Hopewell

Middle School

Hopewell Middle School FACT Sheet

What time does school start?

What time does school end?

School begins at 8:50 a.m. and ends at 4:05 p.m.

How many classes will I have?

Middle school students have eight (8) classes. Sixth graders have connections during 7th and 8th periods.

What are Connections? How many will I have?

Connections are just like specials. These classes change every quarter.

Visual Art Adventure Quest Business PE Broadcast Journalism Health Debate Library Research Performing Arts: Band, Chorus, Orchestra

Do I have to change clothes for P.E.?

Yes. P.E. students wear gym shorts and a tee-shirt.

May I take a World Language?

Spanish and French are offered to students who score 825 and above on the reading section of the CRCT or 60% or higher on the ITBS Reading section.

Are there TAG classes?

Yes. TAG Social Studies and Science are offered to students who qualify.

What about dress code?

Students may find the complete dress code on the HMS website. Here are some highlights: * Shorts, skirts, and skorts must reach to fingertips with arms at sides. * Clothing that is tight and revealing is prohibited. * Tank tops, razor back tops, and sleeveless tops are prohibited. * Sleeves must cover the shoulders and armpits. * Pants should be worn at the waist and should not sag. * Underwear should not be seen; clothing must be free of suggestive, inappropriate or illegal illustrations/ads. * Hats, head gear, gloves, coats, and pajamas are not to be worn during school hours. *Leggings must be covered by tops that go to the fingertips.

What about lockers?

Students will have a locker for their books as well as a PE locker. Book bags must be kept in the locker. Students do have scheduled locker breaks. The regular locker fee is $10.00. P.E. lockers are free.

Are cell phones allowed?

Student cell phone use during school is prohibited during class time unless authorized by a teacher to be used educationally. Students may use devices in the cafeteria before school and during lunch.

What if I don’t feel well?

If you are not feeling well and need to go to the clinic, your teacher may write you a pass. The clinic has Band-Aids and other supplies. If you need to take medicine at school, the clinic has the appropriate forms for parents to fill out.

HOPEWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Home of the Mustangs

13060 Cogburn Road Milton, GA 30004 678-297-3240

www.hopewellmustangs.net HMSMustangPride@twitter.com

Rising Sixth Grade Website: RisingMustangs.com

School Colors:

Red and Silver

Mascot:

Mustang

Elementary Feeder Schools:

Alpharetta Elementary School

Birmingham Falls Elementary School

Cogburn Woods Elementary School

Manning Oaks Elementary School

Fulton Sunshine School

Summit Hill Elementary School

High School

Feeder Schools:

Information Day: Thursday, August 6, 2015

First Day of School:

Alpharetta High School

Cambridge High School

Monday, August 10, 2015

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM YOUR NEW TEACHERS…

All of the teachers are here to help you with any problem big or small…so whether

your locker is jammed or you are having difficulties with another student, just give a

shout out to one of us!

In order to avoid stress, stay organized!

Take advantage of the opportunity to make new friends in 6th grade.

Come to school ready to do your best and spread your wings.

Remember that everyone is nervous about middle school, and you are not alone.

Look for all the exciting positive experiences that Hopewell has to offer.

Remember that your teachers are here to help you.

Follow the advice of Julian Bond (former President of NAACP), “Study long, but

don’t study wrong.”

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. We are here to help.

Bring paper and pencils on the first day of school and any suggested supplies.

The hardest thing about 6th grade is adjusting to being the youngest in the school,

after being the oldest students in elementary school.

Relax and do not be afraid

to ask for help. We look

forward to teaching you.

Dedicate yourself to doing your

best, no matter what the class or

assignment. When you give 100% you

can take pride in what you have done.

Join clubs,

make new

friends, and

show school

spirit!

MORE WISDOM…

Always come to class prepared with paper, a pencil and a smile!

Be positive and energetic, and you’ll have a great year!

Do your best work; always be proud to put your name on your paper.

Remember that the first week of school is stressful for everyone - both students and

staff!

Bring a positive attitude.

Have a binder with dividers for all of your classes on the first day of school.

Start the year with a good attitude, and “Be Organized!” We all look forward to

meeting you!

Remember that your locker is not your bedroom. Keep it clean!

Get ready for a fun and challenging year and to begin it with a BIG smile on your

face!

Spend time the first week becoming familiar with new friends, teachers, other adults

at school, and your agenda!

Meet someone new the first day in each of your classes. New friends make new

experiences more fun!

Ms. Johnson and Mr. Susina, HMS Counselors, want you to

remember that each of you will be an important part of Hopewell,

and we are looking forward to having you! As the teachers said, be

organized, be friendly, and be positive…and you will have a

sensational year in 2014-2015!

Mrs. Thompson, 6th grade Assistant Principal, recommends that you

make use of the good manners you learned from your family. Be kind,

considerate, honest, and respectful of others’ space and belongings.

Don’t be afraid to talk to your teachers, your counselor, your

assistant principal, or your principal. We are all here to help you to

be successful!

Do You Speak “Middle School”?

