1. Welcome to Center Middle School! Mrs. Jennifer Pelko, Principal Mr. Mike James, Assistant Principal May 15, 2013

2. Even as kids reach adolescence, they need more than ever for us to watch over them. Adolescence is not about letting go. It’s about hanging on during a very bumpy ride. --Ron Taffel

3. A Successful Middle School Includes…  Energized and Motivated Students  Energized and Motivated Teachers and Staff that Love Teaching Middle School Students.  Involved Parents

4. As a middle school, we believe… WHY TEAMS????  Interdisciplinary units and a cross-curricular approach to learning will encourage connections among all subject areas and address the needs of the 21st century learner. WHY DIDN’T THAT TEACHER CALL ME?  Encouraging and establishing student ownership and responsibility for learning will instill lifelong skills for success.

5. What we believe continued…. What happened to ZERO Tolerance?  Providing an educational environment that enacts high behavioral standards and recognizes students for their efforts and accomplishments will allow students to grow and flourish. BUT MY CHILD TELLS ME EVERYTHING!  Education is a cooperative effort between teacher, parent and child; an effort that is built on strong support and communication.

6. Building a Sense of Pride  As a community of learners: We CARE We CARE We RESPECT We RESPECT We LEARN We LEARN  Working to instill pride in our community, our school, ourselves and in how we treat one another.  This sense of pride helps to ensure all students have a successful transition and feel a similar connection as they did at their elementary school.

7. Future Middle Schoolers Just like they needed you when they were young… they need you now. Independence and trust is earned after the initial transition period is over and they have proven to be trustworthy and responsible. They will be testing you to see how serious you are! Transition is the wrong time to let them go!

8. Get Involved…Stay Involved For Parents: Volunteer Volunteer PTA PTA Stay in the Loop Stay in the Loop Principal E-mail Group, PASS, e-mail, phone, HW Hotline, website, team/individual conferences, etc.Principal E-mail Group, PASS, e-mail, phone, HW Hotline, website, team/individual conferences, etc.

9. Important Things!  School starts at 8:15.  School ends at 3:00.  Every class is 43 minutes; LUNCH is 30 minutes.  Students have 3 minutes in between each class.  Everyone has their own locker  Every student is on a TEAM!

10. 7 th Grade Courses CORE  Integrated LA  Principles of LA  Science  Social Studies  Math  Academic Assist XTREME  Exploratory (Intro to Family Consumer Science, Skills for Success, Academic Lab, Technology Applications)  Art/ Phys. Ed.  Music (Chorus, Orchestra, Band OR General Music)

11. Sample Schedule 1 st Period: Integrated LA 2 nd Period: Math 3 rd Period: Social Studies 4 th Lunch/Academic Assist 5 th Period: Gym 6 th Period: General Music 7 th Period: Principles of LA 8 th Period: Technology Applications 9 th Period: Science

12. Another Sample Schedule 1 st Period: Math 2 nd Period: Art 3 rd Period: Science 4 th Academic Assist/Lunch 5 th Period: Principles of LA 6 th Period: Skills for Success 7 th Period: Social Studies 8 th Period: Integrated LA 9 th Period: Orchestra

13. Positive Behavior is created when…  We Care Help students to discuss concerns or issues Help students to discuss concerns or issues Guide students to make appropriate choices/decisions Guide students to make appropriate choices/decisions  We Respect Students are individuals Students are individuals Safety and Security is #1 Safety and Security is #1 Planner contains code of conduct/policies/etc. Planner contains code of conduct/policies/etc.  We Learn Mistakes will be made Mistakes will be made Impulsivity Impulsivity Peer pressure Peer pressure Social life moves to #1 Social life moves to #1  Same Message of Support Goal is to help your child grow and be successful both academically and socially. Goal is to help your child grow and be successful both academically and socially.

14. Impact of Increased Technology on Adolescents  Cell phones-Pictures  Cyberbullying  Computers-Facebook-Twitter  Real-Life Consequences  Lack of Communicative Skills  Check your language  What they say on social media they would never say in front of you or me

15. Athletic Department Athletic Director: Mr. Mester  FALL SPORTS Football Football Volleyball Volleyball Cross-Country Cross-Country  WINTER SPORTS Boys and Girls Basketball Boys and Girls Basketball Wrestling Wrestling  SPRING SPORTS Track Track **Pay to Participate fee $300 per sport (cap of $1200 per family) + $20 (per year) trainer fee + physical (per year)

16. Upcoming Events… Wednesday, May 22 th : CENTER ROCKS! Students come to visit Center! Thursday, August 14 th 2:00-4:00 CENTER ROCKS ON! CENTER ROCKS ON! Students pick up their schedules and tour the building! Tuesday, August 20 th : First Day of School! GET EXCITED!!!

17. Questions?