Welcome!!

1. Welcome!! Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School Seventh Grade Information Presentation

2. Goals for the Evening • Introductions • Calendar of Events • Testing Procedures/Subjects Tested • Student Placement • Levels - Differences • Teams • Math Department Presentation • Upcoming Events • Additional information - Junior High Tips for Success

3. Calendar January – February: Testing in Math, English and History March – Scoring and compiling of results April – Teams developed May – Schedules mailed to homes June – By the final day of school – any questions

4. PLACEMENT PROCEDURES • Scores from math and English/history tests • PSSA scores from fifth grade • Teacher Recommendations

5. Pre-Honors English and Social Studies Expectations • Explore a variety of literature • Focus on advanced writing skills • Engage in discussions involving higher-order thinking • Work in groups or with partners for cooperative learning without constant supervision • Higher expectations for student responsibility • Move at an accelerated pace

6. Pre-Honors English and Social Studies Expectations – Part 2 • Strong work ethic: work independently • Able to read independently and formulate opinions • Interested in the subject matter • Able to write for multiple purposes • Mastery of basic grammar skills: capitalization, parts of speech, complete sentences, etc. • Devote time to complete assignments • Classwork, reading, homework, research, and reports

7. College Bound English and Social Studies Expectations • Similar to Pre-Honors except that the PSSA score should be Proficient at a minimum and the student might not be as independent a worker as the Pre-Honors • Work ethic should still be strong, and the student should be responsible in completing work • CB still prepares students for college.

8. Level 7 Expectations • Basic or Below in PSSA Reading • Struggle to communicate ideas in written form • Often require teacher guidance • Please Note: CB-level students may exhibit one of these qualities but have strengths in other areas that can compensate for the weakness

9. TEAMING – WHY? • Creates a small school atmosphere within a large school • Instead of a large group of seventh grade students, there are three equal teams    • Teaming gives students a sense of belonging and helps ease their adjustment

10. TEAMING – WHY? Part 2 • Physically, • one area most of the time • the same core teachers with classes in one area of the building • Socially, • they are part of a group instead of just a number in a large school. • each team creates a team name and logo and functions as a group

11. TEAMING – WHY? Part 3 • Academically, • teachers can monitor progress as a team of teachers and provide interdisciplinary lessons • easier for parents to meet with teachers since the team teachers have common planning time

12. Teaming – HOW? • Students • four elementary schools • other districts • private schools Equally distributed into three teams of students. Each team has basic, college-bound, and pre-honors levels, and no team is better or smarter!

13. TEAM COMPOSITION

14. Team Composition: Example • TEAM ONE • TEAM 2 • TEAM 3

15. Math Department • Mrs. Mary Kay Barton

16. 7th Grade Mathematics Courses • Algebra 1 • Pre-Algebra • Academic • Math 7 • PSSA Math - selected students only - second math course

17. Algebra 1 • Independent learner, extremely strong work ethic • High expectations at an accelerated pace • Analytical , abstract and deductive reasoning skills • Higher order critical thinking and problem solving • Self disciplined to accept new challenges • Mature, responsible and dedicated to learning abstract concepts • Self discipline to accept demanding nightly assignments even on weekends or holidays • Mastery of mathematics computational skills

18. Pre-Algebra • Similar demands as other pre-honor courses • Independent dedicated learner • Strong math computational skills • Analytical thinking ability • Strong work ethic • Responsible and dedicated effort • Ability to utilize problem solving strategies

19. Academic • College bound preparation course • Requires some teacher assistance • Additional time to comprehend concepts • Ability to solve word problems • Commitment to completing assignments • Math may not be the students’ strongest academic subject

20. Math 7 • Basic or Below Basic on PSSA math test • Needs extra practice with math computational skills • Requires teacher guidance and directives • Transition from dependent to independent learners • Emphasis on decoding word problems • Development of a strong work ethic • Transition to self-motivation

21. PSSA Math • Below Basic or Basic on PSSA test. • Below Basic or Basic on the last 4 sight test. given in 6th grade • Emphasis on computation and concepts required on the PSSA test to achieve proficient level

22. Career Pathways Business Communications Engineering and Industrial Human Services Science

23. Career Pathways – Grade Seven • Career Game • Pathway PALS

24. Career Pathways - Grade 8 • Self-Directed Search • Career Fair • Career Conferences • Curriculum Night

25. Career Pathways - Grade 9 • Computer class lessons • Career Panels • Selection of Pathway

26. Additional Information See the following slides for information concerning: • Cafeteria • Attendance • Absences: illnesses, late arrivals, etc. • Locks • School Nurse • Student Assistance Program • Gym Uniforms and Locks • Morning Drop-off and Pick-up • School Supplies • Custody Concerns • August Orientation • Contact information

27. JUNIOR HIGH TIPS/CAFETERIA • Breakfast (before the school day begins) and lunch are available. Seventh grade eats fifth period, 10:55 -11:40 • A computer system is used to handle cafeteria money and track purchases of meals and a la carte items. • Students can put money in their account before school begins on the first day of the week or when going through the serving line at lunch. • Please make checks payable to HASD Cafeterias. • You can also use Café Prepay to check account balances and make deposits into your child’s lunch account. www.pay4lunch.com (a service fee of 6% will be applied.)

