Parent and Student Information

7th Grade

Welcome

Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School

2013 - 2014

A Message to 7th Graders:

I hope you had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to your junior high experience. HollidaysburgAreaJunior High School has a wide variety of ways for you to get involved. There are sports, music activities, and other clubs for you to enjoy.

The 7th grade team teachers focus on building the academic and study skills of each student. To this end, they have compiled information, advice on reaching your full potential, helpful tips, and answers to a lot of your questions. Parents and students should read this manual and keep it handy as the year progresses. After school begins, the students will receive handbooks which explain rules and procedures in greater detail.

Our dedicated faculty and staff provide many opportunities for students to achieve success---the rest is up to you. Have a great year!

Sincerely,

Edward Barton

Principal

The mission of the HollidaysburgAreaSchool District is to empower all students

to achieve their best . . . . . every day.

Topics

Page

Assignment Sheet12

Attendance Policy5

Cafeteria5

Dress Code5

Gym Locks and Uniforms5

Locks5

Morning Drop-off and Pick-up6

Nurse5

Principal’s Message2

Purpose of Teaming4

Questions Asked by Students11

Resources for Parents10

Sample Schedule6

School Supplies6

Staff Phone Numbers7

Student Assistance Program6

Teacher Phone Numbers7

Team Web Pages6

Tips for Parents9

Tips for Students8

Web Site Address:

The school district’s website has lots of information about

student activities, teacher web pages, and upcoming events.

Check it often to keep up with what’s new and what’s available in the H.A.S.D.

On the web site, click on “Select a School” and choose “junior high.”

eaming:

Teaming is a way of grouping students that creates a small school atmosphere within a large school. Instead of a large group of seventh grade students, there are three teams each with an equal number of students.

Seventh grade students come to the junior high from three elementary schools, other districts, and private schools. They are equally distributed into three teams of students. Each team has basic, college-bound, and pre-honors levels, and no team is better or smarter!

There are many advantages to teaming in a large school---physically, socially, and academically. Physically, students are kept in one area most of the time. They have the same core teachers with classes in one area of the building. This helps keep them from “getting lost” or being mixed with older students. Socially, they are part of a group instead of just a number in a large school. Each team creates a team name and logo and functions as a group in various activities throughout the year. Academically, teachers can monitor progress as a team of teachers and provide interdisciplinary lessons. It is easier for parents to meet with teachers since the team teachers have common planning time.

Teaming gives students a sense of belonging

and helps ease their adjustment

into secondary education.

Attendance Policy

Absences: When a student returns from an absence, he should first check in with his homeroom teacher. Then, he should take his written excuse to the LGI Room. It is his responsibility to check on any missing assignments. If a student forgets his excuse, the absence will be recorded as “no excuse or unexcused”. (For an absence of ten cumulative days, it may be determined that a doctor’s excuse is required for each additional occurrence.) For an extended absence due to illness, a parent or guardian should call the guidance office to make arrangements. The Student Handbook states that for each day absent, a student has that number of days absent plus one to turn in all make-up work.

Early Dismissals: Before homeroom, a student should take a written excuse with the following information to the LGI Room: (1) a parent/guardian signature, (2) the time that the student needs to be dismissed from class (not the time of the appointment!), and (3) the reason for the dismissal. Leaving school --- the student is responsible for informing the appropriate teachers about the dismissal and then reporting to the main office before leaving the building. Returning to school --- the student should report to the main office with a signed doctor’s note.

Extended Vacation/Educational Trips: These must be approved by the principal, and the necessary forms are in the main office. Assignments given prior to an extended vacation are due upon return.

Tardiness:

Arriving late after homeroom – report to the main office
Arriving late due to a medical appointment – report to the main office with a signed doctor’s excuse
Arriving late after 11:00 – report to the main office (will be recorded as a full-day excused or unexcused absence)

Cafeteria

The computer system that is used in the elementary schools to handle cafeteria money and track purchases is used at the junior high as well. Students can put money in their cafeteria account before school begins on the first day of the week or when going through the serving line at lunch; they do not need to turn in money to their homeroom teachers. Students from households that meet income guidelines are eligible and should apply for free or reduced price lunches. The cafeteria also operates a breakfast program which runs from 7:15 – 7:30AM.

Dress Code

Clothing articles will be considered unacceptable or disruptive if they are too sheer, too short, too tight, or too revealing. In addition, the following items are not to be worn in school: shirts with printed obscenities, profanity, sex, messages with double meanings; shirts with words or pictures advertising drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, or violence; hats or bandannas; and outdoor apparel.

Gym Uniforms and Gym Locks

Gym uniforms, which consist of a T-shirt and shorts, can be purchased from The Locker Room and ProActive Sports. Also, please buy a combination lock for your child’s gym locker. Gym classes are held four days per week.

Locks

Locks for student hall lockers are provided by the junior high; only school locks are permitted on school hall lockers. Students will keep these locks through the ninth grade, and they’ll learn to use them during the 7th grade student orientation time with their teachers. (If they forget their combination, they can get it from their homeroom teacher.)

