Welcome to Spring Forest Middle School 6 th

Welcome to Spring Forest Middle School!! 6 th Grade Parent Orientation Meeting August 22, 2012

Tonight’s Agenda • Welcome and Introductions • Purpose: To prepare all incoming 6 th graders for a smooth transition into Spring Forest Middle School. • Review Basic Information: Our Campus Vision, SBISD 5 -Year Plan, T-2 -4, Student Schedules/Bell Schedules, Lockers, 6 th Grade Student Expectations, Student Discipline, Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy, and Dress Code • Q & A Session

Our Campus Vision • SBISD 5 Year Plan • Rigor, Relevance, & Relationships • Literacy - academic language • Early Adopter campus for technology • 21 st Century Learning • Love & Logic

• T– 2 -4

Built on Four Beliefs • Builds on the strengths and gifts of each child • Provides students from poverty the same opportunities for success after high school as students from non-poverty homes • Instills in every student the belief that they can achieve more than they think possible • Assures that every adult in the system is committed to the successful completion of some form of higher education for every student

Rigor/Relevance Framework® Bloom’s Revised Bloom’s Evaluation Creating Synthesis Evaluating Analysis Analyzing Application Applying Comprehension Understanding Knowledge Remembering (NOUNS) (VERBS)

3/19/2018 7

Literacy Across The Curriculum 8

Literacy can teach me….

Love And Logic

AYP ACCOUNTABILITY • Federal accountability under NCLB • School districts and campuses are evaluated for Adequate Yearly Progress • 71% of school districts across the state including SBISD did not make AYP • SFMS met AYP for reading but not for math • We made % gains in 7 out of the 7 student accountability groups for reading • We made % gains in 5 out of 7 student accountability groups for math

Middle School Reflection As some of you may already know, the middle school years are considered some of the most exciting, challenging, and above all else, most essential for our students. These years are some of the most important in terms of growth and development as it represents the beginning of a transition from childhood to adolescence. As with any type of development, there can sometimes be growing pains. But by having supportive parents, our children will finish these years stronger academically, socially and emotionally. At Spring Forest we look forward to working in a collaborative partnership with parents, as we must support one another in order to ensure student success. Our primary goal is to have all students realize their true potential and get the most out of their middle school years.

Spring Forest Information • Feeder Elementary Schools- Meadow Wood, Nottingham, Sherwood, Thornwood, and Wilchester • Projected Enrollment- 837 students 288 6 th graders 248 7 th graders 301 8 th graders • All teachers are Highly Qualified in their curricular content areas.

Transition to Middle School First Day of School Checklist: üImmunization Check üTextbooks üLock and Locker (parents provide PE lock) üBus Routes • Parent meetings-Dates to be Determined

What classes will my child have in 6 th grade? • Required courses • Lang. Arts • Math • Science • Social Studies • PE • One elective choice • Choir • Band • Orchestra • Theater Arts • Art

Pre-Advanced Placement Classes (Pre-AP) • Math • Language Arts • Recommended that students have above average (85 or higher) in 5 th grade Lang. Arts or math • 85% or higher on most recent standardized tests.

Gifted & Talented Classes • Offered in all 4 core areas • Students must be identified as GT by SBISD • GT math is very accelerated. . . 6 th grade GT math-Pre-Algebra 7 th grade GT math-Algebra I 8 th grade GT math-Geometry

Sample Schedules Academic ¨ Lang. arts 6 ¨ Social Studies 6 ¨ Math 6 ¨ Science 6 ¨ PE ¨ Art ¨ Theater Pre-AP ¨ Math 6 Pre-AP ¨ Lang. arts 6 Pre-AP ¨ Science 6 ¨ Soc. Studies 6 ¨ Band ¨ PE ¨ Choir

