Counselors Roxanne LeCroy– 7 th Grade Amy Smith – 8 th Grade

Purpose for Meeting  Learn about Middle School  Discuss Core classes offered  Discuss Elective classes offered

General Information  All students take 7 classes everyday. 7  School day begins at 8:30.  School day ends at 3:30. 8:30 – 3:30

Core Classes All 7 th graders take 4 Core Classes English (double-blocked) Math Science Texas History

Advanced Classes  Pre-AP/IB Math  Pre-AP /IB Science (No prequalifying criteria)  Pre-AP/IB English (No prequalifying criteria)  Pre-AP/IB Texas History (No prequalifying criteria)  All current th grade students will be evaluated for Math 7 PreAP/IB. Qualifications based upon the following: 4 th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 5th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 6 th first semester math grade typically a 90 or higher. Students must meet two of three district criteria for placement.  Any student who did not meet criteria for advanced math initially will be re-evaluated using 6 th final math grade and 6 th Math STAAR Advanced Level III score. Placement notification will be reflected on student’s schedule in August.  There are NO appeals.  If you qualify for Math Pre-AP/IB, you will automatically be enrolled.

Gifted & Talented Classes AIM in Elementary School Humanities in Middle School Humanities includes: English History Reading If you are in AIM now, you will automatically be enrolled in Humanities.

On-Level OR Pre-AP/IB ?? On-LevelPre-AP/IB  Students will have 3 days to turn in their late work for a maximum grade of 70  Students can expect approximately 45 to 60 minutes of homework per night (excluding projects, test preparation, etc.)  Students will have 2 days to turn in their work for a maximum grade of 60  Students can expect approximately 3 hours of homework per night if taking ALL Pre-AP/IB courses (excluding projects, test preparation, etc.)

On-Level OR Pre-AP/IB ?? 6 th Grade 7 th Grade Daily Grades = 60% Quizzes/Tests/Projects = 40% On-Level Daily Grades = 25% Quizzes = 35% Tests = 40% Pre-AP/IB Daily Grades = 20% Quizzes = 30% Tests = 50%

Points to consider when choosing Pre-AP/IB classes  Time spent participating in extra-curricular activities (Athletics, select sports, dance, etc.)  Student’s strengths, abilities and interest  Organization and time management skills  Parents and students should carefully consider how many Pre-AP/IB courses the student will be taking and the amount of coursework that is required.  In the event that the student wishes to drop from Pre- AP/IB to regular coursework, those changes will take place at the end of the first grading period or at semester.

Electives One Semester Electives: o Career Portal in Human Services o Career Portal in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) o Career Portal in Communications and Media Arts Science o Career Portal in Health Science o Career Portal in Business o Career Portal in Finance o Exploring Careers o Technology Applications in Computer Graphics o Introduction to Art o Intermediate Art (Prerequisite: Introduction to Art) o Introduction to Theatre Arts o Advanced Theatre Arts (Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre Arts)

Electives Continued WARNING! WARNING! Schedules will not be changed for:  Teacher change  Lunch time change  Elective change if you received your requested elective  “ I don’t like the class.” Read the Academic Planning Guide and Course Descriptions very closely when making class selections FILL-IN ALL ALTERNATIVE CHOICES.

Athletics BOYS  Football  Basketball  Off season Athletics is a full-year elective. A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics If you sign up for Boys Athletics, you will play Football. If you only want to play Basketball, sign up for PE Fall and PE Spring …NOT Boys Athletics! Basketball is a try-out sport. Your schedule will be changed when you make the team.

Athletics continued GIRLS  Volleyball  Basketball  Off season Athletics is a full-year elective A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics If you want basketball, you sign up for Girls Athletics. If you want to play Girls Volleyball, sign up for PE Fall and PE Spring …NOT Girls Athletics! Volleyball & Basketball are try-out sports. Your schedule will be changed when you make the team.

Coed PE All students must take 2 semesters of PE or Athletics during Middle School

Try-Out Sports You must try-out to make these teams:  Boys Basketball (full-year)  Girls Volleyball (full-year)  Girls Basketball (full-year)  Cheerleading (full-year)  Golf (Fall - half-year)  Tennis (Spring - half-year)

OFF-CAMPUS PE  PE credit can be earned through OCPE.  Approval process, applications and explanations can be found on the AISD “Athletics” homepage under “Off-Campus PE” or contact Coach Debbie Evans at the Athletic Office.

