The document provides information for parents and students about Dean Rusk Middle School's Panther Camp for the 2015-2016 school year, including contact information for administrators, the school mission, upcoming events like Curriculum Night, teacher team assignments, and commonly asked questions about things like dress code, counseling services, and extracurricular activities.

1. Welcome
to Dean Rusk MS Panther Camp
2015
Mrs. Cindy Cooper
Dean Rusk Principal
Mr. Lawrence Gluckson
Dean Rusk 7th Grade Assistant Principal
Mrs. Catherine Holman
Dean Rusk 8th Grade Assistant Principal
http://portal.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/rusk-ms/default.aspx
DRMS Mission:
DRMS is committed to a learning environment of cooperation
that will encourage the maximum development of academic,
physical, social, and emotional growth. Our mission is to enable
students to become successful participants and life long learners
in a global society.

2. Join us for DRMS Curriculum Night
Dean Rusk Middle School
PTSA Open House/ Curriculum
Night
Thursday, September 3 @ 6:30PM (Cafeteria)

3. Resources…..
• The DRMS Homepage can serve as a useful tool for all things Dean Rusk.
http://portal.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/rusk-ms/default.aspx
Bell Schedules
Parent/Student Portal for schedules
CCSD B.Y.L.D.
CCSD Student/Parent Handbook (online)
CCSD Discipline Code (online)
Teacher’s Web page/syllabi (online)

4. DRMS 7th Grade Teacher Teams
2015 - 2016
7D
Jacqueline Allen – Language Arts
Jennifer Evans – Reading
Jessica Estes – Math
Erin Hoerr – Science
Debbie Garner – Social Studies

5. DRMS 7th Grade Teacher Teams
2015 - 2016
7R
Jeff Pence – Language Arts
Mindee Calabrese - Reading
Teresa Kannawarf – Math
Leslie Powell – Science

6. DRMS 7th Grade Teacher Teams
2015 - 2016
7M
Jill Onufrak – Language Arts
Chelsea Wolfe – Reading
Day Craig – Math
William Morris– Science
Debbie Lanter – Social Studies

7. DRMS 7th Grade Teacher Teams
2015 - 2016
7S
Tiffany Robbins – Language Arts
Debbie Whitlock – Reading
Jennifer Campbell– Math
Phillip Wagoner – Science

8. CONNECTIONS CLASSES
• Art – Connie Strickland
• Inventions & Innovations – Brad Mann
• FACS 7 – Melissa Christensen
• Business & Computer Science – Anita Geoghagan
• Band – Ricky Williams
• Chorus – Tim Christian
• Orchestra – Tim Christian
• Health – Janet Roach

9. Elementary to Middle
Transition
What changes will they see?
• LOCKERS!! – Do not share combinations
• Strong Focus on Academics
• Return of First Day Packet = Locker Assignment
• Team of Teachers – Middle School Model
• Connections = Specials
• Art, FACS, PE, Careers, Technology, Chorus, Band, Orchestra, Health
• No Recess
• Daily Literacy Period
• Period Attendance
• Tardy Bell
• Car Rider Procedures
• Walking to SHS in afternoon

10. Elementary to Middle
Transition
• After School Programs
-ExP Tutoring – After school tutoring for math, language arts and
reading
-Intramurals Program
• School Day – 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
• Class Periods – 55 to 59 minutes
• Connections Period – 78 minutes
• Literacy Period – 78 minutes (25 minutes of Literacy & 53 minutes of
a specific curriculum)
• Breakfast (7:30AM) & Lunch

11. 7th GRADE ACADEMIC CLASSES
Reading - Reading 7, Advanced Reading 7,
Co-Taught Reading 7 & Resource Reading 7
Language Arts (LA) – LA 7 ,Advanced LA 7,
Co-Taught LA 7 & Resource LA 7
Mathematics (MA) – MA 7, Advanced MA 7,
Accelerated MA 7, Co-Taught MA 7 & Resource MA 7
Science (SC) – SC 7, Advanced SC 7, Co-Taught SC 7 &
Resource SC 7
Social Studies (SS) – SS 7, Advanced SS 7, Co-Taught
SS 7 & Resource SS 7

12. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Textbooks:
Language Arts: Writing & Grammar / Grammar & Exercise Workbook
Science: Holt Science & Technology Science
Life Science
Math: Glencoe, McGraw, Hill GA Math Course 1 & 2
Student Worktext Course 1 & 2 – Consumable
Social Studies: GA Experience
Second year of a two year World Area Studies
Study of Africa & Asia – Geography, Government, Civics, Economics,
and History
Reading: Selected Novels
These are all sources used to teach the GA Frameworks & Standards

13. CCSD MAKE-UP WORK POLICY
It is the expectation of the Cherokee County Board of Education that all
work missed due to any absence will be made-up. Some work by its very
nature is impossible to make-up and may necessitate alternative
assignments. The principal or designee will be the final authority in
determining alternative assignments.
The responsibility for arranging to complete work missed is to be assumed
by the student and parent/guardian in conjunction with the teacher. Make-
up work is to be completed at the time specified by the teacher/principal.
The time limit is not to exceed ten (10) school days. Exceptions will be
decided by the parent/guardian, student, teacher and principal, with the
principal having the final decision.

14. DEAN RUSK LATE WORK POLICY 2015-2016
Turning in assignments late will result in a loss of 25
percentage points from the graded assignment.
Students must turn in the late assignment within
three days of the assignment’s due date to receive
credit. After the three day period has passed, the
grade will be entered in the teacher’s grade book as
an NHI (Not Handed In), which calculates as a zero;
however, students are strongly encouraged to make
arrangements with the teacher to discuss grade
recovery opportunities before or after school.

