Prairie 6th Grade Transition Booklet 2019

Transitioning to Sixth Grade

Dr. Kristen Paul, Principal Mr. Chad May, Assistant Principal Mr. Timothy Haupt, Assistant Principal

Table of Contents

Camp 6th Grade....................................................................................... 3 6th Grade Courses & Teams.................................................................... 4 Lunch Information & Map........................................................................ 5 One to World............................................................................................. 6 Tips............................................................................................................. 8 Resources.................................................................................................. 10 Activites & Athletics................................................................................. 11 Frequently Asked Questions.................................................................. 12 Contact Information................................................................................. 14

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Camp 6th Grade A Transition for Students & Parents A transition from elementary school to middle school is an important one.

While students and parents are sometimes worried about this transition, we find that with the right support, encouragement and attention, students thrive at BMS Station Campus.

Camp 6th Grade is a great way to help your student feel comfortable at Station.

Camp 6th Grade offers engaging activities to introduce students to middle school life. Students will learn about the organizational structures at middle school as well as practical knowledge/skills such as how to navigate the school, how to order food in the cafeteria and how to open their lockers.

Camp 6th Grade is held at Station Campus. Students will attend camp at their middle school. AM and PM times are available at both schools.

TRANSPORTATION, for those who qualify, will be provided.

There is room for all incoming 6th graders to participate in Camp 6th Grade. Online registration opens March 21.

Visit barrington220.org/summerschool for more information.

August 13 & 14 (Tuesday & Wednesday) AM Session: 8:00-11:00 a.m.

PM Session: 12:00-3:00 p.m.

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6th Grade Courses & Teams Teams • 2 Teams (Colt & Pony) • Team of 5 Teachers • Core Subjects ` Core Courses • English Language • Social Studies • Math • Science • English Literature Off-Team Teachers • Daily Physical Education • Exploratory classes* Art Consumer Science Health

Drama Technology Lab

• World Language Classes (Choose 1)* French German Latin

Spanish Mandarin

• Performing Arts - Band, Choir, Orchestra *6th graders take language only 1 semester during the year, it may be 1st semester or 2nd. The other semester 6th graders rotate through exploratory classes.

Colt Time Students can choose one of the following four options.

• Band • Orchestra • Chorus • Colt Time - this offers

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developmental and social emotional activities, supports content and provides school information.

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Lunch Information & Map Bell Schedule & Map

Lunch Information All 6th Grade students eat lunch together and have approximately 30 minutes each day to eat their lunch.

There are many different healthy food options available, from hot lunch options to a la carte items like individual salads, wrap sandwiches, snack items and beverages.

Students have the option to bring their lunch to school as many students do.

Due to safety concerns, maps of the building are not online. They are available in the front office of our building.

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One to World The Barrington 220 One to World Initiative - Technology Use Barrington220.org/OneToWorld This initiative allows students to participate as global citizens and: • Provides unlimited opportunities for real-world learning.

• Fosters creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.

• Facilitates personalized learning through ownership, choice, and reflection.

• Allows for immediate and strategic feedback.

Facts-at-a-Glance: 1. It is the responsibility of the student and parents/guardians to exercise reasonable care of the iPad at all times.

2. Students are expected to bring their iPad with them to school every day, fully charged, in the provided case and ready to be used when they arrive at school.

3. Barrington 220 will distribute all district-provided software at no cost to the student.

4. Students must always treat the iPad with care to ensure it remains a valuable learning tool throughout middle school. While iPads experience normal wear through daily use, students are ultimately responsible for handling the iPad responsibly, carrying it in a case, fully charging it each day and ensuring safe storage when not in use.

Parenting in the Digital World: Barrington220.org/OneToWorldParentInfo To ensure the success of the One to World program, partnerships between Barrington 220 and our parents/guardians are crucial. The website above is dedicated to providing information about Internet safety outside of the district and providing resources to help parents communicate with their children about establishing boundaries when using media and online resources at home. Please use the links on this website to read more.

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Parent Tips • Encourage your child to participate in clubs/activities.

• Have your child familiarize themselves with a combination lock at home over the summer to help prepare them for the locks they will use on their lockers.

• Create a supervised study time for your child. Establish a study area that can be monitored.

• Encourage your child to ask for help when needed.

• Check in periodically about your child’s progress.

• Allow your child to gain a sense of independence and responsibility.

• Encourage your child to practice good hygiene.

• Have your child “pack up” for school before going to bed, including their fully charged device. It will make things easier in the morning.

• Stay in communication with your child’s teachers through email.

• DON’T forget that your child is young and there will be bumps in the road. Mistakes will be made—but it’s all a part of the learning process.

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Student Tips • Get Organized - Schedule a time for homework and other activities.

• Try New Things - Join a club or activity that interests you.

• Meet new People - Get involved in your school life.

• Avoid Trouble - Stay away from peer pressure and don’t get involved in bullying behavior.

• Attitude is everything – if you have a positive attitude you will succeed in middle school.

