2. Catch the wave of EXCELLENCE...

3. Who Is the Blue Team?

4. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A 7 th GRADER? MORE independence. MORE responsibility. MORE homework, projects, tests, etc. MORE student-teacher communication.

5. BLUE TEAM MISSION Students will learn to work collaboratively with their peers, respect the ideas of others, and consistently put forth their best effort in all classes.

6. BLUE TEAM VISION Students will become more responsible for their education and take an active approach to learning.

7. CORE SKILLS Time Management Study Skills Organization Reading Comprehension

8. BLUE TEAM KEYS TO SUCCESS ALWAYS DO YOUR HOMEWORK ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST RESPECT OTHERS BRING ALL MATERIALS TO CLASS PARTICIPATE IN CLASS ACTIVITIES

9. GENERAL SUPPLY LIST 3 – Ring notebook with dividers Loose leaf paper Lots of pencils Pens and erasers Appropriate free reading material (At all times, in all classes!) Set of colored pencils Highlighters Textbook covers Clear sheet protectors Index Cards (4 packs) Post-it notes (lots) Assignment book (supplied by Arcola)

10. SUBJECT SPECIFIC SUPPLIES MATH Spiral Notebook (single subject) ENGLISH Pocket Folder Wire-bound, hole- punched notebook SCIENCE/HISTORY 2 Pocket Folders ½ inch 3-ring binder OR section in large team binder (for each subject) READING Composition Book and/or spiral notebook (single subject)

11. Donations of tissues, hand sanitizer, and cleaning wipes are GREATLY appreciated throughout the year!!

12. STUDENT SCHEDULES Don’t forget to bring your schedule with you on the first day of school!

13. PARENT COMMUNICATION The Seventh Grade counselor is Mrs. Berardelli Blue Team is available for parent conferences during period 6 (12:45 – 1:25). Parents are reminded to check the Parent Portal regularly as well as the Blue Team website (Look under the TEAM PAGES link on Arcola’s homepage). The most efficient method of communication with team teachers is email.

14. REMIND 101 Send text message to (224) 803-3667 with the message @teamblue. Regular text messaging rates apply. For email, send an email to: teamblue@mail.remind.com leaving the subject line blank. teamblue@mail.remind.com

15. TEAM EMAILS Send an email to emotley@methacton.org with your child’s name and homeroom number in the subject line. emotley@methacton.org

16. STUDENT RECOGNITIONS Honor Roll –Distinguished –Meritorious Highest Average (in each subject area from each section) Most Improved Student Team Awards “Terrific Tickets”

17. INCENTIVE PROGRAM Semester Reward Trips –Bowling –Aquatic Adventure All students are eligible as long as they meet the following criteria: 80% homework completion in each individual core subject No administrative action (detention, ISS, OSS) Fewer than 4 team issued disciplinary detentions (dress, behavior, handbook violation, etc.)

18. “Working Lunch” Lunch Detentions –5 Missing or incomplete homework assignments –Team related discipline issues 1 lunch detention = parent contact from homeroom teacher –(5 missed team assignments) 2 lunch detentions = guidance meeting with student –(10 missed team assignments) 3 lunch detentions = teachers contact administration –(15 missed team assignments)

19. “FLEX” DAY PROCEDURES “Flex” Day is dedicated to school-wide character programs including “One Book One School”.

20. BUDGET ? “A Christmas Carol” ($20 - $25) Zoo Trip ($15 - $20) Bowling Incentive ($10 - $15) Aquatic Adventure Incentive ($5 - $10) 7 th Grade Class Trip – Mermaid Lake ($15 - $20)

21. TECHNOLOGY ACCESS Students will be encouraged to use their “virtual locker” both at home and at school. Students will NOT have “due date” access to printers. There are NO classroom printers!! Colored printing will NOT be available.

22. WARNING !!!! Summer reading books should be nearly finished or finished at this time. All AR tests need to be done by Friday, September 5th!!!!!

23. PARENT VOLUNTEERS Click on the “Volunteering in Methacton” link found on the Home Page of the District Website. Volunteer Approval Process –Registration –TB Testing –Clearances Act 34 - Pennsylvania Criminal History Background CheckPennsylvania Criminal History Background Check Act 151 - Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance FormPennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance Form

24. ANNOUNCEMENTS First Day of School – Bring your backpack!! Team Handbook Signature Page is due back to the homeroom teachers signed by Friday, September 12 th. –The signature page must be printed from the Blue Team Website. –Please contact the homeroom teacher if you have any special circumstances regarding technology. Emergency cards and the signed handbook page is due by Friday, September 5 th. Picture Day is Friday, September 5 th.

25. HOMEWORK Bring in a current, school appropriate photograph of yourself for use on the first day of school!

26. "The objective of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives." Robert Maynard Hutchins