1. El Cerrito Middle School A learning community soaring together www.ecmsredhawks.com Facebook.com/ecmsredhawks twitter.com/ecms

2. El Cerrito Middle School Shelly Yarbrough Principal Ron Kroetz Assistant Principal Joann Ferrara-Genao Student Advisor Peter Nelson Counselor

3. Mandatory TDAP Booster Shot BEFORE starting El Cerrito Middle School… Please make sure you provide the school with your student’s immunization records which should include proof of TDAP. California state law AB354 states: All students entering 7 th through 12 th grades need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (TDAP) BEFORE STARTING school. You can give proof of TDAP immunization to your current CNUSD elementary school.

4. ECMS Facts Professional Learning Community Pre-AP Program Standards-Based Instruction Single Track School 136 Accelerated Sixth Grade Students 1267 Student Population Interdisciplinary Teams Block Schedule

5. SCHOOL-WIDE ACHIEVEMENT GOALS  GOAL: High Achievement on State and District Assessments  GOAL: Perform in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) in each area of the California Physical Fitness Test.  GOAL: Achieve 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher with no D’s or F’s.  GOAL: Maintain 97% attendance, which includes not being tardy to class.  GOAL: Earn Citizenship grades that are Satisfactory or Outstanding. STANDARDS FOR PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL-WIDE EVENTS Achieve a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher with no D’s or F’s. Maintain 97% attendance, which includes not being tardy to class. Earn Citizenship grades that are Satisfactory or Outstanding

6. Registration Packet Available Online

7. The registration packet was made available online: February 27, 2014 Return your completed registration packet to your current teacher: March 14, 2014 What does Online really mean?

8. New ONLINE OPTION Your participation is greatly appreciated and completely optional El Cerrito is piloting an online ELECTIVE COURSE selection process. IF you would like to participate, you must currently have a student user name and password. If you currently do not have a student user name and password, you will receive one during the next school year 2014-2015 at ECMS. You do not need to participate in the online selection process at this time.

10. Student Schedules All 7th Grade students will have the following schedule: Math Language Arts Science History Success for School Physical Education Elective OR Mastery Class Elective Options  Elective Core Trimester rotation  Band Yearlong course  Choir Yearlong course Academy Classes  Math  Language Arts General Education or Pre-Advanced Placement

11. What is Pre-Advanced Placement? Pre-AP emphasizes…  Prepares students for rigorous coursework in high school and beyond  Pre-AP is not a prerequisite to, but preparation for AP courses  Enrolled in Pre-AP, Language Arts, Science, and/or History. Math placement will be determined based on student data  Work towards developing strong college and career ready skills

12. Elective Selection Process Choice A Elective Rotation 3 courses a year  Life Management  Technology  Performing Arts  Visual Arts  Beginning Guitar  Intro to Humanities Choice B Yearlong Electives  Band Beginning Intermediate/Advanced  Choir  AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination  Spanish – 8 th grade

13. Physical Education All Students  Participate in approx. five hours weekly  Use a P.E. locker  Dress out daily  Homework  Weekly exercise logs  Vocabulary  Target heart rate  CA State Fitness testing  District common assessments – 8 th grade

14. Library School Library Open during school hours Community Library Closed Fridays

15. Other Opportunities Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) Peer Assistant Leadership (PAL) Associated Student Body (ASB) Yearbook (yBk) National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID )

16. Where Everybody Belongs (WEB).

17. WEB leader responsibilities include: Tours for incoming 7th graders during elementary school visits A Tutoring program that assists with organization and academics Academic Follow-ups for students below a 3.0 GPA at end of trimesters WEB Alerts – students that need academic, citizenship, or attendance mentoring from WEB leaders Lunch time activities and more…

18. Clubs Club Live Intermediate Schools Sports League Cage Club Soccer / Volleyball Scrapbook More Than Books And more …

19. 7 th Grade Student Teams  Long Beach State  University of Texas  Cal State Fullerton

20. 8 th Grade Student Teams  UC San Diego  USC  Michigan

21. Student Success School Planner  Develop a habit of using planner daily  Review planner for information  List important dates: tests, papers, project dates, end of grading periods, and three week progress reports  Manage planner for block days  Parent signature on planner weekly

22. Student Success Study Tips  Have a quiet place to study  Prioritize, make lists, use index cards  Study 30-40 minutes at a time, take a break and repeat if necessary.  Identify a study-buddy Facts  Many teachers have websites located under “Teacher Sites” on ECMS website homepage  Access the ECMS website for information and updates such as “Back to School Night” and “Open House”. Two great events!

23. Student Success Organization System  Back Pack Moderate size Clean out at home weekly  Binder Label one section for each class Clean out after each unit Save information needed for tests

24. Student Success Progress Reports  Computer generated grade reports for all classes  Issued every three weeks  Given to student during their 5 th period class  Parent signature required  Opportunity to stay informed

25. Student Success Parent / Student / School Communication  Check your student’s planner for notes and updates from teachers  Look for the three week progress reports  Contact teachers with questions about grades  Parent conferences may be scheduled with the teachers  Visit our website, like our Facebook, and follow us on twitter  Use your password to go on Q Parent Connect and view your student’s grades.

26. Q Parent Connect Parents currently using Q Parent Connect may continue use at the middle school. Parents new to CNUSD or the ECMS boundary can request instructions on Q Parent Connect after the beginning of the new school year in August, 2014. Please email Rebeca Perez, ECMS Records Clerks for a new password or with questions after the new school year begins in August, 2014. raperez@cnusd.k12.ca.usraperez@cnusd.k12.ca.us

27. Bell Schedule Mon – Tues – Thurs – Fri Block Periods Breakfast 7:10 - 7:40 Warning 7:40 - 7:45 Per 1/2 7:45 - 9:20 Per 3/4 9:25 -11:00 Lunch A 11:00 -11:35 Per 5A 11:05 -11:55 Lunch B 11:55 -12:30 Per 5B 11:40 -12:30 Per 6/7 12:35 - 2:10 Dismissal 2:10 pm Wednesday – Early Release Breakfast 7:10 - 7:40 Warning Bell 7:40 - 7:45 Per 1 7:45 - 8:20 Per 2 8:25 - 9:00 Per 3 9:05 - 9:40 Per 4 9:45 -10:20 Lunch A 10:20 -10:55 Per 5A 10:25 -11:15 Lunch B 11:15 -11:50 Per 5B 11:00 -11:50 Per 6 11:55 -12:30 Per 7 12:35 -1:10 Dismissal 1:10 pm

28. Lunch Menu Tacos Pizza Hut pepperoni & cheese Hamburgers Burritos bean & cheese Rice bowls teriyaki & orange Sub sandwiches turkey Salads Chicken nuggets Spicy chicken sandwich

29. Lunch Cost Breakfast  $1.75 …muffins, danish, french toast, juice, milk, & fresh fruit Lunch  $3.00…main entrée with milk, water, fresh fruit, & veggie daily! French Fries on Tuesdays.  $2.50…same as above without water  $1.50… for extra pizza slice  $.75 … cookie Important:All students that qualified for free and reduced meal prices at elementary must submit a new application for middle school.

30. Dress Code & Discipline All CNUSD dress code and discipline policies and procedures will be enforced. Go to www.cnusd.k12.ca.us for more details on the CNUSD dress code policy and Safe Schools Notification. Thank you in advance for your assistance and support with these matters.