Welcome TO Middle School class of 2023! Counselors Kim Petty – 7th Grade Renae Perez – 8th Grade

Welcome TO Middle School Class of 2023 Counselors Debra McEnaney – 7th Grade Heather Youngquist – 8th Grade

Welcome TO Middle School Class of 2023 Counselors Amy Smith – 7th Grade Roxanne LeCroy– 8th Grade

Purpose for Meeting Learn about Middle School Discuss Core classes offered Discuss Elective classes offered

7 8:30 – 3:30 General Information All students take 7 classes everyday. 7 School day begins at 8:30. School day ends at 3:30. 8:30 – 3:30

Core Classes Math Science Texas History All 7th graders take 4 Core Classes English (double-blocked) Math Science Texas History

Advanced Classes Pre-AP/IB Math Pre-AP /IB Science (No prequalifying criteria) Pre-AP/IB English (No prequalifying criteria) Pre-AP/IB Texas History (No prequalifying criteria) All current 2016-2017 6th grade students will be evaluated for Math 7 PreAP/IB.   Qualifications based upon the following:  4th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 5th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 6th first semester math grade typically a 90 or higher.  Students must meet two of three district criteria for placement. Any student who did not meet criteria for advanced math initially will be re-evaluated using 6th final math grade and 6th Math STAAR Advanced Level III score.  Placement notification will be reflected on student’s schedule in August.   There are NO appeals. If you qualify for Math Pre-AP/IB , you will automatically be enrolled.

Gifted & Talented Classes AIM in Elementary School Humanities in Middle School Humanities includes: English History Reading If you are in AIM now, you will automatically be enrolled in Humanities.

On-Level OR Pre-AP/IB ?? On-Level Pre-AP/IB Students will have 3 days to turn in their late work for a maximum grade of 70 Students can expect approximately 45 to 60 minutes of homework per night (excluding projects, test preparation, etc.) Students will have 2 days to turn in their work for a maximum grade of 60 Students can expect approximately 3 hours of homework per night if taking ALL Pre-AP/IB courses (excluding projects, test preparation, etc.)

Daily Grades = 60% Quizzes/Tests/Projects = 40% On-Level OR Pre-AP/IB ?? 7th Grade 6th Grade Daily Grades = 60% Quizzes/Tests/Projects = 40% On-Level Daily Grades = 25% Quizzes = 35% Tests = 40% Pre-AP/IB Daily Grades = 20% Quizzes = 30% Tests = 50%

Points to consider when choosing Pre-AP/IB classes Time spent participating in extra-curricular activities (Athletics, select sports, dance, etc.) Student’s strengths, abilities and interest Organization and time management skills Parents and students should carefully consider how many Pre-AP/IB courses the student will be taking and the amount of coursework that is required In the event that the student wishes to drop from Pre- AP/IB to regular coursework, those changes will take place at the end of the first grading period or at semester

Electives One Semester Electives: Investigating Careers in Human Services Investigating Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Investigating in Communications and Media Arts Science Investigating Careers in Health Science Investigating Careers in Business Investigating Careers in Finance College and Career Readiness Technology Applications in Computer Graphics Introduction to Art Intermediate Art (Prerequisite: Introduction to Art) Introduction to Theatre Arts Advanced Theatre Arts (Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre Arts)

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! Electives Continued WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! Schedules will not be changed for: Teacher change Lunch time change Elective change if you received your requested elective “ I don’t like the class.” Read the Academic Planning Guide and Course Descriptions very closely when making class selections. No schedule changes will be allowed after the 5th instructional day of the semester. FILL-IN ALL ALTERNATIVE CHOICES.

Athletics BOYS Football Basketball Off season Athletics is a full-year elective. A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics If you sign up for Boys Athletics, you will play Football. If you only want to play Basketball, sign up for PE Fall and PE Spring …NOT Boys Athletics! Basketball is a try-out sport. Your schedule will be changed when you make the team.

Athletics continued GIRLS Volleyball Basketball Off season Athletics is a full-year elective A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics If you want to play volleyball and/or basketball, you sign up for Girls Athletics. Volleyball & Basketball are try-out sports.

