Step Up to Middle School

Houses

Can you request to have friends in your house/classes?

No. Middle School is a great opportunity to branch out, make new friends and learn to work hard & play hard with a variety of students. It is helpful to meet a lot more students, more diversity, more teachers to learn from as well.

Will siblings be in the same house?

Not always. Houses are chosen randomly.

What houses are there, and do you need certain skills to get in the groups?

There are 6 Houses

• Bryagh (yellow)
• Draconis (black)
• Lindorm (green)
• Magnus (red)
• Saphira (blue)
• Wyvern (maroon)

You do not need any certain skills. The activities you do with your Houses are fun and the competition is friendly and supportive. Sometimes the enthusiasm of the SWAT has an impact on how you feel about your House as a whole.

Are there stereotypes about the houses?

There are certain Houses that have won the cup more often than others.

At the beginning of the year, everyone puts in the same amount of effort, but then when a House gets ahead, sometimes people lose their momentum or their hope to win the House Cup. They feel a bit discouraged.

Sometimes people brag about winning at intramurals, but it isn’t too bad or too serious. We all need to encourage each other and be good sports.

Is it true that everyone hates certain houses?

Some students who are highly competitive may be discouraged when their House isn’t winning. All students are encouraged to remain positive and supportive.

Can you change to new houses over time?

No. There have been a few students each year who have been asked to change Houses in order to keep numbers balanced. You are notified by the Assistant Principal if this becomes necessary.

What do you need to do to get into a house?

Nothing. Happens automatically, like getting your classes assigned.

Do house points count toward your grade?

No. All for fun and for friendly competition and building positive, active community. One Tribe, Be Kind. Work Hard, Play Hard.

Is it possible to get kicked out of a house?

No. Changes made would only be to balance.

Do you have to wear a t-shirt for houses?

Yes. You get House Points for wearing your shirt when asked.

How important are the houses? (not sure what this means?)

As important as you want them to be. Personal choice. They are important for spirit reasons. They boost your self-esteem, guide you through 6th grade, fun & friendly competition. It doesn’t impact you in terms of your focus on academics, but sometimes it impacts your morale or general enthusiasm, for instance after winning at intramurals, you may be in a better mood. You learn how to be a better community in SWAT. You learn important skills and it brings different people together and you are able to make new friends.

Are there 6, 7, 8 graders all in one house?

Yes. There are 2 SWATs per House, per grade level.

What is a SWAT?

SWAT is Super Wicked Advisory Time.

It is a family within the school. One teacher and up to 15 students who meet daily to check-in with one another, learn more about character development, play intramurals, compete for House Points, and just generally, have fun together! A place where you can join and talk about things, ideas, snack, and hang out together. SWAT is a place where you can be yourself and have fun with other people. You learn to have House pride!

Schedule & Classes

Can we only see counselors on a break? How can we ask to see them?

Counselors are available to students before school, during SWAT (by request to SWAT teacher), lunch, afternoon break, and after school. In addition, many students email counselors for help and problem-solving or make an appointment.

When do we find out about our courses?

You receive your schedule the first day of school in your SWAT.

Student names and SWAT assignments are posted in the Grade 6 Commons on the first day of school. You travel with your SWAT during the first day.

Do we get to pick our teachers at this school?

No. The schedules are determined by a computer generated system. Who you have as a teacher is random.

How many breaks do you get? How long?

SWAT is from 9:25 - 10:00 am (35 mins). Lunch is from 11:20 - 12:00 pm (40 minutes).

Afternoon break is from 1:25 - 1:40 pm (15 mins).

What are we allowed to do on our breaks/free time?

SWAT (9:25 - 10:00 am) is an organized time and rotates a variety of activities (assemblies, intramurals, library visits, advisory lessons, reflections).

Lunch is eating and social/active time (11:20 - 11:40 am eating in the dining hall, 11:40 - 12:00 pm free time on field, gym or in the 6th grade commons).

Afternoon break (1:25 - 1:35 pm) and students often play foosball, hangout and talk to friends, snack from Coffee Beanery, go to gym or field, read in commons, go into teachers classroom, spend time in the library, check-in with teachers about work.

Are there tardy passes?

Depends on reason for being tardy. Varies.

First few weeks of school teachers are very understanding. Then they expect you to be on time unless you have a pass to class from the MS Office or nurse.

Traffic is not an excuse for being tardy. The only exceptions are if you ride the school bus. If a student is late because the school bus was late arriving to school, the student(s) are exempt from being tardy.

What happens if the Foreign Language is too easy? Can you get moved up?

