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Ada Merritt K-8 Center

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme http://adamerritt.dadeschools.net/

http://www.ibo.org

660 SW 3rd

Street

Miami FL, 33134

Telephone: (305) 326 0791

Fax: (305) 326 0741

School Site Administration

Carmen M. Garcia

Principal

Barbara M. Garcia

Assistant Principal

Jackeline Sanchez-Jimenez Maud P. Clark

Primary Years Programme Coordinator Middle Years Programme Coordinator

This Student Agenda belongs to:

Name: _________________________________________________________

Student ID # ________________________ Grade ______________

Homeroom Teacher: ________________________ Room# _____________

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Dear Middle Years Programme Students:

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year at Ada Merritt K-8 Center, a top rated A school in Miami-Dade

County Public Schools District, winner of the Magnet Schools of America Award of Excellence, recipient of

the Order of Rio Branco from the Brazilian Government! Welcome to a fully accredited International

Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP)! As you enter sixth grade or continue your studies in

seventh and eighth grades, you will have the opportunity to receive a “world-class education”.

The IB MYP curriculum emphasizes work habits and methods so that you will progressively gain

independence and efficiency in your learning. This agenda is an invaluable tool and will assist you in

acquiring the skills necessary to become a lifelong learner. Please review it carefully, highlight it and share

its information with your parents, then sign it to acknowledge your understanding of its contents.

The MYP is a rigorous program that aims at preparing you for the academic demands that you will face

from middle school through college. In order to qualify for the Ada Merritt K-8 Center IB Certificate, at

the end of grade 8, you will need to meet the following requirements:

- Maintain grade averages of C (2.5) or higher in all subjects and in conduct

- Maintain effort grades of 2 or higher

- Maintain a portfolio with work sample from each year of the program and reflections on your

progress in the MYP as outlined in the Portfolio Student Checklist

- Complete a minimum of 10 hours of Community and Service in grades 6 and 7, and 20 in 8th

grade, for a total minimum of 40 hours at the end of the Middle Years Programme

- Complete an Eighth Grade Culminating Project.

By complying with these requirements you will demonstrate that you have acquired the attributes of an

IB Learner and you will be equipped to face the challenges of High School and College. Should you fail

to meet those requirements but meet the minimum Miami-Dade Public School passing requirements,

you will receive an Ada Merritt K-8 Center Certificate of Promotion.

We wish you a very productive, fulfilling and exciting school year 2013-2014!

Respectfully,

Carmen M. Garcia

Principal

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______________________________ ______________________________ _____________________

Student Signature Parent Signature Date

Principal Carmen M. Garcia

Assistant Principal Barbara M. Garcia

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MYP SCHEDULE

School starts at 8:35 every day and ends at 3:05 (1:50 on Wednesdays). You will follow a block

schedule of 4 periods each day: 1, 3, 5, 7 on Odd Days and 2, 4, 6, 8 on Even Days, alternating Art or

Music with PE. (period 9 being your alternate period).

MYP Schedule

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

(85 minute periods) Time

Periods Minutes

Homeroom 8:35 am – 8:41 am 6

1&2 8:43 am – 10:08 am 85

3&4 10:10 am – 11:35 am 85

5&6 11:37 am – 1:38 pm with

a 30 minute lunch break 85+30

7&8 1:40 pm – 3:05 pm 85

STUDENT WORK PRESENTATION

All work handed to your teachers should be written legibly in cursive and include the following in the

headings: full name, date, Area of Interaction this assignment connects to (when applicable), and your

signature. Work not following these guidelines will be graded one grade lower.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME (MYP)

IB MYP GRADING SCALE 1. Minimal achievement

2. Very limited achievement for all objectives with support

3. Limited achievement for most objectives with support

4. Good general understanding with occasional evidence of analytic skills 5. Consistent and thorough understanding, usually shows higher level thinking

6. Consistent and thorough understanding, higher level thinking, much originality and insight

7. Consistent and thorough understanding, higher level thinking, originality and insight applied in a wide variety of situations.

Subject Teacher Room Study Buddy

Phone #

Study Buddy Phone #

H.R. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9/Alt

MYP Schedule Wednesday (60 minute periods)

Time

Periods Minutes

Homeroom 8:35 am – 9:03 am 28

1&2 9:05 am – 10:05 am 60

3&4 10:07 am – 11:07 am 60

5&6 11:09 am – 12:48 pm with a 30 minute lunch break

60+30

7&8 12:50 pm – 1:50 pm 60

AREAS OF INTERACTION

ATL ENVIRONMENTS HUMAN

INGENUITY

COMMUNITY &

SERVICE

HEALTH & SOCIAL

EDUCATION - How do I learn? - How do I communicate my understanding? - How do I work cooperatively or independently?

- Where do we live? - What resources do we have or need? -What are our responsibilities?

- Why and how do we create? - What are the consequences of our creations?

- How do we live as a community? - How can we contribute to the community? - How can we help others?

- How do I feel? - How am I changing? - How can I care for myself and others? - How can I make good choices?

