Informational Night

1. Informational Night Agenda: -Welcome/Introductions -PTSA Comments -Middle School Program Overview -MMS Registration process -Discussion (Questions & Answers)

2. Informational Night Purpose: -Inform parents/students about the middle school program -Provide information to parents/students about placement in middle school -Explain options parents/students have in placement decisions

3. Important Dates: - Wed., Jan.27th– Registration form due to current 5th grade teacher - “Move Up Day” in May or June(TBA) - “Tips for Success”— parent/student meeting –in May (TBA) - The MMS “Open House” will be in August (TBA) - First day of school is Monday, August 23rd.

4. How Is Middle School Different? • A busier, more flexible schedule • Different classes and different classmates • More choices and more teachers • Extra-curricular activities and clubs • New challenges and expectations • More freedom & more responsibility requires a balance to both • PBIS Program Middle school has a lot to offer!

5. PBIS & The Knights’ CODE • PBIS Program: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports—school wide approach to teaching and reinforcing positive behavior. • Behavioral expectations are taught to all students. • Appropriate student behaviors are practiced, acknowledged, and rewarded. • Inappropriate behaviors are consistently addressed.

6. Follow The Knights’ CODE • Cooperation • Organization • Determination • Excellence

7. PBIS & The Knights’ CODE • Special incentive programs are organized to reward positive student behavior. • Reward eligibility is based on attendance, “tardies”, discipline and grades Past years’ rewards included: Free Time, Prizes, Ice Cream Social, Gift Cards/Certificates, Plays, Movies • Monetary or Gift Card donations are always accepted. THANK YOU for your support!

8. The MMS Program MMS views education as a partnership between families and the schools. We have several home-to-school communication tools: • The Student’s Agenda • Pinnacle Grading System (www.fcps.org ) • The MMS Website (www.fcps.org ) • Teachers’ Blogs • Parent/Teacher Conferences -Parents are afforded the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers during conferences in the fall and the spring. • Volunteers -MMS is always in search of volunteers to help in the offices, cafeteria, and in the classrooms.

9. Counselors at MMS • Counseling Services -help with transition to Middle School -meet with students individually and in groups to address academic and personal issues -provide classroom lessons -coordinate services for students and families

10. Extended Learning Opportunity Students who are interested in enrichment activities will have the opportunity to meet with Ms. Weese, enrichment specialist at MMS. Most enrichment takes place during class, lunch, and Knights’ Roundtable. Enrichment

11. Media Center & Computer Labs -The media center has a full range of fiction and non-fiction selections. There are computer-related resources of all types available for student use. -The media center is usually open anytime during the school day. -Two fully operational computer labs withInternet access and other related software and hardware for teachers and students to utilize.

12. Knights Roundtable • Student Support time gives a student an opportunity to make a sustained connection with at least one adult at MMS. • Students will have tutoring and enrichment opportunities during this time. • Knights Roundtable will be built-in to our schedule as we develop our master schedule for next year. • Students receive important papers during Roundtable. (Announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance are still held during period 1.)

13. Tutoring • Students who have skill gaps, need extra test/quiz preparation, enrichment opportunities, and/or have some other need may be tutored by teachers. Tutoring occurs during Knights Roundtable. • Tutoring is not provided in order to maintain an academic level.

14. Academic Completion Hall • Students who miss school may be assigned “ACH” to complete assignments, quizzes, and tests. • Staff monitors ACH after school.

15. The MMS Program • Extra-Curricular Activities -Student Government Association During and after the -Yearbook Committee -Math Counts -Theater Productions -School Newspaper -Fellowship of Christian Athletes -Builder’s Club -Debate Team -Ski Club -Bowling Club -School sponsored dances

16. Courses Core Academic Classes These courses are designed to integrate prior knowledge with new concepts and skills. They are the base from which applied learning can be fostered. • Math • Language Arts • Social Studies • Science **All 4 academic subjects are described in the Middle School Guide. The essential curriculum is the same for all levels of Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. • Physical Education is also a core course

17. The Middle School Program: Placement • Students are recommended for placement based on current levels of achievement, work habits, and data points (MSA, writing, fluency scores). • Placement is determined through a collaborative effort of teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents. • Honors • Merit • Co-Taught Merit

18. Exploratory Courses Integrated Studies Topics include gathering information, project planning, use of technology, presenting projects using a variety of media, study skills, and an introduction to keyboarding. Life Skills Introduction to cooking and hand/machine sewing skills with emphasis on reading to perform a task. Students will practice decision-making strategies in the areas of nutrition, and substance abuse education.