15. ASSESSMENT IN 7TH GRADE
•Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) August 17
•Iowa Test of Basic Skills (IOWA) October 12
•Georgia Milestones Assessment April 14
•Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK)
•Formative & Summative

16. BRING YOUR LEARNING DEVICE
B.Y.L.D.
• DRMS is a BYLD school
• BYLD sign = Bring Device
• BYLD sign = No Device
• NEXT Network
• CCSD Cell Phone policy changed from student possession to student
inappropriate usage
• Permission form inside student agenda – sign, but do not remove
• Access B.Y.L.D. Appendix L in CCSD Handbook

17. Commonly Asked Questions???
Does DRMS have a dress code?
Yes – we follow the dress code established by CCSD and found
in the CCSD Discipline Handbook 2015-16
Changes for this school year:
Yoga pants & piercings
Does DRMS have behavior expectations?
Absolutely – the CCSD Discipline Code and policies stated
within will be followed

18. Commonly Asked Questions???
• Are there school counselors at DRMS?
Yes – Mrs. Martin – 8th Grade
Mrs. Williams – 7th Grade
(maternity leave)
•Small Group Counseling
•Student Scheduling
•Testing
•504 Plans
•Teacher/ Parent Consultations
•Crisis Intervention
•Community Resource Referrals
•Career Cruising

19. Commonly Asked Questions???
• Is there a nurse at DRMS?
Yes –Rebeccah Keeton
She is on campus from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Medicine – Must be in original container with appropriate paperwork
on file. Students may not carry medicine with them.
Medication Guidelines Found:
http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/parentinfo/pages/handbooks.aspx

20. 7th Grade Field Trip
• Trip is in the planning stages
• Information will be shared at an evening parent meeting
• Extended Day trip on motor coaches
• Inappropriate student behavior can result in:
 Parent being required to attend with child
 Students not being allowed to attend trip

21. Loss of Field Trip Privilege
Attendance on school based field trips is a privilege and requires positive behavior
in the regular school environment, conducting yourself as a good DRMS citizen at
all times, and displaying respect to peers, teachers, administration, and staff at all
times. Therefore, the following policy will apply to all students and their
participation in all field trips:
• Office Discipline Referral – Warning
• Second Office Referral – Student’s parent must accompany student on field trip
in order for student to attend. Parent must submit to a background check and
cover adult cost of field trip.
• Third Office Referral – Attendance on all field trips is denied.
Any assignment to Out of School Suspension (OSS) or Alternative School (ALT
School) results in denial of field trip attendance for the school year

22. DRMS CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
• Drama Club: School Plays -Mentoring Club
• Beta Club: Academic Excellence - Panther Pals
• Fish Club - Book Club
• Yearbook - Spanish Club (8th)
• Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl
• Student Council
• Geography Bee
• Science Fair
• Social Studies Fair
• Young Author’s Fair
• Intramurals
• Spelling Bee
• 7th & 8th Grade Basketball
• 7th & 8th Grade Cheerleading
• Chorus, Band, Orchestra
• Career Day
• Nat’l Junior Honor Society
• Relay For Life Team

23. Dean Rusk Middle School
2015-2016
Student Name: __________________________________ Homeroom Teacher: __________________
DATE INSTRUCTIONS INFORMATION
8/3/15 If applicable, complete, sign and return the CCSD First Day Information (Coupons)
2nd
, 4th
, & 5th
pages in packet
Complete, sign and return individual form Emergency Info for Early Dismissal Form
Complete, sign and return individual form Student Health Needs ID Form
Complete, sign and return individual form Student Profile/Data Verification Sheet
(Make corrections, additions and/or deletions
of information on this form. Place an X on the line
next to names of people you list on this form who
are allowed to check your student out.)
If Applicable, Complete and Sign Extra Food Sales Permission Form
Complete and return if interested School Council Nomination Form
Complete and Return GA DOE Parent Occupational Survey
DATE SIGNATURE
09/1/15 _________________________________ Progress Report
10/16/15 _________________________________ Report Card
11/11/15 _________________________________ Progress Report
01/8/16 _________________________________ Report Card
02/5/16 _________________________________ Progress Report
03/23/16 _________________________________ Report Card
04/25/16 _________________________________ Progress Report
The final report card will be mailed home in June 2016.

24. DRMS 7th & 8th Grade Students ONLY
Friday, August 21st, 2015
Dean Rusk MS Gym with DJ
3:45-5:45 pm
Tickets will be on sale during lunch:
Tuesday, August 18 – Thursday, August 20
**Free Admission with PTSA Student Membership**
**$7 for non-members**
PARENTS: Please send a note with your child to their HR teacher
stating that he or she will be staying after school for the dance. All
students MUST be picked up by 5:45 pm
For the safety of all students attending:
NO RE-ENTRY * NO EARLY PICK-UP * NO EXCEPTIONS

25. DRMS FUND RAISER 2015-2016
DRMS BAND FUNDRAISER – Thursday, August 6, 2015 – Monday,
August 17, 2015
Selling: Great American Savings Pass
All proceeds benefit DRMS Band Program –
Join or renew at Sam’s Club and get $10 gift card
Canyon’s Burgers – BOGO
PURE – Spend $20 and get $10 discount; spend $50 and get $25 discount
Discounts at many other local businesses
SCHOOL WIDE FUNDRAISER - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 –
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
All proceeds go to new DRMS building opening in 2016
Cookie Dough, Wrapping paper, jewelry, various gifts,
Students earn Ducks, Cash & Prizes!