PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK
2007-2008
WE BELIEVE
September 2007
WELCOME TO YOUR SCHOOL
Dear
Student, Parents and Guardians,
On behalf of the Wissahickon Middle
School Staff, I welcome you to WMS. This
handbook will assist you to become familiar with
I look forward to assisting you during
the school year. It is my hope that you
become successful both in your studies and social life while at WMS. You can make it a better place and I
challenge each of you to share your ideas and concerns. As we work together, in the coming years, we
will create a learning environment that challenges, listens and encourages each
member of our learning community to be the best they can be.
Be Respectful, Responsible and Caring.
Ms.
Lyn Fields
Principal
WMS
Wissahickon Middle School
Ambler,
215-619-8110
Fax Number
215-619-8111
Website: www.wsdweb.org
Lyn Fields, Principal
Tom Andrzejewski, Assistant Principal
Charles Malone, Assistant Principal
This Student Handbook belongs to:
Name:_____________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________
Phone:__________________________Homeroom
#_______
Guidance
Counselor_________________________________
WISSAHICKON SCHOOL DISTRICT
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK
Signature Page
September 2007
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Please sign your name on the appropriate line in the section
below, on reverse side and inside the back cover. We would very much appreciate your completing
a signature page for each student you have attending
- Your signature acknowledges that you have received your copy of the Wissahickon Middle School Parent/Student Handbook and have had the opportunity to review it with your son or daughter. If in reading it you have any questions or concerns, please call the appropriate guidance counselor or administrator.
- If and when it becomes necessary, this page will be used to verify your signature on any correspondence, which you forward.
- Your signature indicates that your child has reviewed and understands Bus Rules, Internet Policies and Sexual Harassment Policies.
Your cooperation is requested in ensuring that this page is submitted to your students homeroom teacher/1st period teacher, no later than the first Friday in September.
Thank you.
Date
_____________________________
Students Name_____________________________________ Homeroom__________
__________________________________ _________________________________
Signature - Mother Stepmother/Guardian (circle one)
__________________________________ _________________________________
Signature- Father
Stepfather/Guardian (circle one)
PLEASE SIGN ALL SECTIONS ALONG
WITH THE PLEDGE FOR CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOUND INSIDE THE BACK COVER,
DETACH AND RETURN TO SCHOOL BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007
Rules for Riding the School Bus
1. Respect your bus driver and fellow students.
2. Stand in line to board the bus. No pushing or shoving while waiting in line.
3. Go directly to your seat. No changing seats once the bus is in motion.
4. Do not throw anything inside or outside of the bus.
5. No eating, drinking or chewing gum.
6. No inappropriate language (cursing).
7. No bullying on the bus (fighting, pushing or shoving).
8. No loud talking.
9. Do not delay bus departure go directly to your assigned bus.
10. All school rules apply while riding on the bus.
I understand and agree to observe and uphold the
School Bus Safety Rules.
Ψ Student Signature_________________________________________________
I understand that riding the bus is a privilege and may be revoked if my child does not follow expectations of good behavior.
Ψ Parent Signature_____________________________________
**********************************************************************
I understand and agree to abide by the Internet Use Agreement listed in
Appendix E
Ψ
Student Signature
________________________________________________
Ψ Parent Signature _________________________________________________
**********************************************************************
I understand the Sexual Harassment Policy of
Ψ Student Signature ____________________________________
Ψ
Parent Signature
_________________________________________________
Quick Reference Locator for WMS
Ambler, PA 19002-3597
Main
Office
. (215)
619-8110
Principal
(215) 619-8134
Assistant
Principal for grades 6, 7
..(215) 619-8133
Assistant
Principal for grade 8
(215) 619-8132
Nurse
. (215) 619-8110, Ext. 2148
Reporting
Student Absences
. (215)
619-8110, Ext. 2109
Bus
Garage
(215) 619-8114
Band
Office
. (215)
619-8110, Ext. 2156
Faculty
Manager
(215)
619-8110, Ext. 2153
Wissahickon
Information Line
.. (215)
619-8055
Wissahickon
Snow Emergency Number
****314****
Wissahickon
School District Web Site
.
