November 21, 2011
7th Grade Nominees for the C5 Program
It’s that time of year again. 7th grade teachers are now in the process of nominating students for the C5 program (formerly known as Camp Coca Cola). Ms. Latimore will be sending letters home to inform parents if their student was nominated. If you would like more information on the C5 program, please visit the following link: http://c5georgia.org/program/. If you have any questions or would like to have your child considered for nomination, please contact Ms. Latimore to see if they meet the program’s requirements!
November 8, 2011
8th Grade Transition Activity
North Atlanta High School’s Small Learning Communies will come to visit our 8th graders this week and next week! Each Small Learning Community will present an orientation about the programs that are offered! Please mark the dates below:
NOVEMBER 10, 2011
NOVEMBER 16, 2011
NOVEMBER 17, 2011
Please contact our 8th Grade Counselor, Mrs. Slaughter, for more information! tslaughter@atlanta.k12.ga.us
November 6, 2011
For Students: GETTING ALONG WITH TEACHERS
The Benefits of Getting Along
Sure, it’s good to get along with your teacher because it makes that time you spend in the classroom more pleasant.
And yes, it’s good to get along with your teacher because, in general, it’s smart to learn how to relate to the different types of people you’ll meet throughout your life.
But really, there’s one super-important reason why you should get along with your teacher. Kids who get along with their teachers not only learn more, but they’re more comfortable asking questions and getting extra help. This makes it easier to understand new material and do your best on tests.
When you have this kind of relationship with a teacher, he or she can be someone to turn to with problems, such as problems with learningor school issues, such as bullying.
As a kid in elementary or middle school, you’re at a wonderful stage in your life. You’re like a sponge, able to soak up lots of new and exciting information. On top of that, you’re able to think about all this information in new ways.
Your teacher knows that, and in most cases, is thrilled to be the person who’s giving you all that material and helping you put it together. Remember, teachers are people, too, and they feel great if you’re open to what they’re teaching you. That’s why they wanted to be teachers in the first place — to teach!
Some kids may be able to learn in any setting, whether they like the teacher or not. But most kids are sensitive to the way they get along with the teacher, and if things aren’t going well, they won’t learn as well and won’t enjoy being in class.
What Does “Getting Along” Mean?
“Getting along” means you and your teacher have a way of communicating that works for both of you and you both are getting what you need from the relationship. From your teacher’s perspective, he or she wants to make sure you are paying attention, being respectful and polite, and trying your best to learn.
From your perspective, you want a teacher who is respectful to you, answers your questions, and tries to help you learn. You can get along and learn without being pals with your teacher, although it’s nice if that happens.
In every school, kids will say certain teachers are mean or tough, but don’t judge a teacher until you are in his or her class and can see for yourself. In the majority of cases, your teacher is on your side. And a teacher who’s called tough may be someone who feels strongly about getting his or her job done — teaching you the subject you are supposed to learn.
It’s also important to remember that making mistakes is a part of learning. By pointing out your errors and helping you correct them, a teacher is teaching you.
What If We Don’t Get Along?
Teachers want to get along with you and enjoy seeing you learn. But teachers and students sometimes have personality clashes, which can happen between any two people.
If you show your teacher that you want to make the situation better, he or she will probably do everything possible to make that happen. By handling a problem like this, you learn something about how to get along with people who are different from you.
Take these steps if the problem seems tough to solve:
- Talk to an adult you trust, such as a parent, guidance counselor, or both.
- Give it time. You may not feel immediately comfortable with your teacher, but that may change as you get to know one another.
- If you’ve given it time, talk with your parents about what to do next. Lots of times, a meeting can be set up to discuss the problem. This may clear the air and make things better. Everyone’s goal should be to create trust and kindness.
Your relationship with a teacher is often your first chance to develop a “business relationship.” Just like your parents have business relationships with the people they work with or the people who deliver the mail to your house, kids also can have these kinds of relationships. They are different from your family relationships and friendships, which are built on affection and love.
In a business relationship, both parties get something out of the relationship, but don’t necessarily need to be good friends or like each other a lot. They simply need to respect one another, be polite, and stay focused on the job at hand. In other words, they need to “get down to business.”
When you act this way, and remember that you’re not the only kid in the class, you are helping your teacher. Your teacher is likely to notice this and appreciate it.
Teachers also like it when students follow directions and when they learn and obey the rules of the classroom. For instance, there may be rules about listening when another student is talking, or about taking turns, or about raising your hand when you want to say something or ask a question.
