Pioneer Middle School 5 th Grade Orientation

1. Pioneer Middle School 5th Grade Orientation

2. Health and Immunization Information Susan Levergood, RN P-CCS School Nurse

3. Immunization requirements for incoming 6th grade students • Tdap: Need dose on or after age 11 • Varicella (Chicken pox): 2 doses of vaccine OR history of chicken pox disease • Meningitis vaccine: One dose on or after age 11. • Waiver signed by parent is acceptable

4. District First Day Exclusion Policy Must have complete and updated immunizations on file in school office OR signed immunization waiver BEFORE start of school

5. NO EXCEPTIONS Your child WILL NOT be able to start school without completed immunizations or immunization waiver on file in office.

6. School Health Care • Medication can be taken at school. Need medication forms completed by medical provider and parent. District policy will be followed • Contact school nurse with any specific student health needs • See handout in parent/student information packet

8. The 6th Grade Experience Pioneer Middle School James Buhro, Math and Science Teacher Kristine Stewart, Language Arts Kristen Ihm, Math Teacher

9. Welcome! 6th Grade Schedule Pick-up: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 (9:00-11:00 AM) 6th Grade Orientation: Thursday, August 22, 2013 (8:30-11:30 AM)

10. WEB Program • Where Everyone Belongs • Kick off with 6th grade orientation • Student mentor program led by 8th grade Pioneer students • Activities throughout the year

11. Making the transition easier…for everyone!

12. Team Environment • Core Classes • Building Community • Common Procedures

13. Contact Time/Teacher Middle School 52 mins/day 6 Teachers Elementary School 5 hours/day 1 Teacher

14. Communication! Parents Counselors Teachers Student Administrators

15. Additional Communication Tools • Zangle (Parent Connect)

16. Additional Communication Tools • Zangle (Parent Connect) • Redbooks • Curriculum Night – October 2013 • Monthly Parent Coffees • Teacher Websites • Pioneer Website • http://pioneer.pccs.k12.mi.us

17. Getting Prepared: Reducing Student Anxieties

18. Be Organized • Redbooks • Calendar layout • Student writes agenda for each class OR all homework assignments • Parents check it nightly for several weeks to reinforce importance • Binders • Get a 3 ring binder for each class • Buy divider tabs • Each teacher will show students how they want it arranged

19. To Help Reduce Nervousness…(The fear of the unknown!) • Locker Practice—practice with combination lock • Practice walking through schedule the week before school starts—pay attention to landmarks • 6th Grade WEB Orientation!!! • Teachers will allow extra practice with lockers and schedule

20. Keep up the work during summer – Avoid the “Summer Slide” • Read, Read, Read! • Summer journal • Math

21. Elective Courses

22. Course Offerings: • Art – Mrs. Blaylock • Life Management – Mrs. Jenkins • Band – Mrs. Tharp • Choir – Ms. Galbraith • Additional offerings – Mr. Rhein

23. Cross CountryMs. Kramer

24. Cross Country • The ONLY sport for 6th graders • 1.5 mile race – Heritage Park, Cass Benton Park • Info meeting for students September 4 • Season runs September 5 – mid October • Must have a current physical to join

25. Important Dates: • Schedule Pick-up & Walk Your Schedule Day: August 21, 2013 • WEB: August 22, 2013 • First Day of School: September 3, 2013 • 6th Grade Camp: October 28-30, 2013