Parent Orientation for Rising 6 th Graders

1. WELCOME TOLONG CANE MIDDLE SCHOOLHome of the Cougars! Parent Orientation for Rising 6th Graders

2. Who’s Who Principal: Chip Giles Assistant Principals: Becky Woody (6th) Charles Tarver (7th) Registrar: Lesia Ansaldo Counselors: Tiffany Clark (6th) Michelle Morris (7th) Margaret Bartley (8th) Graduation Coach: J.J. Brown

3. 6th Grade Teachers

4. Daily Schedule • Students will take 5 classes a day: Math, LA, Sci, SS, Exploratory • Students will be assigned 2 exploratory classes each 9 weeks; however, it rotates A and B day, so students will only go every other day

5. Your child will be placed with a team of teachers. (Students are randomly placed on teams) Each teacher on the team is responsible for 1 academic class (Math, LA, Sci, SS) The team of teachers have common planning time used for planning, conferencing with parents, reviewing student behavior and academic progress Parent Conferences are set up during planning time so all teachers can be present to meet with you (6th grade planning is around 2:15-3:15) Teams

6. 80% = Assessments that determine content mastery. (Can include tests, quizzes, projects, or class work) 20% = The learning process. (Can include homework, some class work, extra credit, and any other grades given to the student on practice work) Students will receive grade reports every 4 ½ weeks You are also encouraged to check your child’s grades on Infinite Campus at least weekly: https://campus.troup.org/campus/portal/troup.jsp Grades Note: It is very important for you to talk to your child about class assignments, homework, upcoming tests. Don’t let grades start dropping. Check their planner daily!

7. Exploratory Classes • Exploratory classes rotate each 9 weeks • Keyboarding • Careers • Art • Technology • Study Skills • Drama • PE • Students will have 2 exploratory classes each 9 week period (8 total) • All 6th grade students are required to have keyboarding and careers • Can not choose your exploratory (Computer program assigns randomly) • Unless you wish to participate in Band and/or Chorus

8. Chorus • Chorus Director, Bailie Greeson • Email: greesonbq@troup.org • Students who wish to participate in Chorus will try out with Mrs. Greeson in May at their elementary school. • Student behavior and willingness to practice will affect participation • Chorus fees are due by Sept. 9th to remain in class

9. Band • Band director, Kristine Johnson • Email: johnsonkm@troup.org • Students who wish to participate in Band will meet with Mrs. Johnson in May at their elementary school for instrument testing • Students must own or rent an instrument • Student behavior and willingness to practice will affect participation • Band fees are due by Sept. 9th to remain in class Note: If your child is taking Band and Chorus, the Chorus class will be postponed until second semester.

10. Reading/Math Scaffolding • Students not meeting criteria on the CRCT (scored at/below 820) in reading or math will take the reading or math exploratory a minimum of two 9 weeks. • The purpose of this class is to provide them with extra practice in that subject area.

11. Gifted • It is a little different than what you are accustomed to in elementary.  • Our gifted students are served in subject content areas.  Unlike elementary, all of the gifted students are not served in every academic subject.  • We work very hard each spring to determine your child's academic strength and to place them where they will be successful, as well as challenged.  • Being in one subject content gifted class is equal to the amount of hours the students were served in Discovery. 

12. Daily attendance is imperative If your child is absent please send a note or doctor’s excuse If your child is severely injured or seriously ill you should contact the school to determine if homebound instruction is necessary We do follow the Attendance protocol for Troup County Schools which includes conferences, social worker referral, and/or law enforcement referral for excessive absences Attendance

13. Getting involved There are a number of clubs and sports to participate in: • Cougar Fit Club • 4-H • Cougarettes • Girl Scouts GEMS (Girls Excelling in Middle School) • Jr. Beta Club • All sports, except football

14. Infinite Campus You will receive an access code to this website You will be able to check grades, upcoming test, missing assignments, etc. Planner Check homework, grades, hall passes, etc. Write notes to teacher Website www.troup.org http://lcms.troup.k12.ga.us/ You can go ahead and start monitoring our announcements, events, etc. Link to email teachers Phone Contact Mrs. Seagraves for a conference (845-2088) Contact Mrs. Davis to leave a phone message (845-2085) Cougar Chat Email from Giles – daily announcements What’s going on at school?

