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The Middle School Experience. Mount Vernon Presbyterian School 2014-2015. The Middle School Experience. * Welcome & Overview, The Team - Houston * Mission, iPlan17, Mindsets, & Initiatives - Houston * Communication - Cain * Courses & Placement - Cain * Schedule & Rotation - Cain
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The Middle School Experience Mount Vernon Presbyterian School 2014-2015
The Middle School Experience * Welcome & Overview, The Team - Houston * Mission, iPlan17, Mindsets, & Initiatives - Houston * Communication - Cain * Courses & Placement - Cain * Schedule & Rotation - Cain * Google & Online Resources - Cain/Canup * Academic Resource - Flowers * Student Life - Couvillion/Mines * Student Handbook, Discipline, & Emergency Crisis Plan - Couvillion/Mines * Counseling & Parent University- Bynum * Athletics - Coffield * Arts - Houston * Christian Education, Chapel, & Service - Houston * Things to Know for Fall - Houston * Questions & Dismissal - Houston
Katie Cain - Director of 21st Century Teaching & Learning Suzanne Couvillion - Dean of Students Grades 7 & 8 LaTasha Mines - Dean of Students Grades 5 & 6 Samantha Flowers - Director of Academic Resource Services Kelli Bynum - Director of Counseling Services Chip Houston - Head of Middle School Mount Vernon Presbyterian School 2014-2015
We are a school of inquiry, innovation, and impact. Grounded in Christian values we prepare all students to be college ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. Mount Vernon Presbyterian School 2014-2015
Communication • Email Any Faculty Member easiest and most direct line to teachers - brief/succinct questions, concerns, feedback, and praise, longer than a paragraph = call first letter, last name, @mountvernonschool.org John Smith = jsmith@mountvernonschool.org • Call the School • Founders Campus - 404-252-3448 • Glenn Campus - 404-250-5880 • MVPS Update (weekly email)
Communication • Follow us on Twitter • #MVMiddle, @MVPSchool or @MVPMiddle • Visit the Middle School Website • http://www.mountvernonschool.org/Page/Middle-School • Summer E-Packet • MS Experience Booklet
Communication Conferences - parent, teacher, student conference on learning and progress, 2 formal days, available upon request any time Monthly Division Head Letter - Recaps of wins, previews of upcoming events, and big picture thoughts about Middle School Mr. Houston’s Blog - Reflections on professional learning, initiatives, & research. www.chiphouston.com ePortfolio - demonstrations of student learning and reflection
Haiku • Access posts of homework, classwork, notes and resources from each teacher 24/7 • Use the calendar feature to keep up with tests and due dates (the calendar syncs with Google calendar) • Collaborate with peers through blogs and discussion threads • Students and parents will be trained the first week of school • Teachers’ Haiku pages will be accessible through the Mount Vernon Middle School website • We update CW & HW for the upcoming week by 6:00 p.m. every Sunday evening.
PowerSchool (online gradebook) • https://powerschool.mountvernonschool.org/public/home.html • View student grades and progress 24/7 • Multi-child access on one screen • Mobile access support • Information and tutorials will be available at Orientation in August
Student Resources • Chromebooks lend themselves to the use of many web-based resources, thus lightening the backpack and reducing the cost of textbooks • For 2014-2015, the School will invoice families for all required print and online resources (~$150 and $250, depending on grade level) • All required print and online student resources will be distributed at Orientation • A few courses have optional print materials available for families to purchase from MBS Direct • A detailed list of student resources will be available in the summer E-Packet
Google Chromebooks • Lightweight, durable, quick boot time • Built-in virus protection • Access to collaborative Google Apps • Automatically backs up students' work to the cloud • Low price point ($400, includes case) • 3 Year Warranty • Mechanical failure, manufacturer defect, wear and tear, accidental damage (includes water/spills) • Repair costs up to the cost of the item/one full replacement • Cracked screens replaced for $65
Summer Reading and Math • Summer Reading • To foster a love of reading, our faculty choose engaging, relevant summer reading books that extend the learning of the school year. Students read one required novel and select a second book of choice from a list of recommended titles. • Summer Math Playlist • Students continue to develop and review math concepts and skills, utilizing the online tools BrainGenie and iXL to view tutorials and practice math fluency. • Detailed information about summer reading and summer math will be included in the summer E-Packet.