Teachers determine and recommend moves based on evidence/data from class performance and learning habits. The first few weeks of school if a student has not been placed in the appropriate level for a foreign language a move is often recommended.

What classes will we learn in MS that we didn't do in elementary?

6th graders take Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, PE, Music (instrument, music in our lives, or choir), Foreign Language and Rotation (computers, drama, robotics, service learning, and art), and Core Enrichment (study skills, computer, reading, guidance)

What do we do during advisory time?

(see above answer for SWAT)

Are you allowed to use phones during breaks?

No. Before and after school. During school you have to use the phone in the MS Office.

How much homework do we get? Is it the same in every house?

Homework should be between 1 hour and 1 ½ hours a night (tops). If it becomes more, you need to go see your teachers, SWAT advisor, or your counselor.

Depends on class and assignment, but usually not more than 1 hour, unless a project.

Do your HW the day it is assigned. Check-in with your teacher the next day or email if you don’t understand or need help. Manage your long term assignments and don’t save things for the last minute

Will we have Thursday folders?

No as parents have access to grades in PowerSchool.

Do we have scheduled library time?

Yes, this happens during SWAT on a rotational basis. You also have the opportunity to go during Language Arts and Social Studies for various units of study.

Do we have guidance classes?

Yes. Strong Kids, Safe Kids is the guidance curriculum in the 6th grade. It is taught on a rotational basis during Core Enrichment time.

Supplies

On the first day, do you bring backpack, supplies, etc?

No. The first day is orientation to Grade 6.

Where can I find the supply lists for Middle School?

Supply lists can be found on the Middle School home page on this Sahifa.

Will students need to have uniforms?

Only for PE from Noble House. You change in and out of your PE uniform during PE. You may not wear it to school and or after PE. For more information about our PE uniforms, please visit the Physical Education Uniforms page.

Maximum number of bags to carry?

No rule about this. Be wise about the weight of what you carry.

Use a rolling back back if you have lot of stuff. We don’t actually bring a lot of stuff home. Use the computer a lot, some texts are thin and handed out by unit. Instruments are the biggest hassle to manage.

Do you need a lock? Do people steal things out of lockers?

You need a lock. If you don’t have a lock, the school is not responsible if you have things taken.

Occasionally, something gets taken from a locker with no lock. The Assistant Principal handles these matters. Get the larger sized lock over the summer or from the Booster Club (limited supply).

Can you bring your own computer instead of the school computer?

No. You are required to use the laptop issued to you by the school.

Are laptop cases provided? Can we buy our own?

Not provided. Part of school supplies. See list.

Is there a computer fee? Insurance fee? Negligence fee?

Yes. There is an insurance deposit fee.

Are lockers assigned or do we get to choose?

Lockers are assigned.

Your locker is near your SWAT location, in most cases. If you are short/tall, and your locker isn’t convenient, then you may ask your SWAT teacher to switch your locker with someone else in your SWAT.

You may not do this on your own, as locker numbers and lock combinations are kept in the Main Office and turned in by SWAT teachers at the beginning of the school year.

Do students have to take their laptops home each night?

Yes. They should not be stored overnight in your locker or on weekends. You are expected to take it home and bring it back each day. This is also for security reasons.

Do students take their backpacks with them to each class? (laptops?)

Laptops you take to all classes (except PE, unless in Health unit and in the classroom.)

Backpacks, it depends on the teacher. They will tell you their policy. Most teachers ask you to store your backpack in your locker.

Rules and Regulations

Are the rules and teachers more strict in MS?

This is a matter of personal opinion.

You have more privileges (i.e., walking freely from class to class). With privileges comes responsibility. Most middle schoolers manage their privileges well. Use your ASD values to guide your decision-making.

Middle school is a time to make decisions and choices for yourself and to learn from your mistakes. We often have to improve and learn how to better manage ourselves, as our parents step back more.

The teachers tend to be more laid back (as they expect you to step up more) and want to keep a balance between the work hard, play hard.

What do we need to worry about the most in MS?

You don’t need to worry. You do need to be pro-active and use strategies to be successful.

• Use your MS Planner daily, in each class to stay organized.
• Time management - Be prepared with class materials and turn work in on time.
• Do your homework the day it is assigned.
• Going to see a teacher for help after school (without being asked or forced to do so).
• Make a weekly or monthly schedule to keep your life balanced between academic work and extra-curricular activities.
• Balance the “Work Hard & Play Hard.”
• Beginning of the year, you worry about forgetting a class and how to get to them and when to go. After a few days, the schedule is memorized and then it becomes easy.

Do we get detention?

No. There are consequences though.

