Welcome to Bonita Vista Middle Home of the Crusaders

1. Welcome to Bonita Vista MiddleHome of the Crusaders Incoming 7th Grade Parent Orientation

2. Counseling Center • Counselors • Mr. Armas • Ms. Murchison • Mr. Taeatafa • Mrs. King, Registrar • Ms. Cosio, Secretary

3. Presentation Highlights • Registration Packet • 7th Grade Curriculum • Electives • Adjusting to Middle School • Support Services • Q & A Mr. Balanay Principal

4. What is Middle School? • Middle schools serves as a transition between elementary & high school. • Elementary is behind you…high school & your future awaits… • It is normal for students and parents to feel nervous, excited, anxious, scared, etc.

5. Registration • Proof residency and online registration will be held in March/ April. • More information will be provided when available • Specific questions regarding: • Proof of Residency • Joint Residency • Enrollment from private school Contact Mrs. King, BVM Registrar: 397-2220

6. Transfer Zone Requests Dates to Know 2011-2012 • Apply at the SUHSD District Office • Call 691-5564 for application period and more information • Parents will receive notification from the SUHSD office.

7. Course Selection Form (green) • Required Courses: Completed by Counselor • Elective Options: • Rank your top 5 selections • Parent signature

8. Green Form This form is used to identify the placement of your student and select elective classes. Please return the Green Course Selection Form by: Additional registration materials will be required before enrolling. More information to follow. February 7, 2011 Return to 6th grade teacher.

9. 7th Grade Curriculum • English* 1 Year • World Cultures* 1 Year • Mathematics ** 1 Year • Physical Education 1 Year • Science/ Health*1 Year • Elective/ Support 1 Year *Accelerated courses offered to Gate & High Achiever students **Math 7 Accelerated and Algebra offered

10. Students who have been identified as needing extra support in Math and/ or English, will be scheduled in a support class as their elective. Support Classes 7th grade support classes include: Math 7 Support, English 7 Support, and Read 180

11. Student Placement • Students will be placed in classes utilizing district-wide placement guidelines. • Counselors will use data (CST scores, CELDT scores, etc.) from elementary district. • All GATE students will be placed in at least 1 accelerated class unless parent “Opts-out”. • High achieving students are encouraged to enroll in at least 1 accelerated classes. • For students with an IEP, articulation meetings will take place between the BVM & elementary school psychologists. • Indicate any specific placement concerns/ questions on the green “course selection form”.

12. 1 Year Electives • Yearbook* • Exploring Technology • Arts & Crafts • Guitar *High Achieving students with strong English Language Arts grades

13. Band (Advanced and Beginning) Perform in Concerts! Travel to Competitions! March in Parades! Make New Friends! Advanced Auditions: Schedule an audition with Ms. Cruz. 397-2220 or Amy.cruz@suhsd.k12.ca.us

14. Chorus (Advanced and Beginning) Advanced Auditions: Schedule an appointment with chorus teacher. 397-2200 Perform in Festivals & Concerts! Advanced Training for High School Choir! Make New Friends!

15. Spanish 1/2Meets the “A-G” college admissions requirement • Responsible students who have strong language arts skills. • 3-year commitment (7th, 8th, and 9th grade). • “C” or better grade earns High School graduation & A-G credit. • No previous foreign language required.

16. What is AVID Preparation for 4-year university Motivational Activities School Success Strategies Tutorials Field Trips Guest Speakers Who should apply? Students with academic potential 1st generation college student 2.0-3.5 GPA Average to high test scores College potential with support Desire and Determination AVIDAdvancement Via Individual Determination FACT: 95% of AVID Graduates are enrolled in a college or university

17. Early Planning for College • Attend the Compact for Success field trip to SDSU (fall semester) • Attend the College: Making It Happen informational night at BVM (spring semester) • Consider taking accelerated courses, Algebra in 8th grade, AVID and/ or Spanish. • Set a goal to earn A & B grades in middle & high school.

