Melissa Middle School 20 17- 20 18 A “Texas School to W atch.” A Campus Rich in Tradition and Success
MMS Support Team Administrative Staff Jim Miller – Principal Marcus Eckert – Assistant Principal Nancy Perdomo - Instructional Dean Tori Talbert – Counselor Curriculum & Instruction Designers Alex Eichel - ELAR Amanda Hardy - Science Christie Weaver - Math Brandon Dunn - Social Studies
Our Purpose Today. . . ▪ Provide answers to anticipated questions about next school year; ▪ Share the dynamics of the campus; ▪ Provide important calendar dates in regards to next school year.
The Mantras of MMS • “Modeling Excellence” • “More Cowbell” • Core Values of MISD: Hope, Integrity, Honesty, Loyalty, and Humility • Don’t Stop Livin’ in the RED • Your support; our dedication; their efforts – TRIAD to Success
Changes for Next Year at MMS • 7th Grade Math Classes will no longer be doubleblocked smaller class sizes extra elective option for 7th graders • No Curriculum Enrichment Classes in Math smaller class sizes require an aggressive tutoring program Ignite Summer School in place to close gaps • Work Recovery opportunities limited to six (6) per 9 Weeks Friday Night Lights (FNL) will be offered each week • Honors Math/Reading introduced to 6th Graders
FAQ’s
Q – What is the difference between Work Recovery and Tutorials?
Tutorials are designed to help students with concepts or an assignment, or redoing an assignment or assessment. Work Recovery is designed for students who failed to turn in a completed assignment on its due date to receive full credit. ● Students will have Six Homework Passes each 9 Weeks for Work Recovery Sessions ● Students will have a set time frame to attend a WR session and complete the assignment (time frame not determined yet) ● If WR is not used, the grade will remain a “0” and a Friday Night Lights (FNL) is assigned
Grading Practices cont.
● Friday Night Lights - opportunity every Friday afternoon for students to make up assignments in which they have received a “0” ○ Assignments completed can earn up to a “70” ■ last chance to remove the “0” ○ Session will run from 4:30 - 5:30 pm ○ Session is monitored by a MMS teacher ○ District does not provide transportation ○ Parents will be notified by the teacher that a FNL has been assigned ● Teachers have the option of utilizing a “Discipline Referral” for students who habitually fail to turn work in on time ○ Discipline Referrals result in In-School Suspension without getting full credit
FAQ’s
Q – Electives for 7th and 8th Graders?
Art Theater Choir Band Journalism Teen Leadership/Financial Literacy (Dave Ramsey) Color Guard
Spanish (8th Graders Only)
FAQ’s
Q – How many classes will 7th Grade students have each day? • • •
There will be 8 periods a day consisting of Science; Math; Reading; Writing; Social Studies; Athletics/PE; and two Electives. Math is no longer double blocked in 7th Grade. ELAR will not be double blocked, but students will have two periods a day of ELAR consisting of a Reading and Writing class.
FAQ’s
Q – How many classes will 8th Grade students have each day? • •
There will be 8 periods a day consisting of Science; Math; Reading; Writing; Social Studies; Athletics/PE; and two electives. ELAR will not be double blocked, but students will have two periods a day of ELAR consisting of a Reading and Writing class.
FAQ’s
Q – Will 7th/8th Graders have lockers? Will they need backpacks for school?
• 7th/8th Students will be allowed to have backpacks • The Binder System that is used a MMS along with a backpack will work efficiently for students. • Girl Athletes will still be assigned an “athletic locker.”
FAQ’s
Q – Can I drop off lunch at the office? •
Yes, but instructional time will not be interrupted to transport lunch or notify the student that a lunch is waiting. • students must learn to check the front office cubbies for items left by parents • parents are welcome to have lunch with their students in the cafeteria • it is not allowed to have other students join or to have “pizza parties” with groups of students.
FAQ’s
Q – What are Grace Passes? •
All students will receive four (4) Grace Passes at the beginning of each 9-Week cycle • passes allow students to leave the classroom to get a drink or go to the restroom • if a student request to leave the classroom after using all of his Grace Passes, they are permitted to do so, but will receive a lunch detention. • Common Sense/Good Judgement is requested of teachers when determining if it is an “emergency” situation
FAQ’s Q – What is the cell phone policy on the MS Campus? • •
•
Student are prohibited from having cell phones/personal devices on during class. Students may possess their phones during the day as long as they are off during class and also out of site. Students who use their cell phone during instruction time will have their phone taken up and turned in to the office and face disciplinary consequences. • 1st Offense - phone taken up and turned into the office to be picked up at end of day by student • 2nd Offense - phone taken up and turned into the office. Parent must pick up the phone • 3rd Offense - phone taken up and turned into the office. Parent must pick up the phone. Student receives ISS placement. • 4th Offense - phone taken up and turned into the office. Parent must pick phone up. Student receives ISS Placement and must turn phone into office at the beginning of each day or leave it at home for the remainder of the school year. Students are allowed to use their phones during breakfast and lunch times. Note – calling on their phone is prohibited at all times during the school day, unless given specific permission by an administrator. Students are allowed and welcome to make calls from the front office during the day.
FAQ’s Q – How is Dress Code Enforced?
● Students out of compliance are sent to the office to confer with an administrator ○ administrator determines if the violation is minor or excessive ■ minor - student will be asked not to wear item or similar items again ■ excessive - student will not be allowed in class until parent brings a change of clothing ● repeat offenders will receive disciplinary actions
FAQ’s
Q – What are the discipline practices?
Discipline Progression Ladder utilize the least restrictive/disruptive measures to correct behavior teacher intervention > lunch detentions > staffings In School Suspension > Out of School Suspension Placement in Alternative School (DAEP) • Three Behavioral Components Emphasized at MMS: Showing respect to all adult stakeholders on the campus and community Actions that do not interrupt the learning environment Being kind and non-threatening to classmates •
FAQ’s
Q – What about purchasing supplies? • • • • •
MMS has worked at reducing the supply list Supplies that need to be purchased by the first day of school are indicated on the supply list some of those supplies will be collected during Schedule Pick Up and the First Day of School please note that the supply list has items that must be repurchased at or before the beginning of the second semester A detailed Supply List for MMS is now on the Webpage and a copy can also be picked up tonight.
FAQ’s
Q – How are parents communicated with? • • • • • • • • • •
Bi-Weekly Newsletters RED RED Reveille - Mr. Miller Grade Level Newsletters Facebook - Melissa Middle School Twitter Email Blast and Phone Blast from Principals Marquee out front District and Campus Website Athletics and other Clubs will utilize Remind 101 Lisa knows EVERYTHING - call her if you are unsure. Respond to emails and phone messages in 24 hours Best to set up a meeting - we are not a small school anymore
Save the Dates • May 11th: Athletic Info Night – 5:30 to 6:30pm at MMS Cafeteria • May 17th: Immunizations (7th Graders Only) – 7:30am at MMS • May 17th: UIL Physicals- Noon to 5:30pm at MHS ($15) • June 2nd: Honor Walk to High School – 9am in MPG • August 24th: Schedule Pick-Up from 4-8pm - supplies may be dropped off at this time; students and parents are able to map out classes. • August 28th: First Day of School - only students will be allowed in the building the first day of school.
Thank you and good evening – Go Cards!
