HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL 7 th Grade Parent Orientation

HMS ADMINISTRATION Mrs. Patricia Boland, Principal Mr. Robert Grosso, Assistant Principal Mr. Damion Macioci, Assistant Principal HMS 7 TH GRADE GUIDANCE COUNSELORS Mrs. Lori Balasic Mr. Nick Guardabasco

Roots & Wings Heritage Middle School is tailored to the unique intellectual, social and physical needs of the early adolescent. The structure of our middle school helps our students to explore their identities, begin to take academic and personal risks, hone their interests, develop confidence in themselves, and prepare themselves for the future. Beyond preparing students for high school, we prepare students for life.

Support Services Teaming Guidance Intervention and Referral Services Child Study Team Nurse

So what does a School Counselor do? Supportive services related to: Academic achievement Personal/Social development Emotional well-being Collaborate with: Parents Teachers Community …..and more!

O Goal-setting O Long-term planning O Making connections O Career awareness/exploration

Communication Teachers/Counselor Peers Negotiation Self-Advocacy Decision-Making Problem-Solving

Peer relationships Conflict resolution Social skills Technology safety Speaking up Healthy choices Time management

HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION HSA Officers Co-Presidents: Stefanie Lichtstein Sage Blinderman O How to Join HSA link O Under quick links on HMS website

SCHOOL Information O Students may enter the building at 8:10 am and are expected to be in their homebase by 8:20 am. O With approval students may enter at 7:45 am O Drop-off and pick-up for students: -7 th grade - lower lot or the side lot in front of the Board Office -8 th grade - front of the building by the main entrance O School day ends at 3:09 pm O Extra help – after school, before school and during O Enrichment (period 4) O Late bus - Tues, Wed, and Thurs (4:05 pm departure)

LUNCH Information O Two teams per lunch period: - 7 th grade lunch periods 6 and th grade lunch period 4 and 5 O No assigned seating O Purchasing lunch as was experienced at MPMS - Cash - Prepay online*(Recommended) - Monthly menu available online

ADVISORY PERIOD O The Advisory period is designed to address general academic, social and emotional needs of students at the middle school level. O This program creates a contextual basis for our character education program. These classes are held on specific Fridays and has a clear academic or social focus. There is an abbreviated schedule for these days. O The School Counseling Department create the advisory lessons. The lessons are taught by the home base teachers.

ENRICHMENT O The Enrichment period is a period provided for students to read self-selected books independently. O Research on literacy at this age shows that students who consistently read significantly increase literacy and comprehension skills. O The Enrichment period also allows us to support enriching programs in Music, Art, Family and Consumer Science, Business Applications and Technology. O Students can also visit teachers for extra help during this period.

Seventh Grade Student Orientation What does it look like to be a 7 th grader? O 7 th grade homebase will explain schedule, programs, opportunities and HMS expectations. O All students receive pamphlet “Getting the Most Out of Middle School”

Seventh Grade Student Orientation Discussion Topics O Homework (website, daily) O Study Habits (daily): Test prep O Assessments: link, extend and apply O Open ended with supportive arguments (use of resources: research, understanding bias) O Getting involved: project, debates, and classroom participation, find what interests you and find the connections O Self-advocacy- problem solving and decision making O Self-reflection

COMMUNICATION O Communication with Teachers Available through and phone message Teams welcome meetings with parents either initiated by team or by the parents First Line of Communication begins with the teacher O Open Grade Book- Genesis Parent Access Parents will have access to all student assessments and assignments Allows for constant monitoring of student performance/ assignment completion O Websites HMS Home Page The District Code of Conduct HMS Student Handbook Grading and Reporting Handbook Teacher Web Pages

Heritage Interscholastic Sports Program O Program sponsored by the YMCA -Mrs. Helen Flores, Athletic Director O Philosophy of Program -Basic Skills/Team Play -Increased Participation -De-emphasis on wins/losses though we are proud of the number of championships we have obtained

Heritage Interscholastic Sports Program Registration Requirements O A yearly physical is required to be eligible to participate O Free Physicals: Wednesday, June 10 4 PM /Wednesday, July 30 8 AM in the LHS Health Office O Forms for Fall Sports are due August 22 nd to ensure approval by district medical personnel in time for tryouts for the fall sports O The Pre Participation Physical Evaluation Form & Health History Update Questionnaire must be completed and submitted to the HMS Main Office O All other sports forms are found in the Genesis Parent Portal and can be filled out electronically All links/medical forms are found in ‘Athletics’ under the ‘Activities’ tab on the Heritage Homepage

Interscholastic Sport Offerings Fall B/G Soccer B/G Cross Country Field Hockey Girls Tennis Winter B/G Basketball B/G Volleyball Wrestling Spring B/G Lacrosse B/G Track Baseball Softball Boys Tennis

INTRAMURALS Activities combine both an instructional component and play time/competition. Sessions may take place in the morning or afternoon. Intramurals offered in previous years based on interest and demand: Fall – Flag Football, Basketball Winter – Ping Pong, Speedball Spring – Dance, Floor Hockey, Handball

CLUBS/ ACTIVITIES Academically Speaking All School Productions -Fall Drama -Spring Musical -Stage Crew Law Adventure Literary Magazine: Horizons Math Counts Newspaper: The Heritage Gazette Technology Student Association FBLA: Future Business Leaders of America Femgineers Student Council Yearbook Diversity Club Green Issues Club Color-A-Smile TCI – Volunteer Service Program Christian Club Jazz Band Select Chorus Select Orchestra Peer to Peer Science Olympiad GT Art GT Enrichment -Stock Market Game -Chess Team -Forensics -Cognetics