middle school parent information night 2017-2018 school parent information night 2017-2018 curiosity...

Middle School Parent Information Night

2017-2018

Curiosity Thrives Here

Welcome!


Eric VanScoy, Principal

Who Was I?


Eric VanScoy, Principal

Middle School Is a Unique time


Birth - Two Adolescent

Embrace Their Age and Generation


Tonight’s Purpose:

● Learn more about our middle school model and philosophy

● Communicate important building information● Learn what courses and opportunities are available

at Stillwater Middle School● Understand how your students registered for

courses● Learn how students transition to middle school


Philosophy

Middle School Mission (July 19, 2016):

Middle level education in Stillwater

provides a nurturing and collaborative

learning environment in which positive

relationships create a foundation for

challenging, exploratory and

integrative experiences to maximize

individual growth.


Initial PlanningVetting of Middle School Research

● “This We Believe” from the Association for Middle Level Education

○ 16 Characteristics

● Developmental Designs

○ Responsive classroom approach to class and advisory

● Ed Leader 21 - 21st Century Learning Skills

○ Communication

○ Collaboration

○ Creativity

○ Critical thinking

● State and local standards


Model Development • Worked within the current 6 period day

to ensure sustainability

• Created deep programming vs. wide programming

• Maintained space for advisory programming

• Looks traditional but has room for flexibility based on teaming and scheduling

• Meets all state and local requirements


Program Elements• Robust advisory

• Grade level teaming

• Whole child, personalized,

project-based instructional approach

• Curriculum-wide exploration

• Mini-course Days

• Intervention/enrichment time (team determined)

• Numerous co-curricular and club experiences


Life in the 6th Grade• Buses arrive between 7:35 - 7:45 a.m. • Optional breakfast is served starting at 7:30 a.m. in

cafeteria• Individual lockers with a built in lock/combination• School starts at 7:50 a.m. with Advisory• Six classes with different classrooms & teachers• Skyward Family Access to monitor academics• Student planners are suggested to stay organized• After school Homework Hangout!• School Counselors for every student• After school activities, clubs, and sports

✓


Advisory20 minutes, dailyPurpose: Advisory is a program focused on fostering positive relationships

between students and adults at Stillwater Middle School. It is the bridge

between home and school.

Based on Developmental Designs, The Origins Program

Students greet, share, and participate everyday!

Activity Examples

Grade/Homework progress checks Team building events

Organizational skills Current events discussions

Character building activities Tournaments

Reading strategies Games


6th Grade CoursesSAMPLE SCHEDULE; SCHEDULES VARY DEPENDING ON THE STUDENT

ADVISORY (ALL YEAR)

MATH (ALL YEAR)

SCIENCE (ALL YEAR)

MINNESOTA STUDIES (ALL YEAR)

LANGUAGE ARTS (ALL YEAR)

PE/MUSIC (EVERY OTHER DAY, ALL YEAR)

HEALTH (1 QUARTER)

ART (1 QUARTER)

DESIGN AND MODELING (1 QUARTER)

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUCCESS I (1 QUARTER)


Daily Schedule*SAMPLE SCHEDULE; SCHEDULES VARY DEPENDING ON THE STUDENT

7:50 – 8:10 AM 0 HOUR ADVISORY

8:15 – 9:05 AM 1ST HOUR LANGUAGE ARTS 9:10 – 10:05 AM 2ND HOUR MATH

10:10 – 11:30 AM 3RD HOUR SCIENCE ***10:05-10:30 AM A LUNCH

***10:30-10:55 AM B LUNCH11:05 AM - 12:25 PM 4TH HOUR MINNESOTA STUDIES

12:25 – 1:20 PM 5TH HOUR PE/MUSIC (every other day)

1:25 – 2:20 PM 6TH HOUR HEALTH, ART,DESIGN AND MODELING, or MIDDLE SCHOOL SUCCESS I

(rotating each quarter)


7 TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT SMS!


1. Attend school every day!

2. Stay organized (e.g. use a planner, binder, etc.).

3. Complete your homework on time.

4. Monitor your grades in Skyward Family Access.

5. Attend Homework Hangout.

6. Ask for help from your teachers, counselor, or

administrator.

7. Get involved in school activities! Make new friends!

Building Safety

• Secured Entryway

• Sign in Procedures

• Driver’s License

• Picture ID

• School Safety Team

• 5 Lock Down Drills

• School Resource Officer

• Drug Canine

• 5 Fire Drills

• Student Support Team

As a staff, we accept the responsibility to educate, nurture, and ensure the safety of all students at SMS


Transition and Orientation

Traditionally:• Counselors visit elementary schools in mid-January or

early-February to talk about registration

• New parent information evening in mid-February

• Friday Night Live in early May at each building as a fun introduction to the school

• Mid-August new student orientations

• September Back to School Night for new students to meet their teachers and walk their schedule


Additional Steps

• Principals visited each elementary school in October

• Field trip experience to tour school this April

• WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) Programming

– Partnership Plan supported (Thank you!)

– Connects new students with 8th grade students

– Welcomes new students before the school year begins

– Provides numerous touch points throughout the school year


Top Ten Questions from Your Students

10. Do I call you Mr. VanScoy or Principal VanScoy?

9. Does Mountain Dew really come-out of one of the water fountains?

8. Who do I talk to about getting more homework and harder tests?

7. Can we chew gum at school?

6. Do we get to blow things up in science?

5. Do you have detention?

4. Is it true that 6th grade students get shoved in lockers?

3. Do I really get to sit with whoever I want at lunch?

2. Does lunch taste better there?

1. During swim units are the boys required to wear speedos?


Friday Night Live!

April 28, 2017, 3:40 - 5:30 p.m. at Stillwater Middle School

This fun event for incoming 6th graders will include an inflatable obstacle course, open swim, games in the cafeteria and a chance to check out the Middle School you'll be attending in the fall. Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. Bring your suit and towel if you are planning on swimming. Hosted and supervised by Community Education.

Register through Community Education!


Important DatesDATE EVENT

Mid-March/Early April Field Trip to SMS

April 28, 2017 “Friday Night Live” hosted at SMSsponsored by Community Education

June 2017 Placement Letters Mailed Home

August 17, 2017 6th Grade Orientation & Schedule Pickup

August 28, 2017 1st Day of School!


Philosophy

Middle School Mission (July 19, 2016):

Middle level education in Stillwater

provides a nurturing and collaborative

learning environment in which positive

relationships create a foundation for

challenging, exploratory and

integrative experiences to maximize

individual growth.


Communication


Join the SMS PTA!The Stillwater Middle School PTA supports students, staff and families.

• We host the Blarney Blast in March, and Box Tops Challenges in the fall

and spring

• Our main fundraising effort is through Give to the Max in November

• Please like us on Facebook at Stillwater Junior High School PTA (make

sure it is the Minnesota school)

• If you wish to join our email list, please send an email to Anne Sheridan

at - [email protected]

We would like to invite you to our May parent social, information with be on

the Facebook page or through the email list. Please join us!


mailto:[email protected]

We are here to help!Lynn Walek - Counseling secretary, [email protected]

Alicia Wegman - Counselor for class of 2024, [email protected]

Jeana Kirdan - Counselor for class of 2023, [email protected]

Rashel Lane - Interim Counselor for class of 2022, [email protected]

Roderic (Eric) VanScoy- Principal 651-351-6901 [email protected]

Shelly Phernetton - Assistant Principal [email protected]














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