Welcome TO Middle School Class of 2023

1. Counselors Amy Smith – 7th Grade Roxanne LeCroy– 8th Grade Welcome TO Middle SchoolClass of 2023

2. Purpose for Meeting • Learn about Middle School • Discuss Core classes offered • Discuss Elective classes offered

3. General Information • All students take 7 classes everyday. 7 • School day begins at 8:30. • School day ends at 3:30. 8:30 – 3:30

4. Core Classes All 7th graders take 4 Core Classes English (double-blocked) Math Science Texas History

5. Advanced Classes • Pre-AP/IB Math • Pre-AP /IB Science (No prequalifying criteria) • Pre-AP/IB English (No prequalifying criteria) • Pre-AP/IB Texas History (No prequalifying criteria) • All current 2016-2017 6th grade students will be evaluated for Math 7 PreAP/IB.   Qualifications based upon the following:  4th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 5th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 6th first semester math gradetypically a 90 or higher.  Students must meet two of three district criteria for placement. • Any student who did not meet criteria for advanced math initially will be re-evaluatedusing 6th final math grade and 6th Math STAAR Advanced Level III score.  Placement notification will be reflected on student’s schedule in August.   • There are NOappeals. • If you qualify for Math Pre-AP/IB , you will automatically be enrolled.

6. Gifted & Talented Classes AIM in Elementary School Humanities in Middle School Humanities includes: English History Reading If you are in AIM now, you will automatically be enrolled in Humanities.

7. On-Level OR Pre-AP/IB ?? On-Level Pre-AP/IB • Students will have 3 days to turn in their late work for a maximum grade of 70 • Students can expect approximately 45 to 60 minutes of homework per night (excluding projects, test preparation, etc.) • Students will have 2 days to turn in their work for a maximum grade of 60 • Students can expect approximately 3 hours of homework per night if taking ALL Pre-AP/IB courses (excluding projects, test preparation, etc.)

8. On-Level OR Pre-AP/IB ?? 6th Grade 7th Grade Daily Grades = 60% Quizzes/Tests/Projects = 40% On-Level Daily Grades = 25% Quizzes = 35% Tests = 40% Pre-AP/IB Daily Grades = 20% Quizzes = 30% Tests = 50%

9. Points to consider when choosing Pre-AP/IB classes • Time spent participating in extra-curricular activities (Athletics, select sports, dance, etc.) • Student’s strengths, abilities and interest • Organization and time management skills • Parents and students should carefully consider how many Pre-AP/IB courses the student will be taking and the amount of coursework that is required • In the event that the student wishes to drop from Pre-AP/IB to regular coursework, those changes will take place at the end of the first grading period or at semester

10. Electives One Semester Electives: • Investigating Careers in Human Services • Investigating Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) • Investigating in Communications and Media Arts Science • Investigating Careers in Health Science • Investigating Careers in Business • Investigating Careers in Finance • College and Career Readiness • Technology Applications in Computer Graphics • Introduction to Art • Intermediate Art (Prerequisite: Introduction to Art) • Introduction to Theatre Arts • Advanced Theatre Arts (Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre Arts)

11. Electives Continued WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! Schedules will not be changed for: • Teacher change • Lunch time change • Elective change if you received your requested elective • “ I don’t like the class.” Read the Academic Planning Guide and Course Descriptions very closely when making class selections. No schedule changes will be allowed after the 5th instructional day of the semester. FILL-IN ALL ALTERNATIVE CHOICES.

12. Athletics BOYS • Football • Basketball • Off season Athletics is a full-year elective. A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics If you sign up for Boys Athletics, you will play Football. If you only want to play Basketball, sign up for PE Fall and PE Spring …NOT Boys Athletics! Basketball is a try-out sport. Your schedule will be changed when you make the team.

13. Athletics continued GIRLS • Volleyball • Basketball • Off season Athletics is a full-year elective A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics If you want to play volleyball and/or basketball, you sign up for Girls Athletics. Volleyball & Basketball are try-out sports.

14. Coed PE All students must take 2semesters of PE or Athletics during Middle School

15. Try-Out Sports You must try-out to make these teams: • Boys Basketball (full-year) • Girls Volleyball (full-year) • Girls Basketball (full-year) • Cheerleading (full-year) • Golf (Fall - half-year) • Tennis (Spring - half-year)

16. Wrestling • Wrestling practice is after school • Boys and girls may participate • Students do not receive PE credit for wrestling

17. OFF-CAMPUS PE(OCPE) • PE credit can be earned through OCPE. • Approval process, applications and explanations can be found on the AISD “Athletics” homepage under “Off-Campus PE” or contact Coach Debbie Evans at the Athletic Office

18. Full Year Fine Arts Electives Band Orchestra Choir You must be in Band or Orchestra in 6th grade to be in Band or Orchestra in 7th grade.

19. Application Electives You must complete an application to be considered for these classes. Limited class size!! • YEARBOOK: Full-year elective. • PARTNERS IN PE: one semester elective. Application information will be available soon.

20. Backpacks • Students will be allowed to carry backpacks to class. • Backpacks must be regular size. • NO rolling or oversized backpacks • Students will be expected to carry a book, lunch and a 3 inch binder or a combination of binders adding up to 3 inches. (Examples: one 3 inch binder, three 1 inch binders)

21. Cafeteria 4 Lines to choose from: All Things Chicken Regular Plate Lunches

22. Cafeteria Anything Grilled Pizza and Pasta Galore

23. Clubs & Activities Book Club Chess Club Card Club DOLLS Multicultural Club Fellowship of Christian Athletes Math/Science Club Robotics Clubs meet before or after school

24. Required Immunizations for 7th Grade

25. Sports Physicals • Sports physical paperwork should be given to the coach that instructs your student’s sport. • Forms and information can be found on the Allen ISD Athletic Department web page. • Sports physical forms and information are kept with the Athletic Department. • Parents should discuss health concerns with the coach and the school nurse.

26. How to complete the Course Selection Sheet Print child’s legal name (no nicknames) Print Parent/Guardian’s name Write Parent/Guardian’s phone number Mark your child’s choice for On-level or Pre-AP/IB for: Texas History, English, and Science. both boxes must be marked. Mark a TOTAL of 4 boxes from the Electives section. The Electives section is from Fine Arts through Advanced Technology. Do not mark 4 boxes from each Electives section. If the Elective has 2 boxes, both boxes must be marked. Write 2 Alternate Choices in order of preference. These should be different than the 4 boxes you marked in the Electives section. Parent/Guardian signs form The back side of the form is a worksheet to help you. Students will make course selections based on the front side of the Course Selection Form.

27. PARENT MEETING • WHEN: February 16, 2017 • WHERE: Curtis Middle School Cafeteria • TIME: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Coffee with the Counselors – Feb. 17 @8:30 am

28. Course SelectionIncoming 7th grade students will register on their Elementary Campus with their Elementary Counselor during the school day. **Date set by Elementary Campus

29. Tips for being successful in Middle School • Do your best in 6th grade…it can determine what classes you can take in 7th grade. • Do your best on your STAAR tests…it can determine what classes you can take in 7th grade. • Listen to your teachers & do what they ask. • Be on your best behavior at all times. • Work on organization skills, time management and study habits. • Attend Cougar Camp