The Scholars’ Academy Middle School Orientation

June 2014

Welcome to our newest Scholars’ Academy Parents, Guardians,

Caregivers!!!

WelcomeMr. Brian O’ Connell, PrincipalMr. Scott Milczewski, Assistant Principal of Youth

Development, Science & Fitness Ms. Toni Marie Viera, Middle School Assistant

Principal, Supervisor of Humanities, Spanish and Special Education

Ms. Michele Smyth, High School Assistant Principal, Supervisor of Math and The Arts

Mr. Sean Brandeis, DeanMs. Lorry Gilgur, Guidance CounselorMr. Gianfranco Moretta, Guidance CounselorMs. Felicia Williams, Parent CoordinatorMs. Marta Laczynski, Parent Coordinator

Theater: 5pm-6pm Parents will review parent handbook, school expectations, important information and sign off on policy sheet. Before parents leave the theater it is imperative the PARENT HANDBOOK RECEIPT is signed and handed to a staff member

Dining Room & Classrooms: 5pm-6:15pm Students will meet their teachers, visit their classrooms and receive supply lists, summer assignments, novels, book bags and other important information

Gymnasium: 6pm-7pmParents can purchase Scholars’ clothing, as well as speak to PTA members Students will reunite with their parents in the gym between 6pm-6:15pm

Agenda

First Day of SchoolThursday, September 4th 2014

Students are expected to arrive to school between 7:30am and 8am and will be dismissed at 2:50pm

Breakfast will be available in the dining room from 7:30-7:55am

Students are expected to come prepared with supplies on the first day

Summer Assignments are due back within the first week of school

Students will receive their supply lists and summer assignments today from their teachers, please review these materials with your child

Bell ScheduleMIDDLE SCHOOL

TIME

AM Homeroom

8:00 - 8:15

1 8:16 - 9:02

2 9:04 - 9:50

3 9:52 - 10:38

4 10:40-11:26

5 (Lunch) 11:28-12:14

PM Homeroom 12:14-12:24

6 12:26 - 1:12

7 1:14 - 2:02

8 2:04 - 2:50

Middle school students are dismissed at 2:50pm Monday – Thursday

Middle school students are dismissed at 1:12pm on Fridays

Middle school students have lunch period 5 from 11:28 am-12:14 pm/high school students have lunch period 6 from 12:26 pm – 1:12 pm

Middle School classes are on the 1st and 2nd floors and high school classes are on the 3rd floor

Life as a Scholars’ 6th Grader Student Course Work:

Humanities (Social Studies/ELA), Mathematics, Science, Health, Spanish, Physical Education/Fitness, Library, Music, Art, Electives

Student Supports: Peer Tutoring, Extra Help Classes, Study Hall, ICT, SETSS, Group

Counseling, Individual Counseling, Related Services Student Clubs:

Chess, Debate, Math, Science, Poetry, Student Government, Lego Robotics, Drama, Chorus, Band

Sports/Teams: Lacrosse, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, Tennis, Soccer,

Cheerleading, Cross Country, Step Team*In most cases, MTA and Yellow bus service are not available

for after school programs.

Building Orientation6th graders are walked from class to class by their teachers

Much of the month of September will be spent orienting 6th graders with the layout of the building, school routines, schedule, etc

The 6th grade has their own hallway located on the 2nd floor

Academic ExpectationsAcademic Expectations

All Scholars’ Academy students are expected to maintain an average of 85% or above

Academic ProbationStudents who have grades of 75% or below will be

placed on academic probation and given supportsStudents on academic probation will receive extra

help classes and may be ineligible for participation with sports and other extra-curricular activities until their grades improve

Peer Tutoring is available during lunch, before school and after school for students in need

Bus TransportationThere is MTA curbside for all students Monday through

Thursday at 2:50pm dismissal and 3:45pm dismissal via the Q52 and 22

Yellow buses are designated by Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) for select students in a 5 mile radius from school, as well as if indicated on an IEP

