ASPIRE Academy 2015 – 2016 Cross Timbers Middle School

Why ASPIRE Academy?

About the Principal 28 Years Experience in Education; 25 Years in GCISD serving in a variety of roles at Elementary and Middle School levels 14 Years Administrative Experience – all in GCISD Experience with Highly Gifted children both professionally and personally Experience in designing and implementing innovative pilot programs

How Did We Begin…? Introduction of Committee members Timeline of meetings and events leading up to this Parent night

6 th Grade Classes Core classes: Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies Three levels of Core classes: Accelerated, Pre- AP, On- Level Physical Education One Fine Arts Elective: Band, Choir, Art One Language Arts Elective: Creative Writing, Future Problem Solving, Young Adult Literature, Media Literacy, G/T Independent Study

A Day in the Life of a Sixth Grade Wolf 7:30 – 8:00 – arrive at school. Go to SAC or library. 8:00 – 8:10 – first bell rings; go to locker and first period. Tardy bell rings. 8:10 – 8:57 – class period 1 9:01 – 9:53 – class period 2 9:57 – 10:44 – class period 3 10:48 – 11:35- class period 4 11:39 – 12:09 – sixth grade lunch 12:09 – 1:09 – class period 5 1:13 – 2:00 – class period 6 2:04 – 2:34 – Wolf Time (Study hall/tutorials) 2:38 – 3:25 – class period 7

ASPIRE Academy Classes Humanities Class – Integrated Social Studies and Language Arts Math and Science Class – Integrated Math and Science Physical Education class Language Arts Elective Fine Arts Elective Aspire Elective – Robotics, Coding, Passion Projects, Web Design, Foreign Language Exploration, Blogging, etc.

ASPIRE Schedule - 1st period - 8:10 - 8:57 - Art/Band/Girl's Choir/LA Elective - 2nd period - 9:01 - 9:53 - Physical Education - 3rd period - 9: :44 - ASPIRE Elective (FLEX TIME) 4th/5th/6th period - 10:48 - 2:00 Humanities Block and Math/Science Block ) 2:04 - 2:34 ASPIRE TIME (Social/Emotional Support & Academic support; Club Time on Fridays) /Band/Theater 7th period - 2:38 - 3:25 LA Elective/ Boy's Choir /Band/Theater

Key Features of the ASPIRE Academy ASPIRE students will have opportunities to take fine arts and language arts electives with other sixth grade students. ASPIRE students will be together for Core Content classes, allowing for deeper and faster content coverage. ASPIRE students will have a specially created ASPIRE elective, allowing them to explore topics not covered by standard sixth grade content. ASPIRE students will be “self-contained” in one classroom for ASPIRE elective, Humanities, and Math/Science Block, eliminating wasted time in transitioning between classes and allowing flexibility of scheduling.

Why CTMS? Central location and Glenhope feeder school Outstanding Extracurricular Activities, including the only middle school musical presentation. Winner of the GCISD Quality Cup Award last year, given for overall high points in combined athletics, fine arts, and academic competitions. Only middle school to earn FOUR gold stars for academic distinction on STAAR – Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Post- Secondary Readiness. Excellent, highly-qualified staff and well–rounded student body. We are the Wolves! We have a place for your child in our Wolf Pack!

Mark Your Calendars: February 20 – 9:00 a.m. - Fifth graders tour CTMS February 24 – Fifth grade parent information night at CTMS - 6:00 p.m. – tours; 6:30 p.m. - Program February 26 – 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Informal Q and A session with teachers and principal about sixth grade March 3 – CTMS counselors to Glenhope for Q and A session with students March 3 – CTMS counselors to Glenhope for Q and A session with students

Questions and Answers