Welcome to Back to School Night

1. Welcome toBack to School Night Seneca Ridge Middle School Home of the Thunderbolts!

2. Agenda • School Board Presentations • Seneca Ridge 101 • PTO introduction • Teacher presentations -Social Studies -Art -Keyboarding -Math -Science -Language Arts/SAMS -Music

3. Seneca Ridge 101 Welcome… Back To School

4. Visitor Protocols • All visitors must present photo identification • Share reason for your visit • Park in designated spaces, rather than the fire lane – indicated by the yellow curb • Thank you for your cooperation

5. Morning Drop Off • Pull all the way forward before dropping off your student at the curb (drop off area has been extended to the bike rack). • Parent parking and drop off is available at the far end of the lot – above the ball field. For student drop off, parents are to park only in the first row – so students have direct access to the new sidewalk. • Staff members will be outside to assist with safety. • Building hours: • 8:00 for library • 8:10 for breakfast • 8:15 to locker area • Morning extra help - teacher pass required to enter the building early

7. Afternoon Pick Up • NEW - parent parking and pick up area is available at the far end of the lot - the first row of parking, which provides direct access to the newly installed sidewalk above the ball field. Great opportunity for students who may need additional time to load or for early parents. • Pull all the way forward before picking up your student at the curb; students should enter the vehicle curbside. • When directed, carefully pull away from the curb and merge with exiting traffic. • Staff members will be outside to assist with safety.

9. CLARITY • “Account Request Form” available on the website, click on the yellow CLARITY link • CLARITY portal is slated to open October 3rd • Review student “grade books” with your children; encourage them to check themselves • CLARITY user information is available on the website, click on the yellow CLARITY link • A direct link to teacher email is available within CLARITY

10. Student Agenda – Information Source • School Information • Contact Information • School hours • Bell Schedules • 2013-2014 School Calendar (Holidays) • Attendance Procedures • Grading Scale • Student Services • Bolt Behavior Matrix • Expectations & Responsibilities (Behavior, Dress Code, etc.)

11. Agenda – Student’s Organizational Tool • Academic Planner Pages – Expected in every class, every day • References and Resources • Study Skills Seneca Style • STORM Goal Setting • Vinyl pocket

12. Bolt Behavior Matrix

13. STORM •  A staff member advises a group of 12 students (4 from each grade). • Activities focus on goal setting, academic progress, and fostering positive relationships with peers and adults within their learning community. • This will be posted as a second block class on your student’s schedule.

14. After School Clubs • Based on student and staff interests • Students must have signed permission to stay after – form is available on website, click on the “ACTIVITIES” and then “intramurals” link in the yellow bar • Adjusted late bus service Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday • Students are encouraged to share ideas for clubs with their counselor or dean • Clubs currently forming – students may join in any time

15. Currently Forming Clubs… • Mondays: Student Activity Council, Soccer • Tuesdays: Running Club, Fitness/Activity Club • Wednesdays: Flag Football, Basketball Clubs with varied meeting dates: • SERVE - Students Engaged in Real-World Service Experiences – dates TBD • Rocket Club • Naturalists Student interests: surveyed through resource – seeking sponsors: • lacrosse, debate

16. Resource, an Opportunity • BOLT(Be prepared, On task, Learning ready, and Targeted) • Music devices allowed with parent permission. • SUPER BOLT • Responsive approach to student specific needs • Smaller setting • Smaller student: teacher ratio • Agenda monitoring and training • Assistance with organization • More personalized assistance with study skills development • Assistance with assessment preparation • Developing self-advocacy regarding academic challenges

17. Cafeteria • Café prepay- check breakfast/lunch account balance and/or add funds to student’s account • www.myschoolbucks.com • Outdoor Café- • Parents are welcome to volunteer for the outdoor café. • Students go outside on a rotating basis, weather permitting. • Students are able to play on the blacktop with donated equipment; gently used basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, kick balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, etc. may be dropped of in the main office

18. Cafeteria • LCPS policy: Sharing or trading food in the classroom or cafeteria is not permissible and is a safety practice that has been in place in LCPS for several years.

19. Contacting Staff at SRMS • www.lcps.org/srms • Click on the “STAFF” link in the yellow bar • Click on your teacher of choice • You will be on the teacher’s webpage where you will find teacher specific information and an e-mail link • Phone messages may be left at the main office number (571)434-4420

20. Parent Input Opportunities • Ideas for Information Sessions for “Hot Topics” for middle school parents/students – share with grade level guidance counselor • Volunteer Opportunities – staying involved “in the middle” • PTO

21. Go Thunderbolts…

22. Goals for the class of 2020 • Building a community where students feel involved and supported • Students will develop a sense of school pride • Students will explore activities and interests • Students develop good study habits • Students will grow as independent learners • Students will explore higher educational opportunities for their futures

23. Co-Presidents Amy Curran Mike Morgan

24. Welcome!Mr. Goldberg, Ms. Clark,Ms. Stillman,and Ms. BoehlUS History to 1865

25. Most of this information can be accessed at our websites How to access a teacher’s web page: Go to the Seneca Ridge Middle School website located at:http://www.lcps.org/srms Click on the label marked "Staff". This will take you to a listing of the staff at the school. Click on the teacher’s name. This will take you to that individual teacher’s webpage.

