Welcome to “ The Crab Shack! ”

Welcome to “The Crab Shack!”

Middle School Staff ELA Mrs. Cecil: 7th & 8th Mrs. Fournier: 6th Mrs. Wilson: 6th & 8th Social Studies Mrs. Scudder: 7th & 8th Mrs. Fournier: 6th ESE/Support Ms. Gross and Ms. Darby Ms. Berces Math Mrs. Bendall: 8th Math, Algebra & Geometry Dr. Dougherty: 6th Math Ms. Gross: 7th Math Mrs. Van Matre: 6th Math Science Mrs. Johnson: 7th & 8th Mrs. Moore: 6th & 8th An ‘A’ rated school for the 4th year in a row!

Middle School Staff Specialist • PE and MS Athletic Director: Coach Giusti • Art: Ms. Kirk and Ms. Lefere • Music: Mr. Weinstein • Tech: Mr. Schwermer • Keyboarding: Ms. Arencibia • 8th gr. Yearbook: Ms. Arencibia Students will be assigned to the “Specials” classes

Adolescence: • A transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood • The “awkward” phase of a person’s life • Personalities Change “One day they seem 18, the next day, 8!”

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the following are aspects of “normal adolescent development”: • Struggles with sense of identity • Feeling awkward or strange about one's self and one's body • Focuses on self, alternating between high expectations and poor self-esteem • Highly influenced by peer group • Moodiness • Realization that parents are not perfect; identification of their faults • Less overt affection shown to parents, with occasional rudeness • Complaints that parents interfere with independence • Tendency to return to childish behavior, particularly when stressed

Fortunately, these qualities are also reflective of normal adolescent development • Improved ability to use speech to express one's self • Intellectual interests expand and gain importance • Greater ability to do work (physical, mental, emotional) • Capacity for abstract thought • Development of ideals and selection of role models • More consistent evidence of conscience

In school this looks like . . . So we . . . • Changing groups of friends……….So we encourage new friendships • Expressing new interests or losing interest in previously loved activities………So we expose students to a variety of experiences Teasing..……..So we have community meetings and peer mediation • Wearing risqué or age-inappropriate clothing………So we enforce the uniform/dress code • Experimenting with foul language and/or rule-breaking behavior………So we create a community of respect, responsibility, and resiliency • Pushing the boundaries set by adults………... So we ensure that there is consistency with our expectations and consequences

Code of Conduct = Respect, Responsibility, and Resiliency At our school, all adults: Listen and treat students and staff members with respect and dignity Follow guidelines designed to keep students safe Work together in developing and supporting student responsibility for long-term change Adults will honor these relationships by: Addressing problems or concerns directly with an individual Avoiding interruptions during instruction time Focusing on positive action and conflict resolution rather than on accusation Communicating with parents when concerns arise Students learn that I cause my own outcomes and have a choice to choose the best alternative I am part of a community that respects me as an individual, even if I make a mistake Parents and teachers are working together to bring out my best Students who cannot honor the code of conduct may lose privileges such as field trips, open gym, before school library time, social interaction with peers, club participation etc.

Student Progression Plan Promotion from middle school requires that a student successfully complete the following 12 courses: 3 courses in mathematics 3 courses in English 3 courses in science 3 courses in social studies End of Course Exam Requirements for 2014-2015 Students must receive a passing score on the following: Algebra 1 EOC Geometry EOC Civics EOC

LOCKERS: A RITE OF PASSAGE Locker contains only the day’s needed materials – it’s not mini-storage! Students should start practicing with their padlock before school starts Students are responsible for the safety of their technology Use of Standard Masterlock

Students are allowed to bring e-readers for assigned reading purposes only. • The school is not responsible for lost or damaged personal property. • Other personal technology may be used at teacher’s discretion.

