Welcome to Team Pegasus

August 2015 Dear students, parents, and guardians:

We hope you are enjoying summer, and are excited about a new experience at William Diamond Middle School – we are looking forward to having you! In the first few days of middle school, teachers and staff help you get settled in to the routines at Diamond, including finding your classes and using your locker.

Questions and Concerns: Please contact the team leaders, Mrs. Moser or Mrs. Boege, regarding questions or concerns about our team. E-mail is the most reliable way to reach us—as long as you type in the e-mail address correctly or use a link from Diamond’s website. We may direct your question to other staff as appropriate, including your guidance counselor Mr. Michael Kon, and/or assistant principal Mr. Bayard Klimasmith, who works with grade 6, especially.

The contacts on Team Pegasus are: (and our e-mail addresses are)

Mr. Baryard Klimasmith, Assistant Principal [email protected] Mr. Michael Kon, 6th grade Guidance [email protected] Mrs. Hillary Moser, English [email protected] Mrs. Catherine Boege, Ancient Civilizations [email protected] Mr. Ian Hall, Science [email protected] Mrs. Joanne Fagan, Math [email protected] Mrs. Lisa Flori, LLP liaison and small group English [email protected]

Organization: Organization is a key aspect of success in middle school. Staying organized for multiple teachers and subjects is a complex challenge. Teachers provide support and direction during class and “team time”, and are available for extra help (at lunch and before or after school) as needed. For students to take full advantage of our support, it is important to come prepared with the supplies listed in the first section on the other side of this letter. Individual teachers will clarify their own requests once school starts, but the first group of supplies will definitely be used, starting September 1st.

It is also useful for students to have a backpack or book-bag to transport the binder, books, gym clothes, lunch, etc. to and from school, but please do not purchase a wheeled pack. Book-bags or backpacks need to be left in student lockers during the school day, and wheeled packs generally do not fit.

We are looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you on to Team Pegasus!

Sincerely, The Team Pegasus teachers

PS: Don’t forget to use the checklist on the other side of this letter to shop for the school supplies you’ll need! Team Pegasus School-Supplies List

This group of supplies will definitely be necessary for students to be prepared for classes and stay organized. The first three items will be used each day from the start.  One box of tissues: Please bring on the first day of school and give to your homeroom teacher. This will help each class to have a supply of tissues all year.  One 2½ or 3-inch, three-ring binder: It is important that this be sturdy and easy to open and close. A clear plastic pocket on the cover is useful for your schedule, but heavy duty cloth binders are also fine.  Zipper pouch with several pencils, an eraser, at least one pen – blue, green, or purple, and two different color highlighters  Six heavy plastic pocket-dividers: These will be used to divide subjects and provide space for handouts including communication between home and school. One of these will be used as a homework folder.  An assignment book should NOT be purchased; this is provided at school.  12 dividers with tabs (no pockets) for sub-sections between pocket-dividers. These will be for your 4 subject classes.  Three-hole, lined, notebook paper – put about 30 sheets into the binder; keep the rest at home.  2 hardcover 100 page composition books and an independent reading novel that you haven’t yet read. These items are needed by the second week of school.  Basic or scientific (non-programmable) calculator  1 ½ inch binder for science class, which will be kept in your locker.  Fine-tipped black permanent marker

These supplies below are items teachers may suggest. Please do not purchase these until you see what is needed for all your other classes.  Several ½-inch or 1-inch binders for single subjects  Several spiral notebooks for single subjects

This group of items is optional. Teachers can usually provide these during class if they are necessary, but many students like to have their own at school.  USB flash drive: this is an efficient way to have work-in-progress available to you at home and school  Eight-color set of colored pencils or non-toxic markers (These are especially useful on the first few days of school.)  Protractor, ruler, pencil sharpener, hole re-enforcers  Sheet protectors – keep most of the supply at home

We are looking forward with great anticipation to an exciting year with you all. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in providing for a smooth start.

Sincerely, Team Pegasus