CONTACT INFORMATION

• Call the Middle School at 973-697-1980, to arrange a  conference.  

• Conferences may be scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

• Leave a message for any team teacher. We will return your call as soon as possible.

TEAM GOALS

• To integrate communications skills both in verbal and written forms throughout all disciplines.  

  We are finding that many students are extremely weak at expressing themselves verbally and, especially, in writing.  As a result, we are placing a major emphasis on these skills.  All classes will incorporate oral reports as a part of assessment.  All tests will have a question asking the student to explain how he or she reached the conclusion.  All classrooms have signs, "Spelling Counts."

• To help the children become more responsible concerning their schoolwork and in communicating with their parents.

• We continue to teach the children that they must be responsible for achieving success and must not rely on others to "do it for them."   Therefore, we will not give grace periods for homework, without reason.  The children will be expected to seek out teachers for any extra help they might need prior to taking a test, not after taking the test.  They are also responsible for keeping their agenda books up to date, including keeping an accurate record of their grades. 

• The Six Gold team teachers will not initiate the teacher signing of the agenda book.  That will be used only when other alternatives have been exhausted.  We believe that parents should give consequences for irresponsible behavior. 

FAQ's

Following are questions frequently asked by parents, especially at the beginnings of marking periods. 

Please take the opportunity to read the suggestions of the Six Gold teachers.   

1. How do I know what my son/daughter’s homework assignments are?

Check his or her agenda book.  All team teachers take time out of their classes each week to provide students time to record their assignments.  Some teachers even stamp the assignments at the beginning of each week.

2. What if my son/daughter does not bring home the agenda book?

            Encourage your child to bring his or her agenda book home every evening.  It is the key to communication and organization.  If this becomes a problem, set up a daily consequence.  (For example, if your child brings the agenda book home for you to check, he or she gets “x” minutes of phone time that evening; if he or she forgets the agenda book, phone privileges for that evening are denied.)  Consequences that allow your child to “start fresh” each day and are immediate seem to be the best practice at this level.  Consistency is also a critical component. Do not accept excuses.  Simply explain they will be given a fresh start the next day!

3. What if my student says that he/she completed the assignments in Excel or in class or that he/she  left the work in the locker?

            You have a few options here.  Explain to your child that he or she is required to bring home all assignments, even if they are completed.  If your child is resistant to this, use the “daily consequences” approach as previously explained in question #2.  Check to see that the assignments are in alignment with the recorded assignments.  Accordingly, the agenda book should be kept in neat, legible order with all pages left in and no assignments crossed out.

            Your second option is to require your child to get the teacher’s signature to indicate the homework was finished in class, again implementing the “daily consequence” approach if  necessary.   Remember, students at this age level can be quite creative with their excuses; do not accept them and remind them they will get a fresh start the next day.  Again, consistency is paramount.

4. What if I know my child has completed an assignment but does not turn it in when they get to school?

            Unfortunately, it is impossible for a teacher to grade an assignment that has not been turned in.  It is important to explain to your child that completing the assignment is the hard part; turning it in should be the easy part.  The key here is organization!  Once your child has completed the assignment, the student needs to have a consistent spot where assignments for each class will be kept.   “In their book bag” is NOT a good place.  A folder designated for each class would be more efficient.  Most team teachers have distributed folders for this purpose.

5. What should I look for when my student is working on their assignments?

  Students’ assignments should:

• be done in complete sentences.

• show work on all math problems.

• be legible if hand-written.

• show pride in presentation.

6. How can I help my child develop good study skills?

• Set aside specific time each evening for homework .
• Have your child work in a well lighted area, free of distractions such as music and television.
• Have an area that is conducive to work- a desk or table is best - not a bed.
• Get a large desk calendar to help keep track of both academic and social responsibilities; this will help students budget their time.

7. How can I help my child study for tests?

          Often students at this age think that studying for a test is just reviewing notes or skimming the book, but it requires more effort than that.   By sixth grade much of the information your children are learning is no longer a review of past years and will require more critical thinking.  Methods for studying should include the following:

• drill and practice, (especially good for studying for math tests).
• your child “teaching you” what has been learned.
• flash cards and practice tests (for math, odd problem answers are in the back of the book, so students can check their answers).
• study guides provided for many units.

8.  What if my child still does not understand the material?

            Most of the team teachers have helped to set up study buddies. Students are encouraged to form study groups for upcoming tests and to consult a study buddy for clarification on an assignment. Students have access to extra help from their teachers during Excel periods.  All team teachers are available during this time.