th
6
Welcome
Grade Parents
2015 PARENT ACADEMY
HOSTED BY
MELANIE THOMAS/JAN KARWOWSKI
Where to Get Information

First Day Packets going home 1st day

Campus Website

Canvas- This will be our primary information application for students/teachers.
Students will have access on Aug. 24th and parents will have observer rights starting
Sept. 11th.

Google Doc. Homework page will be available until Dec. 18th, 2015.

It will be deleted after the 18th as Canvas will take over as our primary application.

E-News/Phone Outs- Please double check your email addresses on HAC.

Home Access Center

Katy ISD APP for phones and devices

Remind 101

E-mail
Lockers

All students will have a bottom locker located in the 6th grade hallway.

The lockers should be pretty close to the student’s advisory class

Students may decorate the inside of their locker but they can’t use glue or
anything permanent.

Magnets, and overstuffing the locker can cause it to jam

If a student cannot open their locker

Get an adult to assist. (all teachers have locker keys)

Forms outside the counselor office can be filled out for us to check your locker

If broken, students will be issued a new one or it will be fixed

Locker combinations are on the top corner of the student’s schedule

Students may come in 8-10 on August 21st with their parents to place items in
their locker.
Schedules

Schedules are passed out today and another copy will be
distributed Monday morning in the girls gym(6th grade holding area)

Problems with schedule such as missing or a duplicate classes.
 Teachers
will hand out schedule change forms to students.
 Students
will need to complete the form and hand it in to one of
their teachers.
 Follow
current schedule until changes can be made, the
counselor will meet with you once your schedule has been
changed.

We do not offer schedule changes to a different teacher
Discipline


District Policy and guidelines

Outlined in the KISD Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct
Handbook

Approved by the school board

Based on Texas Education Code
Student Guidelines


Will be discussed with students during an advisory assembly.
Classroom Discipline Guidelines

Will be discussed with students during Bobcat camp with advisory teachers

Covered as part of classroom procedures with teachers during first week
Dress Code

Please dress appropriately for Junior High

What is cute/short in elementary school may not be appropriate
for Junior High

Boys and Girls:

No hats, bandanas, or head coverings (unless for religious purposes)

Frayed clothing

Objectionable subject manner

Wallet chains

Pajamas, sleepwear, or slippers

Shoes with wheels on the bottom

Jeans with holes above mid-thigh

Unusual colored hair and piercings (other than ears) are not allowed
Dress Code


Girls

No running shorts

Skirts, shorts, and dresses should be no higher than mid-thigh

No strapless tops, or see-through material with just undergarments
showing

No bare midriff

No tank tops and camisoles with straps less than one inch in width

Pants may be made of spandex or form fitting material but must be
covered by long shirt, skirt, or shorts which extend past mid-thigh
Boys

No undershirts or boxer shorts (as outside layer of clothing)

No sagging pants

No tank tops with large side openings
Lunch


Students have option of bring or purchasing lunch

Tray lunch available at either hot line

Snacks, a-la carte, optional tray meal available at snack lines
Meal payments can be made several different ways

Cafeteria manager

Home Access Center


May take 24-48 hours for it to process through
Bring money or check from home

Students may sit any where for lunch

Occasionally will have assigned tables to meet other students

Students with good behavior will have the option of sitting outside at picnic tables

If students do not have lunch money

Speak with Counselor or Assistant Principal at lunch

Tutorials and After School
Academy
Tutorials:

All Teaching Teams Offer Tutorials several days a week (M-Th)

Students may receive tutoring from a teacher different than they have in
class

Schedule available on teacher’s web pages/wikis and will be given to
students in class
Tutoring available during advisory on some days
 Students are encouraged to self-advocate with teachers for tutoring
opportunities.
 After School Academy:


Will begin during the 2nd six weeks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Students are selected based on teacher recommendations and grades

After school from 2:40-4:20

Bussing is provided to all students participating in ASA

Parents will be notified and permission forms send home for students
selected.
Technology


BYOD

Students may bring their own devices to school (Kindle, IPAD, Nook,
phone)

Students are responsible for keeping equipment safe. Please set up
Find My Phone AP on the Apple Devices.

Students must adhere to the Responsible Use Guidelines concerning
devices and phones
Cell Phones

Students may use cell phone during the following times only:

Before and after school

During lunch (when not being addressed by an adult)

Hallway between classes

In class at the direction of AND with the permission of the teacher
Technology

Students can be disciplined for improper use of phones and devices

Head Phones are not allowed on campus. Students may use ear
buds (only in one ear)

Teachers may pick up a phone from a student

Will be returned to student at end of parent or

Referred to the assistant principal

Principal may go through students phone with student present

No pictures, video, or recordings may be taken of anyone during the
school day

The School is not responsible for breakage, theft, or damage of
phone
Technology

Please check your students phone on a regular, random basis!!!

Snap chat

Instagram

Ask.fm

I-funny

Kik

Vine

Ignore no more (this one is for parents)

Children need oversight and accountability to use technology
correctly

Cyber-Bullying may occur without proper oversight
Bullying

Taken very seriously here at MMJH

Bullying vs Mean Behavior:
 Bullying
of time.
 Mean

is mean behavior that is repeated often and over a period
behavior is a random comment or act of unkindness
Number of interventions/programs in place
 No
Place for Hate
 Safety
Net/Hero Net
 Counselor
 Rachel’s
Activities/Small Group Counseling
Challenge
Advice from Parents who have
been there…..

Don’t worry! Everything is going to work out.

Help your student adjust but let them take ownership of their responsibilities with
classes and friendships.

If they are experiencing problems with other students, tell them to talk to the
counselor, teacher, or principal for help with the situation.

Be involved. Join our awesome PTA. Junior high is a transitional time and children
need to see parents at school and know that they support the school

Engage your children. Ask them about their day. It makes a difference for them to
know that you are genuinely interested

Encourage them to get involved in club and activities.

CHECK THEIR PHONES!!

The Katy ISD APP will give you quick access to your students grades and assignments.
Requests

When picking up your student from an event, ballgame, or tutorials
please be on time

Let your student self advocate with their teachers. Follow up after your
student attempts to work it out themselves.

Please follow the chain of command. If you have an issue with a
teacher, please try and resolve with the teacher first. Get the counselor
or assistant principal involved if there is not a resolution

Junior high is a time for students to stretch their wings, make mistakes,
and begin learning how to be a successful young person and adult.
Allow them that opportunity.

Follow the rules and locations for dropping off, picking up students, and
parking. It is for everyone’s safety.
Requests

Please contact the teachers to let them know your child’s needs or
background.

Please contact teachers if something is going on at home that might
impact a students behavior or emotional well being at school.

We don’t need to know everything (unless you think it is important), but a heads
up is always nice.

Please follow the chain of command. If you have an issue with a
teacher, please try and resolve with the teacher first. Get the
counselor or assistant principal involved if there is not a resolution.

My contact information:

Melanie Thomas-6th grade Assistant Principal

melanierthomas@katyisd.org
Office Number: 281-237-8012