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PEANUT / NUT FREE SCHOOL Ada Merritt K-8 Center is a peanut/nut free school. Please refrain from bringing to school any products

containing peanuts or nuts.

DISCIPLINE

It is expected that all students will respect and contribute positively to their learning environment. When

misbehaving, students will receive a warning. On the second disruption during a class period, they will receive a conduct cut. Each conduct cut will lower the student’s conduct grade for the grading period. Extreme disruptions

or repeat offenses will be sanctioned by a detention and/or referral. At all times, students are expected to follow

the Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Code of Student Conduct guidelines posted on the District’s website. They are expected as well to follow their individual teachers’ classroom rules at all times.

BULLYING

Ada Merritt K-8 Center values the principles of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile. Therefore, bullying, repeatedly using hostile, intimidating, domineering, or threatening behavior (verbal, physical or

electronic), with the aim or purpose of physically or mentally hurting another individual, will not be tolerated.

Bullying is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct (http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/90/index.htm), and will be dealt with by the school’s administrative

staff.

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONICS USAGE POLICY

The use of items such as iPods, cell phones, mp3 players, toys and other electronic items is NOT PERMITTED

at school during school hours, including lunch time and change of class. When such items are used by a

student, they will be confiscated and returned after school to the student’s parent/guardian.

UNIFORMS

Middle School students must adhere to the school’s uniform policy. They may wear the gold, navy or

white polo, or the navy and gold block polo shirt with khaki pants, knee-length shorts or skirts (no

more than two inches above the knee). Uniforms must be worn at all times. Students attending field

trips or special events will be required to wear the navy and/or gold shirt. Students may wear the

school’s navy/grey sweatshirt or a navy sweatshirt with no logo or markings. Hoods and hats may

not be worn during class. Undershirts must be the same color as the shirt. Closed shoes are required at

all times. Students violating the dress code will be subject to disciplinary action after a warning at the

first infraction.

PREPAREDNESS

Students are expected to bring all required books, notebooks, supplies and their agenda to class daily. It

is the students’ responsibility to record all assignments in their agenda and to meet deadlines.

GRADE REPORTING

Parents are encouraged to use the Parent Portal to follow their child’s academic progress. Interim

Progress Reports are issued at the midpoint of each quarter. These reports should be signed by parents

and promptly returned to school. Quarterly report cards are issued at the end of each grading period.

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COMMUNITY AND SERVICE

Community & Service is incorporated into the Middle Years Curriculum to encourage students to think of

themselves as thoughtful members of the local and global community. Middle grades students are asked to complete a minimum of 10 hours of Community and Service in sixth grade, 10 in seventh grade and 20 in eighth

grade. Community and Service participation is one of requirements for receiving an Ada Merritt IB

Certificate at the end of your 8th grade year.

There are two ways to achieve your Community and Service hours: 1. You may participate in the many community service projects offered in school at Ada Merritt K-8 Center and

be awarded hours for your participation.

2. You may get involved with activities in your community along with your family/parents/guardians. Most non-

profit organizations sponsor a variety of service activities that will allow you to earn credit. You must

complete a Community and Service Activity Record Form (available online in the MYP section of the

school’s website), with the name and contact information of the activity supervisor for verification. Turn in the

form to Ms. Daire, your Community and Service Area Leader, or to Ms. Clark, MYP Coordinator.

To document your participation in Community and Service activities you will: A Community and Service Activity Record Form is available on the School Website in the MYP section

Complete the form yourself (no form completed by an adult, parent or teacher, will be accepted)

Obtain the signature and contact information of the activity sponsor

Complete the reflection on the back of the form Turn in the Activity Record Form yourself to your Community and Service Area Leader or to Ms. Clark

Enter the activity and hours earned in your student agenda for your own records

Community Service Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

Work at earning your service hours throughout the year and be prepared for the

May 16, 2014 deadline Seek as many activities as possible to be of service to your school, local community and the world

The organization should be a non-profit group that services the broader community. Complete one Community and Service Activity Record Form for each activity and clearly indicate:

1. Date & Hours

2. Authorized signature & Supervisor’s phone number 3. Keep track of your volunteering hours in your student agenda

4. Submit the Record Forms yourself to your C& S Area Leader to receive credit for the hours.

Don’ts

The following activities WILL NOT be accepted as Community or Service Activities:

Baby sitting, walking pets, mowing the lawn, and general chores for your family

Going to work with parents, relatives or friends is a great career shadowing experience, but not

Community or Service

Don’t ask how many hours you have. Keep track of the hours you serve in your agenda.

PARENTS MAY NOT sign for Community or Service hours. The individual from the organization who

supervised the activity must sign the Record Form. If you are in doubt or would like to create a Community &

Service project you must get prior approval from Ms. Daire, your Community and Service Area Leader or from Ms. Clark.

Date Activity Location Hours Total Hours

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Portfolio Guidelines- 2013-2014

At Ada Merritt K-8 Center, Portfolios serve a dual purpose. They provide you with a medium for pulling

together work that links to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Areas of Interaction. They also make you an active participant in the evaluation of your progress by having you reflect on your performance and on the work

you selected for inclusion.

