Welcome t th Middl S h l W l to the Middle School New Parent / Student Orientation March 26, 2012

MaryMary-Ann Augoustatos Middle School Principal Middl S h l P i i l Jeff Kalas Middle School Counselor

ACS Athens Middle S h l Guidelines Middl School G id li

M otivation I nspiration D etermination i i D edication L earning E xcellence S ensibility C onsideration H onesty O ptimism O riginality L oyalty

ACS Athens -Middle School Commitment S C i Statement

We, the faculty and staff of the ACS Middle School, will provide students with a School positive environment that fosters academic growth and supports human differences during their challenging stage of adolescence adolescence.

Welcome to the Middle School

The faculty, staff, students, and community of y y the ACS Athens Middle School are devoted to: Academic achievement Individual growth for every child We all strive to maintain a supportive environment where respect for individual differences and rights of others guide our behavior. Middle School Students are going through a g g g stage of rapid change in mental, physical, social, and emotional development.

Based on the needs of children experiencing these B d h d f hild i i h changes, our program and staff:

1. Child-centered educational experience : ChildProvide appropriate, child-centered educational experience that childactively engages students in the acquisition of basic skills, knowledge, and concepts and contributes to the development of g g p higher order thinking. It helps students understand the connections between learning and life. 2. Engage in diverse learning opportunities : Engage students in a wide range of formal cognitive and experiential learning opportunities including hands-on exploratory opportunities, handscourses, physical education, and/or foreign language. 3. Encourage : Each student to develop a p p positive self-image through frequent selfg g q opportunities for success, while recognizing the influence of peer pressure. This enables students to develop responsibility and selfselfcontrol through opportunities for participating in decision-making decisionin a variety of ways. y y

4.

5.

Respond : Sensitively to the widely fluctuating needs of y y g individuals by giving personalized attention to each students needs, structuring learning environments t respect i di id l diff i t to t individual differences, and providing a variety of informal learning activities for students students. Whole Child: Child: Always in making school decisions that affect students, the development of the whole child during this unique stage in life is our primary concern.

Description of the ACS Athens Middle School Middl S h l

The Middle School is comprised of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade programs which meet U.S. and International curriculum standards. A rich array of co-curricular activities and clubs meet coduring lunchtime and after school to expand the Middle School program beyond the classroom learning environment. It is a unique opportunity for students to be exposed to many different learning experiences that are designed to help them discover their interests and their talents.

ACS Middle School Bell Schedule for D f Day 1 and Day 2 dD

Day 1 9:00 10:20 10:20 10:40 10:40 12:00 12:00 12:40 12:40 12:45 12:45 2:05 2:05 2:10 2:10 3:30 Day 2 Block 1 or Block 5 Announcement Period / Passing Time / Break Block 2 or Block 6 LUNCH Passing Time Block 3 or Block 7 Passing Time Block 4 or Block 8

Curriculum
The Curriculum consists of eight subject groups offered . Th are: Th C i l i t f i ht bj t ff d They 1. Language A -(At ACS the schools language of instruction is English.) 2. Language B a modern foreign language learned at school (At ACS, students may study G k or A bi as a second Language A.) t d t t d Greek Arabic dL A) 3. Social Studies history and geography 4. Sciences general science, earth science, biology, chemistry and physics 5. Mathematics core course including topics in arithmetic, algebra, g g p , g , geometry, y, trigonometry, probability & statistics 6. Arts art/design, music, and drama 7. Physical Education health and hygiene, individual and team sports, fitness 8. 8 Technology the nature, processes and impact of the foundations of nature technology, research, health and guidance

Academic Advisory
Academic Advisory was formed to help each student develop the skills necessary to interact positively with peers, teachers, and other members of the community. This is accomplished through discussion in small groups and d l with school and lif i d deals ith h l d life issues. Students meet every other week to discuss a prepre-planned topic led by the students. They students present an important character trait ex grit, p positive attitude, integrity, honesty etc. g y y

Reporting Student Progress

Skyward Family Access

Progress reports P1 P2 P3, P4 P1,P2, P3 Quarter Grades Q1,Q2, Q3, Q4 Semester Grades S1,S2 Final F Parent conferences The Planner. Teacher meetings
Student performance is assessed using letter grades A, B, C, D, F In their individual classes, teachers assess students using subject-specific criteria subjectcriteria.

