 2012• Teachers - 56• Support Staff - 18

Pollard Middle School: A Snapshot

• ELA/SS Curriculum Coordinator: Ms. Kathleen Harris• Math/Science Curriculum Coordinator: Ms. Tammy Ghizzoni• Director of Special Education PreK-8: Ms. Mary Lammi• Special Education Coordinator: TBA• Director of Wellness: Dr. Kathy Pinkham• Director of Guidance: Mr. Tom Denton• Director of World Languages: Ms. Debbie Watters• Director of Fine & Performing Arts: Dr. David Neves• Director of Health Services: Ms. Mimi Stamer• Director of METCO: Dr. Joanne Allen-Willoughby• Coordinator of METCO: Ms. Leslie Smart• Director of Media & Technology: Ms. Deb Gammerman

Academic Program

• Trimester system - 60 days in lengthTrimester system - 60 days in length

• 53 minute classes and 5 Clusters53 minute classes and 5 Clusters

• Two day rotation (A & B Day)Two day rotation (A & B Day)

• Students receive instruction in English, math, science, Students receive instruction in English, math, science, and social studies each day. and social studies each day.

• Students take classes in all other departments to provide Students take classes in all other departments to provide a program that is broad-based.a program that is broad-based.

Courses and Program of Studies

• English, Math, Science, and Social StudiesEnglish, Math, Science, and Social Studies• Engineering DesignEngineering Design• Technology - Computer Technology Technology - Computer Technology • Wellness - Physical Education and HealthWellness - Physical Education and Health• World Language - French or SpanishWorld Language - French or Spanish• Fine Arts - Arts 7Fine Arts - Arts 7• Concert Band/Strings Ensemble/Chorus OR Concert Band/Strings Ensemble/Chorus OR (Ceramics & Sculpture, Music Explorations, and (Ceramics & Sculpture, Music Explorations, and

Experiential Education)Experiential Education)• Learning CenterLearning Center

Door Opens 7:35

Advisory (7:50 – 8:05)

Period 1 (8:08 – 9:01)

Period 2 (9:04 – 9:57)

Period 3 (10:01 – 10:54)

Period 4 (10:57 – 11:50)

Period 5 (11:53 – 12:46) Lunch (11:50 – 12:18)

Lunch (12:46 – 1:14) Period 5 (12:21 – 1:14)

Period 6 (1:17 – 2:10)

After School Tutoring (2:10 – 2:40)

Activities (From 2:40 p.m.)

Advisory Program

• 15 minutes every day

• Curriculum

• Community Building Activities

New Learning Experiences

• Fine and Performing ArtsFine and Performing Arts

• French and SpanishFrench and Spanish

• Health and WellnessHealth and Wellness

• TechnologyTechnology

• Learning CenterLearning Center

New Learning Experiences

• EnglishEnglish:: Poetry Day, Author Visits, and Declamation Poetry Day, Author Visits, and Declamation

• Social StudiesSocial Studies:: Exploration Ancient China, India, Exploration Ancient China, India, Multicultural Perspectives, and Semitic ReligionsMulticultural Perspectives, and Semitic Religions

• MathMath:: Algebra Experience and Pi Day Assembly Algebra Experience and Pi Day Assembly

• ScienceScience:: Frog Dissection, Biome Projects, and Frog Dissection, Biome Projects, and DNA ExtractionDNA Extraction

Helpful Hints

• Busing Information - March 29 (High Rock) and April 1 Busing Information - March 29 (High Rock) and April 1 (Transportation Website)(Transportation Website)

• Lunches (Summer mailing) Lunches (Summer mailing)

• Snacks and WaterSnacks and Water

• Locks and Cell phonesLocks and Cell phones

• Binders and School SuppliesBinders and School Supplies

• HomeworkHomework

Special Education Programming

• 7 Special Education Liaisons7 Special Education Liaisons• 1 School Psychologist between High Rock & Pollard1 School Psychologist between High Rock & Pollard• 1 Speech Language Pathologist1 Speech Language Pathologist• .8 Reading Teacher .8 Reading Teacher • Inclusive and Learning Centers (Reading, Writing, Math, and Organization Inclusive and Learning Centers (Reading, Writing, Math, and Organization

skills)skills)

