1. TAMAQUA AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL MAY 12, 2016

2. 6 th Grade Orientation INTRODUCTION SPECIAL SERVICES SCHOOL DAY INFO STUDENT HANDBOOK AND PROCEDURES CAFETERIA PROCEDURES HEALTH SERVICES CYBER ISSUES

3. Special Education Services The Tamaqua Area School District provides services for students with disabilities. Please contact Mrs. Gardiner or the Middle School Office for more information.

4. Guidance Mrs. Brickler – Guidance Counselor –Academic –Social Interactions –Home –Help…

5. 1 st Day Student Folders – Forms Photo Permission Free/Reduced Lunch Forms Emergency Forms Handbook and Policies Medication Transportation Letter Demerit Letter FERPA and Privacy

6. Schedules Cycles –6 th & 7 th – Art, Music, PE, Health, Computers, and Tech Ed. –8 th – Art, Music, PE, TE, and Health

7. Academics Homework counts! Students have individualized schedules and move throughout the building changing classes. Variety of subjects: Mathematics, Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Reading, and Specials.

8. Academics The library and computer labs are available for student use provided that the Internet Access Policy permission form is returned. From our website… Online grades - MMS Student Portal Click the above link to set up an account to access your son/daughter's grades online.

9. School Day Doors open at 7:00 AM each morning. From 7:30 a.m. until 7:35 lockers. Students must be IN homeroom by the conclusion of the bell. Tardy students must report to the office for a late pass.

10. Bell Schedule The school day is a 9 period day. –7 – 42 minute class periods –1 – 42 minute lunch period –1 – 42 minute activity period devoted to supervised homework, tutoring, clubs, or intramurals.

11. Breakfast Breakfast is available daily for everyone from 7:00AM-7:30AM. If you are Free/Reduced approved you qualify for F/R Breakfast.

12. Café Procedures Students report to the café and remain at their assigned table until a faculty member calls their table. Students are only permitted to carry a $5.00 negative balance. No lunch will be issued past $5.00 of debt. Once every student has been served lunch, snacks may be purchased with teacher permission.

13. Café Procedures Upon completion of your meal, garbage and trays are to be returned to the appropriate areas. Students must obtain permission from the faculty member on duty to leave the café. At the appropriate time, students will be dismissed by the faculty and staff in charge.

14. Planners Assignments must be recorded daily. Parents are expected to sign every weekend.

15. Textbooks You will be held financially responsible for any damage. All textbooks must be covered for their protection.

16. Emergency Pass/Lavatory Procedure The lavatory is to be used between classes. Emergency Pass to Nurse or Office Pass from Mr. Czapla. Student Planner Insert.

17. Discipline Review the Student/Parent Handbook www.tamaqua.k12.pa.us www.tamaqua.k12.pa.us

18. Dress Code Policy is online. www.tamaqua.k12.pa.uswww.tamaqua.k12.pa.us Clothes must be clean and sized appropriately. No Logo Backpacks must be clear, NOT MESH! Students must change for physical education. Clothing available – –Contact Office.

19. Electronic Devices Cellphones, Cameras, Mp3 Players, Game Systems must be turned off and left in your locker. Any pictures taken of school activities placed on the Internet make you subject to disciplinary action with Police Referral.

20. Internet & Cyberbullying Any inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will result in loss of privileges and possible police referral. THREATS BY Texting, IM, Facebook, MySpace, Emails, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

21. Bus and Cafeteria Behavior Any inappropriate behavior in the cafeteria or on the bus can lead to a loss of privileges. Loss for Bus Transportation. Café Detention.

22. Consequences for Misbehavior Discipline may be verbal reprimand, detention, suspension, or similar consequence. A discipline form will be completed with a copy given to the student to take home. An additional copy will be mailed home to the parent/guardian. A student serving an out-of-school suspension will not be permitted on school property and is expected to complete assignments. Detentions 2:30 – 3:30 Saturday Detentions 8:00 – 11:00

23. Consequences for Misbehavior Written assignments from faculty. Teacher detentions to complete work. The student will be given 24 hr notice before he/she is expected to serve detention. Parents are responsible for transportation.

24. Tardy to School & Class Each student is allowed to be tardy three times for the year. Detention will result for each additional tardy. Excessive tardy mornings may result in citations.

25. Homework & Participation Failing to do either may result in parent contact and possible disciplinary action. Academic Detentions/Academic Support

26. Accelerated Reading - AR Each student is required to read AR in their study hall until they meet the point requirements. Periods 1 – 8 – Read AR. Period 9 – Complete homework or read AR. AR devices are allowed with written parent permission.

27. Communication Students are encouraged to ask questions if they are having difficulty in class. Students are encouraged to request assistance from the teachers during class, during study periods or after school. Parent/Teacher Communication.

28. Progress Reports Progress reports indicating unsatisfactory academic progress may be mailed/emailed to parents or guardians at any time. MMS Student Portal – Allows parents to monitor grades daily.

29. Lockers It is your responsibility to keep them clean. Do not leave clothing, food, or drinks in your locker. Do not share your locker combinations.

30. Attendance Parents are asked to please call the school to report a child’s absence. Absence notes must be returned within 2 school days as per District and County Policy. Absences without proper excuses are unlawful days, which could result in citations. The student is responsible to communicate with the teacher concerning missed assignments ASAP.

31. Attendance After 10 days of absence, a student must provide a Dr.’s note for each additional day or face citations. Excused absences for educational trips fall within the 10 day limit. After 30 days of absence, notes do not have to be accepted. Consequences –Citations, C&Y Referral, Truancy Court, and loss of driving privilege.

32. School Store T-Shirts, book socks and school supplies can be purchased during lunch.

33. Extracurricular Activities Band, Chorus, MathCounts, Yearbook, Lego Club, Academic Clubs, National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, Drama, and possibility of intramural sports. Grades 7 & 8 - Interscholastic sport teams are sponsored in basketball, wrestling, cross country, football, cheerleading, and track & field.

34. Raider Run 2009-2016 – Over $53,000 Grade 6 – 8 Field Trips and Guest Speakers. Milkshake Party $50 Toys R Us – Gift Card

35. Dismissal Normal dismissal on all school days is 2:25 PM Buses depart from the back of the school beginning at approximately 2:30 PM Walkers depart from the main lobby of the school at dismissal. Students must exit the building by 2:30 PM unless they have permission from a teacher. Pick-ups – The back road is closed from 2:15 until the buses depart.

36. DATE TO REMEMBER! OPEN HOUSE TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016 6:30 PM