Poquoson Middle School

1
Poquoson Middle School

• Parent Orientation
• For
• Rising Sixth Grade Students

2
Welcome to Poquoson Middle School

• Principal
• Todd E. Perelli
• Assistant Principal
• Melanie Cecere
• Educational Secretary
• Jeanne Robidoux
• School Nurse
• Maureen Connors

• Guidance Director/ School Counselor A-J
• Judy Walkley
• School Counselor K-Z
• Amanda Goyne
• Guidance Secretary
• Kris Forest

3
Typical Poquoson Middle School Day

• Opening Bell
• - 735
• 7 Class Periods
• - 47 minutes long
• - 4 minutes between
• Dismissal Bell
• - 230

4
Team Concept

• 2 Teams on each grade level
• Each Team Includes
• Math
• Science
• English
• Social Studies
• Proximity
• Daily Team Meetings

5
School Safety

• Code of Conduct
• Behavior expectations and consequences
• Dress code
• Bus behavior
• Bully Prevention
• No tolerance policy
• Division wide program

6
School Attendance

• Policy
• Limited number of absences
• Attendance letters
• Attendance failures
• Procedure
• Make contact
• Provide documentation

7
School NurseMaureen Connors

• Tdap Booster
• Student Medications
• Screenings
• Inhalers and Asthma plans

• Food Allergies
• Diabetes Medical Management Plan
• Student information card
• Handouts Available

8
Poquoson Middle School 101

• Creating a positive transition to Middle School

9
The Great Unknown

• New environment
• New schedule
• New classes/teachers
• New rules/procedures
• New hormones

10
Student Questions/ Worries

• Will I get to sit with my friends in the
  cafeteria?
• Do we have to wear uniforms in PE class?
• Where do I go on the first day of school?
• Do I have a locker?
• Will I have enough time to get from one class to
  the next?

11
Parent Questions/ Worries

• What if I need to pick up my child early?
• What if my child is sick?
• What if my child needs to ride a different bus
  home?
• What if Im worried about his or her grades?

12
What Students can do

• Set goals
• Get organized
• Ask questions
• Get involved
• Rememberits a fresh start

13
How Parents can help

• Be consistent
• Help set realistic goals
• Praise often
• Get to know your childs team
• Remain open minded
• Attend the Parenting in the 21st Century Workshop

14
PMS Spanish Program

• Options for continuing your study of Spanish

15
PMS Spanish Classes

• Include two options in 6th grade
• Are full-year courses
• Incorporate a variety of activities such as
  games, skits, and projects
• Are taught all in Spanish

16
Option 1- Spanish I

• Earns one high school credit
• Recommended for students with a solid Spanish
  background
• Covers topics such as food and eating out,
  health, school, and the family

17
Option 2- Spanish I, Part 1

• Combines with Spanish I, Part 2 the following
  year for one high school credit
• Covers ½ of the material of Spanish I over the
  course of the year
• Provides a Spanish option for students with a
  limited Spanish background
• Allows student to learn Spanish at a slower pace

18
Options for Continuing Spanish

• Spanish I Part 2- follows Part 1
• Spanish II- follows I or the Part 1/Part 2
  combination
• Spanish III- follows II
• Advanced Spanish at PHS- up to Spanish VI AP
  Spanish
• All are year long courses

19
Diploma Requirements forForeign Language

• For an Advanced Studies Diploma, students need 3
  years of 1 language or 2 years of 2 different
  languages
• High school credits earned in middle school are
  accepted
• However, it is highly recommended students
  continue their foreign language study in high
  school in order to be a competitive candidate for
  college admission

20
Completing the 6th Grade Course Registration Form
21
The Seven Period Day

• Students will have a combination of academic and
  elective courses to total
• 7 class periods.
• Follow the math..

22
Step 1 All students will be scheduled for four
academic core courses

• Math
• English
• Science
• Social Studies

23
In addition, all students will make one
selection from the academic elective courses of

• Spanish I, Part 1
• Spanish I
• Reading Enrichment 6

24
Step 2Students will add one student selected
elective and one required elective.

• Choose one (1)
• Beginning Band
• or
• Elective Wheel
• Required (1)
• Physical Education/Health

25
The Elective Wheel

• The elective wheel is comprised of six of the
  following 6-week exploratory electives
• Technology Education
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Art
• Drama
• Music
• Keyboarding

26
Beginning Band

• Band director will meet with students in May at
  the elementary school to try out different
  instruments
• Students who select band in 6th grade will have
  an opportunity to take other elective courses in
  7th and 8th grades

27
How it Adds Up

• 4 core academic courses Math, English, Science,
  SS
• 1 academic elective Spanish or Reading
• 1 student selected elective Band or Elective
  Wheel
• 1 required elective PE
  
• 7 class periods

28
Academic Placement

• Current 5th grade teachers have made placement
  recommendations using established guidelines.
• Questions concerning placement should be
  addressed with the teacher who made the
  recommendation.
• Recommendations may be reviewed at the end of
  the year.

29
Academic Placement

• Math Levels
• Math 6
• Students take the Math 6 SOL
• Math 6 Honors
• Requires separate referral by teacher
• Students take the Math 7 SOL
• Pre-Algebra 6 TAG
• Requires specific TAG ID in math
• Has participated in the Math Express program
• Students take the Math 8 SOL

• English Levels
• English 6
• English 6H
• Science
• All students scheduled in Science 6 unless
  specifically IDd for TAG
• Social Studies
• All students are scheduled into one level of
  social studies

30
Questions about Remediation

• How is remediation determined?
• Standards of Learning assessments
• Final year-end progress

• When will I be notified?
• Notification letter
• Class schedule

31
What to Look for On Wednesday, February 4, 2009

• Blue Course Registration Sheet
• Program of Studies Booklet
• Beginning Band Information
• Report Cards from Teachers

32
Timeline and Transition Activities

• January 21, 2009
• 5th grade teachers met with Judy McDowell,
  Director of Secondary Programs and Judy Walkley
  to review information and criteria for making
  recommendations.
• Thursday, January 29, 2009
• Rising 6th Grade Parent night, Transition to
  Middle School
• 700 P.M.
• January 30-February 3, 2009
• Middle school counselors visit 5th grade
  classrooms.
• Wednesday, February 4, 2009
• Students receive Course Registration Forms,
  Program of Studies Booklets, Band Information,
  and Report Cards

33
Timeline

• Tuesday, February 10, 2009
• Registration forms should be signed and returned
  to homeroom teachers NO LATER than this date.
• Spring 2009
• 5th grade students visit the middle school
  during the school day for a tour led by students.
• August 2009
• Open House at the middle school. Students pick
  up schedules and walk through the building, meet
  teachers, see displays, enjoy refreshments!

34
Thank You for Coming Tonight!

• Tours of the Building
• Provided by 8th Grade Members of the
• National Junior Honor Society