Welcome Packet
By Christine Sybert
Welcome to Sixth Grade!
Mr. Hughes - Science
Ms. McCarty - Language Arts
Mrs. Sybert - Math
Mrs. Standland - Social Studies
Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to Oak Grove Middle School! We are excited about this year and about getting to know each of you. This packet includes several pages of important information that will help us get off to a great start. Please read and discuss its contents together. Also, keep it handy throughout the school year for quick reference. Please note that the last pages of the packet need to be completed by a parent or guardian and returned to school tomorrow.
Because we know our students are very capable, our expectations are very high. We expect you to follow our classroom rules, as well as school rules and district policies. We expect you to do your best on all assignments, turn them in on time, and study for tests. We expect you to follow directions the first time they are given and to treat everyone with respect. If you will work hard to live up to these expectations, we will have a great year!
Middle school can be quite an adjustment for students, so please ask your child how things are going. Encouraging your child to develop organizational skills is key to his/her success. Using planners is one way we guide students in keeping up with important information - writing down important dates, homework assignments, project dates, grades, etc…
Besides posting grades on ActiveParent, we will post important announcements on Remind and/or our webpages at schoolblocks.com. Progress reports will be sent home at the middle of each nine-week term. We can be contacted by email, a call to the school, or by sending a note with your child. Our goal is to be accessible to you and keep the lines of communication open.
Again, we look forward to a great year! We will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have.
Sincerely,
Ben Hughes
Laura Beth McCarty
Tina Sybert
Carol Standland
Expectations for all classes
We expect the following for each of our classes:
All students to work on the lessons assigned and to complete work on time.
All students to be respectful toward teachers and classmates.
All students to achieve to the BEST of their abilities.
All students to seek us out for help and NEVER give up.
OGMS Classroom Rules
Treat yourself, others, and the school with respect.
When you enter the classroom, go directly to your seat and begin work.
Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Speak at appropriate times, using appropriate voice and language.
Follow all school and handbook rules.
OGMS has zero tolerance for fighting/instigating a fight, and the use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol.
Discipline
Students are expected to behave appropriately for a classroom setting. In the event of behavior resulting in the disruption of learning, we will use the following:
The first offense - a verbal warning
The second offense - a short form will be sent home
On the third short form, a long discipline form will be sent to the office. This does include a visit to the principal.
**In the case of a severe disruption, we will go directly to a long discipline form.
Attendance
Each teacher will take attendance by class period. Students are allowed no more than 12 absences per class in a year long class and no more than 6 in a semester class. In order to be exempt from the final exam of a class, your child must maintain a 90% average or above in that subject each nine-week term. Also, the student may not have more than 4 absences for the year in a year long class or no more than 2 absences in a semester class.
Make-Up Work Policy
If a student is absent from class for one day, he/she will be allowed one day to complete any written assignments he/she may have missed. If a student is absent for more than one day, he/she will be given two to five days to complete work, according to the number of days missed and the time remaining in the grading period. All absences must be EXCUSED in order for the students to make up the assignments, so please remember to send a parent note or doctor’s excuse to school on the day the student returns. If your child misses a test, he/she will be given the opportunity to make up the test when he/she returns.
Graded Work
Students are responsible for sharing their graded/returned papers with their parents. Extra credit assignments will not be given to improve grades.
Grading Scale
100-90 | A |
89-80 | B |
79-70 | C |
69-65 | D |
Below 65 | F |
ActiveParent
You will have access to your student’s grades through the ActiveParent website. You can go to www.lamarcountyschools.org then click on the ActiveParent link. Sign up for service, then create a username and password. Finally, you will need to call the school office at (601) 264-4634 to be activated.
Teacher Websites and Email Addresses
Our teacher websites will contain important information about what is going on in the classroom and at school. You can go to ogms.lamarcountyschools.org and click on Teachers & Staff, then select your child’s teacher. You can email us through our websites, or you can email us directly. In addition, you can sign up to be notified by text when teachers send out notices through Remind.
Ben Hughes - Science - ben.hughes@lamark12.org
Laura Beth McCarty - Language Arts - laurabeth.mccarty@lamark12.org
Tina Sybert - Math - christine.sybert@lamark12.org
Carol Standland - Social Studies - carol.standland@lamark12.org
***Please be aware that all parent/teacher conferences must be scheduled through the office at (601) 264-4634.
Student Planner
Please check your child’s planner daily!!!! He/she is responsible for writing down homework assignments and test dates each day. He/she must bring the planner with him/her to school daily. Students are not allowed out of class unless the hall pass section has been filled out and signed by the teacher. Planners also help develop organizational skills.
PG Movies
Occasionally we may have an opportunity to show movies in the classroom. (The majority of the movies will be related to a book that we have read in the classroom, but some may be used as a reward.) Some of these movies may be rated PG. We screen these movies carefully, but would like your permission for your child to watch any that we have chosen. Please sign and return the permission slip for our records. Thank you for your cooperation.
Student Information Sheet
Student Name _________________________ Birthdate ___________
Address _________________________________________________ Phone # ____________________
Father’s name______________________________________________
Place of Employment _________________________ work # _________
Email address ______________________________ cell # __________
Mother’s name _____________________________________________
Place of Employment _________________________ work # _________
Email address ______________________________ cell # __________
Are there any health problems or concerns you need to share with us?
I give my permission for ____________________________ to watch the PG movies that have been selected by the teachers.
Parent signature: _________________________________