Kingsway Regional Middle School Survival Guide for Parents and Students 203 KINGS HIGHWAY WOOLWICH TWP., NJ 08085 (856) 467-3300 www.krsd.org
WELCOME! The administration and staff welcomes you and your family to what we know will be an exciting and rewarding school experience. In these, the middle school years, students will need to assume a much greater share of the responsibility for their decisions and actions than was the case in elementary school. The goal for Kingsway Regional Middle School is for each student to achieve his/her greatest potential. To reach this goal, there must be a cooperative effort on the part of the students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community. We appreciate your partnership in this venture and assure you that the results will be well worth the effort. The following information is intended to answer many of your initial questions about Kingsway Regional Middle School. The Middle School website is another valuable resource for both parents and students. It is our hope to ease the transition to middle school by becoming familiar with Kingsway Regional Middle School s procedures and best practices. THE BASICS Calendar. 2 Marking Periods. 3 Bell Schedule. 3 Attendance. 3 Phone Numbers/Extensions. 4 Expectations. 4 Communication. 5 Teams. 6 Schedules. 6 Transportation. 6 Cafeteria. 7 Physical Education. 7 Dress Code. 7 Supplies. 8 Lockers. 9 Book Bags. 9 Bullying Policy. 9 Social Networking Sites. 9 Parent Tips. 9 After-School Clubs & Activities. 10 Summer Assignments. 10 1
CALENDAR 2
MARKING PERIODS The academic calendar is divided into marking periods. The timeline for each marking period is listed below. 1 st Marking Period: September 5 November 15 Mid-mark: October 15 2 nd Marking Period: November 16 January 31 Mid-mark: December 19 3 rd Marking Period: February 1 April 17 Mid-mark: March 6 4 th Marking Period : April 18 June 22 Mid-mark: May 18 BELL SCHEDULE ATTENDANCE Substantial research illustrates the clear connection between student attendance and student achievement. Under our attendance policy, students who exceed 8 unexcused daily absences will lose their credits for the year. Additionally, students who exceed 8 unexcused absences for a high school credited course (Algebra I, Spanish A/B, French A/B, Italian A/B), will lose credit for that course. We ask that all parents/guardians work with us to ensure that students attend school and participate in the irreplaceable educational experiences created by our staff. If a student must be absent, we ask that you submit appropriate documentation in a timely manner to ensure the absence is excused. 3
PHONE NUMBERS/EXTENSIONS (856) 467-3300 Attendance Mrs. Marion Wigglesworth 3049 Child Study Team Mrs. Danielle Baney 3046 Child Study Team Mrs. Ingrid Luongo 3095 CST/Guidance Mrs. Terri Walsh 3095 Guidance (Grade 7) Mrs. Theresa Kupsey 3044 Guidance (Grade 8) Mrs. Antoinette Henry 3024 Nurse Mrs. Pamela Pollock 3021 / 3022 Principal Mr. Brian Tonelli 3006 Assistant Principal Mr. Ed Dubbs 3042 Transportation Mr. Michael Schneck 4241 / 4311 / 4222 EXPECTATIONS Please respect the following procedures: 1. Be in class and on time every day. 2. Stay alert and prepared for each class. 3. Record all short and long term assignments in your agenda book. 4. Follow Kingsway s dress code and honor code. 5. Save your food and drink for lunch in the cafeteria. 6. Remember to turn off all electronics and store them safely in your locker. 7. Travel to the lavatory and all other destinations with a signed pass/agenda book. 8. Follow all evacuation or fire drill procedures in a quiet, orderly manner. 9. Respect adults and the students alike in addition to the building and environment around you. 10. Expect learning to take place for every student. Disciplinary actions may include: Warning Lunch Detention Administrative Detention (Tuesday and Thursday 2:30-4:00) Restricted Study Out of School Suspension 4
COMMUNICATION Kingsway Regional Middle School prides itself in welcoming parent participation and involvement. Please see below for a variety of resources that support communication between home and school. Parent-Teacher Protocol To ensure the success of our students, we recommend that the following chain be followed when a question or concern arises: Teacher Team Leader Guidance Counselor Assistant Principal Principal Electronic Grade Book (Power-School) Access a student s grades at any time. A username and password, which will be mailed home during the summer, are required to gain access to the system. District Website (www.krsd.org) Click on the Middle School link to learn more about the following: teams & departments; clubs & activities; the monthly lunch menu; and upcoming events. Teacher Websites View teacher and course information, daily homework assignments, and various resources vital to student success. Click on the Middle School s Parent/Student tab. Scroll down and click Teacher Websites (MS). Select each teacher from the list. School Messenger Subscribe for school news through email, phone, and text. CELL Steps: PHONES/ELECTRONICS EARLY 1. Sign DISMISSAL in to PowerSchool (http://kwportal.kingsway.k12.nj.us/public) DROP OFF/PICK *Username and UP password PROCEDURES will be provided in the summer mailing. GRADING POLICY 2. In the left menu, click on: School Messenger POWERSCHOOL 3. Click the Contacts tab to edit the information for your student. SCHEDULES CAFETERIA 4. Verify your email, phone, text (mobile) contact information. Check appropriate boxes for message categories. SUPPLIES LOCKERS PHYSICAL 5. Click EDUCATION on Save. UNIFORMS ATHLETICS Dress *School Code messages are archived under the Messages tab. Book Bags 5
