Grovetown Middle School

1
Grovetown Middle School

• 6th Grade Parent Orientation
• 2008-2009

2
WELCOME

• Administration
• Carolyn Fries Principal
• Bari Kubicek Assistant Principal
• Counselors
• Diana Hess
• Susan Stafford Hawes
• School Success and Graduation Coach
• Becky Croft

3
6th Grade Teachers

• Team 6A
• Dr. Ellen Hickey Language Arts
• Ms. Betsy Thompson Language Arts
• Ms. Jessica Nash - Writing
• Ms. Heather Brown Earth Science
• Ms. Kem Carter Math
• Ms. Stacy Smith Social Studies
• Team 6B
• Ms. Amy Catlett Language Arts
• Ms. Betsy Thompson Language Arts
• Ms. Tammy Allen - Writing
• Ms. Lola Parham Earth Science
• Ms. Diane Dymeck Math
• Ms. Purlie Page Social Studies

4
Connection Teachers

• Mr. Steve Strickland Business
• Mr. Ray Unpingco Technology
• Ms. Janet Price Family Consumer Science
• Mr. Dan Sneeringer Physical Education
• Mr. Tim Jennings Physical Education
• Ms. Carrie Hauger - Art
• Mr. Steve Whitaker Band
• Ms. Margie Story - Chorus
• Ms. Sherry Nash AEP Math

5
Band ProgramDirector, Mr. Steve Whitaker

• Year long commitment
• Purchase or rent their own instrument
• Band Fee
• Scheduled practices after-school
• Performances throughout the year
• Can continue in the program through 7th and 8th
  grade

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Chorus ProgramDirector, Ms. Margie Story

• Year long commitment
• Chorus T-Shirt
• Scheduled After-School Practices
• Fund Raising
• Performances throughout the year
• Can continue in the program through 7th and 8th
  grade

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What is Different About a Middle Schooler?

• They are experiencing a time of rapid growth
  emotionally, socially, academically and
  physically.
• Their friendships constantly change. Their best
  friend today is their worst enemy tomorrow and
  their life-long buddy the next day.
• Peer pressure begins to have a greater influence
  over their behaviors.

• Organizational difficulties seem more pronounced.
  They cant find things or forget to turn in
  assignments. This includes the ones you helped
  them with the night before.
• Being popular becomes more of a major issue in
  their life. They may feel they need to have
  particular shoes, clothes or hairstyles to fit
  in.
• Your child at school is not the same as your
  child at home.

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What is Different About Middle School?

• The Facility
• 1. Larger
• 2. Specialized Instructional Areas
• The Students Class Schedule
• 1. Moving from class to class seven times a
  day.
• 2. Schedule changes each nine weeks.
• Academics
• 1. More homework.
• 2. More challenging projects and tests.
• 3. Increased expectations!
• The Other Students
• 1. They come in all different shapes, sizes,
  and ages.
• 2. Some will be from a different elementary
  school.

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What Can You Expect When Your Child Comes to
GTMS?

• Each student will be assigned to a Team of
  academic teachers.
• Each student will take two Connection classes
  each nine weeks (Specials).
• Each student will participate daily in Language
  Arts and Writing.
• Based on their CRCT math results, some will
  receive additional math support through the
  Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) as one of
  their Connection classes.

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6th Grade Student Fears

• Lockers
• 1. Combination Locks
• 2. Located in Hallways
• Book bags
• 1.Must be mesh or clear plastic
• Lunch
• 1. Escorted by Teachers
• 2. Sit together by class
• Agenda Book
• 1. To keep daily assignments
• 2. Parents can review to find homework
  assignments.

• Restrooms
• 1. Located in the center of each hallway.
• Dressing Out for Physical Education
• 1. Yes, but modest areas are available.
• The Bus
• 1. Make sure they know the number of their bus
• Vaccinations Updated
• 1. Georgia law requires all vaccinations to be
  current.

11
School Nurses Ann Crozier LPN Janice
Corley LPN

• Ann is assigned to Cedar Ridge Elementary and
  Grovetown Middle School
• Janice is assigned to Westmont Elementary and
  Grovetown Middle School
• Please email or call them about your child's
  health concerns while at school.

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New Immunization Requirements
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Health Care Plans and Medications

• Health Care Plans are required on students that
  have medical conditions such as diabetes and
  asthma. Emergency medications that are prescribed
  by the health care provider are required at
  school.
• All HCP from the elementary schools will be
  forwarded to the middle schools and updated as
  needed.
• Medications need to be in original containers
  with a medication form signed by the parent and
  physician if needed.

14
Code of Conduct and Attendance

• CCBOE Code of Conduct and GTMS Code of Conduct
• Dress Code
• Attendance
• Behavior Interventions
• Conferences
• Teacher Assigned In-House
• Teacher or Office Assigned Detention
• In-School Suspension
• Out of School Suspension
• Discipline Hearing Alternative School
• Expulsion

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Extra-Curricular Activities

• Dances
• One every other month.
• Grovetown Middle School students only.
• Clubs and Organizations
• Spirit Club, Science Club, Art Club, Jr. Beta
  Club, Technology Club, Christian Service
  Organization, Drama Club, Student Council, Card
  Club, Yearbook, National Junior Honor Society.

• Athletics
• Softball (Fall Ladies only)
• Tennis (Fall)
• Soccer (Winter)
• Track (Spring)
• Physicals
• Must have a completed Athletic Packet including
  a physical before trying out or participating in
  any sport. No exceptions.
• Eligibility
• No Pass/No Play
• Based on Semester Grades

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Parent Involvement Opportunities

• Patriot Parents Booster Club
• School Council
• Media Center Volunteers
• Participate in Student Led Conferences
• Field Trip Chaperones
• Back to School Night
• Student, Parent and Faculty Athletic Games
• Dance Chaperones

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Changes for Next Year

• School opens at 700 a.m.
• School hours 730 a.m. until 235 p.m.
• Due to the increase in student population, car
  riders, walkers, those students who eat
  breakfast, and 8th grade students will meet in
  the Commons Area in the morning when they arrive
  at school. 6th grade and 7th grade students will
  meet in the gym.
• The bell to enter the hallways to go to lockers
  and their homeroom class (1st period) will ring
  at 715 a.m.
• Tardy bell at 730 a.m.

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Thank You for Attending Tonight

• Welcome to Your New School

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• Questions??