1. Welcome Rising 7th & 8th Grade Students & Parents
Southwest Middle School
“Open House”

2. Greetings from …….. Mr. Barry Blair Grade Level Administrators
Principal
Grade Level Administrators
7th Grade Administrator - Ms. Cassandra Mayo, Principal Intern
8th Grade Administrator - Mrs. Jaime Massey, Assistant Principal
Grade Level Counselors
7th Grade Counselor - Mrs. Tuere Dunton-Forbes, M. Ed, NBCT
8th Grade Counselor - Mrs. Tania Sanders, M.Ed.
Mrs. Suzan Stroud
Administrative Assistant

3. Meet the Staff (7th Grade!!!)
Team Bengals
Ms. Hough B9 LA
Mr. Moshe/Ms. Figuroa B10 LA
Ms. Re/Mr. Mecca B8 Math
Ms. Abraham MC576 Math
Ms. Knicely B17 Science
Ms. Cooper B11 Soc. Studies
Team Sabres
Ms. Bowden B23 LA
Ms. Anderson B12 LA
Ms. Price B25 Math
Ms. Jones-Murphy B21 Math
Ms. Joreid B16 Science
Ms. Payne B19 Soc. Studies
Team Panthers
Ms. Pohlig B18 LA
Ms. Mayer B20 LA
Ms. Johnson –Ritchey B24 Math
Mr. Adams MC575 Math
Ms. Boston B13 Science
Ms. Bryant B22 Soc. Studies

4. Meet the Staff (8th Grade!!!)
Team Tigers
Ms. J. Franco/K. Robey A8 LA
Mr. A. Beckett A9 LA
Mrs. D. Toussaint/E. Haynes A11 Math
Mrs. W. Badran A10 Math
Ms. C. Little A13 Science
Mr. W. Tabor A12 Soc. Studies
Team Wolfpack
Ms. B. Apsega A19 LA
Ms. O. Robinson A21 LA
Mrs. R. Solh A23 Math
Mr. G. Huether MC233 Math
Ms. D. Nahikian A17 Science
Mrs. B. Clark A18 Soc. Studies
Team Tarheels
Ms. N. Cayea A20 LA
Mrs. M. Little A24 LA
Mrs. M. Bollinger MC754 Math
Ms. E. Kohlhoff A25 Math
Mrs. A. Marcello A16 Science
Mr. N. Gilson A22 Soc. Studies

5. Meet the Staff (Elective Team!!!)
Ms. Akers
Art A6
Ms. Bazluki
PLTW C1
Ms. Brown PE
Gym
Ms. Chiusiano
Dance D9
Mr. Holmes
Band
D10
Mr. Ivy
CTE C3
Mr. Keelan
Mr. Mantilla
ESL B7
Ms. Marmolejo
Spanish
MC663
Ms. McManus
Journalism
MC572
Mr. Merlino A5
Ms. Norton B2
Ms. Renteria B6
Mr. Sanders A1
Ms. Smith, S
Drama D2
Mr. Wayburn
Ms. Wright
Orchestra A4

6. SWMS Facts ALL ABOUT SWMS Opened in fall of 2003
School Mascot: Patriot
School Colors: Blue and Gold
School Hours: 9:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
School supplies needed…specific to content and teacher. Teacher wish list in the classroom.

7. Patriot Pride Pledge I will focus on my academics;
I will increase my efforts to become successful;
I will have a positive attitude.

8. School Layout 4 Hallways “A” Hall…..8th Grade Wing
“B” Hall…..7th Grade Wing
“C” Hall…..6th Grade Wing
“D” Hall…..Elective Classes, Cafeteria, and Gymnasium (Other elective classes are located at the beginning of the A, B, and C Wings)

9. Dressing for Success the “Patriot Way”
Uniforms are required for all students enrolled at Southwest Middle School.
Fit properly, not to exceed one (1) size beyond the correct size.
Shirts must be tucked in at all times.
Clothing should not be modified in any way.
Clothing should not be sagging, bagging, or dragging.
Clothing should not have visible logos other than a quarter other than Southwest Middle School logo.
Shoes can be any color or brand. Students are not allowed to wear sandals or open-toed shoes.
Students are allowed to wear RED polo shirts this year.
P.E. uniforms are required, and must be worn during gym class. The cost of the uniforms is $15.

10. Lockers Students are charged a $2 locker rental fee.
Students MUST purchase a lock for their locker. SWMS does not provide locks or sell locks. Please be reminded that lockers are the property of the school. If deemed necessary to remove a lock from a locker, the school is not responsible for reimbursement.
7th graders will NOT be allowed to share lockers.
8th graders will be allowed to share with a buddy in the same class. These students will pay $1.00 each.

