Jonas Clarke Middle School

Parent OrientationMay 1, 2013

Welcome to Clarke

Clarke Middle School is a community of individuals committed to the academic, social and emotional growth of all students

Clarke Administrative Team

Anna Monaco, Principal

Assistant Principals,Jennifer Turner &

Jonathan Wettstone

My Beliefs

Equity and achievement for ALL students is possible when we provide students WHAT they need WHEN they need it.

Creating an environment where every member of our school community feels physically, emotionally and socially safe is essential for academic improvement and healthy development.

In order to create an environment that fosters the continuous improvement for everyone, a foundation of trust must be established between students, parents, teachers and administrators.

Trust in Schools

Educational Leadership: Trust in Schools: A Core Resource for School Reform

Research shows that schools and communities that have little to no relational trust had very little success in making gains.

Relational Trust

We all depend on each other and such dependencies create a sense of mutual vulnerability for everyone involved.

Teachers with Students, teachers with other teachers, teachers with parents and all groups with the school principal.

When we show ourselves as vulnerable we increase trust.

My Role as Principal

Instructional Leader

Model and promote mutual respect

Genuinely solicit and actively listen to the concerns of all constituencies

Avoid arbitrary actions with proper process and transparency

Communicate my beliefs; facilitate the identification of shared beliefs and model behavior to advance this vision

Provide consistent and competent management of daily school operations

6th Grade Guidance Counselor

Ms. Ellen Vera

Three 6th Grade Teams

Projected 250 students Atlantis Quest Voyager

The Team Structure

On Team Classes

Math

Science

Ancient Civilizations

English

Off Team Classes Foreign Language

Physical Education

Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Music, Drama, Art, Technology Applications, Engineering & Design, Reading

Special Education

General Education Interventions

Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday Friday

Math Reading Ancient Civilizations

English Science

Spanish Ancient Civilizations

Science Math Spanish

English Math Spanish Intervention/Enrichment

Ancient Civilizations

Technology Applications

Science Band Technology Applications

Band

PE Spanish Math Spanish Reading

Ancient Civilizations

English English Science English

Science PE Ancient Civilizations

Math

Course Registration Process

Tomorrow your child will receive a letter outlining the variables used in team placement, a course selection sheet, a program of studies, and student information form

(Harrington – since your students are camping, they will receive this information on May 6th)

Please return the completed course selection sheet and student information form between May 9th and May 13th and return to your child’s homeroom teacher

New This Year

6th Grade Math Heterogeneously Grouped

Math Specialist

You will Choose…

Band, Chorus, Orchestra or leave it blank = Music and Drama

French, Mandarin, or Spanish

Additional Supports

Extracurricular Opportunities

Sports Soccer Field Hockey Cross Country Basketball Baseball Softball Outdoor Track Intramurals

Extracurricular Opportunities

Drama Productions

Clubs Art Club Scratch Yearbook Green Team Garden Club Homework Math Team Clarkies

Foreign Language Travel

Students studying Spanish have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica in their 8th grade year

Students studying French have the opportunity to travel to Quebec in their 8th grade year

We are in the process of establishing an exchange with a school outside of Shanghai, China for students who are studying Mandarin

Community Service Opportunities

Senior Center Visits

Leaf Raking

Food Pantry Collection

Trail/ Garden Clean ups

Decorating the Senior Center

Pennies for Peace

Smile Train

Chain Links Club

Rachel’s Challenge

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Dream big and believe in yourself.

Appreciate everyone. Mock no one.

Practice the power of positive gossip.

Forgive and be forgiven.

Parent Communication

Our website: www.clarke.lexingtonma.org

Global Connect

Listserv – sign up online through JCSA

Teacher Web – team homework and announcements

Parent Communication

Parent Conferences

Monthly Newsletters

Through your child – encourage independence, communication and self-advocacy

Direct questions to your team leader or guidance counselor

JCSA

JCSA (Jonas Clarke School Association)

Clarke’s PTO

JCSA Presidents Kara Brandes and Kathleen Lenihan

Amazing support for Clarke staff and students!

Technology at Clarke

No cell phone use in school

Laptops

ipads and ipods

Smart Technology

Blended Learning Opportunities

Online Resources Open Classroom, Quia,

Quizlet, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before school and after school protocols?

Absence and tardy information?

Picking up a child during school hours?

See The Insider’s Guide to Clarke –on our website click the parent tab – samples of the 2012-2013 guide are available tonight