When students do not live out the ASD values, they can have a consequence from a classroom teacher or from the Assistant Principal. Working lunches are a way for teachers to hold you accountable for missing, late or incomplete work. Depends on the problem and the severity.

Common consequences are losing free time, email home to parents, signing the MS Planner, community service, Values Learning Plan (VLP). On occasion a student will make such a wrong choice that they are given an in-school suspension.

Is there a dress code? What is it?

Yes. See the PowerPoint Presentation. MS Dress Code Reminders

Do you have to take a shower after PE?

No, only during the swimming unit. 5-7 minutes change time. Be sure to have deodorant. Always bring your own brush or comb.

Are the teachers mean?

No. The teachers are supportive.

You are in control of your thoughts, actions, habits, character and opportunities. Have a positive attitude. Live out the ASD values consistently. These are the keys to your success in having positive relationships and a positive experience in the middle school with students and adults.

Different teachers have different teaching styles. It is also what kind of first impression you make. Make a strong first impression. The teachers try to be patient and give you a chance to self-correct, but there are times when students push past boundaries.

Be aware and read the moods of others so that you can also recognize when someone is having a tough day.

Are we allowed to protest? How can we express our opinion about things we don’t like?

Students will often share ideas and/or concerns with the Student Council or House Council members. You may also make an appointment directly with the principal and/or associate principal. You may also write a respectful email to the principal and/or associate principal. Some students talk with their SWAT teacher or a counselor. These are a few suggestions.

You want to consider your approach when sharing your opinions and if it is the appropriate time and venue, no matter what. Teachers work hard to plan and prepare for you. Try to go with the flow and learn from them and trust the middle school.

First Week of MS

What do we do if we get lost on the first few days?

Ask for help from a Grade 6 teacher. Teachers are all very helpful. Look for someone who knows what they are doing. Go to the MS Office. Ask a friend and find things together.

On the first day, do you bring backpack, supplies, etc?

Already answered above. No.

Are there certain places we aren't allowed to go to? If so, what are they?

Yes. There are boundaries for the MS.

You should not be in the high school building. No short-cuts through the HS Science wing for example to get to the Grade 6 commons from music & drama. You should not visit the ES building without a pass from the MS Office or leave campus without signing in/out through the MS Office and getting a Gate Pass.

Anytime that a student wants to go see a teacher outside of the MS building, you need to check with the MS Office first. If you ever get lost or make a mistake, be sure to go to a teacher and ask for help, rather than make a wrong choice and try to solve the problem yourself.

Do we need to bring our own lunch and snacks for the first day or are they provided?

If you have a DragonCard and it has been pre-loaded with money or you bring money to load, then you can buy your lunch. It is probably easiest to bring your lunch the first day.

Miscellaneous

Is there a student council? Is it like the one in Upper Elementary?

There is a MS Student Council. It is a volunteer organization. Anyone can join. There is an application with the responsibilities and dates for the year. The Student Council is responsible for a variety of activities and also generally works to make a positive impact on the middle school community. More information will be shared at the first MS Assembly.

Is there a nurse's office?

Yes. The nurse’s office is in the MS/HS Dining Hall. You will see it on your tour.

Will we ever work with or see high school students?

Yes. Certain teachers & classes organize exchanges and activities on occasion with High School students. It happens more in Grade 7 & 8.

Do we sit on carpets in classes?

No. There are a few teachers who have a majlis or a couch or a carpet, but that is not a regular practice in the MS.

Are there service learning projects like in elementary school?

Yes. The rotation course, Service Learning, is 9 weeks and students learn and do service projects in this class. In addition, students often organize themselves and approach the principal, counselor or a SWAT teacher to self-initiated service projects.

These have to be approved by the principal.

Anything we need to practice or do during the summer break?

READ, READ, READ. Also, talk to middle schoolers so you can feel more comfortable and confident about starting in August. Enjoy your summer, relax, have fun and know that we are excited about you coming to the Middle School. You are going to have a great time!

What gate do we use?

Depends on where you arrive in the morning. Gate 12 is for drop-off by car and so is Gate 8. The buses drop-off at Gate 2 and then you walk over the MS building.

If you have a new question to add, feel free to email a counselor! Email addresses are above, near the title.

Have more questions? Email us.

Mrs. Sara MacDonald (UES Counselor): smacdonald@asd.edu.qa

Mr. Michael Olsen (UES Counselor): molsen@asd.edu.qa

Mrs. Jen Hammonds (MS Counselor): jenhammonds@asd.edu.qa

Dr. Annalice Hayes (MS Counselor): ahayes@asd.edu.qa