Welcome to a Year of Transition

1. Welcome to a Year of Transition Mrs. Doetsch – 8th grade Counselor Mrs. Gamel – Graduation Coach

2. Mrs. Doetsch • Taught middle school for 9 years • Been a counselor for 11 years • Counselor at Webb Bridge MS for 8 years • Graduated from • Milligan College with a BS in Education • West Georgia College with an M.Ed. in School Counseling

3. Mrs. Gamel • Taught in New York for 12 years • Been at Crabapple MS since 1999 • Crabapple MS Graduation Coach • Graduated from • Marymount College, NY with a BS in Education and Child Psychology • Long Island University with a M.Ed. In Bilingual Education • Fordham University with a M.Ed. In Special Education

4. Academic Expectations • From us: • Assisting with CRCT preparation – year long process • Transition to High School (placement) • Maintaining Academic Excellence (grades) • Career Exploration • COIN

5. Personal/Social Expectations • Student responsibility for learning includes: • Writing assignments and important dates in the agenda • Self-advocating • Peer Mediation • Be proactive and ask teacher questions • Lunch Bunch and Teacher Help Sessions as needed or suggested.

6. Communication • Counseling Office • Self-advocacy • Counseling groups • Newcomers group • Organization/Study Skills groups • Husky Huddle • Learn about yourself and others • Peer Mediation

7. What’s available for YOUR child at Crabapple Middle School?

8. Lunch Bunch • From 11:30 to 12:10 • Room 500 • Monday through Friday • Students must sign in • They must bring their work or study materials • Mrs. Doetsch and Mrs. Gamel will both be there for them

9. Peer Mediation • What is it? • How to schedule a mediation? • What does it look like? • Student led • What is the desired outcome?

10. Teacher Help Sessions • Every teacher offers a weekly Help Session either in the morning or afternoon • These times and dates are posted above every teachers’ classroom door • Most teachers offer individual Help Sessions upon request ahead of time

11. After-School Programs and Clubs • Get involved in non-academic activities in a more relaxed atmosphere • Meet new friends • Enrich interests and learn from others • Develop leadership skills • Participate in community service projects GET INVOLVED! Develop your HUSKY PRIDE!

12. Transition to High School New Expectations and New Challenges

13. It is our vision: To be able to see and develop in students … what they may not see in themselves, yet!

14. Credit and Grades • The school day changes to a seven period day. • Instead of 22 credits, students will be expected to complete 23 credits to graduate. • The homework policy changes to completion for a grade or a zero. • Course grades will NOT be an average of two semesters. Each semester’s grades stand alone • There are only two classes that receive High School credit: World Languages and Geometry

15. TAG Delivery Model • The Gifted Program becomes a “beyond the curriculum” program. TAG advisors will contact qualified students for a study skills class called TAG Freshman Focus. Following the study skills class, students sign up for seminars. • Throughout the remainder of the High School years, internships and independent study opportunities will become available.

16. Lunch Period • Students have one hour for lunch. This serves as a time to eat and a time to study. • Teachers offer assistance during the Lunch Period. • There is a Peer Tutor Program available, as well. Sign up is through the Counseling Center.

17. More Responsibility • In high school, classrooms are arranged by departments rather than teams. There are math halls, science halls, English halls, etc. • A student must take the responsibility to contact each individual teacher for help as soon as problems arise. • Students can sign up for a peer tutor in the Counseling office. • Getting from one class to another takes a plan, and good time-management will prevent the students from being late to class.

18. New Opportunities • Many new clubs and sports opportunities exist at the high school level. Passing grades are a criteria and an incentive. • Often high school relationships evolve around common interests and shared activities. • Colleges look closely to determine student involvement and leadership roles as they become active in organizations.

19. Course Selection for High School

20. Academic Recommendations • CMS teachers will recommend academic courses according to Fulton County guidelines. • Teachers will look at fall ITBS scores and current performance along with entry criteria for courses.

21. Academic Recommendation-cont. • High school teachers and counselors recommend two honors courses for Freshman, especially with participation in after-school activities. The rare student will take three honors courses. • A goldenrod copy of teacher recommendations and electives will come home in February. Address any questions to CMS staff before Parent Night at the high school.

22. Choosing Electives • Electives are often chosen based on students’ interests compared to those subjects that are required by the state; i.e., math, literature, social studies, and science. • Choose courses that will prepare and enhance your student for college admission or a career. • World Languages and music courses become year-long electives, therefore eliminates any other elective choices.

23. Choosing Electives-continued • If a student does not select a World Language, a year-long course in another elective is required. • In January, CMS students have received career guidance to help direct choices of electives. Year Long Electives ½ year Elective ½ year Elective

24. Choosing Electives-continued • Some elective areas require PRE-REQUISITE introductory courses. For example, Advanced Band has a pre-requisite of an audition, and before any art class you must take Introduction to Art. • Each Freshman is required to take one semester of Health and one semester of Political Science. • A year of General Health (one semester) or Personal Fitness (one semester) is required for a diploma. • It is recommended that Freshmen who have not begun a World Language postpone until 10th grade.

25. The Process • Jan. 25 - Electives booklets will come home for family decision-making. Choices must be made by February 13th • Jan. 30 – CMS students will visit RHS to learn about electives, to meet Administrators and Counselors, and tour the school. • Feb. 7- CMS TAG students will meet with the RHS TAG Staff to explain the TAG model of delivery.

26. The Process-continued • Feb. 13 – Students will have an extended homeroom period for adding elective choices to the teacher recommendation sheet. A copy will come home with recommended academic courses and chosen electives. • Feb. 13 through 20 - Parents will address any questions regarding recommendations to CMS staff. • Feb. 20 – ELL registration 8:45 to 10:30 in CMS Media Center

27. The Process-continued • Feb. 21th – • 7:00 p.m. at RHS Auditorium • PARENT NIGHT-Discussion of the curriculum, introduction of Department Heads, Administrators, and Counselors • Chance to see parts of the building

28. The Process-continued • Mar. 6 - 7:00 p.m.-at RHS Cafeteria- REGISTRATION NIGHT • Parents will sign approval for academic courses and electives. This is the time to make any final changes. • Mar. 7 - 9:00 a.m.-Make-up Registration at RHS Cafeteria - or visit the Counseling Center on a walk-in basis from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

29. The Process-continued • March-IEP conferences-Parents will be notified. • April-Verification of courses (not a schedule) • Parents should note any errors or omissions on the Course Verification sheet. • The sheet should be signed, dated, and returned as soon as possible to the CMS homeroom teacher. • Students will receive schedules at Orientation the week before school starts.

30. Final Thoughts… “The only journey is the journey within”.Rainer Maria Rilke “Know thyself means this, that you get acquainted with what you know, and what you can do”.Menander “Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow”.Doug Firebaugh