Welcome to Memorial Middle School Fifth Grade Parent Evening

1. Welcome to Memorial Middle SchoolFifth Grade Parent Evening Thursday, February 20, 2014

2. Tonight’s Agenda • Introductions/Welcome – Mr. Dudziak, Principal • The Middle School Transition – Mrs. Skrajner • The Role of the Guidance Counselor – Mrs. Heramb • Monitoring Your Child’s Transition - Mrs. Heramb • Scheduling & Memorial Information – Mrs. Skrajner • Question & Answer Session – Memorial Team

3. MAIN OFFICE Mr. Adam Dudziak, Principal Dudziak@mentorschools.org Mr. Tom Grodek, Assistant Principal Grodek@mentorschools.org Phone: 440.974.2250 GUIDANCE OFFICE Mrs. Sarah Skrajner, Guidance Counselor Skrajner@mentorschools.org Mrs. Annie Heramb, Guidance Counselor Heramb@mentorschools.org Mrs. Rhonda Maurer, Secretary Maurer@mentorschools.org 440.974.2255 Mrs. Debbie Weber, School Nurse WeberDM@mentorschools.org 440.974.2264 Important Contact Information

4. What’s exciting about middle school? • Individual student lockers • New friends • Larger building • Variety with cafeteria food • Individual schedule • Choices in elective classes • Many activities to participate in

5. Memorial Middle School Activities • Art Club • Pep Club • Drama Club • Student Council • Intramural Sports • Gamers Club • Memorial Writes • Ski Club • Science Olympiad • Friends of Rachel’s Club • National Junior Honor Society

6. What’s different about middle school? • Classes change for all subjects • Many different teachers and classrooms • Increase in school work and responsibilities • Expectation to keep track of your own work • New and challenging classes • Balancing school work and extra-curricular activities

7. Role of the School Counselor School counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community in the following areas: • Individual Student Planning –designed to help students establish personal goals and develop future plans. • Responsive Services – preventative and/or intervention supports to meet students’ immediate and future needs.

8. Monitoring Your Child’s Transition • Grades • Attitude • Behavior • Confidence • Habits • Interests • Communication from school

9. Memorial Bell Schedule2014-2015

10. Memorial Middle School Elective Sheet 2014-2015 Sixth Grade Program • ELECTIVE PROGRAMS: • Students choose TWO • 670 Art Foundations • 677 Chorus • 682 Cadet Band • 686 Cadet Orchestra • 671 / 672 Exploratory Art* and • Exploratory Music* • 665 Robotics and Design • REQUIRED COURSES • 604 English / Language Arts • 622 Math • 634 Science • 614 Social Studies • 690 /691 Physical Education* and • Health* • *Semester (half-year) course __________________ _____ Student Signature Date __________________ _____ Parent Signature Date

11. Elective Programs • 670 Art Foundations • Full year art course • Students can potentially earn recommendation for future Fine Art courses • Develops drawing and designing skills • Introduction to sculpture • Art History • 677 Chorus • No experience required • Mandatory performance participation • Vocal skill techniques • Learn to read musical notes • Begin ear training exercises

12. Elective Programs continued… • 682 Cadet Band • No experience required • Mandatory performance participation • Study basic instrumental techniques • Emphasis on music-reading skills • 686 Cadet Orchestra • No experience required • Mandatory performance participation • Fundamentals of beginning string instruction • Emphasis on rhythm and note reading

13. Elective Programs continued… • 671 Exploratory Art • Semester course • Taken WITH Exploratory Music • Introduction to basic secondary art foundations • 672 Exploratory Music • Semester course • Taken WITH Exploratory Art • Music theory and music history will be the basis of course • Covers world music, composition and careers in music

14. Elective Programs continued… • 665 Robotics and Design • Project-based course • Builds strong foundation for further STEM learning in high school (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) • Various units on automation/robotics and design/modeling • Intervention (Reading & Math) • This would replace one elective choice • Designed for students with significant achievement gaps in reading or math • Teacher/principal/counselor recommendation required • Interventions will be evidence-based

15. Memorial’s Website www.mentorschools.net/memorial • Great resource for information! • Program of Studies • Homework Hotline • School news / Daily announcements • Upcoming events and activities • Teacher webpages • Memorial Memo • Infinite Campus (student access)

16. Upcoming Dates • MMS Counselors visit Garfield Grade 5 – Monday 2/24/14 • MMS Counselors visit Hopkins Grade 5 – Wednesday 2/26/14 • MMS Counselors visit Fairfax Grade 5 – Friday 2/28/14 • Garfield Grade 5 Students visit Memorial – Monday 5/12/14 • Hopkins Grade 5 Students visit Memorial – Wednesday 5/14/14 • Fairfax Grade 5 Students visit Memorial – Friday 5/16/14 • Grades 5 Mixer at Memorial – Friday 5/16/14 from 4:30pm-6:00pm

17. Welcome to Memorial Middle School! Question and Answer Session Refreshments available in the Media Center provided by the Memorial PTA.