TEAMS The goal of teaming is to provide a more personalized learning experience for students. Teaming allows teachers to discuss the students they have in common and helps in the transition from middle school to high school. Teaming Facts Each team has approximately 160 students. Each team is assigned a team leader. The team has a common prep period used to schedule parent conferences, meet with individual students, develop action plans for students, tailor instruction to fit the needs of students and plan team events. Students are randomly assigned to a team by the computer. Teachers may be assigned to different teams from year to year. Teams are not grouped according to ability. Each team is heterogeneously grouped, and each team teaches the same curriculum for each subject. Common assessments in each subject are given to all of the students regardless of their team. Requests for teams or teachers are not honored. Kingsway Regional Middle School is very strict about this policy. Teams are only changed in the following extreme situations. 1. There are severe social problems between two students and all other alternatives have been unsuccessful. 2. A Child Study Team evaluation requires it. SCHEDULES Students will receive their schedule on the first day of school. Over the summer, every effort is made to properly schedule students into core classes. Elective requests are considered and every effort is made to ensure students receive at least one of their top choices. In some situations, we are not able to accommodate everyone s first choice. At that time, random computer assignment is used. All schedule change requests must be submitted in writing to the guidance counselors in the Middle School. In order for a schedule change to take effect before school begins, the request should be made before August 25, 2017. The deadline for making schedule change requests is September 8, 2017. After this time, changes will only be considered due to clerical error or misplacement. TRANSPORTATION Every student is assigned a bus route. You will receive your child s bus pass with a pick-up/drop-off time and location in the summer mailing (late August). It is very important your child arrives to his/her bus stop on time each morning; the bus is unable to wait. In the afternoon, all buses are parked on the outer perimeter of the school. It is your child s responsibility to know where his/her bus is parked. Also, a parent/guardian picking up should arrive no later than 2:25 p.m. If your child participates in an after-school activity on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays there will be a 4:00 p.m. bus, which can be found in the front of the school. Please keep in mind that the 4:00 p.m. bus may not dropoff at the same bus stop. These routes are created each day depending on the number of students on the bus. The parent/guardian picking up must be at the school no later than 3:55 p.m. 6
CAFETERIA Each student is assigned to eat during a specific lunch period. Lunch periods are 23 minutes in length. The cafeteria is equipped with a debit system, allowing students to keep money on a lunch account. A student can choose to pay for his or her lunch by utilizing one of the following three methods: student ID card, five-digit ID number, or cash payment. PHYSICAL EDUCATION Students are required to dress in a physical education uniform for class each day. Physical Education uniforms will be available for purchase at designated times throughout the summer. Dates, order forms, and prices will be forwarded via e-news and posted on the website. Uniforms will also be available for purchase the first week of school during physical education class. DRESS CODE School is an occasion for which boys and girls should dress in good taste. The following types of clothing are NOT to be worn to school: 1. Sundresses and tops with spaghetti straps unless worn with a t-shirt underneath 2. Halter or midriff tops, off the shoulder tops, low cut shirts, etc. (ex. racer-back shirts) 3. Short shorts and skirts (use the fingertip rule with hands at the side, shorts and skirts should come to end of the fingertips) 4. Hats, bandannas (worn as head coverings), head coverings of any kind 5. Picks/combs (in hair) 6. Clothing that exaggerates the anatomy (too tight, too short, too low-cut, see through, undergarments should not be visible by either males or females, holes in jeans above the fingertip length, etc.) 7. Apparel that displays inappropriate or offensive language, gestures, pictures/drawings, alcohol, drugs, apparel that displays messages offensive to others (sexual, racial, religious, displaying harmful behavior, etc.) 8. Chains on pants, wallets, or around neck (deemed to be a safety hazard) 9. Sunglasses (unless prescribed by a doctor and a doctor s note is provided) 10. Shorts/pants worn too low 11. Safety pins or other sharp objects worn that could be deemed as weapons 12. Pants or shorts with writing across the buttocks 13. Sneakers with wheels 14. Pajamas (including flannel pants) and slippers 15. Gloves worn during the school day 16. Face paint Clothing and make-up that has the potential to disrupt the learning process will not be tolerated. If, based on the judgment of the administration, a student is found in violation of this policy, the student will be required to change and will be subject to the Discipline Code. 7
