leadership. innovation. stallion strong. meadow woods ... · *habit 6 – synergize: together is...
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Dear Future Stallions and Parents,
Welcome to Meadow Woods Middle School, home of the Stallions! I am truly honored to serve this Stallion
Nation community as its principal. Our mission is to empower Stallions to lead and succeed as they embrace
the “leader in them” even in the midst of uncertainty.
The 2020-2021 academic year offers our amazing family of students, teachers, and parents an opportunity to
model student leadership as a LEAD school, empowering our Stallions with the social and emotional learning
leadership opportunities and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. In addition, we are proud to
represent the Meadow Woods community as a School of Innovation, providing a broad range of innovative
academic programs that will take student learning to a completely new, exciting level!
Now is an incredible time to be a Stallion! Our students will have opportunities to explore their leadership
talents and skills in leadership roles in our Principal’s Advisory Council, Stallion Student Council, Youth Court,
or Stallion Buddies team. Our extensive list of clubs directly reflects the interest of our students each year.
Further, our students, including incoming sixth graders will have an opportunity to participate in our Athletics
department in Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball or Track & Field, or attend our Pep Rally or Leadership Days. In
short, great opportunity awaits you at Meadow Woods Middle!
I know I speak for the entire campus when I say how excited we are that you will be joining us soon. Please
review the information included in this Welcome Packet. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and
Facebook to stay informed on announcements and updates on the upcoming year.
Once again, welcome to our Stallion Family, Ohana! Stay Stallion-STRONG!
To Innovation and Beyond,
Marisol Mendez
Proud Principal, Meadow Woods Middle
Welcome Packet – Grade 6
2020-2021
Leadership. Innovation. Stallion Strong. Meadow Woods Middle School
Principal: Mrs. Marisol Mendez Administration
Administrative Dean Guidance/SAFE
Assistant Principal of Instruction: Karl Wagner [email protected]
8th Grade Caleb Root [email protected]
8th Grade Guidance Counselor: Sonya Ollie [email protected]
Assistant Principal: Jacqueline Hamann [email protected]
7th Grade Yamilett Navarro [email protected] Wilson Rivera Robles [email protected]
7th Grade Guidance Counselor (A-M): Stephanie Carrington [email protected] 7th Grade Guidance Counselor (N-Z): Sonya Ollie [email protected]
Assistant Principal: Edmi Figueroa Solis [email protected]
6th Grade Albert Burgos [email protected]
6th Grade Guidance Counselor: Stephanie Carrington [email protected]
SAFE Coordinator: Marie Maurice
Attendance: Marilyn Colom Ext: 5182328
Registrar: Yadira Tirado Garcia Ext. 5182229
Meadow Woods MS website: [email protected]
Facebook: meadowwoodsms Twitter: @meadowwoodsms Instagram: @meadowwoodsms
OCPS District Website: https://www.ocps.net
Transportation Website: https://www.ocps.net/departments/transportation_services
ADDitions Volunteer Website: https://ocps.samaritan.com/
School Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am- 3:30pm School Number: (407) 850-5180
School Fax: (407) 850-5190
https://meadowwoodsms.ocps.net/
Leadership. Innovation. Stallion Strong. Meadow Woods Middle School
The Leader in Me (TLiM) is a K–12 whole-school transformation model and process developed in partnership with educators and offered through Franklin Covey Education. The Leader in Me empowers students with the social and emotional learning (SEL) leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. An essential component of this model is to embed the 7 habits of highly effective teenagers: The 7 Habits:
*Habit 1 – Be Proactive: You’re in Charge *Habit 2 – Begin with the End in Mind: Have a Plan *Habit 3 – Put First Things First: Work First, Then Play *Habit 4 – Think Win-Win: Everyone Can Win *Habit 5 – Seek First To Understand Then To Be Understood: Listen Before You Talk *Habit 6 – Synergize: Together Is Better *Habit 7 – Sharpen the Saw: Balance Feels Best
Meadow Woods Middle School is proud to be identified as a School of Innovation!!!
