Welcome to the Saucon Valley Middle School

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Welcome to the Saucon Valley Middle School
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Saucon Valley Middle School

• 5th Grade Orientation
• Ms Bernardo and Mr. Halcisak

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Saucon Valley Middle School

• Child
• Home
• Teachers

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Saucon Valley Middle School Philosophy

• We believe the CHILD is the center of the
  educational process. The educational process is
  designed to develop the CHILDs ability to make
  positive choices. Each CHILD will be empowered to
  be a responsible and respectful citizen of the
  middle school and the community.

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Saucon Valley Middle School Philosophy

• We believe HOME provides the nurturing atmosphere
  that allows the child to develop towards his/her
  fullest potential and is supported by middle
  school cooperation and communication. The HOME,
  in concert with the educational process, will
  foster the desire for life-long learning.

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Saucon Valley Middle School Philosophy

• We believe the middle school TEACHER is a key
  influence to encourage active student
  participation, establish high expectations,
  enable student success, and foster life-long
  learning.   The teacher is most effective when
  working as an integral member of a small,
  specialized, and focused TEAM of caring
  professionals.

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The Joys of Sixth Graders Taken from Middle
Ground The Magazine of Middle Level Education

• Like fish, they tend to move in schools with a
  few dominant and adventurous leaders guiding the
  way.
• They like moving from class to class without
  having to ask for directions.
• They like being able to connect with teachers on
  their team. They like living in small learning
  communities.
• They are inquisitive and interested in learning
  new concepts.
• They still love their teachers.
• They enjoy school spirit activities.
• They love to run and play.
• They are generous.
• They like read aloud time and visiting the
  library. They are good listeners and find book
  talks interesting.
• They simply like to talk to each other, to
  their teachers, to whomever will listen.
• They like to contribute in class, to share their
  personal experiences with teachers and
  classmates.
• They cry when they are happy and when they are
  sad.
• They openly show their emotions.
• They like to hug grownups.
• They enjoy saying nice things to each other, but
  can also say unkind things.
• They protect their classmates who are
  intellectually, emotionally or physically
  challenged.
• They accept unusual behaviors without being
  critical.

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• Qualities of a Learner
• A student who is proud of his /her education
  strives to produce quality results and improve
  his/her knowledge at every opportunity by
  recognizing that learning does not stop when the
  school day ends by using tools to organize,
  plan, and accomplish short and long-term academic
  tasks and by taking pride and demonstrating
  maximum effort.
• A Quality Learner
• Uses tools to organize, plan, and accomplish
  short and long-term academic tasks
• Uses assignment book
• Attends class with assigned or required materials
  for the day
• Plans for long-term projects by chunking
• Manages his/her time for short-term assignments
  by prioritizing assignments
• Takes pride and demonstrates maximum effort
• Turns in quality work, on time
• Sees teacher when absent to make up missed
  assignments
• Learns independently, cooperatively, or in
  diverse groups
• Follows directions
• Engages in active listening
• Provides constructive feedback
• A student who is proud of his /her education
  strives to produce quality results and
• improve his/her knowledge at every opportunity.
  That student
• Participates in class actively, spontaneously,
  and productively
• Takes full advantage of all learning
  opportunities and resources, including study
  sessions, and remediation

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Middle School Advisory(National Middle School
Association recommended practice)

• The Saucon Valley Middle School Student Advisory
  Program introduces a school-based adult advocate
  into the life of every student for the purpose of
  fostering academic success, personal growth, and
  citizenship.
• The goals of the Saucon Valley Middle School
  Advisory Program are to
• ensure that each student has a staff advocate
• provide a forum for topics relevant to
  adolescents in today's world
• create a safe, friendly place to receive support
  and modeling for academic pursuits and social
  interaction
• promote coordination between home and school

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Schedule for the Evening

• 700-715 Presentation in
• the MS Cafeteria
• 715-745
• Please enjoy the displays by grade levels in the
  Pond Lobby area
• Self Guided Tours of the Middle School
• National Junior Honor Society students will be
  throughout the hallways to assist with
  information and directions

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Middle School Counselors

• Mr. Heffelfinger
• A to L
• Career Education (grade 8)
• Small focused groups

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Middle School Counselors

• Mr. Baldo
• K to Z
• Career Education (grade 8)

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Middle School Counselors

• Their roles
• Assist with transition to grade 6
• Peer relationships
• Student Assistance Program (SAP)
• Liaison for academic concerns with grade level
  teaching teams (facilitates parent/teacher
  conferences)
• Assist with course assignments
• Assist in coordinating state/local testing
  initiatives
• Facilitate individual and small group school
  based counseling
• Assists with Special Education details

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Sixth Grade Teams (Respect, Responsibility and
Citizenship)

• 3 Language Arts Teachers
• 3 Mathematics Teachers
• 3 Social Studies/Science Teachers
• 2 Learning Support Teachers

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Current 2008-09Sixth Grade Teams

• Citizenship Team
• Mrs. Kittle Language Arts
• Mrs. Traub Math
• Mrs. Bredbenner Social Studies/Science
• Mrs. Pulli Learning Support
• Mrs. Kunkel Learning Support

• Respect Team
• Mrs. King Language Arts
• Ms Huston Math
• Mr. Papp Social Studies/Science
• Mrs. Pulli Learning Support
• Mrs. Kunkel Learning Support

• Responsibility Team
• Mrs. Ravier Language Arts
• Mrs. Rubery Math
• Mrs. Bender Science/Social
• Studies
• Mrs. Pulli Learning Support
• Mrs. Kunkel Learning Support

