BAMS Berkley Accelerated Middle School Welcome Parents May 22, 2017

Curriculum The goal of BAMS is to have all students studying at least Algebra in grade 8 and reading on at least an 8th grade reading level thus allowing all students to follow whatever path they choose to be college and career ready. All classes are instructed at an accelerated level. All students are immersed in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) across the curriculum. Highly motivated students have the opportunity to earn many high school credits in middle school including Spanish 1 and 2 Honors, Algebra 1 Honors, Geometry 1 Honors, Earth Space Science Honors, World History Honors, and English 1 Honors.

ACADEMICS 6th Grade Classes 6th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Physical Science US History Through Reconstruction Math Technology/Research Speech and Debate or Journalism 1 other elective or assistance class

Grading BAMS Grading Scale • Grading Scale Used at BAMS • A= 90%-100% • B= 80%-89% • C= 70%-79% • D= 60%-69% • F= 0%-59% • 30% of grade on Projects/Quizzes • 70% of grade on Assessments • We do not penalize students by including homework grades. Homework is part of the practice process which is essential to learning and should not penalize a student’s mastery of a skill. • In addition to the traditional scale, this year parents will also receive additional information using the 0-4 Standards Based scale in the grade book viewer. Thus, they see the overall average for the class as usual, but also get extra feedback on what that score means. The following gives an explanation of what the standards based scale means.

Standards Based Grading

Advanced Class Options in 7th and 8th Grade Spanish 1 Spanish 2 Honors Earth Space Science Honors English 1 Honors World History Honors Advanced Math Path- Algebra 1 Honors Geometry 1 Honors

Students with Special Needs All IEP and 504 Plans are reviewed in the summer when we receive records from elementary schools. At that time we will contact parents.

Electives Enrichment elective classes are offered including; 6th Grade: Dance, Theater, Drumline, Band, Chorus, and Physical Education 7th Grade: Dance, Art, Theater, Drumline, Chorus, Physical Education, Spanish 1, Science Explorations, Study Hall, Yearbook 8th Grade: Dance, Theater, Drumline, Band, Chorus, Physical Education, Family and Consumer Science, Spanish 2, Science Explorations, Student Assistant, Study Hall and Yearbook.

Clubs Debate Student Government NJHS Spanish Chorus A-Team Babysitting Origami Book Club Chess Newsteam Dance Chalk Art Fellowship of Christian Athletes Science Olympiads Wellness, and more!

Sports Boys and Girls Soccer Boys and Girls Basketball Cheerleading Boys and Girls Tennis Girls Volleyball Boys and Girls Golf Boys Flag Football Boys and Girls Track and Field Boys and Girls Cross Country

Activities Dances Girls Sleepover Spirit Week Assemblies Activity Days Field Trips 6th Grade: Spend night at Busch Gardens 7th Grade: Everglades 8th Grade: St. Augustine

Parent Communication Family Email: StudentFirstName.LastName@berkleymiddle.n et Website: www.Berkleymiddle.net Remind Student Grade Viewer Marquee Phone Calls Parent Conferences Facebook

Parent Communication

BAMS Website

BAMS Website

Technology Integrated Class Projects Media- Journalism Math Labs MobyMax, NoRedInk, TCI, NewsELA, MyHrw, Vocabulary.com Classroom Websites STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

Summer Readiness Starting June 15th www.berkleymiddle.net Summer Math and Reading Tab Reading Lists on website Math: MyHRW.com

Supply Lists and Dress Code All can be found on webpage starting June 15th: www.berkleymiddle.net No rolling backpacks without a Dr’s note Dress Code: Make sure no holes, rips, or decorations in pants, shorts come to at least fingertip length and remember they grow quickly in middle school. Also, jackets must zip or button all the way down the front. No pullover hoodies allowed unless it is the official school BAMily one!

Attendance School Calendar for 2017-2018 is posted on website. Reminder that we start back to school on Thursday, August 10th and Orientation is Wednesday, August 9th 11am-12pm. Please make appointments after 3:00pm or on school holidays. It is vital that students are in class.

Things to Do Tonight Tour School- Visit classrooms. Make sure you complete a family email sheet. See Mrs. Whatley, Parent Liaison introductions in patio area. See Mrs. Tapp, Guidance Counselor for Medical Authorization and/or Sports Physical Information Things to do after tonight: Make sure all lunch and book account balances are cleared from current school. No schedules will be able to be created until those are cleared. Attend a Family Email day to sign up and get information about how to use the family email After acquiring Family Email access, check weekly for notices, information, and updates on school information including student schedule choices, uniform purchasing and mandatory summer homework.

We look forward to having you and your student as part of the BAMily! Thank you for coming! We look forward to having you and your student as part of the BAMily! Please feel free to tour the campus. All rooms are open for you to go through. Mrs. Tapp and Mrs. Whatley will be at picnic tables in two story building to answer individual questions.