26. Units of Study • 6th Grade US History (To 1865) • Continents and Oceans • Early Explorers • Settlement • Colonies • American Revolution • Constitutional Change • Western Expansion • Secession from the Union • Civil War SOL Tests will be held in May on all of the above topics. • Late May through June:  Overview of 7th Social Studies

27. Homework Policy • Homework is assigned on an as needed basis. • Homework ranges from studying for a quiz using the study strategies that students are learning in school, to reading assignments that introduce new topics, and writing assignments. • Assignments are assessed and feedback is given in a timely manner.

28. Upcoming Assignments • Please see your child’s agenda or teacher webpage to stay up to date on assignments in class.

29. Student Expectations • Students are expected to follow the expectations set forth in the student handbook, including bringing all materials to class such as binder, writing utensils, a book to read, and your agenda.

30. Frequently Asked Questions • We only study two wars, American Revolution and the Civil War. • Geography is a part of History, we promise. • Reading and writing will occur outside of your Language Arts class.

31. The Art Department at Seneca Ridge Middle School Mrs. Chahine Art 6 and Dominion HS Mrs. Null Art 7 and 8 Mrs. Yow Art 6 and 7

32. Units of Study Students continue to build basic skills, such as drawing, shading, and design. They are exposed to different media, such as graphite, paint, computer graphics, ceramics, etc.

33. Units of Study, continued Art History, Aesthetics and Criticism are interwoven throughout.

34. Homework Policy We do not assign regular homework. However, if students fall behind on a project, they may be asked to work on the project at home. Materials will be loaned out if necessary.

35. Student Expectations • Practice work is assessed and feedback is given; preliminary assignments do not affect final grades. • Projects are graded on a series of objectives using a rubric. • Students are expected to try their best and to show respect for self, others and property.

36. Frequently Asked Questions • What materials are students expected to bring? • Only a pocket folder and a #2 pencil. All other art materials are provided. • How often do students have Art in middle school? • 6th graders have art every other day for a whole block, like other classes. However, the class is only one semester long. • 7th graders have art all year, but only for half the block – the other half is Resource. • 8th graders have art all year, for a full block.

37. Frequently Asked QuestionsContinued • Do you keep any student work? • No; We may borrow it during the school year for display purposes, but every student should have all his/her art work before the end of the year. • Will my child’s art work be on display this year? • It may. We will have rotating displays in the school as well as in the community, including the Dominion High School Cluster Show in March. • How do I contact you? laura.null@lcps.org leila.yow@lcps.org natasha.amirhadji@lcps.org (Mrs. Chahine)

38. Mrs. Fedei and Ms. Martell Keyboarding

39. About Us Kimberly Fedei • Virginia Tech (B.S. Education & M.A School counseling) • Kimberly.fedei@lcps.org • Planning: 8:55-10:15 (A & B days) Linda Martell • SUNY Farmingdale (A.S. Business Administration) • SUNY Old Westbury (B.S. Elementary Education) • Nova Southeastern University (M.S. Technology in Education) • Linda.martell@lcps.org • Planning: 12:25-1:50 (B days)

40. Units of Study • Touch type the alphabetic keyboard, numbers & symbols • Identify the parts of a computer system • Proofread copy, using proofreaders’ marks • Key, format letters, e-mails, reports and tables. • Edit copy • Key and format addresses on envelopes • Produce documents incorporation graphic elements • Maintain workstation, equipment, materials & supplies.

41. Homework Policy • Homework is given on an as needed basis • Mostly practice and studying for assessments • Please check the calendar on either Mrs. Fedei’s or Ms. Martell’s website

42. Timed Writing Scale • First Nine-Weeks GWAM Grade 28-33 & up A 23-27 B 17-22 C 12-16 D Below 12 F • Second Nine-Weeks GWAM Grade 33-38 & up A 28-32 B 22-27 C 17-21 D Below 17 F

43. Student Expectations • Follow PBIS expectations • Be prepared • Be ready to work • Be neat • Be positive

44. Frequently Asked Questions • Is there homework? • Yes, students should be practicing every night for 15-20 minutes • Are they graded on speed? • Yes, at the end of the quarter there will be speed tests. Only the best will be recorded • How are they graded? • Grades are based on: • Skills Observations • Class work • Summative assessments • Speed tests • Projects

45. Website info: http://www.lcps.org/srms, then click on staff and find Fedei or Martell On our websites, you will find: Calendar Syllabus Expectations Keyboarding competencies Email: kimberly.fedei@lcps.org or linda.martell@lcps.org

46. Math 6, Daily Math 6, & Accelerated Math 6/7

47. About Us • We are the Sixth Grade Math CLT, a team of teachers that work closely together to plan common lessons and activities. We utilize each of our strengths to create engaging student-centered units that are provided in a unit packet format.

48. Units of Study Math 6: • Algebraic Properties • Equations and Inequalities • Ratios • Rational Numbers • Measurement • Geometry : Perimeter, Area, Volume & Surface Area • Probability & Statistics • Accelerated Math 6/7: All + more…

49. Homework Policy • Homework is assigned every class. • Students must complete all homework assignments on time. • Homework will align with the content covered in class that day. It can consist of textbook practice, worksheets, activities, or Study Guides. • Homework is checked for accuracy and reviewed the following class after assigned. • Homework is listed on individual webpages on the Calendar page.

50. Upcoming Assignments • Students are having their second assessment this week. • Check calendar for future assessments and dates that assessments are returned for parent/guardian review. • Check calendar for upcoming projects and assignments.