WELCOME TO OMAR BRADLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

1. WELCOME TO OMAR BRADLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

2. BRADLEY CORE VALUES

3. Administration Principal Todd Bloomer Assistant Principals: Jennifer Jones (A-L) Tina Lozano (M-Z) Academic Dean: Special Ed Coordinator Clarissa Ruiz Laura Trevor-Wilson

4. Bradley Counselors Counselors are assigned based on students’ last names: 6th –8th Grade A-Gi: Anita Forde aforde@neisd.net(Test Coordinator) Gl-O: Natalie Striddenstrid@neisd.net(504) P-Z: Isabel Jensen ijense@neisd.net(Lead; ESL/DL) Counseling Office: 210-356-2627 Veronica Valor-Counseling Clerk Rena Buley-Data Processor

5. TRANSITIONING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL 2018-2019 The transition from 5th Grade into middle school is a milestone to celebrate! Learn what you need to know to make the transition smoothly and to build a strong foundation for your future. Gear up for the future

6. PROMOTION POLICY • To pass to the next grade you must: • Pass Language Arts (Reading & English) • Pass Math • Pass Science • Pass Social Studies • Overall Average of 70 for each one

7. Bradley Schedule 8:25 A.M. – 3:40 P.M. Lunch is 30 minutes.

8. Level Descriptions of Courses Offered • Regular- Planned for the student whose record of achievement is generally average or above average as well as for the student who needs to raise the achievement level. • Pre-AP- Planned for the student whose record of achievement is consistently above average and who will benefit from a rich, rigorous curriculum and the challenges offered by the Advanced Placement Program. *Parent permission. • Special Education- planned for the student who meets TEA disability criteria and placement in these courses must be made through the ARD process. *Parent permission. • Gifted & Talented- planned for the student identified by NEISD criteria in English, Math, or both. *Parent permission. • 5th graders must test and qualify for secondary (6th-12th) • Dual Language- planned for the student who has participated in the dual language program since the Kindergarten grade. *Parent Permission • English as a Second Language (ESL): planned for the student who’s primary language is other than English and must meet criteria. *Parental permission.

9. 6th Grade Course Requirements STAAR: Math & Reading (in English) *To be in the Dual Language program, you must have been enrolled since Kindergarten.

10. Physical Education • 4 semesters of PE are required in middle school with at least 1 semester per year. If you are interested in playing sports in the 7th grade, please select • Pre-Athletics. • Students will participate in the Fitnessgram Physical Fitness Assessment (cardiovascular endurance (PACER), BMI (calculated using height and weight), muscular strength/endurance (pushups/sit ups), and flexibility (trunk lift/arm stretch). • All students are REQUIRED to dress out in their PE uniform every day. Uniforms (PE shirt & shorts) can be purchased online. • PARTICIPATION= 60% PREPARATION=30% UNIT ASSESSMENT=10% PE will be taken 1st semester (Aug-Dec) and Health 2nd semester (Jan-June). If you chose Pre-Athletics, then Health will be taken 1st semester and Pre-Athletics will be taken 2nd semester Pre-Athletics- weight conditioning, basic skills

11. Off-Campus Physical Education • Some students participate in Olympic-level sports that are not offered within the Physical Education and/or Athletic Departments. The OCPE program allows students to receive substitution credits for Physical Education by utilizing off-campus commercially-sponsored physical activities as defined by Chapter 74. • Olympic-level participation and/or competition includes a minimum of 15 hours per week of highly intensive, professional supervised training from a NEISD approved site. • Students qualifying and participating at this level may be dismissed from school one hour per day and may not miss any class other than physical education by choosing Arrive Late (2nd period) or Early Dismissal (8th period) on the application. • Student will participate in a PE class until the application is approved by NEISD Physical Education and Health Department. • Schedule will be changed once the student’s counselor receives notification of approval from NEISD PE department. • Students and parents will apply for OCPE via the Parent Portal.

