Welcome to 6th Grade

We are glad you’re here. Read these few pages to learn more about O’Keeffe and what makes our school run smoothly. We are looking forward to another fabulous year.

GET HERE

Whether you walk, bike, skateboard, take the bus, kayak, or get dropped off,  you absolutely must be in school.

Bus Pass: You must live over 1.5 miles from school and be eligible for free or reduced-price meals to qualify for a district (school) issued free bus pass – no exceptions.  These will be handed out to students during the first week of school.  NOTE:  For the first few days of school, bus drivers allow all students to ride the bus.  No bus pass is required.  After this grace period, the drivers will start asking students to show their bus pass or pay to ride the bus.

If You Do Not Qualify For a Free Bus Pass (Provided by MMSD):

• You can purchase a semester/year bus pass from Madison Metro, either online or at one of Metro's sales outlets.

• You can purchase a 10-Rider Bus Pass from the Main Office – 10 rides for $11.25.  These can also be purchased on Metro's website or at one of Metro's sales outlets.  

• Or you can pay $1.25 to the bus driver for a single ride.

Lost Bus Pass:  If you lose your school-issued bus pass, you may purchase a replacement bus pass for $10.  If you have been issued more than 2 replacement bus passes, a parent or guardian must come to the Main Office to request and pay for another pass. 

NOTE: If you lose a bus pass that was purchased through Madison Metro, you will need to contact them to see if you can get a replacement bus pass.

Behavior on Bus: If your behavior is inappropriate, either waiting for the bus or while on the bus, you will not be allowed to ride the bus and will need to find another way to get to school.   Please be aware that there are video/audio recording devices running on Metro buses at all times.

How Do You Identify the Special Metro Bus Transporting O’Keeffe Students?

• The sign on the bus reads “E Thornton.” 

• The bus will stop at any blue bus stop sign on the route with students waiting.  It is a good idea to wave at the driver so the driver knows you want a ride.

What Route Does the Bus Follow?

• Check out the guidelines and timetable in the “Supplemental School Service” brochure.  This information can be found in the Main Office or from the School Counselor.  It is also available on the Madison Metro website under Routes & Schedules > Supplemental School Service.  Keep in mind that there are two routes in the morning (red and blue).

• The red route starts near the State Capitol, at Mifflin and Pinckney, at 6:43 AM.  The blue route starts at Fair Oaks and Commercial at 6:54 AM.  Both buses bring students to O’Keeffe by 7:15 AM.

• To bring bus riders home from school, there is one longer afternoon route.  Two buses run this identical afternoon route, leaving shortly after school at 2:59 PM (1:55 PM on early release Mondays).

• Also - for students attending MSCR after school programming, there is a late afternoon bus that leaves school at 4:15 PM.  The late bus runs the same afternoon route as the after school buses, but it is a yellow school bus. This bus is only for the students attending MSCR after school programming.  On days with no MSCR programming, the bus is cancelled.

SAFETY – SAFETY - SAFETY

Slow down, cross at crosswalks, wear your bike helmet, walk with friends, pay attention to traffic, and help the elementary students. Walk bikes on school grounds – carry skateboards on school grounds. Let us know if anything on your way to, from, or on school grounds makes you feel unsafe.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS – The Beginning of the Day

Students may enter the building at 7:27 a.m.  Prior to that, most days students wait outside until it is time to come into school.

Breakfast:  Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria for eighth grade. Sixth and seventh graders will eat breakfast in their first hour class. If you are late, we cannot provide breakfast. There is no sharing of breakfasts and you may bring a nutritious snack from home to have for your breakfast.

Teacher Pass: Students may enter early only if they have a pass from a staff member. Show this pass to the staff member on door duty.

Rain or Bad Weather:  If it is raining or very cold, students will be invited inside and will go directly to the gym until 7:27 a.m. 

BE HERE - ATTENDANCE 

We take attendance every class period. On time, with materials, ready to learn.  Only parents/guardians may excuse absences.

Excused Absence: If you are going to be absent or late for school, your parent/guardian must:

• Call the Safe Arrival Number (204-6821) by 9 a.m., OR

• Use the Online Absence Reporting Form.

• The following reasons will be marked as an excused absence:

  • Illness

  • Observation of a religious holiday

  • Serious illness/medical condition of an immediate family member

  • Bereavement due to the death of an immediate family member

  • Medical appointment or hospitalization

  • Inclement weather

• Even if you’ve talked to the classroom teacher, you must still call the Attendance Line (204-6821) to notify the office. 

Medical, Dental & Other Appointments:  Please attempt to schedule appointments at times other than during school hours.

