RIVER DELL MIDDLE SCHOOL 6 th GRADE PARENT ORIENTATION FEBRUARY 7, 2013

CLUBS, INTRAMURALS & INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS

Interaction with other students Develop interests Stakeholder in school Promoting school spirit

Academic Competition Club Art Club Drama Club Environmental Club Geography Bee/Spelling Bee Homework Club Library Club/Student Library Aides Literary Magazine

Math Club Newspaper Robotics Science Club Select Chorus Ski Club Stage (Jazz) Band Student Government Organization Yearbook

Offers students to be River Dell Middle School news anchors for the school

Seventh and eighth grade intramurals are held after school in the gym. Intramurals is a fun, organized group that plays a variety of pick-up games, such as basketball, hockey, and softball. Students are required to wear sneakers, sign in upon arrival, and have medical clearance from the school nurse.

During the school year, RDMS will offer the following interscholastic athletic programs: FALL SPORTS Boys and Girls Cross Country Girls Volleyball WINTER SPORTS Boys and Girls Basketball SPRING SPORTS Boys and Girls Track

For club information and meeting times please visit:  ( River Dell Middle School website  Click on “activities”  Click on “clubs ”

 Fees: Pay $50 activity fee to join any sport or club. This fee covers as many activities your child would like to participate in  Payment options: – Credit card on Community Pass – Check submitted to Board Office

COUNSELING SERVICES

COUNSELING SERVICES DEPARTMENT  Ms. Ross: 7 th grade counselor for school year  Ms. Brown: 8 th grade counselor for school year  Dr. O’Neil: Student Assistance Counselor  Mrs. Boettger: Counseling department secretary

 Each faculty member maintains their own School Wires page (including teachers, counselors, nurse, club advisors & administration)  Students and parents should check School Wires daily

 Teachers’ pages: Contain course overview, contact info, grading policy, homework assignments and due dates, tests/quiz dates, & long term projects  Counselors’ pages: Contain our contact info, scheduling documents (Program of Studies Guide & Course Selection Sheets), team meeting times, NJ ASK details, volunteering opportunities, Naviance, and other various programs

 The Genesis Parent Portal is a safe, secure way to view your child’s school record for the current school year  As a parent, you will have access to the following information: – Marking Period, Exam and Final Grades – Report Cards – Daily and Class Attendance Records – Teacher Gradebook Averages – Discipline Records – Contact Information Updates

 Science 7  English 7  World Civilizations 7  Math ­ Pre-Algebra 7 ­ Advanced Pre-Algebra 7  Physical Education 7 –Meets every day –All students have Health for one marking period

 World Language – Spanish 7 – French 7 – ESL 7 (replaces World Language)  Study Support 7 –Meets every day –Students in the Special Education program  21 st Century Learning Strategies 7 –Meets on A Days or B Days

 Computer Literacy 7 –Meets on A Days or B Days  Basic Skills Program: Math Plus 7 & Language Arts Plus 7 –Provides basic skill reinforcement in Math or Language Arts; designed to enhance students’ ability to perform effectively in both their seventh grade courses and on state standardized tests

Art 7 Cadet Band 7 Chorus 7 Inventions & Creativity in Technology 7 Projects & Performances 7 World of Music & Music Technology 7  Electives – Meets on A Days or B Days – Students choose 4 electives (2 are used in schedule and 2 are used as alternates)

 Our schedule consists of A Days and B Days  A cycle is three days long; rotating between three A days in a row followed by three B days in a row throughout the school year  AAA BBB AAA BBB AAA BBB AAA  Weekends, vacations and holidays do not count in a cycle; In case of an emergency closing, we skip the letter and resume the cycle as scheduled

 RDMS Counselors began visiting elementary schools last week to review courses & scheduling  Course Selection Forms are then collected at each school –Roosevelt: Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 –Cherry Hill: Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 –OPS: Feb. 4 and Feb th GRADE 7 th GRADE 6 th GRADE  7 th GRADE COURSE SELECTION

 During our orientation, we distributed: –Program of Studies Guide: Listing of all courses that RDMS offers; for your review –Course Selection Sheet: Where you choose electives and World Language 6 th GRADE 7 th GRADE 6 th GRADE  7 th GRADE COURSE SELECTION

 RDMS will send a preliminary schedule home in the end of June  Counselors must be notified of all schedule change requests by July 12 th  RDMS will send a final schedule in August

 Focus and Coherence –A few key topics at each grade level –Coherent progressions across grade levels  Balance of concepts and skills –Require both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency  Mathematical Practices –Foster reasoning and sense-making in math

7 th Grade PreAlgebra 7 Advanced PreAlgebra 7 8 th Grade Algebra 8 Advanced Algebra 8

Math placement is determined by River Dell after reviewing the following:  The student’s scores on unit assessments in their current math class.  The student's score on the math placement test.  The student’s score on the math section of the NJ ASK 5.  Input from the student’s current math teacher.

 We expect more from our middle school students than ever before.  Students are expected to gain both conceptual understanding and procedural fluency in math.  All students have the possibility of reaching Calculus in high school.

Access Community Pass online at RDMS home page 1) Provide your contact information 2) Fill out necessary forms: –Student information form –Athletic form 3) Pay $50 participation fee to join any sport or club (Optional)

▪ All incoming 7 th graders are required to have a physical that is to be submitted on the first day of school. A health packet will be distributed to every student to bring home. ▪ You will also be able to access this packet by going to ▪ Click on “Middle School” ▪ Click on “Health Services” under Quick Links ▪ Click on “7 th Grade Health Packet – Incoming 6 th Graders”

 Registration Forms were already handed out to 6 th grade students. Oradell forms were due January 25 and River Edge forms were due February 1 st. If you haven’t already turned them in you must do so in order to register your child at RDMS and receive a schedule.  You will receive information on how to register for Community Pass and Genesis this summer.