Welcome to Gateway Middle School

Parent Orientation2013-2014

Who’s who?• Ms. Grace - Principal• Mr. Shanks - Assistant Principal• Mrs. Glass - Academic Instructional Coach • Ms. Abram - Social Worker• Ms. Turner - James & Ms. Taylor - Guidance

Counselors• Mr. Cleveland - Parent Community Specialist

Overview of the OrientationStudents

• Assigned to a classroom for testing

• Tour of the Building with Parent

Parents• Meeting in the Cafeteria• Orientation with Principal• Receive/review

information packet• Self guided tour of the

building if desired with child

Communication is the Key!!• Website - www.slps.org/gatewayms• E-News - ALL information sent via email***• Phone Blasts - recorded message sent to main phone line• Newsletter - sent home via e-news • THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN

INFORMATION SENT HOME BY FLYERS

CommunicationStudents/parents should follow this chain of command in the

following order: • Family and Community Specialist• Teacher• Assistant Principal• Principal

-Academics & Activities-Mr. Shanks - Assistant Principal

Clubs• Book Club • Science Club• Student Council• Drama Club*• Multi-Cultural Club* • Band Club*

Wellness ActivitiesFlag Football (B)Volleyball (G)Basketball (B&G)Track (B&G)Dance/Cheer Wrestling (B)*

EngradeParent Portal Screenwww.engrade.com

Parent access

HONORS• 7th Grade Honors – Reading and Math - Based

on 6th grade math teacher recommendation.• 8th Grade Honors – Reading and Math - Based

on 7th grade teacher recommendation.• Algebra 150 – Based on placement test and 7th

grade math teacher recommendation.

ELECTIVESStudents may choose TWO of the following:

• Art• Band• Computer Science• Physical Education • Vocal Music

Extra SupportIn some instances, a basic skills class in math

and/or language arts may replace a chosen elective.

Students who have not met the minimal level of proficiency on the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) or STAR Math Test will be required to take…

READ 180 or MATH 180

Academic Expectation

• Students failing 2 or more subject areas will receive a letter of academic concern

• Parents will be required to attend a meeting with teachers, guidance counselor and administrators to discuss strategies for success

• Meetings will be scheduled within 2 weeks of grade reporting period

Things to Know …• 8th Grade High School

Application:• 8th grade magnet school

applications (essay)• Ms. Rogers-Team Leader

• Lockers:• Locks will be provided to

students that becomes their responsibility

• Outside locks will be removed

• Student Schedule:• Advisory, Literacy Block,

Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies and Related Arts

• Uniform Policy:• Tops: gold, green, white or

navy• Bottoms: khaki and navy• Shirts must be tucked in with

belt and pants pulled up • Shorts and skirts to knees• Closed in shoes (no flip flops

or slides)• No hats worn in building• Dress down days: no tank tops,

shorts/skirts to knees

• Wellness Policy:• Healthy Snacks• Chips, candy, soda only with

full lunch; limited quantity

- Discipline & Transportation -Ms. Grace

Student/Parent Handbook• Located on school website:

www.slps.org/gatewayms• Great source of helpful

information, procedures, and rules

Student Discipline• Behavior management begins at the

classroom level. Teacher discipline may include:– Teacher Warnings– Parent Notification– Lunch Detentions– Students meet with team of teachers– Parental Appearance Notice (PAN)

Student Discipline• 3 Strike Policy

– Uniform Violation– Tardy to Class– Buddy Room Referrals

• Disorder• Disrespect• Insubordination

• 3 strikes of ANY combination will result in a • PAN• Exclusion from monthly activity

Student Discipline• Parental Appearance Notice

– Office referral for ANY reason– 3 Strikes

• Date and time scheduled for meeting with parent• Parent should contact school within 24 hours to

reschedule if cannot attend• If parent neglects to attend meeting, student

receives out of school suspension until meeting occurs

Student Discipline• Administrative discipline supports the

expectations of classroom teachers, and may include:– Administrative Warnings– Administrative Detention– Restricted Study-TTIN– External Suspension – Expulsion

Student Discipline• Administrative Decisions

– Tyrone Thompson Institute of Nonviolence (TTIN)

