NAME: ________________________________________________
Seneca Valley Middle School
Lions’ Team Handbook2017 – 2018
“Where teams make a difference.”
Please sign and RETURN the “Student Information Pages” (pages 9 AND 10) ONLY by Monday, September 11 th .
Back to SchoolWelcome to a new school year! Your seventh grader is embarking on a year of many changes. We are eager to help your child make an effective and productive transition to this new world. To ensure that our year begins in the best possible
way, we would like to share with you the Lions’ Team classroom policies as well as our expectations. Be aware that the seventh grade curriculum is more demanding than in earlier grades. Generally speaking, comprehension of subject matter requires more effort than before, and students must devote increased time and effort to achieve desired grades. We believe that the “key to success” in school is a committed partnership of family, teachers, and students. We know that many concerns may arise during this eventful seventh grade year. We are also aware that changing family relationships and situations can have a strong impact on students and their motivation to succeed. Please make us aware of any such situations that may affect your child and his/her attitude toward school. In turn, we will contact you with any concerns we have regarding your child. PLEASE READ THIS HANDBOOK CAREFULY with your seventh grader so that you all know what you can expect from the Lions’ Team and what we ask of you. We are looking forward to an exciting, productive year with every member as part of the team! Educationally yours,
Reading (Semester 1): Ms. Janet Becker [email protected]
Health (Semester 2): Mr. Mike Manipole [email protected]
Math: Dr. Mary Ellen Williams [email protected]
World History: Mrs. Tara Schenck [email protected]
English:Ms. Susan [email protected]
Science:Mr. Dean Leventopoulos [email protected]
Guidance: Ms. Tammie Limmer [email protected] Ext. 3037Learning Support:Mr. Leo Stefanacci [email protected]
Lions’ Team School Supplies List
Students will need the following at school by Monday, September 11th:
MATH: one 1.5” three-ring binder, two single subject spiral notebooks, one glue stick, one ruler, basic calculator
ENGLISH: one folder, one spiral bound notebook
To contact us: The Lions team teachers meet daily from 9:27 to 10:09. Parent conferences can be scheduled during this time. Please contact the guidance counselor or any team member if you have questions. Email is often the easiest method of communication.
SCIENCE: one 1.5” three-ring binder, one set of 5 binder dividers, one package of colored pencils
WORLD HISTORY: one PLASTIC folder with pockets AND brads in the center READING: one 1” three-ring binder OR folder (your choice)
FOR ALL TEAM CLASSES: one zippered pouch/pencil case/container with the following to take to team
classes:o several #2 pencils (standard or mechanical)o one blue or black ink peno one good erasero keep calculator and glue stick for Math and colored pencils for Science in
here too
giant paper clip, medium binder clip, or other clip to mark current planner pages lined, hole-punched, college ruled, loose-leaf notebook paper (put a little in each
three-ring binder and keep some at home to refill later). multiple packages of 3 X 5 LINED index cards to be used for studying and projects
(Only keep one or two packages in your locker to start – leave the rest at home to refill later.)
A novel for reading when extra time remains after a test or assignment and for DEAR on Fridays. You will have to replace this throughout the year as you finish books, so become a friend of our school library, your public library, or the bookstore!
Donations of hand sanitizer and tissues to your homeroom teacher would also be greatly appreciated at any time during the year!
Please note that this is a list of TEAM supplies only. ENCORE teachers may require additional, separate supplies as students rotate through their classes during the school year. We also ask for your patience and assistance as requests may arise throughout the year for materials. We promise to do our best to provide students ample time to acquire needed supplies or provide them when we can. Thank you!
Lions’ Team PhilosophyThe core of the Lions’ Team philosophy is students’ personal responsibility. Just as we enthusiastically embrace our responsibilities as your child’s teachers, we ask each student to take personal responsibility for his/her work ethic, behavior, attitude, and commitment. We believe that a critical step toward becoming a productive adult is the ability to accept responsibility as well as any consequences that may result from not accepting that responsibility. Accountability is a very important word on the Lions’ Team.Related to personal responsibility, the Lions’ Team will also be working to help our students become learners that are more independent. In this way, students gain confidence in their ability to learn and discover without an adult always “leading them by the hand.”
SVMS Planner
The planner is a spiral bound assignment book issued to all Seneca Valley Middle School students as an organizational tool. Lions Team students may only use this school issued planner! Each day, team teachers will write either the current assignment or “No Homework” on the board for students to copy into their planners.Please take time to look over your child’s planner, which includes important information in the front section regarding school wide policies. Encourage your child to use his/her planner by checking at home for accuracy and completeness each day. Lost or unused
planners are a detriment to everyone. Replacement planners may be purchased for $5.
Teacher/Team WebsitesAs a supplement to the planner, please also monitor the Lions Team website and teacher pages. The Lions Team website provides general information about the team and links to individual teacher websites and contact information. We use our team and personal websites quite a bit to post materials, homework, answer keys, absentee information, announcements, assignment help, class links, additional resources, etc. Please explore and use these resources often. You can access the Lions Team page by going to www.svsd.net and selecting the “7/8 Middle School” from the top drop down box. From there, use the link to the Lions Team under “Teams”. From our team page, you can access individual teacher pages by clicking on the teacher’s name.
