Welcome TO Ford Middle School Counselors Heather Youngquist – 7th Grade Debra Day – 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) Advanced Academics Committee will screen every 6th grader for Pre- AP/IB Math using 4th grade Math TAKS, 5th grade Math STAAR, and 6th first semester math grade. Students must meet two of the above district criteria. 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 Math STAAR score. There are NO appeals!

Gifted & Talented Classes AIM in Elementary School Humanities in Middle School Humanities includes: English Reading History 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: Career Portal in Human Services Career Portal in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Career Portal in Communications and Media Arts Science Career Portal in Health Science Career Portal in Business Career Portal in Finance Exploring Careers Technology Applications in Computer Graphics Exploring Speech Communications Introduction to Art Advanced 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! WE CANNOT GO BACK AND CHANGE ELECTIVES. MAKE SURE YOU FILL-IN ALL ALTERNATIVE CHOICES.

Athletics BOYS Football Basketball Off season Track and Wrestling- after school ( you do not sign up for these- they do not count as a class) 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 Track –Spring semester Athletics is a full-year elective A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics Volleyball & Basketball are try-out sports. Girls- If you only want to run track, only sign up for Spring Athletics

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: Boy’s Basketball (full-year) Girl’s Volleyball (full-year) Girl’s Basketball (full-year) Cheerleading (full-year) Golf (Fall - half-year) Tennis (full-year)

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 Athletics 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 YEARBOOK: You must complete an application to be considered for Yearbook. Limited class size Full-year elective PEER HELPER: You must complete an application to be considered for an Interview. Limited number Full-year or half- year elective

NO Lockers!!! Students will be allowed to carry backpacks to class. Backpacks must be regular size. NO rolling or oversized backpacks

Cafeteria 4 Lines to choose from: Ford Diner- hot plate lunch (free & reduced eligible line) Mustang Grill- hot plate lunch (free & reduced eligible line) Park Place Pizza- pizza and pasta Red Rooster- chicken strips and fries We have 3 lunch periods (A,B,C). Your lunch period is determined by your 4th period class.

Clubs Clubs meet before or after school. Anime Club (Japanese Animation) D.O.L.L.S. (Daughters of Our Loving Lord & Savior) FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) F.O.R. Club (Friends Of Rachel) Guitar Club (must have your own guitar) Sewing Club Arts and Crafts Boys 2 Men and Girls Breakaway Technology club 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 2nd dose of Varicella required if the first dose was received on or after the first birthday. If student had chicken pox disease, evidence of disease must be on file with the current school Incoming students are required to get up to three (3) 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 shot records may be accessed through Parent Access. Proof of current vaccinations are required prior to the start of 7th grade.

Health Information 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. Proof of Immunizations should be given to the School Nurse. Please note that all topics covered in the Allen ISD Student Handbook apply to all students in the Allen Independent School District.

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.

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: Tuesday, January 28th WHERE: Ford Middle School Gym TIME: 6:00 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

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 Mustang Round-Up