The Middle School Experience

Presentation Transcript

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School

2014-2015

The Middle School Experience

* Welcome & Overview, The Team - Houston

* Mission, iPlan17, Mindsets, & Initiatives - Houston

* Communication - Cain

* Courses & Placement - Cain

* Schedule & Rotation - Cain

* Google & Online Resources - Cain/Canup

* Academic Resource - Flowers

* Student Life - Couvillion/Mines

* Student Handbook, Discipline, & Emergency Crisis Plan - Couvillion/Mines

* Counseling & Parent University- Bynum

* Athletics - Coffield

* Arts - Houston

* Christian Education, Chapel, & Service - Houston

* Things to Know for Fall - Houston

* Questions & Dismissal - Houston

mount vernon presbyterian school 2014 2015

Katie Cain - Director of 21st Century Teaching & Learning

Suzanne Couvillion - Dean of Students Grades 7 & 8

LaTasha Mines - Dean of Students Grades 5 & 6

Samantha Flowers - Director of Academic Resource Services

Kelli Bynum - Director of Counseling Services

Chip Houston - Head of Middle School

2014-2015

We are a school of inquiry, innovation, and impact. Grounded in Christian values we prepare all students to be college ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders.

2014-2015

Communication

Email Any Faculty Member

easiest and most direct line to teachers - brief/succinct questions,

concerns, feedback, and praise, longer than a paragraph = call

first letter, last name, @mountvernonschool.org

John Smith = jsmith@mountvernonschool.org

Call the School

Founders Campus - 404-252-3448
Glenn Campus - 404-250-5880

MVPS Update (weekly email)

Communication

Follow us on Twitter

#MVMiddle, @MVPSchool or @MVPMiddle

Visit the Middle School Website

http://www.mountvernonschool.org/Page/Middle-School

Summer E-Packet
MS Experience Booklet

Communication

Conferences - parent, teacher, student conference on learning and progress, 2 formal days, available upon request any time

Monthly Division Head Letter - Recaps of wins, previews of

upcoming events, and big picture thoughts about Middle School

Mr. Houston’s Blog - Reflections on professional learning, initiatives, & research. www.chiphouston.com

ePortfolio - demonstrations of student learning and

reflection

Haiku

Access posts of homework, classwork,

notes and resources from each teacher 24/7

Use the calendar feature to keep up with tests and due dates (the calendar syncs with Google calendar)
Collaborate with peers through blogs and discussion threads
Students and parents will be trained the first week of school
Teachers’ Haiku pages will be accessible through the Mount Vernon Middle School website
We update CW & HW for the upcoming week

by 6:00 p.m. every Sunday evening.

PowerSchool (online gradebook)

https://powerschool.mountvernonschool.org/public/home.html
View student grades and progress 24/7
Multi-child access on one screen
Mobile access support
Information and tutorials will be available at Orientation in August

Grade 5 Academic Schedule

Grade 5 Academic Program

Grade 6 Academic Schedule

Grade 7/8 Academic Schedule

Student Resources

Chromebooks lend themselves to the use of many web-based resources, thus lightening the backpack and reducing the cost of textbooks
For 2014-2015, the School will invoice families for all required print and online resources (~$150 and $250, depending on grade level)
All required print and online student resources will be distributed at Orientation
A few courses have optional print materials available for families to purchase from MBS Direct
A detailed list of student resources will be available in the summer E-Packet

Google Chromebooks

Lightweight, durable, quick boot time
Built-in virus protection
Access to collaborative Google Apps
Automatically backs up students' work to the cloud
Low price point ($400, includes case)
3 Year Warranty

Mechanical failure, manufacturer defect, wear and tear, accidental damage (includes water/spills)
Repair costs up to the cost of the item/one full replacement
Cracked screens replaced for $65

Summer Reading and Math

Summer Reading

To foster a love of reading, our faculty choose engaging, relevant summer reading books that extend the learning of the school year. Students read one required novel and select a second book of choice from a list of recommended titles.

Summer Math Playlist

Students continue to develop and review math concepts and skills, utilizing the online tools BrainGenie and iXL to view tutorials and practice math fluency.

Detailed information about summer reading and summer math will be included in the summer E-Packet.

Academic Resource Center

Serve as educational consultants to the Mount Vernon Community
Offer guidance for students in need of academic support throughout the year including collaboration with teachers and parents, recommendations for classroom accommodations, small group content area support, and referrals to tutors and other private services
Facilitate lessons introducing study tools

and strategies, note-taking methods and

test preparation

Student Life

Social events

Grades 5 and 6: two during the year (past socials have included bowling night & Skyzone)
Grades 7 and 8: three dances throughout the year (past themes have included Halloween, Valentine's Day, and Spring Fling)

Class trips

Grade 6: Space Camp; Huntsville, AL
Grade 7: Boston, Massachusetts
Grade 8: Washington, D.C.

Student Life

Retreats

Grades 5-7 enjoy an on-campus retreat designed to foster teamwork and spiritual growth
Students in 8th grade travel to Camp Winshape for a day of leadership and teambuilding

Pep Rallies/Spirit Days

For each sports season, athletes in grades 5-8 celebrate their achievements in a pep rally planned by the Middle School Student Council

Spring MS Talent Show

Mustang Rally

Clubs

During the first few weeks of school, students have a chance to learn about the various clubs offered in the Middle School at the annual Club Fair.

Academic Latin, MathCounts, Literary Magazine
Leadership Student Council, Service Club, Girl Talk
Fine Arts Drama, Strings, Praise Band, Art
Athletic Mustang Striders

Academic Honors

Honor Pledge - "I pledge to always act in an honest, honorable, and accountable manner and expect the same of my fellow students. I agree to promote exemplary behavior at all times and understand that there will be consequences for inappropriate actions."

Head of School list
Honor Roll
National Junior Honors Society
Duke TIP
Head of Middle School Award
21st Century Mount Vernon Mind
Mount Vernon Service Award
Prefect Award

Student Handbook

All policies are outlined in detail in the Student Handbook which can be found on the website.

Emergency Crisis Management Plan/Safety
Attendance & Tardies
Discipline
Final Exams and Exemption

Uniforms

All uniforms must be purchased from Land's End or Buckhead Uniforms

Buckhead Uniforms
Lands' End

Uniform resale on campus

First uniform resale is during Orientation

Online Spirit Shop

Purchase spirit wear for spirit days

Morning Carpool - Founders Campus

Afternoon Carpool - Founders Campus

Morning and afternoon carpool - Glenn Campus

Counseling Services

Provide support services through individual and small group counseling, large group guidance, parent conferences, professional referrals and intervention.
Offer consultation to further the development of students socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and academically.

Parent University

Offer presentations on a variety of developmentally appropriate topics for all parents throughout the year by authors, psychologists, and external experts.

* Radical Parenting - Vanessa Van Petten

* Flight Plan - Braxton Brady

* Parenting Strategies in the Age of Social Media

- Jeff Dess