Orange County Public Schools’ Innovation Office opened in 2018 to support identified “Schools of Innovation” and to support staff in the implementation and development of innovative practices within and across these schools. Faculty and staff at the “Schools of Innovation” will have autonomy to put innovative ideas into practice.
As a district, we will be able to “incubate” these practices; conduct action research to see if the innovation yields positive results; gather lessons learned around each implementation; celebrate successes and through diffusion “replicate” these practices on other campuses.
Michael Fullan states in Freedom to Change that diffusion “connotes the spread of good ideas that are adapted as people take them on, or the seeking and adaptation of ideas from others.”
Leadership. Innovation. Stallion Strong. Meadow Woods Middle School
Important Information for Incoming Students
Attendance Absences – Florida law requires student attendance each day school is in session. When absent from school, students must bring a note the day they return to the Attendance Office from his/her parent/guardian giving the student’s full name, reason for the absence, date(s) of the absence and parent’s/guardian’s signature and telephone number. The absence will be marked unexcused without a note. Excessive absences will be referred to the school social worker. Excused Absences – Excused absences include illness of the student, serious illness or death of a member of the student’s immediate family, special and recognized religious holidays observed by the student’s faith and emergency situations. Prearranged Absences – Parents may request an absence in advance for religious holidays, student medical or dental appointments or family trips by completing a pre-arranged absence form, which may be obtained from the Attendance Office. Leaving School – Once students arrive on campus, they are expected to remain on the school grounds. In order to leave campus, parents must follow theses OCPS guidelines:
• The parent or legal guardian must come to the Attendance Office in the Administration building to sign a student out of school. Proper identification must be presented by parent/guardian.
• The school may release a student on the basis of a note from the parent or guardian only after verifying the note by telephone. Please provide correct contact number in the note and ensure the person is listed as a contact.
• For safety reasons, when a parent or guardian calls to request that a student be released, the school must verify the call. Please make sure contact information has been updated.
Tardies – Student who are tardy must report to the Attendance Office to obtain a permit to class. OCPS policy states that five (5) tardies to school are equivalent to one (1) unexcused absence. Students with excessive tardies will be referred to a Guidance Counselor or Social Worker.
Medical Needs The school is responsible for FIRST AID ONLY. In cases of illness, the student will be cared for until a parent arrives at school or the student returns to class. In all cases, a reasonable attempt will be made to contact a parent using information on file. For a minor injury, attention will be given and the student will return to class. For a major injury, the parent will be notified using information on file. The principal or designee will determine when emergency vehicles will be called. If a student needs to take medication, the parent/guardian must bring the medicine in its original container, fill out a required form, and leave it with the Health Assistant. Teachers will give the student a pass to take the medication at the appropriate time.
Dress Code
Students must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct to follow the specific code expectations that will be reviewed at the start of the term. Further guidance on the dress code will also be communicated in future family newsletters. Distressed Jeans – Beginning the 2020-2021 school year, students will not be permitted to wear distressed, or ripped jeans.
Digital Device Distribution for Incoming Students
Meadow Woods Middle School is proud to be a digital Leader in Me school. Incoming students who are in
need of a digital device will have a laptop distributed by our Digital Team during school hours in the first week
of school. Incoming students who have already received a digital device will need to bring that device to check
in with the Digital Team during the first week of school.
504/IEP/ELL Services
Evaluations and reevaluations will be conducted by appropriate personnel for a student with a disability who
has a plan developed under Section 504 or an IEP. School districts are required to abide by a set of assurances
when developing and implementing programs and services to students classified as the English Language
Learners (ELLs). If you have questions or concerns about individual services that your child will be receiving,
please contact the following staff members:
IEP: Reina Daigle [email protected]
504: Stephanie Carrington [email protected]
ELL: Yamilet Navarro [email protected]
Scheduling/Electives The Guidance Counselors at Meadow Woods are excited to welcome you back to school in August! If you have
any questions or concerns about placement or schedules please feel free to contact your grade level
counselor. Please be mindful that electives have requirements that are part of the commitment once a
student enrolls in the class.