19. Elective Courses -These courses offer options for students to actively develop or pursue individual interests, skills, or talents. Band Chorus Music Performance Lab Orchestra Technology Exposition Theater Arts Visual Arts World Language Exploratory

20. Sample 6th Grade Schedule A-DAY 1—Math 2—Math 3—Lang. Arts 4—Lang. Arts 5—Soc. Studies 6— or Science 7— Knights’ Roundtable 8—PE 9--PE B-DAY 1—Integrated Studies 2— or Life Skills 3—Lang. Arts 4—Math 5—Soc. Studies 6— or Science 7— Knights’ Roundtable 8—Elective (ex. Band) 9-- Elective

21. Maryland School Assessment What is the Maryland School Assessment (MSA)? • MSA is a test of reading and math achievement. • The MSA meets the testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. • It measures basic as well as higher level skills. • The test results of these assessments are extremely important. The scores of these assessments measure your child’s achievement and will be compared to other student’s scores state wide. • 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students will take the test every year in March • The test scores will be placed in your child’s permanent records, used to place students in classes, and used to identify students for mandated interventions.

22. 6th grade REGISTRATION SHEET

23. Middletown Middle School GRADE 6 REGISTRATION – 2009-2010 Please correct address if necessary. STEP 1: Below are placement recommendations for your child in Math and Language Arts. These placements will be reviewed again at the end of the current school year upon completion of courses and Math and Reading Assessments. MathLanguage Arts ______ Honors ______ Honors ______ Merit ______ Merit ______ Co-Taught Merit ______ Co-Taught Merit ** Your child may be placed in co-taught merit Math and/or Language Arts if he/she receives a Basic score on the MSAs and/or he/she has been identified as needing additional support to be successful in Math and/or Language Arts. PLEASE CHECK YOUR PREFERENCE: _______ I agree with the above recommendations. _______ I disagree with the above recommendations. Parents must attach a letter to this form giving additional Information explaining why they disagree with the placement. We will contact you regarding placement. Appropriate placement decisions are best made through a collaborative process involving school staff, parents, and the individual student. The final decision about academic placement rests with the Principal. In cases where the parent disagrees with the final placement decision, the Principal may place the student in the parent proposed level on a probationary basis utilizing a contract. ** READING INTERVENTION / MATH INTERVENTION: Students with low MSA scores or students who have been identified as working below grade level may be enrolled in Reading and/or Math Intervention for additional support in place of an elective, an exploratory course, or both. For your information: Sixth grade students will also be enrolled in the following courses: - Social Studies and Science - Two required 18-week Exploratory Courses, Life Skills and Integrated Studies - Physical Education

24. STEP 2: Each student must take one elective. You must indicate your first (1), second (2), and third (3) choice from the list below. If you do not select THREE choices, we will select for you. ______Band (6503) instrument: ______________ ______Orchestra (6504): Instrument:___________ ______Chorus (6505) ______Beginning Band (6506) instrument:________ ______Music Performance Lab (6508) ______Theatre Arts (6520) ______Visual Arts (6530) ______World Language Exploratory(6650) ______Technology Exposition (6971) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ IMPORTANT REMINDERS: Elective course offerings are based on enrollment and/or school facilities. Choose electives carefully, as we will not be able to make changes since staffing is allotted based on students’ choices. Do not choose courses based upon current teachers; teacher assignments can change from year to year. This form is due to the student’s Elementary School teacher by Wed., Jan27th or MMS will make choices for you. _____________________________ _______________ ________________ _______________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Home Phone Work Phone Email Address

25. Follow the Knights’ CODE Go Knights!!