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Frequently Asked Questions about... |
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| Heritage Intermediate School | ||
What is the mission of this new school? As a staff we believe that our mission is to equip students to achieve their potential and positively impact their community. Our creed for Heritage is for ALL stakeholders to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready.
What should my child expect to see/do on the playground? We are excited to share with you that there is a playground behind the school (near the new tennis courts). There are different "zones" included on the playground. Some of the features include, but are not limited to: climbers, swings, tetherballs, basketball courts, 4-square courts, football/soccer field(s), kickball diamond, and a paved walking track, along with playground balls, jump ropes, etc. The recess is structured into zones for students to choose from to reduce the risk of bullying behaviors, which can be directly correlated to students "roaming" with nothing to do.
Will there be an Open House/Back to School Night? YES! Thursday, August 20, 2009 from 5:15 — 7:00 P.M. will be a time for your entire family to walk through the Intermediate building. Students will find out who their teacher will be for the 2009-2010 school year at this event.
How will information be communicated pertaining to Heritage Intermediate School? — One method will be through our district website (www.mcsin-k12.org). Click on the link for Heritage Intermediate School to find information specific to our school. Another method will be through your present elementary school’s monthly newsletter. One other method will be through local newspapers for larger events and dates. We also distribute our own monthly newsletter to our students’ families.
How can I become an active member of the PTO for Heritage? We are pleased to announce that we have our PTO Executive Board almost filled, BUT we have several committee responsibilities for volunteers to fill. Be ready and willing to serve for your kids!
What will the first day in this new building look like for my child? We promise to take good care of your student(s). On the first day of school, we plan to gather ALL of the students in the main gym so they can meet the staff in a formal assembly. We will inform your student(s) of the new and exciting opportunities that await them at H.I.S. We will dismiss them from the gym by classroom so that EVERY student will know where to go. They will follow their classroom teacher to their new classroom and then the day will continue from that point with procedures and questions.
How will the students be grouped in their classrooms? We will be dividing students up from their past elementary schools. This way we will be able to create a healthy culture and community within our building. We want to avoid creating 4 cultures of schools under one roof, thus the reason for blending students. We will be sure to always place one or more students from their present elementary school in the same classroom so there will be familiar faces.
Will my child switch classrooms? No. Every classroom will be self-contained, which means that this school will run JUST AS an elementary school. Your child will have the same classroom teacher ALL day long for their general curriculum. Art, music and physical education will also be part of the schedule and these classes will be taught by the respective art, music and PE teachers. There will be procedures in all areas such as hallways, recess, lunch, restrooms, library, etc.
When will the day start and end at the Intermediate School? The tardy bell will ring at 8:05 A.M. Students may begin entering the building at 7:50 A.M. The dismissal bell will ring at 2:30 P.M. This will be for bus riders and students being picked up by parents/guardians. For car riders, student drop off takes place at our main entrance and students pick up takes place in the back of the school at Door #7. Bus drop off and pick up occurs in the front of our building, along the back of Northridge Middle School.
Will I have the option to request a teacher? There is an opportunity for parents to share input and feedback about their own child through the use of a form that was sent home with each 3rd and 4th grade student through their respective school’s newsletters. This form is also available on our HIS website. In order to effectively blend the school into one culture, we cannot guarantee that requests will be met.
Will there be a time when all present 3rd grade students will meet each other? Yes! In the month of May, all 3rd grade students will attend a half-day trip to H.I.S. and Bonneyville Mill. The purpose is to have students play some structured games, learn more about the school, and eat lunch together at the park. The 3rd grade date is Tuesday, May 26, 2009. The trip will take place in the morning. The 3rd grade students will also visit Heritage and will be given a tour of the school. They will also see a 4th grade classroom. Tours will be led by our Student Leadership Team.
What field trips will my child be taking over the next two years? Presently in 4th grade, all of our students will travel to Indianapolis in the month of May. In 5th grade all of our students will experience a trip to Chicago, which also takes place in the month of May. These two trips are rich learning and cultural experiences for our students.
What extracurricular activities will be available for the students? The following clubs/teams are available for 4th graders for next school year: Chess Club, Fitness Club, Student Leadership Team, and Math Pentathlon. The following clubs available in 5th grade are in addition to 4th grade club opportunities and include: Yearbook/Journalism Team, Boys and Girls After-School Sports, Running Club, etc.
Will there be Student Recognition Programs? Yes. We want to recognize students for the good choices they make. We presently have an H.I.S. Student Spotlight to recognize students for making positive choices that directly correlate with our school creed of being respectful, responsible and ready. This is an area we will be expanding for the 2009-2010 school year.
Will there be a Student Council? Yes, to a degree. We have a Student Leadership team, which will focus on three areas of service: School, Home, and Community. Students will be nominated in the Fall in each classroom by their classmates and teacher.
How will transportation function? (See page on transportation)
When will my student find out his/her teacher? Classroom assignments will be posted on all doors at H.I.S. during the Open House/Back to School Night on Thursday, August 20, 2009. If you are unable to attend that night, please call the school office AFTER the event has taken place.
What will the student to staff ratios be (as of April 2009)? Each 4th and 5th grade classroom will have 26 or 27 students per teacher. We will have one counselor, Mrs. Cripe, in the building. The total present enrollment, as of April 2009, is approximately 650 students.
Will the students have lockers? Yes, each student will have his/her own locker.
What will lunch and recess look like at H.I.S.? Teachers will walk their classes to the cafeteria. The set lunch menu will be available each month via the school newsletter and will also be posted on our website. Fourth grade students will go through the lunch rotation first, then fifth grade will follow. Students will have a minimum of 20 minutes to eat lunch. If a student is not finished in this time frame, they will be allowed to stay until they are done with their lunch. There will be adequate supervision at all times in the cafeteria and on the playground.
When will I have the opportunity to have other questions answered? We will be handing out a student/parent handbook at the beginning of the school year. This handbook will have specific information pertaining to the academic, social and emotional aspects of the school. Please visit the website, e-mail or call any of the key contact people listed below if you have immediate needs or questions.