Progress Reports
Progress Reports may be issued at any time, but will be issued to students as follows: 1st quarter: quarter: 2nd quarter: quarter: 3rd quarter: quarter: 4th quarter: quarter: October December March May

During the first quarter, all students will receive progress report comments. Thereafter, all students earning a grade of C- or less will Creceive a progress report comment through skyward, though teachers may write comments to recognize excellence improvement excellence, or a falling off in performance. Progress Reports will document students progress in achieving subject-specific learning objectives. subject-

Report Cards
Report cards will be available electronically and will lock on specific dates of each quarter. Dates, to be announced. announced Parents are encouraged to use skyward as an electronic tool to assist their child in gaining responsibility for their academic progress

Parent Teacher Student Conferences C f

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences are P /T h /S d C f held two times a year. Please see the ACS Calendar f d C l d for dates and times. d i

Grades
The Middle S h l Th M ddl School uses letter grades: A, B, C, D and F Teachers l d A B C d T h may give a plus or minus with the letter grade (except in the case of a F). The + or will appear on the permanent record. Modification for ESL/OLP students may apply on an individual basis and will be so i di indicated. d Letter grades are awarded on the basis of the following averages: 9797-100 9393-96 9090-92 8787-89 8383-86 8080-82 A+ A AB+ B B7777-79 7373-76 7070-72 6767-69 6363-66 6060-62 Below 60 C+ C CD+ D DF

Institute for Innovation and Creativity ACS Athens: After School Enhancement Program 2011-2012 Middle School
Middle School 15:45- 16:45 Monday Homework Tuesday Homework Math Support Wednesday Homework M.S. Survival Skills Thursday Homework Math Support Friday Homework

Program for Social & Emotional Intelligence

Program for Social & Emotional Intelligence

16:45- 17:45

Homework Study Skills Organization Reading & Writing Support

Homework Writing Captivating Essays

Homework Adapting to Change Reading & Writing Support in the Greek Language

Homework Test Taking Skills

Homework

Reading & Writing Support

15:45- 17:45
(2 hr programs)

Mindfulness Training

RECOGNITION AND HONORS

Success is recognized in many ways at the Middle School. Academic Recognition Award Assemblies are held at the end of each quarter to recognize student talent and achievement. Examples of awards presented are: Academic Achievement Awards Principals List All As (including A-s) AHigh Honor Roll - A- A Hi h H R ll Average (3.67 GPA) or b (3 67 better Honor Roll B+ Average (3.33 GPA) or better End-ofEnd-of-Year Subject Awards - At the end of each year individual teachers present awards for academic achievement. Awards go to achievement students with high academic achievement and for greatest improvement. Presidential Award - Awarded at the end-of-year Awards end-ofAssemblies

Athletic Awards
Field Day Awards Awarded to individuals and Class / Team Houses at the annual Middle School Field Day Athletes f the Year - Awarded by the PE Athl t of th Y A d db h Department

Recognition Awards
Warren Shepard Award - an 8th grade ACS p g award for all-around excellence allStanley Haas/Luke Hansen (NESA) Nomination N i i nominations to NESA to i i recognize students who exhibit exemplary citizenship, character and service. Students of the Quarter - awarded to two students (a boy and a girl) at each grade level to recognize exemplary contributions to school academic and community life

ACS Middle School student wins NESA Haas/Hansen Student Award

HOMEWORK
Homework is assigned by classroom teachers on a regular basis. Middle School students should expect to have approximately two hours of homework each night. The exact amount will vary from night to night, depending upon the nature of the assignments, upcoming tests, long-term projects, etc. longIf absent from school for any reason, the student is responsible for making up all of the class work and homework he/she missed. If a y y, / student is absent for only one day, it is best for him/her to telephone a friend to find out what material was covered in classes and what homework assignments were given. If it is not possible to get this information, students should ask their teachers about y p missed work immediately upon their return to school and also check Moodle.

Student Services
The Middle School Counselor is responsible for working with all students individually and in group settings to help them succeed at the Middle School. If a student has a challenge, or feels uncertain about some aspect of the Middle School that teachers cannot resolve, the Counselor may be consulted. In addition, The Middle School Counselor invites students and parents to discuss educational concerns, scheduling and testing, p progress reports, q p , quarter and semester reports, and p , follows up on p g students who are ineligible for co-curricular activities due to their cogrades or on probation. Students may make appointments with the Counseling Office secretary for an appropriate time. Parents may telephone 639-3200, extension 226 or 228 to arrange for conferences. p 639, g

Student Life
Lockers Each student will be provided their own school locker and lock. The lock will be used to secure the school lock locker assigned to the student by the main office Administrative Assistant. The locker is where a student keeps books, jackets, lunch, and other possessions. IT IS books jackets lunch possessions. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS DO NOT KEEP EXPENSIVE AND/OR OTHER VALUABLE ITEMS IN THEIR LOCKERS A student LOCKERS. may only go to his/her locker during the passing time between classes. It is suggested that students do not tell anyone their lock combination combination.