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Resources Books for Parents • The Everything Tween Book: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving the Turbulent Pre-teen Years by Linda Sonna • The Rollercoaster Years by Charlene C. Giannetti Books for Students • Too Old for This, Too Young for That!: Your Survival Guide for the Middle School Years by Harriet S. Mostache • How I Survived Middle School by Nancy Krulik • Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf: a Year Told Through Stuff by Jennifer L Holm and Elicia Castaldi • Help! I’m in Middle School… How Will I Survive? by Merry L Gumm Websites for Parents • Parenting a Preteen http://www.pamf.org/parenting-teens/general/intro.html • Smoothing Your Child’s Transition to Middle School http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/health/980-smoothingyour-childs-transition-to-middle-school.gs • Moving up to Middle School http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/817-moving-up-to-middle-school

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Activities & Athletics “Be a Part by Taking Part” Fall • Cross Country • Softball • Golf • Fall Play • Pep Band • Snowflake Winter • Wrestling • Spelling Bee • Bowling • Geography Bee • Speech Tournament Spring • Track and Field • Spring Musical Year round • Yearbook • Student Council • Student Ambassadors • Friends & Company • Computer Club • Latin Club • Drama Club • Art Club • Club Latino • Jazz Band • Scholastic Bowl

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F.A.Q.’s When does school start? School begins with a full day on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. Classes begin at 8:52 AM daily. Dismissal times will be at 3:40 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 3:10 on Wednesdays.

At what time may I arrive at school in the morning? Students should not arrive at school before 8:22 AM unless you have a pass to work with a teacher or are involved in a school sponsored activity.

Which set of doors may I use to enter school? Students may enter the building through the main entrance located at the west side of the building or through the S wing entrance on the south side of the building.

The S-wing doors unlock at 8:22 AM and remain open until 9:52 AM. Where should students be dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon? There is a student drop-off and pick-up area located in the parking area.

How do I report an absence? If a student is absent, we ask that a parent enter into their Infinite Campus Parent Portal and use the “Report Student Absence” option from the left-hand column to report their student’s absence. If you encounter any issues, you may also call in the absence any time before 10:15 AM by calling 847-756-6400. If a student is not marked or called out absent by a parent/guardian by 10:15 AM, our automated calling system will call the contact numbers from the parent portal.

Students arriving after 8:52 AM are considered tardy and need to sign in at the front office.

What about scheduling doctor or dental appointments? Parents should make every attempt to schedule appointments for doctor, dental and orthodontist appointments around school hours. When absolutely necessary, students may be dismissed from school by using the Infinite Campus Parent Portal (see above “How do I report an absence”), or with a signed note from the parent. Students should come to the front office in the morning to receive an early dismissal pass. All parents must come into school to sign their student out. Please check the school calendar for testing dates and times.

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F.A.Q.’s May I ride a friend’s bus home? A student will be permitted to ride home on another student’s bus if there is adequate room on the bus and advanced permission has been requested in writing by a parent. The requests will be approved by Mr. Haupt, Assistant Principal. There is a bin for bus requests on Mrs. Amato’s desk in the Assistant Principals’ office area. Written requests need to be in by 2nd period, no phone calls, emails or faxes permitted. Bus rules will be reviewed with students at the beginning of the year.

What transportation is available for students involved in extra-curricular activities? For students participating in extra-curricular activities ( athletics, intramurals, clubs and other organizations) , an activity bus runs each afternoon.There are five bus routes that provide general access to student attendance areas. This is not a door to door service. Activity busses will depart the middle school shortly after 5:00 PM. What if I have further questions about bus routes or transportation services? Please call 847-842-3545.

What do I need for PE? Physical Education uniforms will be handed out in PE during the first week of classes. Replacement uniforms can be purchased for $10 for T-shirt and $10 for shorts. All incoming 6th graders will have a $20 PE uniform charge in their registration fees. The spirit wear being sold by the PTO is not required, but may be appreciated in colder weather. PE uniforms should be purchased large enough to wear over sweat suits. Gym shoes are also required.

How many classes in one day? There are 8 class periods in a day When do I take a language? 6th graders take language only 1 semester during the year, it may be 1st semester or 2nd. The other semester 6th graders rotate through exploratory classes.

What are exploratory classes?

Exploratory classes are Family Consumer Science, Art, Technology lab, Drama and Health.

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Contact Information Dr. Kristen Paul Principal 847-842-3650 Jeanine Stark Administrative Assistant 847-842-3601 jstark@barrington220.org Debbie Owen Receptionist/Attendance 847-842-3649 dowen@barrington220.org

Jody Carroll Registrar 847-842-3607 jcarroll@barrington220.org Lisa Hale 6th Grade Counselor 847-842-3609 lhale@barrington220.org

*Please report absences by 8:30 AM

Julie Schoppe 7th Grade Counselor 847-842-3694 jschoppe@barrington220.org

Mr. Tim Haupt Assistant Principal 847-842-3652 thaupt@barrington220.org

Jennifer Schramm 8th Grade Counselor 847-842-3608 jschramm@barrington220.org

Mr. Chad May Assistant Principal 847-842-3632 cmay@barrington220.org

Alma Ardon Bi-Lingual Counselor 847-756-6471 aardon@barrington220.org

Lynn Amato Administrative Assistant 847-842-3603 lamato@barrington220.org

Amanda O’Rourke Library Media Specialist 847-756-6434 aorourke@barrington220.org

Amy Domke Nurse 847-842-3604 adomke@barrington220.org

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