PVA Middle School Information Parent Night

1. PVA Middle School Information Parent Night What to expect as a middle school student at PVA!!! April 23, 2019

2. Agenda for Tonight • A message about middle school: from our students! • Who’s who: Middle School Teachers & Support Staff • Communication in middle school • Organization, homework, policies, schedules, P.A.W.S. Time • Academic Course requirements & progressions • Elective Options • Middle School Sports: District vs. SJMSAA • PVA P.R.I.D.E, Expectations, & Middle School “Hot Topics” • We’re here to help!

3. Hear it from us! Ryan Murphy, Corynne Harkness, KayteButtacavoli & Sam Bacon What is your favorite part of middle school? What is your favorite academic class? Why? If you could give one piece of advice to a brand new middle school student, what would it be?

4. Your PVASupport Team Principal Mrs. Jessica Richardson Assistant Principal Mr. Drew Chiodo Assistant Principal Mr. Zach Strom Counselors Mrs. Dorrie Lombardi Mrs. Karin Ngai-Crim Mrs. Taneen Delaney Dean Mr. Jake O’Keefe

5. PVA Teachers Rock! Elective Teachers Jeremy Price– Band Vanessa Pellot- Spanish TBA– 2D Art Suzanne Egeln- CSD TBA -6th Grade PE TBA- ICT Josh Torr- 7th Grade PE

6. We are your cheerleaders! The start of middle school is an exciting time, but can also be filled with jitters and nervous energy for students and parents. Be confident in PVA’s team! The administrators, dean, teachers, counselors, and staff are all committed to supporting your student so they experience a strong work ethic, positive attitude, independence, along with social, emotional and academic success!

7. Communicationwith teachers • We welcome your communication. Email communication is the preferred method. Due to the busy nature of the school day our teachers will need time to respond. Please allow up to 48 hours. • The Middle School team generally meets as a team when there is a parent conference. This helps with getting a better understanding of what is going on with the student in all of his/her classes.

8. How do I stay informed? • We have a 6th & 7th grade webpage for general information on the PVA Website. http://teachers.stjohns.k12.fl.us/pva-grade6/ • Online textbooks are available for all core classes and the links are located on the PVA website under Links for Students. • Usernames and passwords are the same for all accounts • Teachers use Schoology in lieu of a class website. • Students will use Schoology to view upcoming activities, tests, and important class information. • Home Access Center (HAC) allows parents and students to view grades online. Students use the same username and password for all of their textbooks and HAC.

9. Planners/Schoology • Organization is the key to success! • Students should record all homework and assignments in the student planner. • Parents will want to check their child’s planner and Schoology on a daily basis to assist your child in the development of organizational skills

10. Organization = Success • Write assignments in planner • Check Schoology site daily • Put homework in the correct class folder/notebook • Study Buddy, have another student’s phone numbers to call for help or questions about homework or assignments. • Do homework when assigned • Schedule on inside of locker • A “study area” at home with limited distractions – TV, cell phone, video games, etc. • Plenty of sleep and a good breakfast • A great attitude

11. Homework • Homework is common, but not required in 6th -7th grade • Each night, students may have approximately sixty minutes of homework in total. • Your child will have a Schoology account • There is also a calendar that will show when each assignment and upcoming activity is for the student for all their classes • If your child says he/she has no homework: TRUST BUT VERIFY

12. Policies and other information • Your child has options for re-assessment. • Students who score a 80% or below on a summative assignment (test, in class project, in-class research paper, etc) can participate in grade recovery. Students coordinate with the teacher for this retake opportunity. Students will retest until they demonstrate mastery. • Promotion requires that academic requirements are met in the following core classes: • Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies

13. P.A.W.S. Time • Each Wednesday, students have P.A.W.S. time built into their schedule in order to receive extra assistance in a given class, enrichment opportunities, and/or time to complete assessments.

14. Supplies • The Middle School grade supply list will be posted on the PVA website and emailed out during the summer. • Supplemental supply requirements will be posted on each teacher’s Schoology page if necessary. • If your child has art or is enrolled in Algebra, there may be additional supplies • If your child has band or, there will be additional fees for these classes.

15. Schedule • PVA students take 7 courses each day • Wednesday – We will have P.A.W.S. time where there will be time for remediation and enrichment • Students report to homeroom each day at 8:25 am for important morning announcements.**

16. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Schedule** (new start time for 19-20 SY) HR/ Period 1 8:30-9:20 Period 2 9:24-10:09 Period 3 10:13-10:58 Period 4 11:02-11:47 Period 5 11:51-12:36 Middle School Lunch 12:41-1:11 Period 6 1:16-2:01 Period 7 2:05-2:50

17. Wednesday Schedule** (new start time for 19-20 SY) HR & P.A.W.S. Time 8:30-9:16 Period 1 9:20-9:50 Period 2 9:54-10:24 Period 3 10:28-10:58 Period 4 11:02-11:32 Period 5 11:36-12:06 Period 6 12:10-12:40 Middle School Lunch 12:45-1:15 Period 7 1:20-1:50

18. 6th Grade Course Requirements Core Subjects: • Language Arts, Math, Science, World History (standard or advanced) Required Non-Core • Computer Science Discoveries- full year • Physical Education – full year Optional Non-Core • Intensive Reading & Intensive Math – full year • Band 1 – full year • Exploring 2D Studio Art – full year • Beginning Spanish – full year • STEM- full year • Theater- full year

19. 7th Grade Course Requirements Core Subjects: • Language Arts, Math, Science, World History (standard or advanced) Required Non-Core • ICT- full year • Physical Education – full year Optional Non-Core • Intensive Reading & Intensive Math – full year • Band 1 – full year • Band 2- full year • Jazz Band • Exploring 2D Studio Art – full year • Beginning Spanish – full year • STEM- full year • Theater- full year • Journalism/TV Production

20. Is there a summer reading Option? • Yes. All students at Palm Valley Academy have summer reading options. This information will be posted on the PVA website. • Please check the website for specific due dates.