THE HOUSE SYSTEM

The H Th House S t System was started at ACS i 1950 All students, f t t d t in 1950. t d t faculty, and lt d staff are assigned to one of four houses as a life-time member: Athenian life(green), Corinthian (red), Spartan (blue), or Trojan (yellow). It is a concept meant to bond teachers and students, encourage school spirit and build a strong sense of belonging to our school It is also meant to create a sense of school. continuity and permanence for our graduates. Beginning in Middle School, students and faculty can earn points for their houses by participating in student activities, playing sports, winning activities sports awards, participating in community service projects, etc. House Points are tallied throughout the year and posted in the Academy and Middle School Each year a plaque is presented to the winning house School. year, and displayed on campus (look over the doors to the Academy or on the north wall of the Plaza). Individuals who earn points for their houses are also recognized at the end-of-year Awards Assemblies. end-of-

COCO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Clubs and Organizations and Sports g p Participating in activities (special programs, team sports, intramurals and clubs) at the sports Middle School is very much a part of the Middle School experience. One can learn in many ways, and there is much to be learned, as well as a l t d th i ht b l d ll lot of fun to experienced, in the examples of various clubs, sports and special p g p p programs which meet during lunch and after school. Clubs and d l h d f h l Cl b d activities are developed based on student interest.

Examples Include:
Student Council St d t C il Art Club Drama Club Chess Club Community Service Do G d Cl b C it S i D Gooders Club Peer Mediators Debate Geography Bowl Blue and Gold School Newspaper Club Math Bowl Math Olympiad Talent Show Yearbook Team Spirit Club Environmental Club

Sports
Cross Country Track and Field Volleyball Soccer S Tennis Academy Basketball Swimming Academy

Sports p

Student Council
The Student Council plays a significant role in the life of p y g the middle school. Its meetings are open to all students and faculty, and anyone with a suggestion or concern is encouraged to attend. The Middle School Student g Council is comprised of Executive Officers (8th graders), and Representatives from each grade level (6,7,8). These officers work with faculty and advisor and are y encouraged to assume the position of spokespeople for their classmates. Students are encouraged to get to know their class officers and make suggestions to them. gg Details concerning the selection process, meeting place, and time are announced in the fall semester.

Dances
Each year, the Middle School Student Council plans and conducts several dances. These are scheduled on year dances the ACS school calendar and every Middle School student in grades 6-8 is encouraged to attend. Some 6dances are: Welcome Back Dance, Holiday Snow Ball, Valentine Dance, Spring Dance Party, and the Eighth Grade Formal. Some "facts" about dances are important to know: p Some dances are held in the afternoon, between 4:00 and 6:00. Others may be held in the evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Eighth Grade Formal is held near the end of the school year on campus and runs from about 8:30 11:00 p.m. Students should not remain on campus before an evening dance ( p g (between 3:30 p p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) unless supervised by a teacher. All dances have an entrance fee, set by the Student Council. Refreshments are usually on sale at the dance. Once a student arrives at the dance, he or she is to remain in the dance area until departure on the late bus or for the night. g Parents must provide transportation to and from dances. Car-pooling is encouraged. CarStudents must be picked up at school by the end of the dance. All dances are voluntarily chaperoned by teachers. MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCES ARE OPEN ONLY TO ACS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Concerts

Clubs
School Dances

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Serving the community is an integral component of the school. All Middle School students are encouraged to g volunteer for school and/or community service during the school year, and several grade level activities and field trips. d l l i ii d fi ld i Parents are advised of these through school publications publications.

Bonding Day B di D

Community Service Projects

PROVIDING PARENTAL SUPPORT

The Middle School years are extremely important in the formation of your children as successful lifelong learners and humane and significant members of our global community. Yet, there are no codified instructions that help parents understand how best to motivate a young teenager, and parenting is far from an exact science. In the interest of developing a solid team that works science together to guide your children, we offer the following suggestion for your consideration: Provide an academic environment Besides creating a quiet study area, parents can h l to f help foster a positive academic attitude by ii d i i d b engaging their children in dinner discussions about what transpired during the days classes. Having resource materials handy, such as a dictionary, thesaurus, etc., and limiting T.V. viewing and nonnonacademic computer use can also help. E d i l h l Encourage your children to hild read for pleasure. Take time to share responses to books and articles you have read in common.

THANK YOU!