1. Middle School Education Program

2. CPS Middle Schools
Columbia Public Schools

3. Leia: Sixth Grader Starts her day at 7:30 and ends at 2:35
Is excited about new opportunities
Will be a part of a team of teachers/students
Begins every day with an advisory “family”
Has 4 core classes taught by her 4 team teachers (ELA/English Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science)
Will have 2 periods when she can experience elective or exploratory classes
Has an intervention time (RTI) for help and/or enrichment every other day
Opposite of RTI or EEE will be PE
Can choose to be involved in extracurricular clubs and intramural sports
Columbia Public Schools

4. Schedules Sample 6th Grade Schedule Leia 6th grade
Advisory
18 minutes
ELA
50 minutes
Social Studies
Exploratory Classes or Band/ Orchestra 50
minutes
Math
Lunch
25 minutes
Science
PE/EEE/RtI
Exploratory
Classes or Band/ Orchestra
Columbia Public Schools

5. Grades, what Grades?… Core Class Letter Grades/Percentages
(pass/fail for Exploratory and PE)
Effort/Conduct Marks
A & B Honor Roll
Do your homework and… TURN IT IN!!!
Home Access for students and parents

6. Math Considerations
Students will be placed in 6th grade Math unless they indicate an interest in taking an above-level math course.
(5th grade teacher recommendation with parent input)
7th grade Math or possibly even Algebra could be an option for some students:  These options are only appropriate for extremely accelerated mathematics students.  Because these students will be skipping grade level math content, a testing procedure could be necessary. 
Contact Dana Hibbard at the Aslin Building for testing details. or

7. Exploratory Electives
World Languages Exploration **
Health **
Art
Performing Arts
Comprehensive Music
Exploring Technology
Exploring FACS
Exploring Computers in Business
** Everyone takes!

8. Band/Orchestra Elective
Students can choose to participate in
Band or Orchestra
Daily Elective Choice
Year-long commitment
Must contact Band or Orchestra teacher at your middle school to “try out” instruments

9. Middle School Lockers Locker in team area for books, coat, etc.
Locker partners (sometimes)
Combination locks
“Assigned” locker breaks (don’t need to open locker after every class)

10. P.E. & SPORTS Locker rooms – Dressing Out (optional)
Alternating day PE/RTI/(EEE) (A/B Day)
6th Grade Intramurals Sports Program
7th/8th Grade - compete against other middle schools (basketball, track, football, volleyball, cheer)
No Recess in Middle School!

11. LUNCH, LUNCH, LUNCH!!! Hot Lunch, Cheeseburger, Pizza, Subs
Lots of extra choices
Eat with your entire grade level
Choose where you sit
Same Lunch or Student ID Number
Clean-up your own area

12. CLUBS & ACTIVITIES Such as…. Student Council Robotics Club
Drama Club/School Plays
Chess Club
Games Club
Math Counts
Reading Club
Fandom Club

13. So…What is 6th grade really like…
Advisory Family
Team of Teachers & Students
4 Core Classes and 2 Exploratory Periods
Hallway time - Change Classes/Teachers
PE & RTI (or EEE) rotate every other day
New Friends!
Exciting Opportunities!
More Freedom = More Responsibility!
Jump Start Day…
ARE YOU READY FOR THE CHALLENGE!!???!!

14. Visit YOUR Middle School
ORIENTATION NIGHTS
Coming this Spring!
Visit YOUR Middle School
Presentation for students and families
Hear more about what it’s like to be a 6th grader
Find out about before and after school opportunities
Tour the building (check out classrooms, lockers, gym, lunchroom, etc.)
Each Middle School will share specifics about dates/times…
Gentry Get Acquainted Night, May 1st, 6:00 -7:30 p.m.
Smithton Orientation Night, May 1st 5:00 -6:30 p.m.

15. Questions? School Counselors
Gentry Middle School
Katherine Corey
Danielle Sipe
Rebecca Wallace
Jefferson Middle School
Mike Hogan
Barbara Moore
Lange Middle School
Carey Hughes
Belinda Woods
Oakland Middle School
Doug Harl
Nawassa Logan
Smithton Middle School
Dylan Irwin
Jessica Nicewarner
West Middle School
Debbie Poese
Amanda Taylor

16. Go… Middle School!!!
Lange Leopards
West Vikings
Smithton Wildcats