1. Welcome Utley Middle School Orientation

2. People to Know Administrators Mrs. Carri Eddy- principal Ms. Tracey Black- Assistant Principal Counselor Mrs. Elizabeth Peters Registrar Mrs. Debbie Tuttle Attendance Mrs. Connie Bennett Nurse Mrs. Susan Edwards Athletic Coordinator Mr. Kody Hergert Technology Instruction- Mr. Alan Engle School Resource Officer Officer Woodruff

3. Course Selection Time Students received: 1. Academic Planning Guide (electronic on website) 2. Letter about upcoming important dates 3. Course selection sheet 4. Pre AP Contract (required if want to take a Pre AP course) 5. Skyward Log in -used to register on line 6. Personal information to update if needed

4. Course Selection Sheet Please complete course selection sheet or complete online registration Sections ◦Required Courses ◦Physical Activity Electives ◦Academic Electives ◦Counselor Contact information ◦Schedule change conditions Pre AP Contract on the back of sheet

5. Pre – AP Courses Is Pre AP or Regular for you? ◦Do you have an A average in regular core classes or at least a solid B average in an Advanced class? ◦Do you have time in your schedule for homework most nights and weekends? (1 ½ -2 hours) ◦Do you have the motivation for summer reading and other large projects that may fall over school breaks?

6. Core Classes U.S. History ◦U.S. History 8 ◦Pre AP U.S. History 8(contract required) English ◦English 8 ◦Pre AP/GT English 8(contract required) Science ◦Science 8 ◦Pre AP Science 8 (contract required) Math ◦Math 8 ◦Pre AP Math 8 (contract required) ◦Pre AP Algebra I (contract required)(HS credit calculates into high school grade point average)

7. Physical Education All students must take a physical education class both years while in middle school. This took effect the 2008- 09 school year. Choices are: ◦Athletics- Boys (football) and Girls (volleyball and basketball) ◦Cheerleading- Tryouts - Must have physical on file  Cheer tryout week-March 18-22 ◦Drill Team  Officer Tryout week-May 13-16  Fittings ◦Gymnastics tryouts –April 15 th 5:0-6:30 Girls 6:30-8:00 Boys

8. Outdoor Education – Year Long Dutch Oven Cooking Survival Skills GPS/Compass use Will join PE students for some units Will learn the Following: Hunter Safety Boater Safety Fishing Education Archery Check out the following link for more information about the Outdoor Education Curriculum: This is an 8 th grade class ONLY. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH5SEuzRx9s

9. Physical Education - PE Physical Fitness Strength & Conditioning Team Sports Positive Attitudes Intramurals No tryouts PE clothes

10. Be in athletics and develop a winning attitude Sports fundamentals Conditioning Strength training Sportsmanship Teamwork Competitive Weekly games and weekend tournaments Physicals– Heath Baylor Medical Clinic across from Cain MS- times to be announced at a later time (usually February) Boy’s football equipment pick-up Thursday before school starts

11. Boys Athletics Sign up for Football only Students who do not want to participate in football will have an opportunity to try-out for basketball before the season starts (schedules will be changed into athletics during the year- must contact coach if want to tryout) Tennis, Track, Cross Country and Soccer are before or after school Basketball and cross Country try-outs first week of November

12. Girls Athletics Volleyball (shorts are $20) Basketball Tennis, Track, Cross country and Soccer are before or after school sports Girls will tryout for each sport. Girls must have participated in two sports in 7 th grade athletics to be automatically placed into 8 th grade athletics. If tryout first week of school and make team, schedule will be changed.

13. Cheerleading Cheerleading camp- March 18-22 Tryouts required- Promotes school pride Cheer at home football and basketball games Perform at pep rallies You learn to dance, cheer and jump May require after school practices Uniform and camp costs around $350 More information to come about parent meeting, fittings & summer camp (August)

14. Drill Team Officer Tryout practice May 13-17th Promotes school pride Perform at home football and select basketball games Perform at pep rallies You learn to dance No prerequisites May require after school practices Uniform and camp costs around $350 More information to come about parent meeting, fittings & summer camp (August)

15. Gymnastics Main Goal – prepare for High School Gymnastics Basic Skills – cartwheels, handstands, class 7 through class 5 routines Tryouts to determine skill level Pick-up a gymnastics packet Students will participate in meets throughout the school year May require before or after school practice Cost for boys will be $30 and girls $150 Tryouts

16. Academic Electives Art I / Art II AVID I / II Band BIM I Business Information Management(high school credit) Choir / Select Choir Concepts of Engineering and Technology(high school credit) Health / Speech (high school credit) Newspaper/Journalism Orchestra PALs Reading Elective- Enrichment Spanish I (high school credit) Theatre Arts I / Theatre Arts II Yearbook

17. Art Art I provides for inventive and imaginative expression through materials and tools. The student learns the basic elements and principles of art through drawing and a variety of media. Art appreciation and history are also included. Students are required to purchase art supplies (Fee is $45 and due at the beginning of the school year) Art II- Pre-requisite of Art I and an application must be turned in by February 19th.

