Students with Abilities and Talents

SWAT Team

(Students With Abilities and Talents)

Dear Parents,

We welcome you and your child to the new school year! We would like to take this opportunity to share with you the approach to teaching that will be used in the eighth grade at SemmesMiddle School. This approach, called “team teaching”, assigns your child to the “SWAT Team”. This means that each teacher, through a cooperative teaming effort, will work with your child to insure that the best possible academic and counseling program will be available to him/her.

Another important aspect of “team teaching” is your active participation. We feel that it is vital and in the best interest of your child that there exists a close home-school communication. All of the teachers on this team will keep you informed about your child’s progress. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

As a team, we have constructed some guidelines to assist in promoting the best possible learning environment. Please help us by discussing the following team rules and any examples of each with your child:

Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated

Be Responsible at all times (includes but not limited to)

--Be on time and bring all needed materials to class every day.

--Observe class transition rules and be in uniform compliance daily.

--Observe all school rules and/or procedures (see school handbook).

Use self-discipline (includes but not limited to)

--Stay seated unless given other instructions.

--Raise hand and wait for permission to speak.

Respect adults and peers (includes but not limited to)

--Follow all teacher instructions and classroom rules.

--Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

Maintain a gum, food, and drink free zone (exceptions-designated break and lunch times.)

We feel that adherence to these rules, as well as other classroom and school rules, will help create an environment which is free from distractions so that your child can achieve his/her best. However, choosing not to follow the rules may result in any of the following, but is not limited to:

Verbal Warning Parent Contact Silent Lunch

Written Assignment Parent Conference After-School Detention

Student/Teacher Conference Office Referral DisciplineSaturdaySchool

Team Retract

We look forward to working with you and your child this year.

Sincerely,

The SWAT Team Teachers –

Stacia Dials (

Ruby Jones ()

Molly McKenzie ()

Demetria McMillan ()

Kathleen Tonder ()

Elnoria Washington ()