SUPPLIES English 2 inch Binder w/ Dividers (5) Loose-Leaf Paper Composition Notebook Highlighters Colored Pencils Scissors 3-5 Glue Sticks Health 3- Ring Binder w/ Dividers Loose-Leaf Paper Pocket Folder Composition Book Colored Pencils Scissors Glue Stick Literature 3-Ring Binder w/ Dividers Loose-Leaf Paper Composition Notebook Expo Markers Highlighters Colored Pencils Index Cards (3 5 lined, no spirals) Post-It Notes Math Science 3-Ring Binder w/ Dividers Loose-Leaf Paper Four Function Calculator (ex. Casio SL450; may NOT use scientific calculator TI30XIIS) 1 Textbook Cover Red Pen Erasers 1 Dry Erase Marker 3-Ring Binder w/ Dividers Loose-Leaf Paper 1 Dry Erase Marker Highlighters Colored Pencils Index Cards Social Studies 3-Ring Binder w/ Dividers Loose-Leaf Paper Spiral Notebook Physical Education Uniform - Shirt & Short (required PE or Sports & Health uniform) Sneakers (rubber bottom shoe with ankle support) Foreign Language 1.5 or 2 inch Binder (French & Spanish) 3 inch Binder (Italian) Dividers (5) Loose-Leaf Paper Folder w/ Holes for binder Several Clear Protector Sheets Several Dry Erase Markers Sports and Health 3-Ring Binder w/ Dividers Loose-Leaf Paper Uniform-Shirt & Short (same as gym) Calculator Lacrosse ball *Some teachers may require additional supplies. This will be communicated at the start of the school year. Students also need a pencil case (one with binder holes is preferable) with pencils, pens with dark ink, erasers, and a small box of tissues. Book covers are needed. Plain brown paper bags work best and are the most durable. No sticky/adhesive book covers, please. They leave a residue on the text. Fabric book covers (book socks) are also acceptable. An empty wrapping paper tube is great for keeping projects clean and dry for the trip to school. Roll project up, slide it in the tube, and your project is safe from the elements! Students need an at-home supply of markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue, ruler, crayons, etc. for projects that may be assigned to do at home. 8
LOCKERS Each student is assigned a locker at the start of the school year. The locker is equipped with a combination lock. BOOK BAGS Students are not permitted to carry book bags during the school day. Students may carry a small bag for physical education class that contains the following: physical education uniform, deodorant, sweatpants, sweatshirt, and a lock. BULLYING POLICY Kingsway Regional Middle School has zero-tolerance for bullies. Bullying behaviors include written, verbal or physical acts, including gestures and electronic communications (texting and all social networking sites), that insult or demean another student, interfere with the educational environment of another student, or severely causes physical or emotional harm to the student. The act may occur one time (if severe enough) or through a series of incidents. The first offense for harassment, bullying or intimidation of another student is three days restricted study. Kingsway depends on its students to help the school environment remain bully-free. If students have knowledge of a bullying situation, they need to report it to a teacher, guidance counselor, or administrator so that the problem can be fixed. This is done in a confidential manner, so no one will know who told. Kingsway Regional Middle School is a great place to be and we must all do our part to keep it that way! SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES Social networking sites such as Facebook are a good way to communicate with friends if used responsibly. Because of the new anti-bullying laws in the state of New Jersey, schools may now discipline for inappropriate comments made on social networking sites, even if they are made outside of school. The school highly recommends students not use Facebook or any other social networking site because they are often misused. If your child uses these sites, be sure they understand to post comments that do not offend, threaten, harass or intimidate others. In addition, students are not to use such sites to spread gossip or rumors about other students. Any student engaging in inappropriate behavior will be disciplined according to the discipline code outlined in the student/parent handbook. PARENT TIPS Most parents earnestly desire to help their child acquire the maximum benefits from their school experience. Here are some ways in which parents can help: Assume the role of primary educator of your child, and work collaboratively with the school to ensure the success of your child. Show your child how to work efficiently and effectively. See that your child has the proper amount of sleep. A child in middle school should have at least 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Ensure that your child maintains good health and nutritional habits. See that your child has the proper materials and resources in order to tackle the job of studying. Monitor your child s progress by utilizing PowerSchool and teacher websites, and stay in regular contact with your child s teachers. 9
AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS & ACTIVITIES *An updated list of clubs & activities for the 2017-2018 school year will be released in early June. An Activity Registration Fee ($95) will be paid annually by those middle school students who choose to participate in an intramural; in a wellness or performing arts program; or, in an activity or club. How do I find out when an activity takes place? Visit the Middle School website and click Activities Calendar under the Clubs/Activities tab. Select the activity of interest and click View. How do I sign up for an activity? Locate the activity board in the main foyer. Students can sign-up during school hours. SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS Kingsway Regional Middle School instituted summer assignments to encourage students to keep reading and practicing essential academic skills. Summer assignments for the middle school are located on the Kingsway Regional Middle School website under the For Parents and For Students tabs. They can also be accessed at the following link: www.krsd.org/summerassignments. Students are expected to turn in completed assignments on the first day of school, September 5, 2017. 10