Great Start School Motto Strong Tradition Work Hard “success travels in the company of very hard work, no tricks, no easy way out” “don’t whine, don’t complain, don’t make excuses do the best you can” “if your heart’s not in your work, you cannot prepare and perform at your highest level”- John Wooden Make Friends Happiness begins where selfishness ends Make Friendship a fine art Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Character is what you really are, reputation is merely what you are perceived to be. Have Fun School Culture: ASB and the hidden curriculum

Tonight’s Agenda Jazz Band Choir Boys & Girls Club Student Leaders/WEB General Presentation Self-Guided & Guided Tours, Meet & Greet, PTSA Reception Guided Tours Every Wednesday, 11 am. Contact the Main Office.

Registration/School Choice School Choice Applications Available February 1 Due March 1 Decision letters sent by March 31 Registration/Course Preference Forms Distributed through feeder schools Available mid-February in Counseling

Connecting kids to school: ASB UCSB CADA Camp

WEB: Where Everyone Belongs

Who Are We? First 6th grade program in the district Rigorous College Prep and Honors courses Intervention for students with language and other needs Variety of Co-Curricular and Elective Offerings Emphasis on Safety, Discipline and Character

Great Teachers Experience & Education 882 years total teaching experience 18 years average teaching experience 34 of 48 teachers with Masters Degrees Leadership, Reflection & Collaboration District Articulation Members Master Teachers/CLU PDS Reflective Practices Collaborative Teams Innovative Lessons – technology in every room

Typical Student Schedules Grade 6 Grades 7 & 8 8:00-8:45 Elective * Period A * 9:00-9:55 M/S or E/SS Core Period 1 10:00-10:46 Period 2 10:46-10:56 Nutrition 10:56-11:42 Period 3 11:47-12:33 Period 4 12:33-1:08 Lunch 1:13-1:28 SURE 1:33-2:19 PE or Elective * Period 5 * 2:24-3:10 PE or Elective Period 6

6th Grade Program Academics PE & Electives Transitioning Socially …Teaching 6th Graders in Middle School for 20 years… Academics Cored academic classes before lunch Appropriate placement for all students Accelerated core classes Smaller classes for struggling students Intervention – Lunchtime help, Directed Studies PE & Electives Separate from 7/8th Graders Variety of hands-on exploratory elective classes Transitioning Socially Designated 6th grade areas (lunch, lockers, classrooms) Separate 6th grade socials from 7/8th dances Cheaper than Oaks Christian!

How do we measure up academically? “We shall neither fail nor falter, we shall not weaken or tire…give us the tools and we will finish the job.” --Winston Churchill

6th Grade 2012 CST Mean Scaled Scores: ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS

6th Grade 2012 CST Mean Scaled Scores: MATH

8th Grade 2012 CST Mean Scaled Scores: ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS

8th Grade 2012 CST: PERCENT ENROLLED IN ALGEBRA 1

8th Grade 2012 CST Mean Scaled Scores: ALGEBRA 1

Counseling Services Registration/Scheduling Grade Reports Conferences Liaison with Community Agencies Student Support Services Study Skills Social Skills Academic & Career Planning

Co-Curricular Offerings Foreign Language (Gr 8 Spanish 1 for HS credit) Performing & Technical Arts Beginning, Jazz, Concert, and Symphonic Bands Orchestra/Strings Choir Drama Debate Art Technology Woodshop Leadership WEB, Spirit, Friendship, Yearbook, Sports Community Outreach & Campus Beautification

Music 13 Performances per year in Ensembles, Festivals, and Concerts Choir – 6/7/8 Orchestra/Strings – 6/7/8 Beginning Strings – 6/7/8 Beginning Band – 6/7/8 Intermediate Band – mostly 6/7 Concert Band – 7/8 Symphonic Band – 7/8 Jazz 1 & 2 – After School – 6/7/8

Sports Lunchtime (Grade Level Specific) Teen Center League Runs Volleyball - 8th Girls Champs Volleyball Basketball - 7th Boys Champs Soccer Soccer - 7/8th Boys Champs Basketball Flag Football Runs Badminton Turkey Trot Pickle ball Jog-A-Thon Home Run Derby Colina Classic 5K Capture the Flag

Activities Spirit Socials & Dances Showcases Promotion Fashion Show COTY & Den Competitions Welcome Back Dress-up Days, Runways Carnival Meet and Greet Winter/Valentine Motivational Assemblies Luau Showcases Promotion Fashion Show Talent Show Arts Showcase Bees

Accolades Music Teacher of the Month; SoCal Band & Orchestra Gold Award Consistent Excellent and Superior ratings since 2004 Selected as the MS Showcase Band for CBDA All-State Convention: Symphonic Band 2008-09, Jazz Band 2010-12 Jazz Band placed 5th of 36 at Reno Jazz Festival Representation on Community Bands & Orchestras: All-State Honor Band & CSUN Youth Orchestra – 4 students All-Southern Honor Band – 1 student Ventura County Honor Band – 12 students out of 85, highest representation in county Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra – 2 students

Accolades Debate We the People Sports Spirit First overall in MS Debate League We the People District Champs State Champs Sports Teen Center League Champs Spirit Spirit Night Champs

Up Next: Tours and Meet & Greet Meet & Greet – counselors, teachers by grade, electives, PTSA Past yearbooks Self-Guided and Guided Tours Classrooms Science Lab Computer Labs Boys & Girls Club PTSA Reception in 6th grade corridor – Stay involved! Student Store – Get Colina Spirit Wear!

Preparing Children for the Path