1. Loflin Middle School Parent Meeting 2013-2014 8th Graders Important information about how to help your child pick classes for 8 th grade including information for Honors classes, Athletics vs. PE, electives! Presented by Douglas Hampton Amber White

2. SCHOOL HOURS SCHOOL BEGINS AT 8:25 SCHOOL ENDS AT 4:00 Four minute passing periods 45 minute classes 9 class periods – 8 classes and 1 PGP Activity Schedule for pep rallies or events

3. BELL SCHEDULE Period Time 1st 8:25—9:10 2nd 9:14—9:59 3rd 10:03—10:48 4th 10:52—11:37 5th 11:41—1:01 Lunch (1) 11:41 – 12:11 Lunch (2) 12:06 – 12:36 Lunch (3) 12:31 – 1:01 6th 1:05—1:50 7th 1:54—2:39 8th PGP2:43—3:11 9th 3:15—4:00

4. COURSES REQUIRED 5 CORE CLASSES: – Math, History, Science, Reading, Writing 1 REQUIRED ELECTIVE: – Athletics or PE 2 ELECTIVE CHOICES: – Art, Theatre, CTE, Choir, General Music, Teen Leadership, Outdoor Adventure, Careers, Computer Tech/App – Teacher Approval – Art 2, Theatre 2, Honors Band, Honors Choir, Yearbook – May lose an elective/electives based on STAAR test results

5. PE or ATHLETICS PE or ATHLETICS – REQUIRED – PE = organized daily sports – Athletics = Must have Coach Gillmore/Coach Hall approval before scheduling All Athletic students must have a current athletic physical and may be drug tested Once you are in athletics, you must stay in for the entire year Possible before and after school practices – must provide own transportation UIL RULES – NO PASS – NO PLAY

6. HONORS CLASSES English I – replaces the regular reading/writing classes; had honors reading in 7 th grade (HS credit and EOC) IPC – replaces the regular science class; had honors science in 7 th grade (HS credit) Algebra I – had pre-algebra in 7 th grade, maintained a 80 or above in pre-algebra (HS credit and EOC) May allow some who were not in 7 th grade honors to test for honors classes based on grades, teacher recommendation, and testing

7. Important Dates 2013-14 Scheduling February 25 th and 26 th – Course Selection Form will be distributed to students during technology classes; Please discuss selections with your child and sign the form March 4 th and 5 th – Students input course selections for 2013-14 during technology classes; Must have approval signatures for certain courses

8. STAAR Testing Students will be taking Writing, Math, and Reading Assessments this spring with results used for placement into remediation classes for next year if necessary In 8 th grade, students will be taking Math, Reading, Science, and History assessments; Algebra I and English I students will take EOCs

9. IMPORTANT  NO SCHEDULE CHANGES AFTER 1 ST WEEK  THERE ARE NO TEACHER REQUESTS  WE DO NOT SCHEDULE FRIENDS TOGETHER  CONSIDER CLASSES CAREFULLY – IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO CHANGE  STUDENTS SHOULD NOT CHOOSE A CLASS JUST TO BE WITH A FRIEND; MAKE SELECTIONS BASED ON ABILITY/INTEREST

10. THANK YOU FOR COMING! IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME OR MRS. WHITE: – hamptond@joshuaisd.org – ext. 1403 hamptond@joshuaisd.org – whitea@joshuaisd.org – ext. 1425 whitea@joshuaisd.org