Nicoma Park Middle School

Established in 2009

Nicoma Park Middle School
Daily Bell Schedule
7:55 - 8:20  1st Period (Advisory)
8:25 - 9:10 2nd Period (Core Literacy)
9:15 - 10:00 3rd Period
10:05 - 10:50 4th Period
10:55 - 12:10 5th Period and Lunch
1st Lunch 10:50 - 11:25
2nd Lunch 11:40 - 12:15
12:15 - 1:00 6th Period
1:05 - 1:50 7th Period
1:55 - 2:40 8th Period

Click Here for Course Description

 Teaming….what is it? Does it include my child?

Every student will be placed on a core team for English, Math, Science, History, and Core Literacy.  An Interdisciplinary Teaching Team (Teaming) is a way of grouping students and teachers together to eliminate the impersonal random scheduling of the jr. high school.  The idea is to create small communities of learning within the school. Simply defined, a middle school team is a common group of students assigned to a common group of teachers for a common part of the day.

Advisory – What is it?

Advisory is built on the notion that every young adolescent should have at least one caring adult at school to act as a mentor and advisor, but it goes beyond that.  The advisor gets to know the student well, functions as that student’s advocate with other faculty and staff, and is the primary liaison with parents.

Rationale for Advisory:

•     Promote small, caring communities of learners.

•     Promote mutually respectful and meaningful relationships.

•     Provide individual attention to students.

•     Provide each student with an opportunity to “belong” and be successful without being tied to grades/academics.

•     Allow students to hold themselves (and each other) accountable for grades and behavior.

What is Core Literacy?

Core Literacy is a 9 week rotational class that incorporates instruction in reading skills using content-related literature and materials.  This course is taught by team core teachers (English, Math, Science, and History), and students will rotate teachers each quarter.

Explore Class

Sixth and seventh grade students will all be enrolled in a 9 week rotational class that consists of the following:  Spanish, Art, Keyboarding/Computers, and Speech/Drama.

Electives

Sixth and seventh grade students will each have one elective. Sixth grade students can choose from the following: Physical Education, Choir, or Band.

Seventh grade students can choose from the following: Physical Education, Choir, Band, or Family and Consumer Science. 

Day – Start/Ending Times

Students can be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m.  The bell allowing student to go to their locker will ring at 7:45 a.m.  The tardy bell for the beginning of first period will ring at 7:55 a.m.  The last class period of the day will end at 2:40 p.m.  All students will need to be picked up no later than 3:00 p.m. 

School Office Hours

7:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.    Mon. – Fri.

Office Phone # (405) 769-3106

Fax # (405) 769-9355

Sports

Sports are for 7^th and 8^th grade students.  The fall sports offered are football, volleyball, and softball.  Any student wishing to participate in a sport must have a physical on file with the site Athletic Director (David Johnson for NPMS) before they are allowed to practice. 

Parent Portal/Grade Checks

Grades at NPMS are kept on an online grading program called Power Teacher.  Parents are assigned a user name and password which allows them to keep up with their child’s progress/grades at their convenience.  This information will be given to parents at the beginning of the 2009 – 10 school year.  Parents may also call for grade checks through the main office on Tuesdays between 8:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Cell Phone/I-POD Policy

Students are not allowed to use or have out cell phones/I-PODS/etc. during school hours.  If a teacher sees a student with one of these devices, it will be confiscated.  The district discipline policy in regards to these items will be followed by administration.   Students are allowed to use these devices after the final bell has rung and the students have been dismissed from their last period class.  These devices are often lost/stolen and are difficult to recover.  School wide searches of lockers etc. cannot be performed to look for these items.  Therefore, it is suggested that students do not have these items at school. 

Where to Drop Off/Pick Up

Drop Off - Students may be dropped off at the front of the building between 7:30 and 7:55 a.m.  If a student is late, a parent must come in to the office and sign them in for the day. 

Pick Up – Parents that pick their students up after school need to do so from the south parking lot.  The north parking lot is reserved buses.

Lunch/Breakfast Information

Current prices – Breakfast $1.25 served from 7:30 – 7:55 a.m.  Lunch $2.25

Every student has an account where parents can deposit money.  This money can be turned in to Mrs. Nelson, cafeteria manager. 

The sixth grade teams and one seventh grade team will have 2nd lunch.  The other seventh grade team and both eighth grade teams will have 1st lunch.  Students who buy a lunch must eat in the cafeteria.  Students who bring their lunch may eat in the cafeteria or the commons area.  The commons area also has vending machines with state approved healthy snacks available.  The soda machines are also available with diet sodas and water. 

What is the Commons Area?

The commons area is the large open area outside the media center.  This is the place all students report between 7:30 – 7:45 a.m.  It is also the place students congregate after they have finished their lunch in the cafeteria.

Lockers

Every student will be assigned an individual locker and combination lock within the first week of the school year.

Agenda/Hall Passes

Every student will be given an agenda with the school policies and expectations during schedule pick-up.