PARENT PRESENTATION Dowell Middle School REGISTRATION February 22, 2018

Administrative Team Principal – Holly Rogers Assistant Principals–Jesse Abel and Aretha Jackson Counselors – Jennifer Morse and Rayshana Adams Media Resource Specialist – Jamie Morris Special Education Lead – Lori Wilson English as a Second Language – Kathryn Brashears 504 Coordinator – Kellie Janzen

Goals for the Evening Get information for academic decision making. Get information for elective decision making. Prepare for the transition to high school. Answer questions individually at the end.

Materials Review Registration Form 7th Grade 8th Grade Academic Planning Guide (APG) w/ course descriptions (Online) Both English and Spanish are available

Parent Information Email Distribution List Web Site: www.dowellmiddleschool.net Progress Reports (Every 3 weeks) Report Cards (Every 9 weeks) Home Access Center Canvas

Canvas Learning Management System similar to Blackboard Parents (Observers) use HAC credentials to login Access from MISD or Dowell website Go to account and notifications to set notification preferences Teachers are at different places with Canvas Questions? Email Jamie Morris jamorris@mckinneyisd.net

Middle School Philosophy High Academic Standards for All Students. Students Introduced to Academic and Extra-Curricular Options. Students Begin to Determine Strengths and Preferences. Partnership with Students, Families, & Community.

STAAR Testing at Middle School Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Reading Writing Math Science Social Studies High School credit courses are End of Course Exams. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.

Core and Pre AP Classes McKinney ISD’s curriculum is common at all schools and aligned with the rest of the state. Core Curriculum is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Aligned with like grade levels and between grade levels. Both are College Prep courses.

Core Courses Every Student Takes: Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) Math Science Social Studies

Target Classes Placement into Target classes will be based upon a student’s data. This class takes the place of an elective course. Target courses are offered in Math and ELAR.

Math Curriculum Sequence Grade Core Pre AP 6th 6th Grade TEKS 6th and 7th Grade TEKS 7th 7th Grade TEKS 8th Grade TEKS (Pre Algebra) Students take the MAP Test at the end of 7th grade for recommendation of 8th grade math course placement. 8th Algebra 1 9th Geometry 10th Algebra 2 11th Pre Calculus 12th Statistics or Pre-Calculus Calculus or Statistics

Other Levels of Courses ESL: Non or limited English speakers. Special Education: Continuum of services. Gifted and Talented: Identified GT students.

Gifted and Talented If your child is in GT, Karen Green will provide us with the information for placement of classes. For now, you just check Pre AP math. If you have questions about GT, Email: kjgreen@mckinneyisd.net

Typical 7th and 8th Grade Day Language Arts: Every day for 1 period. Math: Every day for 1 period. Science: Every day for 1 period. Social Studies: Every day for 1 period. Electives: 3 electives that meet every day.

Physical Education Requirement Every student is required to complete 4 semesters of Physical Education while in Middle School. Every student took a full year in 6th Grade. Athletics does count as their P.E. credit. UIL rules do not allow for a student to be in Athletics and Physical Education at the same time.

Electives Choices All electives meet every day. Electives are for the entire year. Cheerleading requires a physical and it is a class during the day. If a student participates in Athletics they must be in the Athletic period.

Elective Choices Art 1 Art 2 Advanced Art (Application Only) Athletics 7th Grade Athletics in the Morning 8th Grade Athletics in the Afternoon AVID (Application) Band Cheerleading (Physical needed) Choir

Elective Choices Theatre Advanced Theatre (Audition) Investigating Careers (7th & 8th Grade) Teen Leadership PALS 8th Grade (Application) Youth & Government (Application) Partner PE (Application) Physical Education Orchestra Yearbook (Application) Broadcast and Media Journalism (Application)

High School Credit in 8th Grade Elective Choices Principles of Applied Engineering* Health/Communication Applications Principles of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications* Spanish 1 Spanish for Spanish Speakers

AVID/PALS/Partners PE There is a process in place to qualify for these courses. Students fill out the application. An interview is held. The criteria is reviewed by the committee to see if the student qualifies. AVID: Andrea Johnson PALS: Jerry Flemons Partners PE: Holly Rogers and Jennifer Morse

Decisions To Make Which Level of core academic class is most appropriate for my child? Which electives will benefit my child most in middle school and high school and beyond?

Welcome To Dowell! Due Date: February 26, 2018. Return to your Math teacher the Registration Form only. Must have student and parent signature. Back to School Night: Tuesday, August 14th Time:TBD

Welcome to DOWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL 2018 - 2019