North Andover Middle School�Transition

Mission Statement

It is our mission to educate all of our students academically and to address their needs socially and emotionally within a safe comprehensive middle school community.

Getting to know us…

Administration

• Joan McQuade- Principal
• Steve Wrigley-Assistant Principal
• Cheryl Raimondo-Assistant Principal

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Administrative Secretaries

• Melissa Barron
• Lisa Hunter

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Special Education

• Kate Burnham

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Support Services

• Julie Faucher-6^th Grade Guidance Counselor
• Jim Gosselin-7^th Grade Guidance Counselor
• Georgia Chute-8^th Grade Guidance Counselor
• Lindsey Chatterton-School Psychologist
• Michelle O’Leary - School Psychologist
• Elizabeth Hassanien/Kathleen Pease-School Nurse

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Welcome to NAMS

Let’s explore some topics that may help you ease into your new school……

• Feelings
• Teams
• Schedule
• Related Arts
• Lockers
• Lunch
• Clubs & activities
• Getting organized, being successful, studying and handling stress
• School website

What Are Your Feelings About Middle School?

Students transitioning into a new school have many feelings…

• Nervous and/or scared. Students sometimes worry about the unexpected. Will I get lost? What if I forget where I am supposed to be?
• Excited. Students enjoy having more freedom, meeting new people and starting new. So take advantage of the fresh start with good habits.
• These feelings are normal, but if you feel you need help coping talk to a parent, teacher or your guidance counselor.

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Placement Process

Various factors come into play during the placement of students on to teams at the middle school. Careful consideration is given to students requiring special accommodations such as those on IEP’s, 504 plans, or receiving ELL services. We attempt to balance teams as evenly as possible by equally distributing different genders, academic abilities, and social/emotional needs.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, this process is not open to parent or student requests for specific teams or teachers. The philosophy behind our middle school model is one of embracing the opportunity of meeting new classmates and adapting to new experiences.

6^th GradeTeams

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6A 6B

Mrs. Chandler (SCI) Ms. Bishop (SS)

Mr. Poirior (SS) Mrs. Boutilier (MA)

Ms. Shanley (ELA) Mrs. Nugent (SCI)

Mr. Furey (MA) Mrs. Jones (ELA)

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6C 6D

Mr. Batchelder (ELA) Mr. D. Wrigley (ELA/SS)

Mrs. Francoeur (MA) Mrs. Poor (MA/SS)

Mrs. Lawrence (SCI) Ms. Gordon (SCI/SS)

Mrs. Van Horn (SS)

Special Education

Mrs. LeBlanc

Mrs. Umbro

Mrs. Martinez

7^th Grade Teams

7A 7B 7C

Mrs. Leonardis Ms. Searls Ms. Gladhill

Mrs. Dufner Mr. Pascoe Mr. Bianco

Mr. Walsh Mrs. Hart Mrs. Taris

Mr. Smith Mr. Tanglis Ms. Piantigini

Ms. Duchesneau Mr. Quinn Mrs. Sylvester

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Special Education

Ms. DeMaria

Mrs. Richard

Ms. Wardwell

Mr. Miller

8^th Grade Teams

8A 8B 8C

Mrs. Kane Mr. McGravey Ms. Berkland

Ms. Gaffny Ms. Darmon Mr. Jordan

Mr. Richard Mrs. Irving Ms. LaPierre

Mrs. Olkovikas Mrs. Sparks Ms. Calos

Mrs. Melnick Ms. Beaton Mr. Silletti

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Special Education

Mr. Kaplan

Ms. Murphy

Mr. Drosdek

Ms. Mungovan

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Schedule

General Information:

• A “trimester” schedule is followed
• Lunch and related arts schedules rotate by trimester
• In the morning, students gather in designated grade-level areas; 6^th grade in Symmes Lobby; 7^th and 8^th grades in cafeteria
• Students begin their day in homeroom at 7:40 with attendance and morning announcements.
• Teams determine locker visits throughout the school day
• Dismissal at 2:20

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6^th Grade

• 5 academic blocks: Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math, Extended Academics
• 2 “related arts” blocks

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7^th and 8^th Grade

• 5 academic blocks: Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math, AMS
• 2 “related arts” blocks

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Related Arts

Students have the opportunity to choose band or music, all other related arts classes are assigned to their schedule…..

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• Band
• Chorus
• Acting
• Digital Literacy
• World Cultures
• Health and Nutrition
• Wellness
• Physical Education 1
• Physical Education 2
• Art 1
• Art 2

Lockers

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Students are assigned lockers in close proximity to their homeroom

and team.

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Students are strongly encouraged to use a lock daily to secure their

personal belongings.

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Locks are required to be purchased from the main office at a cost

of $6.00.

Important Locker Tips

• Never share your locker and/or locker combination with other students

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• DO write down your locker combination so that you don’t forget it. However…….

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• Don’t panic if you forget your locker number or combination. The office has a master list and can assist you if needed.

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Lunch

Lunch times vary by trimester:

-10:26-10:52

-11:18-11:44

-12:10-12:36

Meals:

Breakfast can be purchased daily in the cafeteria from 7:00-7:35. Students are allowed to either

bring a lunch or purchase a lunch at school. See NAMS website for more details regarding cost and

weekly selections.

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Lunch Table Assignments:

6^th grade students sit and eat with their assigned team for the beginning of the school year.

Students are then offered the opportunity to assemble a lunch table of their choice. Official “sign

ups” and assignments will then take place. Subsequent changes require the approval of

administration and/or guidance counselor.

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7^th and 8^th grade students have the opportunity to assemble a lunch table at the beginning of the

school year. Official “sign ups” and assignments will then take place. Subsequent changes require

the approval of administration and/or guidance counselor.

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Clubs & Activities

• NAMS Knightly News
• Robotics
• After-hours (seasonal)
• Math Counts
• Academic Bowl
• Jazz Band
• Talent Show
• Student Leadership

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• Drama Club
• Peer Mentoring
• Tutoring
• Ski Club
• Turkey Trot
• Boosters Program
• Youth Center

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Getting Good Grades

Tip #1- Get Organized

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• Use your agenda book to record daily assignments, tests and quizzes.
• Have a folder system set up for homework “to do” & “return” to school.
• Use a highlighter to highlight in your planner homework due each night.
• Have supplies ready for class & home.
• Keep a neat and clean locker.
• Pack up your backpack the night before so you are

ready in the morning

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Getting Good Grades

Tip #2- Be Successful In The Classroom

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• Come to school every day
• Pay attention in class
• Follow directions
• Participate in classroom activities
• Ask for help when you need it
• Make sure you understand your assignment
• Stay after-school for help when needed

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Getting Good Grades

Tip #3- Study Smart

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• Find a good place to study. Get started.
• Set a regular time each day to study
• Use tricks to help you memorize information (i.e. flash cards, study guides, etc.)
• Take advantage of re-learning opportunities
• Stay after-school for study/review sessions
• Turn off the TV, cell phones and email and

other message centers

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Handling Stress

• Get a good night sleep
• Eat right and get plenty of exercise
• Listen to music
• Take deep breaths
• Think of a place where you feel relaxed then visualize that place
• Spend time with family and friends
• Talk to an adult

Still want more information about �North Andover Middle School?

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Check out our website at:

www.northandoverpublicschools.com/nams/

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