Spring Forest 2012 -2013 Bell Schedules 2012 -2013 6 th Grade Regular Bell Schedule 1 st Period 2 nd Period 3 rd Period LUNCH 4 th Period 5 th Period 6 th Period 7 th Period 8: 30 AM – 9: 25 AM 9: 29 AM – 10: 20 AM 10: 24 AM – 11: 15 AM 11: 19 AM – 11: 49 AM 11: 53 AM – 12: 44 PM 12: 48 PM – 1: 39 PM 1: 43 PM – 2: 34 PM 2: 38 PM – 3: 30 PM 2012 -2013 6 th Grade Advisory Bell Schedule *Wednesdays Only Advisory 1 st Period 2 nd Period 3 rd Period LUNCH 4 th Period 5 th Period 6 th Period 7 th Period 8: 30 AM – 9: 00 AM 9: 04 AM – 9: 51 AM 9: 55 AM – 10: 42 AM 10: 46 AM – 11: 33 AM 11: 37 AM – 12: 07 PM 12: 11 PM – 12: 58 PM 1: 02 PM – 1: 49 PM 1: 53 PM – 2: 40 PM 2: 44 PM – 3: 30 PM

Basic Information • At Spring Forest the school day begins at 8: 30 A. M. and ends at 3: 30 P. M. – There are 7 class periods, 52 minutes long, with FOUR-minute passing periods between each class. • Students may enter the campus grounds at 6: 45 A. M. and must be off campus by 3: 45 P. M. unless participating in tutorials, extra-curricular activities, or the after-school program. • Teachers offer tutorials before and after-school. Please adhere to the tutorial schedule provided by your child’s teacher which will be available on the Spring Forest Middle School Web-Page at http: //sfm. springbranchisd. com/ (In the News section- at the bottom left of the web-page)

Embarking on your middle school journey… • Many studies have shown that middle school years are the pillars to a child’s future. Furthermore, middle childhood brings many changes to a child's life. Developing independence from family becomes more important now. Events such as starting school bring children this age into regular contact with the larger world. Friendships become more and more important. Physical, social, and mental skills develop rapidly at this time. This is also a critical time for children to develop confidence in all areas of life, such as through friends, academics, and sports. • The years between 6 th grade and 8 th grade are extremely important because they set the framework for your success in high school and beyond. • For the first time, you will be learning in six or seven classrooms, with more teachers, and probably more class work & homework.

Embarking on your middle school journey… • For the first time you will have choices of your elective classes and a lot more choices of what to eat and where to sit at lunch. • At Spring Forest Middle School you will find lots of opportunities to belong to student organizations, and you will definitely have more freedom than elementary school. • And while you will remain friends with some of the kids from your old school, you will make many new friendships here at Spring Forest.

Student Expectations: At Spring Forest we have a Student. Centered focus with Student Achievement as the Core! As members of the Spring Forest Middle School Professional Learning Community, we agree to: Respect ourselves by… • Doing our best by completing all class work, homework, and projects • Asking for help when needed. • Being responsible for our own actions, assignments and property • Coming to school on time and prepared everyday • Using words and language that are not mean, vulgar or offensive • Being honest and fair • Bringing only appropriate items to school • Behaving safely Respect others by… • Accepting everyone’s differences • Observing all campus, classroom, and cafeteria rules • Being polite, courteous and cooperative • Keeping your hands and feet to yourself at all times. No pushing, kicking, fighting or horseplay will be tolerated. • Walking at all times in all school ground areas. • Following directions from all Spring Forest staff. • Not throwing rocks, spitballs, food or other items • Respect property by… • Keeping all areas of the school neat and orderly • Using materials in ways that don’t waste, litter or damage • Not doing anything the destroy or deface the school property

Addressing Student Tardiness TARDINESS: In order for classes to run smoothly, with minimal disruptions, it is important for students to be on time. A student is considered tardy to class if the tardy bell rings and he or she is not inside the classroom. Students are to report to class for roll check before participating in any other scheduled activity. If a student happens to be detained in the office or by a teacher a tardy excuse should be issued before going to the next class. Missing the bus in the morning will not be considered an excused tardy. Procedures for documenting tardies will be monitored by classroom teachers and grade level principals. Tardies are cumulative and will be checked weekly. Students failing to abide by the tardiness expectations will be issued the following consequences: Tardies Per Week Consequences 2 After-School Det. 3 -4 2 days of After-School Detention 5 -7 Sat. Det. 8 or more In- School Suspension

