Informational Night

Agenda:

-Welcome/Introductions

-PTSA Comments

-Middle School Program Overview

-MMS Registration process

-Discussion (Questions & Answers)

Informational NightPurpose:

-Inform parents/students about the middle school program -Provide information to parents/students about placement in middle school-Explain options parents/students have in placement decisions

Important Dates:

- Wed., Jan.27th – Registration form due to current 5th grade teacher

- “Move Up Day” in May or June(TBA)

- “Tips for Success”— parent/student meeting –in May (TBA)

- The MMS “Open House” will be in August (TBA)

- First day of school is Monday, August 23rd.

How Is Middle School Different?

• A busier, more flexible schedule• Different classes and different

classmates• More choices and more teachers• Extra-curricular activities and clubs• New challenges and expectations• More freedom & more responsibility

requires a balance to both• PBIS Program

Middle school has a lot to offer!

PBIS & The Knights’ CODE

• PBIS Program: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports—school wide approach to teaching and reinforcing positive behavior.

• Behavioral expectations are taught to all students.• Appropriate student behaviors are practiced,

acknowledged, and rewarded.• Inappropriate behaviors are consistently

addressed.

Follow The Knights’ CODE

•Cooperation

•Organization

•Determination

•Excellence

PBIS & The Knights’ CODE

• Special incentive programs are organized to reward positive student behavior.

• Reward eligibility is based on attendance, “tardies”, discipline and grades

Past years’ rewards included: Free Time, Prizes, Ice Cream Social, Gift Cards/Certificates, Plays, Movies

• Monetary or Gift Card donations are always accepted.

THANK YOU for your support!

The MMS ProgramMMS views education as a partnership between families and the schools.We have several home-to-school communication tools:

• The Student’s Agenda• Pinnacle Grading System (www.fcps.org )• The MMS Website (www.fcps.org )• Teachers’ Blogs

• Parent/Teacher Conferences-Parents are afforded the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers during conferences in the fall and the spring.

• Volunteers-MMS is always in search of volunteers to help in the offices, cafeteria, and in the classrooms.

Counselors at MMS

•Counseling Services-help with transition to Middle School-meet with students individually and in groups to address academic and personal issues

-provide classroom lessons -coordinate services for students

and families

Enrichment

Extended Learning Opportunity

• Students who are interested in enrichment activities will have the opportunity to meet with Ms. Weese, enrichment specialist at MMS. Most enrichment takes place during class, lunch, and Knights’ Roundtable.

Media Center & Computer Labs

-The media center has a full range of fiction and non-fiction selections. There are computer-related resources of all types available for student use.-The media center is usually open anytime during the school day. -Two fully operational computer labs with Internet access and other related software and hardware for teachers and students to utilize.

Knights Roundtable

• Student Support time gives a student an opportunity to make a sustained connection with at least one adult at MMS.

• Students will have tutoring and enrichment opportunities during this time.

• Knights Roundtable will be built-in to our schedule as we develop our master schedule for next year.

• Students receive important papers during Roundtable. (Announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance are still held during period 1.)

Tutoring

• Students who have skill gaps, need extra test/quiz preparation, enrichment opportunities, and/or have some other need may be tutored by teachers. Tutoring occurs during Knights Roundtable.

• Tutoring is not provided in order to maintain an academic level.

Academic Completion Hall

• Students who miss school may be assigned “ACH” to complete assignments, quizzes, and tests.

• Staff monitors ACH after school.

The MMS Program• Extra-Curricular Activities

-Student Government Association During and after the

-Yearbook Committee -Math Counts-Theater Productions-School Newspaper-Fellowship of Christian Athletes-Builder’s Club

-Debate Team-Ski Club

-Bowling Club-School sponsored dances

CoursesCore Academic Classes These courses are designed to integrate prior knowledge

with new concepts and skills. They are the base from which applied learning can be fostered.

– Math– Language Arts– Social Studies– Science

**All 4 academic subjects are described in the Middle School Guide. The essential curriculum is the same for all levels of Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science.