11. One-to-One (Ms. B. Colwell)
SWMS is a one-to-one school. Each student will be issued a Chrome book in each of their core classes. …

12. Core Class Information
Class Placement : LA and Math
Standard Course of Study and Honors
Language Arts: Novel Studies – Grammar -Writing– Short Stories - Various Non-Fiction - Summer Reading –Heavy focus on Informational Text
Math: Standard and Honors (Math I & II – HS Credit) – Heavy focus on Application
Social Studies: Incorporation of Reading and Writing with the new Common Core Focus – Heavy focus on Informational Text.
Science: Info –Inquiry-Based – Layered Curriculum

13. Elective Class Information
Class Placement : Student Choice (#1 - #6)
Band & Orchestra: MUST be student’s #1 choice
Project Lead the Way (PLTW): Project based curriculum
Computer Skills and Exploring Career Activities: I – typing skills, II – advance word processing skills
Dance: Basic body structure and how they relate to movement.
Journalism: Literacy based course designed to enhance students writing skills.
Spanish (HS Credit): Study of the Spanish language
Health/PE: Required course for students in 6th – 8th grade

14. STEM Course Work Courses Offered New Course: 7th grade Courses
Automation & Robotics - Students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics.
Green Architecture- Students are challenged to think big and toward the future as they explore sustainable solutions to our energy needs and investigate the impact of energy on our lives and the world.
Coding/Programming - Code.org and Tynker.com
8th grade Courses
Flight & Space - Students explore the science behind aeronautics and use their knowledge to design, build, and test an airfoil.
Medical Detectives - Students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they analyze genetic testing results to diagnose disease and study DNA evidence found at a “crime scene.”
New Course:
Architectural & Interior Design: Design Principles will be utilized to teach students how to think about the future of design and sustainability.

15. Typical Day Sample Schedule 1st Period Language Arts (Core) 2nd Period
Three core classes per day.
One elective per day. (A/B – Day Schedule)
Sample Schedule
1st Period
Language Arts (Core)
2nd Period
Math (Core) lunch – 7th grade
Dance/PE – 8th grade
3rd Period
Comp Skills/PE (Elective)- 7th grade
Math (Core) lunch – 8th grade
4th Period
Social Studies/Science (Core)
7th Grade: Semester 1 or Semester 2
8th Grade: A Day/B Day

16. SWMS
7th & 8th graders are eligible to try out for sport teams. Those who are not active in sports are encouraged to attend games; showing school spirit is a great way to get involved and have fun!!!!!! (Students are required to go home via bus and return to the school to attend sporting events.)
6th graders who are interested in a sports program should contact Steele Creek Athletic Association.

17. CLUBS/ACTIVITIES Pep Band Mr. Richard Holmes, Advisor
National Academic League
Advisor, TBA
Musical Theatre
Ms. Susan Smith, Drama
Ms. Corinne Chiusano, Dance
Odyssey of the Mind
Math Counts
Mrs. Marilyn Bollinger
National Junior Honor Society
(7th & 8th Grade)
Ms. Vickie Johnson, Advisor
Mrs. Tania Sanders, Co-Advisor
Step Team,
Advisor, TBD
Dance Club,
Ms. Corinne Chiusano
Yearbook (7th & 8th Grade)
Mr. John Sanders, Advisor
Art Club (6th, 7th & 8th Grades)
News Crew (6th, 7th & 8th Grades)
Mrs. Colwell, Advisor
Sports (7th & 8th Grade Only)
Softball, Mr. Douglas Keelan
Volleyball, Mr. Fish Gupton
Athletic Director & Football, Mr. Geoffrey Reckerd
Boys Basketball, Mr. Carlos Thomas
Girls Basketball, TBA
Baseball, Mr. Barry Paradise
Girls Track, TBA
Boys Track, TBA
Student Council (6th, 7th & 8th)
Ms. Kathy Robey, Advisor
Youth Commission International (YCI)
Mrs. Marilyn Bollinger, Advisor

18. Absences/Tardiness
Parents of absent students should call the main office on the day of absence to speak with Ms. Pamela Reynolds, Attendance Secretary. Notes for the student’s absence will be accepted by the school up to 2 weeks after the absence. The phone call is a courtesy. We will need a written note signed by the parent.
SWMS:
All notes should be given to advisory teachers and should include the student’s ID number, and date(s) of absence.
All tardy students should be escorted into the building by a parent/guardian to check the student in.

19. Truancy
N.C.G.S. § 115C-378 – North Carolina Compulsory Attendance law requires every parent, guardian or other person having charge or control cause that child to attend school.
Parents will be notified by letter from the school when the student misses 3, 6, & 10 days of school.
School Counselor will contact parent after 8 days to set up home visit.
Truancy packet will be filed with legal department after the occurrence of absence no. 11.

20. Power School is OUR FRIEND!!!
Log on to
Click on the Parent tab on the top left side of the webpage.
Click on Parent Portal to get more information about setting up your Power School account.
The hyperlink is on the bottom of the page.
You may also contact your grade level counselor to
obtain a copy of your Power School access letter.

21. Parent/Teacher Communication
Contact your child’s school counselor to schedule a parent/teacher conference:
7th Grade……Mrs. T. Dunton-Forbes
8th Grade……Mrs. T. Sanders
Conference schedule – Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for Parent Conferences
NOTE: Parents please do not “drop by” for a conference. You will be asked to make an appt. for a later date.
You may also communicate with your child’s teachers via .
See school’s web-site
Consult PowerSchool OFTEN.
If you have any questions about your child’s academic/social development, you may also contact your child’s Grade Level Administrator.

22. Save the Date August 29th First Day of School
September 5th – Labor Day Holiday (no School)
Sept 7th & 14th – 7th Lockers sold
Sept 8th & 15th – 8th Lockers sold
September 13th – Curriculum Night
October 3rd – No School for students
October 12th – Early Release Day
October 31st – Parent/Teacher Conference

23. Remarks from Principal Blair…
A word from our

24. You are welcomed to visit the 7th and 8th grade teachers down their hallway. Please also stop by and visit the elective teachers and the community supports along D-Hall.