About 7th Grade

Middle School Philosophy

The following represents a list of the key philosophical beliefs that will guide the programs and practices of the Spring-Ford Middle School:

1. We recognize that we are to aid in the transition of children from elementary school to high school and from childhood to adulthood.
2. Children experience growth intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, and creatively. It is our role to aid our students in growing positively in each area. Through formal programs and informal interactions, we should strive to help our students grow and cope with the changes they will be encountering. Ideally, our role is to foster intellectual growth. This should remain a high priority. Realistically, we recognize that intellectual growth does not occur in a vacuum. We attempt to be alert to aiding students in dealing with different aspects of their total growth.
3. We recognize that children of middle school age are approaching adolescence and this stage of early or pre-adolescence can be a puzzling time due to unique needs and concerns. Physically, our children will experience more change in the two years of middle school than at any other point in their school lives. Helping children understand and adjust to these changes is a challenge we cannot ignore. The physical changes experienced by pre-adolescents often are related to changes and problems with respect to social and emotional development.
4. Children progress at individual rates in all phases of their development. Being sensitive to their differences is an important part of our work.
5. Just as intellectual development does not occur in a vacuum without influence by social and emotional development, it must be understood that the total school effort does not and cannot exist in a vacuum, isolated from the events and impact of parents and family. Working in cooperation with parents to help our children is an essential part of our work.
6. Middle school children need support, encouragement, and structure. They need adults to set limits and to provide understanding and guidance in an effort to develop acceptable patterns of conduct.
7. Children should experience success and enjoyment in school so they develop positive self-concepts and positive attitudes toward learning and school. We should build into our school, both formally and informally, opportunities for our students to experience success and enjoyment. The end result of these efforts will lead to healthier self-concepts and better attitudes toward school and learning. However, in achieving these ends, we must critically examine our academic and social expectations of students. Establishing realistic expectations or high standards is important. Success may be harder to reach if standards are high, but the success will be more rewarding for those who make it. However, there are obvious differences in the capabilities of students. Often through no fault of their own, students are unable to meet the uniform standards we set. It is in such cases that we must be wise enough to readjust our expectations. Expectations that are unrealistically high for some students provide the foundation for failure before these students even get out of the starting blocks. We should strive for high standards, but temper our goals with sensitivity for those students who lack the necessary capabilities to meet success. As students fall short of our standards, we should work cooperatively as professionals to either e-examine our standards or develop strategies that move these students toward successful ends.

Q: What time will our day start and end?
A: Homeroom starts at 8:05 AM. Dismissal is at 2:41 PM. There are two dismissal bus runs, half of the students leave at the first bell and half leave at the second bell. Your bus will always be in the same run. You will ride the bus with 8th graders.

Q: Do they run on a 6 day cycle?
A: Yes, just like 5th/6th grade.

Q: How many periods are in a day?
A: There are seven periods in a day, five for major subjects, one for minors, and one for specials

Q: How many minutes are there between classes?
A: Three, this is plenty of time to get where you need to go!

Q: How many major subjects will I have?
A: Five, Reading, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies

Q: What are “minors?”
A: Your minor subjects are your world language or target reading/math, P.E., and health. You will have these the same period of the day throughout your six day cycle.

Q: When will I have my world language or target reading/math?
A: If you are taking a world language, you will have Spanish or French three times a cycle, three days in a row. Target reading/math would be three days too. You will have this world language in 8th grade too.

Q: How often will I have P.E.?
A: Two times a cycle

Q: Will I have to change for P.E. class?
A: No, but you must wear sneakers.

Q: How many “specials” will I have?
A: Four, Art, Music, Family Consumer Science, and Technical Education (Tech. Ed.) You will have one special per marking period and you will go to special every day for that marking period.

Q: What will we do in Family Consumer Science (FCS)?
A: Child development/babysitting, careers, nutrition, cooking and kitchen safety, and hand sewing

Q: What will we do in Tech. Ed.?
A: Focus is on technology; learn about radio waves, electricity, weather, airplane and driving simulators, etc.

Q: Should I go to my locker between classes?
A: You can go between classes and you MUST go before or after lunch since you cannot bring your backpack to lunch. You can carry backpack around during the day.

Q: Are my classes far apart from each other?
A: Yes and No. Science labs are all in the same wing. Some classes will be closer together, but you could have some that will be a bit further away. Once you know your schedule, you will get more comfortable with moving around the building.

Q: Will I travel with the same kids all day?
A: Yes and no.You will have your five major subjects with most of the same kids (like you do now). However, your specials and minors are mixed up with other kids on your team, as well as kids from other teams.

Q: How many lunches are there?
A: Four, first lunch is at 10:15 and last lunch is at 12:33.

Q: Can I sit with anyone I want at lunch?
A: Yes, if, you have good behavior. You do not have to sit by homeroom anymore.

Q: Will I have Target Time?
A: Yes, but it is structured differently than at the 5/6 Center. You have Target Time every morning. During this time, you’ll have the chance to meet with any of your teachers and get extra help. It is also when you would go to Band or Chorus. Target time is NOT a time to do homework, you do your homework at home.

Q: Will I get a lot of homework?
A: Sometimes, but you should expect homework in every subject area. You need to be organized and independent to stay on top of everything. You can always check your teachers’ Canvas pages to find out about homework you may have forgotten to write down. There is a Homework Club you can join which meets after school.

Q: What are demerits?
A: You earn demerits for a range of behaviors, from inappropriate behavior and language, lateness to class, unexcused tardiness, loitering in halls/stairwells, eating gum/food in classes or halls, etc...to dress code violations, cutting classes, bus infractions, vandalism, or disruptive behavior. The number of demerits you receive determines the kind of consequence you earn. If you go 45 days without earning ANY demerits, up to 5 demerits can be removed from your record. The demerit system is described in detail in the Middle School Code of Conduct, which is available on the 7th Grade Center website.

Q: Can I get detention?
A: Yes. Detention is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:45-3:45 P.M. There is also a 4-hour detention on Saturdays like we have at the 5/6 Center. In addition, teachers can assign lunch detentions, as needed.

Q: What do kids get detentions for?
A: Same as at the 5/6 Center, inappropriate behavior or language, disrespectful behavior or language, breaking the rules, multiple incomplete homework assignments, etc., and being late to class.

Q: What sports can I play?
A: In Fall - Football, Soccer, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Cheerleading, Cross Country. In Winter - Basketball, Wrestling, Cheerleading. In Spring - Softball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Track & Field. You must maintain passing grades to participate on any school sports teams. You will also need to have a physical for all PIAA sports.

Q: What other clubs or activities are there?
A: Short list: Band & Chorus, Marching Band & Color Guard, Instrumental lessons, Drama/School Plays, Newspaper, Computer Club, Yearbook, Television Studio, Science Olympiad, Reading Olympics, World Language ...a full list of activities, clubs, and athletics will be announced on the morning announcements and can be found on the Middle School website.