Come to Family, School, and Community Club S Parent Academy

Want to know more about how you can help your child learn? Are you interested in learning more Spring Mills Middle School? Does math frighten you? Want to know how to deal with your ever changing middle school child?

IF SO. . .

COME TO FAMILY, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY CLUB’S PARENT ACADEMY!!!!!!!

When: Thursday September 3, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Spring Mills Middle School

Cost: None to SMMS parents and other interested parties

 Everyone will have the opportunity to attend three sessions: (Number your top five choices. We will assign on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive your choices the night of the conference.)

_____ Bring Your Own Device to the classroom and the use of apps in education Presenters: Steve Tidd, 7th grade teacher Learn how a Smart Phone can help a student be smarter! Free Phone apps provide students the opportunity to study and practice academic skills at home, in the car, or while waiting at the doctor’s office. This workshop will help save you time by avoiding useless downloads. The apps shared in this session are student-tried and teacher-approved. Parents, what better way to help your child than sharing this technology.

_____ What is Common Core Math? Presenter: Jeremy Knight, 8th grade teacher We’ve all seen the ridiculous math homework problems on the internet. “Engineer mom says she can’t do her daughter’s 5th grade math homework.” Come see what the fuss is all about. The session will explain the thinking and justifying behind your student’s “new math.” Same math – deeper understanding!

_____ Engrade Presenter: Dave Mongada, 8th grade teacher Parents will be able to learn how to use Engrade, how teachers use Engrade, and how students use Engrade. Parents will practice sending messages, looking at grades, and other tools of Engrade.

____ Run Club Presenter: Paige Fischer, Special Education teacher This year Spring Mills Middle School is introducing the Spring Mills Sprinters. This is a running club open to all grade levels. The club will be an afterschool club. The focus of the club will be on health, nutrition, and fitness. To learn more sign up for this workshop or email Paige Fischer ([email protected]) or Julia Campbell ([email protected]).

_____ Electronic Resources Presenter: Karen Greenfield, Library Media Specialist Spring Mills Middle School students have access to many online resources. During this workshop you will be introduced to several of the resources available through our library. We have over 900 e-books, databases, and tutorials that all Berkeley County students can use for free. This will be hands-on demonstration where you can explore these sites for yourself.

____ Exploring the World of Special Education Presenter: Jolie Nunn, Special Education teacher Open to all parents, this session explains the ins and outs of special education and what it could mean for your child.

_____ Tech Exploration for Learning Skills and Career Awareness Presenter: Lisa Slonaker, Unified Arts Come and explore the many computer programs that help your child with their learning and career awareness. We will be using SMMS website to access Brainpop and Peter’s Typing as well as Edmodo, Microsoft, and CFWV. Parents will get hands-on experience with each of these programs.

_____ Movin’ On Up – from 5th grade to Middle School Presenters: Mindy Toler, 6th grade teacher and Wendy Kiser, 6th grade teacher A few 6th grade teachers will share the Great Expectations of the first year of middle school and explore the differences between the intermediate and middle school worlds.

____ ZOOMWV – What can it tell me about my child’s school? Presenter: Nancy White, principal Join SMMS Principal Nancy White to explore West Virginia’s newest source of online school data. You will learn more about SMMS, as well as, all schools in West Virginia. This is valuable information for you now and as your child progresses through the school system. Be “in the know” – attend this workshop on September 3rd.

_____ Using the new Office 365 resource Presenter: Laura Brown, Technology Services Students are now using the new Office 365 for email and other features. Attend this workshop and learn about the excitement of Office 365 and see how students can use Office 365 to increase student learning. ____ How to Learn a World Language for FREE Presenter: Beth Apolinar, 7th and 8th grade world language teacher Parents will be introduced to several language learning resources through the Martinsburg Public Library. There will be a brief walkthrough of these programs, and attendees will even start learning the language of their choice that evening!

____ Smooth Transition + Parent Involvement = High School Success! Presenter: Marjorie Lynch, SMHS staff Learn about ways to support your student as they transition into high school – topics will include how to help your child acclimate to a new social and academic environment and how to help them explore all the opportunities that high school can bring.

____ SMMS Extended Day Program Presenter: Nancy Melonas, Assistant Principal SMMS offers a variety of extended day activities. These activities provide students with opportunities for math tutoring at all three grade levels. Additionally, many of the activities are fun-filled learning activities where students have an opportunity to learn and develop new friendships.

_____ Exploring Science Presenters: Mark Clark, 7th grade teacher and Sherry Headley, 7th grade teacher Parents will explore science experiments and the nature of what is generally covered in science classes in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Emphasis will be on exploring the scientific method and what is expected of your child.

____ Popular Books for Teens (even for the most “reluctant” of readers) Presenters: Nicole Frankenfield, 7th grade teacher and Candida Vass, 7th grade teacher Parents will learn of the ways they can support independent reading at home. Whether your child is a reluctant of an avid reader, emphasis will be on what you can do to promote literacy in your child’s life. Information on the best resources in adolescent literacy, a book “Speed-Dating” activity to familiarize yourself with popular titles, and engaging conversations are all to be expected in this interactive session.

____ Using Online Textbook in math Presenters: Shawn Julock, 7th grade teacher and Jenna Ferko, 7th grade teacher This workshop is for 7th grade parents who want to know more about the new online textbook for math. Come learn how to easily logon to the online textbook and get a brief overview of all the tools and resources available.

____ The Unified Arts Rotation: How Does It Work? Presenter: Jessica Ruqus, choir teacher Open to all parents, this session explains how the new unified arts rotation will operate during the 2015-2016 school year.

____ Athletics at SMMS – Developing a winning attitude Presenters: Colton Corey, 8th grade teacher and Dave Mongada, 8th grade teacher Parents and students will learn about expectations for being on a Spring Mills sports team. The main focus will be on basketball, but the information will cover a general synopsis of how student-athletes need to perform on and off the playing field/court in order to develop a winning attitude towards life.

____ Understanding Your Middle Schooler Presenters: Bridget Snapp, guidance counselor and Holly Sweeney, guidance counselor A talk with such topics as building a relationship with your teen, the teen brain, natural consequences, comfort vs. growth, passing on a legacy, moving away from manager position to coaching, etc.

____ Immunization Information – The What, When, and Why of it all Presenter: Jan Wertman, School Nurse The school nurse will discuss the 7th and 12th grade immunization requirements and recent vaccine-related news.

____ Emergency Preparedness Presenter: Captain Tracey Guilliams, The Salvation Army Learn how to prepare your family for an emergency and how you can have a plan and be ready. Learn what assistance is available after a small, medium, or large disaster.

____ What do all the numbers mean? Presenters: Maranda Ralph, 8th grade teacher and Laura Giles, data specialist This session will discuss the scores from assessments that students take throughout the year. We will discuss the importance and relevance of administrating such assessments. This session will also discuss SPL and its importance to student growth.

____ Digital Citizenship Presenter: Cheryl Reid, 7th grade teacher Concerned about your child’s safety or behavior online? Not sure if you should give in to getting a mobile phone for your middle schooler? Worried your tween is setting up alias accounts that you can’t monitor? Find ideas, solutions, and shared parent discussions with Common Sense Media, a free online parent resource.

Parent Name(s) Attending Workshop ______

______

Your child at SMMS ______Homeroom ______

PLEASE RETURN THIS NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1ST SO YOU CAN BE SCHEDULED FOR THESE GREAT WORKSHOPS! Additional information please contact Sherry Headley at [email protected].