North Gwinnett Middle School

Welcome
to
North Gwinnett Middle School
A Preview of Middle
School Life
NGMS
Constructing Excellence
Mrs. Wanda Law
Principal
Mrs. Maggie Fehrman
Mrs. Natalie Perry
Mr. David Strickland
Assistant Principals
North Gwinnett Middle School:
You
will
come
to
 Front Office
the front office
reception area
to meet with
Ms. Honea or
Mrs. Bastone to
check- out or
check-in a
student
North Gwinnett Middle School
 Clinic
Mrs. Kerry
North Gwinnett Middle School
 Media
Center
It will have the most current collection
of middle school books and resources.
NGMS Bulldogs!!!!!
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Cafeteria
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Lunch $2.00
Ice Cream $1.00 - $1.75
Wonderful menu items
Students will eat with their
academic teachers
Grab n’ Go Breakfast
Parents are welcome to join
their children for lunch
NGMS Bulldogs!!!!!
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Technology
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4 computer labs
Media Center Lab
Wireless lap top carts
One lab will be open in the
AM for student use
Growing with technology
NGMS: Transportation
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Car riders
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Pick up / drop off area is
located off of W. Price Road
Students enter through the
6th grade hall
Complete locator card to
verify car rider status
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Bus riders
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Pick up / drop off area is
in the front of the
building
Arrival time is well
before the start of school
Shorter rides to NGMS
than Lanier
Starting Middle School
is A Big Step
It’s a time of:
Tremendous Growth
Exploring New
Opportunities
Increasing Independence
and Responsibilities
Middle School Educators
We choose to be middle
school educators
because we appreciate
the developmental
uniqueness of this age
group. These years are
pivotal, and abound
with potential and
opportunity.
We Believe Every Student:
Must be engaged in
learning that is
relevant, challenging,
integrative and
exploratory.
 Must have access to
the very best
programs and
practices a school can
offer.
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We Believe Every Student:
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Deserves a learning
environment that is
safe, and where
family and community
are actively involved.
Deserves educators
who are trained to
work with this age
group, and who will
support them
academically, socially,
and emotionally.
North Gwinnett Middle School:
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School colors:
Red and Black
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Mascot: Bulldog
Expected Enrollment:
1,700
Student Schedule
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Homeroom for 10 minutes.
Students have four academic classes
that are approximately 55 minutes each in
length.
Students have two different
Connections Classes each day that are
approximately 55 minutes in length.
Students will have a 30 minute Bulldog
Pride for extended learning activities.
Connections Classes
 Computer Science
 Health / PE
 Art
 Print Journalism
 Band
 Technical Education
 Chorus
 Orchestra
 Math Connections
 Reading
 Family and Consumer
Science
How does my child gets placed
into classes?

Each child is placed on a team
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Usually consisting of two or four
teachers.
One teacher on the team will be your
child’s homeroom teacher.
Teachers create the daily academic
schedule for students within
their team
What about academic
classes?
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The teachers on the team will be
your child’s academic teachers.
Students in a homeroom do not
move together as a group
Your child will have academic
classes primarily with other kids
from their same team.
How are the teams determined?
 All
the teams are balanced using a
number of criteria:
 Gender
 Ethnicity
 Feeder school
 Ability level
How does my child get a certain
connection class?
You and your child can both agree to
participate in one of the music programs.
All the other connections classes are
randomly assigned by a computer.
Every student should have a P.E. /Health
class once per year.
Ways to Get Involved:
Types Clubs and Activities
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Beta Club
Environmental Club
Bulldog Outreach
International Club
Pep Club
Art Club
Chess Club
Continental Math League
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Equate Club
FCA
Fiddle Club
Spirit Club
Student Council
Tri-M
Yearbook
And more to come!!!
Communication-HomeworkNow
NGMS Counseling
Program
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Developmental in design
Proactive
Addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of all
students.
We are here to support you and your child
Mrs. Ernestine Clinkscales 6th grade
Mrs. Michelle Gossard
7th grade
Dr. Glenda Stephens
8th grade
Dr. Rob Skilling
Graduation Coach
What Additional Support Can NGMS
Provide?
 Morning Help
Sessions
 Academic
Intervention
Program (AIP)
 English as a Second
Language (ESOL)
 Gifted Education
 Speech Services
 Special Education
 Reading
Intervention
 Math Intervention
 RTI
Fine Arts Presentation

