“Striving for Excellence”
School Handbook
2011-2012
MIDDLE SCHOOL 390
SCHOOL COMMUNITY HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Table of Contents 2
School Staff Directory 3-4
Parent/Student Contract Agreement Letter 5
Mission Statement 6
School Calendar 2011-2012 7
Instructional Program 8-14
Technology Facilities 14 Library/Media Center 14
Enrichment Programs 14-15
Pupil Personnel Services 16-17
Student Council 17
Student Performance Evaluation 17
Student Attendance and Punctuality 18 Homework Practice 18
Textbooks 19
Student Notebooks 19 School Hours 19
School Breakfast and Lunch 20
Entrance and Dismissal 20
Procedures for Student Enrollment 20 Change in Student Information 20
Health Requirements 21
Medications 21
School Visitors 21
School Volunteers 21
Parent/Teacher Conferences 21-22
Parents’ Association 22
Educational Field Trip Policy 22
Discipline / Respect for Property 22-23
Uniform Policy/School Dress Code 23
Prohibited Items 25
Hall Rules 25
Lunchroom Rules 25-26
Bathroom Guidelines 26
Non Discriminatory Policy 26
Fire Drills/Shelter Drills 26
Inclement Weather 26
Notes (Blank)27
Middle School 390 Staff Directory
1930 Andrews Avenue * Bronx, New York 10453
Main Office Tel. 718-583-5501 * Fax. 718-583-5556 *
Administration
Robert W. MercedesCinnamon HarrisLourdes Prieto-Lopez
PrincipalAssistant PrincipalAssistant Principal
Evelyn VillegasFiordaliza Ceballos
Secretary Clerical Aide
Pupil Personnel Services
Dilenia Acosta, Attendance
Fred. Buchanan, Social Worker Patricia McKelvey, Resource & Special Ed.
Susan Carr, Guidance CounselorYolanda Pina, Attendance Officer
Guillermina Ceballos, Social Worker Jaydee DeLa Cruz, Parent Coordinator
Dr. Martin Friedmutter, School PsychologistM. Hidalgo, Bil Speech Pathologist
Myrna Kinkle-Ansah, LibrarianJuanita Murray, School Counselor/ Related Services
Maria Martin, Bil. School PsychologistVirginia Pou, Bil. Guidance Counselor
Faculty
ELA
M. Adorno, Literacy Coach Social Studies
A. BelloE. Blocker
A. BermudezC. Lundhal
G. Cassese
V. Green-ThomasScience
R. PapeE. Kojes
K. RiosM. Tesi
M. Ramirez
ESL M. Grullon
Mathematics Collaborative Team Teaching
J. McFarlane, Math CoachC. Krumenacker
E. Alvarez B. Martinelli
T. MackJ. Marte
J. PacchianaD. McKnight
M. RobinsonL. Olivo
T. ThimodentL. White
S. Bernstein, Physical Ed. Teacher H. Harewood, Visual Arts
A. Gil, Health Teacher G. Ifill, Choir
Reid, Physical Ed. Teacher
Educational Assistants
D. BaezB. Feliciano R. Carrasquillo R. Pena
DISTRICT 10 CHILDREN FIRST NETWORK
One Fordham Plaza, 7th FloorBronx, NY 10458
Sonia Menendez
Community District Superintendent
Calvin Hastings
FHI 360 Network Leader
MIDDLE SCHOOL 390CS D10
1930 Andrews Avenue Bronx, NY 10453 (718) 583-5501 Fax (718) 583-5556
Web Site:
Robert W. Mercedes Cinnamon Harris, Asst. Principal
Principal Lourdes Prieto-Lopez, Asst. Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Middle School 390. Our entire staff is excited to have you as part of our school community. We hope that this will be a successful and fulfilling year for all of you.
The pages of your handbook are filled with important information regarding school policy and procedures. I strongly recommend that parents and students review the content together. If you have questions that remain unanswered after reading the handbook, please call the school office to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our support staff. We believe that open and clear communication between school and home is imperative to the success of our students and our educational program.
We hope that this document will serve as a helpful reference for parents as they seek to provide academic support at home. Middle School 390 parents are our partners in the important job of educating the children of this community. As our motto states, we are:
“STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE”
Sincerely,
Robert W. Mercedes
Principal
Dear Parent/Guardian:
We ask that you review the Student Handbook with your child. Please complete the information below once you have reviewed it.
My child, ______, and I have reviewed and understand the Student handbook for the 2011-2012 school year.
______
Parent/Guardian SignatureDate
______
Student SignatureDate
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of Middle School 390 is to provide a structured, safe, and supportive environment where students, parents, and staff “Strive for Excellence” in a culturally rich environment. The potential of each student is fostered and developed through discovery, transmission of learning, intellectual inquiry and motivating standard-based work.