Help us avoid unnecessary office and classroom interruptions by sending a note to school when your child has to leave school early for an appointment.  They should bring the note to the office first thing in the morning, allowing office staff to issue a pass slip.  This will allow your child to leave class and the building at the designated time and means you do not need to come to the office to sign them out!  However, your child should still stop by the office before leaving school so they can be checked out by office staff.

If your child has a pass to leave for an appointment and you are picking them up, please arrange beforehand where and when you will meet them.  Students returning to school after an appointment need to check back in with the office.  A parent does not need to accompany their child to the office when they return.

If you did not send a note to school with your child on the day they need to leave for an appointment, you will be required to come to the office to sign your child out.

Pre-Approved Absences: If you will be absent for any other reason, your parent/guardian must:

• Complete the Request for Pre-Approved Planned Absence Form and submit it to the main office before the day of your absence, OR

• Use the Online Absence Reporting Form.

• The following reasons are examples of an excused pre-approved absence:

  • Family vacation

  • Birthday

  • Visa request

  • Passport renewal

  • Death of someone outside your immediate family

• If you will be gone on a pre-approved absence, show the Request for Pre-Approved Planned Absence Form to all your teachers and get any assignments you will be missing.

Unexcused Absences:  If your absence is not excused, you will get a “skip call” from the office. If you don’t clear up the “skip call” within one week, it will be considered an unexcused absence and will not be changed. Even if the “skip call” was a mistake, you must take care of it.

Tardies:  Be on time for class with everything you need (books, assignments, pencils, paper). If you are often tardy to class, your parent/guardian will be notified and/or you will owe your teachers time during lunch or after school.

Truancy: Our goal is that everyone will be in school every day. If you have 5 or more unexcused absences per semester, you are considered to be habitually truant and court proceedings may be started.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH 

Breakfast and Lunch: Your student lunch account must have money in order to purchase food using your student ID#. 

• Lunch account deposit envelopes are in the Main Office. Each time you use your ID, the amount will be deducted from your account.  

• Free or Reduced Lunch Applications are available online.

In the Cafeteria:   Respectfully wait in line (no cuts). No pushing, shoving or excessive noise. Enjoy your friends and quiet conversation. Clean up after yourself. There are garbage cans and recycling bins available.  Students should not be moving from table to table during lunch.  

THE DAY-TO-DAY ROUTINE

Student ID Card: Bring your ID card every day. You will need it in the LMC, for the bus, and in the cafeteria. If you lose your ID card, you may get a replacement from the Guidance Counselor.

Hall Passes: You must have a pass from a staff member to be in the halls during class time. Students are not allowed to leave a classroom the first or last ten minutes of class.

Lockers and Locks: You will have two lockers - one for books and coats, and one in the Field House for PE clothes. You must use your own locker. You must purchase locks from O’Keeffe. We have a list of assigned lockers and a master key. The Principal may inspect any locker if necessary (Board Policy).

Planners, Grades and Homework: 

• Keep up with your assignments. You are required to use your planner. Ask for help. Work hard for your grades. Keep track of your assignments and turn in all of your work.

• Midway through the quarter, you will receive a progress report.

• Every nine weeks you will get a report card. You will earn a letter grade as well as a report on your mastery of the academic standards. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are twice a year. Students are encouraged to attend this conference.

Student Responsibility: Please remember to bring what you need for school including your lunch, musical instruments, lunch money, gym clothes, permission slips, homework, backpacks, etc. 

Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency for your parents or the office. An unbelievable amount of “stuff” is dropped off every day – this can be avoided with some planning on your part.

END OF THE DAY

Monday school releases at 1:52 p.m. Tuesday-Friday school releases at 2:52 p.m.

There are many activities right after school. Join clubs, athletic teams, do homework, make new friends, and learn new skills. 

• YOU MUST GO TO YOUR ACTIVITIES immediately following the last bell. 

• There is a late bus at 4:15 p.m. 

• After programming ends, many students head over to the Goodman Center for late afternoon/evening clubs. 

• Hanging out after school with no activity to attend is not an option. Students must be supervised at all times.

Phone Calls: Classroom and office phones are for emergencies only. You must have permission to use phones.

NOT FEELING WELL

Health Office:  If you don’t feel well or have an injury, the Health Office will help you. The Health Office is open from 7:20 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. every day. 

• You MUST have a pass from your teacher before you go to the nurse. Do not go to the nurse between classes. 

• If you take medication at school, arrange with the nurse what time you will stop in every day for your medication. The Health Office can not administer over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Advil. 

• If you are going home due to illness you MUST check out with the Health Office - do NOT call family and arrange your own way home.  

