Kim Jordan Middle School Principal March 2014

1. Welcome to Middle School Orientation Jacobs Fork Middle School Kim Jordan Middle School Principal March 2014

3. Jacobs Fork Middle School Office Staff

4. Jacobs Fork Middle School

5. Daily Schedule Sample

6. Jacobs Fork Middle School Highlights • Updated Middle School Website • Hands-On Science Curriculum - STEM Focus • Technology Integration/BYOD • Band, Creative Movement, Art, Physical Education/Health, Fitness and Conditioning, Career/Technical, Robotics/Design and Modeling, Spanish, Drama • Sports “Don’t Give Up if You Don’t Make the Sports Team.” • Fall: Cross Country, Boys’ Soccer, Volleyball, Football, Cheerleading • Winter: Basketball, Wrestling • Spring: Softball, Baseball, Girls’ Soccer • Clubs “Join as many clubs as possible.” • FOR Club • FCA • FBLA • Robotics • Drama • International Club • Science Olympiad • Yearbook • Jr. Beta

7. Elective Rotation…semester long courses.. “what will you enjoy?” • Band—if you choose Band, it is a year-long course. • Creative Movement • Spanish • Art • Drama • Intro to Engineering

8. Mandated Rotation…9 week courses… • Physical Education • Fitness and Conditioning • Keyboarding/Word Processing • Digital Literacy/Publishing/Newsletter

9. Principal Expectations • Big “Jump” “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” • Middle School Staff will have higher expectations “There is more work.” • Treat all STAFF and STUDENTS with RESPECT • New level of RESPONSIBILITY “You can not only change your attitude, but (you can) also influence your friends to change their attitude.” • Honor the Jaguar Code: • RESPECT  the opinions of others and always work towards compromises and solutions • RESPECT  others by listening and being attentive • RESPECT others by being prepared and on time • RESPECT  others' privacy and confidentiality

10. Attendance • Children learn best when they attend school regularly. • Attendance is critical to your child’s education. • Classroom participation is vital to a student learning. • Students that are absent have a hard time making up missing work. • CCS Middle School Attendance Policy is that a student may not miss more than 10% of total days enrolled (18 of 180). • Any time your child is absent, an excuse is required to be turned in no later than 3 days after the child returns. • An accumulation of ten (10) unexcused absences will result in a petition filed with our District Court. • All vacations must be approved 10 days in advance. Please use the prior approval form that can be located in the Middle School Office. • A student is considered tardy if he/she arrives after 7:55.

11. Middle School Safety • We are very fortunate to have an armed School Resource Officer here on campus everyday. • All entrances to the building are locked. • School Cameras- Cameras are place throughout the hallways to ensure safety and security of all students. • Fighting and/or harassment will not be tolerated. • Law enforcement may be notified.

12. Discipline • Fair • Firm • Consistent • Students always get a fresh start! • Things to Remember: Students need to take responsibility for their actions as young adults.

13. Discipline Responses • Student conference • Parent Contact/Parent Conference • Silent Lunch or Loss of Privilege • ASD—Assigned by teachers • Buses are not provided for any detention. Parents will need to pick their child up after detention. • In-School Suspension (ISS) • Out-of-School-Suspension (OSS) • Alternative School Program

14. Dress Code • The Middle School Dress Code is enforced to ensure nothing affects the educational program of the school and the health and safety of others. • If there is a dress code violation, a change of clothes will need to be made. • Dress code information is outlined in the student handbook issued on the first day.

15. Dress Code Violations: Examples • No headgear is permitted in the building. • Bare midriffs and low cut tops are not permitted. • Spaghetti straps and halters are not permitted. • Skirts, dresses, holes in jeans, and shorts must be no more than 4 inches above the top of the kneecap. • No jewelry with chains or spikes including chains attached to clothing is permitted. • No spandex or clothes that expose undergarments are permitted (leggings only permitted with shirts that cover rear). • No clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products is permitted Parents may need to bring a change of clothing if your child is in violation of the Middle School Dress Code.