28. JH TIPS/CAFETERIA: Part 2 • When purchasing meals and a la carte items, students enter their six digit id number into the PIN pad, regardless if they are using money from their account or paying cash. • Students at the Junior High School may borrow 3 lunches against their account. • Students from households that meet income guidelines are eligible and should apply for free or reduced price lunches.

29. Attendance • When a student returns from an absence, • First check in with homeroom teacher • Then take written excuse to the LGI Room (221) where excuses and early dismissals are accepted. • Also, it is the student’s responsibility to check on any missing assignments. • The excuse must state the specific reason for the absence, include student id and a phone number. • An excuse needs to be turned in the first day he/she returns to school.  If an excuse is not turned in before 8:30 A.M. of the fifth school day attended after the absence, the absence will be marked as illegal and an excuse will not be accepted beyond that point. 

30. Extended Vacations/Absences • Extended vacations must be approved by the principal, and the necessary forms are in the main office. • Assignments given prior to an extended vacation are due upon return. • For an extended absence due to illness, a parent or guardian should call the guidance office to make arrangements. • The Student Handbook states that for each day absent, a student has that number of days absent plus one to turn in all make-up work.

31. Tardiness • Any student arriving at school AFTERhomeroom must report to the Main Office. Students will be marked tardy. Students entering after 9:00 a.m. but before 11:00 a.m. shall be marked as either 1/2 day excused or unexcused absence depending on the excuse. Students entering after 11:00 a.m. shall be marked as either a full day excused or unexcused absence depending on the excuse.

32. Early Dismissal • A written excuse indicating the time and the specific reason for the request must be turned in to the Attendance Office on the day of the early dismissal. • Include the Student ID and a phone number

33. Late Entries • If a student will be arriving to school after an early morning appointment, the office must be notified prior to the appointment. If time allows, an excuse should be turned in the day before the appointment. Otherwise, call the Attendance Office before 8:00 a.m.

34. Gym Uniforms and Gym Locks • Gym uniforms, which consist of a T-shirt and shorts, can be purchased from The Locker Room and ProActive Sports. • Please buy a combination lock for your child’s gym locker. • Gym classes are held four days per week in 7th grade.

35. Locks • Provided by the junior high; only school locks are permitted on school lockers. Students will keep these locks through the ninth grade, and they’ll learn to use them during the 7th grade student orientation time with their teachers. • If they forget their combination, they can get it from their homeroom teacher. • Students are to use only the lockers to which they are assigned. Lock must be used at all times.

36. SCHOOL NURSE Materials will be sent from the administration office to parents regarding health information and emergency cards. If you have any questions about health concerns, do not hesitate to contact our school nurse, Barb Huff, Ext. 6531.

37. Student Assistance Program • A voluntary program conducted by a team who have been trained through a state endorsed program of drug, alcohol, and suicide prevention. • This team works in cooperation with the Altoona Hospital Mental Health Center and Blair County Drug and Alcohol Services. • S.A.P. is an identification, an intervention, a referral, and support program. • Parents or students wishing more information on the S.A.P. program should call the nurse or guidance office.

38. Morning Drop-off and Pick-up • In the morning, follow the traffic past the front of the YMCA and drive along the curbing around the front side of the school. • Please do not cut through the parking lot. Also, do not park in the apron directly in front of the school; this area is for buses only and is monitored for safety by the Hollidaysburg Police Department.

39. School Supplies • Lists for each of the three teams will be on the back of the 7th grade orientation flyer in August • Teachers will remind the students what they’ll need for each class. • Some supplies are available in the student store located behind the cafeteria.

40. Custody Concerns • In the best interest and for the safety of your child, we ask that you notify the Main Office and Guidance Office of any custody issues that are related to your child. All of this information is kept confidential. • We also need the most recent documentation of this custody agreement for your child’s file.

41. August Orientation • Information in the mail during the summer • Sample Topics • SCHOOL NURSE CAFETERIA • School Supplies Dean of Students • Plus lots more

42. CONTACT INFORMATION • Website Address: www.tigerwires.com Information about studentactivities, teacher web pages, and upcoming events. • Email veronica_sell@tigerwires.com • Phone: 695-4426 ext 6521