– Restricted study – 5 day program– Daily mentors– Black History Component– Parent Component• Will occur for single or repeated Type II, III or

IV infractions-Code of Conduct Handbook

Student Discipline• Administrative Decisions

– Out of School Suspension– Between 1 and 9 days– Automatically occurs with fighting for ALL

individuals involved; students must be picked up immediately

• Will occur for individual or repeated Type II, III or IV infractions-Code of Conduct Handbook

Student Discipline• Administrative Decisions

– Expulsion– 10 day suspension with recommendation for

expulsion – Hearing Process

• Will occur for single a single Type I infraction-Code of Conduct Handbook

Student Discipline• Electronic devices will not be allowed at Gateway

Middle School in accordance with SLPS district policy.

• Electronic devices will be confiscated upon detection and turned into the main office.

• All devices can be picked up from school on Fridays ONLY during the hours of 3:00-4:30 pm.

Harassment, Bullying, Intimidation

• New law effective September 2011• H, B, and I include written, verbal, or physical

acts, gestures, and electronic communications that cause substantial disruption, and either insult or demean a student, create a hostile educational environment or severely cause physical or emotional harm to another student.

Harassment, Bullying, Intimidation• Be aware of your child’s online activities:

texting, social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace), instant messaging, etc.

• If there is an issue with another student, print the entire dialog and have your child bring it to an administrator.

Transportation• AM drop off will be at rear door to gym

between 7:30 and 7:45 am; after 7:45 front door drop-off

• PM parent pick-up line begins at the first rear entrance (Carr Street) of the parking lot; access road in front of school must remain open for busses and will be blocked

• Please refrain from parking in the bus lanes between 2:30-3:00 pm (especially during programs)

Transportation• Students must ride assigned bus and get on

and off bus at designated stop.• Activity Bus

– Monday-Thursday-4:30 departure– Rides must be here prior to busses departing– North and South bus

PARENTAL INVOLVMENTMr. Cleveland

PARENTAL INVOLVMENT

Volunteer• Application Process-

Application located in Parent Resource Room (can complete today)

• Application must be complete before any volunteer work can begin– Field Trips – Classrooms, Hall, Cafeteria– Events

• Community Outreach

Attendance• Students must be on time to

school• 3 late arrivals constitutes an

absence• Daily phone calls for

absences through automated system

• Social Worker notified for 3 absences, Truancy Officer for 5 or more absences

• Chain of command

NURSING INFORMATION• Immunizations required for 7th graders• Notice of need was sent home last school

year• See office for list of students in need of

immunizations• New students in need of immunization will

have a grace period

Medications at School• NO medications are administered on school

property without a doctor’s order, includingOTC (over the counter) medications.

• Students are NOT permitted to carry any medicine on them during school. If caught, they will be subject to the discipline code.– Exception: Inhaler, Epi-pen, insulin pump –

with written doctor’s order on file in the Health Office

Medications (cont.)• Medication administration forms may be

found on the district web-site. • Medication orders, from the doctor, must

also be signed by a parent/guardian andmedication brought in its original container by the parent/guardian of the student.

• If you are filling a Rx, ask pharmacist to give you a second labeled bottle for the medication to be used at school.

Students Sent Home

• Students will be sent home if they have a fever, serious injury, or witnessed vomiting.

• Preference of keeping students at school.

Why 6th Grade Matters• Sets the tone for middle school

• 7th grade honors consideration

• High School Applications– ONLY consider 6th and 7th grade records

***GPA***MAP Scores***Attendance***Discipline

Why 7th Grade Matters• High School Applications

– ONLY consider 6th and 7th grade records***GPA***MAP Scores***Attendance***Discipline

• 8th Grade Honors

• Chance for a fresh start/to continue positive behaviors from last year

Routines to Establish• Consistent time and place for homework

• Electronics off within 1 hour of bedtime

• Consistent bedtime

• 9 hours of sleep!!!

• Check Engrade frequently (sign up after this!)

What to Bring Everyday

• Literacy Block book

• Pencils and paper***We also suggest hand sharpeners

LOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM SPECIFIC TEACHERS WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL...

Thank you for attending!

Let’s have a wonderful year!