GARNET VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

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GARNET VALLEY ELEMENTARY
BETHEL SPRINGS ELEMENTARY
TOGETHER WE ARE

• GARNET VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

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GARNET VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Welcome
• Introductions
• Administration
• Dr. Kenneth L. Acker, Principal
• Mr. Adam Penning, Assistant Principal
• Ms. Dawn J. Papa, Assistant Principal
• Counselors
• Mrs. Christy Francart
• Mrs. Beth Kelly
• Ms. Wendy Xanthopoulos

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Garnet Valley Middle School Mission

• The mission of Garnet Valley Middle School is to
  foster a positive and supportive culture, which
  appreciates the uniqueness of each individual in
  the learning process. To develop life-long
  learners, we will prepare students to be
  self-motivated, independent, reflective, and
  compassionate adolescents able to successfully
  evolve in the ever-changing world.

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The Middle School Structure

• What is a team?
• A team is a small learning community of students
  and teachers.
• Developmentally appropriate for middle school age
  children.
• Each GVMS 6th Grade team represents approximately
  90 of the 360 projected students.
• Each 6th grade team provides instruction in all
  academic areas of Language Arts, Math, Science
  and Social Studies.
• Teams are not leveled.

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The Truth about Teams

• Students are assigned randomly.
• Each team is equal in student ability.
• All academic courses are offered on all teams.
• Teams make it easier for students to manage the
  middle school!

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The Schedule

• Bell Schedule
• Homebase 730 738
• Per. 1 740 824
• Per. 2 826 911
• Per. 3 913 958
• Per. 4 1000 1044
• Per. 5 1045 1130
• Per. 6 1133 1217
• Lunch 1219 1249
• Per. 7 (UA/HPE) 1251 135
• Per. 8 (UA/HPE) 136 221

Student Schedules are not provided in the summer
mailing. HB/Team assignments will be provided in
summer mailing
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The Academic Program

• PA Core Curriculum
• Language Arts
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies
• Students experience a full complement of
  specials.
• Unified Arts
• Health and Physical Education
• World Language Rotation

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Grading

• A through F grading system.
• Online grade viewer.
• Power School Parent Portal
• Final marking period grades will be available on
  Power School.

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Mathematics

• 4 Academic Levels
• Accelerated Math
• Enrichment Mathematics
• Level 1 Mathematics
• Level 2 Mathematics
• For qualifying students.
• The Math curriculum is aligned to PA Standards

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Language Arts

• 3 Academic Levels
• Enrichment Language Arts
• Language Arts, Level 1
• Language Arts, Level 2
• Meets daily for two periods.
• Curriculum aligned to PA Standards.

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Science Social Studies

• SCIENCE
• Heterogeneously grouped
• Curriculum focuses on Earth Science/Catastrophic
  Events
• Method of Instruction is Inquiry/Discovery Based
  Learning through laboratory investigations

• SOCIAL STUDIES
• Heterogeneously grouped
• Curriculum focus on Geography and Ancient
  Civilizations.

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3rd Period

• 6-Day Cycle (A,B,C,D,E,F)
• World Language (1 day out of 6)
• Trimester of French, Spanish, German
• Approximately 10 meetings
• ATP for qualifying students
• Band/Chorus/Orchestra
• Study Hall
• Supported for Learning Support
• Supported for Reading Techniques
• Supported for Math Techniques
• Remediation
• Example
• A day Band
• B day Chorus
• C day Team Study Hall
• D day World Language
• E day Math Techniques
• F day Team Study Hall

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Unified Arts/Health PE

• One period of Unified Arts
• 5 Rotations (36 class meetings in each rotation)
• Art
• Family Consumer Science
• Computers/Keyboarding
• General Music
• Technology Education
• One Period of
• Health and Physical Education Year Long

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Band, Chorus and Orchestra

• Band, Chorus and Orchestra are GRADED classes and
  are selected at course request time.
• Chorus meets at a regularly schedule time
• Band and Orchestra lessons are pull out lessons.
• Students are pulled from academic classes to meet
  with the teacher or group.

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Library Services

• Instruction
• Flexible schedule, allowing for optimum
  collaboration with classes and individuals.
• Guiding students through the research process as
  critical seekers and evaluators of information.
• Instruction in the ethical use of information
  learning about plagiarism, note-taking, writing
  in ones own words, and source citation.
• Developing Life-Long Readers
• Curriculum-based library collection of gt14,000
  titles age-appropriate topics.
• Online resources POWER Library databases and
  GVMS subscription databases. 
• Annual author visits by well-known young adult
  authors.

