Dear Parents/Guardians,

First of all, we would like to welcome your child to the 6th Grade Learning Academy at Black Middle School. Moving from primary school to secondary school is one of the biggest transitions of your child’s education, and it is our pleasure to make that transition as smooth and effective as possible. Students are given more freedom, and with that freedom comes higher expectations and greater responsibility. Following are a list of our core values this year as we will “REP” the 6th Grade Academy.

Respect – having consideration and reverence for both teachers and peers.

Engage – participating fully in class and taking ownership of their learning.

Persist – maintaining a positive attitude and work ethic throughout the year.

 

Underlying these three rules is a consistent theme of high expectations. We will maintain high expectations for your child both academically and behaviorally, and we expect them to develop not only academically, but in overall character.  We believe in developing and nurturing the whole child, and we look forward to sharpening the strong foundation that you have already set in your home.

One of the key ingredients for your child’s success throughout their education is parental involvement. There are many ways that you as parents can directly support your child’s success in the classroom and serve as a valuable asset to our 6th grade team.

1. Ask your child about what they learned each day. Encourage them to talk about it. This will reinforce the knowledge that they have picked up in school.

 

2. Review their homework with them. They will likely have homework, at least in one subject area, every night. Please help us by holding them accountable.

3. Volunteer to help out in one of your student’s classrooms. Teachers are always eager for extra help with the many tasks they have on a daily basis.

 

4. Volunteer to chaperone on “End of Cycle Incentives”. These include small parties, field days, and field trips. We will keep you informed of the days and times throughout the year.

5. Get involved in our PTO! If interested, stop by the front office or speak to Asst. Principal Thomas Day.

 

Tardy Policy

Students have five minutes between classes.  They should not be late to class.  Students will be given a detention if they are tardy to class. 6th grade detention is from 3:55pm to 4:55pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Failure to attend a grade level detention or receiving excessive detentions could result in administrative referral, which could lead to SRC or Suspension.

 

Dress Code

Students are to follow all of the school requirements of the dress code.  In sixth grade, we will be particularly rigid with regards to:

• All shirts must be either a collared red shirt or a BMS shirt and be size appropriate.
• Pants must be worn at the waist. 
• All undershirts must be white, gray, or black.
• Only red sweatshirts or BMS sweatshirts may be worn in the classroom.  All other outerwear must be kept in the lockers.

Discipline

Respect others, the school, and yourself at all times by continuously following the HISD Student Code of Conduct. HISD policy requires cell phones, MP3s, and videogames to be left in lockers at all times.  If seen or heard, they will be turned into the main office. Any infraction of HISD Student Code of Conduct or the 6th Grade Academy (Respect, Engage, Persist) could result in detention, parent/student/teacher conference, or referral, depending on the severity of the infraction.

Incentive System

At the end of each grading period, the 6th grade team will have a culminating incentive to reward students for their hard work. The following three criteria must be met for the student to participate:

1. Passing grade in all subjects
2. No referrals for the grading period
3. Three or less detentions for the grading period

Grading System

The grading system consists of four categories with their respective weights.

• Tests:                                                         30%
• Quizzes:                                                       25%
• Class work:                                                   35%
• Homework:                                                    10%

 

Progress reports are sent home in the middle of each six-weeks grading period. Report cards are issued three weeks later at the end of the grading period, which gives you a formal report every three weeks.  Late work will be marked down 10% per day and students will be allowed one school day to make up work for each day missed. Should you have questions at any time, please feel free to contact us.

Thanks for coming to our Open House and we look forward to a great year!

 

The 6th Grade Team

Jessica George, Reading/ELA                Roseline Emeghebo, Social Studies Co-teacher
Darnelle Weatherspoon, Reading/ELA    Elizabeth Smith, Science Co-teacher
Antoinette Baptiste, Reading/ELA          Natalia Egan, Math Co-teacher
Kendra Kaderka, Science                     Barbara Ofinan, Math  
Hannah Swanson, Social Studies           Jacqueline Liat Rome, Math                                         

Trent Epley, Math, Grade Level Chair     Crystal Richmond, Asst. Principal