Welcome to Daniell Middle School 2015-2016
New Student Survival Guide
Mr. David Nelson, Principal
[email protected]
678-594-8048
Inside this issue:
Changing Classes
2
Connection Classes
2
Grades & Homework
3
Lockers & Lunch
3
Student Forum
3
PTSA, Dress Code
4
Transportation
4
Middle School
Vocabulary
5
We are delighted to welcome you to Daniell Middle School! This guide will answer some of the questions that you may have regarding sixth grade and Daniell Middle School. Our principal is Mr. David Nelson. He is beginning his 9th
year at Daniell Middle School. During his time with us, Daniell has become one
of the highest performing, most diverse middle schools in Cobb County. Most recently, our school has been ranked in the top 10% of all middle schools in Georgia.
Daniell also has four assistant principals:
Ms. Anthony: 6th Grade
Ms. Parrinello: 7th Grade
Ms. Stump: 8th Grade
Ms. Williams: Special Student Services
Counseling: These services are handled through Ms. Pope (Last Names A-K)
and Ms. McAfee (Last Names L-Z). Counselors conduct special classroom activities, small groups, and are available to help you when you have important questions or problems.
About Homeroom:

Each student will have a homeroom teacher.

If you are not eating breakfast you will go to straight to
homeroom.

If you are eating breakfast go
directly to breakfast from the
bus and before homeroom.

