1. New Parent Presentation Middle School 1

2. Mrs. Babcock: Science 6th Grade: Earth Science 7th Grade: Life Science
8th Grade: Chemistry and Physics
Class grade is made up of tests, labs, and classwork/homework
Tests are based on notes taken together in class as well as information on labs. Students will know at least a week in advance.
Textbooks are kept in the classroom

3. New Attendance Policy
Doors open at 7:50. Students may arrive outside at 7:40 and staff will be present.
Students are tardy if they are not in first period by 8:00.
There is no morning homeroom. Students report directly to first period.
Instruction begins at 8:05.
Five tardies to school results in a loss of a jean day.

4. Gradelink Teachers update Gradelink frequently.
Please utilize Gradelink to check individual grades.
We will indicate if an assignment is missing or late. Please check comments before sending an .
You can set your phone to receive low grade alerts.
If a student sees a grade that they believe was entered incorrectly, have them relax...then just ask the teacher at school the next day.

5. Conferences
All middle school and specials teachers will be in the social hall.
There is no sign-up need for times.
Come during the listed hours and you may have to wait a few minutes to see a teacher.
Please remember…it takes about minutes to see all teachers, so please plan for that if you come later in the time slot.

6. Ms. Stachura- English
Learning how to properly utilize writing to prepare students for high school, college and future careers where proper writing and communication skills are necessary for success.
Concepts:
Grammar Units:
Punctuation, the eight parts of speech, parts of a sentence, etc.
Writing Units:
Persuasion, narration, exposition, professional writing, poetry, using proper citations and MLA format, literary analysis, etc.
Voyages textbook (new edition! Will be left in the classroom unless needed for homework)

7. Ms. Stachura - English Evaluation:
Student’s grade = the points he/she earns divided by the total points possible for the quarter. Assessments are weighted more than class work and homework.
Both formal and informal assignments will have established due dates, and grading rubrics will be provided for major assignments. Student grades are updated and available online.
The overall course grade includes the following: Assessments, Class Work and Participation, and Homework

8. Report Cards Report cards have an effort grade and a conduct grade.
Students must receive above a B- in both effort and conduct to earn honors
= Second Honors
= First Honors

9. Teacher Availability Student success is our number one priority.
If a student needs help please do not hesitate to contact a teacher by .
However, due to the schedule, teachers may not be able to check during school hours.
If an sent to after 4:00 you not receive a reply until the next day.
If a student does not receive a reply and something is urgent, the student needs to see the teacher first thing in the morning.
Thank you for understanding!

10. Mrs. Embree: Math
All middle school math classes are divided into regular and advanced math
I teach all middle school math classes
Exception of Mr. Hilbers teaching 7th Grade Regular Math
Textbooks
Advanced 8th grade math class is on iPad
Few textbooks on hand for those unable to bring an iPad to class every day
All other math textbooks are hardcover, but have an online component containing extra practice problems, interactive practice tests and instructional videos
Locate online textbook at my.hrw.com or on my class website under “Links”

11. Mrs. Embree: Math Homework Typically assigned nightly
Encourage students to be resourceful: bring home notebook, watch online videos, use internet as resource
Khanacademy.com is a great website for help
Quizzes & Tests
Typically have one or two quizzes per chapter along with a chapter test
These assessments are weighted more than homework grades
Extra Credit
Offer two extra credit points on homework every week for parent’s signature

12. Late/Missing Work Policy
If a student does not turn in homework the day it’s due, a one day extension will be granted (marked down 10%).
Student must submit that late assignment to teacher by 8:15am the next morning.
If still not completed, student will attend lunch detention that day and finish the assignment.
While there, student will fill out “Detention Form” which must have parent signature and turned into teacher the next school day.
Partial credit is always better than no credit!

13. Absent Work Policy
If your child is absent one day please have them check the homework calendar and call a friend first.
If your child is absent for two days, please contact the front office before noon for a homework request.  
All requests by or after 12:00pm cannot be guaranteed because teachers do not have afternoon prep time.
If you know in advance your child will be gone, have them talk with their teacher a few days ahead of time.
Your child has the same amount of days that they are absent to make up work they missed.

14. Homework Calendar
All middle school students should be utilizing their planners on a daily basis.
As a secondary source, middle school teachers post daily homework on class website under “Homework Calendars”

15. Ms. Ruppel: Reading
6th Grade: Fiction, Historical fiction, Science Fiction, Mystery, Book Club, Poetry
7th Grade: Dystopian Fiction, Fiction, Greek Mythology, Graphic Novel, Biography Unit
8th Grade: Focus on classic literature of many genres
**On your way out, please make sure you pick up the handout containing the book you will need to purchase.

16. Ms. Ruppel- Reading
CLASS MATERIALS: planner, current reading book, reading notebook & folder, sticky notes, colored highlighters
GRADING: Grades consist of: classwork, homework, quizzes, reading checks, tests, and projects.
HOMEWORK: Expect your son or daughter to have homework Monday-Thursday.
EXTRA CREDIT: Students are given an extra credit opportunity every quarter. Please encourage them to do this.

17. Vocabulary Students should work on vocabulary:
Important when preparing for IOWA, HSPT, and other standardized tests
Students should work on vocabulary:
during vocabulary work time/study hall (every other Wednesday)
when they have free time during the school day
*Vocabulary workbooks stay in homeroom unless teacher requests them for a class
Tests:
every other Wednesday (Ch. 1 test September 19)
print word list, make flashcards, and take online quiz to prepare for tests
Extra credit:
Flashcards are due before the test.

18. Service Hours
All middle school students will be required to complete service hours as part of their religion grade
***NEW forms this year - Service cannot be helping family and family signatures do not count.
Supervisors need to fill out the new form
6th- 10 hours (5 each semester)
7th- 15 hours (8 hours 1st semester, 7 hours 2nd semester)
8th- 20 hours (10 each semester)
Some opportunities are given at school (reading at mass, car doors, donations…) but we encourage you to look for opportunities in the community.

19. Birthday Treats/Snacks
Birthday treats can only be given out at lunch.
Students can no longer bring in any treats that need to be refrigerated or frozen, unless brought in at lunch time.
NO food with nuts during snack time or lunch. We are a NUT FREE middle school.
NO SLURPEES/SLUSHIES (School-wide policy for all grades).

20. Ms. Flynn- Social Studies
Materials: two notebooks, pencils, coloring supplies
Warm-Up Notebook: Students are expected to come into class and immediately begin working on their bell work warm-up everyday.
Interactive Notebook: We are incorporating an interactive notebook for notes.
Grading: Grades are based on classwork such as notes and warm-ups as well as homework, quizzes, tests, projects, papers and participation. Every quarter students are given at least one extra credit opportunity.

21. Ms. Flynn- Social Studies
6th Grade
-Introduction to geography
-Western Civilizations (North, Central and South America)
7th Grade
-World History
8th Grade
-United States History
-Revolutionary War through the Civil War

22. Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones are not allowed at school even if they are off and in a backpack.
If a student needs his or her phone after school for some reason, they need to drop it off in the office with a parent note before 8:00.
Yes- we can just mention it again

23. Responsibility Charts
All middle school students have a responsibility chart.
Students who display responsible behavior, will be rewarded with extra credit or a homework pass at the end of the quarter.
Five marks in a month will result in a lunch detention.
Charts must be signed by a parent at the end of each month.

24. Thank you
Questions???