Sanford Middle School

The 5th Grade Orientation Information below is

designed to help students and parents become

familiar with Sanford Middle School.

Your Principal is Mr. Mark Russi

• To contact guidance, call 407-320-6154
   
• School Phone Number – 407-320-6150
   
• Our slogan is SMS- Where we Ride the Stars to Success!

• Our colors are Royal Blue and Gold. The Home of the Star Warriors

Some First Day Advice

     1. Bring a positive attitude
     2. Ask for help if you need it
     3. Learn all you can
     4. Listen to your teachers
     5. Bring a big smile
     6. Make new friends
     7. Respect others and they will respect you

Remember: You can do what you believe you can do!!

                  SMS is a friendly place. Respecting your
                  teachers, friends and family will help you
                  succeed at SMS!

During the first week of school your teachers will help you find all your classes as well as tell you about your lunchtime. They will make sure you get to your buses.

Schedule Pick-Up Day

A week before school begins you will receive a letter in the mail instructing you where to report for the first day of school. This will be your first period teacher. We will have a Schedule Pick-Up Day during the week before school. You can pick-up your schedule from your first period teacher. That same day you will be given a supply list. Planners will be available for purchase for approximately $5.00. Teachers will instruct students on the use of the planner. Planners are the primary means of communication between teachers and parents.

Bus Transportation

• Bus transportation is provided for students who live outside a two mile radius of school
• Bus drivers will contact students prior to school with their route number and pick-up time
• Officials from transportation will be available during our Schedule Pick-Up Day to answer questions.
• Bus students are expected to follow bus safety procedures.

Academic Life

Learning is the emphasis at SMS. You always need to apply what you learned at elementary school to your work at SMS. Always try to be relaxed and it will help you do better on tests. Make sure you do all of the classwork and homework to guarantee success. At the end of each class try to summarize what you learned; it will help you remember the information. It is a good idea to study each night the material you learned during the day. This will make it easy to review for your tests!!

Be Prepared for Class

This is one of the key things you need to do in order to be successful at Sanford Middle. Follow these simple ideas:

• Have all your supplies for class
• Do your homework and make sure it is correct
• Make sure all your work is organized
• Study for tests
• Always use your planner
  
  

Absence Policy

Start your middle school years by making an effort to come to school everyday. If you are absent make sure to bring a note from home or from the doctor so that you will be excused. You will be given one day for every day you are absent plus one day to make up your schoolwork. Your grade could be lowered by your absence. If you know you are going to be sick for awhile have your parents call the school to arrange to pick up your assignments and you can work on them at home so that you don’t get behind. Homework requests can be taken if a child is out for 3 or more days. Teachers need a 24hr notice to prepare make-up work and homework requests for students.

After an absence, immediately upon return to school but no later than two (2) school days following an absence, the student must provide the school with documentation indicating that one of the following has occurred if he/she wishes that absence(s) to be excused:

• Medical treatment by a licensed physician*

• Observance of a religious holiday

• Law enforcement order or court subpoena

• Death of a family member

• Natural disaster

• Traffic accident that directly involves the student

• Extraordinary circumstances or situations, parent arrranged and with Principal permission.

Parents/guardians of students are expected to provide an explanation of their child’s absence(s) from school whenever such absences occur without the permission of the principal.

Appropriate Dress

• Wear closed toe comfortable shoes. Most of our students wear tennis shoes.
• Wear clothing that does not distract you or others from learning.
• Shorts, skirts, dresses should be long enough to reach your mid-thigh or longer.
• Shirts should cover you completely. Any writing on them should be appropriate for school.
• Hats should be left at home.
• If you have questions about dress code, please look at that section in your planner.

Friends

When you come to Sanford Middle you will meet many new students from the other elementary schools and you will find that you will be able to make friends very quickly. Be yourself and choose friends you like. Don’t be somebody you aren’t and always be a good friend back! Your teachers and friends will accept you as you are. Even though you are entering a new school, popularity is not the key to success. If you are a good friend you will find that you will have good friends. Try not to gossip and listen to rumors. That is the fastest way to lose a friend. If you find you are having trouble with a friend or someone else who is bothering you in some way come to the discipline office and write a statement. One the deans will help you resolve any problems.

Social Life

At SMS we have lots of fun and social things that you can be involved in with your friends. We have really cool things like spirit days (You can dress up as 50s, 70s, favorite college, and even backwards). There are also dances; volleyball games, and track meets. These are fun times to spend after school with your friends. You can also join activities like student council where your opinion really counts. A great time to be with your friends is during lunch. You can sit anywhere you want - inside or outside – and be with any friends you choose to eat with.

School Organizations and Clubs

School is a lot more fun when you get involved in the activities offered. The following is a list of some of the activities we offer.

Gifted Program

Students must qualify for the Gifted Program through testing with a psychologist. The gifted program in Seminole County is committed to the belief that each identified student is an individual with great potential. This commitment requires that each student has guidance in discovering, developing and realizing his/her potential as an individual and as a member of society. Each student will receive:

• An educational plan that reflects individual strengths and weaknesses, interests and learning steps;

• Differentiated curriculum and instructional strategies;

• The acquisition of a realistic self-image; and

• Exposure to experiences which foster a positive attitude toward the creative process and an appreciation of aesthetics.

• In addition, the following will be incorporated into the program. The development of Thinking skills - critical/creative thinking skills; Research and Communication - research skills, study skills, test taking skills, public speaking skills; Affective - risk taking skills, self-concept improvement, peer relationships and adjustment to middle school life; and exploration.

