1. Pollard Middle School Rising Grade 7 Information Session March 19, 2013

2. Agenda I.Introduction to Pollard II.Academic Programs III.Guidance and Health Services IV.Extracurricular Activities V.Communication VI.Transition Events and Important Dates

3. Pollard Students, Administration, and Staff Mr. Ryan Coen, Ms. Michelle Comma, Mr. Jack Flamand, Mr. Liam Nahill, Mr. Brendan Smith, Ms. Grace Ward, and Ms. Stephanie Wilson (Students) Ms. Megan Bonomolo (Assistant Principal Grade 7) Ms. Merle Berman (Assistant Principal Grade 8) Mr. Ken Lundberg and Ms. Holly Pacis (Teachers) Mrs. Rosemary Leone (School Nurse) Mr. Jeremy Greenwood and Mr. Mark Yetman (Guidance Counselors)

4. Pollard Middle School We dedicate ourselves to cultivating academic excellence, civic responsibility, and the personal growth of each member of our community. You belong here. This is important. Effort makes a difference.

5. Pollard Middle School: A Snapshot Projected Enrollment September 2013 489 Grade 7 Students 425 Grade 8 Students Faculty and Staff September 2013 Teachers - 59 Support Staff - 18

6. Pollard Middle School: A Snapshot Coordinator of METCO: Ms. Leslie Smart ELA Curriculum Coordinator: Mr. Greg Hurray Math/Science Curriculum Coordinator: Ms. Tammy Ghizzoni Special Education Coordinator: Ms. Joan Woodward SS Curriculum Coordinator: Ms. Ann Barysh Director of Fine & Performing Arts: Dr. David Neves Director of Guidance: Mr. Tom Denton Director of Health Services: Ms. Mimi Stamer Director of Innovation & Technology: Ms. Deb Gammerman Director of METCO: Dr. Joanne Allen-Willoughby Director of Special Education PreK-8: Ms. Mary Lammi Director of Wellness: Dr. Kathy Pinkham Director of World Languages: Ms. Debbie Watters

7. Academic Program Trimester system - 60 days in lengthTrimester system - 60 days in length 53 minute classes and 5 Clusters53 minute classes and 5 Clusters Two day rotation (A & B Day)Two day rotation (A & B Day) Students receive instruction in English, math, science, and social studies each day.Students receive instruction in English, math, science, and social studies each day. Students take classes in all other departments to provide a program that is broad-based.Students take classes in all other departments to provide a program that is broad-based.

8. Courses and Program of Studies English, Math, Science, and Social StudiesEnglish, Math, Science, and Social Studies Engineering DesignEngineering Design Concert Band/Strings Ensemble/Chorus ORConcert Band/Strings Ensemble/Chorus OR (Ceramics & Sculpture, Music Explorations, and Experiential Education) (Ceramics & Sculpture, Music Explorations, and Experiential Education) Fine Arts - Arts 7Fine Arts - Arts 7 Learning CenterLearning Center Technology - Computer TechnologyTechnology - Computer Technology Wellness - Physical Education and HealthWellness - Physical Education and Health World Language - French or SpanishWorld Language - French or Spanish

10. Advisory Program 15 minutes every day Curriculum Community Building Activities

11. Expanding on Experiences Fine and Performing ArtsFine and Performing Arts French and SpanishFrench and Spanish Health and WellnessHealth and Wellness Learning CenterLearning Center TechnologyTechnology

12. New Learning Experiences Community Service LearningCommunity Service Learning English: Poetry Day, Author Visits, and DeclamationEnglish: Poetry Day, Author Visits, and Declamation Math: Algebra ExperienceMath: Algebra Experience Science: Frog Dissection, Biome Projects, andScience: Frog Dissection, Biome Projects, and DNA Extraction DNA Extraction Social Studies:Social Studies: Exploration Ancient China, India, Multicultural Perspectives, and Semitic Religions

13. Helpful Hints Busing Information - Week of March 25 (High Rock) andBusing Information - Week of March 25 (High Rock) and April 1 (Transportation Website) Lunches (Summer Mailing)Lunches (Summer Mailing) Snacks and WaterSnacks and Water Locks and Cell phonesLocks and Cell phones Binders and School SuppliesBinders and School Supplies HomeworkHomework