Nurse

Materials will be sent from the administration office to parents regarding health information and emergency cards. If you have any questions about health concerns, do not hesitate to contact our school nurse, Ext. 6531.

Morning Drop-off and Pick-up - In the morning, follow the traffic past the front of the Hollidaysburg Y and drive along the curbing around the front side of the school. For safety reasons, please donot cut through the parking lot. Also, do not park in the apron directly in front of the school; this area is for buses only and is monitored by the Hollidaysburg Police Department.

SampleSchedule - During student orientation and during the homeroom period on the first day of school, your child will review his schedule with his homeroom teacher. The schedule won’t look exactly like the one below; it is intended to give an example of how classes are scheduled.

Period / Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5
1 / Chorus / Study Hall / Study Hall / Chorus / Chorus
2 / English / English / English / English / English
3 / Math / Math / Math / Math / Math
4 / Science / Science / Science / Science / Science
5 / L / U / N / C / H
6 / History / History / History / History / History
7 / Reading / Reading / Reading / Reading / Reading
8 / Art / Art / Art / Art / Art
9 / Team Activity / Health
& PE / Health
& PE / Health
& PE / Health
& PE

School Supplies - Teachers will remind the students what they’ll need for each class. Also, check your team’s web page for more information.

Student Assistance Program

The S.A.P. is a voluntary program in the junior and senior high school and conducted by a team of people who have been trained through a state-endorsed program of drug, alcohol, and suicide prevention. This team works in cooperation with the Altoona Hospital Mental Health Center and Blair County Drug and Alcohol Services. S.A.P. is an identification, an intervention, a referral, and support program. Parents or students wishing more information on the S.A.P. program should call the nurse or guidance office.

Team Web Pages - Information on events, programs, supplies, and activities for each team can be found on the junior high web page. Under the category “For Students,” click on “7th Grade Team _____.”

Administrative Staff and Main Office – 695-4426
Mr. Edward Barton / Principal / Ext. 6510
Mr. Dale McCall / Assistant Principal / Ext. 6515
TBA / Dean of Students / Ext. 6176
Mrs. Tina Peters / 7th Grade Guidance Counselor / Ext. 6523
Mrs. Joy Peterman / Librarian/Media Specialist / Ext. 6165
Mrs. Barbara Huff / School Nurse / Ext. 6531
Mrs. Betsy Knab / Food Service Manager / Ext. 6540
Team One Teachers
Mrs. Mary Kay Barton / Mathematics / Ext.8019 /
Ms. Marcia Erickson / Social Studies / Ext.8117 /
Mrs. Kathy Goetz / Learning Support / Ext. 8143 /
Mr. Kevin Long / Envir.Sci./Scientific Inq. / Ext. 8226 /
Mrs. Melanie Nedrich / Reading / Ext.8082 /
For Algebra Only / Mrs. Leigh Ann Craig / Ext. 8084 /
English Teachers / Mrs. Marion Borr
Mrs. Angela Letizia
Mrs. Kathy Shaffer / Ext. 8445
Ext.8220
Ext. 8401 /

Team Two Teachers
Ms. Jennifer Barry / Learning Support / Ext.8131 /
Mrs. Marion Borr / English / Ext. 8445 /
Mrs. Christina Bracken / Reading / Ext. 8425 /
Ms. Allison Tomkowski / Social Studies / Ext. 8164 /
Mr. Robert Valeria / Mathematics / Ext.8198 /
Mr. John Yogus / Envir.Sci./Scientific Inq / Ext. 8245 /
For Algebra Only / Mrs. Leigh Ann Craig / Ext. 8084 /
Team Three Teachers
Mr. Mike Bianco / Social Studies / Ext. 8033 /
Mrs. Kathy Shaffer / English / Ext. 8401 /
Mrs. Deb Martin / Reading / Ext. 8205 /
Mrs. Jean Sinal / Envir.Sci./Scientific Inq / Ext. 8351 /
Math Teachers
For Algebra Only / Mrs. Mary Kay Barton
Mr. Jordan Albright
Mr. Robert Valeria
Mrs. Leigh Ann Craig / Ext. 8019
Ext. 8172
Ext. 8198
Ext. 8084 /

Elective Teachers
Mrs. Laura Bryson / Art / Ext. 8418 /
Mrs. Christine Burkey / Contemp. Living Skills / Ext. 8058 /
Mrs. Stephanie Everett / Music/Orchestra / Ext. 8119 /
Mrs. Linda Koenig / Phys. Ed. - Girls / Ext. 8211 /
Mr. Kris Laird / Music/Band / Ext. 6118 /
Mrs. Wendy Jo Nagy / Chorus / Ext. 8278 /
Mrs. Jennifer Pappal / Music/Orchestra / Ext. 8295 /
Mr. Jon Szynal / Phys. Ed. – Boys / Ext. 8384 /
Mrs. Barb Wertz- Leiden / Art / Ext. 8409 /

Tips for Students

What to do at home:

Choose a place to study that works best for you---away from the television. Some students need a quiet place to work, but others work best with a little background noise.
Keep your school supplies in your study area. You’ll need things like paper, pencils, tape, a stapler, a calculator, and a dictionary.
Use a big monthly calendar with lots of room for writing. At the beginning or the end of each week, write down any big assignments, tests, or practice times.
Get some self-stick notes! They’re great for big and small reminders. Some students mark their books that they need to take home at the end of the day; others use them while reading long chapters in textbooks.
Check your weekly assignment sheet for assignments and work ahead, if possible.
When you finish with homework, put everything in your backpack so that you’re ready for the next day. Remember – it sounds silly to tell a teacher that you “forgot” a book or an assignment at home. The rule for everyone is the same: Either you’re prepared for class or you’re not!
Empty your folders of any papers that you don’t need to keep anymore.
Check monthly calendars, student gradebook, and any other method that the teacher provides to keep students and parents informed.
Manage time by not waiting until the last minute to do long-term assignments.

What to do at school:

Write all assignments on your weekly assignment sheet.
Look at your assignment sheet towards the end of the day so that you know what to take home.
Keep your papers and notebooks together by subject.
Raise your hand and wait to be called on by the teacher.
Talk to teachers about make-up work due to absences.
Practice good manners and show respect for authority (all faculty and staff members), for fellow classmates, and for the school.
Earn your Positive Behavior Stripes: Be here! Be safe! Be respectful! Be prepared! Be accountable!

Tips for Parents

One of the biggest changes for your child from elementary school to the junior high is taking on more responsibility. Turning in work, keeping track of long-term assignments, organizing belongings, and being accountable for behavior are key factors in a successful academic career as well as being necessary for jobs, professions, and college.

Take advantage of all sources of home and school communication:

Student gradebook
Monthly school newsletter and calendar
Student’s weekly assignment sheet
Marking period interim reports
End of marking period report cards
“MeettheTeacher Night” in September
Parent/teacher conferences
Email

Check your child’s weekly assignment sheet every night.

A teacher will conduct class, provide reviews, and assign homework in order to teach a lesson about a particular subject or topic. Your child must prepare for the test or assessment of this lesson with some study time at home.

If you or your child’s teachers feel that your child could be doing better in school, you can work together with the Guidance Office to help develop a plan for success. Being motivated for school and underachievement are serious issues that require the combined efforts of school and home.

Encourage daily reading and writing.

Resources for Parents

“Adolescence is marked by rapid and uneven physical growth; mood swings and rebelliousness; the importance of a peer group and friends; and learning to think about ideals.”

Does this sound like anyone you know? If it does, the information below should help you to navigate the world of the junior high student.

Middle School – Moving on Up! PBS Kids Go!

An Education and Child Development Site for Parents

Minnesota’s “Say Yes to No” Campaign

Clarke, Jean Illsley, et al. How Much is Enough? New York: Marlow & Company, 2004.

Glasser, William. For Parents and Teenagers: Dissolving the Barrier Between You and Your Teen. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2002.

Goldberg, Donna. The Organized Student: Teaching Children the Skills for Success in School and Beyond, N.Y., N.Y.: Fireside, 2005.

Gurian, Michael, et al. Boys and Girls Learn Differently! San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2001

Rimm, Sylvia. Why Bright Kids Get Poor Grades: And What You Can Do About It. New York: Crown Publishing Group, 1995.

Walsh, David. No: Why Kids---of All Ages---Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. New York: Free Press, 2007.

Walsh, David. Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen. New York: Free Press, 2004.

Questions Asked by Students

What should I do if I forget my locker combination?

You can get it from your homeroom teacher.

What do we do after we eat lunch?

Students stay in their seats until they are told to put their tray and trash where they belong.

Are we allowed to chew gum in school?

No.

Where is the lost and found department?

In the Dean of Students office by the cafeteria

When may I go to the nurse’s office?

If you don’t feel well or are injured, your teacher will give you a pass.

What should I do if I have to leave school for a doctor’s appointment during the day?

Bring an excuse to school in the morning and take it to the LGI Room during homeroom.

What should I do if I lose my schedule?

Tell your teacher or go to the guidance office, and they will give you a new one.

What should I do if I have any questions or concerns about the junior high?

Ask your teacher, guidance counselor, or other adult for help.

When may I use the restroom?

At lunch, between classes, or by using your hall pass

Do we enter the building if we arrive early?

Students should not arrive before 7:15. If the weather is nice, students may stay outside. If it is cold or raining, they may go to the cafeteria or wait in the lobby.

What are “specials” or electives?

These classes include contemporary living skills, art, band, health, chorus, and gym.

How should I act when I’m trying to make new friends?

Treat others the way that you want to be treated.

Weekly Assignment Sheet ______to______Name ______

List all homework assignments for each class. If none, write in “no homework” for that class.

Weekday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
Date
Day #
ENGLISH / S
MATH / A
READING / M
SCIENCE / P
SOCIAL
STUDIES / L
ELECTIVES / E

Signature