Portfolios are kept in homerooms. You will select work and reflect on it during assigned times in your subject

classes and you will place this work in your Portfolio during Extended Homeroom on selected Wednesdays. You

will self assess your portfolio by using the student checklist at the end of the year. Your homeroom teacher will

also evaluate it as a requirement for earning the Ada Merritt K-8 Center International Baccalaureate

Certificate in eighth grade. You will be able to take your portfolio with you when you move on to high school.

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ATTENDANCE

There are probably no factors more important to a student’s progress in school than regular and

punctual attendance. Ada Merritt K-8 Center engages students in a rigorous course of study which

prepares them for successful post-secondary education. It also requires full participation in the program

as well as punctual and assiduous attendance.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-

DCPS) Board Rules regarding Student Attendance:

Excused absences and tardies: illness or injury, medical appointment, death in family,

observance of a religious holiday, school sponsored events, subpoena, outdoor suspension

Students missing five (5) or more consecutive days due to illness or injury are required to

provide a written statement from a health care provider

Medical appointment: students must bring a note from a health care provider indicating the

time and date of the appointment

Students absent from school will be marked “unexcused absent” until they submit the

required documentation. Failure to provide required documentation within three (3) school

days upon the return to school will result in an unexcused absence

A student accumulating ten (10) or more unexcused absences in an annual course will have

his/her final grades withheld pending intervention by the Attendance Review Committee

Unexcused absences do not require that the teacher provide make-up work for the student

Students are expected to request make-up assignments for all excused absences/tardiness

upon return to class

They must complete the make-up assignments within three days of the return to school

No student shall be released within the final 30 minutes of the day unless authorized by the Principal

For students following a 4X4 block schedule, each day not in attendance is counted as 2 absences.

Tardies greatly affect the learning environment of a child and of the entire classroom. Accumulated

unexcused tardies be counted towards the threshold for initiating an attendance review and entered in

the child’s permanent record with a referral. In addition, excessive tardies may prevent a student from

being eligible for perfect attendance.

Additional details on school board attendance rules may be found on the M-DCPS website at

http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/rules/Chapt5/5a-1.041.pdf .

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I have read and understand the school’s Attendance Policy, as well as all the information included in the

student agenda pages.

______________________________ ______________________________ _____________________

Student Signature Parent Signature Date

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ADA MERRITT K-8 CENTER

MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

Academic honesty is the quality of being principled about the work you submit and how you completed

it, and also about how you help others complete work. It is an expectation of the Ada Merritt K-8

Center Middle Years Programme that any work presented by an MYP student is that student’s own

original work, representing his or her personal learning. This expectation extends to all work submitted

by students: home learning assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests.

The academically honest student:

IB Learners strive to achieve the attributes of the Learner Profile, including being principled by showing

personal integrity and honesty when dealing with teachers, peers, and school work.

Students at Ada Merritt K-8 Center understand that plagiarism (presenting another person’s work as

your own) constitutes theft and fraud, and is classified as a Level 2 Behavior in the Miami-Dade County

Public Schools Code of Student Conduct. MYP students receive instruction in information literacy, and

understand that copying another person’s work, cutting and pasting from the internet, and using images

or other media without crediting the source, all constitute plagiarism. They learn to avoid plagiarism by

acknowledging the source of any passage, sentence, key idea, image or other media that they use in their

work. They learn to use quotation marks to indicate that they are using someone else’s words, and to

acknowledge the author. They practice strategies such as note-taking, paraphrasing, summarizing, and

citing sources, in order to use written information appropriately.

Penalties for Academic Honesty Violations:

According to the MDCPS Code of Student Conduct, cheating and other forms of misrepresentation are

considered Level II Behaviors because they significantly interfere with the learning and/or the well-

being of others. The following are the consequences for academic honesty violations:

Parents will be contacted.

Work will be graded Z (no credit), even if it is a draft.

If the teacher allows the student to submit a make-up assignment in place of the plagiarized work,

the grade of the second assignment will be averaged with the Z grade.

The student will write a reflection on the importance of being a principled learner.

The plagiarism incident may be documented in Miami-Dade County Public Schools records and in

the student’s cumulative folder through a Student Case Management Referral Form.

A second offense may result in suspension from school, as prescribed in the M-DCPS Code of

Student Conduct.

_____________________________ ____________________________ __________________

Student Signature Parent Signature Date

DOES

Acknowledge help from parents

and peers

Acknowledge the sources of

direct quotations and key ideas

Cite reference materials such as

books and websites in a

bibliography

Know what constitutes cheating

and abides by the rules

Follow all exam rules.

DOES NOT

Use notes or reference materials

during a test unless allowed by a

teacher

Copy from another student’s work

Hand in as his/her own that is

partly or entirely someone else’s

work

Do assignments for another

student

Offer another student his/her

own work to copy.

August 2013

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THANKS

29 GIVING

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ADA MERRITT K-8 CENTER

BLOCK CALENDAR

On ODD days: periods 1, 3, 5, 7

On Even days: periods 2, 4, 6, 8

Physical Education and Art

(Music or Visual Arts )

on alternating days

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