Summer greetings from the Mount Nittany Middle School Orange Team.  We are happy to have you as a student on our team, and we look forward to a successful school year.

Meet the Orange Team teachers:  

Amy Anderson          Art (Fall)                      axa14@scasd.org

Jonah Klixbull          Music (Spring)              

Cassie Mosier               English                     cgm13@scasd.org

Chelsea Cummins    Academic Literacy          csm19@scasd.org

Amy Dietz                  Math                          amd20@scasd.org

Dan Stevens               Science                      dls25@scasd.org

Paula Homa           Social Studies                 prh11@scasd.org 

One of our Orange Team goals is to help our students with organization. With that goal in mind, please refer to the list below when purchasing your school supplies. Clearly labeled binders will also be beneficial when retrieving materials from lockers.

Supply List:

*** A school-issued, charged Chromebook, wired earbuds, and pencils are required for all classes. 

Students can choose how they want to organize their binders/folders.  A suggestion is to have a binder (maybe 2 inch) for their odd day (or A day) classes, and then another binder for their even day (or B day) classes.  If students are using binders for multiple classes, tabbed dividers are recommended. 

 

Homeroom:  2 boxes of tissues 

 

English:  one durable folder that is hole punched to put in a binder, earbuds, black pens, colored pens, highlighters, and a book to read

 

Science:  1 composition-style notebook, 1 folder just for science class, pencils, glue sticks

 

Social Studies:  binder, pencils

 

Academic Literacy:  binder, notebook paper, highlighters, earbuds & pencils

 

Math Classes (your child is enrolled in 1 of the following classes):

Advanced Algebra I:   binder, pencils, and Texas Instruments (TI) graphing calculator (TI-83, TI-84, TI-84+) (not required, but strongly recommended)

 

Algebra & Geometry 8:   binder, basic calculator, highlighter, pencils

 

Advanced Geometry:  2” 3-ring binder, protractor, and a compass

 

 

Art (fall semester 2023): 2-pocket folder, a 9X12 sketchbook, and four (4) #2 pencils to be donated and used in the art classroom

Snacks & Water       

We permit nutritious snacking during block five/six, as long as it does not disturb the class.  Each student must bring his/her own nutritional snack; sharing distracts others.  Please do not send candy or full-size bags of snacks.  They will not be permitted.  Water in plastic bottles is permitted. Refillable water bottles are encouraged as we have a filling station in the 8th-grade hallway.

Eighth Grade is a Pivotal Year       

The Orange Team recognizes that eighth grade is the culminating year at Mount Nittany Middle School.  Your child has changed in many ways since he/she entered sixth grade.  The sixth and seventh-grade years were building blocks in developing successful academic performance. Your child must learn to balance academic challenges, peer issues, extracurricular activities, and family responsibilities during this school year.  Learning to maintain this balance is never easy; we believe that it is a life skill that requires dedication to responsible academic and social behavior. The rules we have established will not only facilitate the transition from middle school to high school, but they will also become tools that your child can use to achieve success in the future. Please review these rules with your child before the start of school.

   

Orange Team’s Steps to Success  

•  Students are expected to be prepared for class.  They should make sure that they have all materials needed before class begins. Students may go to their lockers between classes.  Once class begins, they will not be permitted to go to their lockers.

• To receive full credit, homework must be completed and turned in on time.

• Homework is not late if a student is absent.  However, students are responsible for turning in past assignments upon their return to school. Tests need to be scheduled and made up promptly, as well.  Students who will miss part or most of a school day due to medical appointments, field trips, extracurricular activities, etc. are expected to turn in homework and obtain assignments before they leave and make up any quizzes or tests the next school day.  Students who arrive late to school are responsible for seeing the teachers of the classes missed before arrival.  

• Academic integrity is critical for success; therefore, if a student is caught copying another student’s work, both papers will be taken and the school discipline policy will be followed.  Both papers will be forwarded to the appropriate teacher if the offense is for an off-team class assignment.  

• Students should show respect by treating each other with integrity.  We want to create an atmosphere where all students feel comfortable learning and socializing.  Harassment and unkind teasing will not be tolerated.

Study Skills Tips   

Study skills are a very important part of your child’s education.  Students need to establish strong skills at an early age.  Here are some helpful hints:   

·Students should establish a specific schedule for doing homework and studying.

·Students should study in several short sessions of 40 to 50 minutes each with a few minutes break between each session. Students should take notes as they read.

·Encourage your child to review class notes and readings each day as an integral part of his/her study time.  This will improve overall comprehension and long-term retention.

·Review previous quizzes and tests with your child.

·Students should use an assignment book daily to record all assignments.  

Enjoy the remainder of your summer vacation!