We are committed to meeting the students’ individualized academic and social emotional needs by promoting and supporting the acquisition of attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning and help students become life-long learners and leaders in a global technological society.
School Year Calendar 2011-2012
September8, ThursdaySCHOOL SESSIONS BEGIN FOR ALL STUDENTS
September 29,Thursday Rosh Hashanah
September 30, Friday
October10,MondayColumbus Day
November 8, TuesdayElection Day. Chancellor’s Conference Day for all schools
students will not be in attendance.
November11, FridayVeteran’s day
November17, ThursdayParent/Teacher Conference Day/Evening
November24, Thursday Thanksgiving Recess.
November25, Friday
December26, WednesdayWinter Recess (including Christmas and
December 31, FridayNew Years Day).
2011
January16, MondayDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
February 1, MondayFall Term ends. Allother students are in attendance.
Promotion In-doubt Letters distributed
February20, Monday Midwinter Recess (including Washington's thru Birthday)
February24, Friday
February28, TuesdayParent/Teacher Conference Day/(All Day)
April 6,Friday Spring Recess (including Good Friday, Easter Thru and Passover)
April13,Friday
May28, Monday Memorial Day Observed.
June 5,TuesdayClerical half-day
June 7, ThursdayChancellor’s Conference Days for Staff Development
June11, MondayClerical half-day
June28, TuesdayLAST DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS Last day for all Teachers.
Middle School 390Instructional Program
Language Arts
Grade 6
The Language Arts class will prepare students to improve their literacy skills and become active readers and writers. During this academic year, students will engage in reading and writing in class and at home. Students will interact with fiction and nonfiction readings that will enable students to acquire vocabulary and develop comprehension and use of critical thinking skills. As far as writing, students will maintain a weekly journal and publish research-based pieces in each unit. In addition, students will be exposed to project-base learning experiences that will enable them further develop and apply critical thinking skills. In terms of monitoring learning, students will be assessed periodically to determine areas that need improvement and track academic gains. In order to accomplish the aforementioned and be promoted to 7th grade, students must complete all their reading and writing projects on time with passing grades and pass the state exams. Furthermore, students are expected to be prepared and take responsibility for their learning, exude behavior that is conducive to learning and appropriate for a school setting, and adhere to rules and regulations from the school. The ultimate goal is to form well-rounded students and provide them with a unique experience in acquiring academic and social skills so they can function in today’s society. All of these goals can be accomplish through determination and commitment from teachers, parents, and students.Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Grade 7
This English Arts Course is aligned to the New York State and the Common Core Curriculum Standards for grade 7. The course focuses on the four fundamental literacy skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The primary goal is ensuring that all students are provided with an in-depth understanding of English Language Arts and to continue to use the structure and components of The Reading and writing workshop model. Though the emphasis shifts from learning to read to reading to learn through a variety of genres using a common core of books than span a range of reading levels and cover all types of literature. In addition, students will continue to refine, advance, and apply their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills to build knowledge about new subject matter so they can be college ready, and lead productive successful lives. Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Grade 8
Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are essential life skills. The middle school Englishlanguage arts curriculum focuses on developing these skills to build a foundation for studentsuccess in high school and the activities of everyday life. During the process of improving theseessential skills, students will study various literary genres, practice grammar, usage, andmechanics, learn new vocabulary, and engage in writing workshop. Students are expected tolearn to view the English language as a tool for communication and reflection.Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Social Studies
Grade 6
The units of study in the sixth grade focus on the Eastern Hemisphere with a concentration in ancient civilizations. Student will also draw on information from the five fields of learning which include: geography, history, economics, government and culture. Student will apply this knowledge to the following regions of the world: the United States, Europe, Russia and the Independent Republics, North Africa, Southwest Asia, Africa south of the Sahara, South Asia, East Asia, Australia, Oceania and Antarctica. The following skills will be addressed: map skills, document based questions (DBQ) and current events. Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Grade 7
The Scope and sequence of the 7th grade Social Studies curriculum covers the Native Americans up until the Civil War. We will be covering this content by using the textbook, analyzing document based questions and strengthening our reading and writing techniques by developing our vocabulary, writing essays and researchpapers. When we read about different time periods in history we will use specific comprehension strategies to help us recall the information we are studying. These strategies include: monitoring for meaning, determining what is important, text to self connections, text to text connections, and text to world connections.We will also focus on how geography affects the way people live today and in the past. If you ever asked yourself, “ why are we studying Social Studies?” The answer is so we understand the world we live in. These skills will help you in the businessworld, marketing, journalism (newspaper reporting), politics and government,and any job you might hold in commercial world. Social Studies is the study of society. Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Grade 8
