Welcome to “The Crab Shack!”

Middle School StaffELA

Mrs. Cecil: 7th & 8th

Mrs. Fournier: 6th Mrs. Wilson: 6th & 8th

Social Studies

Mrs. Scudder: 7th & 8th

Mrs. Fournier: 6th

ESE/Support

Ms. Gross and Ms. Darby

Ms. Berces

Math

Mrs. Bendall: 8th Math, Algebra & Geometry

Dr. Dougherty: 6th Math

Ms. Gross: 7th Math

Mrs. Van Matre: 6th Math

Science

Mrs. Johnson: 7th & 8th

Mrs. Moore: 6th & 8th

An ‘A ’ rated school for the 4th year in a row!

•PE and MS Athletic Director: Coach Giusti•Art: Ms. Kirk and Ms. Lefere•Music: Mr. Weinstein•Tech: Mr. Schwermer•Keyboarding: Ms. Arencibia•8th gr. Yearbook: Ms. Arencibia

Middle School Staff Specialist

Students will be assigned to the

“Specials” classes

Adolescence:A transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthoodThe “awkward” phase of a person’s life

Personalities Change “One day they seem 18, the next day, 8!”

• Struggles with sense of identity

• Feeling awkward or strange about one's self and one's body

• Focuses on self, alternating between high expectations and poor self-esteem

• Highly influenced by peer group

• Moodiness

• Realization that parents are not perfect; identification of their faults

• Less overt affection shown to parents, with occasional rudeness

• Complaints that parents interfere with independence

• Tendency to return to childish behavior, particularly when stressed

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the following are aspects of

“normal adolescent development”:

Fortunately, these qualities are also reflective of normal adolescent

development

• Improved ability to use speech to express one's self

• Intellectual interests expand and gain importance

• Greater ability to do work (physical, mental, emotional)

• Capacity for abstract thought

• Development of ideals and selection of role models

• More consistent evidence of conscience

In school this looks like . . .

•Changing groups of friends……….So we encourage new friendships

•Expressing new interests or losing interest in previously loved activities………So we expose students to a variety of experiences

Teasing..……..So we have community meetings and peer mediation

•Wearing risqué or age-inappropriate clothing………So we enforce the uniform/dress code

•Experimenting with foul language and/or rule-breaking behavior………So we create a community of respect, responsibility, and resiliency

•Pushing the boundaries set by adults………... So we ensure that there is consistency with our expectations and consequences

So we . . .

At our school, all adults:Listen and treat students and staff members with respect and dignityFollow guidelines designed to keep students safeWork together in developing and supporting student responsibility for long-term change

Adults will honor these relationships by:Addressing problems or concerns directly with an individualAvoiding interruptions during instruction timeFocusing on positive action and conflict resolution rather than on accusationCommunicating with parents when concerns arise

Students learn thatI cause my own outcomes and have a choice to choose the best alternativeI am part of a community that respects me as an individual, even if I make a mistakeParents and teachers are working together to bring out my best

Students who cannot honor the code of conduct may lose privileges such as field trips, open gym, before school library time, social interaction with peers, club participation etc.

Code of Conduct = Respect, Responsibility, and Resiliency

End of Course Exam Requirements for 2014-2015

Students must receive a passing score on the following:Algebra 1 EOC Geometry EOC

Civics EOC

Student Progression PlanPromotion from middle school requires that a student successfully complete the following 12 courses:

3 courses in mathematics3 courses in English3 courses in science

3 courses in social studies

LOCKERS: A RITE OF PASSAGE• Locker contains only the day’s needed materials – it’s not mini-storage!• Students should start practicing with their padlock before school starts• Students are responsible for the safety of their technology• Use of Standard Masterlock

• Students are allowed to bring e-readers for assigned reading purposes only.

• The school is not responsible for lost or damaged personal property.

• Other personal technology may be used at teacher’s discretion.

Attendance•Please read the Monroe County School District Attendance Policy and be aware that any absences can have a significant, negative impact on your child’s learning and performance in classes.

•“Unexcused Absences” include family reunions, vacations, weddings, and graduations.