O’KEEFFE SOCIAL CONTRACT

At O’Keeffe we have a core set of beliefs that guide all our actions.   This is our Social Contract. 

At O’Keeffe we do our BEST

Be Mature 

Everyone’s Voice is Heard 

Supportive and Safe 

Treat Everyone and Everything with Respect

CELL PHONES, CAMERAS AND ELECTRONICS 

Electronic devices must remain out of sight. Ideally, devices should remain in lockers. Devices that are seen may be confiscated. On the first infraction, the device may be confiscated and returned at the end of the day. On the second and beyond, the device may be confiscated and will require a family visit to retrieve the device.

Electronic devices include: cellular phones, iPods, MP3 players, Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth earbuds and Airpods.

BEHAVIOR 

Behavior Education Plan (BEP):  You will receive a MMSD Behavior Education Plan either electronically or hard paper copy if requested. 

• The BEP outlines the expectations for students, staff and families with respect to appropriate school behaviors.  

• We will review many of the important behavioral expectations so you know exactly what is expected of you. 

• Make sure to ask questions.

Suspension: Breaking some rules outlined in the BEP will result in a suspension out of school. 

• Students and families must have a conference with the Principal or other school staff to be able to return to school.

Bullying & Harassment: Per MMSD policy Anti-Bullying at MMSD.

Bullying is the intentional action by an individual or group of individuals to inflict physical, emotional or mental harm or suffering on another individual or group of individuals when there is an imbalance of real or perceived power. Bullying behavior creates an objectively hostile or offensive environment. Such an environment may cause, or be likely to cause, negative and harmful conditions.

• Bullying and Cyberbullying can have long lasting effects on children and has a direct correlation to student performance. No one has the right to harass or bully another person. This behavior interferes with learning and interferes with teaching. 

Harassment is intentional, causes harm, and the imbalance of power is based on a perceived or real membership in a protected class.  

• Bullying and Harassment is NOT allowed and WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. If you are being harassed or bullied, talk to your teacher or other staff member and file a Bullying and Harassment Form in the Main Office so that we are able to investigate. 

DRESS CODE 

Generally, students may dress in any style they desire as long as their chosen attire does not

cause a disruption or distraction in the school environment, reveal intimate body parts or pose a safety risk to the student or others. The following examples are intended to represent these limitations:

• Students may not wear multi-fingered rings, large metal chains or other jewelry that may be used as a weapon.

• Students must wear their pants at a level that does not expose undergarments.

• Boxers, thong underwear and athletic shorts may not show over the waist band.

• Students may not wear clothing with vulgar or obscene statements or statements or pictures promoting illegal drugs, alcohol, sex, violence or gang activities.

• Students may not wear clothing with words, pictures or caricatures based on negative stereotypes of a specific gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Students may not wear shirts, hats or other attire with Native American team names, logos or mascots that depict negative stereotypes. A list of team names, logos and mascots prohibited under this provision is available at all schools and on the District website.

• Students may not wear skirts or shorts that expose undergarments or the buttocks.

• See-through clothing items are not permitted. Tops should be sufficient so as not to expose a student’s bra.

• Students must wear shoes or footwear.

• Students who are dressed in a manner that does not fit within these guidelines may be asked by school staff to change their clothing or address the dress code violation.

• Students are expected to follow staff direction regarding dress code violations.

Students who are dressed in a manner that does not fit within these guidelines outlined by the district may be asked by school staff to change their clothing or address the dress code violation. Students are expected to follow staff direction regarding dress code violations. 

Please refer to the MMSD Dress Code for further clarifications.

PROMOTION to HIGH SCHOOL

Grades matter. 

• By the end of 8th grade you must have a grade point average of at least 1.67 in EACH core subject including Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science to be promoted to high school. 

• Students’ academic achievements are celebrated by Honor Roll (G.P.A. of 3.0 to 3.79) and High Honor Roll (G.P.A. of 3.8 to 4.0).

View the Google Presentation

6th graders start with Advisory in homeroom

90 minutes of English/Language Arts

70 minutes of Math

45 minutes of Science

Recess then lunch, 45 minutes together

45 minutes of Social Studies

(2) 45 minute encore classes (A/B) rotation

• Physical Education and Health

• Art

• Technology

• Intro to World Language (Spanish or French)

• Music (Band, Choir or Strings)

Math at O’Keeffe Middle School

Definitions

Core Math: Grade level math

WIN (What I Need) Block: an additional 45 minute class four days a week for students to receive targeted, specialized instruction

Implementation

Staff at O’Keeffe Middle School want our math program to be as equitable and purposeful as possible so that all students have the opportunity to excel as math learners. In order to provide the most supportive and rigorous math experience, all 6th grade students receive instruction in a Core Math class and are then assigned additional specialized, targeted instruction during a daily 45 min WIN Block. Please read below to understand how this sequence works.