Coed PE All students must take 2 semesters of PE or Athletics during Middle School

Try-Out Sports You must try-out to make these teams: Boys Basketball (full-year) Girls Volleyball (full-year) Girls Basketball (full-year) Cheerleading (full-year) Golf (Fall - half-year) Tennis (Spring - half-year)

Wrestling Wrestling practice is after school Boys and girls may participate Students do not receive PE credit for wrestling

OFF-CAMPUS PE (OCPE) PE credit can be earned through OCPE. Approval process, applications and explanations can be found on the AISD “Athletics” homepage under “Off-Campus PE” or contact Coach Debbie Evans at the Athletic Office

Full Year Fine Arts Electives Band Orchestra Choir You must be in Band or Orchestra in 6th grade to be in Band or Orchestra in 7th grade.

Application Electives You must complete an application to be considered for these classes. Limited class size!! YEARBOOK: Full-year elective. PARTNERS IN PE: one semester elective. Application information will be available soon.

Backpacks Students will be allowed to carry backpacks to class. Backpacks must be regular size. NO rolling or oversized backpacks Students will be expected to carry a book, lunch and a 3 inch binder or a combination of binders adding up to 3 inches. (Examples: one 3 inch binder, three 1 inch binders)

Cafeteria 4 Lines to choose from: All Things Chicken Regular Plate Lunches

Cafeteria Anything Grilled Pizza and Pasta Galore

Clubs & Activities Book Club Chess Club Card Club DOLLS Multicultural Club Fellowship of Christian Athletes Math/Science Club Robotics Clubs meet before or after school

Required Immunizations for 7th Grade

Texas State Vaccine Requirements for 7th graders 1 dose of Tetanus-Diptheria-Aceullular pertussis (Tdap), if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-diptheria (Td or Tdp) vaccine was received. 1 dose of Meningococcal conjugate, vaccine must be identified, Menactra, Menveo, MenACWY, or MCV4. Incoming students are required to get up to two (2) vaccines to enter 7th grade, per Title 25 Health Services 97.61-97.72 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). It is recommended that proof of immunizations for incoming 7th graders, be delivered to the current elementary school nurse, prior to the end of the current school year. Student immunization records may be accessed through Parent Access. Proof of current vaccinations are required prior to the start of 7th grade.

Health Information Proof of Immunizations should be given to the School Nurse. Parents should contact the school nurse: if their student has a medical concern that the school should be aware of. for any medication administration at school. Healthcare Plans, like the Allen ISD Asthma or Allergy Action Plans: A new healthcare plan signed by the prescribing physician, should be completed every school year and given to the school nurse at the beginning of the school year. Healthcare provider orders are valid for one school year. The Allen ISD Medication Administration and Action Plan forms can be found on the school nurse’s Faculty Web Sites page or a paper copy may be picked up at your child’s current school.

Sports Physicals Sports physical paperwork should be given to the coach that instructs your student’s sport. Forms and information can be found on the Allen ISD Athletic Department web page. Sports physical forms and information are kept with the Athletic Department. Parents should discuss health concerns with the coach and the school nurse.

How to complete the Course Selection Sheet Print child’s legal name (no nicknames) Print Parent/Guardian’s name Write Parent/Guardian’s phone number Mark your child’s choice for On-level or Pre-AP/IB for: Texas History, English, and Science. both boxes must be marked. Mark a TOTAL of 4 boxes from the Electives section. The Electives section is from Fine Arts through Advanced Technology. Do not mark 4 boxes from each Electives section. If the Elective has 2 boxes, both boxes must be marked. Write 2 Alternate Choices in order of preference. These should be different than the 4 boxes you marked in the Electives section. Parent/Guardian signs form The back side of the form is a worksheet to help you. Students will make course selections based on the front side of the Course Selection Form.

PARENT MEETING WHEN: February 16, 2017 WHERE: Curtis Middle School Cafeteria TIME: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Coffee with the Counselors – Feb. 17 @8:30 am

Course Selection Incoming 7th grade students will register on their Elementary Campus with their Elementary Counselor during the school day. **Date set by Elementary Campus

Tips for being successful in Middle School Do your best in 6th grade…it can determine what classes you can take in 7th grade. Do your best on your STAAR tests…it can determine what classes you can take in 7th grade. Listen to your teachers & do what they ask. Be on your best behavior at all times. Work on organization skills, time management and study habits. Attend Cougar Camp