•If unexcused absence, students will not be able to make up the work missed

Middle School Uniform & Dress Code

Please review detailed information on MS Website

• Students must wear Sigsbee Shirt• Sigsbee shirt must be issued through school • Sigsbee shirt appearance may not be altered• Contact Ms. Gross for Sigsbee MS shirt orders• Shorts must have 7 inch inseam; no shorter than the

end of the fingertip when the arms are straight • Hats/Sunglasses worn during PE

If student is not in compliance with dress code, parents will be called to bring appropriate clothing

Sigsbee Middle School Communication

Use Jupiter.com for academic information, announcements, and email to teachersStudents may not use cell phones during school hours, and they must be off and locked awayCall the Sigsbee Charter School main office for emergencies (305) 294-1861 Middle School handbook available on our websiteCheck in daily with your child

Jupitergrades.com • For parents, it’s “the bottom line”; grades and

comments entered after teacher review• Data entry is not instantaneous• For students, it’s backup to their own planner

with assignments, due dates, upcoming tests, etc.

• Each new grade changes a student’s average; there may be many up’s & down’s over the course of a marking period!

MS Website http://sigsbeemiddleschool.yolasite.com/

• Middle School Handbook

• Field Trip Forms and Information

• Link to Jupiter Grades

CONFERENCES• Teachers continually update parents on student

progress via Jupitergrades.com, email, and phone calls • Teachers are available for conferences when

necessary and/or requested • Conferences are not required as part of the Sigsbee

Contract of Commitment. • Please contact your child’s teacher/s to schedule a

meeting in advance, as teachers often have prior professional commitments beyond their class schedules.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedure

Arrival7:45-8:00 Car Riders need to be picked up

in back of schooloStudents may not walk through parking lotoWait in line or park and walk to picnic area to get your child

Walkers/Bikers need to be off campus by 3:15

If picking up child after 3:15 please go to front office

Dismissal3:05-3:15When students arrive on

campus, retrieve items needed from locker and report to picnic tables

Open Gym 7:00-7:45 A.M.Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, Coach Guisti will hold Open Gym time

Library is open at 7:30 to read or work on projectsIf student arrives prior to 7:45 must be at Open Gym or Library

Rainy Day Dismissal Procedure

It is considered a Rainy Day Dismissal if there are no teachers on duty in back parking lot

Walker/BikerStudents will be dismissed just like regular dismissalIf parent intends to pick up walker/biker, MUST email middle school team and office NO LATER Than 2:45 and will be child will be dismissed from CAFETERIA

Car RidersWill be dismissed from CAFETERIA

The Lighter Side…• Key West history, kayaking, and

snorkeling trips• Science partnership with Reef

Relief

• Student Council

Science Fair

First Day of School• Bring your supplies, water bottle, lunch

or money, etc.• Put your backpack and lunch in your

locker and report to the picnic tables with paper and pencil.

• You will receive your schedule in morning meeting. (We’ll tell you where to go.)

Service Hours15 per family

Ways to receive your hours•Making copies•Organizing books/reading levels•Take Home (i.e math materials to cut out)•School Meetings

•Today’s Meeting•Open House•Parent Conferences•All School Meetings

Sign-in•Must Sign-in Volunteer notebook•Must wear a Volunteer/Visitor Badge at all times and return it to the office when you sign out

Other Stuff…• You’ll get your locker assignment after

this presentation.• Read The Scoop weekly and check email

regularly.• It is the students responsibility to ask

questions concerning course work assignments/grades

Recommended Reading – for parents!

• Queen Bees and Wannabees: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World by Rosalind Wiseman

• Stop Negotiating With Your Teen: Strategies for Parenting Your Angry, Manipulative, Moody, or Depressed Adolescent by Janet Sasson Edgette

• Your Teen is Crazy! Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind by Michael Bradley

• Getting to Calm: Cool-headed strategies for Parenting Tweens + Teens by Laura S. Kastner Ph.D. and Jennifer Wyatt

• Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy by Emily Bazelon

7th Grade Dry Tortuga’s End of the Year Trip