16. Electronic Devices • Cell Phones are NOT permitted at any time during the day. They must be turned off and be kept in lockers. • Keep all devices in your locker. • Violations will result in confiscation of the device. • If repeated violation, parents will be asked to come to the school and pick up the phone in person. • Good Rule of Thumb – Keep it OFF and OUT OF SIGHT unless a teacher specifically says it is ok to have it out.

17. Medication Policy • All medications (Both prescription and non-prescription) must have a signed order from a physician. • If medications are to be administered at at school, we must have a form signed by medical provider. All medicine must be stored and administered in the office.

18. ID BADGES • All students will be provided with an ID badge and lanyard. This is to be worn at all times. • ID badge will be used for library checkout and lunch. • First ID badge is free. Replacements will be made at a cost of $5.00. Orders should be placed in the office.

19. Lockers… • All students will be assigned a locker. • No locker decorations allowed. • All Locks must be rented from the school. • $3.00 fee • Combination Lock with Key.

20. Breakfast and Lunch • Ms. Denise Caldwell is our Cafeteria Manager • Lunch is $2.25 regular • Breakfast $1.00 regular • If you will eat breakfast at school, report to the cafeteria upon arrival. • Student can bring in their lunch money (Cash or Check) in an envelope with their first and last name AND their student ID written on the envelope. Parents may also use Lunchprepay.com • All students will receive applications for free and reduced lunches on the first day of school. • If you received these services last year, you must re-apply for this year. These services do not automatically continue.

21. Dropping Off / Picking Up Your Child Dropping Off Picking Up • Parents may drop off their children at school no earlier than 7:20. • Students who are tardy may sign themselves in. • the instructional day, you will need to sign them out in the office. • No transportation changes after 2:00pm. • Car riders must be picked up by 3:15 PM.

22. School Communication • Please be sure to fill out the emergency contact information. If you move, please contact the middle school office and notify them of address changes, phone number changes, etc. • Information is always posted on the district website: http://www.catawbaschools.net/schools/JacobsFork/default.aspx • Check for teacher webpages and/or announcements • Updated frequently • Activity announcements • Game Cancellations and updates • Connect5 is our emergency contact phone system. It will notify parents of important announcements such as school cancellations and delays and is also used for general announcements.

23. Powerschool parent portal • PowerSchool is our student records/management software. • It will give you access to all of your student’s grades, attendance, and homework assignments from home. • If you do not have a username and password, please contact the Middle School Office to obtain this information.

24. Protocol for Concerns • Please contact the individual that you have a concern with FIRST. • If the problem is not resolved, then contact the principal. • If an administrator is unable to solve the problem as a mediator, I will bring all parties together to find a solution.

25. JFMSMiddle School PTOand Athletic Boosters • I encourage everyone to join our Middle School PTO and/or Athletic Boosters. • Encourages parent involvement. • Promotes cooperation between the school and home. • More information will be distributed at the beginning of the school year.

26. Students – Keep this in mind… • YOUALL have a clean slate right now! • YOUALL have straight A’s! • YOUALL have perfect attendance! • YOUALL have a perfect discipline record! • YOU are responsible for YOUR choices that YOU make and YOUR own behaviors. Where you go from here is up to you…

27. How to succeed in middle school? • JFMS Students say… • Keep going and don’t quit. • Don’t goof off. • Behave. • Stay out of the drama. • Never trust the 8th graders  • There is a lot to look forward to—DC Trip, STEM Tours • Agendas are very helpful. • You will be frightened by the hallways, but you will learn your way around. • You will get more time in the beginning to get used to your schedule. • You might not be in the team with your friends, but you will make new friends.

28. You will have more freedom. • Lunches are better. We have chicken wings, pizza, and much more! • Lockers are way cooler than cubbies and you will learn how to use your locks. • Don’t act up on the bus. High school students won’t think you’re funny. • It all starts now so say goodbye to whatever you did in elementary school. You are starting over for your future.

29. JFMS Student Tour Students will have an opportunity to tour our school and learn about Elective Courses on April 16. Registration materials will be sent home after that date. If you have questions about elective courses, or any questions in general, please contact the school.

30. Questions