• Specialized ProgramsSpecialized ProgramsLanguage-based ProgramLanguage-based Program - Math and English (Grades 7 & 8) - Math and English (Grades 7 & 8)Therapeutic ProgramTherapeutic Program - Learning and Emotional Disabilities (Grades 7 & 8) - Learning and Emotional Disabilities (Grades 7 & 8)Insights ProgramInsights Program - Instructional supports for organizational, social - Instructional supports for organizational, social

pragmatics, and navigating middle school social lifepragmatics, and navigating middle school social life (Grade 7)(Grade 7)

Bridges ProgramBridges Program - Social and applied academic supports (Grades 6, 7 & 8) - Social and applied academic supports (Grades 6, 7 & 8)

Guidance Department

Guidance CounselorsGuidance Counselors • Ms. Nicole Rice (Clusters 7-1, 7-2, 8-1, 8-2)Ms. Nicole Rice (Clusters 7-1, 7-2, 8-1, 8-2)• Mr. Mark Yetman (Clusters 7-3, 7-4, 7-5, 8-3, 8-4)Mr. Mark Yetman (Clusters 7-3, 7-4, 7-5, 8-3, 8-4)

Adjustment CounselorsAdjustment Counselors• Ms. Carol SargentMs. Carol Sargent• Ms. Kristen GosselinMs. Kristen Gosselin

Roles & ResponsibilitiesRoles & Responsibilities• Work with Students (Student Support Team and Scheduling)Work with Students (Student Support Team and Scheduling)• Work with TeachersWork with Teachers• Work with ParentsWork with Parents

Guidance Department

What will your 7th grader’s life look like socially/emotionally?

What will your 7th grader’s life look like academically?

Pollard Health Services

• Mrs. Rosemary Leone• Mrs. Debbie Brennan

• Communication Protocols

• Physical Exam and Immunization Requirements

• Mandatory Health Screenings

Extra Curricular Activities

• After School Clubs and ActivitiesAfter School Clubs and Activities:: Best Buddies, Best Buddies,

Book Club, Jazz Band, Math Counts, Musical, Robotics, Book Club, Jazz Band, Math Counts, Musical, Robotics, Student Council, Homework Club, and Treble ChoirStudent Council, Homework Club, and Treble Choir

• NCE Middle School Classes: NCE Middle School Classes:

- - After school enrichment programsAfter school enrichment programs

- Middle School Athletics- Middle School Athletics: Fall Cross-Country for Boys : Fall Cross-Country for Boys and Girls (Grades 6-8), Girl’s Field Hockey (Grades 7-8), and Girls (Grades 6-8), Girl’s Field Hockey (Grades 7-8), Spring Track & Field for Boys and Girls (Grades 6-8)Spring Track & Field for Boys and Girls (Grades 6-8)

School Home Communication

• PowerSchool - Grades updated on 15th and 30th of each PowerSchool - Grades updated on 15th and 30th of each monthmonth

• Email teachers and teacher websitesEmail teachers and teacher websites

• Cluster team meetings with parentsCluster team meetings with parents

• Pollard ListservPollard Listserv

• Pollard School WebsitePollard School Website

• Call Assistant Principal or PrincipalCall Assistant Principal or Principal

Grade 6 to Grade 7 Transition • Teachers in Grades 6-8 meet to discuss content areasTeachers in Grades 6-8 meet to discuss content areas

• Curriculum Coordinators and Program Directors (ELL, Fine & Performing Arts, Media & Technology, Special Education, Wellness, and World Languages)Curriculum Coordinators and Program Directors (ELL, Fine & Performing Arts, Media & Technology, Special Education, Wellness, and World Languages)

• Collaboration with Administrative staff, Guidance, and Special education liaisons at High Rock and PollardCollaboration with Administrative staff, Guidance, and Special education liaisons at High Rock and Pollard

– requenrequent t presenpresence in ce in classroclassrooms oms and and meetinmeetings with gs with teacheteachers in rs in both both schoolschools to aid s to aid commcommunicatiunication/verton/vertical ical alignmalignmentent

Transition Events and Important Dates • April 2-5 - Students register online

• June - Pollard StepUp2 Day• June 4, 7, 11, 12, and 13 - High Rock Clusters to Pollard

• Week of July 1 - Cluster letters sent home to parents

• July and August - Self guided tours and tours with Assistant Principal and Principal

• September 5 - Opening Day• September - Back to School Night• October 5 - Immunization and Physical Examination Deadline

Thank you for coming!Thank you for coming!

http://pollard.needham.k12.ma.ushttp://pollard.needham.k12.ma.us

(781) 455-0480(781) 455-0480