New terms you may find helpful:

Team Homeroom teacher, Math, Science, Social Studies,

Language Arts and Reading Teachers.

Connections Nine-week courses to explore such subjects as visual art,

music, health, debate, broadcast journalism, business,

library research skills, adventure quest, etc…

Hall Locker A place to store books, book bag, and personal items;

for example, extra supplies, your cell phone, etc…

P.E. Locker A place to store clothing during P.E. class participation.

Locker Room A place to change into P.E. clothing; one is for boys and

one is for girls.

Dress Out A term used for changing into P.E. clothing.

Intramurals After school athletic activities such as basketball, ping

pong, flag football, softball, ultimate frisbee, tumbling

and dance.

W.E.B. “Where Everybody Belongs” is a mentoring program to

help you transition to middle school.

P.R.I.D.E. An acronym that helps students remember what

exemplary behavior looks like at school. See the

P.R.I.D.E. page later in the booklet for more information.

IS MIDDLE SCHOOL DIFFERENT

FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL? You will have eight teachers instead of just one or two, so you will get to know

different people with different personalities and ways of teaching.

You will change classes every period. You will receive your class schedule during

Information Day, and you will know how long you will be in each class.

You will have more responsibility in middle school. You will be encouraged to make

positive choices about your schoolwork and behavior.

You will be expected to make up work you miss when you are absent from class.

Some rules will be in place to encourage respect for others and to ensure safety

for all of our students. You will be asked to follow directions from all teachers and

staff members, be on time to your classes, walk in the halls, take care of your

textbooks, keep up with your belongings, use your agenda and treat the school

building and all of the people in and around it with respect.

You will have a locker for your books and backpack, a P.E. locker for your gym

clothes, and your own locker combinations to safeguard your property.

Your agenda will be your lifeline at HMS! You will write your assignments in it

and it will be your pass in the hallways. If your agenda gets lost, the front office

has copies of agenda pages to pick up or you can purchase a replacement for $10.

The dress code is strictly enforced and is outlined in your student handbook, which

is part of the student agenda. We expect student dress to reflect neatness and

cleanliness. “Extremes” in dress and grooming detract from the study environment,

and are not allowed. After reading the specifics of the dress code, if you are not

sure that you are leaving home in clothing that is appropriate for school, save the

“questionable” item of clothing for non-school times! If your clothing is found to

be in conflict with the dress code, you will be asked to change into something that

is appropriate (extra shirt / pants in your locker, P.E. clothes, etc…) if available,

or to call a parent to bring you other clothes.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

ARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

AND MIDDLE SCHOOL MORE ALIKE…

OR DIFFERENT?

Letters from HMS

Letters from HMS

Hopewell Clubs 2014-2015

Hopewell Reading Bowl Students in this club will read the twenty Georgia Award Winners named yearly. In an Academic Bowl-like atmosphere, HMS students will compete with other Fulton County middle school students to test their knowledge of the books read. The purpose of the club is to read, meet other students, and compete.

French Club

French Club is a place where students can enjoy and explore their love of Francophone culture, listen to French music, and meet other students who love all things French. The purpose of the club is to promote the love of French and the French-speaking world, and to support the French program and its students at Hopewell.

Chess ClubChess Club allows members to learn the fundamentals of the game while enjoying friendly competition. Chess Club members explore new strategies at every meeting, and then they put those strategies into action. Students of all ability levels, including beginners, are welcome.

National Junior Honor Society

NJHS recognizes the academic excellence and accomplishments of students and challenges them to become more involved in school activities and community service. There is an application and candidates are chosen based on their GPAs. The purpose of the club is to recognize the academic excellence of 8th graders who have maintained a certain GPA starting in 6th grade and going through 7th grade at HMS.

Join us!!

Salsa club

The Salsa Club was established as an enrichment activity to teach students and staff to dance. To do so means learning the basic techniques and styles of the Latin dance craze that exists today. The purpose of the club is to teach students and staff the various forms of Salsa dancing, including Salsa, Cha-Cha, Bachata, and Merengue. The students may also be taught about the history of the salsa dance styles and theirs origins.

Day-to-Day Procedures at HMS

Morning Procedures: Doors open at 7:45 a.m., and

students must remain in the cafeteria

until 8:20 a.m. (exceptions: Music,

Yearbook, Extended Learning). Students need a pass from a teacher

to go down the hallways early. Regular

study sessions will be announced by

teachers and generally begin at 8:20

a.m. Students must be in a classroom

until the bell rings. If the teacher is

not there, students should return to

the front of the building. Library passes are given out on a

first-come /first-served basis at the

table on the left side of the atrium.

No pass = no library.

Dismissal Procedures: All students are dismissed via

announcements. Car riders should exit the left front

door (handicapped accessible door). First load bus riders should exit the

right front door closest to the gym. A

whiteboard is located outside listing the

first load bus positions. Second load bus riders should report

to the gym and sit in the stands by

grade level until dismissed.

Cafeteria: There are two lunch lines – à la carte and traditional. The traditional lunch is

$2.45 and the à la carte line serves “specialty” foods. Prices will vary. You may

bring money or add money to the lunch account via the internet. Free/reduced lunch

forms are available upon request.