Student Email and Office 365SVMS provides individual student email accounts that students should use to contact teachers or other students for school assignments. Students can log in to their email accounts and access ALL documents worked on at school at home. This is an extremely powerful and useful tool for students. No more excuses about not being able to access Word or school files! Using Office 365 your family also has the ability to download all Word products FREE of charge on up to FIVE devices! Please look for the details on this program in history class and on our team website.
SV Portal and GradebookStudent grades can be viewed on the SV Portal. The link for the SV Portal (https://portal.svsd.net/) can be found on both the district home page and the SVMS home page. Report cards and progress reports are no longer mailed home unless parents request it! Please check the Portal for these important items. Also, please be sure to keep your most current contact information on the Portal so teachers can send group and personal emails easily. Issues with login should be directed to the district secretary at 724.452.6040 x0.
Homework HubThis is an after school group where students have an opportunity to do
their homework and study for upcoming tests. SVMS teachers supervise homework Hub. In addition, high school students are sometimes available to provide assistance. Lions team teachers
send an agenda so students are aware of what they should be working on during this time. The group meets Tuesdays and
Thursdays until the 5 pm activity bus. Please see the form on the Lions Team Website if you are interested in this program or contact our team guidance counselor.
BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) and “One to One”Please visit the district website for more information on registering and use of devices. SVMS teachers may use BYOT during the year, but students are only to bring devices to class WHEN ASKED AHEAD OF TIME BY A TEACHER. Phones brought into our rooms without prior permission will be confiscated and turned in to the front office. More detailed BYOT use rules and procedures will follow in the weeks to come and will be posted on the Lions Team Website. We will be using BYOT much less this year as we transition as a district to “one to one” student devices. We appreciate your patience and learning curve with this transition.
Communication Using “Remind”During the school year we will be using the “Remind” app as a way of
communication with the team. As teachers, we can “text” reminders for the team. For example, we might text a reminder to bring a picture for a homeroom activity, wear a team color, bring a snack for PSSA’s, etc. The
reminders will ONLY be related to team and school activities and WILL NOT be used to remind students of homework, tests, etc. For individual teacher and class information, we encourage you to continue to use your student planner and our teacher websites.
To sign up, follow these steps:Text “@svlions” to the number 81010 or download the “Remind” App and enter “@svlions” as the class code.
Lions’ Team Homework/Assignments PhilosophyWe give homework because it reinforces what has been taught in class, prepares students for upcoming lessons, and helps students develop self-discipline, responsibility, and organizational skills. We ask that adults and students make homework a top priority, provide necessary supplies and a quiet work environment, provide praise and support, and contact us if they notice any problems. In the past, the primary reason that students have failed one or more courses in seventh grade is that they did not successfully complete all assigned homework in a timely manner (“studying” is also homework) and/or failed to consistently produce quality assignments. During homeroom on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the team teachers are available for academic assistance. Completing homework in homeroom is a bad academic habit; it encourages both procrastination and cheating among students. However, if a student needs help on a particular assignment, he or she should make a serious effort to complete it ahead of time and see the teacher during homeroom. Homework and other assignments must be turned in on time for full credit. Students who miss class for school-related activities should turn in assigned work before it is due. Again, this may be done before or during homeroom. Homework turned in late is unacceptable and subject to a reduction in grade based on the nature and point value of the assignment. Consider, for example, that simple completion assignments may not be accepted late as answers have already been reviewed in class. Teachers hold the right to determine the reduction of value in late work, so the best solution is to do the work on time!
AbsencesStudents will be responsible for making up homework or other class work missed due to absence. Students are expected to take the initiative to check the website or Absentee Center of a classroom independently. Please note that students who are present in school and miss one or more of our classes due to field trips, other school-related activities (i.e. band lessons, chorus/band rehearsal, Purpose, etc.), tardiness, or snow delays must still turn in assigned work on time. Homeroom would be an appropriate time to TURN IN work to team teachers, NOT to complete assignments! Extended vacation absences must be approved through the front office before teachers may provide work ahead of time.
Fieldtrips and FundraisersThe Lions Team tries to attend one fieldtrip and offer small incentives to students throughout the year. Unfortunately, the district provides zero funds for fieldtrip and transportation costs. Thus, we will ask your student for $25 to attend a fieldtrip this year. We offer ALL students the opportunity to cover this cost by participating in a team fundraiser. Please encourage your child to work for these funds! Make them sell for the fundraiser or do chores around the house. We would never ask you simply to write your child a check without experiencing the necessity of working for what he/she needs! We also encourage students to participate in the fundraiser because any extra money we obtain will be used for the students. In the past we have bought team t-shirts, provided a pizza lunch, bought prizes for straight A students, etc. Look for more information to come home and on our website about fundraising and field trips this year.
Classroom ExpectationsThe Lions’ Team expects appropriate classroom behavior and attitude at all times! Our goal is a classroom atmosphere that is relaxed yet conducive to learning. Accordingly, we expect the following from students:1. Arrive to class on time: Three tardies in any class results in
disciplinary action. Tardies should be minimal due to the proximity of team classrooms.
