1. Williamsburg Middle School
Welcome to 6th grade!

2. GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER
We will visit students at their elementary schools to discuss middle school and answer questions in February
Students will visit, tour, see classes and have lunch with us on April 6th or 7th
Summer conferences with 6th grade families
PALS Day, August 31st

3. PREPARING FOR THE TRANSITION
Having a middle school student may change your schedule:
The school day begins at 7:50 (plan on arriving at 7:35)
Lunch is earlier (either 10:36 or 10:53 depending on the day)
There are only a few early release days
The middle school version of Extended Day is called Check-in and it’s only after school
There are many after school activities
Be sure to check out the ACTIVITIES tab on our website!

4. PREPARING FOR THE TRANSITION
Your child will be making new friends from other schools (we have approximately 13 feeder schools)
Your child will have seven classes and teachers which will require some new organizational demands
Think about how your child has made other transitions. Let the school know of any concerns.

5. HOW WE PAREPARE FOR THE NEW 6TH GRADE
We gather information for Math placement from the following sources:
5th grade teacher recommendations/information
5th grade grades
5th grade standardized scores
5th grade Math placement scores (end of the year county- wide assessment)
We balance teams based on skill levels, as well as gender
Summer transition conferences
Plan PALS Day with 6th grade teachers

6. INFORMATION IN AUGUST
You will receive team assignments and team supply lists in August. The supply lists will also be on the school website
We will have schedules ready for PALS Day (Thursday, August 31, 2017)

7. WHAT THE DAY LOOKS LIKE
Williamsburg will begin a new block schedule this year!
Provide extended, uninterrupted class periods that will allow teachers to respond to various learning styles and reach deeper into content
Provide active learning environments and allow for more hands-on, student-centered, technology infused activities
Allow for Project Based Learning to provide a richer experiential learning

8. WHAT THE DAY LOOKS LIKE Monday Tuesday – Friday
Students will begin their day in TA (homeroom 7:50 – 8:12)
Afterwards they will go to the remaining 7 class periods
Each class period lasting approximately 45 minutes
Tuesday – Friday
Students will go directly to their 1st block class
Afterwards, they’ll go to the 2nd block of the day for WOLF TIME (for 40 minutes)
After WOLF TIME, students will go to their singleton period each day for 45 minutes
Then their last two period classes will be blocked
Each block class will last 83 minutes

9. WOLF TIME
Flexible block in the day that will provide a variety of meaningful experiences
Individual student needs can be addressed
Additional time with individual teachers for support
Elective lessons including social and academic support will also be available

10. CLASSES 6TH grade students have 5 core classes:
US History, Civics and Economics to 1865
English
Science
Math (either Math 6 or Math 7 for 6th graders)
Reading (full year class) or
Reading/Spanish (semester classes)
Must demonstrate proficiency in grade level reading

11. ELECTIVE CLASSES
Students make 1 elective choice:
Music
Exploratory

12. MUSIC CHOICES
Band (grouped by instrument)
Orchestra
Chorus

13. EXPLORATORY ROTATION
Students selecting the exploratory rotation will spend 5-6 weeks in a class that may include:
Visual Arts
Theatre Arts
Technical Education
Family and Consumer Science
Keyboarding
Journalism
World Language
Chorus

14. AFTER SCHOOL OPTIONS The school day ends at 2:24
There are after school activities on Mon, Tues, and Thurs in APS (After School Period) 1 and ASP 2
Clubs and after school academic help take place
during ASP 1 and/or ASP 2 from 2:30 – 4:15
Encourage your child to participate in at least
one of the sports or extra curricular activities
More information is on the WMS website

15. CHECK-IN (EXTENDED DAY)
This is not a Williamsburg Middle School program
Hours: 2:24pm – 6:00pm
Because school begins at 7:50 we do not have morning check-in
Location: Cafeteria
Contact Information:
Kia Martin

16. SPORTS AT WILLIAMSBURG
Intramurals:
Do not require a physical
Every week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during ASP2
Drop in, no tryouts
Interscholastic:
Students MUST have a current physical on file with the Activities Coordinator (after May 1st)
Most sports require tryouts

17. The CRFs are due back to the elementary schools by March 2, 2017
Parents:
The CRFs are due back to the elementary schools by March 2, 2017

19. STUDENT SERVICES Counselors: Director:
6th grade: Ms. Flynn and Ms. Schaefer
7th grade: Ms. Boyers and Mr. Caldwell
8th grade: Mr. Tuttle
Director:
Ms. Rittenhouse
Middle School Program of Studies