Dear Peters Township Middle School Parents/Guardians,
The 2014-2015 school year marks the start of an important and exciting opportunity for our students to have an outstanding educational, social and emotional experience. At Peters Township Middle School (PTMS), the administration, faculty and staff recognize that we have a responsibility to provide our students with positive, challenging and engaging school experiences and are committed to nurturing a school climate that promotes Achievement, Character, and Community.
We look forward to our first year collaborating together as leaders at PTMS and are optimistic that this school year will be a great success.
Please help in welcoming a new faculty member, Mrs. Andrea Raggi, to the PTMS staff. Mrs. Raggi will be serving as an 8th grade science teacher within TEAM Clemente. Mrs. Raggi is joining us with prior experience teaching science within the Palmyra and Exeter School Districts.
New this school year, our daily study lab will be offered during 11th period for both 7th and 8th grade students daily. Historically, these classes were offered during two separate periods (7th grade during 10th period and 8th grade during 11th period). Now with all students engaged in study lab at the same time, there is more access to collaboration and offerings. We are looking forward to expanding the programming during this period and ensuring that this time is best used supporting students.
The middle school offers many opportunities for parents to become a part of their child’s experience. Open House is scheduled for Thursday, September 18th from 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M., and will give you a chance to meet with your child’s teachers and hear about the academic expectations for each class.
Parent/Teacher Conference Day has been set for Thursday, November 6th. Parents can sign up to meet with their child’s teachers during Open House; a confirmation slip/phone call will verify the time for your conference. If you do not receive a time slot during this conference day, you will still be able to meet with your child’s teachers. Team planning time is set aside daily for parents to meet with their child’s team of teachers. Please contact your child’s core subject team of teachers in the event that you want to initiate a meeting.
An assignment planner is available to all students for a cost of $4.00 and can be purchased through the main office. With this organizer, students are to write daily assignments, log grades, and note long-term projects. In addition, our website features a section for homework online to further assist students and parents. GOAL 7 is a required course that is designed to guide students in setting goals, teach them to organize time and materials, learn the skills of coping with academic and social issues, and practice the art of note taking and paraphrasing. GOAL 8 guides students in setting a course for high school academics, exploring career options, how to be successful on achievement tests, and correlates learning styles with learning skills. The GOAL Courses are intended to equip our students with effective skills and develop effective habits.
It is important for parents and students to keep up with grades throughout the school year. Grades are accessible via the school district’s website via Power School. Students and parents who are new to the district will receive their passwords following orientation on August 14, 2014. Current students and parents will use their passwords from last school year.
Gym lockers will be available to students during physical education class. Students are to bring a combination/key lock for the locker and supply the physical education teacher with the combination/extra key.
We will strive to create and maintain an atmosphere and climate characterized by respect. It is our intent to foster an attitude of mutual respect among our students and throughout our school. Appearance is one of the first and most significant ways that we communicate respect; thus, we have created a dress code that makes a clear statement for respecting self, others and the school community.
We intend to enforce the code in the interest of promoting a respectful and positive school climate. We appreciate and admire our student body for being neatly and appropriately attired. As a practical matter, we remind you that when buying back-to-school wardrobes, note that students are not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts, short-shorts/skirts, bare midriff/low cut tops, excessively tight or form-fitting clothing or low-riding pants. Shorts are an option for our students, but they must comply with our dress code standards. All shirts, skirts, and dresses must be no more than inches about the top of the knee in length. A complete description of the dress code can be found in the school handbook that is accessible via our website.
In closing, we wish to thank you for your support, cooperation and confidence. We truly appreciate our working partnership in the interest of providing an outstanding educational experience for our students.
Sincerely,
Mr. Adam Sikorski Mr. Michael Henaghan
Principal Assistant Principal