1. Welcome TO Ford Middle School
Counselors
Heather Youngquist – 7th Grade
Debra Day – 8th Grade

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

3. 7 8:30 – 3:30 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

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

5. 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)
Advanced Academics Committee will screen every 6th grader for Pre- AP/IB Math using 4th grade Math TAKS, 5th grade Math STAAR, and 6th first semester math grade. Students must meet two of the above district criteria.
If you qualify for Math Pre-AP/IB , you will automatically be enrolled.
Any student who did not meet initial criteria for Math Pre-AP/IB will be re-evaluated using 6th grade final math grade and 6th Math STAAR score.
There are NO appeals!

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

7. On-Level OR Pre-AP/IB ?? On-Level Pre-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.)

8. 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.

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

10. WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
Electives Continued
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
WE CANNOT GO BACK AND CHANGE ELECTIVES. MAKE SURE YOU FILL-IN ALL ALTERNATIVE CHOICES.

11. Athletics BOYS Football Basketball Off season
Track and Wrestling- after school ( you do not sign up for these- they do not count as a class)
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.

12. Athletics continued GIRLS Volleyball Basketball Off season
Track –Spring semester
Athletics is a full-year elective
A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics
Volleyball & Basketball are try-out sports.
Girls- If you only want to run track, only sign up for Spring Athletics

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

14. Try-Out Sports You must try-out to make these teams:
Boy’s Basketball (full-year)
Girl’s Volleyball (full-year)
Girl’s Basketball (full-year)
Cheerleading (full-year)
Golf (Fall - half-year)
Tennis (full-year)

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

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

17. Application Electives
YEARBOOK:
You must complete an application to be considered for Yearbook.
Limited class size
Full-year elective
PEER HELPER:
You must complete an application to be considered for an Interview.
Limited number
Full-year or half- year elective

18. NO Lockers!!! Students will be allowed to carry backpacks to class.
Backpacks must be regular size.
NO rolling or oversized backpacks

19. Cafeteria 4 Lines to choose from:
Ford Diner- hot plate lunch (free & reduced eligible line)
Mustang Grill- hot plate lunch (free & reduced eligible line)
Park Place Pizza- pizza and pasta
Red Rooster- chicken strips and fries
We have 3 lunch periods (A,B,C). Your lunch period is determined by your 4th period class.

20. Clubs Clubs meet before or after school.
Anime Club (Japanese Animation)
D.O.L.L.S. (Daughters of Our Loving Lord & Savior)
FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
F.O.R. Club (Friends Of Rachel)
Guitar Club (must have your own guitar)
Sewing Club
Arts and Crafts
Boys 2 Men and Girls Breakaway
Technology club
Clubs meet before or after school.

21. Required Immunizations for 7th Grade

22. Texas State Vaccine Requirements for 7th 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
2nd 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
Incoming students are required to get up to three (3) vaccines to enter 7th grade, per Title 25 Health Services of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC).
It is recommended that proof of immunizations, for incoming 7th 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 7th grade.

23. Health Information 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.
Proof of Immunizations should be given to the School Nurse.
Please note that all topics covered in the Allen ISD Student Handbook apply to all students in the Allen Independent School District.

24. Sports Physicals
Sports physical paperwork should be given to the student’s coaches.
Sports physical forms and information are kept with the athletic department. Forms and information can also be found on the Allen ISD Athletic Department web page.

25. How to complete the Course Selection Sheet
Print child’s legal name (no nicknames)
Print Parent/Guardian’s name
Write Parent/Guardian’s phone number
Mark your child’s choice for On-level or Pre-AP/IB for: Texas History, English, and Science. both boxes must be marked.
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.
If the Elective has 2 boxes, both boxes must be marked.
Write 2 Alternate Choices in order of preference. These should be different than the 4 boxes you marked in the Electives section.
Parent/Guardian signs form
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.

26. PARENT MEETING WHEN: Tuesday, January 28th
WHERE: Ford Middle School Gym
TIME: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

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

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