Cafeteria Expectations • Cafeteria- All students are expected to: – Enter the cafeteria in an orderly fashion and be seated. – Proceed to the lunch line only when they are instructed to do so by making one organized line. Pushing, Shoving, Skipping, Throwing, and any sort of Horseplay will not be tolerated. – Proceed swiftly through the line to allow everyone an ample amount of time to eat their lunch. – Remain seated throughout the entire lunch period as students are not allowed to move about the cafeteria without permission. – Raise your hand if you need something and an adult will assist you. – Use “indoor” voices. – Students will be dismissed one table at a time; make sure that your table and or area is clean. Throw away any additional trash as you exit. v The following guidelines were implemented to maintain order and increase safety in the cafeteria. v Failure to abide by the following rules will result in consequences. Enjoy lunch with your fellow peers!

Spring Forest is a No Bullies Allowed Campus!!

Remember the Bobcat Bees! SF BE Safe BE Responsible BE Respectful

Defining Bullying v Bullying occurs when a student or group of students engages in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic methods, or physical conduct against another student on school property, at a school-sponsored or -related activity, or in a District operated vehicle, and the behavior: • • Results in harm to the student or the student’s property Places a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or of damage to the student’s property • Is so severe, persistent, and pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment. v This conduct is considered bullying if it exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator(s) and the student victim and if it interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of the school.

Spring Branch’s Stance on Bullying v Bullying is prohibited by the District and could include hazing, threats, taunting, teasing, confinement, assault, demands for money, destruction of property, theft of valued possessions, name-calling, rumor spreading, or ostracism. In some cases, bullying can occur through electronic methods, called “Cyber-Bullying. ” v If a student believes that he or she has experienced bullying or has witnessed bullying of another student, it is important for the student or parent to notify a teacher, counselor, principal, or another District employee as soon as possible to obtain assistance and intervention. The administration will investigate any allegations of bullying or other related misconduct. v If the results of an investigation indicate that bullying has occurred, the administration will take appropriate disciplinary action. Disciplinary or other action may be taken even if the conduct did not rise to the level of bullying. The District will also contact the parents of the victim and of the student who was found to have engaged in the bullying. Available counseling options will be provided to these individuals, as well as to any students who have been identified as witnesses to the bullying. v Any form of Bullying will not be tolerated on the Spring Forest Campus!!

Addressing Student Discipline • Discipline is a systematic process that utilizes teaching, modeling, counseling, and other appropriate strategies to maintain the behaviors necessary to provide a safe, orderly, and productive learning environment. This process often requires the use of discipline to discourage misconduct in order to teach and have students develop self-discipline. Having a positive-proactive philosophy along with clear goals is imperative to maintaining a successful school behavioral management program. • As a campus that aims to have all students realize their true potential we stand firm on maintaining a campus atmosphere that has no place for students who either cannot or will not comply with equitable rules, procedures, and guidelines to ensure the safety of all students. Most importantly, in order to maintain a learning conduced environment, parents we need your support in implementing all school-wide Discipline Systems as we realize that effective school discipline is centered upon the relationship and on-going communication between students, staff, and parents. With this in mind, the Spring Branch Independent School District Student Code of Conduct enforces regulations that will help students to assume responsibility for their behavior and teach students that the best form of discipline is self-imposed.

