HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL 7 th Grade Parent Orientation

1. HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL7th Grade Parent Orientation

2. HMS ADMINISTRATION Mrs. Patricia Boland, Principal Mr. Scott Axmann, Assistant Principal Mr. Robert Grosso, Assistant Principal HMS 7TH GRADE GUIDANCE COUNSELORS Mrs. Kimberly Campbell Mrs. Danielle Iannuzzi

3. Roots & Wings Heritage Middle School is tailored to the unique intellectual, social and physical needs of the early adolescent. The structure of our middle school helps our students to explore their identities, begin to take academic and personal risks, hone their interests, develop confidence in themselves, and prepare themselves for the future. Beyond preparing students for high school, we prepare students for life.

4. SUPPORT SERVICES Teaming Guidance Intervention and Referral Services Child Study Team Nurse

5. So what does a School Counselor do? • Supportive services related to: • Academic achievement • Personal/Social development • Emotional well-being • Collaborate with: • Parents • Teachers • Community • …..and more!

6. Goal-setting • Long-term planning • Making connections • Career awareness/exploration

7. Communication • Teachers/Counselor • Peers • Negotiation • Self-Advocacy • Decision-Making • Problem-Solving

8. Peer relationships • Conflict resolution • Social skills • Technology safety • Speaking up • Healthy choices • Time management

9. HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION HSA Officers Co-Presidents: Jill Diamond • rjdiamond@comcast.net Michelle Peters • michelle@nathod.com How to Join HSA link • Under quick links on HMS website

10. SCHOOL TIME • The am bell rings at 8:10 am and all students are expected to be in their homebase by 8:20 am. The day ends at 3:09 pm • Drop-off and pick-up for 7th grade is in the lower lot or the side lot in front of the Board Office • Extra help occurs after school, before school and during Enrichment (period 4) • Late busses run at 4:05 pm on Tues, Wed, and Thurs to allow students who have bus passes to go home after extra help or other activities.

11. LUNCH TIME • Two teams per lunch period – 7th grade lunch periods 6 and 7 • No assigned seating • Purchasing lunch as was experienced at MPMS • Cash • Prepay online*(Recommended) • Monthly menu available online

12. ADVISORY PERIOD The Advisory period is designed to address general academic, social and emotional needs of students at the middle school level. This program creates a contextual basis for our character education program. These classes areheld on specific Fridays and has a clear academic or social focus. There is an abbreviated schedule for these days.

13. ENRICHMENT • The Enrichment period is a period provided for students to read self-selected books independently. Research on literacy at this age shows that students who consistently read significantly increase literacy and comprehension skills. The Enrichment period also allows us to support enriching programs in Music, Art, Family and Consumer Science, Business Applications and Technology to extend and encourage student growth. Students can also visit teachers for extra help. The Enrichment period is not to be used for homework.

14. COMMUNICATION • Communication with Teachers • Available through email and phone message • Teams welcome meetings with parents either initiated by team or by the parents • Open Grade Book- Genesis Parent Access • Parents will have access to all student assessments and assignments • Allows for constant monitoring of student performance/ assignment completion • Websites • The District Code of Conduct, HMS Student Handbook, and Grading and Reporting Handbook will be available on line through the district or HMS home page • Heritage websites are robust for all HMS teachers

15. Heritage InterscholasticSports Program • Program sponsored by the YMCA -Mrs. Helen Flores, Athletic Director • Philosophy of Program -Basic Skills/Team Play -Increased Participation -De-emphasis on wins/losses though we are proud of the number of championships we have obtained

16. Heritage InterscholasticSports Program Medical/Paperwork • A yearly physical is a must to be eligible to participate • Free Physicals: Wednesday, June 11th@ 4 PM /Wednesday, July 30th @ 8 AM in the LHS Health Office • Forms for Fall Sports are due August 22ndto ensure approval by district medical personnel in time for tryouts for the fall sports • The Physical Evaluation Form & Health History Questionnaire must be brought to the Doctor/Health Office • All other sports forms are found in the Genesis Parent Portal and can be filled out electronically All links/medical forms are found in ‘Athletics’ under the ‘Activities’ tab on the Heritage Homepage

17. Interscholastic Sport Offerings Spring • B/G Lacrosse • B/G Track • Baseball • Softball • Boys Tennis Fall • B/G Soccer • B/G Cross Country • Field Hockey • Girls Tennis Winter • B/G Basketball • B/G Volleyball • Wrestling

18. INTRAMURALS Activities combine both an instructional component and play time/ competition. Sessions may take place in the morning or afternoon. Intramurals offered in previous years based on interest and demand: Fall – Ping Pong, Basketball, Tennis Winter – Flag Football, Speedball Spring – Field Hockey, Handball

19. CLUBS/ ACTIVITIES • Green Issues Club • Color-A-Smile • TCI – Student Volunteer Service Program • Christian Club • Jazz Band • Select Chorus • Select Orchestra • Peer to Peer • Science Olympiad • GT Art • GT Enrichment • - Stock Market Game • - Chess Team • - Forensics • - Cognetics • Academically Speaking • All School Productions • -Fall Drama • -Spring Musical • -Stage Crew • Law Adventure • Literary Magazine: Horizons • Math Counts • Newspaper:The Heritage Gazette • Technology Student Association • FBLA: Future Business Leaders of America • Femgineers • Student Council • Yearbook • Diversity Club