Academic Resource Center • Serve as educational consultants to the Mount Vernon Community • Offer guidance for students in need of academic support throughout the year including collaboration with teachers and parents, recommendations for classroom accommodations, small group content area support, and referrals to tutors and other private services • Facilitate lessons introducing study tools and strategies, note-taking methods and test preparation
Student Life Social events • Grades 5 and 6: two during the year (past socials have included bowling night & Skyzone) • Grades 7 and 8: three dances throughout the year (past themes have included Halloween, Valentine's Day, and Spring Fling) Class trips • Grade 6: Space Camp; Huntsville, AL • Grade 7: Boston, Massachusetts • Grade 8: Washington, D.C.
Student Life Retreats • Grades 5-7 enjoy an on-campus retreat designed to foster teamwork and spiritual growth • Students in 8th grade travel to Camp Winshape for a day of leadership and teambuilding Pep Rallies/Spirit Days • For each sports season, athletes in grades 5-8 celebrate their achievements in a pep rally planned by the Middle School Student Council Spring MS Talent Show Mustang Rally
Clubs During the first few weeks of school, students have a chance to learn about the various clubs offered in the Middle School at the annual Club Fair. • Academic Latin, MathCounts, Literary Magazine • Leadership Student Council, Service Club, Girl Talk • Fine Arts Drama, Strings, Praise Band, Art • Athletic Mustang Striders
Academic Honors Honor Pledge - "I pledge to always act in an honest, honorable, and accountable manner and expect the same of my fellow students. I agree to promote exemplary behavior at all times and understand that there will be consequences for inappropriate actions." • Head of School list • Honor Roll • National Junior Honors Society • Duke TIP • Head of Middle School Award • 21st Century Mount Vernon Mind • Mount Vernon Service Award • Prefect Award
Student Handbook All policies are outlined in detail in the Student Handbook which can be found on the website. • Emergency Crisis Management Plan/Safety • Attendance & Tardies • Discipline • Final Exams and Exemption
Uniforms All uniforms must be purchased from Land's End or Buckhead Uniforms • Buckhead Uniforms • Lands' End Uniform resale on campus • First uniform resale is during Orientation Online Spirit Shop • Purchase spirit wear for spirit days
Counseling Services • Provide support services through individual and small group counseling, large group guidance, parent conferences, professional referrals and intervention. • Offer consultation to further the development of students socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and academically.
Parent University Offer presentations on a variety of developmentally appropriate topics for all parents throughout the year by authors, psychologists, and external experts. * Radical Parenting - Vanessa Van Petten * Flight Plan - Braxton Brady * Parenting Strategies in the Age of Social Media - Jeff Dess
Athletics • 32 Teams, 240 student athletes (87%) • Fall Sports • 5/6 Grade Football • 7/8 Grade Football • 5/6 Grade Cheerleading • 7/8 Grade Cheerleading • MS Boys and Girls Cross Country • MS Softball • 7th Grade Volleyball • 8th Grade Volleyball
Athletics • Winter Sports • 5/6 Grade Boys and Girls Basketball • 7th Grade Boys and Girls Basketball • 8th Grade Boys and Girls Basketball • 7th Grade Cheerleading • 8th Grade Cheerleading • MS Wrestling • MS Swim and Dive
Athletics • Spring Sports • 5/6 Grade Baseball • 7/8 Grade Baseball • MS Boys Soccer • 5/6 Grade Girls Soccer • 7/8 Grade Girls Soccer • MS Boys and Girls Tennis • MS Golf • MS Track and Field • MS Boys’ Lacrosse
Arts • Band • Full-year course offered in grades 5-8 • Performances throughout the year • Music Technology • Full-year course offered in grades 5-6 as an alternative to band • Project-based performances throughout the year
Arts • Theater Arts • Drama Club in Grades 5 and 6 • One or two semester course in grades 7 and 8 • Students produce one-act plays • 7th and 8th Grade Chorus • One or two semester course • Fundamental singing techniques • Performances throughout the year
Arts • Visual Arts • Offered in grades 5-8 • Students work with collage, blending color, watercolor, mixed media, charcoal, chalk pastels, realism and drawing • Strings (club) • Open to 5th and 6th graders • Kanzanetti Strings
Christian Education & Service Purpose • To ground students in Christian values through fellowship, service, and biblical literacy Chapel & Small Groups • Wednesdays 8:50 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Community Service • Helping Hands Day • Collection Drives • Service Club
Things to Know for Fall... Summer Programs • We offer day, sports, themed, and skill review camps Supply List (in Summer ePacket) Orientation • Monday, August 11, 2014 First day of School • Wednesday, August 13, 2014
The Middle School Experience Mount Vernon Presbyterian School 2014-2015