Welcome to POBMS!
Incoming Grade 5
Parent Orientation
April 3, 2013
MR. JOHN MCNAMARA
MRS. JOAN WARTELL
PRINCIPAL
MS. LAURIE LYNN
GUIDANCE
PRINCIPAL
AST.
DIRECTOR OF
Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School
A Tradition of Excellence in Middle Level
Education
Overview of the Presentation
 Some general school information
 Grade 5 Scheduling and Programs
 MAP – Middle School Advisory Program
 What our Students are Saying about Fifth Grade
 Guidance Staff
 Clubs and Activities
Welcome to Middle School
 It is perfectly normal to be anxious about a child
coming to middle school
 These are major transition years for your child and
they are going to go through many changes in the
four years they are here
 Our goal is to transition them from elementary
learners to secondary learners in the middle school
years
Welcome to Middle School
The School Day
 School begins at 8:43 a.m. and ends at 2:53 p.m.
 Students should arrive no earlier then 8:20 a.m.
 Regular dismissal is at 2:53 p.m.
 Period 9 (2:57 – 3:38) has some activities that
students may stay for – Remedial (Tues and Thurs),
Library (Mon – Thurs), Some Performing Groups
(Mon and Wed)
 Zero Period (7:52 – 8:34) – Clubs (Mon and Wed)
and Some Performing Groups
Bell Schedule
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POBMS Bell Schedule
PERIOD 0
7:52-8:34
MAP
8:43 – 8:53
PERIOD 1
8:57 – 9:38
PERIOD 2
9:42-10:23
PERIOD 3 10:27-11:08
PERIOD 4 11:12-11:53
PERIOD 5 11:57-12:38
PERIOD 6 12:42-1:23
PERIOD 7
1:27-2:08
PERIOD 8
2:12-2:53
PERIOD 9
2:57-3:38
Drop Off and Pick-Up Procedures
 All drop-offs and pick-ups should take place in the
lower loop on Central Park Road
 Please pull forward to the B&G Doors
 Do not pick-up or drop off a child in the passing lane
or on the street where a child would have to cross
moving traffic
Grade 5 Scheduling
TEAMING
 Students are on a team of teachers in grade 5 for
their four core subject areas: Math, Social Studies,
Science and English
 ELA is a double period block
 Students travel as a class
 Each team has approximately fifty students
Special Classes
The special area classes students take in grade 5 are as follows:
Physical Education
CEU Spanish
CEU French
CEU Chinese
CEU Computers
General Music
Art
Health
Grade 5 – Music Program
 Classroom Music
 All students participate in 5th grade general music. This class meets on
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alternate days, for the full year.
Through activities such as singing, playing the recorder, moving,
playing classroom instruments, reading music, creating and listening,
students will study the following concepts:
Rhythm
Melody
Harmony
Form
Timbre
Dynamics
Music History and Appreciation
Music Program
 Students can participate
in the following
performing groups in
grade 5:
Orchestra (Per 9 M/W)
5th and 6th Grade Chorus
(Per 0 T/Th/F)
5th and 6th Grade Band
(Per 9 M/W)
Jazz Band Club
Performing Ensembles – Band, Orchestra and
Chorus
 Instrumental students are encouraged to continue the band or
orchestra instrument they began in elementary school. Students who
did not learn an instrument in elementary school can begin to play an
instrument at this time. Students who choose to participate in chorus
can also participate in an instrumental ensemble (band or orchestra).
 The performing ensembles in the middle school are graded classes.
Ensemble rehearsals take place two to three times a week, either “0”
period or period 9 at POBMS,. In addition to the full ensemble
rehearsals, there are group lessons once a week, scheduled on a rotating
basis. Parents play an important role in encouraging students to
practice at home each day.
Performing Ensembles – Band, Orchestra and
Chorus (cont.)
 Students in band, orchestra and chorus perform in our winter and
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spring concerts. Chorus, band and orchestra are elective classes.
Performance ensemble concepts include:
Proper technique, position, posture, grip, breathing, diction, etc.
Rhythm, articulation and phrasing
Sight reading
Tone production
Dynamics
Practice techniques
Rehearsal procedures/ensemble playing
Additional Support Classes
 Some students will receive additional support
services:
AIS in Reading or Math
 Resource Room for IEP Students
 Integrated Co-Teaching Model
 Speech Services
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M.A.P.
 What is M.A.P.?
Middle School Advisory Program
Students meet with a M.A.P. group once each day for
about ten minutes. This is a small group of about
twelve students from each grade. Students can
discuss a wide range of middle school topics and
participate in middle school activities.
SAMPLE EXTENDED MAP ACTIVITIES 11-12
 POBMS PEP RALLY
 MIX IT UP MAP
 VETERANS’ DAY TEA
 SPIRIT AND TOLERANCE WEEK ASSEMBLY
 WOUNDED WARRIOR VOLLEYBALL GAME
 WALK FOR A CAUSE
What do the Students Have to Say….
Home-School Communication
 Every Five Weeks – Progress Report/Report Card
 Parent Portal on Infinite Campus
 Parent-Teacher Conferences
 Call with concerns
 Team meetings
ROLE OF THE GUIDANCE
COUNSELOR
Ms. Laurie Lynn
District Director of Guidance
Guidance Counselors
 Guidance counselors play a critical role in a middle
school
 They will provide support for you and your child in a
variety of academic, social and emotional areas
Whom do I call if I have a question?:
 Classroom issues………….…..…Teacher
 Emotional, Personal…….....Mrs. Orgonik
 Behavioral Issues…...Teacher, Mrs. Wartell
 Health Issues…………......Mrs. Hashmall
 Attendance Issues……Ms. Knight, Attendance
 Team Conferences…….…Mrs. Sapir
 Academic Issues…Teacher/Mrs. Sapir
 Transportation…….…………….937-6312
Clubs and Activities
 There are a wide range of
clubs for students to
participate in
 Clubs meet during zero
period on Monday or
Wednesday
 Students may participate
in intramurals through
the PE Department
Getting Ready for the School Year
 Incoming grade 5 students will have an orientation
day at the end of the summer (Date TBD)
 Students will be allowed to come into school for two
“Move-In” days to try their locker and familiarize
themselves with their homebase room and MAP
rooms
 Practice opening lockers
 Familiarize themselves with the building
Welcome to POBMS
YOUR CHILDREN ARE GOING TO DO
GREAT!!!
QUESTION AND ANSWER