1. Moving up to Middle School A Guide for Parents and Students by Lisa Snow, Conway School Counselor Adapted by Sharon Stiefel, PRES Counselor

2. Congratulations! Middle school is an exciting place to be! You will have a chance to… Meet new people Choose elective classes Develop new skills and interests Become more independent and responsible

3. Stafford County Middle Schools Park Ridge students are zoned for either: H. H. Poole or Rodney Thompson Middle Other county middle schools include: Drew, Dixon-Smith, Gayle, Heim, Stafford, and AG Wright

4. Timeline Spring: – Guidance lessons on middle school – Field trip to the middle school in your zone – Parent Information Night at the middle schools – Registration forms with elective choices due Summer: * July 4 th letters for Math 6 extended or Math 7 th extended are sent out to parents * Orientation night, meet the teachers

5. Middle School is different in many ways Different classes and schedules New rules Block scheduling in some cases Lockers More classmates More teachers Electives Letter Grades (A,B,C,D,F)

6. Registration Form This is the first time your student will be able to choose an elective. The elective choices will be explained to them during their field trip to the middle schools. Registration forms are given out after the field trip and then are due back to their teachers within the week. If a student does not return a registration form, an elective will be chosen for them by their middle school.

7. Mathematics Placement Process Important decisions need to be made regarding the appropriate placement for middle school mathematics courses for next year. In the spring, families will receive an information packet describing how placement will be determined. Placement will be determined using data collected for individual students. In July letters will be sent to those parents whose child has qualified for an higher level math placement. Students who will be in Math 6 will not receive a letter.

8. Description of Sixth Grade Mathematics Courses Sixth Grade Math Sixth Grade Math – A one-year course that includes all of Virginia’s Sixth Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 6 Mathematics Standards of Learning test. Extended Math 6 Extended Math 6 - A one-year course that includes all of Virginia’s Sixth Grade Standards of Learning and part of the Seventh Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 6 Mathematics Standards of Learning test. Extended Math 7 Extended Math 7 – a one-year course that includes Virginia’s Eighth Grade Standards of Learning and part of the Seventh Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning test. Note: Sixth grade math content is not a part of this course. (Placement test required.)

9. Some Common Student Questions Q: How do letter grades work? SCPS grading scale A: You will receive grades on some or all class work, homework, notebook checks, tests, quizzes, projects, etc. These grades will be averaged together to give a percentage out of 100. The SCPS grading scale is: 100-98 A+, 97-93 A, 92-90 A- 89-87 B+, 86-83 B, 82-80 B- 79-77 C+, 76-73 C, 72-70 C- 69-67 D+, 66-63 D, 62-60 D- Less than 60 if an F

10. Some Common Student Questions Q: Am I going to have classes with my friends? A: You will probably have some kids you know in some of your classes, but the computer mixes student from all the schools together. You can always meet and eat lunch with your old friends.

11. Some Common Student Questions Q: Will I get lost? A: There are teachers and people in the hallways to help you find your way. The first couple of weeks, while you get used to your new building, your teachers will be helping you get to your next class.

12. Some Common Student Questions Q: Do we get stuffed in lockers? A: No one can really fit in a locker and if someone tries to push you into one, they will be referred to administration.

13. Some Common Student Questions Q: What if you forget your locker combination or can’t get it to work? A: Many of the teachers have locker keys and they have your combinations so that they can help you get into your locker at any time.

14. Some Common Student Questions Q: Can you sit with your friends in class? A: Sometimes. This depends on the teacher.

15. Some Common Student Questions Q: Can I play a sport? A: You can play a sport in middle school, but you can’t try out until 7 th grade. During your 6 th grade year go and have fun supporting your teams at their games!

16. Get Involved!!! Middle Schools have many clubs and organizations you can join. Some MAY include: Art Club Student Council Book Clubs Chess Club Science Club National Junior Honor Society Step Club Yearbook News team Math Counts Lego League International club Family Career and Community League Buddy Club

17. Feelings about Moving On You may have a lot of different feelings: HappyNervousExcited ScaredAnd many more… It’s okay to feel this way; sometimes it can help to talk to a trusted adult or friend about how you are feeling.

18. You have Our Support If you have any questions or concerns about all or part of this process, please let us know. We are here to help! Counselors Teachers Administrators Office Staff Math Specialist Reading Specialist