1. Welcome to Sparkman 9TH Grade School
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Freshman Night

2. Presented by Sparkman JROTC
Pledge of Allegiance
Presented by
Sparkman JROTC

3. Welcome Martin Hester, Principal
Goal of S9GS
Retaining Quality Teachers
Effective Professional Development
Integrate Technology
Clean and Safe Facility
Educate Students
S9GS Facts
70 staff members
45 Certified Employees
18 Bus Drivers
Average of 700 students per year
Additional courses and extracurricular activities each year
Failure rate has decreased significantly since 2006
Introduction of Assistant Principals
Mr. Steve Gipson
Mr. Keith Schrimsher

4. Sparkman 9th Grade School MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Sparkman 9th Grade School is to provide an exemplary academic and social learning experience and to help students successfully transition into high school by establishing high standards, maintaining a safe and orderly school climate, and embracing community values.

5. Respect & Responsibility
5 R’s of S9GS
Rigor – adherence to rules, procedures and accepting new academic challenges.
Respect
&
Responsibility

6. Rigor
Academic Rule for extra-curricular participation increases for grades
Semester Exams count 20% of grade – All courses
Promotion- minimum of 6 credits required for promotion to the 10th grade.
A/B Schedule
Grading policy- 60% tests / 40% other
Homework-expectation for completion

7. Sample A-B Schedule A - Day B - Day *Pre AP English PE World History
**Computer App.
*Every other day-
ALL year
B - Day
*Pre AP Geometry PE
World History
** CARE.
**Every other day-
Semester

8. Respect & Responsibility
5 R’s of S9GS
Relevance – pertinent to future
Respect
&
Responsibility

9. Relevance
Transference –acquiring skills and abilities and applying them in multiple areas of problem solving.
Course Selection – opportunity to have input into selection of courses based upon academic goals and future plans.
Elective Courses – choice of courses
based upon interests and requirements increases as student progresses through high school.

10. Respect & Responsibility
5 R’s of S9GS
Relationship – a personal connection based upon association.
Respect
&
Responsibility

11. Respect & Responsibility
Relationships
TAP – Teacher Advisory Program
Expanded Extra Curricular offerings –clubs, teams, band, drama, chorus, etc
New classmates-opportunities to develop
lifelong friendships
Respect
&
Responsibility

12. Attendance Policy
If a parent/guardian does not explain in writing within 3 days of a student’s return to school after being absent, that student will be classified as truant for each and every absence. Upon the 1ST unexcused absence, a warning letter will be issued by the Administration. Upon the 5TH unexcused absence, the parent/guardian shall attend a meeting at the Central Office called by the County Attendance Officer. Upon the 7TH unexcused absence, the Attendance Officer will file a truancy petition with Juvenile Court.
A student may have a total of 5 parent notes per semester without a doctor’s note.

13. Tardy Violations
When a student is tardy to class or school each week, he/she will have a choice of the following consequences:
2ND & 3RD Offense – Choice of Lunch Detention or Corporal Punishment
4TH Offense – One day of AAP
5TH Offense – One day Out of School Suspension
** If he/she violates this policy more than 4 weeks per semester, they will be placed in AAP for 1 day per tardy for the remainder of the semester.

14. Cell Phone/Listening Devices
Cell phones and listening devices are permitted at S9GS with the following stipulations:
The device must be turned off in the school building at all times during the day.
The device must be turned off on school campus during the instructional day.
The device must be turned off while on school buses.
Consequences
1ST Offense – Cell Phone will be held by Administration for 24 hours
2ND Offense – Cell Phone will be held by Administration for 48 hours and parents must pick up
3RD Offense and Subsequent Violations – Student is subject to Out of School Suspension
** S9GS is not responsible for “LOST or STOLEN CELL PHONES or LISTENING DEVICES” **

15. Disciplinary Options
Community Service
Corporal Punishment
Lunch Detention
AAP
Out of School Suspension
Disciplinary/Expulsion Hearing – Central Office

16. Important Times
Students may arrive at 7:00
Students are late at 7:35
5 minutes between classes
Students are released at 2:45
Students must be picked up by 3:30

17. Textbooks Students will be issued textbooks on a class to class basis.
If a student is issued a textbook, he/she is responsible for returning the textbook to the teacher.
If a textbook is lost, stolen, or damaged the student will be responsible for making payment for the textbook to S9GS.

18. Counselors Jamel Thomas & Lori Wilkes
Registration
April 24 – 26: Sparkman Middle School
May 1 – 4: Monrovia Middle School
Items to Return
Student Registration Form
Course Selection Form
Four-Year High School Plan
AL State Department of Education Employment Survey
Health Assessment Record

19. Counselors Jamel Thomas & Lori Wilkes
Schedules
August 8, 2012 – first day of school
Post Card
Update demographic information

20. Closing Remarks Independent Tour
Downstairs – History, English, and Other Elective Classrooms
Upstairs – Science, Math, and Other Elective Classrooms
1ST Day for Students – August 8, 2012
Morning drop-off for all students will be at the gym entrance
Afternoon pick up:
Females at front office (beside flagpole)
Males at gym exit (same as morning)
All traffic will enter and exit from Fords Chapel Road
School Hours: 7:30 – 2:45
Office Hours: 7:00 – 4:00
Summer Hours: Monday – Thursday 7:00 – 5:00
Sparkman 9TH Grade School
(256)
Principal Martin Hester
Website