Post on 28-Oct-2019
Welcome to Upper Merion Area
Middle School
Community of Caring School 2009 National and Pennsylvania School of Character 2010 National Network of Partnership School Awards 2011 and 2012
Administrative Team
■ Mr. Adam Slavin Building Principal■ Mr. Eric Erb Assistant Principal grades 5 and 6■ Ms. Angela Regrut Assistant Principal grades 7 and 8
Pupil Services
■ Mrs. Mandi Donahue 5th grade counselor■ Mr. David Burns 6th grade counselor■ Mrs. Kim Corbi 7th grade counselor■ Mrs. Kara Howell 8th grade counselor
■ Ms. Pat Berger Social Worker■ Mrs. Ro Foote Psychologist
A Sample of Our School-Wide Initiatives Under the
Community of Caring Umbrella
CAST
MentorsPeer Buddies
Peer Mediation
PTC Junior Optimists
National Junior Honor SocietyPASS
C.R.E.A.T.E.Tutoring
Transition Day
Parenting EducationThematic Units Anti-Bullying
Student Council
Extra Curricular Activities
Business Education Partnerships
Service Learning iPad Evenings
Community of CaringComponents
■ Values In and Across the Curriculum■ Student Leadership/ Forums■ Service Learning/ Community Service■ Family and Community Involvement■ Inclusion of All Students
WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF CARING!
■ Middle school students with specific allergies ■ Create a safe environment for all students
■ Latex ■ Balloons are prohibited!■ Purchase latex free supplies
■ Food allergy (egg/ peanut)
■ Education to teachers and students on team and class section
Opening Week Transition
■ Escorted to classes■ Assistance in reading the schedule■ Assistance with lockers■ Cafeteria assistance■ Caring, nurturing environment to
ensure students feel welcome, safe and secure
School Day
■ Students arrive at the middle school starting at 7:30 a.m.
■ The first class begins at 8:00 a.m.■ Dismissal time is 2:55 p.m.■ Busses depart from the middle school
at 3:05 p.m.■ Busses drop-off and pick-up at the
front of the middle school
Bus pickup in the A.M.
■ Students should arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time
■ Supervisor of Transportation Marsha Wagner (mwagner@umasd.org) 610-205-6484
School Day
■ Parent drop-off and pick-up is at the rear of the building (Crossfield Road)
■ Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. are to be dropped off at the main entrance, proceed to the main office attendance clerk with a note stating the reason for lateness.
School Day (cont.)
■ When the 5th grade students arrive at school they are to proceed to the auditorium until they are dismissed at approximately 7:50 a.m.
■ The students go to their lockers and get materials necessary for their first class of the day. The bell for the beginning of the first class rings at 8:00 a.m.
Student Schedule
■ The schedule consists of 3 academic blocks, each 90 minutes in length. The blocks consist of Language Arts, Math, and Integrated Science and Social Studies.
■ Students will have 2 Unified Arts blocks, which are 43 minutes in length consisting of Art, Music, Tech Ed, Keyboarding, Family/Consumer Science and PE/ Health.
■ Students will also have a 30 minute lunch.
Student Schedule
■ Block 1 8:00 - 9:33 Academic■ Unified Arts 9:36 - 10:19■ Lunch 10:22 - 10:52■ Block 2 10:55 - 12:24 Academic
Block 3 12:27 - 1:10 Academic■ Unified Arts 1:13 - 1:56■ Block 3 1:59 - 2:55 Academic
Lockers
■ Each student has their own locker with a combination
■ Teachers work with students to help them access their locker
■ Students should not give the combination to other students
Activities■ Community of
Caring Club■ Intramurals
■ Junior Optimist Club
■ Drama Club
■ Student Council
■ Band, Orchestra and Chorus
■ C.R.E.A.T. E. Club
■ Technology Student Association Club
■ Robotics Club
Activity Busses
■ Activity busses are provided for students staying after school for clubs, activities or extra help.
■ Activity busses pick up at the FRONT of the school at 4:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
School Store
■ The school store is open in the cafeteria. Parents may purchase gym uniforms and school supplies.
Open House
■ September 22nd – 6:30 p.m.■ Parents will have the opportunity to
meet their children’s teachers■ Parents can complete applications for
the parent portal. Applications are found on the district and middle school websites
Transforming Learning and Teaching with iPads
21 Century Skills:
● Critical & Creative Thinking
● Collaborating & Communicating
● Information Literacy
● Digital Citizenship
Transforming Learning and Teaching with iPads
We still have paper and pencil
and textbooks, but now we’ve
added...
Podcasts, eBooks, Music, Photos, Videos, Interactive Texts, Camera, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Hundreds of Apps...
“Never lose another piece of paper again!”
Transforming Learning and Teaching with iPads
Enhance how students; Draw, Create, Share, Collaborate, Discuss…
Middle School Library
5th Grade Library Classes
• Library Skills• Taught in library class• Integrated with
curricular projects
• Exposure to high quality literature, new books, classics
• Meet approximately every other weekStudents come to library
*Before school
*During lunch—with pass
*With classes
DESTINY• Library’s Electronic Catalog
• iPad=24/7 Individual Access• Students can search the collection• Review own accounts
BryteWave• Reader for Library’s collection
of ebooks• Collection just started
iPads and the Middle School Library
25 Book Challenge
• Individual challenge of reading 1 Million Words
• Individual and group incentives– One a quarter LA
classroom competitions
– End of year awards
Assisting Your Child In Middle School
Middle school years are a time of growth. A move from childhood to adolescence. They become more independent. They want their parents’ support, help and approval but they also want to forge out on their own. During this time of transition there are many things you can do to assist your child to be successful in school.
How You Can Help:
● Have all basic supplies ready for home and school before the first day.
● Daily school attendance and on time arrival.
● Avoid appointments during the school day. If made during the school day, promptly return your child to school.
Some More Ways You Can Help:
● Monitor your child’s upcoming assignments through our LMS: Schoology
● Have a regular place and time for your child to do homework.
● Have a “charging station” in the house for your child’s iPad (not in their room).
● Use the middle school’s website to stay up to date on activities, classwork and grades.
● Register for the Parent Portal and Schoology, regularly check on your child’s progress.
Parent Portal Sign Up
● Option to sign up tonight in Room C218 (second floor above the 5th grade wing)○ Complete online application, print, and verify
address by showing us your driver's license
● Link for directions
http://www.umasd.org/Page/5955
...And Finally:
■ If your child says there is no homework, require 30 minutes of reading. Good readers make good writers.
■ Expect your child to take initiative.
■ If you have concerns or questions contact your child’s teacher or guidance counselor.