2. Be seated QUIETLY before the late bell rings with all needed materials (this includes having used the restroom or water fountain if needed).
3. RESPECT OTHERS: In our classrooms, we judge others by their actions and treatment of others and NOTHING else. In addition, students should show respect for others, including their teachers, by refraining from talking while others are talking and by handling school materials and others’ belongings carefully.
4. BYOT is to be used during class time for EDUCATIONAL use only and with TEACHER PERMISSION – there is no such thing as “free time” at SVMS. You should never bring technology to class or use it without teacher permission.
5. Behave appropriately, listen attentively, and exercise self-control (this includes no “toys” in school).
6. NO CHEATING in any form is permitted! Cheating results in an automatic zero. Our definition of cheating includes any situation in which you are not completely responsible for your own work. Such situations comprise, but are not limited to, copying from someone else’s test, quiz, or work during class; “borrowing” someone else’s homework to copy; asking students from an earlier class what questions were on a quiz or test; allowing a parent/guardian to complete your assignment for you.
7. The bell at the end of the period DOES NOT dismiss you from classes; WE DO! When the bell rings, all students will remain in their seats until teachers indicate they are dismissed. Any student who does not follow this directive will remain behind until all students have left the room.
8. BACKPACKS OR EXCESSIVELY LARGE PURSES/BAGS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN TEAM CLASSES! Your lockers and classes are very close, and teachers and students may trip over bags in small classroom settings.
9. Lions Team policy mandates that every student keep a novel with him/her at all times. This novel will be read on Friday mornings in homeroom during DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) and during other times as designated by team teachers. Students may select books from the middle school library or bring a school-appropriate novel from home.
10. WE ARE AN ALLERGY SAFE SCHOOL AND TEAM! Due to the large number of food, airborne, and contact related allergies in our school and on our team, there is absolutely no eating in classrooms. SEE THROUGH water bottles (no beverages aside from water inside) are permitted at teacher discretion. We also do not permit “smellies” of any kind: perfumes, body sprays, personal hand sanitizers, etc. Some of these items pose SERIOUS health risks to our students and will not be permitted per school and district policies. Should food or other items ever be needed in our rooms, the teachers will provide allergy safe alternatives.*All school-wide rules and procedures found in the Student Handbook
pages of your planner apply to the team and our classrooms though they may not be listed here.
If students do not live up to classroom expectations: First Time: Verbal warning/Student conference Second Time: Timeout (Alternative Learning Center “ALC”) Third Time: Timeout/Detention AND Parent contact/conference Fourth Time: Office/guidance referral
**Severe Disruptions: Sent immediately to the office or timeout. Students who follow classroom expectations will be rewarded with:
verbal praise and recognition; Student of the Month Recognition; participation in team activities such as field trips
and celebrations; good news postcards, emails, or phone calls home; personal satisfaction in a job well done!
Whoopsie!No one is perfect! For those times when you have a “whoopsie” moment, the team issues “whoopsie” passes each nineweeks. Students turn in “whoopsie” passes to use the restroom during class, excuse a tardy, go to lockers for forgotten materials, etc. Note that students may use the restroom, access lockers, etc. between classes, before school, during homeroom, lunch, etc. Students receive six
“whoopsie” passes the first nineweeks and four each of the remaining nineweeks. Once you turn in all your passes for the nineweeks, you are out of luck! Use them wisely! The purpose of passes is to teach personal responsibility and minimalize class and learning disruptions while giving students a little leeway. Passes may not be traded, “rolled over”, or otherwise misused or relied upon. Teachers maintain discretion when accepting and issuing “whoopsie” passes.
Lions’ Team “Student Information Pages”Please return only this page to your homeroom teacher by Monday,
September 11th.
Student’s Full Name:___________________________________________________
Student’s Birthdate:___________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Names:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Complete Primary Address:______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Primary Phone # (circle one: home / cell / work ): _____________________________
Secondary Phone # (circle one: home / cell / work ): ___________________________
*Email Address of Parent/Guardian: _______________________________________
Does your child have computer and internet access at home? ______yes ______no
Does your child have access to a printer at home? ______yes ______no
If necessary, please include additional information about where and with whom your student lives (mom, stepdad, grandparents, etc.), custody,
additional addresses, or people we would need to contact about your child.
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Please tell us a few things about your child. Feel free to include any insight on learning styles, physical/emotional/academic concerns, experiences they have encountered, and any general information that may help us better understand your child.
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Parent/Child Assignment: Please take the time to read the Seneca Valley Middle School Planner, which contains important information and school policies that were only highlighted briefly in class the first day. We would also like each family to investigate our Lions Team Website. Finally, review this Lions’ Team Handbook that was outlined with your student the first day of school. Return only this last page to your child’s homeroom teacher with signatures indicating that together you have completed the three tasks referenced. Please keep the rest of the Handbook at home for future reference.
Please sign/return this form to the homeroom teacher and purchase your school supplies by Monday, September 11th. Thank you!
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Guardian PRINTED Name Date Student PRINTED Name Date
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Guardian Signature Student Signature
