May 28, 2015

 Ease your worries about the transition process  Provide you with information/access to more information, if you need/want it.  Introduce you to a few key people  Answer your most pressing questions

 Introductions  Organizational Structure of QMS  Major Differences Between Middle School and Elementary School  Common Concerns  Student Voices  Daily Logistics  Planned Transition Activities  Questions/Answers

 QMS Administrative Team Suzanne Ryan Kerri Sankey Mark DeGirolamo  Jim Leonard - Assistant Special Education Director (QMS/MHS)  Christine Kalinowski - Math Department Chair  Patti Coyne – JJ Coordinator of Summer Achievement Academy  Lynn Cavicchi - PAC President  Pam Reith - Surviving Parent

House Model House 1House 2 Assistant Principal Guidance Counselor(s) 6 th - Navy6 th - Purple6 th - Orange6 th -Yellow 7 th - Blue7 th - Gold7 th - Aqua7 th - Red 8 th Grade Guidance Counselor 8 th - Bronze8 th - Silver8 th - Green8 th - White

 Teaming  Grading  Increased expectations  Increased independence, responsibility, and pressure  Other changes  Hormonal and physical changes  Communication

Teams  Composed of 4 content teachers who share a common group of students Math Social Studies ELA Science

 Teaming provides:  Greater student support by fostering collaboration between teachers  The opportunity for clear and consistent communication around team-wide expectations, and support between school and home  Increased opportunity for students to build connections with teachers Balance of teacher personalities  All students are assigned to a team  4 teams in each grade (2 in each house)  Team classroom are located close together

 Grading/increased academic expectations  Numerical grading  Promotion policy  Increased independence, responsibility, peer pressures  Locker, materials, schedule, homework, after school, balancing school/friends/activities  Hormonal/physical changes  Change in communication  Students/parents – one word responses (good, fine, nothing)  School/parents – more adults

Basic Needs…  Lockers – Will I be able to open my lock?  Lunch – What is for lunch? Will I be able to see my friends?  Safety – What if I get lost? Will anyone pick on me?  Academic Challenges – How much homework will I have? Are the classes much harder? Are the teachers mean?  Bus – Are older kids on the bus? Where do I sit?

 Required Core Classes (Full year) ELA Math Science Social Studies  Required Specials (Part of the year) Computers/Art PE/Health  Other: ASB – Academic Support Block Reading Study skills  Elective classes Band/Orchestra

 6 period day  Each period is 58 minutes  Schedule rotates each day (6 day cycle)  Parents will not understand the schedule  Your children will master it very quickly - within the first two weeks  Locker breaks are built into the schedule Tip – Keep a copy at home (PE days, etc.)

ABCDEF 1 MathELAComputers/ Art MathELAComputers/ Art 2 ELAScienceMathELAScienceMath 3 ScienceComputers/ Art Science Computers/ Art Science 4 Social Studies 5 ASB/Band/ Orchestra PE/HealthASB/Band/ Orchestra PE/HealthASB/Band/ Orchestra PE/Health 6 Computers/ Art MathELAComputers/ Art MathELA

 Hours – 7:25-1:49  Doors open 7:10 – 6 th graders wait in cafeteria  Dismissal 1:49 – buses line up out front  Lunch  All 6 th graders eat together  20 minutes  Same PIN code  After school help  Monday-Thursday 1:49-2:20  After school activities  Monday – Thursday 1:49-3:00  Bus/late bus

Get involved!  After school Study center  Student Council  Art club  Intramurals/fitness club  Ski Club  Book Chat  Common connections club  French club  Yearbook  Drama  Creating Writing/Hornet’s Hive  Percussion ensemble/Wind ensemble/ Jazz ensemble  Tri-M Music Honor Society  Math team  Robotics

TeacherTeam LiaisonCounselorAssistant PrincipalPrincipal

 QMS Visit – 6/1-6/4  6 th Grade Guidance Counselors/Team Liaisons/Student Representative visit all 5 th grade classroom Student generated questions  Move Up Days - 6/4 and 6/9  All 5 th grade students visit QMS; tour; meet administration/students/teachers  Jump Start – offered sessions 1-5  Summer Achievement Academy  Open Door Day – 8/27

 Be positive, relaxed, and reassuring about the transition… they will be okay!  Establish expectations  School is a priority  Attendance matters  Homework helps – set up a quiet, central work place  Organization  Communication is the key– progress reports, report cards, regular updates  Reach out if you need help or have questions  Mrs. Reith…

 Team assignments will be mailed out in mid- August  Summer reading – information will be provided by JJ teachers; QMS websites  Updated supply lists will be posted on the website  Bus information (posted on website)  Curriculum Night – chance to meet teachers and hear about specifics of each course  Meetings/progress updates as needed  Progress reports/report cards  QMS website  PAC…