Quakertown Community School District Middle School Opportunities February 2012

Goals Provide opportunities for all students to learn in a rigorous and flexible learning environment Provide flexibility for students to enrich, remediate and learn in different modalities by offering many options Options include: Traditional face-to-face classes Cyber hybrid classes Full-time cyber classes

Middle School Schedule for Traditional Face-to-Face Format 6 period day—6 day cycle 4 marking periods Related Studies classes - 6 th grade---Art and Computer Literacy (90 days each) -7 th grade---Engineering By Design (TEd) and Health (90 days each) -8 th grade---EbD-Technological Systems (45 days), Futures (45 days), 2 Electives (45 days each)

Middle School Schedule for th grade electives include: - Art Studio 8 - Be Fit. Don’t Quit. (PE) -Take the Lead (Health) - TIDE (Technology, Innovation, Design, Engineering) - Keying into the Musical Keyboard (Music) - Literacy in a Digital World 8th grade students will select 2 and list others as alternates

Middle School Schedule for Band and Chorus opportunities remain the same 6 day cycle allows Band or Chorus students to have an Extension period Band sectionals occur as they have in the past Band student—3 Band, 2 PE, 1 Extension Chorus student—3 Chorus, 2 PE, 1 Extension Combo student---2 Chorus, 2 Band, 1 PE, and 1 Extension

Middle School Schedule for Opportunities for non-Band/Chorus students include: -6 th grade (Pd 2)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 1 General Music, 1 Library Research Skills (LRS) 7 th grade (Pd 4)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 2 Reading/Writing Strategies (RWS) 8 th grade (Pd 6)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 2 “Go Exploring-Web 2.0 Tools” All students will have Related Arts, unless assigned to intervention courses (Reading 101, Reading Plus)

Cyber Hybrid Opportunity for students to take one or more courses in a cyber environment while also taking other classes in a traditional classroom setting Students are supported in their cyber classes and traditional classes by QCSD teachers Allows for a fluid Cyber area (within the school) in terms of which students are in the location at any point in time Combines opportunities for digital learning and social interaction, shaped by individual needs

Benefits of Cyber Hybrid Increased opportunities for enrichment, acceleration and remediation Increased options in terms of pacing, differentiation, targeted instruction and consideration of different learning styles Offers multiple learning environments- digital and traditional Allows for flexibility based on individualized needs

Full-Time Cyber Students complete their cyber courses from home Students are supported in their cyber courses by QCSD teachers Full-Time QCSD cyber students may participate in middle school sports and activities Offers a flexible learning environment for both students and their families

Characteristics of the Successful Cyber Student Be open-minded about sharing work, educational experiences, and life as part of the learning process. Be able to communicate through writing. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined. Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise. Be willing and able to commit to 7 to 8 hours per week per course.. Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process. Have access to a computer and the internet. Be able to think ideas through before responding. Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.

How To Enroll in a QCSD Cyber Course Review the course selection sheet that will come home with your child Check the box in front of Cyber for the course(s) your child wants to take in a cyber format We ask that you also include a brief notation on the form stating the reason for selecting a cyber class(es) Sign the bottom of the sheet and return it to your child’s teacher by the due date You and your child will be invited to attend a cyber orientation meeting in the spring

Academic Interventions Help for students who may be struggling with academics  IST  Reading Plus (Title I support-Strayer only)  Reading 101  ELL support (Strayer only)  Resource time (Milford)  WIN time (Strayer)

In-School Alternative ( Only for those students who would benefit from this option) A learning environment designed to focus on both the academic and social/emotional needs of students that struggle in a traditional setting Provides a structured, supportive environment within a QCSD middle school Not just for the “bad kids” Includes a Resolution Room—place for students to cool down, work with an adult to process behaviors and decide next steps Staffed by QCSD staff

Benefits of the In-School Alternative Provides another layer of intervention (academic and social/emotional) Allows for a smoother transition for students returning back to a traditional classroom setting Provides an opportunity for students to continue to meet QCSD learning targets by content area Provides an opportunity for on-going communication between classroom, guidance and in-school alternative staff concerning specific student needs

Course Selection Process Current 5 th graders--- Course selection, supported by teachers and guidance counselors—beginning Feb. 22 with school visitations by middle school counselors

Course Selection Process Your child will be scheduled for the following courses as a 6 th grader: 1.RELA 2.Math—either Course 1 or Course 2 3.Science 4.Social Studies 5.Art and Computer Literacy (1/2 year each) 6.Band or Chorus or Combo 7.For non-band/chorus students—General Music, Library Research Skills 8.Extension

Course Selection Process All students will have the option of selecting cyber for one or more of their core courses. (math, science, RELA, social studies) General Music, Art and Computer Literacy will also be offered through cyber for We will make every attempt to honor all requests. Course selection will be done in school through Power School. (on-line) Parents will be asked to sign off on the course selection sheet that comes home.

Orientation Process Before May 16 (date TBA)--Strayer and Milford Guidance Counselors and a student panel will visit each elementary school sharing information about life at the middle level May 16 during the day—5 th graders will visit Strayer or Milford for their Student Orientation May 16 at 7:00 PM—Parent Orientation Meeting at Strayer and Milford

Educating the Whole Child We believe a vital part of the middle school experience is to not only support academic growth but also social/emotional growth within a positive school culture.  Milford Matters  Strayer Strong

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