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Mr. Gavalas

Welcome Address

Closing

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Ms. DePierro

Navigating the School

Attendance

Before & After School Activities

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Welcome to Howitt Middle School’s

6th Grade Summer Orientation

August 26, 2025

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Ms. Marano

Understanding Schedules

A/B Days

Schedule Change Request

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Mr. McCloud

Locks & Lockers

Some School Rules

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Session 1:

8:45 - 10:45

Session 2:

11:15 - 1:15

What kind of middle school experience do you want to have?

MG

How will you use your time at Howitt?

MG

How will you use your time at Howitt?

MG

MG

PTA President: Melissa Torres

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PTA Email: HMSPREZ@farmingdaleschools.org

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SEPTA President: Gina Brinskelle

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MG

KM

� �LOCKS & LOCKERS��

• Students will be assigned a locker during period 1 on the first day of school. This will be their locker for the remainder of the year.�
• A simple combination lock will be provided to students on the first day of school during homeroom. This lock will be their lock until they graduate 8th grade.

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• If the lock is lost, a new one must be purchased from the school.

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Summer mailing includes bus passes & were mailed last week, watch your mailbox!

HMS Virtual Backpack - contains resources, flyers, information

For more details: https://farmingdaleschools.org/district/food_services

A Few Quick Items…

KM

Effective 9/5/2025- Snacks are a la carte

Hoods & hats are not to be worn in school

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No running in the halls

ID Cards must be worn at all times

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Cellphones, smart watches, earbuds, iPads, must be stored in locker or backpack during the school day

(7:55 AM- 2:42 PM)

A Few School Rules…

KM

GM

A/B CALENDAR

The Howitt Middle School academic calendar surrounds a six-day cycle and student schedules are based on alternating A/B days. Every school day is designated A or B prior to the start of the school year. Skipping an A or B day will only occur as a result of an emergency school closing.

GM

HOWITT MIDDLE SCHOOL

25-26 SCHEDULE CHANGE REQUEST

• All students have lunch during the same period, according to grade. Cafeterias are assigned according to a student’s last name. Changes are not permitted unless a student has a documented food allergy or other medical need.�
• All requests for a schedule change are to correct programming errors (ie, missing a core subject). �
• Students will follow the schedule they have been given until notified by the counselor that a change has been made.

Schedule Change Request Form

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CD

West Building

Central Administration

6th Grade Wing

East Building

EAST BUILDING

FIRST FLOOR

400’s

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(8h Grade)

CD

EAST BUILDING

SECOND FLOOR

500’s

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CD

6th GRADE WING

FIRST FLOOR

600’s

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CD

6th GRADE WING

SECOND FLOOR

700’s

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CD

WEST BUILDING

FIRST FLOOR

100’s

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West Office

102

(6th Grade)

101

DALER DEPOT

West Office

108

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(7th Grade)

CD

WEST BUILDING

SECOND FLOOR

200’s

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CD

WEST BUILDING

THIRD FLOOR

300’s

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Attendance Matters

Arriving to school on-time and attending all of your classes regularly is a key to academic success!

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Strong Attendance:

• permits students to make academic gains
• encourages friendships between peers
• allows teachers to build connections with students
• leads to academic engagement
• builds confidence in students

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KM

Before and After School Activities

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Starting at the end of September:

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• We have morning recreation in the East Gym (7:25 -7:55 am)

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• Clubs are offered for students after school (2:50-3:50)

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• After-School Academic Support/Extra Help (2:50-3:50)

All students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

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• Late buses are available at 4:00 and 4:45 pm for students who attend after-school activities. A listing of late bus routes can be found on the HMS site’s home page.

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• Be sure to check the HMS Homepage on the website for details.

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• All clubs and after school activities will be shared on the morning announcements.

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Walkers can enter Howitt at the main entrance of Howitt East and Howitt West starting at 7:25 AM.

Students should not enter/exit from the security booth on Van Cott until 4:00 PM.

DROP OFF/PICK UP PROCEDURES

Students who arrive at school before 7:30 AM should use the Main Entrance at Howitt East.

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Students who arrive at school late (after 8:05 AM) MUST scan/sign in at the Main Entrance of Howitt East.

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Walkers can enter and exit Howitt at the Main Entrance of Howitt East and Howitt West.

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Early Dismissal (students being picked up for appointments, Nurse, etc.) will take place at the Main Entrance of Howitt East.

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Visitors will use the Main Entrance of Howitt East.

Students that arrive at school before 7:30 AM should use the Main Entrance at Howitt East.

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Students who arrive at school late (after 8:05 AM) MUST scan/sign in at the Main Entrance of Howitt East.

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Walkers can enter and exit Howitt at the Main Entrance of Howitt East and Howitt West.

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Early Dismissal (students being picked up from health office, for appointments,etc.) will take place at the Main Entrance of Howitt East.

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Visitors will use the Main Entrance of Howitt East.

MG

�

Digital Communication��

Tech Support:

parentportal@farmingdaleschools.org

parentsquare@farmingdaleschools.org

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Follow us on Twitter/X @HowittMS

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Mr. Mike Gavalas - Principal

mgavalas@farmingdaleschools.org�

Mr. Kenneth McCloud - 6th Grade

kmccloud@farmingdaleschools.org

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Ms. Cheryl DePierro - 7th Grade

cdepierro@farmingdaleschools.org�

Ms. Giulia Marano - 8th Grade

gmarano@farmingdaleschools.org

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MG

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Contact Information

If you work hard

and treat people well,

GREAT things will happen!

MG