WELCOME!

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6th Grade Family Orientation

HRMS Team

Administrators

Support Staff

• Adam Colantuoni, Principal
• Danielle LaRocque, Assistant Principal
• Emicel Burrell, Assistant Principal
• Marla De La Cruz, Assistant Director of Students Services
• Peter DiMauro, Secondary Curriculum Director

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Christine Purcell, 6th grade Counselor

Christie Arundel, Social Worker

Bridget Zappala, Social Worker

Barbie Linares, Main Office

Carla Vetere, Main Office

Annamaria Piatelli, Counseling Office

Office Staff

DPD School Resource Officer

Officer Jason Skane

Health Office

Nurses:Megan Paul and Amanda Piraino

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Who are we?

• 750 student, grades 6-8
• Over 100 staff members

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• Community
• Inclusion
• Integrity
• Respect
• Student Voice & Leadership

Monthly Grade Level Hawk Talks

Typical challenges for the middle school

transition

6th Grade Transition Process

March - May

• Visits to each elementary school
• Family Google Form
• Tonight - Parent/Guardian Orientations
• HRMS 5th grade students tours - April/May

June

• Elementary Principal Meetings

July/August

• Summer Drop In Hours
• Communicate Team Assignments - Mid August
• Open House Tours - August
• August Locker Night and 2nd Parent/Guardian Meeting

Middle School Counseling Department

• Assigned a counselor who will work with you and your student for next 3 years
• Help your family navigate the middle school experience
• Meets with teams of teachers regularly throughout the year to share information and support students
• Teaches lessons throughout the year
• Vital part of our team and a bridge between parents, staff, and the administrative team

Grade 6 Teams

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• Holten
• Primus
• Richmond

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• Approx. 80-90 students on each team

• Consider all information we receive from elementary schools and student need when teaming

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• Teachers meet regularly to plan, share information, and discuss needs of students

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• Spend majority of their school day in the same hallway and “on team”

Typical Day

• Arrive at school between 7:00 - 7:30 am
• Homeroom begins at 7:30 with morning announcements and attendance
• First period begins at 7:37
• 5 core academics and 2 exploratory classes
• 25 minute lunch - students will sit in an assigned cafeteria by team and work towards “free seating”
• Dismissal is at 1:55 pm

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Core Classes

ELA

Math

Science

Social Studies

World Language/WIN

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WL and WIN alternate on Blue and White days

Exploratories

Art

Computer Science

Media Production

Robotics

STEM

General Music

Health

Year Long Offerings

Chorus

Band

Physical Education

Before School Routines

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• Cars Drop Off - Big circle in front of school

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• 6th graders will report to the gym upon arrival (7:00 am - 7:20)

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• Breakfast is available in cafeteria until 7:15 am

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• Grab and Go available - after breakfast

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• 7:20 am - go to lockers and HR

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• HR Bell @ 7:30 am

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• If late to HR, stop and get a late pass in office

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Morning Drop Off

After School Routines

• Buses lineup in the first circle along the front of school

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• If getting picked up, students can wait outside (weather permitting)

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• Can always use office phone to call home for afternoon plans

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• We will not keep a student after school without coordinating with families ahead of time

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• After School Activities - M, T, and Thursdays (2:00 - 2:45)

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• Activities are communicated through weekly family updates, HRMS Website, and morning announcements

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Chromebooks

Chromebooks are an instructional tool.

Establish a routine of charging them every night.

Students will have a DPS email and should check it regularly.

Students will complete and save work on Google Drive.

Google Classrooms are created by teachers and students are invited to join.

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Cell Phones

Cell phones are not required or allowed during the school day at HRMS.

Cell phones should be off and remain in the student’s bag in their locker

Student caught using cell phones during the day will be asked to turn it into the office.

Students who repeatedly use their phones during the day will need to drop them off in the office in the morning for the whole year.

Your student can reach you by using the main office phone and you can reach your student by calling the main office.

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Extracurriculars & After School

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2:00 2:45

M,T,Thursdays

6th Grade Trip to Camp Cody

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What:Two nights at Camp Cody for 6th Grade Students

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When: October 15-17, 2025

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Where: Nature’s Classroom Freedom, NH

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Cost: estimated $450-$500

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More Information To Come!

The Middle School Brain

Middle School

101

Middle School Experience

Social and Emotional Development and Growth

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• Time of:
• Constant change
• Daily Setbacks and Successes
• Navigating Social Circles and Peer Issues
• Developing self and social awareness, responsible decision making, self management, and interpersonal relationship skills

Middle School Experience

Opportunities

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• Explore Interests and Discover Their Passions
• Try New Clubs and Activities
• Learn How to Self Advocate
• Find their Voice
• Make New Connections and Friends

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Middle School Experience

Typical Middle Schoolers

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Developmentally

• Will struggle with impulse control
• Are consistently self-conscious
• Constantly seeking peer approval
• Are easily distracted
• Focused on their short term priorities

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Middle School Experience

Our Work Together

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• Establish a Strong Home to School Partnership
• Consistent, Proactive, and Productive Two Way Communication
• Support Their Growth Over Time
• Focus on a growth mindset and safely push them outside their comfort zones

How to Stay Involved

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Academic Progress

General Communication

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

School Council

PowerSchool Family Portal

Progress Reports

Report Cards

Fall Teacher Conferences

HRMS Weekly Family Update

Team Newsletters and Websites

School Messenger Emails

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The PAC sponsors many awesome events and programs!

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Monthly meetings are open to all and we encourage you to attend!

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hrmspac@gmail.com

The School Council helps develop the school improvement plan. We will be seeking a 6th grade parent rep this fall.

Principal’s Email

colantuoni@danvers.org

Thank you and Next Steps

Thank you for attending our Orientation!

If you were not able to attend, we hope these slides are a helpful starting point.

Our team will be available June through August to connect with families.

Please feel free to reach out and we would be happy to coordinate a time to meet this summer

We will be providing drop in hours throughout the summer

August Locker Night and Second Parent/Guardian Orientation Opportunity.

Highly Recommended summer reading for parents and guardians!

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