Parent Orientation

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Parent Orientation

• August 18, 2008

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Middle School Mission Statement

• Winchester Thurston Middle School inspires future
  leaders by holding students to high standards and
  challenging them through a rigorous curriculum.
  The knowledgeable and supportive faculty
  understands and responds to the unique needs of
  adolescents, fostering in each student a sense
  of confidence, ethics, responsibility, and
  respect for others.

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Key Contact People

• Holly Hatcher-Frazier, Middle School Director,
  412-578-7520
• FrazierH_at_winchesterthurston.org
• Melissa Mathis, Middle School Assistant,
  412-578-3724
• MathisM_at_winchesterthurston.org
• Denise Pollack, 6th Grade Dean
• Pete Frischmann, 7th Grade Dean
• Heather Crowley, 8th Grade Dean

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Focus of Middle School

• Culture of Thinking
• Put knowledge into action
• Incorporate Harvards Project Zero strategies
• Leadership Lab
• Shared Leadership
• Decision Making
• Community of Mutual Respect
• Decision Making
• Common Code of Conduct

5
Academic Life

• School days begin at 815 am and end at 307 pm
• 7 classes meet in a rotating cycle
• Students take at least one elective a trimester
• Morning Meetings Tuesdays Thursdays

• Classes include
• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science
• Modern Language
• Art
• Physical Education
• Computer
• Performing Arts

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Academic Life, continued

• Trimester schedule
• One set of exams in June
• Progress reports are mailed home in the middle of
  the trimester

• Grade reports are sent home at the end of the
  trimester
• Interims may be mailed at any time
• C- average is needed to maintain a place in good
  standing

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Advisory Program

• Grade level teacher
• Meet in Advisory groups of _at_10 students, Mon.,
  Wed., Fri. 815 - 830 am
• Long advisory meetings meets every week
• Study Skills
• Leadership Lab
• Community of Mutual Respect

• Advocate for student
• Knows the whole child
• Gathers info from all teachers about advisee
• Coordinates Parent Conferences in October and
  March

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MS Communications

• Monthly e-newsletters
• Progress Reports
• Grade Reports
• Weekly Reports
• Homework/weekly bulletins
• Interims
• Parent Update form
• Phone call or email

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Procedures for Concerned Parents

• Communicate with teacher involved about school
  policy or programs
• Overview of student progress contact students
  advisor
• Unresolved issues or concerns meet with Middle
  School Director
• If concerns still persist meet with the Head of
  School
• A written request for review should be submitted
  a week prior to conference

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Co-curricular Opportunities

• Athletics
• Academic Bowls/Competitions
• MS Musical
• Community Service/Leadership Days
• Grade level class trips
• Wallops Island, VA
• Williamsburg
• Washington, DC
• After School Programs
• STEP-Summer Travel Enrichment Program

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Handbook 101

• Arrival Drop- Off
• Backpacks/Lockers
• Study Halls
• Electronics
• Dress Code
• Attendance and Tardies
• Cell Phones

• Homework Policy
• Vacation Policy
• Squibbs
• Academic Support
• Snow Delays/School Closings

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Discipline

• Role of Grade Level Deans
• Talk with students about self discipline/accountab
  ility
• Assign appropriate consequences
• Note the incident
• Communicate with parents
• Yellow slips
• Handbook guidelines
• Grade level point person

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Working with Parents

• Parent Forums
• Parent Coordinators
• Parent Book Club
• Ice Skating Party
• Cosmic Bowling

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Have a wonderful school year!