Berkshire Middle School Welcome Parents!
Mission Statement
The Berkshire Way Respect yourself and others
Be accountable for your actions
Respect our environment
Resolve conflicts peacefully
Use kind words
Maintain academic honesty
Value people for who they are
Give back to the community
Meet the Team
Administrative Team
Mr. Clinkscale Principal
Mr. Brooks Assistant Principal
Mrs. McKinney Assistant Principal
Counselors
Ms. Battle Ms. Hardeman
Secretaries
Mrs. Damman Secretary to the Principal
Ms. Gienapp Receptionist
Mrs. Dacey Counseling/Attendance
Academic Classes
Excellent academic programs in Math, Science, Language Arts & Social Studies focused on Differentiated Instruction and 21st Century Teaching & Learning
Science Department
Mr. Stanley
Mr. Bruyneel
Science and the NGSS
Science and the NGSS
Math Department
Ms. Gambone
Ms. Eggert
Language Arts Department
Mr. Fisher Ms. Goldberg
Social Studies Department
Ms. Babich Mr. Stearns
•The Ancient World: •Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia; Egypt; India; China; Greece; Rome; Aztecs; Mayans
•Major World Religions: •Judaism; Hinduism; Buddhism; Christianity; Islam
•Global Competencies: • Communicating Ideas Effectively, Investigating the World, Recognizing Perspectives,
6th Grade Social Studies Curriculum
7th Grade: Geography •Tools of Geography •Mapping Skills •Western World •Economics
8th grade: American History
•U. S. Constitution •Civil War •Reconstruction •Washington D.C. Trip
7th & 8th Grade Social Studies
Academic Support - LRC
Ms. McAdams
Ms. Bennett
ESL Department
Ms. Dohanyos Ms. Canfield
Media Center
The Media Center is open: 7:45 am every morning Noon Rec After School until 4:00 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Saturday School: 9 – 11 am
Rotation
Skills for Living Ms. Sensenig
Ms. Kring
Engineering Technology Mr. Baldridge Mr. Anspach
Physical Education Ms. Lincoln Mr. Wriska Mr. Forrest
Art Mr. Orlando
Unified Arts classes offer choice and exploration in Skills for Living/Success, Engineering Technology, Art, and Physical Education.
Music Electives
Band Mr. Smith
Mr. Burkett
Orchestra Mr. Smith
Mr. Shawver
Choir Ms. Priebe
World Language Electives
Japanese Ms. Cooper
French Ms. Takenaga
Spanish Ms. Rivera
Ms. Rodriguez
World Language courses that count toward high school graduation requirements in Spanish, French, and Japanese.
Academic Extension
Reading Enrichment Advanced Math Differentiated Instruction
Additional Support
Zeros Aren’t Permitted!
Homework Club
Directed Studies
Lunch Help
Saturday School
Summer Academy
Before and After School Activities
Sports
Basketball Flag Football Volleyball Wrestling Swimming Track Tennis
Clubs Forensics C3 Leaders (student government) Snow Club Art Club Jazz Band/Honors Orchestra Community Club Diversity Club Glee Club Leadership Exchange Musical Yearbook Club Coders Club
Enrichment
Math Pentathlon
Destination Imagination
Summer Academy
Birbery Books
Robotics
Leadership
National Junior Honor Society
Traveling Classroom Opportunities
Winter Camping at Camp Copneconic (7th Grade)
Washington D.C. Trip (8th Grade)
Michigan State University (8th Grade)
Quebec (French Class)
Chicago (Spanish, Orchestra & Band)
Other Curriculum Related Trips
Community Service
At Berkshire, we embrace helping to develop well rounded students that are encouraged to give back to the community :
Community Garden C3 Food Drive Animal Shelter Fundraiser Special Olympics Fundraiser Local Hospitals Hoops for Heart (American Heart Association) Gleaners and Grace Centers of Hope Service Learning Infused within the Curriculum
6th Grade Bell Schedule
Hour Begin End
1st Hour 8:15 9:11 2nd Hour 9:15 10:11 3rd Hour 10:15 11:11 4th Hour 11:15 12:11 Lunch 12:11 12:32 Noon REC 12:32 12:52 C3 12:56 1:16 5th Hour 1:20 2:16 6th Hour 2:20 3:14
Academic Map
•Rotation/Electives
• 6th Grade Classrooms
•Computer Labs
Sample Student Schedule
Day Time 1 2 3 4 5 6
E
Semester 1
Q1
Spanish Science Math Social Studies
Skills
LA Q2 Art
Semester 2
Q3 Eng. Tech Q4 PE
O
Semester 1
Q1
Reading Science Math Social Studies
Skills
LA Q2 Art
Semester 2
Q3 Eng. Tech Q4 PE
Assignment Book
Power School
Power School
Power School
Berkshire Bound
August 21 – 25 2017
Discussion Topics
Discussion Topics
• Berkshire Website • Email • Remind Text
Messages • Facebook • Twitter • Voicemail • PowerSchool • E-Blast
Discussion Topics
• Using ID Cards • Food Choices • Pre-Pay Lunches
Lunch/ REC Lunch Times : 8th Grade 11:12 7th Grade 11:32 6th Grade 12:07
Discussion Topics
• Halls/Gym • Backpacks • No Wheels
Discussion Topics
• Planner • Dress Code • Electronics • Dismissal
Middle School “Readiness” School is a student’s job. Students need to OWN their learning by:
• Developing an organizational plan for him/herself • Communicating with his/her teacher regularly
• Self-advocating
• Engaging in the Berkshire family through clubs, sports,
and other special events
Students who do these things tend to be more successful, enjoy school, and are less stressed the first marking period.
Teaching and rehearsing with your child to speak to a teacher about
an assignment, grade, or homework…
Practice by: • Order for her/himself at a restaurant • Find the family’s seats at a ball park
• Ask about a book at the library • Ask a clerk where she/he can find something at a grocery store
Self Advocacy – Fostering the Skill in Your Child
Communication
• Read teacher comments on Power School, returned work, Google Classroom or emails
• Discuss the difference between sending a text
to their friends and sending an email to a teacher
• Model how to write an email appropriately
• Have child send an email to his/her teachers before school
Organization Develop Organizational Systems: • Require use of a planner now to create a habit
• Practice the locker combination like crazy. Set a
timer. Feel pressure! • Morning and afternoon string bags • Color coding • Pack backpack at night according to planner
• Plan for the day ahead (No “homeroom”)
Parent Partnerships
Volunteer PTA
Proud Dads Club