The Scholars ’ Academy Middle School Orientation June 2014

1. The Scholars’ Academy Middle School Orientation June 2014 Welcome to our newest Scholars’ Academy Parents, Guardians, Caregivers!!!

2. Welcome Mr. Brian O’Connell, Principal Mr. Scott Milczewski, Assistant Principal of Youth Development, Science & Fitness Ms. Toni Marie Viera, Middle School Assistant Principal, Supervisor of Humanities, Spanish and Special Education Ms. Michele Smyth, High School Assistant Principal, Supervisor of Math and The Arts Mr. Sean Brandeis, Dean Ms. Lorry Gilgur, Guidance Counselor Mr. Gianfranco Moretta, Guidance Counselor Ms. Felicia Williams, Parent Coordinator Ms. Marta Laczynski, Parent Coordinator

3. Agenda Theater: 5pm-6pm Parents will review parent handbook, school expectations, important information and sign off on policy sheet. Before parents leave the theater it is imperative the PARENT HANDBOOK RECEIPT is signed and handed to a staff member Dining Room & Classrooms: 5pm-6:15pm Students will meet their teachers, visit their classrooms and receive supply lists, summer assignments, novels, book bags and other important information Gymnasium: 6pm-7pm Parents can purchase Scholars’ clothing, as well as speak to PTA members Students will reunite with their parents in the gym between 6pm-6:15pm

4. First Day of SchoolThursday, September 4th 2014 • Students are expected to arrive to school between 7:30am and 8am and will be dismissed at 2:50pm • Breakfast will be available in the dining room from 7:30-7:55am • Students are expected to come prepared with supplies on the first day • Summer Assignments are due back within the first week of school • Students will receive their supply lists and summer assignments today from their teachers, please review these materials with your child

5. Bell Schedule • Middle school students are dismissed at 2:50pm Monday – Thursday • Middle school students are dismissed at 1:12pm on Fridays • Middle school students have lunch period 5 from 11:28 am-12:14 pm/high school students have lunch period 6 from 12:26 pm – 1:12 pm • Middle School classes are on the 1st and 2nd floors and high school classes are on the 3rd floor

6. Life as a Scholars’ 6th Grader • Student Course Work: • Humanities (Social Studies/ELA), Mathematics, Science, Health, Spanish, Physical Education/Fitness, Library, Music, Art, Electives • Student Supports: • Peer Tutoring, Extra Help Classes, Study Hall, ICT, SETSS, Group Counseling, Individual Counseling, Related Services • Student Clubs: • Chess, Debate, Math, Science, Poetry, Student Government, Lego Robotics, Drama, Chorus, Band • Sports/Teams: • Lacrosse, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, Tennis, Soccer, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Step Team • *In most cases, MTA and Yellow bus service are not available for after school programs.

7. Building Orientation • 6th graders are walked from class to class by their teachers • Much of the month of September will be spent orienting 6th graders with the layout of the building, school routines, schedule, etc • The 6th grade has their own hallway located on the 2nd floor

8. Academic Expectations Academic Expectations • All Scholars’ Academy students are expected to maintain an average of 85% or above Academic Probation • Students who have grades of 75% or below will be placed on academic probation and given supports • Students on academic probation will receive extra help classes and may be ineligible for participation with sports and other extra-curricular activities until their grades improve • Peer Tutoring is available during lunch, before school and after school for students in need

9. Bus Transportation • There is MTA curbside for all students Monday through Thursday at 2:50pm dismissal and 3:45pm dismissal via the Q52 and 22 • Yellow buses are designated by Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) for select students in a 5 mile radius from school, as well as if indicated on an IEP • Office of Pupil Transportation Information – See page 17 of handbook • We also provided you with private yellow bus information • There are free Metro Cards available to all students not eligible for yellow bus or within walking distance of school • It is very important for students to have a dismissal plan for the first day of school and know how they are getting home

10. Student Pick Up and Drop Off • All parent and car pool pick up and drop off must occur on Beach Channel Drive directly in front of our school yard, students will be dismissed into the school yard at dismissal to be picked up by car/use the school yard in the morning to enter the school • It is extremely important that Beach 104th Street and Seaside Avenue are not used for parent and car pool pick up and drop off, these locations are designated for students walking to and from school and for yellow and curbside MTA buses

11. Dress Code • Non-Gym Days: Tan or navy khaki slacks or knee length shorts. Light blue golf shirt with Scholars’ logo • For Gym Days: Navy Scholars’ sweatpants or Scholars’ shorts with logo, navy t-shirt with logo, and sneakers • No cargo pants, leggings, jeggings, tights,yoga pants • No non Scholars’ Sweatshirts • No hats, hoods, • No dresses, skirts, high heels, flip flops, sandals, etc • No large jewelry or unnatural dyes hair colors

12. Behavior Code • Citywide Standards of Interventions and Discipline Measures (Blue Book) delineates all discipline infractions – it is important to review the Blue Book with your child • PBIS is used to support students in a student led positive school wide initiative • Student Behavior has results with participation in school events and trips • Attendance & Punctuality is extremely important on your child's school record • Our Youth Development Team works closely with teachers and students to ensure the most respectful behavior from our students

13. Internet Usage at Home • Be aware of the sites your child is using • Cyber-Bullying is very common with: • Face book • Twitter • Instagram • Snapchat

14. Internet Usage in School • Your child will have access to school iPads on a daily basis, as well as laptops and desktops • The Internet Usage and Electronic Device Policy must be reviewed by every student and parent/guardian upon entry into Scholars’ Academy

15. National Junior Honor Society Requirements • Eligibility will be determined by criteria from the first term of grade 6 • Criteria for induction: • 90+ average beginning term 1 of grade 6; must be maintained every term • Evidence of CHART: Cooperative Hardworking, Amiable, Respectful and Trustworthy • No documented suspensions or repeated level 1-5 infractions • A minimum of 12 hours community service to be completed and documented by May 1st of each school year • Review of attendance and punctuality each year

16. Community Service • All middle school students are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of community service per year • Students are expected to document all of their community service by entering the number of hours they’ve completed and what service they’ve done as they complete it on a community service Google form • 12 hours should be completed by the middle of June (the latest) in order to receive a certificate of completion for your portfolios

17. Pupil Path • Pupil Path is our main form of communication for grades, assignment dates, student progress, school-wide announcements, etc. • Parents are able to view this information at any time from any device • There is a calendar function which allows you to see when your child has assignments due • You can use Pupil path to send your child’s teachers an email • Log in information will be shared with you in September

18. Medical Policy • All students entering grade 6, when they turn 11 years old, must have Tdap Immunization to attend school • Please bring in documentation from your doctor by the first day of school

19. Parent Meetings, Workshops and Events • There are monthly Parent Association (PA) meetings that place at 7pm on the second Wednesday of every month • The first PA meeting for next school year is Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 7pm • Save the Date – September 18, 2014 Curriculum Overview/Meet the Teacher Night, Time - TBD • Save the Date – October 16, 2014 at Aviator Meet and Greet for Skating and Pizza, Time - TBD

20. Forms to be signed: • Please sign the PARENT HANDBOOK RECEIPT FORM in your packet and hand it to a school staff member as you exit the theater! • This PowerPoint can be found on our school website! • Thank you for coming and supporting your child in this new endeavor!

21. Gymnasium • Your child will meet you in the gymnasium between 6pm-6:15pm. • There will be Scholars’ clothing for purchase in the gym, as well as PTA Members and Information. • Have a Great Evening!!