12. Health • All 6th graders must take 1 semester of Health education class either S1 or S2 • (will be paired with PE or Pre-Athletics)

13. READING/ MATH WORKSHOP • We want all students to be able to take an elective class, so please take every opportunity like doing homework, paying attention in class or going to tutoring to ensure you do well on the STAAR test. • Students not meeting previous standards in state assessments /benchmark data/grades • Targeted intervention on TEKS objectives • Workshop substituted for Elective class-full year • Students will also be enrolled in regular reading/math class • 8th grade students taking Reading workshop class will earn a high school elective credit for Academic Literacy

14. Your choices decide your future

15. College & Career Readiness • NEISD has an initiative to ensure that after high school, all students are prepared to enter • A four-year college or university • A junior or community college • A trade or technical school • The military or • The workforce Taking rigorous Pre-AP courses in middle school prepares students for college and career course work in high school. Be mindful as to your child’s academic abilities and work ethic (homework responsibility/8 class periods)

16. Pre AP and Advanced Courses Grade 6 Pre-AP English/Reading (ELAR block) Pre-AP Math (Covers 6/7th TEKS) Grade 7 Pre-AP English/Reading (ELAR) Pre-AP Math (Covers 7/8th TEKS) Grade 8 Pre-AP English/Reading (ELAR) Algebra I (high school credit) Pre-AP Science Pre-AP U. S. History Pre-AP U.S. History-Spanish (dual language only)

17. Pre- Advanced Placement Courses • Pre-AP courses are available to any students willing to take on the academic challenges. • These courses are above-level instruction or on-level with minimal support designed to challenge self-motivated students to understand rigorous content. (faster-paced instruction models) • The coursework requires students to engage in independent and analytical assignments and to complete a substantial amount of work outside of class. (read one novel per nine weeks-student’s choice) • Lexile reading level above 900. A counselor/teacher recommendation is strongly encouraged based on grades, benchmarks, previous STAAR scores AND work ethic.

18. Pre-AP GUIDELINES • Student and Parent must sign the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement Form on the back of the course selection card. If it is not signed, the student will not be placed in a Pre-AP class. • Students must be in a Pre-AP Math in 6th grade to be in Pre-Algebra in 7th grade, and in 7th grade Pre-Algebra to be in 8th grade Algebra I. It is strongly recommended that you consult with your child’s Math teacher. • The exit point for Pre-AP course is either at the end of the first three weeks or at the end of the nine-week grading period. If these exit points are missed, then the student will remain in the course for the remainder of the semester. • A teacher-parent conference is required and teacher must submit Add/Drop form to counselor for a schedule change to be placed in a regular class.

20. ELECTIVES

21. FULL YEAR FINE ARTS: • Art I • Band I (Spring auditions will determine appropriate placement) • Choir I-Boys or Girls • Strings 1 (Beginners) • Strings II (must have taken Strings I in 5th grade) • Theatre I OTHER: • AIM -Academic Individual Motivation • AVID (Application & Interviewed required)

22. ART I Introduces students to Art with a variety of projects based in Art history in various cultures around the world. Students will focus on the elements and principles of art and design to create and critique art using a variety of materials. Teachers: Taylor Galvan Kimberly Villarreal

23. BAND I In 6th grade, there are 7 sections of Beginning Band: Clarinet, Flute, Horn, Low Brass, Percussion, Saxophone,Trumpet • You must audition with Mrs. Gurwitz or Mr. Walker to determine which instrument you will play and that will be your Band period. • You can either buy or rent the instrument at most music stores. • You will have to participate in concerts and contests after school. * If you select Band, mark it as your 1st choice. Full year commitment.

24. CHOIR I Boys’ Choir Chorister Choir-Girls Students participate in 4 concerts per year and you must also participate in several social events, contests, and trips during the school year. Teacher: Amy Ballenger

25. Orchestra I, II Strings I-No previous experience is required. You can play the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Strings II- Must have participated in the 5th grade strings program. All orchestra classes participate in concerts throughout the year, several social events, contests, and trips during the school year. Director: Julie Post Asst. Director: Casey Newman

26. THEATRE I Bradley’s Theatre Arts classes are designed to develop imagination, creativity, confidence, and self-esteem. An introductory course where students get their first opportunity to explore the basics of theatre, performance, improvisation, and on-stage creativity. Teacher: Tyler Keyes

27. AIM • The purpose of AIM is to ensure our 6th graders experience a • successful transition into middle school and have a strong foundation • of both study skills and character education. • Learn independent skills in time management, agenda use and • organization. (organize binder, study for test, work with a peer) • Goal setting and character education • AIM teachers can assist with goal setting, tutoring, study habits, and • communicating with other teachers if a student is failing his/her class • Students can check Parent Portal to complete missing assignments OTHER: FULL YEAR Academic Individual Motivation