Students will be expected to
use the time in homeroom to
organize and prepare for the
day.
2015 - 2016
Page 2
Welcome to Daniell Middle
School 2015-2016
Changing Classes
One thing that makes
middle school different
from your elementary
school is that you will
change classes. You
will have five academic
classes including math,
language arts, science,
social studies, and research & inquiry.
At the end of the class,
your teacher will dismiss you to go to your
next class.
Remember that you
must have a pass from
your teacher to use the
bathroom or to be in
the hallway during instructional time.
Please refer to the bell
schedule for class times
on various days of the
week.
Connection Classes
You will take a different
connections class each
semester. Students who
take band, chorus or orchestra will do so all year
and will have one other
connections class every
semester. Most students
have a Physical Education (PE) class for one
connections period
each day. You will
have approximately
five minutes to change
into your PE clothes
before class and five
minutes to change back
into your school clothes Technology: This class is an
extension of science and
at the end of class.
Family and Consumer Science (FACS): This class
math and encourages prob- prepares students for caArt: Students learn to
lem solving through hands
reers in the business related
draw, sculpt, paint, and
on
instruction
on
one
of
16
aspects of family and conmake pottery.
Music: Students sing, learn different modules. The mod- sumer sciences. It provides
opportunities to develop
about the history of music ules are: Bio- Technology
the knowledge, skills, attigenres, and give classroom and Genetics, Robotics,
performances.
Graphic Design, Mechanical tudes, and behaviors that
Systems, Digital Manufacstudents need to become
Health (combined with
turing, Research and Deresponsible citizens and
PE): Students will be in
health for one semester
sign, Electronics, Computer
leaders; and to manage the
each year. Students learn Aided Design, , Photogchallenges of living and
about healthy life habits, raphy, DVD Production
working in a diverse global
nutrition, and avoiding
Computer Animation,
society.
risky behaviors.
Flight Simulator, and Digital Audio and many more.
Connections continued...
Band: If you are in
band, you get to play a
musical instrument.
You do not have to
know anything about
your instrument when
you begin. The band
director will teach you
how to put your chosen
instrument together
and how to play it.
Those in band will also
participate in several
concerts during the year.
Orchestra: Orchestra is
available for students
who want to play the
violin, viola, cello, or
bass. The orchestra
teacher will also teach
you how to play the in-
strument. Orchestra
students also play in
several concerts during
the year.
Chorus: Chorus is available to help students
develop their singing
skills. Chorus also has
concerts and musicals
throughout the year.
2015 - 2016
Page 3
Grades
Your grades will be taken from your daily class
work, homework, quizzes, tests, and any special projects.
Numerical grades are
used on the report card.
The current grading
scale is:
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 74 – 79
D = 70 – 73
F = 60 & Below
If a student is having difficulty in a class, it is important for the student to
seek help from the classroom teacher. Please use
the teacher blogs and
write assignments in your
agenda for assistance.
Most teachers have help
sessions before tests and at
other times when a student indicates that help is
needed. These sessions
are before or after school.
Check with your teacher.
Lockers and Breakfast and Lunch
When you come to
sixth grade, you will be
assigned two lockers.
One locker will be near
your academic classes.
You will use it to store
your textbooks, notebooks and book bag
during the school day.
You are not allowed to
carry a backpack with
you throughout the
day. It must stay in
your locker.
The other locker will be
in the gym and it will
store your PE clothes.
It is a good idea to
begin practicing how to
use a combination lock
(Masterlock). If you
have trouble, your
teachers will be able to
help you.
Daniell serves both
breakfast and lunch.
Breakfast costs $1.25.
Lunch costs $2.30(If
applicable, reduced
prices available).
Snacks and “extras” are
also available for purchase.
Students may also
bring their lunch from
home.
Student Forum and Student Clubs
Student Forum allows
you to be involved with
many interesting
projects to improve our
school.
You assist with dances
and keep your class informed of important
events. You are elected
to Student Forum. You
will campaign and try
to get votes within your
grade.
Daniell has many kinds
of clubs that meet
before and after school.
Some of the clubs
include: Lego Robotics,
Girls on Track, Gaming
Club, Sorella/Girl Talk,
National Junior Honors
Society, Science Club,
Step Team and Garden
Club. Each of the clubs
do activities and service
projects throughout the
school year. If you
don’t find one you like,
you can start a new
one!
Page 4
Daniell DRESS CODE
Welcome to Daniell Middle
School 2015-2016
Parent Teacher Student
Association (PTSA)
In keeping with our desire to promote self-esteem and self-respect, students
are to come to school dressed in appropriate, neat and clean outfits that are
not disruptive, distracting or in violation of the dress code. Students will be
required to adhere to the following dress code:
Parents and students are encouraged to join
the PTSA. PTSA parents and students are
also able to join any of the PTSA. The PTSA
parents and teachers work together to help
supply Daniell with students needs. They also
host many special events throughout the
year. Do not miss this opportunity to get
involved in your school. Join PTSA!
*Pants must fit above the hips and be no longer than the bottom of the shoe.
*Capri pants that extend below the knee are acceptable.
*Knee length shorts are allowed.
*Necklines of shirts/blouses/jerseys must not be low cut or revealing.
*Skirt/dress length must come no higher than 2 inches above the knee even
when worn with leggings.
*Shirts/blouses/jerseys must not be see-through or reveal the midriff.
*Shoes must be worn at all times. No bedroom slippers.
Agendas
Students will receive an agenda on the first
day of school. Students must carry their
agenda with them throughout the day. The
agenda is used for recording assignments
and as a hall pass. Important information
may be communicated via the agenda. It is
also a wonderful means to stay abreast of
the instructional requirements for your
student. The Daniell Code of Conduct is also
found in the student agenda. Should you lose
your agenda, the cost is $10 to replace it.
Attendance notes must be written on a
separate piece of paper and are not to be
included in the agenda.
Prohibited items (Inclusive, but not limited to the following)
*Caps, hats, bandannas, or other head coverings.
*Clothing or ornaments displaying substances illegal for minors.
*Clothing or ornaments displaying suggestive phrases, designs, or profanity.
*Wallet chains
*Spandex/bicycle pants/leggings without proper outer garment
*Sunglasses in the building
*Writing/printing/drawing on face, arms, or any other parts of the body.
*Paint, ink from markers, crayons, colored hair, etc. applied to hair at school.
*Tank tops/halter tops and strapless garments are prohibited.
*No undergarments are to show at any time.
The school reserves the right to make judgments in individual situations. Clothing which, in the judgment of the school, calls undue attention to an individual
or interferes with the educational program may not be worn to school.
Students who violate the policy will be required to change clothes or will
sit in ISS until clothing can be brought to them. .
Bus Transportation
Students have a lot of questions about where their buses are in the
afternoon. Any bus changes will be made by an administrator during our
afternoon announcements as we dismiss students to go to the buses.
Appropriate behavior is required at all times on the bus.
Always listen closely to the announcements. Your bus will always be in the
same Bus Lane, but not always in the same order. There are two buses in
each Lane.
Riding a different bus is ONLY permitted if it is for childcare purposes or
an emergency situation. Should this be the case, you will need to have
written parent permission and bring it to the front office. An administrator
must approve ALL bus changes.
___________________________________________________________
The Learning Commons (Media Center) is a wonderful place to read,
research, or check out books. You can check out 10 books at a time. You
must have a pass to enter the media center.
Our Media Specialist, Ms. Harris, and our Media Para Professional, Ms.
Bugbee, are eager to help you find a book or information on a topic.
2015 - 2016
Page 5
Middle School Vocabulary
Academic Classes: Middle School students take language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and research and inquiry.
Agenda: Students will receive an agenda to use for recording homework, class work and long-term assignments. The agenda includes other important information such as school rules and Cobb County Code of Conduct
for students. You will also use your agenda for hall passes. Students carry their agendas everywhere they go
in the building.
Attendance: Middle School students attendance is done on a period basis. The student is counted absent for
each class period they do not attend.
Band/Orchestra/Chorus: An instrumental music class offered through the connections program for interested
students at all grade levels. All sixth grade students have the opportunity to attend a band, orchestra, and
chorus orientation during the first two weeks of school and have the opportunity to make a decision regarding
these programs.
Connections Classes: Connections classes include art, technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Music, and
PE/health. Sixth grade students usually take a different connections class every semester. Band, orchestra, and
chorus students will have one connections period of band, orchestra, or orchestra and the second connections
period these students will have the opportunity to have one of the listed connections classes.
Homework: The middle school student has homework three to five nights per week. Homework is practice for
knowledge. Reviewing notes, reading a chapter in the text, book reports, projects, and other types of written
work are examples of homework a middle school student might expect. Sixth grade students should plan on
approximately 10-15 minutes of homework per subject (1-2 hours of homework per night). Accelerated (AC)
classes may require additional homework. Homework grades are included in the student’s academic average,
and may count as much as 10% of the total academic average.
Intramurals: Sports activities, are offered before school by the Physical Education Department beginning at 8
am. Middle schools do not sponsor or participate in any competitive sports activities. These activities are sponsored through the community and Sprayberry High School’s Junior Jackets program.
Make up Work: Parents may request make-up work for their students when they have been absent for three
days. Please keep in mind that we must give the teacher 24 hours notice. You may call the front office staff
(678-594-8048) on the third absence date and request the work. The work will be ready the next day (24
hours after you call) in the front office. Another good resource for assignments is the teachers’ blog or email
your teachers for make up work.
Report Cards: Cobb County Middle Schools operate on a semester system. Each semester is 18 weeks long.
Progress reports are issued every 6 weeks and report cards are issued every 18 weeks. Semester report cards
determine honor roll, promotion, and retention. Concerns about grades should be directed to your child’s teachers or counselor.
Cell Phones: Students are allowed to bring their cell phones to school. However, once they are at school cell
phones should be turned off and left in their locker, unless your class is using BYOD (bring your own device) in
class.