18. Middle School: The changes you can expect • Big transition from elementary school. • Some students have been in same school for 7 years! • Making new friends & social changes • More teachers: 6-7 per day • Letter grading system (A-F Grades) • Emotional changes/ Pre-teen development • Establishing identity, anxious for independence, etc • Physical Changes, puberty, hormones • Increased academic & personal responsibility • Today’s choices affect tomorrow • Planning for high school, college & career choices • Daily/ increased homework

19. Middle School: The concerns of your children The concerns of your children • Lockers & combination locks • Changing in PE/ showering • Getting lost • Homework & Teachers • 8th graders & bullies • Making friends • Fitting in with peers/ being popular • No playground? No recess? • New routines: classrooms, teachers, bus, cafeteria, library, main office, counseling center, nurse, etc… • Change is more difficult for some students

20. Help your child make a smooth transition to middle school • Reassure your child that it’s normal to feel excited and/ or nervous. Share your experiences. • Highlight the positive • More independence • New opportunities: friends, sports, clubs, dances, field trips • Opportunity to learn new subjects • Take a tour of campus over the summer • Attend orientation in July (date TBA) • Attend “Back to School” night in August • Reassure your child that BVM is a safe campus with many caring students and adults.

21. How to be SUCCESSFUL in middle school • Daily Routine • Organized • Time Management • Good Study Habits • Seek Help • Involved Parents • Have Fun!

22. Parents are the most important teachers • Even though your child is expressing their independence, they still want your support and guidance • Talk to your child about school and his/ her personal and school life • Know your children’s friends • Help your child be their own advocate. Encourage them to discuss concerns directly with their teacher. Be prepared to help as needed. • Praise your child’s effort and achievement • Always feel free to contact the school (teacher, counselor, administrator, etc) when concerns arise.

23. Parent Involvement OpportunitiesParents are always welcome at BVM • School Website • Back-to-School Night • College: Making It Happen! • SDSU Compact for Success field trip • Parent Involvement Day • Parent/ Teacher Conferences • Meet your child’s counselor • School Site Council • GATE Parent Activities • English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) • Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA) • Interested in Volunteering? Contact BVM • Volunteer in class, library, club, coach a team… Your involvement matters more than ever as your child gets older.

24. Student Activities Most activities announced in the morning bulletin • Lunchtime Activities • Intramural Sports • Clubs • Assemblies • Field Trips • Dances • ASB (8th grade) • East Coast Trip (8th Grade-Optional) The BVM ColorGuard marching in a parade

25. Principal, Bernard Balanay, will be available during the summer for tours of the campus. Contact BVM in late May for the summer tour schedule. Summer Tours for student & parents

26. Campus Safety & Support Services School Resource Officer , Officer Sherard • Nurse • Counselor • Assistant Principal • Tutoring • School Resource Officer • 2 Campus Safety Assistants Campus Safety Assistant, Ms. Evans

27. Meet your child’s counselor Meet your child’s counselor • Counselors are available to assist with a variety of academic, behavior & social issues • Selecting the appropriate academic placement • Questions regarding planning for high school, college, and future. • Ongoing academic, behavioral, and/ or emotional concerns • Other questions/ resources on campus

28. Bullying is NOT accepted at BVM! If you witness bullying, talk to a counselor, teacher or parent. Help make BVM a friendly & safe place! Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!

29. Sample Daily Schedule 5 minutes between each class

30. ASB Student Store • ASB Items Available • PE Clothes (Shirt & Shorts) • Spirit Shirts • Combination Locks • Yearbook • ASB Discount Sticker • More information will be provided in late Spring/ early Summer.

31. What to Expect the First Day of School • School starts at 8:05am • Minimum Day/ Special Schedule- Ends at 12:50 • Pick-up your schedule/ locator card by your last name • Many adults available to help students • What to bring • Backpack • Small Notebook • Pen & Pencil

32. Dates to Remember • February 7th, 2010 Deadline to submit registration forms to your student’s 6th grade teacher • Late July 2010 (TBA) 7th Grade Orientation • July 20th, 2010 (tentative) First Day of School • Mid-August Back-to-School Night The Main Office

33. Some words of encouragement… Transitioning to middle school may feel a little scary. Remember all new experiences can be frightening at first. If you have a positive attitude and solid information about what to expect, you will be a middle school pro in no time! • PBSkids.org • Many great resources on the internet. • Search “transition to middle school”

34. Questions??? • For more information, please contact the BVM counseling center: 397-2220 • Visit our school website http://bvm.sweetwaterschools.org