Lovinggood Middle School: Fostering Student Success and Community Engagement

1. Welcome to Lovinggood Middle School Home of the Silver Hawks

2. Our Mission To develop a culture of clear, consistent and creative practices that cultivate student achievement. The Lovinggood Way

3. Our Creed • When they tell you, you can’t, tell them you did. • When they tell you, you won’t, tell them you will. • When they tell you it’s impossible, tell them it’s not. • When they say they don’t believe you, tell them to sit back and watch!

4. Agenda • Welcome/Introduction of Administration • Priority Topics for Rising 6th Grade Parents • Visit Music Classrooms

5. Administrative Team Mr. Derrick Bailey, Principal Mrs. Sandy Cox, Asst. Principal Mrs. Marianne Mitchell, Asst. Principal Mrs. Ebbie Julkes, Asst. Principal Ms. Stacey Ford, SSA

6. Counselors Ms. Antionette Dickerson – 6th Grade Mrs. Katie Bower - 7th Grade Mrs. Regina Abernathy – 8th Grade

7. As a Parent I want to know……. • That my child is safe • That my child is learning the way he/she learns best • That my child is able to approach adults and be heard • That my child’s teachers are communicable • That my child’s grades are current and accessible

8. Daily Challenges of Middle School Transition from Elementary to Middle • Time, # of Classes, # of Teachers, Organization/Locker use, increased peer interactions, multiple transitions, time management • Organization is Key – Timeline practices, placing things in the appropriate places, promoting the use of the agenda, no loose papers, daily review of blogs and agendas • Peer Interactions – Have conversations with child in advance • No recess

9. The School Day • School hours are from 9:15 to 4:15 • Homeroom expectation 8:50-9:10 – what constitutes Tardy • Preferred Homeroom arrival by 9:07 • Students may arrive as early as 8:15 and attend study hall in the theater • Students rotate from 7 classes per day • Students will attend 2 Connections classes. • Students have an option to attend intramurals or study hall in the morning – starting at 8:20

10. Sample Schedule

11. Academic Classes • The average class period is 50 minutes • Students attend the following academic classes daily: • Math • Science • Social Studies • Language Arts • Reading • Math/Reading Support (depending on child’s individual needs)

12. Placement • Letters will be going out the week we return from Spring Break that will outline placement of classes based on requirements the student has met (ie. AC and support classes)

13. Connections • Students attend two connections classes daily • Please note that connections classes are assigned randomly and they change each quarter • Not uncommon for students to have PE several quarters We may offer the following connections classes: • Band • Orchestra • Chorus • Art • Physical Education • Guitar • Business/Keyboarding • Technology • FACS

14. Clubs & Activities • LMS Art Club • Student Council • Reading Bowl • Drama Club • Distinguished Gentlemen • Junior Beta • STARS • FCCLA • Science Fair Club • Yearbook • FBLA • Sources of Strength • News Team • More may be formed upon student interest

15. Grading Scale • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 74-79 C • 70-73 D • 0-69 F • Students also receive a conduct grade • Conduct grades consist of: • S – Satisfactory • N – Needs Improvement • U - Unsatisfactory

16. Student Organization • Students currently are issued agendas to keep track of homework and other information (due to technology and blogs, this topic is under discussion) • The agendas will be sold next year for those students who want to purchase (ENCOURAGED) • Students should though check their teachers’ blogs regularly even if they have an agenda • Students may have homework from several teachers each night.

17. Lockers • All students are assigned a locker to store books and supplies • They may have 3 lockers (academic, PE and Band (if applicable) • Students are allowed to go to their lockers only during designated locker breaks • Lockers are operated by a combination lock; no additional personal locks are permitted • Students may not carry a backpack throughout the building, backpacks should be stored in the locker

18. Attendance • There is a direct relationship between attendance and academic performance • After an absence, students must have a note from home or a doctor • Students are responsible for checking with teachers to make up missed work. • Make-up work is accepted for credit on a day-for-day basis (number of days absent, plus 1 additional day for make up)

19. Report Cards/Grades • Online report cards will be posted in Synergy every nine weeks • Progress reports are given every 4 ½ weeks. • Students must earn a 70 or better average to pass a class • Students who fail two or more classes may be required to attend summer school and/or may be retained • Parents and students are asked to use ParentVue/StudentVue to monitor progress.

20. Dress Code • All students are required to adhere to the dress code at Lovinggood • The dress code is strictly enforced to promote a safe environment free from distractions to learning • Clothing must be appropriate for school • Students will receive a copy of the dress code which is also printed in the student Agenda • Students are required to dress out for physical education classes

21. Bullying • All Cobb County schools adhere to a strict policy prohibiting harassment and/or bullying – Anti/Bullying Program will be in place starting Day 1 • Students are expected to exhibit good behavior and respect for their teachers and peers at all times • Lovinggood has a “zero tolerance” policy for weapons of any kind on campus

22. Student Recognition • Honor Roll recognized each quarter –students receive certificates. • End of the year “Honors Day” – year long achievements • Student of the Month – positive character recognized for students that exhibit Excellence, Honor and Service • Notable achievements advertised on announcements and marquee

23. Rising 6th Grade Preview Camp • July 18th • AM Session (2 schools) and PM Session (2 schools) • Out of Feeder Patterns assigned as needed • Designed to reduce stress among students entering 6th grade • Designed to reduce stress among parents new to middle school • Goal is to answer as many questions as possible prior to the beginning of school and get 6th graders and their families off to a good start at Lovinggood

24. BYOD(Bring Your Own Device) Allowed during class for instructional purposes ONLY as directed by teacher Not Allowed in the cafeteria (study hall or lunch), hallways, or any other time not directed by teacher to use Any device brought to school must have a parent consent form on file with appropriate identification information

25. Music Department Information