1. Scott Johnson Middle School Parent Presentation
March 16, 2015

2. Administrative Team Principal – Mitchell Curry
Assistant Principals – David Warren and Stewart Herrington
Counselors – Kathy Hjartberg and Steve Gaffney
Library Media Specialist – Barbara Kinast
Special Education Lead – Becky Franklin
English as a Second Language – Wendy Burt
504 Coordinators – Beth Davis and Nikie Jo

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. (Both English and Spanish are available)
Materials Review
Registration Form
7th Grade
8th Grade
Course Description Guide (On Line)
(Both English and Spanish are available)
School Health Form (7th Grade only)

5. Parent Information E mail Distribution List Web Site:
Teacher web sites (i.e. edmodo, remind101, etc.)
Progress Reports (Every 3 weeks)
Report Cards (Every 9 weeks)
Home Access Center

6. 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 and Community

7. STAAR Testing at Middle School
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
Eighth Grade
Reading
Writing
Math
Science
Social Studies
High School credit courses have moved to End of Course Exams.
The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR)

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

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

10. Target Classes
Placement into Target classes will be based upon a students MAP testing data and STAAR test results.
This class takes the place of an elective course.
Target courses are offered in Math, Science, and ELAR.

11. Entrance Guidelines for Pre AP
Entrance guidelines provide a profile of students who typically experience success in Pre AP courses.
What Data Is Used?
Map Scores
Current Grades
Teacher Input

12. Pre AP Academic Profile
Consistently make high A’s in on-level mathematics in the prior grades.
Is willing to work hard, complete all assignments on time, and a conscientious student.
Is ready to commit to a course sequence leading to AP courses in High School.

13. Pre AP Academic Profile
Seeks help when needed.
Is well organized.
Teacher recommendation from previous grade.
Internal motivation.

14. Personal Guidelines for Pre AP
Reading at or above grade level.
Strong study skills.
Able to handle a more rapid pace of instruction.
Strong work ethic (self discipline to plan, organize, and complete tasks)
Personal interest in subject.

15. Other things to Consider
Students can still take an AP course in high school even if they do not take Algebra 1 in middle school.
A mathematics course in the 12th grade is crucial for bridging into college without a loss of skills. Students who take Algebra 1 in the 8th grade are strongly encouraged to take a math course in the 12th grade.

16. Math Curriculum Sequence
Grade
Core
Pre AP
6th
6th Grade TEKS
6th and 7th Grade TEKS
7th
7th Grade TEKS
8th Grade TEKS
Students take the MAP Test at the end of 7th grade for
recommendation of 8th grade math course placement.
8th
Pre AP Math
Algebra 1
9th
Algebra1
Geometry
10th
Algebra 2
11th
Pre Calculus
12th
Algebra 3 or
Statistics
Calculus or

17. Other Levels of Courses
ESL: None or Limited English speakers.
Special Education: Continuum of services.
Gifted and Talented: Identified GT students.

18. Gifted and Talented
If your child is GT, Karen Green will give us a spreadsheet letting us know which GT courses your child will be in.
For now, you just check Pre AP.
You can contact Mrs. Green at

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. Electives All electives meet every day.
Electives are for the entire year.
Cheerleading and Drill Team are after school activities and students must have a physical.
If a student participates in Athletics they must be in the Athletic period.

22. Elective Choices Art 1 Art 2 Advanced Art Athletics AVID (Application)
7th Grade Athletics in the Morning
8th Grade Athletics in the Afternoon
AVID (Application)
Band
Cheerleading (After School)
Choir

23. Elective Choices Drama Drama Advanced (Audition)
Invention & Innovation (7th Grade)
Teen Leadership
PALS (8th Grade/Application)
Partner Leader (Application)
Physical Education
Orchestra
Yearbook (Application)

24. 8th Grade Electives For High School Credit
Spanish 1
Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1
Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2
Principles of Arts, Audio Visual Technology & Communications/Principles of Information Technology
Concepts of Engineering
Health/Professional Communications (on-line only)

25. AVID/PALS 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: Valerie Schraplau
PALS: Darla Sessom

26. Need More Information?
Band Directors – Paul Stephens and Stephanie Pavlasek
Choir Director – Sarah Baez
Orchestra Director – Nicole Pennington
Drama – Angi Burns
Athletic Directors – Robert Jackson and Darla Sessom
Cheer – Kalei Brinkerhoff
AVID – Valerie Schraplau and LaTisha Johnson

27. 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?

28. MISD Physical Information
McKinney Boyd H.S.*
McKinney High School
McKinney North H.S.
April 18, 2015
Registration from
7:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
$20 Cash Only
April 25, 2015
9 A.M. – 12 P.M.
May 27, 2013
2:30 P.M. – 5 P.M.
Date of Exam Must be After April 1, 2013
* EKG’s will be available at MHS and North for an additional charge of $15.

29. We are so glad you are a Scott Johnson Tiger!
Due Date: March 20, 2015
Return to Science teacher
Registration Form Only
Schedule pick up will be August 18, 2015