Welcome To Flat Rock Middle School: Home of the

Eagles.

Being in “the middle”…What’s it all about?

Starting Middle School Is A Big Step

FEARS

HOW THEY FEEL Wrestling with their roller coaster emotions and

swirling moods Trying to understand & accept physical changes Acutely aware of friends–where do I stand? Act like kids one day & adults the next

HOW THEY ACT Distracted Forgetful Anxious Self-conscious Argumentative

How is Middle School different from elementary school ?

More teachers; teams School hours - longer Lockers !!! More students More choices &

freedom Lunch Sports teams

What classes do 6th graders take?

Language Arts Math Science Social Studies

May choose to take orchestra or band

P.E. every day

Exploratories

Exploratories

Art Computers Music Careers Dance Linguistics (extra

help in Language Arts)

Health

What are teams?

More teachers – 2, 3, or 4 academic

3 teams in 6th grade at Flat Rock: Enthusiastic Eagles Energetic Eagles Ultimate Eagles

Approximately 85 students are on one team•Your child will have all academic classes with their team•They will have exploratories and PE with kids on all 6th grade teams

How is the school day divided?

Homeroom Homeroom: 30 minutes of AR reading and previewing

Six periods during the day 7:50 - go to lockers &

Homeroom 7:55 – in seat for Announcements School ends at 3:05

How is the school day divided?

Homeroom: at 7:55 Homeroom: 30 minutes of AR reading and

previewing

Six periods during the day

School ends at 3:05

They need….

• Binders • Pencils • Books• Lunch• Gym Clothes • Good Attitudes

It is important to be on time!!

Go to lockers at 7:50 !!!

Tip: Get them an alarm clock. Help them start waking up early a week

before school, to get used to the time.

School starts at 7:55

Attendance If absent more than 14 Days –

WILL NOT BE PROMOTED – THIS

INCLUDES EXCUSED ABSENCES!!!! Make up work! Homework Hotline… Call it for assignments. Make up the absence!!!

Tip: Start taking vitamins!!!!

Think about how many days your child has been absent this year.

What happens to grades when you miss a lot of school?

No Privilege List

When student doesn’t complete and turn in class work and homework

When student gets in trouble because of inappropriate behavior

Student will not be allowed to have school privileges such as attending:

Outside lunch time Athletic games Dances Pep rallies

Getting ready for PE Students will have PE everyday from 8:30 – 9:45 Wear shorts, t-shirt, socks, laced tennis shoes. Bring deodorant!!! Lock & locker to use ONLY during class time May buy shorts and shirt– cost is $10 Boys and girls in separate classes

For safety reasons•No jewelry•No hiking boots•No sandals, flips, open back tennis shoes

More students

775 studentsfrom:•Upward•Dana•Hillandale•Atkinson•Sugarloaf

476students at Upward

They will have 25 – 31 students per classThere are 275 6th graders at Flat Rock Middle School

Clubs, Clubs, Everywhere!

Math Counts

Annual (yearbook)

Art Club

Battle of the Books

Golf Club

Builders Club (community service) Chess Club

Hunter Safety

FCA

Chorus

NJHS

Odyssey of the Mind

Robotics

Student Council

Student Newspaper

Science Olympiad

Spring Play

Encourage your child to join 1 – 3 clubs!

Dances !!!

Different groups sponsor dances

Great way to get to know new people

8 dances each year Dances start at 3:30

and end at 5:00

Sports Teams & Cheerleading

Available for 7th & 8th graders

Requirements to participate:

•Pass 4 out of 6 courses (3 have to be academic) the previous semester•Be present 85% of the time the previous semester

Support the athletic teams at the games!

6th graders can be team managers

How can I help my child prepare for Middle School?

Be positive about school Visit the school Discuss expected changes Look for teachable moments

to discuss peer pressure

Tip: If you wouldn’t want to be treated that way, then stop treating others that way! No bullying

allowed!!

Continue to encourage reading throughout the summer.

All students at Flat Rock participate in the Accelerated Reader Program

All students are required to read 30 minutes every night

LOCKERS!!!

Buy a combination lock to let your child practice. (Plus this investment can be used for gym locker.)

Bring your own device (BYOD)

Students may bring: Phone Tablet E –readerVery specific rules about when to use

these SO DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO TAKE THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Get Organized!

Have your child clean out his room, closet, study area this summer to be ready for school.

How can I help my child adjust to Middle School?

Stay involved as parents Be a good listener Monitor your child’s free time Help your child get involved with

clubs or activities Make sure your child gets 9 – 11

hours of sleep each night!!!

Organization & Academics Check your child’s agenda every day

and ask to see the homework assigned; make sure they are writing down assignments

Determine a regular time & place to complete homework

Homework Hotline: assignments are available by 4:00 pm each day

Help your child organize his time Prepare for school the night before.

Come to Orientation

Students & parents can visit the school before school begins.

Orientation is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2014

at Flat Rock Middle School8:30 – 3:00 – students stay the whole time!

*students will receive schedule and be assigned an 8th grade mentor at Orientation

Mentors

Your student will have an 8th grade mentor and meet with him or her every other Friday

Mentors answer your child’s questions and help them out

Teacher expectations…

In middle school teachers expect students to:

•Do their best•Be responsible for their own actions

Your child needs to be ready to take on the responsibility that comes with being in Middle School.

Flat Rock VIP’s

Jeff Roper, PrincipalBrian Frees, Asst. Principal

Kim Morgan, Asst. Principal

697-4775Dawn Van Gelder

Kim MetcalfCounselors