Welcome to

VCMSMiddle School

101

April 23, 2013

PTO Elections_______________

President- Amy Szvetecz

Vice President – Cheryl Kearney

Treasurer – Eleanor LoPresti

Secretary – Cheryl Hillman

Parliamentarian – Julie Smith

Local School Council

Please email nominations

To Mrs. Rohacek.

Vote will be at Viper Camp.

Our Faculty Supporting our new 6th graders Our Schedule & Courses Parent Involvement Community Involvement Upcoming transition events Questions

VCMS 101: Agenda

Kathy Rohacek Van Lewsader Karen Ogline Jean Lipscomb Mandy Malcolm Sue Sabo Amy Ingram

VCMS

Teachers

are…

Simply the best!

How do I open my locker?

Can I choose classes?When will we get

our schedules?

Can we choose our

lunch time and sit

with our friends?

Will I get lost?

How many students

are in a class?

How do we switch classes?

Projected enrollment for 2013-2014 = 1140 Students:

390- 6th graders We welcome 6th grade students from

the following elementary schools:•Cumming •Kelly Mill •Midway •Sawnee•Vickery Creek•Whitlow

Interdisciplinary TeamsConnect Time - Advisement each

Wednesday Counseling Dept.PALSMentors

Some things are different in middle school

◦Drop off of forgotten items

◦Dress Code◦Lockers

In order to limit interruptions to instruction, we do not call into classes to have students retrieve forgotten items such as lunch or schoolwork.

Parents may bring these items and they will be placed on the front counter for their child to pick up.

Parents can email the teacher if an item has been brought to school.

Follow the Forsyth County dress code – in the FCSS Code of Conduct Length of skirts and shorts – fingertip

guideline Backpacks pull up dresses and skirts flip up in

back Kids grow fast!

No skin/holes in pants above fingertip length guideline

Tops – no inappropriate language, tank tops, cleavage, see-through or midriff showing

Getting ready to use a locker at school

Items to purchase and those to avoid

Sample lockers.....

As you can see from the examples, there is not a lot of room for extras. Many students who purchase the decorations, quickly learn that other important items don’t fit...like their books and a coat!

Not all lockers shelves fit into our lockers but our PTO sells the right size in the school store and at Viper Camp

Develop healthy relationships by accepting differences; understand that friendships may change because our students come from six different elementary schools

Limit and monitor social network use. Facebook, etc. tend to exaggerate the typical squabbles and social challenges of middle school students.

Develop consistent routines with timelines, physical activity and bedtime – computers, phones & TV

Develop a healthy balance between academic expectations and extracurricular activities.

Develop self-discipline and responsibility by establishing strong study habits with a set time and place to study at home every day

Student AgendasANGEL – Changing to itsLearning

Parent and Student Portal

EmailVoice MailCall MessengerEmail Messenger

WebsiteFacebook and Twitter

PTO NewslettersParent Conferences

7 period day – 54 minute periods

5 Academic classes + 2 Connections

Connect Time once a weekA-B-C weekly rotation9 week Connection classes

Language ArtsMathScienceSocial StudiesReading, Reading Literacy, or Math Literacy

Teachers and administrators have reviewed student data to determine the best placement for students.

Parents will be able to view their child’s recommended courses on-line.

We hope to have that feature live by the week of May 20 and be open until May 31.

Instructions will be available on our website starting on May 20.

VCMS Connections:ArtBandChorusComputer Literacy

DramaHealthMath PlusPhysical Education

Study SkillsTechnology

BAND Instrument Tryouts:

In August, during the first two weeks of band classes.

ClubsIntramuralsDancesSpecial Days

Football Football Cheerleading 7TH Grade Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball 8TH Grade Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Basketball Cheerleading Track Golf

Our Parents

Our Business Partners

Supportive

InvolvedWelcome!

Finding classroomsLockersKnowing the school◦Teachers◦Courses◦Assignments

Peer PressureCommunicationMedical notes

Your help is needed and wanted!

Parent Teacher Organization: •Copy Mom/Dad•School Store•Calendar•Dances•Hospitality•Fund Raising•Newsletter•Open House •Special Events- Red Ribbon Week

Other Ways to be Involved PALS Media Center Local School Council Mentors Watch D.O.G.S. Dads

Vickery Creek Middle can give:

Positive publicity Student talent for your

special event Collaboration on community

endeavors Assistance with special

functions

Vickery Creek Middle needs: Assistance with student

recognition programs Support for instructional

programs Support and recognition for staff Collaboration on special events

and community endeavors Adults willing to mentor students

May 15– 5th grade students participate in field trips to VCMS for a guided tour

August 5 – 6th grade Viper Camp- 9:30 -11:30

Takes the place of Open House for 6th graders Parents in the gym

Students in homeroom

August 5:Regular Open House for 7th & 8th graders

Agendas (paid by PTO)

Lockers - $5.00 Lunch PE Uniform

$20.00 Supply List Discipline Dress Code

Frequently Asked Questions:1.When do we get our bus information? Each child has a sticker placed on their agenda with the correct bus information. A transportation representative will also be available at Viper Camp.2.How do we make schedule changes if we don’t think our child is placed correctly? We make all schedule decisions based on three things: data, classroom performance (report cards) and teacher recommendation. There will be a procedure and forms on our school website if you would like to request a schedule change. However, the data must support the requested change. 3.Do students get to use a locker in PE? Yes. However, students can only use it during that one period and must pay locker fee of $3.00 for the year. Students are strongly encouraged to leave ALL valuables at home or in their regular locker. 4.Can students carry their cell phones with them? Yes. However, unless a teacher is asking students to bring technology to class for an instructional purpose, all cell phones and other devices must be turned off and out of sight. Cell phones should not be taken to PE or in the locker room.

More Frequently Asked Questions:5. Can my student call or text me during the day? Our students are allowed to check their phones for text messages immediately after lunch and right before dismissal. Students are not allowed to call or text parents at any other time of the day. If they need to contact parents, students must ask permission to use the school phone or wait until the designated time. 6.How early can we drop off our student? The front doors will be unlocked at 7:45 and students will be supervised in the cafeteria until the morning bell rings at 8:45 for them to go to homeroom. 7.Where do we find information about clubs? A flyer is available on our school website.8.Can students carry their inhalers and Epipens? Yes. However, a Care Plan with doctor’s orders must be completed with our school nurse. All medications, including over the counter, must be turned in to the school nurse by an adult, in their original packaging.