• Physical Education is also a core course

The Middle School Program: Placement

•Students are recommended for placement based on current levels of achievement, work habits, and data points (MSA, writing, fluency scores).•Placement is determined through a collaborative effort of teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents.

–Honors–Merit–Co-Taught Merit

Exploratory Courses

Integrated StudiesTopics include gathering information, project planning, use of

technology, presenting projects using a variety of media, study skills, and an introduction to keyboarding.

Life SkillsIntroduction to cooking and hand/machine sewing skills with

emphasis on reading to perform a task. Students will practice decision-making strategies in the areas of nutrition, and substance abuse education.

Elective Courses-These courses offer options for students to actively develop or pursue individual interests, skills, or talents.

Band Chorus Music Performance Lab Orchestra Technology Exposition Theater Arts Visual Arts World Language Exploratory

Sample 6th Grade ScheduleA-DAY

1—Math2—Math

3—Lang. Arts4—Lang. Arts

5—Soc. Studies6— or Science

7— Knights’ Roundtable

8—PE 9--PE

B-DAY1—Integrated Studies2— or Life Skills

3—Lang. Arts4—Math

5—Soc. Studies6— or Science

7— Knights’ Roundtable

8—Elective (ex. Band)9-- Elective

Maryland School Assessment

What is the Maryland School Assessment (MSA)?• MSA is a test of reading and math achievement. • The MSA meets the testing requirements of the federal No Child

Left Behind Act.• It measures basic as well as higher level skills.• The test results of these assessments are extremely important.

The scores of these assessments measure your child’s achievement and will be compared to other student’s scores state wide.

• 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students will take the test every year in March

• The test scores will be placed in your child’s permanent records, used to place students in classes, and used to identify students for mandated interventions.

6th grade

REGISTRATION SHEET

Middletown Middle SchoolGRADE 6 REGISTRATION – 2009-2010

Please correct address if necessary.STEP 1:Below are placement recommendations for your child in Math and Language Arts. These placementswill be reviewed again at the end of the current school year upon completion of courses and Math and Reading Assessments.Math Language Arts______ Honors ______ Honors______ Merit ______ Merit______ Co-Taught Merit ______ Co-Taught Merit ** Your child may be placed in co-taught merit Math and/or Language Arts if he/she receives a Basic score on the MSAs and/or he/she has been identified as needing additional support to be successful in Math and/or Language Arts.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR PREFERENCE:_______ I agree with the above recommendations.

_______ I disagree with the above recommendations. Parents must attach a letter to this form giving additional Information explaining why they disagree with the placement. We will contact you regarding placement.

Appropriate placement decisions are best made through a collaborative process involving school staff, parents, and the individual student.The final decision about academic placement rests with the Principal. In cases where the parent disagrees with the final placement decision,the Principal may place the student in the parent proposed level on a probationary basis utilizing a contract.

** READING INTERVENTION / MATH INTERVENTION: Students with low MSA scores or students who have been identified as working below grade level may be enrolled in Reading and/or Math Intervention for additional support in place of an elective, an exploratory course, or both.

For your information: Sixth grade students will also be enrolled in the following courses:- Social Studies and Science- Two required 18-week Exploratory Courses, Life Skills and Integrated Studies- Physical Education

STEP 2:

Each student must take one elective. You must indicate your first (1), second (2), and third (3) choice from the listbelow. If you do not select THREE choices, we will select for you.

______Band (6503) instrument: ____________________Orchestra (6504): Instrument:_________________Chorus (6505)______Beginning Band (6506) instrument:________ ______Music Performance Lab (6508) ______Theatre Arts (6520)______Visual Arts (6530) ______World Language Exploratory(6650)______Technology Exposition (6971)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:Elective course offerings are based on enrollment and/or school facilities.Choose electives carefully, as we will not be able to make changes since staffing is allotted based on students’ choices. Do not choose courses based upon current teachers; teacher assignments can change from year to year.This form is due to the student’s Elementary School teacher by Wed., Jan27th or MMS will make choices for you.

_____________________________ _______________ ________________ _______________________________Parent/Guardian Signature Home Phone Work Phone Email Address

Follow the Knights’ CODE

Go Knights!!