PE waivers are available upon request. Stay tuned for Meet the Teacher announcements.
Social and Emotional Learning Here at Meadow Woods Middle School we believe in
supporting the whole child. Focusing on the whole
child means to not only think about their academic
needs but their social and emotional needs as well.
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is how children
learn to understand and manage their emotions, set
goals, show empathy for others, establish positive
relationships, and make responsible decisions.
These skills are based on five strategies: self-
awareness, self-management, social awareness,
relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Research shows that SEL makes a difference in your
child’s success in school, work, and life. Children with
strong SEL skills have more friends, feel connected to
school, and want to do well. Participating in SEL
through our Leader In Me model students learn the
skills to succeed in every facet in school and the rest
of their lives.
Our SAFE Coordinator: Ms. Marie Maurice, email address: [email protected]
Our Stallion Strong Guidance Team!
Media Center
Summer Reading List- All incoming Stallions will read one book from the provided SSYRA list or any of their choosing and complete: a written book review, a picture, drawing of a favorite scene or/and video recording. This assignment will be included as a grade for the ELA class for 1st 9 Weeks of the 2020-2021 school year. If you choose to read an additional book and complete the assignments, you will earn extra credit points. This is due by Friday of the second week of school. Media Specialist: Kelli Gensler, [email protected] Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) 6-8th 2019-2020 Titles
• The Adventurers Guild by Zack Loran
• Captain Superlative by J.S. Puller
• Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake
• Knockout by K.A. Holt
• Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein by Jennifer Roy
• Slider by Pete Hautman
Athletics Calling all incoming athletes! As we head into the new school year, I invite you to have a conversation with your child to see if they are interested in joining one of our sports teams this year. As a Leader In Me school, our athletes represent the best of our school and community as leaders with positive behavior and sportsmanship. If your child is interested in being a part of our Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball or Track & Field teams, you must complete the Sports Packet with all necessary physical forms and waivers. The forms are available on the Meadow Woods Middle School website, at the front office, and through the Athletic Director. No student may participate in athletics until the entire packet has been completed and reviewed by the Athletic Director. If you have any questions, or to receive the Complete Sports Packet, please contact Athletic Director. Let’s have a great season! Follow Meadow Woods Athletics on Twitter, @MWMSathletics for news and updates Caleb Root Meadow Woods Middle School, Athletics Director (407) 850-5180 Ext. 5182289 [email protected]
Transportation Bicycles and Motorized Vehicles – Bikes must be parked in the designated area. Students should secure their bicycles with their own lock and chain. Bicycles should not be ridden on the campus or walkways of the school at any time. Students are not allowed to drive motorized vehicles to school. All students must wear a helmet while riding their bicycles. School Bus Regulations – Students are subject to the same disciplinary procedures when being transported to and from school as they are while they are in school. When a student is suspended from riding the bus, the responsibility of transportation to and from school becomes that of the student or the student’s parents. Students must ride their assigned bus and cannot board or depart a bus at any other stop other than their assigned one. Any changes must be approved by an administrator in advance. Requests must be made in
writing to a MWMS administrator at least a day in advance. Parents will be called to confirm requests – provide contact number in the request. If a student missed a bus after school, the student should report to the nearest adult in the bus loading area or to the Main Office to use the telephone to arrange for transportation by a parent/guardian. We are happy to announce that our theme for our inaugural year as School of Innovation is “To Innovation and Beyond!” The innovation and creativity of Pixar Amination gave us memorable, inspirational characters, such as Toy Story icons Woody, Buzz and friends. Since that initial Toy Story success in 1995, Pixar animated features have enjoyed blockbuster success. The 2020-2021 academic year gives Meadow Woods Middle School an incredible opportunity to showcase the leadership, and innovation of our teachers and students to empower our Stallions with the social and emotional learning leadership opportunities and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.
Join our Stallion-STRONG Nation on this amazing and powerful journey! We are STALLION STRONG!