Attendance • Please read the Monroe County School District Attendance Policy and be aware that any absences can have a significant, negative impact on your child’s learning and performance in classes. • “Unexcused Absences” include family reunions, vacations, weddings, and graduations. • If unexcused absence, students will not be able to make up the work missed

Middle School Uniform & Dress Code • Please review detailed information on • MS Website • Students must wear Sigsbee Shirt • Sigsbee shirt must be issued through school • Sigsbee shirt appearance may not be altered • Contact Ms. Gross for Sigsbee MS shirt orders • Shorts must have 7 inch inseam; no shorter than the end of the fingertip when the arms are straight • Hats/Sunglasses worn during PE • If student is not in compliance with dress code, parents will be called to bring appropriate clothing

Sigsbee Middle School Communication • Use Jupiter.com for academic information, announcements, and email to teachers • Students may not use cell phones during school hours, and they must be off and locked away • Call the Sigsbee Charter School main office for emergencies (305) 294-1861 • Middle School handbook available on our website • Check in daily with your child

Jupitergrades.com • For parents, it’s “the bottom line”; grades and comments entered after teacher review • Data entry is not instantaneous • For students, it’s backup to their own planner with assignments, due dates, upcoming tests, etc. • Each new grade changes a student’s average; there may be many up’s & down’s over the course of a marking period!

MS Website http://sigsbeemiddleschool.yolasite.com/ • Middle School Handbook • Field Trip Forms and Information • Link to Jupiter Grades

CONFERENCES • Teachers continually update parents on student progress via Jupitergrades.com, email, and phone calls • Teachers are available for conferences when necessary and/or requested • Conferences are not required as part of the Sigsbee Contract of Commitment. • Please contact your child’s teacher/s to schedule a meeting in advance, as teachers often have prior professional commitments beyond their class schedules.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedure Arrival 7:45-8:00 Dismissal 3:05-3:15 • Car Riders need to be picked up in back of school • Students may not walk through parking lot • Wait in line or park and walk to picnic area to get your child • Walkers/Bikers need to be off campus by 3:15 • If picking up child after 3:15 please go to front office When students arrive on campus, retrieve items needed from locker and report to picnic tables Open Gym 7:00-7:45 A.M. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, Coach Guisti will hold Open Gym time Library is open at 7:30 to read or work on projects If student arrives prior to 7:45 must be at Open Gym or Library

Rainy Day Dismissal Procedure It is considered a Rainy Day Dismissal if there are no teachers on duty in back parking lot Walker/Biker Students will be dismissed just like regular dismissal If parent intends to pick up walker/biker, MUST email middle school team and office NO LATER Than 2:45 and will be child will be dismissed from CAFETERIA Car Riders Will be dismissed from CAFETERIA

The Lighter Side… • Key West history, kayaking, and snorkeling trips • Science partnership with Reef Relief • Student Council Science Fair

First Day of School • Bring your supplies, water bottle, lunch or money, etc. • Put your backpack and lunch in your locker and report to the picnic tables with paper and pencil. • You will receive your schedule in morning meeting. (We’ll tell you where to go.)

Service Hours15 per family Ways to receive your hours Sign-in Must Sign-in Volunteer notebook Must wear a Volunteer/Visitor Badge at all times and return it to the office when you sign out • Making copies • Organizing books/reading levels • Take Home (i.e math materials to cut out) • School Meetings • Today’s Meeting • Open House • Parent Conferences • All School Meetings

Other Stuff… • You’ll get your locker assignment after this presentation. • Read The Scoop weekly and check email regularly. • It is the students responsibility to ask questions concerning course work assignments/grades

Recommended Reading – for parents! • Queen Bees and Wannabees: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World by Rosalind Wiseman • Stop Negotiating With Your Teen: Strategies for Parenting Your Angry, Manipulative, Moody, or Depressed Adolescent by Janet Sasson Edgette • Your Teen is Crazy! Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind by Michael Bradley • Getting to Calm: Cool-headed strategies for Parenting Tweens + Teens by Laura S. Kastner Ph.D. and Jennifer Wyatt • Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy byEmilyBazelon

7th Grade Dry Tortuga’s End of the Year Trip

Welcome to “ The Crab Shack! ”