14. Special Education Programming 12 Special Education Liaisons12 Special Education Liaisons 1 School Psychologist between High Rock & Pollard1 School Psychologist between High Rock & Pollard 1 Speech Language Pathologist1 Speech Language Pathologist 1 Reading Teacher1 Reading Teacher Inclusive and Learning Centers (Reading, Writing, Math, and Organization skills)Inclusive and Learning Centers (Reading, Writing, Math, and Organization skills) Specialized ProgramsSpecialized Programs Language-based Program - Math and English (Grades 7 & 8) Therapeutic Program - Learning and Emotional Disabilities (Grades 7 & 8) Insights Program - Instructional supports for organizational, social pragmatics, and navigating middle school social life pragmatics, and navigating middle school social life (Grades 7 & 8) (Grades 7 & 8) Bridges Program - Social and applied academic supports (Grades 6, 7, & 8)

15. Guidance Department Guidance Counselors Mr. Jeremy Greenwood (Clusters 7-1, 7-2, 8-1, 8-2)Mr. Jeremy Greenwood (Clusters 7-1, 7-2, 8-1, 8-2) Mr. Mark Yetman (Clusters 7-3, 7-4, 7-5, 8-3, 8-4)Mr. Mark Yetman (Clusters 7-3, 7-4, 7-5, 8-3, 8-4) Adjustment Counselors Ms. Kristen GosselinMs. Kristen Gosselin Ms. Carol SargentMs. Carol Sargent Roles & Responsibilities Work with StudentsWork with Students Work with TeachersWork with Teachers Work with ParentsWork with Parents

16. Guidance Department What will your 7 th grader’s life look like socially/emotionally? What will your 7 th grader’s life look like academically?

17. Pollard Health Services Mrs. Rosemary Leone Mrs. Debbie Brennan Communication Protocols Physical Exam and Immunization Requirements Mandatory Health Screenings

18. Extra Curricular Activities After School Clubs and Activities: Best Buddies,After School Clubs and Activities: Best Buddies, Book Club, Homework Club, Jazz Band, Math Counts, Musical, Robotics, Student Council, and Treble Choir Book Club, Homework Club, Jazz Band, Math Counts, Musical, Robotics, Student Council, and Treble Choir NCE Middle School Classes:NCE Middle School Classes: - After school enrichment programs - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 2:45 p.m.-3:55 p.m. - After school enrichment programs - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 2:45 p.m.-3:55 p.m. - Late bus is available for all students in NCE programs - Late bus is available for all students in NCE programs - Fall Winter, and Spring offerings - Fall Winter, and Spring offerings - Middle School Athletics: Fall Cross-Country for Boys and Girls (Grades 6-8), Girl’s Field Hockey (Grades 7-8), Spring Track & Field for Boys and Girls (Grades 6-8) - Middle School Athletics: Fall Cross-Country for Boys and Girls (Grades 6-8), Girl’s Field Hockey (Grades 7-8), Spring Track & Field for Boys and Girls (Grades 6-8)

19. School Home Communication PowerSchool - Grades updated on 15th and 30th of each monthPowerSchool - Grades updated on 15th and 30th of each month Email teachers and teacher websitesEmail teachers and teacher websites Cluster team meetings with parentsCluster team meetings with parents Pollard ListservPollard Listserv Pollard School WebsitePollard School Website Call Assistant Principal or PrincipalCall Assistant Principal or Principal

20. Grade 6 to Grade 7 Transition Teachers in Grades 6-7 meet to discuss content areasTeachers in Grades 6-7 meet to discuss content areas Curriculum Coordinators and Program Directors (ELL, Fine & Performing Arts, Media & Technology, Special Education, Wellness, and World Languages)Curriculum Coordinators and Program Directors (ELL, Fine & Performing Arts, Media & Technology, Special Education, Wellness, and World Languages) Collaboration with Administrative Staff, Guidance, and Special Education Liaisons at High Rock and PollardCollaboration with Administrative Staff, Guidance, and Special Education Liaisons at High Rock and Pollard –r e q u e n t p r e s e n c e i n c l a s s r o o m s a n d m e e t i n g s w i t h t e a c h e r s i n b o t h s c h o o l s t o a i d c o m m u n i c a t i o n / v e r t i c a l a l i g n m e n t

21. Transition Events and Important Dates March 18 - March 29 - Students register online June - Pollard StepUp2 Day June 11, 12, 13, 17, and 18 - High Rock Clusters to Pollard Week of July 8 - Cluster letters sent home to parents August - Self guided tours and tours with Assistant Principal and Principal September 3 - Opening Day September 26 - Back to School Night October 1 - Immunization and Physical Examination Deadline

22. Thank you for coming! http://pollard.needham.k12.ma.us (781) 455-0480