Welcome to Our Middle School!
We’d like to introduce the middle school’s…
*Programs
*Curriculum
*Teaming
*Scheduling
…and answer any
questions
you may have!
People
to
know:
Superintendent
 Dr.
Ronald Dyer
 PRINCIPALS:
 COUNSELORS:
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Dr. Sue Cathcart
 Principal

Mr. Andy Thompson
 Head of Guidance
Services

Mrs. Kelly Kessler
 Assistant Principal

Mrs. Ali Wabnik
 Grade 7
 Nurse

Mrs. Jennifer
Coeyman
 Teachers

/ Teams
Team letters will be
mailed in August
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Knowledge Inc.
Aspire
Masterminds
Omega
Excel
Ali Wabnik
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Background
York Suburban High School Graduate
University of Maryland – Bachelors
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Johns Hopkins University – Masters
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Secondary Education
Spanish Language and Literature
School Counseling
Experience:
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5 years at Dallastown Middle School
2 years at Gaithersburg High School
How Are Students Feeling
About Starting Middle School?
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I am looking forward to going to middle school.
I am excited and a little nervous.
I heard that kids seem to like middle school.
However, these same kids love to tell horror
stories about what goes on there.
If they ask me once more if I am scared, I think
they will convince me that I am.
My parents are the ones who are really
nervous.
The Middle School: CHANGES!
*Emotionally: independence/self-identity
*Physically: puberty strikes!
*Socially: friends, interests, activities
Usually these changes are
much harder on the parents
than on the middle schoolers!
Top 10 Things Middle
School Parents Can Do To
Help Their Child
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Continue with what has worked in the past. You know
your child the best!
Help your child develop good study habits and
organizational skills.
Foster your child’s self esteem and identity by
encouraging them to explore a wide variety of academic
and non-academic opportunities that the middle school
offers.
Get involved in your child’s education and school. This
stage of your child’s academic career is just as crucial as
it was when they entered kindergarten.
Listen and support your child. Allow your child the
opportunity to make mistakes while remembering to be
supportive of teachers’ expectations.
Top 10 Things Middle
School Parents Can Do To Help
Their Child (cont’d)
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Reassure your child that it is perfectly normal to feel
anxious about meeting new friends.
Make it a point to place the home computer in a
family-traveled area.
Get to know who your child’s friends are.
Regularly communicate with your child’s teachers
and school counselor.
Check the Home Access Center and team’s website.
How can parents prepare?
Attend all meetings/orientations
 Check grades on HAC
 Read handouts, booklets, and mailings
 Read about adolescence-PTO library
 Trust your instincts
 Be firm, fair, calm, and consistent
 Let kids learn from mistakes
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A counselor’s roles/jobs:
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Work with same group over a two-year span
Help with academic and social/emotional struggles
Lead specific student groups: social skills,
organization, grief/loss, etc.
Meet with team teachers at least once a week
Serve on the student assistance team (SAP)
Develop the schedules for students
Help in any way we can!
Leveling/Scheduling
Math – There will be three levels.
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Level A1 – Algebra Math Skills (advanced pace)
Level A2– Algebra Math Skills (average pace)
Level B – Pre-algebra Math Skills
Language Arts – There will be three levels.
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Level Three – Advanced program (with accelerated instruction)
Level Two – Average Program
Level One – Basic Program
*Social Studies and Science will be grouped according to
level of Language Arts.
Leveling
How will students be placed?
 Can students be multi-leveled?
 Can a student change levels during the
year?
 Who schedules the students in
teams/classes?
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DIVERSITY in abilities:
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Hearing Impaired
Neurologically Impaired
Emotional Support
Speech Itinerant
IST help: Mrs. Terroso
English Language Learners
Physically Disabled
Regular Education
Special Education
Gifted and Talented
Gifted and Talented Program
Students who have been tested and
identified as Gifted and Talented
 Students will participate in a seminar-like
pull-out program.
 Specific details will be explained at Spring
IEP conferences, or you may contact Mrs.
Connelly, Gifted Teacher at 244-4021.
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Learning Support Program
Tested and identified
 Collaborative setting
 Assigned to a learning support teacher
assisted by a paraprofessional
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Grading Policy:
100-90
 89-80
 79-70
 69-60
 0-59
Outstanding
Satisfactory
Needs Improvement
Unsatisfactory
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A
B
C
D
E
O
S
N
U
Home Access Center (HAC)
The Home Access Center provides
information about your child’s schedule,
courses, graded assignments, and report
card grades.
 HAC is accessible at any time through the
link on Middle School Webpage with your
child’s student ID and password.
 More information will be sent home in the
August Principal’s Newsletter.
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Homework Protocols
Student Responsibilities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Each student shall be
responsible for completing
homework assignments as
directed.
Knowing what homework has
been assigned, and to make
sure the assignment is
understood.
Taking necessary materials
home to complete homework
assignments.
Completing assignments
accurately, neatly and on time.
Parent Responsibilities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To be knowledgeable of the
teachers’ homework
expectations.
To provide a suitable study
area for the child in the home.
To encourage independence in
completion of homework
assignments.
To be available to assist in
reinforcement of basic skills.
If concerns or questions arise
dealing with homework, to
contact the classroom teacher.
Electronic Devices – Student Policy
Students are not permitted to carry cell
phones, digital cameras, iPods, or other
electronic games with them during school
hours.
 When a student is found carrying any
electronic device during the school day, it
will be confiscated and locked in the office.
 We cannot and will not be responsible for
lost, damaged or stolen personal items.
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Seventh Grade Teams:
When forming 7th grade teams, the students in all
three wings of the Intermediate School are mixed
to encourage new friendships, diversity, and unity
as one middle school
 There are 5 seventh grade teams
 Teams are composed of 4 teachers (science, social
studies, math and language arts)
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A Typical School Day at DMS:
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Arrival: Enter through front doors!
Before 7:20 A.M.: report to the café
Between 7:20-7:45 AM: report directly to
locker to deposit all coats, books,
backpacks; report to HOMEROOM
School day: 7:45 – 2:52
Activity Buses: 4:20 / 5:35-PM MS front lobby
THE FIRST DAY!
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Bus rider information sent home in August or call
the transportation office
Find homeroom and team areas
Homeroom teachers will look for students and
help them with lockers, room locations-teachers
escort students to every location
Lunch can be bought or packed; the pin number
used at DAIS remains the same. A la carte items
are offered along with the main menu choices.
Materials for the First Day:
Communication:
-Team newsletters
will be mailed home
in August.
-The team websites
will include
information on
needed student
supplies.
Students are given:
-assignment book
including the
handbook
-schedule
-opening day papers
including picture forms
Activities at DMS:
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GET INVOLVED!
Band
Chorus
Orchestra
Student council
Intramurals
Assemblies
Class parties
Interscholastic Sports
Security and Safety:
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“Buzz in” system for locked doors; all visitors sign in at
office counter; visitor tags issued; blue staff tags worn
CODE RED drills practiced
Fire and severe weather drills practiced
Adult supervision at all times; telephones in rooms
Passports used to leave assigned rooms
High school students stay separate from MS students
“No tolerance” policy for weapon/drug violations
All medications distributed and kept by nurse
Bullying prevention program
Orientation:
Get to know your way around the MS!
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Sixth graders visit the MS:
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May 3rd – Blue Community
May 9th – Yellow Community
May 10th – Red Community
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Parent/Student self-tours will occur in August
 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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7th Grade Meet the Teacher Night will occur in September
 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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First day of school: August 22nd
Miscellaneous Q & A:
How and when do parents meet the teachers?
1. Teachers are always available to meet when
parents request a conference (7:20 AM/2:50 PM)
2. Meet the Team Night: September
3. Fall conferences: November
4. Spring conferences: March
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
Please come down front to ask any individualized questions
that have not already been addressed.
The presentation you saw tonight can be found on the Middle
School Guidance Webpage.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING—YOUR INTEREST
AND CONTINUED SUPPORT ARE
ALWAYS APPRECIATED!