Students, please join the fine arts
department and your 6th grade counselor,
Mrs. Clinkscales in the gym for a special
presentation!
The Vision for North Gwinnett MS
Academic
Rigor
Gifted /
Special Ed /
ESOL
Nuts and
Bolts
NGMS
Student
Leadership
Safety and
Security
Parent Tips
Academic Rigor
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High expectations for all
Variety of instructional strategies /
assignments
Intellectual risk-taking
Real life application
Engagement
Acceleration - Math
Gifted / Special Ed. / ESOL

Eligible students will have one gifted class
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Special Education
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Based on area of strength and scores
Gifted classes are graded as an academic class
Classes offered on services outlined in IEP
Collaborative / Resource
ESOL
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Language support to ensure success
Student Leadership
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All students at NGMS are leaders
Opportunities for leadership
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Advisement
Peer leaders
Student Ambassadors
Student Council
Service Organizations
Recognition of leadership by faculty and staff
Safety and Security
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Children’s safety and security is paramount
All entrances are secured after drop off
time
All visitors are required to sign in and wear
visitor’s badge
All staff trained on emergency plan
Drills are practiced
Safety and Security
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Picture ID is mandatory for check out
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Students can only be checked out by individuals
listed on file
First responders on staff
Development of parent visibility team
Future plan for security cameras
Parenting Tips to Support a
Smooth Transition
 Be upbeat about what
lies ahead.
 Recognize their fears.
 Offer support.
 Hold your child
accountable.
 Give your child the
opportunity to make
some decisions… Allow
for natural
consequences.
Parenting Tips to Support a
Smooth Transition
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Pick your battles
Give them the
tools they need to
succeed.
Expect them to
make mistakes.
Support for Parents:
Communication Methods
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Agenda Books
Newspaper
Local School Advisory Committee
PTSA Meetings
E-Mail Grade Reports from Teachers
School Web Site
The Nuts and Bolts
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Times
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8:50AM – Students may enter building
9:10AM – Homeroom begins
4:00PM – Student dismissal
Last check out at 3:30PM
No check out during test administration
The Nuts and Bolts
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Payment for lunch / breakfast
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On-line, checks, daily cash
Ice Cream may only be purchased with school
lunch or sack lunch from home
No fast food, soda, or energy drinks in the
cafeteria
Bus assignments / Car Rider information
will be provided at open-house (Aug 6)
The Nuts and Bolts
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Dress Code
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Neatly dressed and well groomed at all times
Appropriate school attire and shoes are required
at all times
Not hats, sunglasses, spaghetti straps, offensive
graphics or exposure of undergarments
More details will be outlined in the student
agenda
PE Uniforms will be available for purchase
The Nuts and Bolts
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School-wide Discipline Program
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Adheres to GCPS student code of conduct
Consistent rules from class to class, and grade to
grade
Positive recognition
Tiered consequences
Parent notification for all disciplinary actions
The Nuts and Bolts
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Attendance
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Rewards for good attendance
Hand written excuses or doctor notes must be
submitted to HR teacher for all absences
State attendance guidelines will be followed for
excused absences
Immunization!!!
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Provide necessary immunization paperwork.
All 6th grade students must have a Georgia
Immunization Form 3231 that reflects a 2nd
MMR and two doses of Varicella vaccine,
or proof of chicken pox virus
These documents need to be in your child’s
perm file prior to their first day of school
at NGMS
Students will not be registered without
proper documentation of immunization
Questions????
Now…
All that we’re missing is you and your
child!
Welcome to the inaugural class of
North Gwinnett Middle School!