Innovators

Two students holding a banner: Innovators

We are excited to be your child’s team teachers this year!  We look forward to working closely with you to ensure that your child’s first year of middle school is a success.  You can reach us in a variety of ways: notes brought in by the student, email, or phone.  Please allow us 24 hours to respond.  You may call the school main office at (757) 578-7030. 

We look forward to a great year together.

Mrs. Young, Ms. Kitchin, and Ms. de Cristoforo

Teachers on the Team

  1. de Cristoforo – Math/Science
  2. Young – English/Science
  3. Kitchin – Civics/Science

 

Innovators Team News

Team Innovators has enjoyed getting to know the students this year. We are extremely glad to have our students back in person. Middle school can be an adjustment and we would like to provide some suggestions for success. Please make sure that students have the necessary supplies for class. We are noticing that many students already need to replenish their supplies such as glue sticks, pencils, colored pencils, and loose leaf paper. Please check the student’s agendas each night. They should have homework written down for all subjects or have none written to indicate that no homework was assigned. When completing homework, we encourage students to use their interactive notebooks to assist them. Notes are modeled and completed in class and can be a great refresher after class. Reading and math homework are given nightly. Students should be reading at least 20 minutes per night. Civics and science homework is given throughout the week. Lastly, we strongly encourage students and parents to check grades in StudentVue/ ParentVue at least once a week. Be sure to look at the entire report to see what assignments may be missing. As always, we are here to make your child’s transition to middle school positive. Please reach out via email or by phone if you have any questions or concerns.

 Parent Information:

Please continue to check Parent Vue weekly for updated grades.  Also, please check in with your child periodically to see if they need their school supplies replenished.

Please continue to check and sign agendas daily and help your child complete homework and study. Please talk to your child and find out what types of supplies he/she needs.

Classroom Expectations

  • Be prepared for class.  This includes having the necessary materials ready at the start of each bell.
  • Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before you speak or move about in the classroom.
  • Stay on task, do quality work, and seek assistance when you need it.
  • Show respect for yourself, your teachers, and fellow classmates.
  • Leave your work area neat and clean. Return all materials to their proper places.  Please dispose of your trash/recycling in the correct manner.
  • Remain seated in class until the teacher dismisses you.
  • Conduct yourself in an orderly fashion as you enter and leave the classroom and move through the hallways and cafeteria. Horse playing is not acceptable.
  • Gum is not allowed at IRMS.  Besides school breakfast, all other food and drink should be consumed in the cafeteria.
  • Coats, backpacks, and gym bags are to be left in your locker.

Demerit System

IRMS uses a demerit system to deal with inappropriate behavior that we believe obstructs the educational process. Failure to meet the expectations listed will result in the student receiving a demerit with the following consequences:

1st & 2nd Demerit Notice sent home; student returns signed form to assigning teacher.
3rd Demerit Notice sent home, teacher assigning 3rd demerit will call home.
4th Demerit Assign after school detention (ASD), student returns ASD form to homeroom teacher.
5th Demerit Referral to grade level assistant principal, Mrs. Williams

*Demerits earned reset at the beginning of each quarter.

Please Note: Continuous failure to bring required materials to class and/or return signed papers after parent contact will result in disciplinary action. Students are responsible for carrying their agenda throughout the day. This will serve as their hall pass when needing to go to the bathroom, etc. If students do not have their agenda, they will still be granted permission to leave the classroom, however, lack of required materials will result in a demerit.

Merits

Merits (Rise Rewards) are given to students as a way to reinforce positive behavior.  Four merits will cancel out one demerit.  This is signed off by Mrs. Williams, the 6th grade administrator.  Students will be able to buy items from the merit store throughout the nine weeks.  Celebrations will be scheduled at the end of the nine weeks  for merits and no demerits.

Homework Policy

We believe homework is important because it reinforces what has been taught in class; prepares students for upcoming lessons; and helps students develop self-discipline, responsibility, and organizational skills. Students are required to write down their homework nightly in their agenda in all classes. Homework is due the following day, unless otherwise stated. Please expect students to have homework nightly in all four core classes. Students will not be given time during the school day to complete their homework.

Grading Policy

Assignments should be completed on time.  20% is deducted each day an assignment is turned in late.

Assessments- 40%

Tests, essays, big projects, performance tasks

Practice- 30%

Classwork, homework, small projects, participation

Quizzes/Labs- 30%

Quizzes and labs

Parent Conferences

  • Our team is available to meet with parents Tuesday and Thursday between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
  • If you would like a conference, please email or call one of the team teachers to set up a conference.

Absences and Makeup Work

Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success.  Attendance is taken in every bell.

  • Indian River Middle School requires a written excuse from parent/guardian  or a doctor’s note for all absences.  Notes should include cause and date(s) of absence.
  • Students are responsible for completing any missed work.
  • If a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to pick up all make-up work/class notes upon return to school. Students are expected to make-up all missed work.
  • If a student is present the day before a test, please make sure they are prepared to test upon returning to school.

If your child is going to be out for a period of time due to sickness, work may be collected and put in the main office for pickup.  Please provide as much time as possible if you would like work collected for your child.  We will do our best to get it prepared.  Please remember, not all lessons and activities are able to be completed at home.