Water is available every day via a cooler and water cups which are provided by the

cafeteria.

When coming to the cafeteria, students walk quietly with their classes down the

hallway. Students come in the right-hand door and proceed to the table designated for

their class or to the lunch lines. Students must sit at their designated tables. Once students are seated, they must remain seated. If students need to get up for any reason, they should raise their hands and wait to be acknowledged by the

adult in the cafeteria.

The teachers will come to the tables at the end of the lunch period. Students

should clean their areas and quickly follow the teachers out the right-hand door.

Required Items

⃝ Large three ring binder (no accordion)

⃝ 8 subject dividers

⃝ Large pencil pouch for binder

⃝ Six packs of white loose-leaf

notebook paper. Place 1 pack in

the binder and keep the remainder

at home. Restock as needed.

⃝ Small handheld pencil sharpener

⃝ 24+ sharpened wooden pencils

(*keep most in Ziploc bag in locker)

⃝ 1 large eraser

⃝ 2 red pens

⃝ 3 glue sticks

(*keep 2 in Ziploc bag in locker)

⃝ 3 Multi-Color Highlighters

⃝ 10-count pack of markers

(*keep in Ziploc bag in locker)

⃝ 24-count pack of colored pencils

(*keep in Ziploc bag in locker)

Items for Boys to Send to School

⃝ 3 rolls of Clorox wipes

⃝ 3 large boxes of tissues

⃝ 1 box of Ziploc bags (any size)

Items for Girls to Send to School

⃝ 3 large boxes of tissues

⃝ 6 rolls of paper towels

⃝ 1 ream of colored copy paper (any color)

Please give these to your

FLEX / Homeroom teacher

Locker Note: Lockers are small. Rolling

backpacks WILL NOT fit into the lockers. Dry

erase markers are not permitted to be used

on lockers. Locker decorations (magnets,

contact paper, etc. . .) are strictly prohibited.

Suggested Items by Subject Area

*Please note that teachers may ask for specific items used only in their classrooms.

Language Arts

1 composition notebook

2 packs post-its

Math 2 Spiral Notebooks

1 set dry erase markers

World Languages

Separate 1½-2 inch binder with 6 dividers

1 set dry erase markers and sock (eraser)

Spanish only:

Index cards

1 composition notebook

Social Studies

3 spiral notebooks

6 glue sticks (to be

given to the SS teacher).

Reading

1 composition notebook

Science Supplies will be requested

throughout the year.

Sixth Grade Supply List 2015-16

General Connections Supplies will be requested

throughout the year.

Band Supplies will be requested

throughout the year.

Orchestra Supplies will be requested

throughout the year.

Chorus Supplies will be requested

throughout the year.

2015-2016 School Year Calendar

First Semester

August 4-7 Preplanning

August 5 Information Day

August 10 First Day of School

September 7 Labor Day (schools closed)

October 9 Teacher Workday (students off)

October 12 Teacher/Student Holiday (schools closed)

November 23-

27 Thanksgiving Holidays (schools closed)

December 18 Last Day of First Semester

December 21 –

January 1 Winter Break (schools closed)

Second

Semester

January 4 Teacher Workday (students off)

January 5 Professional Development Day (students off)

January 6 First Day of Second Semester

January 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (schools closed)

February 12 Professional Development Day (students off)

February 15 * President's Day Holiday (schools closed)

March 10 * Teacher Workday (students off)

March 11 Professional Development Day (students off)

April 4-8 Spring Break (schools closed)

May 26 Last Day of School

May 27 * Post Planning

May 30 Memorial Day Holiday (schools closed)

* Designated as inclement weather make-up days (if needed)

W.E.B. W.E.B. stands for “Where Everybody Belongs.” It is a middle

school orientation and transition program designed to help

sixth graders connect with the school before sixth grade even

begins. The move to middle comes with significant changes, and

the W.E.B. program addresses this in multiple ways. It begins

with a sixth grade orientation before the first day of school in

August. Each sixth grader is assigned to an 8th grade W.E.B.

Leader. This WEB Leader guides the student through

orientation, and checks in with him/her regularly throughout

the year during formal and informal W.E.B. and school events,

acting as a friend, leader, and mentor. It has been shown

that when students feel a connection to their school, they are

more successful, and they are less likely to become victims of

bullying.

P.R.I.D.E.

P.R.I.D.E. is an acronym that helps students remember what exemplary

behavior looks like at school. On the pride matrix, students can clearly see the

positive behaviors we expect in every area of the school. Students who

display the qualities of Personal Responsibility, Respect, Integrity, making the

Decision to be Safe, and Excellence are rewarded for their good behavior.

The Fulton County Schools

suggested summer reading list will

be posted on the HMS website in June.

To access it go to…

www.hopewellmustangs.net

*Important Information

*Summer Reading

There is also a website

dedicated to rising sixth graders:

www.risingmustangs.com

We can’t wait to meet you!

The Hopewell Middle School Community

will teach, inspire, and empower ALL

students to reach their potential.