..
www.wsdweb.org
WMS Team Designations
Sixth
Grade
Orion
..
..
.. OR
...Leo
LE
...Pegasus
.
.. PG
...Gemini
..
GM
...Pisces
..
.. PS
Seventh
Grade
...Knights
..
.... KN
...Ivy
League
.
IL
...Spartans
SP
Eighth
Grade
..Warriors
.
WR
...Diplomats
.. DP
...Generals
GN
Emergency Opening/Closing
Information
In case of
inclement weather or other emergency situations, please listen to local radio
stations, or your cable television stations.
KYW-1060, WCAU 1210, WGHW 110,
WNPV 1440 Comcast Cable Channel
16
WIP 610 announced by name Suburban Cable Channel 3
Announced as number 314
Parent-Teacher Council Executive Board
Presidents Gail Silverman gailbeth7719@concast.net
Co-President Paula Wolner paulaw98@yahoo.com
Vice President Burunda Prince-Jones burunda@comcast.net
Recording Secretary Pat Guaglianone patguag@msn.com
Corresponding Secretary Karen Hornbaker kbhornbaker@concast.net
Treasurer Gail Owens owenslewis@comcast.net
PROBLEM SOLVING LOCATOR
Attendance
.
Mrs.
Lentz
Bus
Discipline Problems
..
..Mr. Malone
Bus Is
Late
Bus Garage (215) 619-8114
Change of
Address, Transfer, Withdrawal
.
Guidance
Co-curricular
Activities
.
Teacher in Charge of Activity
.... Pages 9, 10, 11
Concerns
Review Process
.
.Page 22
Detention
Classroom
Teacher; Counselor; Assistant Principal
Discipline
Problem Observed -Nearest Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Asst. Principal
Education
Trip Request
.
..Principal
Free Lunch
Program.
.
...
Principal
Grade or
Instructional Questions
..
Classroom Teacher; Counselor
Health
First/Aid.
.
..
Mrs. Eileen Lieber (nurse)
Library
...
Librarian
Locker
Problems
.
Homeroom Teacher; 2nd Floor Office; Building Supervisor
Lost Items
On Bus
..Your Bus Driver, Bus Garage
Lost Items
In School
.
..Teacher; Main Office; Lost & Found
Lost
Library Book
Librarian
Lunch
Prices
..
.
..Handbook, Page 19
Parent/Teacher
Organization
.president
.
..
Gail Silverman
Physical
Education Excuse Notes
Your Physical Education Teacher
Problems/Academic
Advice
..
.
..
6 Ms. Randolph
..
.
..
.
.
7
Mr. Ebert
..
..
..
..
..
.8 Ms. Grant
School Bus
Information
Bus Garage; Assistant Principal
School
Closing
..
KYW School Closing Number 314
School
Store Questions
..
Thursdays, during lunches; Parent Council Members
WIN TEAM:
..Counselor;
Assistant Principal; Classroom Teacher; WIN Team
Where To Go
In The Morning
.
...
.6 Cafeteria
..
..
7 Old Gym
..
..
8 New Gym
A BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR SCHOOL
Our school was founded in 1975 when Ambler Junior High and Shady Grove Junior High merged. At first it was composed of grades seven and eight. Adopting a middle school philosophy, the sixth grade became part of the program. The building was enlarged in 1990 with additions of the atrium, the current 6th grade classrooms, the family and consumer science rooms and the new gymnasium.
The student body chose a Native American Warrior as the school mascot. This symbol challenges us to participate in sports as experienced fighters who possess wisdom and who endure in hardship. The use of a Native American symbol was in keeping with the Native American word, Wissahickon".
The colors of green and gold also were chosen by the students to demonstrate a unique and special place, apart from the high school and different from the two schools that had merged to create WMS. The green color represents our heritage from Shady Grove and the gold is our heritage from Ambler Junior High. In 1997, it was decided to unify the entire district by adopting the blue and gold colors of the high school.
