Welcome, Rising Seventh and Eighth Grade Parents!

1. Welcome, Rising Seventh and Eighth Grade Parents! SRMS

2. Tonight’s Agenda • 7th and 8th Grade Course Selection Process • High School Programs • Tools for Success • Summer School • Summer Enrichment Opportunities 2

3. The Course Selection Process • Program of Studies • Teachers’ Role • Counselor’s Role • Parents’ Role 3

4. Teacher Recommendations • Honors vs. Academic • Reading level • Independent, self-advocating • Higher-level thinking • Push your child to try an honors level class if they haven’t taken one in the past Contact specific teacher with questions 4

5. What should Iexpect next year? Required 7th grade courses: • Language Arts (1block only) • Life Science • U.S. History 1865-Present • Math • Health/PE 7 • Family and Consumer Science (FACS) (1 semester) • Technology Education (1 semester) 5

6. What should Iexpect next year? 7th grade electives: • One Language Arts elective: • Accelerating Literacy Skills • Communication Studies • Foreign Language (more on that later) • One Fine Arts elective: • Art 7 • Chorus 7 • Band 7 • Strings 7 • Guitar 7 Fine Arts elective splits with Resource/Spectrum 6

7. Has your child ever wanted to create a commercial, argue in a debate, or perform a skit in front of your classmates? Try Communications! 7

8. Accelerating Literacy Skills What is it? ALS is an interactive, student-driven reading and writing workshop that supports student who are below grade level in reading It is NOT language arts part 2, but it will help students be more successful and confident in Language Arts class! What do we do in ALS? • Literature Circles • Reading Comprehension Activities • Journaling • Read Alouds • Literacy Learning Stations • Writing Mini-Lessons • Writing Workshop & Conferences • Silent Reading Time • Author Shares • Computer Lab Time • Reader’s Theatre…AND MORE!!! 8

9. Foreign Languages • These classes are high schoollevel. • Students will learn to speak, listen, read, and write. • The final grades on students’ report card will count for high school. • There is a semester (midterm) and final exam. • It is recommended to study for these classes every night! • PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Language Choices • French • Spanish • German • Latin • Spanish for Fluent Speakers 9

10. Whatshould Iexpect next year? Required 8th grade courses: • English 8 • Math – Math 8, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or Algebra II/Trig • Civics and Economics • Physical Science • Health/PE 8 • Full 90 minute block of Resource 8 or Spectrum 8 10

11. What should Iexpect next year? • Select two full-year 8th grade electives: • Art 8 • Chorus 8 • Band 8 • Guitar 8, Level 1 or Level 2 • Strings 8 • FACS 8 • Tech Ed 8 • Foreign Language: Spanish 1 or 2, SFS 1or 2, French 1 or 2, Latin 1 or 2, German 1 or 2 *Current 7th graders are selecting their electives online through Naviance** 11

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13. High School Credit Courses • Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II • Foreign Language • High School Transcript • Expunging process-NEW PROCEDURES-Any “F”, after each year 13

14. Thinking Ahead for High School 14

15. High School Programs • Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology • Early October-Open House for Admissions • Loudoun County Public Schools Academy of Science • May 9th at 7:00pm: First information session in Dominion High School’s auditorium • Early August-Part I of the application should be available • Recommendations come from 8th grade Math and Science teacher 15

16. CAMPUS • CAMPUS is an academic and college preparation program designed to meet the specific needs of students from historically under-represented populations in higher education and prospective first-generation college students attending Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS). • Application Process, Selection, Summer Programs, Dominion CAMPUS consultation during Titan Time. 16

17. NJROTC • Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) • Program is led by Commander Jeremy Gillespie, Master Chief Deanna Foust, and Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Serrano. • Housed in the LCHS Annex • Leadership, Character, Honor, and Service • All uniforms, textbooks, training materials and equipment are furnished by the U.S. Navy at no cost to the individual student.         • Not a recruiting program, no obligation or commitment to serve in the armed forces • http://lcps.org/domain/2781 17

18. Tools for Success 18

19. Tools for Success Continued 19

20. Repeat Summer Classes Remediation Programs for Middle School Courses • Middle School students who have received a final grade of a “D” or an “F” may receive targeted instruction in Math and Reading/Language Arts through programs based at their home school. These programs are targeted to specific learning needs and are open to General Education students, English Language Learners, and Special Education students participating in inclusion classes. • Program dates and times will vary and are set by the home school. Students, who are eligible to attend, must attend at their home school. Remediation Programs for High School Courses • Middle School students may retake a high school credit course through summer school programs offered at two high school sites. Middle School students must expunge the original grade and retake the full session course. *Parents must turn in the expunge form to the grade level counselor prior to registering for high school summer school.* 20

21. New Summer School Courses New Middle School Courses Available Online • Only Math 7 will be offered as a new course through ED 2020 (now called Edgenuity), an approved online provider. Students who are eligible to take Math 7 as a new course must score Pass Advanced on the Math 6 SOL Assessment and have permission from the Principal and Counselor. This course is only available to rising seventh grade students. • More information on how to register for this course will be available soon. Please be aware of deadlines for registration and completion of the coursework. New High School Courses • With principal and counselor approval, certain middle school students are eligible to take one full session high school math course at the High School Summer School site. http://lcps.org//Domain/57 21

22. Summer Enrichment Opportunities • LCPS • Summer in the Arts • Monroe Career Camp • Volunteer Loudoun • Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Camp information will be available on March 7th • Online Practice • IXL • Khan Academy • Learn Zillion 22

23. Opportunities Outside of LCPS • The Aerospace Camp Experience (Aerospace Museum) • Fairfax Collegiate Summer 2013 • UVA Summer Enrichment Program • UVA ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Science Summer Camp • John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth • Penn State Weather Camp (students entering grades 8-12) • Weather Research Center Camps (for all ages) 23

24. Questions 24