Transcript Elementary to Middle School Transition Meeting

Welcome to
Upper Merion Area
Middle School
National Blue Ribbon
School of Excellence
2001-2002
Community of Caring School
2009
National and Pennsylvania
School of Character
2010
National Network of Partnership
School Awards
2011 and 2012
Administrative Team
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Dr. Karen Geller
Principal
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Assistant Principal grades 5 and 6
Mr. Adam Slavin
Assistant Principal grades 7 and 8
Pupil Services
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Mrs. Kim Corbi
5th grade counselor
Mrs. Kara Howell
6th grade counselor
Mrs. Mandi Donahue 7th grade counselor
Mr. David Burns
8th grade counselor
Ms. Pat Berger
Dr. Ro Foote
Social Worker
Psychologist
Opening Week Transition
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Escorted to classes
Assistance in reading the schedule
Assistance with lockers
Cafeteria assistance
Caring, nurturing environment to
ensure students feel welcome, safe
and secure
COMMUNITY
OF CARING
Building Character
in Every School
with Every Child
All Day Long.
Community of Caring
Core Values
CARING
RESPECT
RESPONSIBILITY
TRUST
FAMILY
A Sample of Our School-Wide
Initiatives Under the
Community of Caring Umbrella
Business Education Partnerships
Peer Buddies
Extra Curricular Activities
Tutoring
CAST
Student Council
C.R.E.A.T.E.
PTC
Thematic Units
PASS
Transition Day
Mentors
Junior Optimists
Anti-Bullying
Peer Mediation
Service Learning
National Junior Honor Society
Parenting Education
Creating a Climate and Culture
of Caring and Respect to ensure
the success of all students
Community of Caring
Components
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Values In and Across the Curriculum
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Student Leadership/Forums
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Service Learning/Community Service
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Family and Community Involvement
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Inclusion of All Students
Values In and Across the
Curriculum
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Process for integrating values of
Caring, Respect, Responsibility,
Trust and Family into existing
curriculum
Development of school and
community-wide activities,
strategies, and programs to foster
values
Posters and banners to display
school support for character
education
School Day
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Students arrive at the middle school
starting at 7:30 a.m.
The first class begins at 8:00 a.m.
Dismissal time is 2:55 p.m.
Busses depart from the middle school
at 3:05 p.m.
Busses drop-off and pick-up at the
front of the middle school
Bus pickup in the A.M.
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Students should arrive at the
bus stop 10 minutes before the
scheduled pickup time
Supervisor of Transportation
Marsha Wagner
School Day
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Parent drop-off and pick-up is at the
rear of the building (Crossfield Road)
Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. are
to be dropped off at the main entrance
and proceed to the main office to
report in to the attendance clerk with
a note stating the reason for their
lateness.
School Day
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When the 5th grade students arrive at
school they are to proceed to the
cafeteria until they are dismissed at
7:50 a.m.
The students go to their lockers and get
materials necessary for their first class of
the day. The bell for the beginning of the
first class rings at 8:00 a.m. with
morning announcements to follow.
Student Schedule
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The schedule consists of 3 academic blocks
which are 90 minutes in length consisting of
Science, Social Studies, Language Arts and
Math
Students will have 2 Unified Arts blocks which
are 43 minutes in length consisting of
Art, Music, Tech Ed, Keyboarding,
Family/Consumer Science and PE
Students will also have a 30 minute lunch
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The student schedule may look as follows:
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Schedule
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Block 1
Unified Arts
Lunch
Block 2
Block 3
Unified Arts
Block 3
8:00 - 9:33
9:36 - 10:19
10:22 -10:52
10:55 -12:24
12:27 - 1:10
1:13 - 1:56
1:59 - 2:55
Academic
Academic
Academic
Academic
Lockers
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Each student has their
own locker with a
combination
Teachers work with the
students day one on
how to access their
locker
Students should not
give the combination to
other students
Activities
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Community of
Caring Club
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Intramurals
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Junior Optimist Club
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Drama Club
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Student Council
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Band, Orchestra and
Chorus
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C.R.E.A.T. E. Club
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Technology Student
Association Club
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Robotics Club
Activity Busses
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Activity busses are
provided for students
staying after school for
clubs, activities or extra
help.
Activity busses pick up
at the back of the
school at 4:30 on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Thursdays
Lunch/Cafeteria
Information
Director of Food Services –
Penny Bartlett
PTC
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Co-Presidents
Michelle Suess & Kira Ziebis
Vice President
Christopher Levy
Treasurer
Meg Donahue
Secretary
Heather Cordeiro
For Your Information
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School Store is open in the cafeteria.
Parents may purchase gym uniforms
and school supplies.
Open House
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September 18th – 6:30 p.m.
Parents will have the opportunity to
meet their children’s teachers
Parents will be able to turn in
applications for the parent portal
Portal applications may be found on
the district or middle school website
HOW TO ASSIST YOUR
CHILD IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle school years are a time of
growth. Students move from childhood
to adolescence. They become more
independent. They want their parents’
support, help and approval but they also
want to forge out on their own. During
this time of transition there are many
things you can do to assist your child to
be successful in school.
HOW TO ASSIST YOUR
CHILD IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Be sure your child attends school daily and
arrives on time (early is even better). You
do not want them to miss valuable
instruction and making up work is stressful.
Take vacations during the summer and when
school is not in session.
Try to make doctor and dentist appointments
after school. If they must be made during
school hours take them and promptly return
them to school.
HOW TO ASSIST YOUR
CHILD IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Have your child get phone numbers of
friends in their classes whom they can check
with if confused about an assignment.
Check your child’s agenda every day to be
certain they are completing all homework.
Be sure to have all basic supplies ready for
school and home the day school starts.
Register for the Parent Portal and check it
frequently. Some assignments and
assessments take much time to grade.
HOW TO ASSIST YOUR
CHILD IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Use the middle school’s website to stay up
to date on activities, classwork and grades.
If you have concerns or questions contact
your child’s teacher.
Have a regular place and time for your child
to do homework. The kitchen is a good
place as it is easy to supervise and you can
monitor distractions such as TV, phone,
instant messaging , etc.
If you child is alone in the bedroom time
may not be used effectively.
HOW TO ASSIST YOUR
CHILD IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
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If your child says there is no homework,
require 30 minutes of reading. Good
readers also make better writers.
Your child will be taking on more
responsibility and may struggle at times.
They should check on missed assignments,
keep a calendar of quiz and test dates, plan
ahead for projects, keep track of homework
deadlines and ask teachers for help and
guidance.
HOW TO ASSIST YOUR
CHILD IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Expect your child to take the initiative
and then you can be their backup.
Know what your child is doing on the
computer at all times.
Your child listens to you and you are
their role model.
Teach your child to be respectfully
caring and responsible at all times.
Tonight's Tours
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Tours will be given by student
representatives from the Community
of Caring Club.