22. What are the math options for my child? • PVA offers a variety of options for middle grades students depending on their individualized learning path: • 6th Standard/Advanced • 7th grade Standard/Advanced/ Algebra 1 Honors • 8th grade Pre-Algebra/Algebra 1 Honors/Geometry Honors • Algebra I (Honors)- has EOC which is 30% of their final grade (High School course) • All 6th grade students will be placed in 6th grade standard or 6th advanced math based on their Math FSA scores, and final math grades from 5th grade

23. Criteria for Placement in Mathematics

24. Course Recommendations & Change Requests • On Friday, April 12th, your student brought home a brightly colored form that has their 2019-2020 Middle School Course Placements.  These placements were based on the culmination of team developed formative and summative assessments, iReady data, previous FSA scores, and student performance in the classroom throughout this school year. • If you would like to submit a change in placement request, please follow the instructions on your student’s course placement form and submit the request in writing by Friday, May 17th to your student’s homeroom teacher.  Requests made in conferences, emails, or phone calls cannot be honored at this time.  Please note:  requests do not guarantee a change in placement.   Administration will review all requests once FSA scores are returned this summer.

25. Middle School Electives (1 of 2) • Elective choice forms were sent home in February • The following electives are guaranteed to be offered during the 2019-2020 school year.

26. Middle School Electives (2 of 2) • Our elective offerings are still a work in progress. • Depending on enrollment, interest, and hiring the best staff, PVA is attempting to offer additional electives. • These electives are not guaranteed, but administration is working on the following: • American Sign Language • Chorus • Drama/Theater

27. Computer Science Discoveries • Computer Science Discoveries introduces students to computer science as a vehicle for problem solving, communication, and personal expression.  The course focuses on the visible aspects of computing and computer science and encourages students to see where computer science exists around them and how they can engage with it as a tool for exploration and expression.  Centering on the immediately observable and personally applicable elements of computer science, the course asks students to look outward and explore the impact of computer science on society.  Students should see how a thorough student-centered design process produces a better application, how data is used to address problems that affect large numbers of people, and how physical computing with circuit boards allows computers to collect, input and return output in a variety of ways.

28. Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) • This full-year course is an integrated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) course for middle school students.  M/J STEM Life Science includes an integration of standards from science, mathematics, and English/Language Arts (ELA) through the application to STEM problem solving using science knowledge and science and engineering practices.

29. Physical Education • All students will take a full year of P.E. • Students cannot wear their school clothes to participate in physical education. • Every student must have a PE uniform • The online order form will be available on the PVA PTO website. These uniforms are distributed during PE class at the beginning of the school year. • Students must wear sneakers • Students are given adequate time to change at the beginning and end of class

30. Physical Education Curriculum Semester 1 Semester 2 Grade 6: Fitness Gymnastics / Dance Grade 7: Team Sports Comprehensive PE Grade 8: Individual / Dual Sports Comprehensive PE

31. Beginning Band (Band 1) • This full-year course is designed for students who have no previous musical training, where they will develop their musicianship while performing music in a concert band setting. Financial obligations and occasional time commitments outside of school hours are part of this course. There will be a fair share fee for this course. Intermediate Band (Band 2) • Beginning band must be completed before taking this course. This full year course is designed to enable students to develop basic skills on wind or percussion through the refinement and performance of middle/junior high band literature.

32. Jazz Band • This full-year course is designed for students who have previously completed one year of band and have completed the audition process. Students enrolled in Jazz Band must also take Intermediate or Advanced Band. If a student is enrolled in Jazz Band, their third elective will be ICT and will be exempt from PE. Please contact Mr. Price for details. • Financial obligations and occasional time commitments outside of school hours are part of this course. There will be a fair share fee for this course.

33. Spanish 1 • The purpose of this course is to enable students to begin to acquire proficiency in Spanish through a linguistic, communicative and cultural approach to language learning. Emphasis is placed on the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and on acquisition of the fundamentals of applied grammar. Cross-cultural understanding is fostered, and real-life applications are emphasized throughout the course.

34. PVA P.R.I.D.E!!!

35. Hot topics for Middle School Students….. • Students are responsible for their academic progress. This shift is important for an independent learner. • Please partner with your child and have them show you how to log on to HAC and Schoology and have them explain to you about their classwork, homework, and test scores. Your child will learn how to access these important tools the first couple weeks of school. • Please check HAC and Schoology daily

36. Dress Code

37. Cell Phones • Must be OFF and AWAY unless under the direction of a teacher. • Students may not use the cell phone during the day. • A phone will be taken if it is out during the day. • First Violation: Phone confiscated, corrective consultation & phone returned at end of dayby the Dean • 2nd Violation: Parent must pick up from front office • Subsequent Violations: Progressive Discipline Followed

38. Middle School Athletics PVA Sponsored Athletics SJMSAA Sponsored Events • Basketball • Volleyball • (Eventually) Cheerleading • Football • Cheerleading • Cross Country • Soccer • Baseball • Softball • Golf • Tennis • Please visit the SJMSAA website for more information

39. Backpacks • Backpacks may be carried between classes – please stress the importance of load capacity with your child • No rolling backpacks are allowed without a doctor’s note – these cause a trip hazard during hall change

40. Thank you for coming tonight. We are confident your children will have a wonderful Middle School Experience! Our experienced team is ready to help your child become a successful and independent learner!