The document provides information about King Philip Middle School to help transition students from elementary to middle school. It describes the school's mission, staff, support programs, team structure, daily schedule, activities, communication methods, awards, and transition activities to help students feel welcome and prepared for the new school year. It also provides details about the Quest program for gifted and talented students.

1. Welcome to King Philip Middle School Grade 5 – 6 Transition March 2010

2. King Philip Mission Statement At King Philip Middle School, all students demonstrate success in a safe, supportive academic community that has a challenging curriculum with measurable outcomes. Students develop independent thinking, respect, and self-worth in an enriching school culture.

3. King Philip Community of Support for Students: Administrators Office Staff Nutrition Services Custodial Staff Security Officers Librarian Nurses Paraprofessionals Teaching Assistants Community Resource Officer Teachers Parents Guidance Counselors Social Workers Psychologist

4. Student Support Programs ESOL Special Education Speech and Language Students with Special Needs Developmental Math & Reading Student Success Team

5. A Team Philosophy… Creates smaller schools Enhances personal relationships among students, teachers and parents Improves communication Presents opportunities for interdisciplinary units and integrated instruction Fosters an environment of caring and unity Provides for a more meaningful learning experience for students

6. A Community of “GEMS” 2009 -10 School Year Grade Six: Topaz and Diamond Teams Grade Six/Seven: Turquoise Team Grade Seven : Sapphire and Opal Teams Grade Seven/Eight: Amethyst Team Grade Eight : Garnet and Emerald Teams

7. A Typical Day: 7:40 AM – 2:50 PM Five Academics: Two Unified Arts: Language Arts Art Math Health Science Music Social Studies Physical Education World Language Technology Education * Morning Advisory * Learning Lab, Band, Orchestra, Choir or Quest *Lunch

8. Schedule: Morning Advisory : 8:00-8:18 AM Period 1: 8:21-9:03 Academic - Sci Period 2: 9:06-9:48 Unified Art - PE Period 3: 9:51-10:33 Academic - Math Period 4: 10:36-11:18 Academic - LA Lunch: 11:18-11:49 Period 5: 11:52-12:34 Unified Art - Art Period 6: 12:37-1:19 Academic - Spanish Period 7: 1:22-2:04 Academic - SS Period 8: 2:07-2:50 Learning Lab

9. Morning Advisory Program Rationale: “ It simply makes sense that if we are to expect children to be knowledgeable, responsible, and caring—and to be so despite significant obstacles—we must teach social and emotional skills, attitudes, and values with the same structure and attention that we devote to academic subjects.” --Promoting Social and Emotional Learning: Guidelines for Educators

10. Behavior & Citizenship Committee : Focus on Character Education : Sets tone for respectful learning Establishes a climate of trust Research based Relationship building (staff & students) Merges social, emotional, and intellectual learning

11. Format: Four Components 1. Greeting – Students greet each other by name; all students seen and acknowledged 2. Sharing – Articulation of thoughts, feelings and ideas in a positive manner 3. Group Activity – Team-building exercise focused on a specific topic; builds group cohesion and active participation 4. Reflection – Focus on meaning and/or message of the lesson; make connections

12. What is Quest? WHPS Gifted and Talented Enrichment Program serving the needs of high ability, highly creative, motivated students for students in grades 3-8. An option for your Learning Lab period.

13. What happens on the first day of school? All Grade 6 students will meet their teachers in the auditorium and sit by team Will remain with one team teacher all day, except for Unified Arts classes and lunch Introductory & team-building activities, tour of building, review of KPM student agenda, explanation of schedule, review of team expectations and policies, etc..

14. By the end of the first day of school at King Philip, students will: Know where each of their classrooms are, as well as other important locations throughout the building Be able to open a locker Become familiar with cafeteria routines and expectations Form new friendships with teammates and KPM faculty & staff Learn about KPM’s school policies & procedures Feel like part of a team – Diamond, Ruby or Topaz Have very little homework… 

15. After School Activities: Intramural Program Clubs and Activities Drama Workshop Student Council Sixth Grade Events Musical Groups: Beaux Strings, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Sixth Dimension

16. Communication KPM website Team/Teacher Blogs Homework Hotline Student Agenda Progress Reports Report Cards Parent Conferences Individual or Team Conferences Flier Day (Thursday) Newsletters Phone Calls and/or E-mail

17. Awards & Recognitions Team Awards (weekly, monthly basis) Character Counts at KP! Student of the Month Honor Roll

18. Character Counts at KP! We recognize students on a regular basis for exhibiting positive character traits at King Philip… RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY CITIZENSHIP INTEGRITY HONESTY PERSEVERANCE CARING FAIRNESS TRUSTWORTHINESS SELF-DISCIPLINE

19. Transition Activities… Spring Orientation PTO sponsored presentation & forum Elementary schools visit King Philip Lunch with the Principal Counselor meetings with Grade 5 teachers Summer Mailing Sixth Grade Meet & Greet Curriculum Night

20. We welcome you to the King Philip Family…. and look forward to seeing you in September! Please join us for refreshments in the cafeteria.

21. What is Quest? WHPS Gifted and Talented Enrichment Program serving the needs of high ability, highly creative, motivated students for students in grades 3-8. An option for your Learning Lab period.

22. What do we do in Quest? Type III Projects: Independent Investigations of student choice National History Day Competition Odyssey of the Mind Competition Wacky Wednesdays

23. Is there a better solution to getting a pet other than buying one from a pet store? How could the death of the 300 Spartans have been prevented? How does modern forensics overpower traditional methods in criminal investigations? Which animals are experiencing the most negative impact from the destruction of their rainforest homes? Is there a way to stop the honey bees from disappearing? What should the Department of Transportation be doing to embrace recycling at Bradley Field? What do we do in Quest? Topics being investigated by KP Quest students right now:

24. Final Product formats include: Exhibits Books Websites Video productions Flash animation 3-D Models Robotics What do we do (creative productivity!) in Quest?

25. Strong academic abilities Enjoy creative tasks – Go that extra mile to make things unique, beyond the expected Task Commitment is HUGE… Will you commit to working hard, and happily, for the full school year? Are you Quest-able? Renzulli’s 3-ring model :

26. Quest students are identified by classroom teachers as early as third grade, when they stand out in the classroom with Quest-able behaviors, often combined with results from standardized test scores. Parents can request that their child be considered for Quest through the team teachers or by contacting me. Team teachers can recommend you for Quest based on your performance in your regular classes. When filling out the KP registration form for Learning Lab options, only students who have been formally identified for Quest should check “Quest” on the form at that time. Interested in Quest? Do you have a burning passion for a topic you would like to investigate outside of your academic classes?

27. Questions? Check out the district Quest website… http://www.whps.org/curriculum/quest The KP Quest Website: http://www.whps.org/school/KingPhilip Under Curriculum – Quest Email Mrs. Pascon… [email_address] Pick up a FAQ flyer up on the stage!