Robert Adams Middle School

1
Welcome to Middle School

• Robert Adams Middle School
• April 13, 2009

2
Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions
• Mission, Values and Themes
• Academic Program
• Communication
• After School and Volunteer Opportunities
• Questions??

3
Mission Statement

• Robert Adams Middle School is a positive, safe,
  and collaborative environment where all students
  have the right to actively learn and grow.

4
Core Values
At the Robert Adams Middle School we CHART our
way
Sailing into the Future
5
Central Themes for 2009-2010

• Respect
• Respect for Differences and Others Feelings
• Kindness and Caring
• Responsibility
• Responsibility for Learning
• Prepared, Participatory and Pro-Active
• Responsibility to the School Community Good
  Citizenship

6
Building Community! Adams Five Principles to
Promoting a Positive School Climate

• Principle 1
• Lets develop positive relationships with
  students.
• Principle 2
• We are responsible for all students. Reach out to
  them all!
• Principle 3
• Lets model our values inside the classroom and
  in our daily work across the school and hold
  ourselves and students accountable to upholding
  these values.
• Principle 4
• Lets make clear to students what the rules and
  protocols are and consistently and fairly enforce
  them.
• Principle 5
• Lets support each other and act compassionately
  so every member of our school feels like they can
  be successful and achieve their goals.

7
Personalization and the Learning Environment

• We are committed to creating a safe and
  respectful learning environment.
• We aim to create a learning environment that
  meets the unique needs of adolescent learners.
• We aim to know our students well and strive to
  engage and support every student.
• We will work to tap into students strengths and
  interests while working to bring the curriculum
  to life.
• We will work with students to develop the
  capacity to think in complex ways and apply their
  learning.

8
A Typical Morning

• 715-727 Locker Time
• 727-735 Homeroom
• 737-807 Literacy Block
• 810-900 Math
• 903-953 English
• 956-1046 Social Studies
• 1049-1139 Science
• 1142-1201 FLEX

9
A Typical Afternoon

• 1204-1226 Lunch
• 1229-110 Foreign Language
• 112-153 Wellness/Art/Tech or Music
• 200-255 After school Help or Clubs
• 300-330-ish Take the late bus home
• FL and Arts rotates and is either held from
• 737-901 903-1027 or 1229-153

10
Classes on Team

• English/ Language Arts
• Math
• Social Studies
• Science
• 50 Minute Classes/ Every Day

11
Foreign Language and Arts Block

• Foreign Language (Every Day for 41 minutes)
• Spanish
• French Immersion or Introductory French
• Unified Arts
• Wellness (3 Days in a 6 Day Cycle)
• Band, Chorus or General Music (1 Day)
• Art (2 Days for ½ the year)
• or Technology Education

12
Grade 6 Program

• 30 Minute Literacy Block
• Organization, Essential Skills, and Community
  Building
• Intensive Reading Instruction
• Reading in the Content Area/Applications
• 15-20 Minute Flex Period
• Recreation and Community Building
• Organization
• Extra Help
• Sustained Silent Reading
• After School Help Sessions
• At Least 1 or 2 Days per Week
• Late Bus Leaves at 3 PM

13
Academic Highlights and Special Events

• A Variety of Types of Writing and Reading
• Author Visits and Cultural Performances
• Essential Science Topics and Hands-on Experiments
• Studying the World
• Math Emphasis on Deep Conceptual Understanding
• Natures Classroom Week
• Band and Chorus Concerts (Winter 6th Grade
  Concert)
• Arti-Gras- Art Exhibitions
• Community Service Opportunities

14
Teachers

• ELA
• Ms. Bailey, Ms. Cormier and Mrs. ORourke
• Social Studies
• Mrs. Cuevas, Ms. Wheelwright and Mrs. ORourke
• Math
• Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Mailing and Ms. Roy
• Science
• Mr. Carner, Mrs. Carroll and Ms. Roy
• Special Educators
• Mrs. Garnhum, Ms. Heaton and Mrs. Stonionis

15
Guidance

• Counselors support all students academically,
  socially, and emotionally
• Ms. Angela Gavan, 6th Grade
• room 115, x1115
• Ms. Kerrie Valcour, Social Worker, x1113

16
Special Education Services

• Services are available for students with
  identified disabilities
• Mandated processes through Federal and State
  regulations
• Contact
• Janet Denzer - extension 1105

17
Communication and Parental Involvement

• We greatly value the relationship between the
  school staff, students and parents.
• We encourage regular communication. Please
  contact your childs teachers and, or guidance
  counselor if you have questions, concerns, ideas
  and, or any information regarding your child
  which might be useful in helping us reach his/her
  needs.

18
Communicating on the Web!

• Go to district site at www.holliston.k12.ma.us
• Go to Parent Links
• Backpack Express/News and Notices
• RAMS Notices
• Or subscribe to the RSS feeds
• Regularly check the schools and teachers
  websites
• Sign up for school, grade and teacher newsflashes
• Complete first day of school registration forms
  with updated email addresses and permission to
  receive school wide email communication

19
After School Activities

• Extra Help
• Band
• Chorus
• Circle of Friends
• Dance Lessons
• Homework Club
• Intramurals
• Lego Club

• Literary Magazine
• Newspaper Club
• Running Club
• Ski Program
• Student Ambassadors
• Peer Mediators
• Student Council
• Yearbook Club

20
Attendance

• Be on Time!!!
• Excellent Attendance is a key to success!!!
• As a school, our goal is to vastly reduce our
  absence and tardy rates and we NEED your help.

21
Volunteering

• We welcome parent volunteers!
• Please email Peter Botelho or John Harutunian if
  you are interested.
• Middle School Parent Group (MSPG)
• Holliston Music Parent Group
• Holliston Parent/Teacher/Student Assoc. (PTSA)
• School Council
• CORI forms will be completed for all volunteers.

22
Transition Activities

• Students Visit Adams (Late May/ Early June)
• Principal and Assistant Principal will visit
  Miller classrooms this spring
• Open Building Presentation (Late August)
• Teacher, parent, student breakfast during the
  first week of school

23
Questions?????