The prestigious awarding of a Blue Ribbon School status was presented to the school in 1984, which gave our school national recognition for its quality program.
In 2001-2002, the
Among the many activities that make this school special are the Black Dog Jazz Band and the stringed instrument program. We have raised thousands of dollars for charity through the Jump Rope for Heart, Pennies for the Homeless and Change for Change programs. One outstanding event continues to be the Sixth Grade Camping Trip as a culminating educational experience for that grade. Students can participate in the Student Council, school newspaper and yearbook, as well as chorus and numerous student related activities.
Our school is composed of many individuals with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We believe that all individuals can learn and excel and that we have a community responsibility to maintain the standards and traditions of our school.
In 1998, WMS adopted the motto of WMS 3 RsRespect, Responsibility, Results. Our theme this year, 2007-2008, is We Believe. We will continue our focus on good manners and doing your best. The Theme-Recognition Committee yearly works to provide ideas and activities to celebrate our theme.
WMS continues its commitment to abide by the No Taunting Pledge established during the 2000-2001 school year. It is an important pledge which will assist our school with this years theme. Remember what it says as we interact with each other and pledge to be part of the solution not create the problem.
NO TAUNTING PLEDGE
I will pledge to be part of
the solution.
I will eliminate taunting
from my own behavior.
I will do my part to make my
community a safe place by being more sensitive to others.
I will set the example of a
caring individual.
I will eliminate profanity
towards others from my language.
I will not let my words or
actions hurt others.
And if others wont become a
part of the solution, I will.
The mission
of the Wissahickon School District, a community rich in diversity and committed
to educational excellence, is to empower each student to excel by delivering to
each student the highest quality integrated program which addresses the unique
needs and potential of each student developing community-wide technology,
cultural, scientific, and educational partnerships, and promoting lifelong
learning so that each individual can contribute in full measure to the health,
safety, welfare and prosperity of the community and each of its generations.
BELIEFS
We
believe that the success of our school community depends on:
- Providing a safe and
nurturing environment
- Viewing individual
talents and cultural diversity as a resource of strength
- Upholding the school
motto of Respect, Responsibility, Results
- A collaboration of home
and school to motivate students for optimum success
Students
are unique in their needs through processes and learning styles.
We
believe all students have potential for success.
We believe all school community
members accept accountability for their work and actions when:
- All expectations are
clear
- All have a voice in
decisions which directly affect them
- All feel respected for
their intrinsic worth
EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY
It
is the policy of
MISSION STATEMENT
WISSAHICKON MIDDLE SCHOOL
In
partnership with students, teachers, parents and community, the Wissahickon
Middle School offers an environment that fosters respect, responsibility and
results, while addressing the unique intellectual, creative, social and
emotional needs of early adolescent learners in a diverse population.
ACCREDITATION
FOR GROWTH OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE 1
By
the year 2009, 100% of
OBJECTIVE 2
By
the year 2009, 100% of
CURRICULUM
Sixth Grade
Integrated Language Arts Fine Arts (Art and Music)
Mathematics Technology Education/Family
Social Studies and Consumer Science
Science Physical Education/Swimming
Foreign Language Orientation Health
(German, Spanish, French and Japanese)
Seventh Grade
Integrated Language Arts Fine Arts (Art and Music)
Mathematics Technology Education/Family
Social Studies and Consumer Science
Science Physical Education/Swimming
Foreign Language Health
(German, Spanish, French and Japanese) or
Study Skills
Eighth Grade
Integrated Language
Arts Fine
Arts (Art and Music)
Mathematics Technology
Education/Family
Social Studies and
Consumer Science
Science Physical
Education/Swimming
Foreign Language Health
(German, Spanish,
French and Japanese) or
Study Skills
Sequence in Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies
Sixth Seventh Eighth
Science General Life & General Life & General Life &
Earth Science Earth Science Earth Science
Social
Studies and