1. Rising 6th grade Swanson Admirals
WELCOME ABOARD!
Rising 6th grade Swanson Admirals

2. Director of Counseling
Principal
Renee Harber
Director of Counseling
Rana Luthra
Assistant Principals
Laura Porter
Eric Underhill
Tony Hall

3. Laura Goodwyn laura.goodwyn@apsva.us
Counselors
Laura Goodwyn
Melissa Ortiz

4. Core Teams 6th Grade: Navigators, Sailors, Mariners
7th Grade: Orcas, Seahorses, Manatees, Narwhals
8th Grade: Schooners, Clippers, Galleons, Caravels

5. The School Day 7:40 a.m. – 2:24 p.m. Breakfast served at 7:20 a.m.
3 minutes between classes
Classes are 43 minutes
Grade level lunches: 43 minutes long
6th grade lunch – 10:33 am
Afterschool Program:
ASP I: 2:30- 3:30pm
ASP2: 3:30-4:21pm
Late bus: Monday- Thursday at 4:15pm
If you have questions about check in, you need to call arlington county.

6. STAR: Swanson Teacher Advisory & Reading
Every morning from 7:50-8:10 AM
Opportunities for…
New student orientation
Development of interpersonal skills & team building
Improving organizational and study habits
Career Education
Character Education through group activities
Service projects (Team and School-wide)
School announcements
Distribution of progress reports, report cards, important information, etc.
DEAR: Drop Everything and Read

7. Sixth Grade Core Subjects
Mathematics- Math 6, Pre-Algebra for 6th Graders
Social Studies- American History through the Civil War
Science - Physical and Earth Sciences
Language Arts- Reading & Writing
Reading- Reading Comprehension and Note Taking Strategies
Reading/Transitional Spanish 6 (FLES, Immersion only) – a semester of reading, and a semester of Spanish for 6th graders (not for high school credit). A/B Schedule. *
Reading/Intro to World Language (French, Spanish, Latin, or Spanish for Fluent Speakers) – a semester of reading and a semester of language on an A/B schedule (not for high school credit).*
Health & PE
Must be on grade-level for reading. Based on 5th grade teacher recs, DRP scores, passing SOL, etc.
Direct questions on teams for language (ex: all Intro to World Language Latin on one team) to main office. It was the case this year, but not sure for next year.

8. Introduction to Latin, Spanish, French, and Spanish for Fluent Speakers* *Student wishing to take Spanish for Fluent Speakers will be tested at their elementary schools
What it is…
A class for students who are on grade level in reading
The class alternates days with Reading
The goal is language exposure and enjoyment for students
Will qualify students for an Intensified Level One language course in 7th grade
What it is NOT…
It is not a prerequisite for a level one language class
It is not for high school credit
It is not a requirement for 6th grade students

9. Math Specialist:
Laura Partridge
Reading Specialist:
Cindy Chiu

10. 6th Grade Electives Admiral’s Wheel Fine Arts – Art, Drama
Practical Arts - Technology Education, Family Consumer Science, and Word Processing
*Specific classes offered will be dependent on staffing
Instrumental Music
Beginning Orchestra
Beginning Band
Beginning Chorus
Instructional Studies *
Everybody signs up for beginning band and beginning orchestra, and Mr. Norris and Mr. Hartman evaluate once you are here. Movement made based on need and ability.
Instructional studies is only for students who have it on the IEP

12. HILT placement should be based on recommendations from 5th grade teachers and HILT coordinator.

13. We have blacked out intermediate and advanced band, and intermediate orchestra.

14. Counseling Services Counselors loop with students
Individual and Group Counseling
Classroom Guidance:
Academic Planning and Course Selection
Bullying Prevention, Depression/Mental Health Lesson
Career Planning - Naviance
Character Education activities
Orientation and Transition Activities
Career Education Activities
Admirable Admirals recognition
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Consultation and Referral

15. 6th Grade Transition Activities
Swanson administrators or counselors visit elementary schools
5th graders visit Swanson in March
Open House at the end of August

16. Supporting and Engaging Parents
Conferences in the fall and spring
Active PTA and music boosters organizations
Opportunities to volunteer in classrooms & chaperone field trips
PTA Anchor newsletter & ed announcements

17. “Act 2” After School Classes
Art
Inventions and Innovations (Tech Ed)
Chorus
Beginning Band (6, 7, 8)
Jazz Band (by audition)
CORE plus (additional academic support)
* Classes offered by interest and teacher availability

18. After School Activities-Sports
Girls Soccer* - September-October
Tennis*- September-October
Dive – September-November
Boys Soccer* - October-December
Girls Basketball* - October-December
Boys Basketball* - January-March
Cheerleading* - October-March
Wrestling – January - March
Swim – February - April
Track – March – May
*Students must tryout for teams and cuts will be made.
An up-to-date (within a calendar year) physical is required to participate!

19. After School Activities-Clubs
After School Activities-Clubs *Club offerings change yearly based on student interest and staff availability* Have a great idea for a club? Ask us and we’ll get it started!
Anime/Manga Club
Math Counts
BoysIIMen
Swanson Dance Crew
Book Clubs
TAB
Captains Crew (Chorus)
TSA
Debate
Video Club/Video Design
Doctor Who Club
Latina Youth Leading at Swanson (LYLAS)
Harry Potter Club
FBLA
Literary Magazine (Wavelength)
Pep Band
Game On Club
Science Club
GSA
Swanson Space Syndicate
Team Homework Clubs
Yoga
Intramurals

20. After School Activities
ASP1: - 2:30PM-3:30PM
ASP2: - 3:30PM-4:15PM
Most clubs meet during ASP1. Once the meeting has ended at 3:30, walkers should walk home, while bus riders can remain in Open Gym until the late buses arrive at 4:15.

21. Check-In Tameka Martin, Supervisor
( )-Enroll through APS Extended Day Office
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm, Monday-Friday in the cafeteria
Check-in students can participate in Swanson’s after school activities while in Check-In
Activities are self-directed
Organized events include field trips, theme days and special activities

22. Break Out Sessions Specific topics discussed in detail, plus opportunities for questions.
Session 1 - 8:00 PM to 8:25 PM
Session 2 – 8:30 PM to 8:55 PM
6th Grade Reading/Introductory World Languages – Auditorium
Math Curriculum for 6th grade – Library
G/T (Rising 6th grade) – Cafeteria *only offered in Session 1*
Special Education – Room 112