IB Prep & Standard

While all students are required to take the four core academic courses each year, there are three general courses of study: Standard, some advanced level courses, or International Baccalaureate Preparatory Program (all advanced level courses and Foreign Language) which is available to academically challenge students and to prepare students for the International Baccalaureate Program at Seminole High School. The IB-Prep. program follows a different, more rigorous and faster paced curriculum than the standard level course. Students will be expected to invest more time in homework, projects, research activities as well as perform at a higher level than in the standard level course. While advanced level courses are SELF-SELECT courses, a student must go through a registration process to become a IB-Prep student.

After-School Tutorial

After-school tutoring sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 4 – 5 PM. Students participating in tutoring sessions will meet in the cafeteria. 

Registration Process

1. Each incoming 6^th grade student will receive a curriculum guide and a 6^th Grade Registration Form.
2. We have 7 academic periods.
3. Four of these periods are the required core courses of math, science, language arts, and geography.
4. IB-Prep students take all advanced level/IB-Prep core course.
5. Non IB-Prep students may take many advanced level core subjects as they want or all standard level core subjects.
6. All 6^th graders also take 1 semester of PE and 1 semester of computer keyboarding.
7. The core subjects, plus PE and computer keyboarding, equal 5 of the 7 academic periods.
8. That leaves the equivalent of 4 semester (.5) electives for the 6^th graders to choose from the list of 34 electives on the registration sheet.
9. IB-Prep students are required to take the “Introduction to Spanish” leaving those students with three 1-semester elective courses.
10. Please note the very important direction about choosing 12 electives and rank ordering them. This is critical because we need to put alternative choices into the computer.
11. Students with low FCAT scores will take Intensive Math and/or Intensive Reading in place of 1 or 2 electives.

In summary, students indicate the level of core courses the students want, and then the students choose 12 electives.

Cafeteria

There are a variety of options available in the cafeteria. Value Meals are available for 2.75. Ala Carte items are also available. Beverages range from 50 cents to 1.00. All students requesting Free or Reduced Lunches MUST complete an lunch application each school year to qualify.

Immunization 

Most students coming in from Seminole County Public Schools will have the necessary immunizations for 6^th grade. Students from private schools will need to present a blue 680 form. Students entering 7^th grade are required to have an additional immunization.

R.I.C.H.

As a Sanford Star, you must learn to shine brightly. Luckily, you have a crew of people working with you at Sanford Middle to help you achieve your goal. You will have the opportunity to get R.I.C.H. during this journey. R.I.C.H. stands for Responsibility, Integrity, Caring, and Honesty and is a vital part of your journey. We want all our Sanford Stars to reach their fullest potential!

Supplies for the start of School

The supply list for each grade level will be available on schedule pick-up day and will be available on our web site.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some answers to some questions you might have about life at Sanford Middle.

• Will I have a locker in sixth grade?

        No, your teachers will issue you an extra set of textbooks to use at home and you will have a set in the classroom to use when you are at school. You will use a backpack to carry your supplies.

• Do I get to pick my teachers and what will my schedule be?

        No, both teacher assignments and schedules are computer generated. You may pick up your schedule during Schedule Pick-up, a few days before school opens. Look for your letter in the mail for date and time.

• What do I bring with me to class?

        You will need to bring your planner, folders, paper, pencils and other things your teachers require. You will get your team supply list where you will be told exactly what supplies you will need.

• What do I do if I am late?

        If you arrive at school after school begins you must sign in at the front office. You will receive a tardy slip that will admit you to class. If you are tardy too many times your parents will be contacted by guidance.

• What can I buy for lunch and how much does lunch cost?

        Each day you can choose a hot lunch, snack items, french fries, pizza and blue slushies. Full price lunch costs $2.75. Reduced price lunch is $0.40. If you are on a lunch program this year you will be carried over for the first 10 days of school. During that time you must complete a new lunch application. Most students spend about $2.75 a day for lunch.

• Do I have to dress out for P. E.?

        Yes, you can either buy Sanford Middle shorts and t-shirts, or bring in your own. The P.E. uniform costs approximately $15.00. You will also need sneakers and socks. Be sure to put your name on your clothes and shoes. You will be given a gym locker where all your other clothes will be stored.

• May I check out books from the Media Center?

        Yes: you may check out one book at a time and keep them for as long as four weeks. If more are needed for a report or a project, our Media Specialist will work with you. You cannot check out any other books if you have any overdue library books. You may come in before school from 8:30 until homeroom to visit the media center. Any other time will require a pass from your teacher.

• How many classes will I have and how long are they?

        You will have seven classes plus homeroom. Each class is about 45 minutes long except on Wednesday and Thursday when we have block days. Homeroom class is held only on Wednesday. In this class you will work on RICH activites and reading.

• How will I find my classes?

        You may follow your schedule when you come to Schedule Pick-up day and your teachers will help you during the first week of school.

• How much homework can I expect each night?

        Students should write all assignments in their planners daily. Homework is given to reinforce, review, and practice what you learn in class. Most nights you should be able to finish your homework in an hour or less. Make sure you give yourself time for studying for tests as well as your written assignments. Make a plan for yourself before you begin school. Every night set an hour aside – pick a time that will work for you. Pick a well-lighted, quiet place with a flat surface to write. Complete assignments every day & then put them in your folder and into your book bag.

        We have a homework hotline that can be called in the evenings to hear a recording of a teacher's assignment for that day. This is a great way to keep up when you are one day absent. You can reach your teams homework hotline through the main school number (407-320-6150).

• Do I get to sit with my friends at lunch?

        You may sit wherever you wish with your friends. Students eat lunch inside the cafeteria and mingle with friends outside our patio area. Most 6th grade students will have the same lunch period so you will be able to meet your friends.

• How do I get to see my Guidance Counselor?

        You may ask your teacher for a pass to guidance or you may stop into the guidance office during lunch or before class to sign up. You will fill out a form to see your counselor and you will be called from class. You must present a pass to your teacher in order to be excused to come to the guidance office.