Students at Spring Forest & Discipline Consequences v Overall, our students are cooperative, polite, and well behaved. They act appropriately, treat each other and the staff with respect, and abide by the rules of the school. v Our discipline procedures are developmentally-based and illustrate that the more serious a behavior, the more serious the consequence. Ø Discipline Consequences Include: • Lunch Detention- (LD) • After-School Detention- (ASD) • Saturday Detention- (SD) • In-School Suspension- (ISS) • Out-of- School Suspension- (OSS) v Disciplinary Alternative Educational Placement (DAEP)

Spring Forest Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy CELL PHONE AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY At Spring Forest Middle School, students are allowed to bring their cell phones to school. Thus, we embrace the premise that cell phones can be utilized as a valuable instructional tool in the classroom. However, we also realize that the improper use of cell phones can cause a direct disruption and or distraction to the educational environment. In addition, audible visible cell phones can create an unwanted interference to the lesson in progress. Text messaging and camera capabilities have also been noted as a way for students to make poor choices in terms of cheating and bullying. When can telecommunication devices and other electronic devices be used? • 1) Prior to 8: 30 if not present in ZAP Lab, tutorials, or band rehearsals. • 2) During class changes- (students are required to have all telecommunication and or electronic devices put away before entering the classroom. ) • 3) During assigned lunch period • 4) After 3: 30 unless in after-school tutorials, ZAP Lab, or after-school detention v During Non-Instructional Hours Only: before/after school, during transition periods, in the cafeteria during (breakfast/lunch), in the courtyard and or allowed by the instructor for instructional purposes only. Students will also be able to use their cell-phones at school athletic events, other school related activities, and special events. • Who is responsible if the device is lost or stolen? • The student must secure his/ her cell-phone device at all times and never leave it unattended. Students should guard against theft as they would in any public building or area. Theft of such devices is a major problem in schools, and often the devices cannot be recovered. Students should keep the device in their possession at all times or locked away. SBISD, school personnel and /or administrators are not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of any cell phone or device brought on school property. v The use of a cell phone or any device that may be used to take pictures, capture images, or video in any locker room, bathroom, or other areas in which students dress is prohibited at all times.

Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy Continued • If students use the communication devices to engage in illegal or unethical behavior such as bullying, harassment, threatening behavior/s, or intimidation, the students involved will receive additional severe consequences for such conduct. Students may face criminal charges or be ticketed for such offenses, and may be banned from having such a device for the remainder of the school year. Offense What happens to device? Discipline Consequences 1 Students may pick up their phone at the end of the day from the grade level administrator after serving detention 1 After-School Detention 2 After serving the assigned (2) After-School. Detention, the student may pick up their telecommunication device. 2 After-School-Detentions 3 After serving the assigned (3) After-School. Detentions, the student may pick up their Saturday Detention or 3 After School Detentions telecommunication device 4+ . After serving the assigned ISS the parent may pick up the telecommunication device. A parent conference must also be held with the grade level administrator. ISS

Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy Continued • Each student is under the direct authority of all staff members and their substitutes. Students that refuse and/or fail to immediately release a communication device or other electronic device to a staff member when requested will receive a discipline referral, and disciplinary action/s will be taken. The offense is no longer limited to the device only, but is now also insubordination. Offense Possible Disciplinary Consequences 1 In-School Suspension for the remainder of the school day and or up to 3 days of ISS or OSS as per the SBISD Student Code of Conduct

What do 6 th Graders worry about the most? • Changing classes, finding classrooms. Tardiness • Lockers and locks! • Lunch • 7 th and 8 th graders and their proximity in the building • Uniforms • PE and changing clothes

Spring Forest Dress Code Shirts • 2 -4 button polo-style shirt with collar (no cleavage). • Short or long sleeve. • White, navy blue or yellow. • Must be solid (no logos). • SFMS polo style shirts are acceptable. • Length must be enough to stay tucked in when raising hands. • Undershirts and under garments, solid white or grey, no logos or designs. • Must not be oversized. Pants • May be cotton, twill/poplin, or corduroy. • Khaki color only • Must fit at hipbone, be hemmed and must not touch the ground, be cut at the seam, be rolled or pegged. • Spandex, or jeggings are NOT permitted. • Pants must be fitted and may NOT sag. NO sagging.

Spring Forest Dress Code Cont. Skirts, Skorts, Jumpers, Shorts • May be cotton, twill/poplin, or corduroy. • May be straight or pleated. • Khaki color only • Length must be no shorter than three inches above the knee. • Spandex is NOT permitted. Sweaters/Sweatshirts • Must be cotton, long sleeve pullover (NO Hoodies). • May be navy blue, white or gray. • Must be solid (NO logos). • SFMS sweatshirt permitted. • Must NOT be oversized.