Advanced Learning Opportunities

There are many math students who need the challenge of more rigorous grade-level math. We want to provide opportunities for our students to be engaged in this deeper math content. We will use classwork, class assessments, and summative benchmark assessments (like iReady) to determine a student’s readiness for extension specialized math. If a student qualifies, they will be placed in a math extension WIN Block class.

• In 6th and 7th, this group will complete rigorous, higher level math aligned with the core content, with a focus on foundational Algebra skills.

• In 8th grade, all students will continue with the 8th Core Math class. Using the same data benchmarks listed above, we will select students who will be placed into the Algebra extension WIN Block class.
  Students in the Algebra extension WIN Block class may earn High School credit for Algebra.

• For all grade levels, there are Math Advanced Learning Extensions available through the core math teacher’s Google classroom as well as being available via MMSD’s website at this link.

All math teachers will continue to monitor student progress throughout the year. Working in coordination with other team members, a teacher may determine that a student will benefit from being placed into a different math WIN group. O’Keeffe Staff will reach out to families with this feedback.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about math instruction at O’Keeffe Middle School.

As part of ACP, your student will:

• Explore interests and skills
• Explore educational opportunities, clubs, and careers
• Set and monitor goals
• Develop a high school plan (8th grade)
• Save work you are proud of in a portfolio
• Use work samples from your portfolio to reflect on your growth and future plans

How often do students get report cards?

In middle school,  students receive quarterly report cards and a  progress report half way through each quarter.  The progress reports are very minimal,  only indicating  if the student is passing each class. The progress report will say either meeting standards (MS) or not meeting standards (NMS).  If your child is NMS in any class, you should contact the teacher for a conference.

On the quarterly report cards, there are three kinds of grades!

Each class  that a student takes has 3-4 standards.  A standard defines what a student should know and be able to do in that subject area.   In each class, the student receives a grade from 1-4 for each standard.  Also in each class, students receive a rating for learning skills like completing homework and using class time productively.

Finally, along with the standards based grades and learning skills ratings, a student also receives a letter grade for each class.  The letter grades are used to calculate a grade point average (gpa) for the student.  A student with a gpa of at least 3.0 receives Honor Roll designation.  High Honors is 3.8 or above.

Hello and welcome to O'keeffe Middle School - We are all very excited that you will be joining our team of students at O'keeffe next fall!

My name is Erin Johnson, and I am the Program Support Teacher for Special Education at Okeeffe Middle School.  If you are a student with an IEP,  then you will be assigned a case managing teacher to work with you toward your specific learning goals at O'keeffe.  Currently, we have two 6th grade case managers, Nick Robarge and Caitlin Seifert.  Students have not yet been assigned to individual case managers, but assignments will occur later this month. After each student is assigned to a case manager, parents will receive an email from the assigned case manager, notifying them of the assignment and of the teacher’s contact information.  We are anticipating communicating this information with families by the end of the current school year.  In the event of any questions regarding special education, assignment of case managers or IEP’s please feel free to reach out to me at:

ejohnsonnobl@madison.k12.wi.us

Thanks!

Erin Johnson
PST O'keeffe Middle School

ESL Support at O’Keeffe

Welcome to 6th Grade!

O’Keeffe is a great place to continue your journey in learning.

Our goal is to help you learn, and improve, your English language abilities.

We will support you in getting better at reading, writing, and speaking.

Who will help you in your classes?

Ms. Morton-May (BRT) is a teacher who works with English language learners in the classroom.  Ms. Coll (BRS) also works with students in a variety of ways.

Who can help you with questions or concerns you might have?

The ESL staff are available to answer questions, provide information, and share resources with you and your family. The ESL office is in room 222. Come visit us!

You are fortunate to speak more than one language!

Being bilingual, or multilingual, gives you some advantages over those who only speak one language. For example, being bilingual can improve your creativity, academic work, memory, and problem-solving. So, while you improve your English, we encourage you to continue to speak and read in your home language.

Additional information about ESL services is available from the MMSD Office of Multilingual and Global Education at https://multilingual.madison.k12.wi.us/.

https://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/routes-schedules/supplemental-school-service

We have a presentation put together by our health department to go over this information.

Health Presentation

MSCR offers  programming in the form of clubs and activities  after school at O'Keeffe.  Mr. Jeremy Payne will be the after school site coordinator for 2020-21.  He is new to O’Keeffe , and his contact information will be available soon.