Full Year Fine Arts Electives Band Orchestra Choir You must be in Band or Orchestra in 6 th grade to be in Band or Orchestra in 7 th grade.

Application Electives You must complete an application to be considered for these classes. Limited class size!! 1. YEARBOOK: Full-year elective. 2. PARTNERS IN PE: one semester elective. 3. ROBOTICS : one semester elective. Applications will be on-line next week.

Backpacks  Students will be allowed to carry backpacks to class.  Backpacks must be regular size.  NO rolling or oversized backpacks  Students will be expected to carry a book, lunch and a 3 inch binder or a combination of binders adding up to 3 inches. (Examples: one 3 inch binder, three 1 inch binders)

Cafeteria 4 Lines to choose from: Regular Plate Lunches All Things Chicken

Cafeteria Pizza and Pasta Galore Anything Grilled

Clubs & Activities Book Club Chess Club Card Club DOLLS EE Club Fellowship of Christian Athletes Friends of Rachel Math/Science Club Robotics Clubs meet before or after school

Required Immunizations for 7 th Grade

Texas State Vaccine Requirements for 7 th graders 1 dose of Tetanus-Diptheria- Aceullular pertussis (Tdap), if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-diptheria (Td or Tdp) vaccine was received. 1 dose of Meningococcal 2 nd dose of Varicella required if the first dose was received on or after the first birthday. If student had chicken pox disease, evidence of disease must be on file with the current school 2 doses of Hepatitis A Incoming students are required to get up to three (3) vaccines to enter 7 th grade, per Title 25 Health Services of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). It is recommended that proof of immunizations, for incoming 7 th graders, be delivered to the current elementary school nurse, prior to the end of the current school year. Student shot records may be accessed through Parent Access. Proof of current vaccinations are required prior to the start of 7 th grade.

Health Information Proof of Immunizations should be given to the School Nurse. Parents should contact the school nurse: – if their student has a medical concern that the school should be aware of. – for any medication administration at school. Healthcare Plans, like the Allen ISD Asthma or Allergy Action Plans: – A new healthcare plan, signed by the prescribing physician, should be completed every school year, and given to the school nurse, at the beginning of the school year. Healthcare provider orders are valid for one school year. – The Allen ISD Action Plan forms can be found on the school nurse’s, Faculty Web Page, or a paper copy may be picked up at your child’s school.

Sports Physicals Sports physical paperwork should be given to the coach that instructs your student’s sport. Forms and information can be found on the Allen ISD Athletic Department web page. Sports physical forms and information are kept with the Athletic Department. Parents should discuss health concerns with the coach and the school nurse.

How to complete the Course Selection Sheet 1.Print child’s legal name (no nicknames) 2.Print Parent/Guardian’s name 3.Write Parent/Guardian’s phone number 4.Mark your child’s choice for On-level or Pre-AP/IB for: Texas History, English, and Science. both boxes must be marked. 5.Mark a TOTAL of 4 boxes from the Electives section. The Electives section is from Fine Arts through Advanced Technology. Do not mark 4 boxes from each Electives section. 6.If the Elective has 2 boxes, both boxes must be marked. 7.Write 2 Alternate Choices in order of preference. These should be different than the 4 boxes you marked in the Electives section. 8.Parent/Guardian signs form 9.The back side of the form is a worksheet to help you. Students will make course selections based on the front side of the Course Selection Form.

PARENT MEETING  WHEN:February 18, 2016  WHERE:Curtis Middle School Cafeteria  TIME:6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Coffee with the Counselors – Feb. am

Course Selection Incoming 7 th grade students will register on their Elementary Campus with their Elementary Counselor during the school day. ** Date set by Elementary Campus

Tips for being successful in Middle School 1. Do your best in 6 th grade…it can determine what classes you can take in 7 th grade. 2. Do your best on your STAAR tests…it can determine what classes you can take in 7 th grade. 3. Listen to your teachers & do what they ask. 4. Be on your best behavior at all times. 5. Work on organization skills, time management and study habits. 6. Attend Cougar Camp