1. PARENT PRESENTATION Dowell Middle School REGISTRATION
February 22, 2018

2. Administrative Team Principal – Holly Rogers
Assistant Principals–Jesse Abel and Aretha Jackson
Counselors – Jennifer Morse and Rayshana Adams
Media Resource Specialist – Jamie Morris
Special Education Lead – Lori Wilson
English as a Second Language – Kathryn Brashears
504 Coordinator – Kellie Janzen

3. Goals for the Evening Get information for academic decision making.
Get information for elective decision making.
Prepare for the transition to high school.
Answer questions individually at the end.

4. Materials Review Registration Form 7th Grade 8th Grade
Academic Planning Guide (APG) w/ course descriptions (Online)
Both English and Spanish are available

5. Parent Information Email Distribution List
Web Site:
Progress Reports (Every 3 weeks)
Report Cards (Every 9 weeks)
Home Access Center
Canvas

6. Canvas Learning Management System similar to Blackboard
Parents (Observers) use HAC credentials to login
Access from MISD or Dowell website
Go to account and notifications to set notification preferences
Teachers are at different places with Canvas
Questions? Jamie Morris

7. Middle School Philosophy
High Academic Standards for All Students.
Students Introduced to Academic and Extra-Curricular Options.
Students Begin to Determine Strengths and Preferences.
Partnership with Students, Families, & Community.

8. STAAR Testing at Middle School
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
Eighth Grade
Reading
Writing
Math
Science
Social Studies
High School credit courses are End of Course Exams.
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.

9. Core and Pre AP Classes
McKinney ISD’s curriculum is common at all schools and aligned with the rest of the state.
Core Curriculum is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
Aligned with like grade levels and between grade levels.
Both are College Prep courses.

10. Core Courses Every Student Takes: Language Arts and Reading (ELAR)
Math
Science
Social Studies

11. Target Classes
Placement into Target classes will be based upon a student’s data.
This class takes the place of an elective course.
Target courses are offered in Math and ELAR.

12. Math Curriculum Sequence
Grade
Core
Pre AP
6th
6th Grade TEKS
6th and 7th Grade TEKS
7th
7th Grade TEKS
8th Grade TEKS (Pre Algebra)
Students take the MAP Test at the end of 7th grade for
recommendation of 8th grade math course placement.
8th
Algebra 1
9th
Geometry
10th
Algebra 2
11th
Pre Calculus
12th
Statistics or Pre-Calculus
Calculus or
Statistics

13. Other Levels of Courses
ESL: Non or limited English speakers.
Special Education: Continuum of services.
Gifted and Talented: Identified GT students.

14. Gifted and Talented
If your child is in GT, Karen Green will provide us with the information for placement of classes.
For now, you just check Pre AP math.
If you have questions about GT,

15. Typical 7th and 8th Grade Day
Language Arts: Every day for 1 period.
Math: Every day for 1 period.
Science: Every day for 1 period.
Social Studies: Every day for 1 period.
Electives: 3 electives that meet every day.

16. Physical Education Requirement
Every student is required to complete 4 semesters of Physical Education while in Middle School.
Every student took a full year in 6th Grade.
Athletics does count as their P.E. credit.
UIL rules do not allow for a student to be in Athletics and Physical Education at the same time.

17. Electives Choices All electives meet every day.
Electives are for the entire year.
Cheerleading requires a physical and it is a class during the day.
If a student participates in Athletics they must be in the Athletic period.

18. Elective Choices Art 1 Art 2 Advanced Art (Application Only) Athletics
7th Grade Athletics in the Morning
8th Grade Athletics in the Afternoon
AVID (Application)
Band
Cheerleading (Physical needed)
Choir

19. Elective Choices Theatre Advanced Theatre (Audition)
Investigating Careers (7th & 8th Grade)
Teen Leadership
PALS 8th Grade (Application)
Youth & Government (Application)
Partner PE (Application)
Physical Education
Orchestra
Yearbook (Application)
Broadcast and Media Journalism (Application)

20. High School Credit in 8th Grade
Elective Choices
Principles of Applied Engineering*
Health/Communication Applications
Principles of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications*
Spanish 1
Spanish for Spanish Speakers

21. AVID/PALS/Partners PE
There is a process in place to qualify for these courses.
Students fill out the application.
An interview is held.
The criteria is reviewed by the committee to see if the student qualifies.
AVID: Andrea Johnson
PALS: Jerry Flemons
Partners PE: Holly Rogers and Jennifer Morse

22. Decisions To Make
Which Level of core academic class is most appropriate for my child?
Which electives will benefit my child most in middle school and high school and beyond?

23. Welcome To Dowell! Due Date: February 26, 2018.
Return to your Math teacher the Registration Form only.
Must have student and parent signature.
Back to School Night: Tuesday, August 14th Time:TBD

24. Welcome to DOWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL 2018 - 2019