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Welcome to Akimel A-al 6th Grade Orientation! We promote high standards, achievement and expectations for all students. Learn about our staff, middle school philosophy, character education, behavioral expectations, core content classes, exploratory classes, athletic opportunities, clubs and activities, community events, and communication at AMS. Parent involvement is vital!
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Akimel A-al 6th Grade Orientation March 15, 2016 High Standards; High Achievement; High Expectations for All
Rattler Introductions • 6th Grade Student Advisor – Chris Kaluzny • 7th Grade Student Advisor – Ashley Schutkowski • AP/8th Grade Admin/AD – Deb Wilkinson • School Psychologist – Marci Schutrum • Admin. Assistant – Ashley Ott • Exploratory Teachers • 6th Grade Teachers
Our Rattler Creed for our Staff • We promote academic excellence by providing a quality environment which fosters relevant, life-long learning for our community. • We honor • Trust • Growth • Accountability • Professionalism • Enthusiasm • Respect • Communication • Diversity
Pride in our Name • Akimel A-al (pronounced Ah’keymahl) • Means Children of the River
Our Mascot and School Colors • Mascot – The Rattlers • School Colors – Turquoise and Black • Chosen by the school’s first student body in 1992
Middle School Philosophy • Teaming Model (Teams or Pods) • Core academic teachers (math, social studies, science, language arts) share essentially the same kids on a team each day. • Rooms are generally located in close proximity to each other. • Teaming model promotes stronger relationships with adults and amongst students • *This is how we take a big school and make it much smaller
Character Counts at AMS-Teaching Kids to be Good People • Six Pillars of Character that we promote • Trustworthiness • Responsibility • Respect • Caring • Fairness • Citizenship • *these are promoted in a variety of ways across our campus • *prominently displayed on the overhead beams in our courtyard as a daily reminder • *used as criteria for our Student of the Week and Student of the Month awards on each team
Rattler PRIDE – Teaching Kids about our Behavioral Expectations at AMS • Rattler PRIDE is a positive behavior support program that identifies, teaches, and rewards positive behaviors by awarding Snake Bite tickets to be entered into weekly drawings for prizes • Possibilities • Respect • Integrity • Dedication • Environment • We have expectations delineated under these categories for various areas in our school – classroom, hallways, lunchroom, etc.
Core Content – Everyday • Language Arts (advanced or grade level) • Math (advanced or grade level) • Science • Social studies • iClass (6thperiod 4 days/week) • Will be used as intervention for struggling learners • Can be used as enrichment or team determined focus for others
Exploratory Classes – 1/day A/B Rotating Schedule • Year Long Choices • Band • Chorus • Orchestra Semester Long Choices • Art • Computer media • Drama • Culinary Arts • PE (year long or semester) • Spanish
Athletic Opportunities • We have “cut” sports for a JV and Varsity team • soccer, basketball, volleyball, cheer, softball, baseball We have “non-cut” sports cross country, wrestling, track and field *prior to participation, we require sports physical from doctor and health insurance. This is part of sports “paperwork” obtained from Student Services desk.
Clubs and Activities • Battle of the Books • TACO (recycling) • Drama • Student Council • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) • Friends Across the Border • Lego Robotics • Math Club • ……and many others • *check our website and listen to announcements for more info on how to get involved!
Community Events • Evening Under the Stars – A Celebration of our Fine Arts and Multicultural Cuisine in fall • Astronomy Night during the winter • Patriotic Day in the spring • Plan to attend!!
Communication at AMS • Student Agendas • ParentVue (grades, attendance, assignments) • School website • Team webpages • Communicating with the staff: • There is one identified team leader for general inquiries • Email and phone calls addressed within 24 hours • Regularly scheduled conferences in fall and spring *weekly AMS eBlast - Sign up for our list serve on the Kyrene School District website.
Parent Involvement is Vital • Be active in our PTSO (link off our website) • Talk to your kids regularly about school • Require your child to do his/her homework every night • Ask to see his/her agenda • Pay attention to ParentVue to stay on top of academic progress (visit Parent tab on KSD website) • Help us stomp out harassment and bullying-we do our job and you do yours • Monitor your child’s internet/social media activity-we do our job and you do yours • Personal Electronic Devices at AMS • Be proactive – reach out to teachers if you have a question or concern • Attend events at school with your child • Encourage your child’s participation in activities – sports, clubs, events, etc.
Other Things that Make AMS Great! • We are an A rated school by ADE Represents academic excellence on the AIMS test • We are an A+ School of Excellence by AEF Represents excellence in the overall school experience • We have Community Education opportunities: After Hours Program, teen activities outside of the school day, parent education sessions Tempe Union High School District (TUHSD) Desert Vista and Mountain Point
2016/17 Kickoff Day TBD Schedule pick up in gym and general information in MPR (times TBD) *can also log onto ParentVue on that day to see schedule (save yourself a trip to the gym) Meet the Teachers at Curriculum Night TBD (times TBD) *Opportunity to meet the teachers (core team and exploratory), learn about the curriculum, expectations, and other pertinent information to get the year started successfully. *This night is intended for parents/guardians and students. If possible, please leave siblings at home this night. Crowded!!
Akimel A-al Middle School • High Standards; High Achievement; High Expectations for All