Welcome TO Middle School Counselors Renae Perez – 7th Grade Kim Petty – 8th Grade

Welcome TO FORD Middle School Principal – Matt Russell 7th Grade Counselor - Debra Day Asst. Principal - Chris Koder 8th Grade Counselor - Heather Youngquist Asst. Principal - Theresa Taylor

Welcome TO Middle School Counselors Roxanne LeCroy– 7th Grade Jolene Johnson – 8th Grade

Purpose for Meeting Discuss Core classes offered Discuss Elective classes offered Learn about Middle School Questions will be answered in the cafeteria when the presentation is complete

General Information 7th Grade All students take 7 classes everyday. 7 5 periods of core classes: English/Reading (double block) Math Science Texas History 2 periods of elective classes

Core Classes Math Science Texas History All 7th graders take 5 Core Classes English/Reading double block 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) Advanced Academics Committee will screen every 6th grader for Pre-AP/IB Math using 4th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 5th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 6th grade first semester math grade typically a 90 or higher.  Students must meet two of three district criteria for placement. If you qualify for Math Pre- AP/IB , you will automatically be enrolled. Any student who did not meet initial criteria for Math Pre-AP/IB will be re-evaluated using 6th grade final math grade and 6th Grade Math STAAR Advanced Level III score. There are NO appeals!

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.)

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 Careers 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)

Full Year Fine Arts Electives Band Orchestra You must be in Band or Orchestra in 6th grade to be in Band or Orchestra in 7th grade. Choir Anyone may join choir no experience required

Application Electives You must complete an application to be considered for an Interview. YEARBOOK: Limited class size Full-year elective PEER HELPER: Limited number Full-year or half-year elective Applications are in their counselor’s office

Coed PE All students must take 2 semesters of PE during Middle School Other classes that count for PE credit include: Athletics, Cheerleading, Golf, Tennis and off- campus PE

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 Track Off season Athletics is a full-year elective, unless you only want to run track A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics Volleyball & Basketball are try-out sports. Track can be chosen for 2nd semester of athletics ONLY

Try-Out Sports You must try-out to make these teams: Boy’s Basketball (full-year) Girl’s Volleyball (full-year) Girl’s Basketball (full-year) Cheerleading (full-year) Golf (full-year) Tennis (full-year) Track – All girls admitted, but must tryout for the track meets

Sports Physicals Sports physical paperwork should be given to the student’s coaches. Sports physical forms and information are kept with the athletic department. Forms and information can also be found on the Allen ISD Athletic Department web page.

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! Electives Continued WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WE CANNOT GO BACK AND CHANGE ELECTIVES. MAKE SURE YOU FILL-IN ALL ALTERNATIVE CHOICES.

OFF-CAMPUS PE PE credit can be earned through Off – Campus PE. 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.

NO Lockers!!! 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: Red Rooster - Chicken Mustang Grill – Burgers Park Place – Pizza/Pasta Ford Fabulous Diner – Regular lunch line All your lunch questions can be answered at the AISD Department of Student Nutrition

Clubs Anime Club (Japanese Animation) D.O.L.L.S. (Daughters of Our Loving Lord & Savior) FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) Girls Break Away (by invitation only) Guitar Club (must have your own guitar) Robotics Club (applications process to be choosen) Sewing/Knitting Club Technology Club Video Gaming Club Student Council Clubs meet before or after school. And change year by year.

Required Immunizations for 7th Grade

7th Grade Immunizations Incoming 7th graders are required to get up to 2 vaccines to enter 7th grade per Title 25 Health Services 97.61-97.72 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). Tdap: tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis Menactra: meningococcal

Tdap tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis 1 dose of Tdap if 5 years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria containing vaccine. Menactra or MCV4 Meningococcal 1 dose of Meningococcal

Health Information Proof of Immunizations should be given to your 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.

Academic Planning Guide No Hard Copies – find course descriptions and information in the academic planning guide 2017-2018 online at the Ford Website – the link is in the middle of the main page under “Quick Links” http://www.allenisd.org/cms/lib10/TX01001197/Centricity/Domain/31/Middle%20School%20APG%202017-2018.pdf

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. (Except girls track) 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.

What is STAAR? The State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) is a more rigorous standardized testing program that will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) for elementary, middle school and high school students. Please visit the following link for more information on STAAR End of Course (EOC) testing and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). http://www.allenisd.org/Page/14398 You can also access this webpage by going to www.allenisd.org/ Departments/Assessment/STAAR Information

PARENT MEETING WHEN: February 15, 2017 (Wednesday) WHERE: Ford Middle School Gym TIME: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

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

Thank you for attending! Please visit the Department tables located in the Cafeteria.

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.