18. AVID AVID is an elective class that prepares students in the academic middle of college eligibility and success. Students receive instruction in writing, inquiry, collaboration, and reading strategies in addition to note-taking and organizational skills that are necessary for academic success. AVID students must enroll in at least one Pre AP course in addition to the AVID elective class. Tutors are provided during the AVID class to support student success in all courses.

19. Band Honors, Percussion and Symphonic bands are offered. Preparation for and participation in various performances and competitions are emphasized. Band requires practice outside of the school day with parents responsible for transportation. Students must turn in weekly practice cards to their instructor each week.

20. Business Information Management(BIM) BIM I prepares students to implement personal and interpersonal skills to strengthen individual performance in the workplace and in society and make successful transition to the workforce and post secondary education. Students will be provided the opportunity to apply technical skill through word processing, spreadsheet, database and electronic presentation software. Course can count for one high school credit and in grade point average.

21. Choir Choir provides music appreciation and enjoyment, the development of vocal skills, and sight-reading abilities are the emphasis of this course. Performances and competitions are an exciting part of choir and student participation will be required.

22. Communication Applications Communication application fulfills the graduation requirement for speech. Students identify, analyze, develop and evaluate communication skills needed for professional and social success in interpersonal, group and professional interactions and presentations. Course will count for ½ of high school credit and count into grade point average.

23. Concepts of Engineering and Technology Concepts of Engineering and Technology(Synergistic Lab) provides students the opportunity to rotate through a modular computer laboratory- based course designed to introduce the application of technology to solve problems and meet human needs and wants. At the conclusion of the course, students will have an understanding of the various fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and their interrelationships. Students will work on a design team to develop a product or system and will use multiple software applications to prepare and present course assignments. Course will count for 1 high school credit and calculate into grade point average.

24. Health Health - Students learn health concepts recommended for comprehensive health instruction. This survey course includes instruction in mental health, family and social health, the life cycle, body systems, personal health and physical fitness, nutrition, medicines and drugs, diseases and disorders, community and environmental health, consumer health and safety and emergency care. Course will count for high school credit and calculate into grade point average.

25. Journalism / Newspaper Journalism/Newspaper is an introduction to the role of mass media in today’s society. Emphasis will focus on teaching the fundamentals of news writing, feature writing, editorial writing, and headline writing. Students learn the mechanics of the print media and will use the knowledge in the production of quarterly campus newspapers. Basic photography skills will also be introduced. Applications are due by February 19th.

26. Team work Join with your friends Field trips Social events Cool music Specialize in an instrument Contests and trophies Orchestra

27. PALs Peer Assistance Leadership provides an opportunity for selected 8 th grade students to become peer helpers to other students in the school. Students are trained to be peer mentors and mediators. They are involved in school and community projects such as newcomer parties, promoting abstinence of drug and alcohol use, and publication of a newsletter informing others of their activities. The selection criteria include teacher recommendation, academic performance, and citizenship. Applications are due by February 19th.

28. Spanish I Spanish I is an introduction to the Spanish- speaking world, its language and its people. The main emphasis is on the early acquisition of the spoken language while developing listening, reading, speaking and writing skills. The grammar skills will be introduced through both oral and written expression. Students should purchase a Spanish/ English dictionary. To continue with Spanish II as a 9 th grader, students need to maintain at least an 85 in Spanish I. They need to spend at least 30-45 minutes on Spanish homework each evening for the language to be learned. Course will count toward high school credit and calculate into grade point average.

29. Theater Arts Theatre I- Basic acting techniques are taught through improvisations and pantomimes. Memorization is important. For putting on plays, students must learn their lines. Theatre Arts II- Theatre Arts I is a pre- requisite. This course is a continuation of theatre techniques emphasizing stage performance. Students will be required to perform in one evening performance per semester. Application due by February 19th.

30. Yearbook Yearbook is an elective, two semester course. Students will publish a yearbook for the school. The student will learn skills in planning, word processing, page layout, graphic design, writing and marketing. Interested students must apply to be accepted into the class. Applications are due by February 15th.

31. Electives through Applications Art II Newspaper/Journalism PALS Theater II Yearbook Applications are due by February 19th to the counseling office. Students will receive letters to let them know if they have been accepted in the class. Classes may fill up and alternate choice may be substituted.

32. Bell Schedule Tutoring is available Monday–Friday 8:00 AM 8:35 AM Teachers tutoring days may vary. School Begins at 8:45 AM School Ends at 3:45 PM

33. Clubs at Utley Crime stoppers RADD Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Friends of Rachel (KC Kids club in MS) Girls for God Promise Makers Student Council WOLF TV