1. Parents: Are You Ready For Middle School?
Silver Spring International Middle School
Parent Summer Orientation

2. AGENDA Welcome Icebreaker Scheduling Requirements & Expectations
Communication
Attendance
Counseling and other school resources
Important Dates

3. ICEBREAKER: The Company You Keep

4. SCHEDULING 8 period schedule odd days - 1, 3, 5, & 7
even days – 2, 4, 6, & 8
School starts at 7:55 a.m.
Classes last approximately 1.5 hours
All students take English, world studies, science, math, physical education/health

5. SCHEDULING Foreign Language/GT English
Placement based on 5th grade teacher recommendation
MSA scores and other assessment criteria are considered in placement decision
Student must be identified in Grade 5 as working above grade level in English and Reading to take a Foreign Language or to take GT English
Foreign Language Classes are high school credited courses

6. SCHEDULING Schedule distribution process Schedule changes
Given to everyone on the first day of school
Given to 6th graders who attend the August 26th orientation
Schedule changes
Criteria - meet with teacher, discuss with grade level counselor, consult with resource teacher
NOT ALL CHANGES ARE POSSIBLE
1st choice electives don’t always fit into schedule

7. REQUIREMENTS – Preparing For Middle School
Summer Reading and Math packets
All students in grades 6, 7, and 8
Both packets are due the first week of school
Both packets count as a portion of your child’s first quarter grade
Available online
Not used to determine placement

8. REQUIREMENTS - SSL Student Service Learning Hours
75 hours minimum are required for all students to graduate from high school
Summer hours must be turned in by September 30th to earn credit
Middle School courses in which hours are automatically earned if class is passed: Grade 6 Science, Grade 7 English, and Grade 8 Social Studies
Ms. Cindy Mannix is the Student Service Learning Coordinator

9. EXPECTATIONS - Academics
Write down all homework assignments in the planner
Bring planner to each class every day
Planner is also used as a hall pass
Check Edline often
Take advantage of extra support during and/or after school
Complete class work and homework in a timely manner
Come to school prepared with materials

10. EXPECTATIONS – Student Attire
Girls: no spaghetti straps on a shirt or dress; no off the shoulder tops, no shorts or skirts that are shorter than finger tip length; no low cut tops; no sheer blouses or t-shirts
Boys: no pants hanging low enough for underwear to be seen
Everyone: NO pajama pants; no bedroom shoes

11. EXPECTATIONS – Student Attire
Attire: Students who come to school dressed inappropriately are asked to change clothes immediately; students who repeatedly have to be told that their clothing is inappropriate will receive detention or other disciplinary action as appropriate.

12. EXPECTATIONS - Electronics
Cell phone use
No phones should be on during the school day; no exceptions
Confiscated phones are turned in to security and will be released to the parent only
Students who repeatedly violate the rules for cell phone use will be given a disciplinary action

13. EXPECTATIONS - Behavior
Discipline Policy
Infractions and their consequences are printed in the student planner
No loitering after school: must be in a sponsored after school activity to remain on school property AFTER the school day has ended
PBIS: Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports

14. COMMUNICATION
Edline
Parents AND students have separate Edline accounts
Updated bi-weekly by teachers
Accounts for parents are given at Back To School Night

15. COMMUNICATION Interims and Report Cards
All interims are mailed home in the middle of the marking period
Report card distribution: given to students (Quarter 4 mailed home)
Report card distribution dates on MCPS calendar
Questions about a specific grade earned or assignment should be directed to your child’s teacher
November 11: Parent conference night/1st quarter report card distributed to parents

16. Staying connected with your middle school
Contact the attendance secretary if your child will be absent or late to school
Notify the counseling department if your family changes residence at any time during the school year
Monitor homework
Stay in touch with the school regarding your child’s academic and personal needs

17. COMMUNICATION
Getting in touch with your child’s teacher or other staff member
Kid Day meetings/parent conferences
Silver Spring International Middle School website and MCPS website

18. WEBSITES Edline: www.edline.net
Montgomery County Public Schools:
Silver Spring International Middle School:

19. ATTENDANCE School hours: 7:55 AM – 2:40 PM Excused absences
Requesting missed work
Unexcused absences
Tardiness
3 tardies to any class = detention (during lunch or after school)
Tardy to school = after school detention

20. COUNSELING & OTHER SCHOOL RESOURCES
Counseling Department
Linkages to Learning
Parent and Community Outreach Coordinator
IEP Team
School psychologist
Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW)

21. IMPORTANT DATES Back to School Night: September 16th
Parent Conference Night: November 11th
County-wide new student orientation: August 26th
Outdoor Education: Week of November 15th

22. Any questions?

23. Middle Years Programme (MYP)
What is it?
Signature program for grades 6-10 developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
The program encourages research, the acquisition and application of critical thinking skills, and the study of a second language. 
All students at SSI are automatically enrolled in MYP

24. What will be required of my child?
There is nothing additional that will be required for your student to complete as part of MYP
All components of MYP are aligned with MCPS objectives
Example – In 6th grade science classes students will examine Sligo Creek under the microscope literally and figuratively as students bring their study of the effects of human actions on the Chesapeake Bay watershed by measuring levels of pollution, oxygen, nutrients and viable life forms in the waterway that flows past our doorstep.

25. What courses participate in MYP?
ALL courses
How will I know how my student is progressing according to MYP?
All students complete MYP assessments. These assessments are graded based on criteria set by IBO.
All MYP assessment grades are
entered on Edline as “ungraded
assessment”

26. How does MYP make SSI different from other MCPS schools?
MYP organize their units around a central theme and connect all of the students’ learning experiences, inside and outside of the classroom to that theme. The themes for MYP units are drawn from authentic issues, ideas and events that provide relevance to our students
For more information on MYP see our school website