You may have already looked at the O'Keeffe MSCR web page.   To get an idea of programming that were offered last year see the next question below.

We do not have before or after school childcare at O'Keeffe that takes place every day and  is comparable to  elementary programs like Red Caboose. 

The building opens at 7:27 each morning.  When the weather is cold or stormy, students are allowed to come into the building early and are supervised in the gym.  When the weather is nice, students stay outside until the first bell.

Goodman Community center offers daily after school programming for middle school students.  They also have a van that transports students from O'Keeffe to Goodman after school.  For more information about middle school programming at Goodman, contact Alejandra Estrada alejandra@goodmancenter.org

Alejandra was previously the MSCR site coordinator at O'Keeffe.

You can see a list here

MSCR Afterschool

Most students get their own locker and don’t have to share. On the first day of school, your homeroom teacher will assign you a locker and provide you with a “loaner” lock from the school. If you don’t know how to open a combination lock, you get lessons.

MMSD Free and Reduced Lunch Information

O'Keeffe Menus

MMSD information about bullying and school safety

Most students and staff describe O’Keeffe as a positive place that feels safe on a day to day basis. While we cannot promise a problem free school, we pledge to work with students and parents to resolve issues of conflict, bullying and harassment as they occur. It is important to understand that keeping the school safe requires a team approach.

If a student feels bullied or harassed, the student should share concerns with a teacher and parents. We have a harassment form that staff help students fill out and submit to Mr. Dugas or Ms. Koch. Both O’Keeffe Principals follow up directly with students. O’Keeffe administrators and teachers work diligently with students to teach appropriate skills, clarify behavior expectations and keep parents informed. When we are certain that students understand expectations, we follow the district Behavior Education Plan to provide consequences for students that persist with bully or harassment type behavior.

GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance)

At O’Keeffe GSA stands for Gender and Sexuality Alliance.  You may have heard it called “Gay-Straight Alliance” before.  While that is a good name, we decided that by using the words gender and sexuality it is more inclusive and represents many identities.

GSA is run by 6th grade teacher Mr. Bergemann. We do many different activities in GSA, and there are 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students involved.  You do not need to sign up, and you can drop in on Thursdays after school when you are available.  There is no commitment to coming every week, but we love seeing people come back!

Some things that we do in GSA include:

• Create a safe space for all students to be their authentic selves
• Provide support for students who are questioning their gender and/or sexuality
• Host school-wide events on National Coming Out Day and Day of Silence
• Learn about current events that are impacting the queer community
• Play board games and video games with like-minded peers
• Watch movies/tv shows that tackle queer issues
• Discuss books/podcasts that tackle queer issues
• Exist in a space, together, without pressure or judgment

We hope you decide to be a part of GSA at O’Keeffe. It is a welcoming, supportive, and fun environment! Feel free to reach out to Mr. Bergemann at mtbergemann@madison.k12.wi.us with any questions!

The first day of school is for 6th graders only.

Mr. Dugas rolls out a red carpet. And the staff hands out a round of applause as you enter.

The hardest thing about the first day of school is finding your homeroom teacher’s classroom. (hint: it’s on the third floor)

After students arrive in their homerooms, teachers take very good care of them. Teachers explain all the expectations for being a student and provide extensive tours of the building. Later on and on following days, when it is finally time to change classes, adults are in the hallway to show you where to go.

One other thing: in late August, you can look up your schedule (it includes room numbers) on Infinite Campus. The building will be open most days, so you and your family can come for a self guided tour.

Advice from 8th Graders...

My main advice would be to just focus on your school work. You can still have friends and social lives,  but you’re here for school. Get your school work done on time. You also need to make friends with people that are good influences on you. The reason I was so happy this year compared to all other years is that my friends were nice, shared my interests and sense of humor but also made me want to work harder and be a better person. Also,  if you have trouble staying on task try joining AVID. It really helped me out.

Make certain that you have a close friend that you can rely on.   Turn in your work on time;  don’t procrastinate.  Be very organized with your stuff so you don’t lose assignments and try not to be stressed

Stay out of drama.

I would advise 6th graders  to take things slow so that the teachers know what you're going through. They [the teachers] get your dramas and how much work you think you have to finish.  If you ask them they could give you a few extra days for making that work up. And remember,  if you're probably going through some struggles with work,  others are too.   So don't be afraid to talk to someone.

Stay in your own lane and get all your work done.

Keep organized by subject and due date because it really helps! And remember to do all of the assignments because it’s hard to pull back after you miss something.

4 words: “Stay out of Drama.”  Simple as that.  Everything is so much easier not revolving around everyone else.”