15. Student and Teacher Uses Review LCMS rules, regulations and information Hall pass List grades Write assignments, homework, projects Communicate with parents Parent Uses Review LCMS rules, regulations and information Review grades, student has written Review assignments, student has written Monitor hall pass usage Communicate with teachers Planner

16. Discipline • Parent conference • Silent lunch • Afterschool Detention • Referrals • ISS • OSS • Tribunals • Alternative School

17. The only two things every student can control.

18. Dress Code Shirts • Sleeve should cover the shoulder • Come below the waist line • Cover the stomach when arms are held straight out at shoulder height Pants • Worn at the waist with a belt if needed • No holes above the knees Shorts, skirts, skorts and dresses • Knee length when standing, even if wearing leggings Underwear • Should not be visible through clothing or outside of clothing

19. Dress Code Students will not be allowed to wear • Head coverings in the building • Sunglasses • Pajamas or night wear • Biker shorts • Clothing displaying racial or sexual connotations or slogans/images related to drugs, alcohol or tobacco • Clothing which reveals cleavage or that is excessively tight or clingy • Pants with holes above the knee, unless the hole is patched with a permanent patch

20. Registration – August 5, 2013 “White Card” • Only persons listed on the “white card” will be allowed to pick up your child or given information concerning your child

21. Early Cougar July 22 - 26, 2013 10:00 - 3:00 Pre-Registration http://lcms.troup.k12.ga.us/earlycougar.htm Come to Early Cougar Pre-Registration and  take care of most of the registration paperwork.

22. Visitor Passes • You will need a visitor pass anytime you are in the building this includes, eating lunch, visiting or conferencing. Your pass alerts us and the students that you have business in the building and are not “strangers.” • We encourage parents to be involved and come visit the school…join PTO, come to Open House, eat lunch with your child, etc.

23. How can I help? • Know what your child is studying and review briefly each night • Infinite Campus • Planner • Communicate with your child’s teachers • E-mail • Conference • Telephone • State website gives grade by grade objectives and standards • www.doe.k12.ga.us • www.georgiastandards.org • Practice – the following websites help students study and practice for tests • www.georgiaoas.org • www.brainchild.com

24. You’re Not Happy – Let us know Please Communicate with us 99% of the problems that arise are solved through COMMUNICATION

25. You’re not happy? We’re not happy! Let’s Talk: • Teacher - Call, e-mail or set up a conference with the teacher • Mrs. Susan Seagraves (845-2088) will set up a conference • Administrator - If the problem is not resolved after the teacher conference, please call the grade level administrator • Mrs. Seagraves (845-2088) or Mrs. Field (845-2085) will assist with setting up this conference • Principal - If the problem is not resolved after the administrator conference, please call the principal, Mr. Giles • Mrs. Tonya Field (845-2085) will assist with setting up this conference

26. You can help make the transition to Middle School a success for your child… • Your child will need your support and attention. He or she will also look to you for plenty of information, guidance, love and understanding. • Your involvement still matters as your child gets older.

27. Talk with your child… • Most children are concerned about starting middle school. Reassure your child it’s normal to have concerns about: • Building – bigger, don’t know way around • Schedule – moving class to class • Teachers – 5 or 6 teachers – each with different style and set of expectations • Other students – many new faces • Academics – more homework, more challenging • Friendships – making new friends, being away from old friends, being left out if old friends get new friends

28. Easing your child’s concerns… • Ask questions • What are you most excited about? • What are you most worried about? • How can I help? • Listen closely • Give your full attention • Highlight the positives • Greater opportunities in sports, drama, music, clubs • More independence • Feeling and acting more like an adult

29. Your child will come visit LCMS on May 6th • Tour the school • Meet Principal, Assistant Principals, Teachers, Counselors, etc. • Go into 6th grade classrooms

30. The Future is Closer than you Think Class of 2020 Help your child plan now to be successful!

31. Questions?