Dress Code Continued Leggings/Tights • Must be solid (NO design). • May be worn under skirts that are aligned with dress code. • May be white or navy blue. Shoes • Tennis style is preferred. • Sandals are allowed (must have back). • Shower shoes/water shoes are NOT permitted. • Flip flops are NOT permitted. • House shoes/slippers are NOT permitted. Jewelry • Chains on clothing are NOT permitted. • Piercing of the face will be limited to the ears only (NO gauges). • Jewelry must be tasteful and not excessive. • NO tattoos including drawing on self with marker tip pens.

Dress Code Continued Hair • Must be a natural color. • NO facial hair of any kind. • NO designs, lines in hair or eyebrows. • NO hats, bandanas, hair nets or do-rags. • NO style permitted that would cause a distraction to classroom instruction. Spirit Day Dress Code-Days will be designated by building principal. • Jeans must fit at top of hipbone, be hemmed, and must not touch the ground or be cut at the seams. NO jeggings. • Students may wear SFMS spirit shirt, or appropriate uniform top. • Blue jeans only, (NO colors). The Dress Code will be strictly enforced!

Fun activities for 6 th graders • • • Student Council After School Program 6 th Grade only dance Fine Arts Field Trip Talent Show

How can parents help? • • • Check your child’s agenda daily Encourage your child to ask for extra help and attend tutorials when needed. Anticipate progress reports/report cards- We are on a 9 week grading cycle (Every three weeks student progress is reported). Stay in communication with your child’s educators through phone & email when you have any questions or concerns. Check our Marquee and website for upcoming events & information Register for Family Access to monitor your child’s progress including grades, tardiness, and discipline. Create a consistent supervised study time for your child. Establish a study area that can be monitored. Join the Spring Forest PTA Allow your child to gain a sense of independence and responsibility. Have your child “pack” up for school before going to bed. It will make things easier in the morning. Finally, DON’T forget that your child is young and there will be bumps in the road. Mistakes will be made‐‐ but it’s all a part of the learning process.

Spring Forest Important Contacts v Spring Forest Direct Line- 713. 251. 4600 Fax. 713. 251. 4615 • Dr. Kaye Williams- Building Principal Kaye. Williams@springbranchisd. com-713. 251. 4609 • Mr. Bryan Taulton- 6 th Grade Assistant Principal Bryan. Taulton@springbranchisd. com-713. 251. 4612 • Mrs. Jana Gwinn- Counselor Jana. Gwinn@springbranchisd. com-713. 251. 4618 v (6 th Grade & 7 th Grade M-Z) Ms. Vanessa Croix- Counselor • Julye. Croix@springbranchisd. com-713. 251. 4617 v (8 Grade & 7 th Grade A-L) • Ms. Kathryn Brown- School Nurse- 713. 251. 4625 Kathryn. Brown@springbranchisd. com • Ms. Martha Jacinto- School Registrar Martha. Jacinto@springbranchisd. com- 713. 251. 4604 Fax. 713. 251. 4603 • Kim Collier- CIS (Special Education)- 713. 251. 4673 Kimberley. Collier@springbranchisd. com

Upcoming Events! • 6 th Grade Bobcat Camp: August 24 th from 8: 30 A. M. – 10: 00 A. M. • Back to School Night: September 6 th at 6: 30 P. M. • 6 th Grade Dance: September 28 th from 3 -5 P. M. • Progress report pick-up: October 4 th at 6: 30 P. M.

Stay Connected v GET SFMS BOBCAT UPDATES VIA TEXT MESSAGING ü To stay updated, please sign up to get SMS messages from the principal. ü Just send a text message to 41411 with SFMSBOBCATS(all CAPS) in it, or subscribe online at: http: //www. Text. Marks. com/SFMSBOBCATS

Any questions? You may ask questions at this time, see us individually following the presentation, or contact the school at your convenience! We look forward to working with you! Lets make it a great year!