Cougar Team Handbook
Welcome to the Cougar Team!
PLEASE READ THIS HANDBOOK CAREFULLY! We are looking forward to an exciting, productive year with every member as part of the team!
Educationally yours,
Reading (Semester 2):
Mrs. Leigh Vagias
Health (Semester 1): Mr. Mickey Flood
Math:
Mr. Cam Palmer
Contacting the Team:
World History:
Mr. Tom Donati
English:
Mrs. Staci Hughes
Science:
Mrs. Traci Kuntz
Guidance:
Mr. Lavarr Stephens-Howling
724.452.6043 Ext. 3036
Learning Support:
Mrs. Nina Roman
Team Philosophy
The core of the Cougars’ Team philosophy is students’ personal responsibility. Just as we enthusiastically embrace our responsibilities as your child’s teachers, we ask each student to take personal responsibility for his/her work ethic, behavior, attitude, and commitment. We believe that a critical step toward becoming a productive adult is the ability to accept responsibility as well as any consequences that may result from not accepting that responsibility. Accountability is a very important word on the Cougars’ Team.
Related to personal responsibility, the Cougars’ Team will also be working to help our students become learners that are more independent. In this way, students gain confidence in their ability to learn and discover without an adult always “leading them by the hand.”
SVMS Planner
The planner is a spiral bound assignment book issued to all Seneca Valley Middle School students as an organizational tool. Each day, team teachers will write either the current assignment or “No Homework” on the board for students to copy into their planners.
Please take time to look over your child’s planner, which includes important information in the front section regarding school wide policies. Encourage your child to use his/her planner by checking at home for accuracy and completeness each day. Lost or unused planners are a detriment to everyone. Replacement planners may be purchased for $5.
Teacher/Team Websites
As a supplement to the planner, please also monitor the Cougar Team website and teacher pages. The Cougar Team website provides general information about the team, weekly updates, and links to individual teacher websites and contact information. We use our team and personal websites quite a bit to post materials, homework, answer keys, absentee information, announcements, assignment help, class links, additional resources, etc. Please explore and use these resources often. You can access the Cougar Team page by going to www.svsd.net and selecting the “7/8 Middle School” from the top drop down box. From there, use the link to the Cougar Team under “Teams”. From our team page, you can access individual teacher pages by clicking on the teacher’s name.
Student Email and Office 365
SVMS provides individual student email accounts that students should use to contact teachers or other students for school assignments. Students can log in to their email accounts and access ALL documents worked on at school at home. This is an extremely powerful and useful tool for students. No more excuses about not being able to access Word or school files! Using Office 365 your family also has the ability to download all Word products FREE of charge on up to FIVE devices! Please look for the details on this program in history class and on our team website.
SV Portal and Gradebook
Student grades can be viewed on the SV Portal. The link for the SV Portal (https://portal.svsd.net/) can be found on both the district home page and the SVMS home page. Report cards and progress reports are no longer mailed home unless parents request it! Please check the Portal for these important items. Also, please be sure to keep your most current contact information on the Portal so teachers can send group and personal emails easily. Issues with login should be directed to the district secretary at 724.452.6040 x0.
Homework Hub
This is an after school group where students have an opportunity to do their homework and study for upcoming tests. SVMS teachers supervise homework hub. In addition, high school students are sometimes available to provide assistance. The group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays in the cafeteria until the 5 pm activity bus. You do not need a form to stay afterschool for homework hub.
Math Tutoring
This is an after school program where students have an opportunity to receive additional help in math. During this time, they can do their homework, study for upcoming tests, as well as receive additional practice on a topic they are struggling with. Each tutoring session is staffed by a SVMS Math Teacher! In addition, high school students are sometimes available to provide assistance. The group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays in the library after school until the 4:15 pm. At 4:15 pm the students can be picked up or they can go to homework hub and ride the 5:00 activity bus home. You do not need to sign up for tutoring.
BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) and “One to One”
Please visit the district website for more information on registering and use of devices. SVMS teachers may use BYOT during the year, but students are only to bring devices to class WHEN ASKED AHEAD OF TIME BY A TEACHER. Phone use in the classroom is prohibited unless permitted by a teacher. We will be using BYOT much less this year as we transition as a district to “one to one” student devices. We appreciate your patience and learning curve with this transition.
Absences
Students will be responsible for making up homework or other class work missed due to absence. Students are expected to take the initiative to check the website or Absentee Center of a classroom independently. Homeroom would be an appropriate time to see team teachers about missed assignments. Extended vacation absences must be approved through the front office before teachers may provide work ahead of time.
Fieldtrips and Fundraisers
The Cougars plan to attend two fieldtrips this year. Unfortunately, the district provides zero funds for fieldtrip and transportation costs. Thus, we will ask your student for money to attend the fieldtrips this year. We offer ALL students the opportunity to cover this cost by participating in a team fundraiser. Please encourage your child to work for these funds! Make them sell for the fundraiser or do chores around the house. We would never ask you simply to write your child a check without experiencing the necessity of working for what he/she needs! We also encourage students to participate in the fundraiser because any extra money we obtain will be used for the students. In the past we have bought team breakfast, provided taco lunch, bought prizes for straight A students, etc. Look for more information to come home and on our website about fundraising and field trips this year.
Cougar Passes
Cougar students receive a sheet of eight hall passes to use each nine weeks. Note that students may use the restroom, access lockers, etc. between classes, before school, during homeroom, lunch, etc. Once you turn in all your passes for the nine weeks, you are out of luck! Use them wisely! The purpose of passes is to teach personal responsibility and minimalize class and learning disruptions while giving students a little leeway. Passes may not be traded, “rolled over”, or otherwise misused or relied upon. Teachers maintain discretion when accepting passes.
Classroom Snacks
Due to the team eating last lunch this school year, we are permitting snack time at the beginning of each fourth period class. In addition, students are permitted to carry water bottles with them throughout the day. Please be aware that we do have several students on the team with food allergies. It is of the utmost importance that you do not send in snacks that contain peanuts or tree nuts. Safe options include goldfish, pretzels, and fruit snacks.
Grading Policy
The team follows the grading policy set forth by the district. Cheating and copying of answers will not be tolerated and can result in a zero on tests and homework assignments. Students will also be informed about plagiarism in the classroom and instructed on how to avoid it in their writing. Plagiarism is viewed as a form of cheating.