Dowell Middle School Parent Presentation March 1, 2011
Principal Administrative Team Logan Faris Team Lion Assistant Principal Counselor Team Pride Assistant Principal Counselor Alan Arbabi Leighann Johnson Jamie Thomas Rayshana Adams
Administrative Team Library Media Specialist Kristen Spain Special Education Lead Jodi Jones Intervention Specialist- Laurea Myers English as a Second Language Annette McAdams 504 Coordinator Leighann Johnson
Goals for the Evening Review information for academic decisions. Get information for elective decision making. Prepare for transition to high school.
Materials Review Registration Form (7 th Green & 8 th Blue) Course Description Guide School Supply Order Form School Health Form (7 th Grade Only) Both English and Spanish are available
Parent Information E mail Distribution List Web Site: www:mckinneyisd.net/dowell Teacher web sites Progress Reports (Every 3 weeks) Report Cards (Every 9 weeks) Home Access Center
Middle School Philosophy Rigor: High academic standards for ALL students Introduction to academic and extra-curricular opportunities Students begin to determine strengths and preferences Partnership with students, families, & community
STAAR Testing at Middle School Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Reading Reading Reading Writing Math Math Math Science Social Studies In 8 th Grade students must pass the Reading and Math test to be promoted to the 9 th grade. High School credit courses are moving to End of Course Exams. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.
Core Courses Every student takes: Language Arts Math Social Studies Science
Math Target Students who do not meet standard on the Math TAKS exam in the spring are required to take Math Target. This class is double blocked which requires a student to lose an elective.
8 th Grade Science Target Students who do not meet standards on the Science MAP and other academic indicators may be asked to take Science Target. This class is double blocked which requires a student to lose an elective.
Academic and Pre-AP Classes Academic and Pre-AP Curriculum are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Aligned horizontally by grade level and vertically between grade levels. Both are College Prep Courses. Reflective of national standards.
Should My Student Take Pre-AP Courses? Parents and students should consider Pre-AP expectations carefully when enrolling in Pre-AP Pre-AP courses expect the following: - High expectations - Preparation and study outside of class - Attending tutorials regularly
Pre-AP Entrance Guidelines Pre-AP courses are open to any student wishing to enroll (Math considerations) Entrance guidelines provide a profile of students who typically experience success in Pre-AP courses
Pre-AP Academic Profile Successful completion of prerequisite coursework - Grade of 90 or more in academic - Grade of 80 or more in Pre-AP Teacher recommendations from previous grade Most recent TAKS score at Commended level
Pre-AP Personal Profile Reading at or above grade level Strong study skills Able to handle a rapid pace of instruction Strong work ethic (self discipline to plan, organize, and complete tasks) Personal interest in subject
Pre-AP Contract Pre-AP contract outlines the expectations of our Pre-AP courses. Parent Choice to Enter, School Choice to Exit. Still Not Sure? Ask your Teachers
Math Curriculum Sequence Grade Academic Pre-AP 6 th 6 th Grade TEKS 6 th & 7 th Grade TEKS 7 th 7 th Grade TEKS 8 th Grade TEKS Students are evaluated for Algebra readiness at the end of 7 th grade for recommendations for 8 th grade math course. 8 th 8 th Grade TEKS Pre - AP Math Algebra I 9 th Algebra I Algebra I Geometry 10 th Geometry Geometry Algebra II 11 th Algebra II Algebra II Pre-Calculus 12 th Algebra III or Statistics Statistics AP Calculus or AP Stat
Other Levels of Courses ESL: Non or limited English speakers. Special Education: Continuum of services. Gifted and Talented: Identified GT students.
Gifted and Talented If your child is in GT, Karen Green will provide us with the information for placement of classes. For now, you just check Pre-AP. If you have questions about GT, contact kjgreen@mckinneyisd.net
7 th & 8 th Grade Schedule Language Arts: Every day for 2 periods. Math: Every day for 1 period. Science: Every day for 1 period. Social Studies: Every day for 1 period. Electives: 3 electives that meet every day.
Physical Education Requirement Every student is required to complete 4 semesters of Physical Education while in Middle School. Every student will have a full year in 6 th and 7 th grade. Athletics does count as their P.E. credit. UIL rules do not allow for a student to be in Athletics and Physical Education at the same time.
Electives All electives meet everyday. Electives are either one semester long (paired) or for the entire year. Extra-curricular activities (cheerleading, Academic UIL, etc.) are after school activities. Cheerleaders are required to have a physical. If a student participates in Athletics they must be in the Athletic period. Students will be placed in the Athletic period after they have a physical on file.
Electives Art 1 Art 2 Art 3 Athletics Band Choir Drama Drama Advanced (UIL One Act Play)
Elective Choices cont. Journalism Physical Education Orchestra Exploring Careers/Invention & Innovation (7 th Grade) Teen Leadership/PALS (7 th Grade)
Elective Choices cont PALS (8 th Grade) Yearbook (Application Required) Spanish I (1 credit) Spanish for Spanish Speakers 1 Spanish for Spanish Speakers 2 Principles of Arts, Audio Visual Technology &
Elective Choices cont Communications/Principles of Information Technology Career Portals- Engineering/Technological Systems
There is a process in place to qualify for these courses. Students fill out an application An interview is held The criteria is reviewed by the committee AVID: Michelle McKevitt mmckevitt@mckinneyisd.net PALS: Jerry Flemons AVID/PALS jflemons@mckinneyisd.net
Decisions To Make Which level of core academic class is most appropriate for my child? Which electives will benefit my child most in middle school, high school and beyond?
Need More Information? Academic UIL Judith Anderson-Bruess Choir Director Suzanne White Band Director Tiffany Lisko Drama Director Jeannine Brandon Orchestra Director Elizabeth Romig Boy s Athletics - Tim Knowles Girl s Athletics - Ivonda McCartney Cheer Christina Branch
MISD Physical Information McKinney Boyd H.S. April 30, 2011 Registration from 7 A.M. 10:30 A.M. $20 Cash Only McKinney High School May 21, 2011 Registration from 7 A.M. 10:30 A.M. $20 Cash Only McKinney North H.S. May 25, 2011 Registration from 3 P.M. 5:30 P.M. $20 Cash Only
7 th Grade Immunization Info Collin County Health Care The Care Van The Care Van 825 North McDonald St. Monday- Friday 7:30-11:00am & 1:00-4:00pm Lawson Early Childhood Center 500 Dowell St. Thursday, Mar. 24, 2011 5:00PM-7:00PM Lawson Early Childhood Center 500 Dowell St. Thursday May 26, 2011 5:00PM-7:00PM Your student will need proof of the following immunizations to pick up a 7th or 8th grade schedule for the 2011-2012 school year: Tetanus/Diphtheria/pertussis-containing vaccine (unless a booster dose received within the past five years) Meningococcal vaccine (one dose) Varicella vaccine (two doses received on or after 1st birthday) MMR vaccine (two doses received on or after 1st birthday)
Welcome To Dowell! March 7, 2011 - Return Registration Form to your homeroom teacher. Schedules will be mailed home in early August 2011. August 18, 2011 - Meet the Teacher 5:30-7:00 pm
2010-2011 Course Registration Dowell Middle School