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Student Services

• Special Education (IEP Services)
• Available for students who qualify and are in
  need of specially designed instruction.
• Itinerant Support in regular education classrooms
  for support.
• Resource Room for students in need of Math and
  Language Arts support.
• Resource Room for Emotional, Autistic, Life
  Skills Support.
• All students are fully Included for Social
  Studies, Science Unified Arts.
• School Psychologist Mr. Casper

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Student Services

• Reading Techniques(in lieu of study hall)
• Reading Specialist Mrs. Cunningham
• Teacher Referral
• Basic or Below Basic score in Reading on the PSSA
• Fully included in regular English classes.
• Direct instruction with Reading Specialist during
  3rd period.
• Academically Talented Program (ATP)
• ATP Teachers Miss Fledderman and Mr. Shultz
• For Qualified Students with GIEP.
• Pull out during study hall period.
• Seminars based on selected topics.

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Student Services

• Math Techniques(in lieu of study hall)
• Title One Math Teacher-Mrs. Terkanian
• Basic or Below Basic score in Math on the PSSA
• Fully included in regular Math classes.
• Direct instruction with Math Teacher during 3rd
  period.

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Clubs

• A Club Fair will be held during the month of
  September

2015-16 Clubs and Activities Art
Club Communications Club (GVMS-TV) Robotics Drama
Club Board Games/Chess Club Library Club Math
Club Outdoors Club
Stage Crew Peer Mediation Film Club Science
Olympiad Early Act Service Club Student
Council Yearbook Club
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Activities

• School- Based Activities
• Intramurals for 6th Grade (Team Sports)
• Parent/Student Thanksgiving Luncheon (November)
• Concerts (Winter and Spring)
• Spelling Bee (February)
• Assembly Programs
• Red Ribbon
• Anti-Bullying
• Visiting Author

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Guidance Services

• The Role of the Counselor
• Point person for concerns or questions regarding
• programming
• scheduling
• social/peers
• family
• Counselors are case managers for students with
  504 Service Agreements
• Counselors may serve as an LEA for an IEP meeting
• Coordinates Parent Conferences
• Occur on designated days during 8th period (136
  to 221)
• Member of Student Assistance Program (SAP)

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Guidance Services

• Groups
• Social Groups
• Making Friends
• Stress Management
• Organization
• Classroom Lessons
• Other Important Names in Guidance
• Guidance Secretary Mrs. Frattura
• Student Assistance Program Coordinator Mrs.
  Falcone
• School District Social Worker Mrs. Smeins

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GVMS Home and School

• President Tracey Gibley and Beth MacKinnon
• Vice President Trish Young
• Secretary Maria Sokalsky
• Treasurer Elizabeth Stoddard

HSA Meetings Sept, Nov, Jan, March, May, June
2015-16 HSA Involvement

• Flower Sales
• Market Day
• Pre-packaged School Supplies
• Spiritwear
• Winter Craft Fair
• and much more!

• 6th Grade Activities
• 7th/8th Grade Dances Activities Night
• Career Day
• Fundraising Activities
• gift card program
• community cashback/fundraising nights

www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/hsa
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Important Dates for Transition Elementary to
Middle

• March/April
• Course Recommendations by 5th Grade teachers
• May
• Correspondence from the MS to 5th Grade Parents
• Information regarding MS course recommendations
• Information regarding upcoming transition events
• 5th Grade Visitation May 7th
• May Counselor Lessons
• Yikes Im going to Garnet Valley Middle School
  Book.
• May 22-Last day for changes to teacher
  recommendations.

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Transition Camp

• August 25th and 26th (2 days Must attend both
  days)
• 830 to 1130 am
• Team Building
• Scavenger Hunt
• Learn the Building
• Locks and Lockers
• 25 Fee to cover the operating costs for the
  camp.
• Registration forms will be mailed in May with
  your course recommendations.
• Over 300 students participated in the camp last
  year with huge success!!

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In Closing ..
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What we believe makes for a successful transition!

• Communication, Communication, Communication
• E-Alerts
• www.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms
• Broadcast messaging
• Be involved!
• Back to School Night
• Field Trip Chaperones
• Home and School participation
• For Students
• Student Planners
• Supportive Parents

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THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!!Tonights
presentation will be available on-line at
www.garnetvalleyschools.comon the MS homepage.