Social Studies 8 continues the survey of American History from the Industrial Revolution (1800) to the post World War II era and the year 2006. A variety of enriching experiences, including simulations, research and writing activities, debating and dramatizations will be offered to students. The year begins with a review and expansion of geography and map skills, followed by a study of the Civil War, Reconstruction, westward expansion, industrialization, immigration, and the emergence of the United States as a world power. Our twentieth century study examines the political, social and economic aspects of World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression and World War II. Enrichment using multi-media techniques and current events examines the Cold War and Post-Cold War eras as the century draws to a close. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of the contributions made by ethnic groups to the development of the United States. Reading, listening, writing and reasoning skills are stressed. Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Mathematics
Grade 6
The following topics provide students with the basic concepts that should be attained by the end of the school year. Number and Operations: Developing an understanding of and fluency with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions and decimals; to convert fractions to decimals, and to percents; to connect ratio and rate to multiplication and division. Algebra: Writing, interpreting, and using mathematical expressions and equations; to use variable substitutions to evaluate algebraic expressions, to use different strategies to solve equations. To use the commutative, associative and distributive properties to show that two expressions are equivalent. Finding rules for patterns and sequences.Geometry & Measurement: Finding the perimeter, area and the volume of rectangular shapes; working backward to find lengths from areas and volumes. In addition, we will use a ruler to measure with accuracy in the metric and customary systems. Expectations: That this four major strand instructed appropriately at 6th grade level will provide the students with the skills to excel on the grade and the foundation for the seventh grade.Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Grade 7
The7th grade mathematics course follow the New York State syllabus. Within each course, students integrate the use of computers and calculators. Students are recommended for placement into math courses at each grade level. The major strands include problem solving, number concepts, ratio, proportion and percent, probability and statistics, algebra and coordinate geometry, and measurement and computer awareness. All students take periodic assessments and the New York State Math Assessment in April.Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Grade 8
This course interweaves the followingmathematical topics- number systems, algebra, geometry, statistics, probability, and measurement. The course will allow students to develop their reasoning skills, construct logical arguments, model and understand real world mathematical applications of what they learned. All with the goal of making sure students are competitive and transition successfully to any high school Algebra I course.
At the end of the course students will be prepared to:
- understand meanings of operations and procedures and how they relate to one another
- both classify numbers and know the characteristics of the real number system
- represent and analyze a wide range real world situations algebraically
- perform algebraic procedures accurately
- recognize, use, and represent algebraicrelations and functions
- analyze characteristics and properties of geometric shapes and justify geometric relationships
- explore and apply the Pythagorean Theorem to a variety of situations
- determine how to use appropriate tools and formulas to assess measurement
- investigate patterns of association in bi-variant data
Students will become proficient in the eighth grade New York State standards as they learnthrough differentiated instruction, projects, homework, and class assignments how to utilize internet research, tables, graphs, flowcharts and formulas. Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Science
Grade 6
This course will cover the following topics this school year: metric measurement, adaptations, introduction to cells, ecosystems and biomes, heat and matter, weather and technology, astronomy and light and sound. These topics are all in conjunction with the New York State Learning Standards. Requirements include: homework assignments, projects, tests, quizzes, labs, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and participation will be used as forms of assessment. Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Grade 7
At this level, science is an area of study that is easily intertwined with the other disciplines (literacy,
math, social studies, technology, art, etc). Students are expected to study science terms and concepts
before utilizing the tools and skills learned in the other disciplines for complete investigation in each
unit. This class will also look at the the significance and importance of our current topics to our
everyday lives using the question, "Why is this important for me to know NOW?"
This 7th grade class spirals through the major branches of science (Earth science, Physics, Chemistry,
and Biology) by touching on one central concept from each branch. Students can expect to cover 4
major topics throughout the school year:
1. Geology - How do we as scientists gather and interpret evidence that Earth is continually changing?
2. Physics/Chemistry - How do properties and interaction of matter and energy explain physical and
chemical change?
3. Biology - How do human body systems function to maintain homeostasis?
4. Biology - How is homeostasis maintained in other organisms?
All students are expected to come to class with all necessary materials for the each day. Students will
need to study vocabulary and major ideas each day as the following day will build upon those basics for
a thorough understanding of the unit objective.Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.
Grade 8
Eighth grade Physical Science includes the study of basic concepts of chemistry and physics. The
emphasis is on acquiring an understanding of the non-living aspects of the natural world. Areas of
study include: atomic theory and structure; the Periodic Table; characteristics of elements; chemical
bonding and reactions; motion; force; energy; electricity; magnetism; sound and light; scientific
theory and method; and the International System (IS) system of measurement. Laboratory experiences
allow the students to acquire research and documentation skills. Eighth graders are encouraged to
participate in the annual Science Fair, conducting their own research and experimentation. Requirements: tests, quizzes, homework, quarterly assessments, mid-term exam, final exam and projects.