Quakertown Community School District Welcome to Middle School! April 2014
Our Goal for Your Child Provide opportunities for your child to learn in a rigorous and flexible learning environment Provide flexibility for your child to enrich, remediate and learn in different modalities by offering many options Support your child socially and emotionally as he/she transitions to our middle school setting
Middle School Schedule for Traditional Face-to-Face Format 7 period day—6 day cycle 4 marking periods 3 Teams—Honor, Valor, Courage 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---Futures (45 days), 3 Electives (45 days each)
Middle School Schedule for Band and Chorus opportunities 6 day cycle allows Band or Chorus students to have an Extension period Band sectionals occur approx. one time every 8 days 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 B)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 1 General Music, 1 Library Research Skills (LRS) All students will have Related Arts, unless assigned to intervention courses (Reading 101, Reading Plus)
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) Reading 101 ELL support
Course Selection Process Current 5 th graders--- Course selection, supported by teachers and guidance counselors—beginning April 11 with school visitations by middle school counselors
Course Selection Process
Orientation Process In April--- Strayer Guidance Counselors and a student panel will visit each elementary school sharing information about life at the middle level May 14 9:00 AM-Noon--- 5 th graders will visit Strayer for their Student Orientation August 26, 6:30-8:30 PM--- Student and Parent Orientation
Grade 6 Summer Reading Overview Goal: Continue to grow as learners and a community of readers Assignment: 1.Choose a book to read from the list of 5. 2.Read the book. 3.Use the graphic organizer/sticky notes to complete the chosen task (T-shirt, Filmstrip, Book Jacket) 4.Bring project to school to share in September.
We are looking forward to 3 remarkable years with you and your child!
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