AACA Middle School Orientation

1. AACAMiddle School Orientation Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts Wednesday, May 25, 2011 6:30 PM

2. Middle School BIG IDEAS • Middle school emphasizes • Self advocacy • Independence • Executive functioning/time management • Accountability • Responsible technology usage • High school academic and social readiness • Respect for self and middle school community

3. Middle School Highlights • SpringBoard Pre-AP curriculum • Technology integration • High school preparation • Summer Bridge Program • Team building activities Fall 2011

4. SpringBoard Pre-AP Curriculum • First Catholic grade school to implement in Chicago • Introduction to analytical thinking and problem solving • Pre-AP/Spring Board curriculums • ELA Grades 6-8 • Math Grades 6-8 • Algebra Grade 8

5. Assessment & Goal Setting • All assessments are standards based and related to report card • Pre-assessment and summative assessment data are documented by students in digital portfolios • Student set semester goals after Quarter 1 • Students document and evidence their goals through their performance in the classroom • Student led conferences (Fall and Spring) to showcase digital portfolios • Letter grades given at Quarter 4

6. Technology Integration • One-to-one computing • Individual school email accounts and Google applications • Expectations for responsible technology use • Student generated digital portfolios • Technology and arts integration opportunities with CAPE and DePaul

7. Middle School Wiki • Homework • Class action blogs • Student work • Pictures • Week previews per subject • Middle School announcements Address: Alphonsuswiki.wikispaces.com

8. High School Preparation • Parent-student information sessions 8th grade teacher and high school liaison • High school entrance test practice for 7th-8th grade • Executive functioning lessons (MSSR) • Student digital portfolio building in self-assessment of learning • Student led conferences for both fall and spring GOAL: Finding the school that is the best fit

9. Summer Bridge Program • A collection of learning opportunities designed to engage middle school students during the summer to sharpen higher order thinking skills • Common novel with summer book blogging • Experience matrix with connection to grade-level themes • Packet and resources will be distributed prior to the end of the year.

10. Experience Matrix • Complete four in a row • Cross-curricular based on grade-level themes 2010 version

11. Team Building Activities • End of the year field day to introduce 5th graders to middle school (Friday, June 10) • Ropes course in Fall 2011 • Middle school social events throughout the year (including cross-school events) • Bowling (Fall) • Dave and Busters Night (Spring) • Deanery Dance (Spring)

12. Scheduling Adjustments • Block Scheduling as of Fall 2011 • Monday – all classes • T/Th or W/F 90 min sessions • Core classes in the morning • Quarterly MSSR focuses • Executive functioning lessons (6th grade emphasis) • High school test preparation (8th grade emphasis) • Integrated cross-curricular problem-based learning projects

13. Dress Code • Neat and clean appearance, shirt tucked in • White undershirts under school shirts only • Sweaters only (no sweatshirts except on PE/dance days) • Capri length leggings • White socks above the ankle • AACA colored hair accessories • Gym shoes for PE/dance only

14. Facility Changes • New middle school classroom (Mrs. Mott for ELA) • Lockers on 3rd floor • Storage of coats, backpacks, and books • No locks • Tables in classrooms for flexible grouping and collaboration

15. Looking forward to continuing our partnership in preparing our students for high school!