INCOMING 6 TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT Thursday, February 26th

❧ Our Mission The mission of Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is to be THE BEST. We will promote good citizenship and prepare, motivate, and encourage each student to reach his or her full potential within a safe, caring, cooperative environment by providing an effective and enduring education.

❧ HMS Facts: School Colors: Navy and Gold Mascot: Broncos Enrollment: 923 Year Opened: 1992

❧ ❧ Scott Saettel- Principal ❧ Jeff Mishoe- Assistant Principal (A-K) ❧ Cheryl Harrison- Assistant Principal (L-Z) ❧ Susan Talbert- Counselor, A-K ❧ Marsha Fields- Counselor, L-Z ❧ Department Heads ❧ Elective Teachers Introductions

❧ ❧ School Day: 8:10-3:25 ❧ 7 Period Schedule ❧ Focus Time ❧ Textbooks ❧ No Lockers- Backpacks allowed ❧ School Supplies- Order forms from PTA in Spring HMS Important Topics

❧ Counselors will be meeting with students at each elementary campus to discuss registration, academic and elective classes, and online registration on the following dates: ❧ Heritage Elementary- Wednesday, February 25th ❧ Grapevine Elementary- Monday, March 2nd ❧ Bear Creek Elementary- Tuesday, March 3rd Elementary Visits

❧ ❧ In the meeting with the Counselors, your student will receive a Course Selection Sheet for registration. ❧ With your help, your student will: ❧ Pick four core courses at the appropriate level ❧ Select a Language Arts elective ❧ Select between PE or Pre-Athletics PE ❧ Select an elective and an alternate elective ❧ Students and parents sign the Course selection form ❧ Return to their homeroom teacher by deadline Course Selection for

❧ ❧ Program of Studies is available online at GCISD website and the HMS Counseling website ❧ Program of Studies includes valuable information about: ❧ General Middle School Information ❧ Sixth Grade Required Courses ❧ Sixth Grade Elective Courses ❧ Accelerated Math and Science Recommendations ❧ Requirements for G/T Program ❧ High School Graduation Requirements ❧ For All Four Middle Schools- Not ALL courses are offered at HMS To make these decisions, you’ll refer to… the GCISD Program of Studies

❧ ❧ Regular (On Level) Courses- Offered in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies ❧ Pre-AP Courses- Offered in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies ❧ Accelerated Courses- Offered in Math and Science ❧ Gifted and Talented- Offered in Language Arts and Social Studies for identified GT students Levels of Course Offerings

❧ ❧ Students are encouraged to take advanced levels courses when appropriate. They should be CHALLENGED but not overwhelmed. ❧ Talk to your student’s elementary Counselor and current teachers to determine appropriate levels for your student. What level is appropriate?

❧ ❧ 6 th grade students will have the opportunity to take Pre- AP classes in: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. ❧ Middle School Pre-AP courses provide the foundation for entering the Pre-AP/AP program at the high school level. ❧ 6 th grade TEKS will be taught with Pre-AP strategies incorporated throughout the course. ❧ Students will engage in learning of 6 th grade curriculum with increased depth and complexity. Pre-AP Classes

❧ ❧ These two courses cover content from multiple grade levels with compacted curricula. ❧ Recommendations for accelerated placement are: ❧ 115+ on an aptitude test for specific subtest ❧ 85% or above on an achievement test in specific subject area ❧ 85+ GPA in the specific subject area ❧ Accelerated Math leads to PAP Algebra I in 8 th grade. ❧ Accelerated Science leads to PAP Biology I in 8 th grade Elementary counselors will be working with students and parents to determine if Accelerated Math and Science is appropriate. Accelerated Math and Science

❧ ❧ 6th grade identified GT students may take World Discoveries courses to replace Language Arts and Social Studies. ❧ To take the World Discoveries courses, a student must meet the district criteria for Gifted and Talented placement. ❧ Testing for students who are nominated for Gifted and Talented placement will be done this Spring. Please contact your elementary counselor if you have any questions. Gifted and Talented

❧ ❧ Young Adult Literature (.5 year) ❧ Creative Writing (.5 year) ❧ Media and Technology Literacy (.5 year) ❧ Future Problem Solvers (1 year) *Application ❧ AVID (1 year) *Nomination/Application/Interview ❧ GT Independent Study (.5 or 1 year) ❧ Literacy Achievement (.5 or 1 year) ❧ English Acquisition (.5 or 1 year) Language Arts Required Electives

❧ ❧ Each 6 th grade student is required to take Physical Education/Health ❧ Students may choose between PE and Pre-Athletics PE ❧ Students are required to dress out in proper uniform. Online store will be open later this Spring to purchase. ❧ Students will be issued a lock Physical Education/Health

❧ ❧ 6 th grade students may choose one of the following electives: ❧ Art ❧ Band ❧ Choir ❧ Theatre ❧ Careers in Technical Education ❧ All electives are year-long classes and should be considered carefully when choosing. Students visited HMS on February 20 th to experience a preview of electives classes. At the conclusion of this presentation, you will have the opportunity to visit the elective teachers of your choice. 6 th Grade Electives

❧ ❧ The STEM Academy at Grapevine Middle School is open to current 5th and 6th grade students district-wide via a lottery process. Learn more about STEM at GCISD website (under Departments and Programs) or at: ❧ (STEM=Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) ❧ httphttp:// ❧ Students who are interested in STEM will need to enroll in the following courses: ❧ Pre-AP Language Arts ❧ Pre-AP Social Studies ❧ Accelerated Math ❧ Accelerated Science ❧ STEM at Grapevine Middle School

❧ ❧ Characteristics of a STEM student ❧ Passionate about learning math and science ❧ Interest in learning English and social studies through the lens of STEM ❧ Ability to learn math and science at a faster pace ❧ Enjoyment of using technology ❧ Likes problem solving and engineering ❧ Details regarding the lottery process, which closes March 2rd, can be found at More about STEM at GMS

❧ ❧ Will use Skyward student login and password to access registration. ❧ Be sure to select Heritage Middle School from drop down at the top. ❧ February 23-March 27 Family Access

❧ ❧ Registration forms will be due to your student’s homeroom teacher by Friday, March 27th. ❧ Your elementary counselor will help input your student’s selections. ❧ You will receive a letter with course requests in April. If you wish to make course changes, please do so at that time by returning the form by the due date. ❧ Residency Verification/Schedule Pickup: ❧ August 12 th 1:00-3:00 PM ❧ Late Pickup August 12 th 3:00-6:00 PM ❧ BRONCO CAMP!! August 13th Important Dates

❧ ❧ If you would like to receive important updates from the Counseling Department, sign up for the Class of 2022 Remind account: ❧ TO: ❧ Remind 101

You may now visit with electives teachers in the designated locations in the gym.