1. Welcome to 7 th Grade We are looking forward to having a great year with you!

2. Your Teachers  Mrs. Rogers for English/Language Arts  Mrs. Grogan for Mathematics  Mr. Will White for Science  Mrs. Olvey for Social Studies  Ms. Davis for Spanish  Connections - Mr. Tajuan White, Mrs. House, Mrs. Gore, Mrs. Aybar, Mrs. Bernard, Mrs. Helms

3. What do want for our students?  We are lucky enough to teach your children for the next two years. This opens tremendous opportunities to build  We want to help the students to become responsible for their education through –  Working on study skills.  Getting students to communicate with their teacher.  Taking responsibility for their assignments and learning.

4. What will the schedule be?  Our schedule will be slightly different than previous years.  Monday – Thursday will have A-Days and B-Days.  On Fridays, students will have all academics.  Students will have A and B Weeks.  A-Week classes will be ABAB  B-Week classes will be BABA

5. How are students placed into classes?  We use a rubric looking at student’s academic performance, study skills, and CRCT performance to place students in classes.  English/Language Arts and Social Studies are mixed across all levels of learners  Mathematics and science ability determine how students are grouped. There is an advanced class and a regular class.  The advanced group moves at a faster pace.

6. How are students placed into classes?  Students are chosen to be in Spanish as a result of a rubric that looks at all of the previous criteria as well as their performance in Spanish in 6 th Grade

7. How are students placed into classes?  For students who are struggling in English/Language Arts and Mathematics, we have a connections class called TEAM LA and TEAM Math.

8. How are gifted students served?  There is not a pull-out gifted class.  All of the middle school teachers are gifted certified.  Math and Science serve gifted students in the advanced class  English/Language Arts and Social Studies are differentiated for gifted within the class

9. Connections/Specials  In 7 th and 8 th Grades, students have connections classes. These classes consist of TEAM LA, TEAM Math, Spanish, PE, Band. We are working on creating other classes as well, there will be more information on those classes at open house.

10. How do we communicate with parents?  Please sign agendas nightly. You can see what homework has been assigned. Notices are stapled into the agenda.  We do not send home newsletters our website is the first way to know what is happening.  www.brightenacademymiddleschool.weebly.com www.brightenacademymiddleschool.weebly.com  There is a location to be able to subscribe to each teacher’s website, as well as, our important information page.  At the beginning of the year, parents will have to subscribe to the webpages. This will ensure that you receive important information and updates.

11. How do we communicate with parents?  Wednesday are communication days. We try to send home notices on Wednesday, Ask your child, if any notices came home.  Progress reports come home every 4 ½ weeks.  The main progress reports come home when the whole school sends them home. Halfway through the quarter, each academic teacher will send home a progress report to update the student’s progress.

12. What do I do when I am absent?  Because of our block schedule, it is very important for students to take responsibility for getting their homework when they return.  The amount of time to make up assignments is figured out from days of school, not specific class days.  By the end of 8 th grade, students need to be able to take responsibility for their assignments so they are ready for high school.

13. Dress Code  Please realize that during every passing period, students will go outside.  Their coats need to be in dress code inside and outside of the classroom – Solid red, Navy, or white  Shoes colors are Black, Grey, White, Navy, Tan – royal blue and red are not acceptable shoe colors.

14. Dress Code  Monday – Brighten Academy Spirit shirts with dress code pants  Tuesday – School Uniform  Wednesday – School Uniform  Thursday – Blue denim jeans with dress code shirt. You may also purchase a jersey pass for $1.00. Jersey pass must represent and actual team.  Friday – Dress down day. Dress down privilege is earned with good behavior. You may purchase a hat pass.

15. Lockers and Agendas  7 th Graders share a locker.  Lockers cost $2.00  Agendas should cost $8.00  Together they cost $10.00  That money can be paid during open house.

16. Field Trips  Georgia Aquarium  8 th Grade – Savannah and southern Georgia  You can start saving now, usually costs about $395.00

17. Final Grades  At the end of the year, student’s number grades are converted in letter grades.  A – No topic score below a 2.5 and the majority a 3 or above  B – No topic score below 2 and the majority a 2.5 or above  C – No topic score below a 1.5 and the majority a 2 or above  D – No topic score below 1 and the majority a 1.5 or above  F – The majority of scores not above 1.5

18. What can I do over the summer?  Read – Reading for fun. Allow your child to find books that they want to read for fun.  Which books? On your child’s CRCT results, they will give you their lexile range. Use this website to find books their range - http://www.lexile.com/fab/ http://www.lexile.com/fab/  Practice Math – sumdog.com is a great, fun website  Look for information about Africa, Asia, and the Middle East  Pay attention to the ecosystems and body systems