WELCOME

New Students

2014-2015

ADMINISTRATIONPrincipal

Dr. Debra Smith

Assistant PrincipalTBA

COUNSELING TEAM

CounselorMr. Lindsey H. McDaniel III

RegistrarMrs. Shonna Frazier

How is Middle School Different?• Different Classes • New Rules • Lockers! • Different Grading System

• More Classmates • More Teachers • More Choices • More Homework

Your child will possibly receive academic grades of A, B, C, D or

F in middle school. Grades are determined by averaging tests, homework, projects, daily grades, etc. and are placed on the report card numerically according to the following scale:

GRADING SYSTEM

A 90-100 B 80-89 C 71-79 D 70 F 69- below

DRESS CODE EXPECTATIONS (continued)

DRESS CODE EXPECTATIONS (continued)

DRESS CODE EXPECTATIONS (continued)

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS

Inform your child of School Start Time: 8:45 am

• Communicate w/school regularly to monitor progress of your child• Provide current and accurate phone numbers to prevent delay in communication between LMS and you• Be aware of state law (Georgia Codes) regarding attendance and the penalties/consequences for absences and tardies• Provide notes/doctor excuses with date and reason for absence within 3 DAYS of your child’s return to school

Parents…..

Time Management/Study Habits

Students must be responsible for managing time; both at school and at home. One major academic process that students must fit in to their busy schedules is HOMEWORK- whether completing homework assignments, major projects, or studying for tests.

SOCIALFirst priority in middle school is to learn!

• Social skills can greatly enhance a student’s chance of having a positive environment in which to learn.

• Efforts and choices will directly affect grades, opportunities to participate in sports and/or other extracurricular activities, peer interactions, and relationships with adults both in and out of school.

• Students must demonstrate responsibility and the ability to make good choices across settings.

Making/Choosing FriendsGoing to middle school is a great opportunity to make new friends. Some tips for making new friends are:

1. Get involved in school activities

2. Introduce yourself to students who sit around you in your classes

3. Choose different partners during group work assignments in your classes

Tips For Handling Peer Pressure• Find friends with similar interests, values, and beliefs

• Be assertive—tell friends what you like/don’t like

• Don’t use alcohol or other drugs

• Avoid situations in which you know that you could get into trouble

• Learn to handle conflicts in a positive way

• Talk with trusted adults about situations that you don’t understand and/or that make you feel uncomfortable

What to Do When You Are Being BulliedThe first priority is always your safety. Here are some strategies for you to consider:• Tell them to stop.• Walk away. If you walk away or ignore them, they will not get that satisfaction.• Protect yourself. Sometimes you cannot walk away. If you are being physically hurt, protect yourself so that you can get away.• Tell an adult you trust. Talking to someone could help you figure out the best ways to deal with the problem. In some cases, adults need to get involved for the bullying to stop.• Find a safe place. Go somewhere that you feel safe and secure like the library, a favorite teacher’s classroom, or the office.• Stick together. Stay with a group or individuals that you trust.

SCHOOL DAY ARRIVAL /DISMISSAL8:00 am: School Doors open and Students must report to Cafeteria8:50 am: Students must be in HOMEROOM and seated

3:45 pm: Dismissal begins with walkers and car-riders; Bus riders must listen for announcement of their bus before they are released

Students arriving after 8:50 am will be marked tardy

EARLY DISMISSAL

PARENTS: If you MUST check your child out early, please try to do all possible to check them out after 11:30am. This will

ensure that they are not counted as absent for that day.

LockersEach locker has its own combination, so it’s important to memorize your combination and not to share it with anyone. Please do not preset your locker, you wouldn’t want anyone to come by and steal your personal belongings. Your lockers aren't that big, so keep them organized. You will need to be able to find things quickly, and being organized will allow you to do that.

COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES:

The visible possession or headsets, cellular phones, or otherelectronic communication devices during school hours, within the school building, or on a school bus is prohibited. All devices must be off during the school day and on school buses.

Consequences:

1st offense: Parent may retrieve item at the end of the school day.2nd offense: Parent may retrieve item at the end of the school day and possible 1 day ISS.3rd and subsequent offenses: Parent may retrieve item at the end of the school day and possible 3 days ISS and/or referralto a community based resource educational awareness class.

PERSONAL PROPERTY ON CAMPUS

Students are warned and advised not to bring valuables and expensive personal belongings to school. Dressing rooms, lockers, and classrooms are not always the safest places to leave valuables. It is better to take extra precautions than to be the victim of a loss or theft. It is advisable for students to use a permanent marker to label items such as jackets, tennis shoes, book bags and other personal belongings. Students should not leave their personal items unattended, as the school is not responsible or liable for missing or lost personal items.

School Visitor’s Policy

All visitors must sign in the main office, and they should have a valid reason for being on campus.All visitors must wear a visitor pass at all times and return it as they exit the building.All visitors should be escorted to their destinations.Any person/employee that is not assigned to your school is considered a visitor.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR AT

LOVEJOY MIDDLE SCHOOLWHERE

Cougar Pride is Contagious!!!