28. Advancement Via Individual Determination • An in-school academic support program for grades 6-12 • that prepares students for college eligibility and success • Must take one or more Pre-AP academic course(s) • Maintain the AVID binder with assignments/grade sheets and • daily notes in all classes • Complete all homework assignments and commit to studying • every night. • Application and interview is required Teacher: Melissa Ruiz

29. THREE YEAR PLAN 2018-2019 • Is a working document that can change • Planning courses for 6th, 7th and 8th grade (students keep the form) • Assists with tracking preparation for high school • Assists in planning for college & career readiness • Ensures that you meet the PE and Fine Arts requirements PE=4 semesters Fine Arts= 2 semesters/full year

31. 5th Bradley-Dual Language Coker, Stahl, Steubing Ranch Spanish Literacy-Required Spanish III-Pre-AP-Required AP Spanish Language & Culture-Required

32. Students and parents should carefully examine course offerings and course descriptions On your card, choose 3 electives and rank them 1-3 (1 will be your first choice, 2 second choice, etc.) The 1st choice is not guaranteed, but not turning in your course selection card on time may hinder your chances of getting the electives of your choice All changes are due in writing to your counselor by May 11, 2018. NO ELECTIVE CHANGES WILL BE MADE AFTER May 11, 2018 Electives COURSE SELECTION PROCESS-choose wisely

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35. BEAR CAMP Incoming 6th grade students will: • Receive an orientation of Bradley in August • Meet all 6th grade teachers • Students will stay with their Advisory teacher • Review schedule with Advisory teacher • Advisory teacher will assign a locker and practice opening the locker • Cafeteria procedures • Opportunity to purchase Bradley gear & PE uniforms and join the PTA

36. Middle School Tours: January 22, 2018 9:00am-10:30am Middle School Course Fair: January 22, 2018 Designed to help you choose your 6th grade elective courses. Elementary Schools: Coker, Hidden Forest, Thousand Oaks Dual Language Schools: Coker, Stahl, Steubing Ranch 6:00-6:20 Parent Meeting on course requirements 6:20-6:30 Club Alley (come join a club) 6:30-7:15 Elective Presentations: Aim, Art, Band, Choir, Strings (Orchestra) and Theatre Arts

37. REGISTRATION TIMELINE-Incoming 6th gradersDates for receiving and returning 5th graders courseselection cards will be given by your elementary schools, so please check with your 5th grade teacher/counselor for the due date • Please refer to the Bradley MS course catalog for course descriptions on our website under the STUDENTS tab or feel free to contact your counselor by phone (356-2627) or email • Students who do not turn in a course selection will have a schedule created for them by their assigned Bradley counselor. (DUE to the Bradley Counseling office on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd) What if you want to make changes to your schedule after you have turned in your course selection card? You can turn in a signed letter requesting a change to your counselor or wait until May 4 when you get the preregistered courses parent letter and turn in to your elementary counselor. Your elementary Counselor will submit it to the Bradley counseling office.

38. CONTACT INFORMATION Art Taylor Galvan tgalva@neisd.net Kim Villarreal kvilla8@neisd.net AVID Melissa Ruiz mruiz3@neisd.net Band Emily Gurwitz egurwi@neisd.net Jett Walker jwalke5@neisd.net Choir Amy Ballenger aballe@neisd.net Orchestra Julie Post jpost@neisd.net Casey Newman cnewma3@neisd.net Theatre Arts Tyler Keyes tkeyes@neisd.net Spanish Literacy Beatriz Villarreal bvilla5@neisd.net

40. 7th Grade Course Requirements STAAR: (in English) Writing, Math & Reading *To be in the Dual Language program, you must have been enrolled since Kindergarten.

41. 8th Grade Course Requirements STAAR: (in English) Math, Reading (required to pass to be promoted to 9th grade) Science, Social Studies Algebra I-EOC (required for HS graduation) *To be in the Dual Language program, you must have been enrolled since Kindergarten.

42. ATHLETICS 7th & 8th GRADE • Athletics is a PE credit and counts for 2 semesters per year. • You must participate in at least 2 team sports and commit to one full year. • Morning or after school participation is required. • You must be passing all classes and have good behavior. *NO PASS, NO PLAY RULE Football is recommended for boys. Volleyball is recommended for girls. Basketball & Track • Coach must sign your card for approval (if a coach does not sign it, you will be placed in PE) • 2. A physical is required PRIOR to tryouts and participation • 3. Student/Parent must sign commitment form