What Are a Student’s Responsibilities?
Even if a certain teacher isn’t your favorite, you can still have a successful relationship, especially if you fulfill your basic responsibilities as a student.
Here are some of those responsibilities:
- Attend class ready to learn.
- Be prepared for class with the right pencils, books, and completed assignments.
- Listen when your teacher is talking.
- Do your best, whether it’s a classroom assignment, homework, or a test.
We’ve talked about some of the difficult situations that come up with teachers. Now, let’s talk about the good stuff.
Some teachers make such an impact that their students never forget them. Some former students may even go back to visit the teacher long after moving on to a higher grade or another school. Maybe you’ve seen these older students visit a teacher at your school. That’s a real compliment to the teacher — that he or she was so special the student wants to keep in touch.
And there’s an even higher compliment you can give a favorite teacher: Grow up to become a favorite teacher yourself!
ARTICLE TAKEN FROM: http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/getting_along_teachers.html#cat20067
October 28, 2011
Feeder School Visits
It’s that time of year again!!
Our feeder schools’ fifth graders will be visiting Sutton Middle School in the next few weeks!
They will get to meet current 6th graders from their schools and take a tour Sutton! They will also get to meet our Student Council Representatives. Our “8th Grade Players” will put on a short play about middle school…AND…the students will receive SMS t-shirts!
We can’t wait to have the fifth graders come to our school!
Please mark your calendars with the following dates:
November 9, 2011– Sarah Smith and Bolton Academy
November 10, 2011– E. Rivers and Jackson
November 11, 2011– Garden Hills and Brandon
You may contact Ms. Saul, 6th grade counselor, for more information!
October 21, 2011
CYBERBULLYING
Cyberbullying is being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material using technological means;
an individual or group that uses information and communication involving electronic technologies to facilitate
deliberate and repeated harassment or threat to an individual or group. Cyberbullying can occur with the following
technology:
How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying?
- Refuse to pass along cyberbullying messages
- Tell friends to stop cyberbullying
- Block communication with cyberbullies
-
Report cyberbullying to a trusted adult
For More Information
Check out the following resources to learn more about preventing cyberbullying:
- www.ncpc.org provides information about stopping cyberbullying before it starts.
- Stop Cyberbullying Before It Starts (PDF) provides useful information for parents.
- Cyberbullying.us provides cyberbullying research, stories, cases, downloads, fact sheets, tips and strategies, news headlines, a blog, and a number of other helpful resources on their comprehensive public service website.
- www.stopcyberbullying.org has a fun quiz to rate your online behavior, information about why some peoplecyberbully, and how to stop yourself from cyberbullying.
- www.wiredsafety.com provides information about what to do if you are cyberbullied.
- www.stopbullyingnow.com has information about what you can do to stop bullying.
Parent/Teacher Conferences 101
Parent conferences can help build the teamwork that help children learn better.
At Sutton Middle School, parents can always schedule a conference with teachers Ms. Miller at our office’s front desk.
In addition to making it a point to attend the conference, some planning by parents can help make conferences a success:
1. Think about what you want to learn in the conference. Prepare some questions. For example:
• What are some academic strengths of my child?
• What are some academic weaknesses of my child?
• Does my child use time well?
• Does my child usually turn in homework? Are there any assignments missing?
• How is my child doing with his/her behavior? Are there any behaviors that are interfering with his/her learning?
• What are some things that I can do with him/her at home that would help?
2. Talk with your child. Ask what he/she thinks the teacher will say. Ask if he/she has any concerns and talk about likes, dislikes, problems, and successes.
3. Make the most of your conference time. Arrive on time, or even a few minutes early. Be aware that there is a time schedule and that the conference will have time limits. If necessary, schedule another conference rather than run too long.
4. Ask the teacher to explain anything you don’t understand. Sometimes teachers use initials to refer to special programs. Ask for clarification when needed!
5. Be prepared to talk and listen. Tell the teacher what you see at home, and be sure to let the teacher know about anything that might affect your child’s learning. Many factors outside of the school building can affect a child’s ability to think, concentrate, and learn, and a good teacher will look for clues to help plan the best academic program possible for your child.
6. Be open to hearing new and/or different observations and insights. Know that teachers are also open to hearing yours.
7. Prior to the conference day you may request to have additional school personnel at the conference. Depending on specific concerns, you may consider requesting that the grade level counselor, grade level administrator, a connection teacher, or other support teacher attend.
8. Follow up by staying in touch with the teacher. If you think of a question you didn’t ask, write an email or send a note.