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World Studies I

• Ancient Times
• Early Civilizations
• Egypt, Greece Rome

• Medieval Times
• Middle Ages
• Feudalism
• Renaissance
• Age of Exploration

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6th Grade Mathematics
Real world math in action!
Technology today!
Creative thinkers of tomorrow!
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6th Grade Mathematics

• Number Strand
• Fraction, Decimals, Percents
• Multi-strategy approach
• Algebra Strand
• Analyzing patterns
• Symbolic relationships
• Writing evaluating formulas
• Geometry
• Properties of polygons
• Angle relationships
• Discoveries with area perimeter
• Statistics
• Graph table interpretation
• Measures of central tendency

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6th Grade Science

• The Nature of Science
• The Scientific Method
• Measurement/Apparatus

Physical Science Chemistry Elements Mixtures Ki
netic Energy
Variables Pendulums Buoyancy Catapults Planes
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6th Grade Language Arts
Comprehensive Literacy

• Read Aloud
• Reading, Analyzing Interpreting Literature
• Ex read aloud notes, symphony of talk, literary
  essays, graphic organizers

Writing Workshop Ex 5-Traits, essays, research,
grammar, debate, drama, poetry, conferring,
publishing

• Independent Reading
• Reading Independently Critically in All Content
  Areas
• Ex conferences, independent reading notebooks,
  reflection papers, vocabulary, goal setting

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Related Arts Team

• 15 day cycles (12 per year)
• Physical Education - 4
• Health - 2
• Art - 1
• Vocal Music - 1
• Technology Education - 2
• Computer Competency - 1
• Research/Study Skills - 1

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Resource Teachers

• Librarian Ms Lesney
• Computer Resource Mr. Miller
• Gifted Resource ______________
• Band Groups Mrs. Free
• Chorus Mrs. Conover

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Middle School Activities

• Student Council Mrs. Kittle
• Dances
• Student Store
• Farewell Dinner/Dance
• Quarterly Recognition Assemblies
• Whole school assemblies
• Movie Nights
• Community Service
• Junior National Honor Society, Grades 7 to 8 (Ms
  Heppenheimer/Mrs. Wetmore)
• Grade Level Team Service Projects

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Middle School Activities

• Intramural Sports (subject to change)
• Ski Club
• Rock Climbing
• Swimming
• Interscholastic Sports PIAA

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Middle School PTG

• Parent representatives in each grade level
• Volunteers Needed-- sign-up sheets
• Meetings To Be Arranged
• (4 per school year)

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Transition to Middle School

• Elementary School Council
• Purchasing and eating lunch at the MS
• List of food items purchased available from
  cafeteria manager
• You may request a PIN report at any time from
  the cafeteria manager
• Lockers in 5th grade
• Classroom meetings with MS Counselors in May
• Student visitation to 6th grade classrooms in
  June
• Attendance Procedures are the same as the
  Elementary School, written excuse within 3 days
• Homework requests by 830 AM

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Parent Access to Student Demographics

• Through the student management system Power
  School, parents have online access to their
  childs demographic information, grades, lunch
  account, etc. http//www.svpanthers.org/
• Information regarding access will be forwarded in
  the beginning of the school year.

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Attendance

• We believe that strong attendance is essential
  for success at school.
• Call to confirm absence/Written Note (w/in 3 days
  or unexcused)
• Written Notes are required within 3 days
• 5 7 Excused Phone call/letter of concern
• 10 Excused 2nd letter requiring Dr.s excuse
• Tardiness
• 5 Tardies Letter of Concern
• 7 Tardies Disciplinary consequences
• Concurrent

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Behavioral Expectations

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Caring
• Citizenship
• Determination
• Fairness
• Courage

• Choices
• Safety (Self/Peers/Community)
• Problem-Solving
• Developing Character/Maturity

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Behavioral Expectations

• Classroom Disturbances
• Lack of Preparedness
• Loitering
• Disrespect
• Harassment
• Inappropriate Language/Gestures
• Horseplay
• Safety Concerns

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Behavioral Expectations

• Gum
• IDs
• Cell Phones
• Computer
• Dress Code
• ID at the Dance
• Horseplay

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Behavioral Expectations

• Level I
• Level II
• Level III
• Level IV
• Team/Administrative Detention
• Isolated Setting
• Overnight Suspension
• In-School Suspension
• Out-of School Suspension

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Appropriate Dress

• Standards set by members of Student Council
• NO flip-flops
• Too short shorts
• Inappropriate graphics
• Revealing shirts
• Chains
• Other as deemed disruptive to the learning
  community
• Information communicated in the Student Handbook,
  which is embedded in the Student Assignment Book

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Enjoy your visit! We look forward to you
becoming a member of our learning community here
at Saucon Valley Middle School!

• Things to remember
• Timeliness counts
• Being prepared counts
• Participation counts
• Appropriate behavior counts
• YOU COUNT!!!!

Locker size 10 ¾ deep, 9 wide Wheeled book
bags DO NOT fit!
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Program

• 700-715
• Presentation in the MS Cafeteria
• 715-745
• Please enjoy the displays by grade levels in the
  Pond Lobby area and on bulletin boards
• Self Guided Tours of the Middle School (maps
  available from members of the National Junior
  Honor Society stationed throughout the building)
• Related Arts areas (gym, music rooms, art area,
  computer lab, library)
• 6th grade hallway of classrooms
• 7th grade hallway of classrooms
• 8th grade hallway of classrooms