Welcome to Belzer!!

1. Welcome to Belzer!! Troy Knoderer, Principal troyknoderer@msdlt.k12.in.us Bonita Neal, 7th Grade Counselor bonitaneal@msdlt.k12.in.us

2. Troy Knoderer • 20 years in LT • Teacher/AP at FCV • ESC Administrator • Craig Principal • Belzer Principal • LT resident with 2 children in LT schools • 8th grader at Belzer • 4th grader at Mary Castle

3. 2013-14 Belzer Admin./Counseling Staff • Bonita Neal, 7th Grade Counselor/Coordinator of Counseling bonitaneal@msdlt.k12.in.us • Chauntee Smith, 7th grade Assistant Principal chaunteesmith@msdlt.k12.in.us • Chaq McCreary, Principal’s Assistant chaqcreary@msdlt.k12.in.us • Debbie Benjamin, Special Ed. Dept. Chair debrabenjamin@msdlt.k12.in.us • Mike Connors, Athletic Director michaelconnors@msdlt.k12.in.us

4. A to F grade based on percentage of students passing ISTEP Points are gained or lost based on the growth of students compared to the previous year Belzer’s score is 4.25 out of 4.0 Belzer is one of only 4 Marion County Middle Schools to earn an A. Belzer Middle School – an “A” School

5. Belzer Middle School: Beyond the A……. • 100% of Algebra students pass the state-required end-of-course assessment • 63% of Algebra students score pass+ on the ECA • Increasing percentage of students scoring pass + on both the math and language arts ISTEP test • Award-winning performing arts program – band, orchestra, choir • Commitment to elective offerings and athletics to develop well-rounded students • High expectations and academic accountability

6. Parents as PartnersCommitment to Communication • Sunday Evening Phone calls • Weekly counselor listserve (group) e-mails • Bi-weekly school newsletter • Teachers send Skyward grade reports every 2 weeks • Website consistently updated • Regular teacher listserve e-mails • Monthly Principal Reports during PFO meetings

7. Number #1 Predictor for Future Academic Success: ReadingSchool-Wide Expectations • Summer Reading Project: • Read 3 books of your choice; • Complete a project over one of the books; • Reading log and project are due the first day of school; • Belzer open on Fridays for book check-out. • Reading Logs due every Tuesday of the school year • 120 minutes of reading outside of the school day; • Parent signature required

8. Class Schedule • 4 required classes: Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies • 3 electives: Music, Art, Technology, Reading/math electives • Each day begins with College Prep. • Lunch is scheduled during 3rd period for 7th graders.

9. Math – all students are placed in an advanced math class • In May, all 6th graders will take a pre-algebra test. • Based on that assessment, students will be placed into the appropriate level of math for 7th grade: • Algebra • Pre-Algebra (8th grade math) over 1 year • Pre-Algebra over 2 years

10. Language Arts • All language arts is accelerated and organized into units of study. • Readers/Writers Workshop • Reading Logs • 2 hours of outside reading each week • Parent signature required

11. How do we support students who need additional help in language arts and math? • Co-teaching • Additional language arts and math classes based on ISTEP/Star scores

12. XL Science • Inquiry-based approach • Discovery Education: interactive, technology-based content to coordinate with inquiry units • Achieve 3000: technology-based, science articles differentiated to a students reading level.

13. Social Studies • Students study Asia, Africa and Middle East through primary sources, projects and literature. • Each classroom is equipped with White Boards, electronic responders and each student has a laptop computer. • Achieve 3000: technology-based, social studies articles differentiated to a students reading level.

14. Electives Facts: • Students may select a combination of semester and yearlong courses. • Students need to select enough classes to fill three periods. • No class can be selected more than once, unless the student intends to select two different band or orchestra instruments.

15. Semester Courses Art Project Lead the Way Technology Communication BTV (Belzer TV) Wellness Newspaper/Publications World Cultures/College Bound Drama/Dance Gospel Choir/History of Rock Piano Keyboarding Yearlong Classes Band Orchestra Choir Wellness Elective Choices:

16. Art

17. PLTW—Project Lead the Way

18. Technology Communication

19. Piano Keyboarding

20. World Cultures

21. Wellness

22. Extra-Curricular Clubs/Athletics • Athletics: volleyball, cross country, football, tennis, cheerleading, wrestling, basketball, track, baseball, softball • Clubs: National Junior Honor Society, Academic Pursuit, Intramurals (basketball, soccer), Scrabble Club, Cooking Club, Service Club, Student Council, Homework Club, Lacrosse, Best Buddies

23. Core 4 Expectations • School-Wide Behavior Support System • Be Respectful • Be Responsible • Be Safe • Be Involved • Behavior Expectations are taught for areas such as the cafeteria, hallways, and restrooms.

24. Important Dates • Mrs. Neal and Mr. Knoderer will visit each elementary the week before Spring Break • Parents may schedule a visitation day through Mrs. Neal or attend one of our regular visitation days on April 19 or May 10. • Registration Dates: July 30 – 31, 9 am to 7 pm • First Day of School: Weds, August 7th