parents @ cougar camp orientation for parents of students transitioning to middle school
TRANSCRIPT
YIKES! It’s middle school.
• Middle school is a big step and a big change for both students and parents– More teachers - more responsibility
– More independence - more apprehensive
• Parents role for their middle school student
Stay Focused on:Calendar
• Grading periods start and ending dates
• When report cards come out
• Test dates and events
• AISD Calendar
• Curtis web-site calendar
Attendance Policy
• Full name of student, date, and reason for absence is a must
• Parent hand signed note for all absences, even if called or emailed in.
• Doctor/Dentist notes if an office visit was necessary
• Vacation and club sports absences are UNEXCUSED
• After three days of an excused absence, work can be collected and picked up by parent at the front office
• Mrs. Lambert
Stay Focused on:School Rules
• Phone policy
• Code of Conduct
• Late or missing grades policy
• Tardies
• Extra curricular activities
Skyward – Family Access
• All grades are posted in a timely manner by teachers
• Students have a calendar on their student Skyward account with due dates of assignments and test dates
• Get password information from Lisa Palmeri, our Registrar
• Reports cards ARE NOT sent home. They are accessed through Skyward
Stay Focused On:Changes
• Physical
– Mature at different rates
– Variety of sizes and shapes
– Feeling self-conscious or embarrassed by their bodies
• Emotional
– Moody - Figuring out who they are
– Where they “fit” in the world
• Intellectual
– Ready to learn about life
– Strong sense of what is “fair”
– Attempts to discuss serious topics and express their opinions
– Desire for respect
• Social
– Friends move to the top of the list of people to impress
– Searching for identity
– NOT TO BE DIFFERENT
While being with friends is very important to middle schoolers, doing things with their parents and families provides them with a much needed sense of security.
PROCEDURES @ CMSLunch
• Three lunch periods / No cash taken
11:15 -11:45 11:45-12:15 12:15-12:45
• Seats are not assigned
• Students need ID to purchase lunch
• Sections are called to go purchase their lunch
• Please write your child’s name on any lunches being dropped off. (YOUR CHILD ONLY!)
Lost & Found
• Located in office near clinic
• If an item is found, should be turned in
• Please put full name on all supplies, athletic equipment, phone, lunch bags, etc.
PROCEDURES @ CMSVisit the Nurse
• Clinic is in the office
• Students must sign into the clinic until Nurse Shewmaker can see them
• MAY NOT have any type of medication, cough syrup, and/or pills on their person.
• Fill out a form to keep medication on campus for your child
Visit the Counselor
• Located in office
• Drop ins are welcome
• Email Mrs. LeCroy or Mrs. Smith to ask questions or to visit with us.
• Bullying reports/concerns go to the Assistant Principals. Incident reports can be found on the website and in the office .
• Our APs are: Ms. Franklin (A-G), Mr. Falbo (H-O), & Mr. Anthony (P-Z)
PROCEDURES @ CMSTardies to Class
• Arriving to class AFTER the bell rings is being tardy.
• Lunch detention could be the result of three or more tardies.
• Tardies are reported to parents and are kept all school year.
• Being late to all seven classes would equal seven tardies.
• Students have FIVE minutes to pass to their next class.
Catch the Bus
• Bus routes are located on-line.
• Bus drop off and pick up is located at the east entrance to the building (near flag poles). Proceed to the lunchroom or gym.
• Busses leave at 3:40pm. Don’t miss the bus!
• Cameras are on every bus recording at all times.
PROCEDURES @ CMS• BULLYING
– NOT acceptable on this campus
– If you witness bullying, you must fill out a report
– All Incident Reports ARE investigated by appropriate principal. Consequences may be rough.
– Cameras are all over the building and on every bus. Be aware!
SUCCESS SKILLS
Middle School is the time when parents NEED to be the most involved and the most vigilant. A whole new world has opened up and this is often the time when they are tempted to “try new things”.
SUCCESS SKILLSIn the classroom
• Pay attention, this is not the time to be social
• Take good notes, get the name and number of a student from each of your classes
• If you have problems taking notes, TELL YOUR TEACHER!
• Use study aides like note cards and highlighting
• Don’t CRAM- Study a little each night
Time Management
• Balance academics and extra-curricular activities
• Plan your study time – same time each day & same place each day
• Use ten minutes of study time to put papers in the correct place, clean notebook and check your supplies
• Keep organized!! Looking for papers, pencils and assignments burn your energy and time
SUCCESS SKILLSTIPS TO Remember
• Ask questions – use a sticky note to jot them down if you are home to ask the next day
• ALL teachers tutor. If you do not understand a concept, let the teacher know. Ask for tutoring. It free!
• Re-Take failed tests/quizzes! Test and quizzes count for a large percentage of your grade! YOU must ask for a re-take. It is YOUR responsibility
• BE RESPONSIBLE for yourself, your actions, your assignments, and your behavior!
Projects
• Break the big project down into little tasks.
• Do a little task each day until the big project is complete
• Ask your teacher for help if you have problems breaking down big projects
• If you work with a group, make sure you understand YOUR part. Share with the teacher is someone is not doing their part BEFORE the project is due.
How to help your child be all THEY can be!
• Middle schoolers need to understand that with increased independence comes increased responsibility!
- Make homework your child’s responsibility.
- Encourage involvement in school related activities
- Communicate with the teacher, after allowing your child to attempt to solve problem.
“Tonight is the third night you have not had any homework. I will email the teacher and confirm that”.
“Really, the teacher would not let you re-test? Let me give her a call and hear her part of the problem.”
“If I were to call the teacher, would she agree with what you are telling me?”
Not all you can be for them!
WHEN MORE HELP IS NEEDED
Sometimes a parent-teacher conference is necessary. Here are some discussion topics that make help:
• Is my child on time to class? Prepared?
• Does my child seem organized?
• Does my child participate in class?
• Does my child use class time wisely?
• Does my child pay attention?
• Is my child working up to their potential?
• What does my child need to work on?
• Do you have any suggestions for my child?
Parent – Teacher Conference