The Middle School
Experience
Joy Chanin
Simpson Middle School Counselor
The goal of this
presentation is to answer
many of the questions that
elementary age students
and families may have
about middle school.
Our topics will be:
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Middle School Pods
Middle School Day
Middle School Classes
Middle School Grades
Middle School Activities
Middle School Safety
Middle School “Other Stuff” including
information about lockers, dress code,
lunch, school supplies and homework
Middle School
PODS
Pod Information
• Each middle school
grade is divided into
pods.
• A pod consists of several
subject area teachers who
teach the same group of
students.
• The make-up of each pod
includes students of all
ability levels.
• Class sizes
average
approximately
31 students.
• A middle school
pod teacher
teaches 90-150
students each
day.
Middle School
DAY
• The middle school classes begin at 9:15 and
end at 4:15.
• Students start the day by attending homeroom.
• Students will travel to different classrooms
throughout the day.
• Sixth grade academic subjects consist of Math,
Science, Social Studies, Language Arts and
RICA (reading in the content area).
• The connections classes may include classes
such as Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Health,
Business, P.E., Art and Music.
Connections Classes
(formerly known as Exploratory Classes)
• There are 2 Connection periods
• 6th grade is the beginning year for
Band/Orchestra or Chorus.
• Band, Orchestra and Chorus meet each day.
• Students will be required to rent, borrow or
purchase an instrument. (A very limited number of
large instruments are available in each school.)
• Health is required for one quarter for all students.
• Students are randomly assigned to Connection
classes.
Sorry, there is no RECESS in
Middle School.
Middle School
CLASSES
• Students currently enrolled (and in good
standing) in an elementary Target
program will be placed in an appropriate
middle school Advanced Content program
that will meet each day.
• Students in Special Education classes will
be placed according to their current IEP.
• Math placement is based on test scores
and student ability. Check with your
middle school counselor if you have any
questions.
Middle School
GRADES
Grading Scale
• 90-100
• 80-89
• 74-79
• 70-73
• 69-below
A
B
C
D
F
• A progress report is issued each 4 1/2
weeks. However, parents are encouraged
to check daily progress through I-Parent
& to call Homework Hotline.
• Each nine-week report is considered the
end-of-quarter report card.
• The nine-week reports will determine
honor rolls, promotions and retentions.
• Concerns about grades should be directed
to your child’s teacher or counselor.
Middle School
ACTIVITIES
Most Middle Schools offer supplemental
activities. These may include clubs
or activities such as:
• Yearbook staff
• Academic competition teams
• Intramural (organized sports activities)
• Recycling
• Performing (chorus, musical…)
• Social awareness (Builder’s club)
Encourage your student to listen to
• Art
announcements and join a club or
activity early in the school year!
• Chess Club
Guidance counselors also offer
various guidance groups that meet
during school hours.
Group topics may include:
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Making and keeping friends
Children coping with divorce
Middle school issues
Dealing with grief and loss
Middle School
SAFETY
Important Safety Issues
• Teachers are scheduled to arrive at 8:45.
• All visitors must sign in at the front office.
• All Cobb County schools have adopted a
“Zero Tolerance” policy which prohibits the
use or presence of alcohol, tobacco, drugs,
and/or weapons on any school property.
• All Cobb County schools adhere to a strict
policy prohibiting harassment and/or bullying.
• Students are expected to follow an established
behavior management plan.
“OTHER STUFF”
about Middle School
Lockers
• Students will be assigned a locker in
their pod and in their PE class. These
lockers have a built-in combination lock
which should be kept confidential.
• Additional locks are not permitted.
• Before 6th grade, it
is a good idea to
practice working
a combination lock.
Dress Code
• All students are expected to dress in
a manner which demonstrates
respect of the learning environment.
• Each school will enforce a dress
code policy.
Lunch
• Middle School lunch costs more than
elementary lunch.
• Many additional items are available for
purchase (a la carte).
• Students will eat under the supervision of
a teacher.
• Parents may establish a lunch account for
their child (and can pay on-line).
Supplies
• Basic school supplies include
pencils, blue and black pens, 3-ring
binders, pocket folders with brads
and white loose-leaf paper.
• In addition to general school
supplies, each teacher
or pod may have
individual requirements.
There may be additional (optional)
expenses throughout the year.
These may include school dances,
vocabulary workshop books,
year books and a limited
number of donation programs.
Buses
• Bus service is provided for students
living beyond 1/2 mile from the
school.
• Bus routes are posted about a week
before school begins.
• Students need to know their bus
number by the end of the first day of
school..
• Have your child ride the bus the first
day and week so he/she will know the
bus number and procedures.
Homework
• Each teacher has a Homework
Hotline phone number to call if a
student is absent or needs to verify
assignments.
• A sixth grade student can expect to
average an hour of homework each
night.
• Homework grades are included in
the student’s academic average!
• Each student is issued a student
planner to record all assignments.
• Teachers may use this planner to
communicate to parents.
• Most classes do not allow class
time to complete homework
assignments.
Organization
One key to middle school success
is being ORGANIZED. Follow
the teachers’ guidelines or
check with the counselor for
suggestions.
Responsibility
It is the student’s responsibility to
•know what their assignments are
•complete all of their assignments
•turn all the completed assignments in
to their teachers
•be responsible for any missing
assignments
Adolescents undergo many emotional,
physical and social changes throughout
the middle school years.
The faculty and staff at your new middle
school are sensitive to adolescent
changes. New friends, big kids, and
changing classes can be overwhelming.
We are here to share in the responsibility of
making this a smooth transition for you
and your child.
Remember:
•Additional immunizations are required to enter
6th grade!
•The Simpson registration card your child will
bring home is TWO sided- please complete both
sides (distributed spring conference week)!
•Volunteering is accepted and welcomed in
middle school. Please volunteer!
•Look for the Simpson 6th grade handbook during
spring conference week. If you did not receive
one, contact your elementary counselor.
Suggested general School Supplies for 6th grade
may include, but may not be limited to:
• Notebook paper
• Colored pencils
• 2 inch plastic binder
for Agenda
• Blue, black and red ball
point pens
•Scissors
•Glue stick
• Yellow highlighter
•Colored markers
• Package of #2 pencils
• 11”x 9” spiral
notebooks
• Crayons (8)
• 12” ruler with metrics
•Pencil pouch
Some Adult Volunteer Opportunities:
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Front Office Assistant
Media Center Assistant
Pod Pal
Environmental Committee Parent
School Dances
PTSA Committees
PTSA Officers
Hospitality
School Council
Assistant Club Sponsor
And many more…..
The End
The Simpson web-site is:
www.cobb.k12.ga.us/~simpson
Simpson Middle School
Feeder Pattern Flow Chart
Addison
Elementary
School
Simpson
Middle
School
Simpson
Middle
School
Kincaid
Elementary
School
Sprayberry
High School
JJ Daniel
Middle
School
Dodgen
Middle
School
Mt. View
Elementary
School
Sprayberry
High School
JJ Daniel
Middle
School
Simpson
Middle
School
Hightower
Trail Middle
School
Walton High
School
Sprayberry
High School
Lassiter High
School
Pope High
School
Rocky Mt.
Elementary
School
Shallowford
Falls
Elementary
School
Simpson
Middle
School
Lassiter High
School
Mabry
Middle
School
Simpson
Middle
School
Hightower
Trail Middle
School
Lassiter High
School
Pope High
School