Office of Pupil Transportation Information – See page 17 of handbook

We also provided you with private yellow bus information There are free Metro Cards available to all students not

eligible for yellow bus or within walking distance of schoolIt is very important for students to have a dismissal plan for

the first day of school and know how they are getting home

Student Pick Up and Drop OffAll parent and car pool pick up and drop off

must occur on Beach Channel Drive directly in front of our school yard, students will be dismissed into the school yard at dismissal to be picked up by car/use the school yard in the morning to enter the school

It is extremely important that Beach 104th Street and Seaside Avenue are not used for parent and car pool pick up and drop off, these locations are designated for students walking to and from school and for yellow and curbside MTA buses

Dress CodeNon-Gym Days: Tan or navy khaki slacks or knee

length shorts. Light blue golf shirt with Scholars’ logo

For Gym Days: Navy Scholars’ sweatpants or Scholars’ shorts with logo, navy t-shirt with logo, and sneakersNo cargo pants, leggings, jeggings, tights,yoga pantsNo non Scholars’ SweatshirtsNo hats, hoods, No dresses, skirts, high heels, flip flops, sandals, etc No large jewelry or unnatural dyes hair colors

Behavior CodeCitywide Standards of Interventions and Discipline

Measures (Blue Book) delineates all discipline infractions – it is important to review the Blue Book with your child

PBIS is used to support students in a student led positive school wide initiative

Student Behavior has results with participation in school events and trips

Attendance & Punctuality is extremely important on your child's school record

Our Youth Development Team works closely with teachers and students to ensure the most respectful behavior from our students

Internet Usage at Home Be aware of the sites your child is using

Cyber-Bullying is very common with:Face bookTwitterInstagramSnapchat

Internet Usage in School Your child will have access to school iPads on a daily basis, as well as laptops and desktops

The Internet Usage and Electronic Device Policy must be reviewed by every student and parent/guardian upon entry into Scholars’ Academy

National Junior Honor Society Requirements

Eligibility will be determined by criteria from the first term of grade 6

Criteria for induction:90+ average beginning term 1 of grade 6; must be

maintained every termEvidence of CHART: Cooperative Hardworking, Amiable,

Respectful and TrustworthyNo documented suspensions or repeated level 1-5

infractionsA minimum of 12 hours community service to be

completed and documented by May 1st of each school yearReview of attendance and punctuality each year

Community ServiceAll middle school students are required to

complete a minimum of 12 hours of community service per year

Students are expected to document all of their community service by entering the number of hours they’ve completed and what service they’ve done as they complete it on a community service Google form

12 hours should be completed by the middle of June (the latest) in order to receive a certificate of completion for your portfolios

Pupil PathPupil Path is our main form of communication

for grades, assignment dates, student progress, school-wide announcements, etc.

Parents are able to view this information at any time from any device

There is a calendar function which allows you to see when your child has assignments due

You can use Pupil path to send your child’s teachers an email

Log in information will be shared with you in September

Medical Policy All students entering grade 6, when they turn 11 years old, must have Tdap Immunization to attend school

Please bring in documentation from your doctor by the first day of school

Parent Meetings, Workshops and Events

There are monthly Parent Association (PA) meetings that place at 7pm on the second Wednesday of every month

The first PA meeting for next school year is Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 7pm

Save the Date – September 18, 2014 Curriculum Overview/Meet the Teacher Night, Time - TBD

Save the Date – October 16, 2014 at Aviator Meet and Greet for Skating and Pizza, Time - TBD

Forms to be signed:Please sign the PARENT HANDBOOK RECEIPT FORM in your packet and hand it to a school staff member as you exit the theater!

This PowerPoint can be found on our school website!

Thank you for coming and supporting your child in this new endeavor!

GymnasiumYour child will meet you in the gymnasium between 6pm-6:15pm.

There will be Scholars’ clothing for purchase in the gym, as well as PTA Members and Information.

Have a Great Evening!!