Planning for 2018-2019 BUSH MIDDLE SCHOOL
Bush Counselors Counselors are assigned based on students last names. A-Gn Mrs. Sandoval (esando2@neisd.net) Go-N Mrs. Everest (levere@neisd.net) O-Z Mr. Ansley (mansle@neisd.net) Counseling Office: 210-356-2961
Open Access to Rigorous Courses Pre-Advanced Placement courses in middle school are available to students willing to take on the academic challenges & put in the work to be successful in them Students wishing to rank in the top 10% of their high school class need to pursue rigorous academic courses to prepare for high school
College & Career Readiness NEISD has an initiative to ensure that after high school, all students are prepared to enter A four-year college or university A junior or community college A trade or technical school The military or The workforce Taking rigorous courses in middle school better prepares students for college and career course work in high school.
Success in High School Requires Planning Preparation for high school success and rigor requires students to Take rigorous middle school courses Develop meaningful goals Learn and utilize strong study habits Plan for the future
HS Graduation Requirements Foundation HS Program With Endorsement(s) Students in the state of Texas are required To earn 26 credits to graduate To take four years of Math, Science, and English to graduate To take three years of Social Studies to graduate
What Does This Mean in Middle School? Preparation through rigorous foundation courses is important in 6th 8th grades GT students will still be in a separate program, but the curriculum is aligned with the high school requirements
Course Selection Process Students and parents will have opportunities to carefully examine course offerings. Current 6th grade students choice sheets are due back to their science teacher by Wednesday, January 31st. Current 7th grade students choice sheets are due back to their science teacher by Friday, February 2nd.
7th and 8th Grade Courses 5 academic courses PE (4 semesters in middle school: a semester each year with at least 1 full year of PE) Maximum of 3 electives AIM is highly recommended NEISD requires 1 full year or 2 semesters of a fine art
Pre-AP English Pre-AP English is a challenging, fast-paced course that requires a parent and student signature on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form. This class must be taken with Pre-AP Reading. It is strongly recommended that you consult with your child s English teacher before registering for this course.
Pre-AP Reading Pre-AP Reading is a challenging, fast-paced course that also requires a parent signature on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form. This class must be taken with Pre-AP English. Students should be performing well in their current Reading class, have met the passing standard for STAAR, and have a teacher recommendation.
Pre-AP Math Pre-AP Math is Pre-Algebra in the 7th grade and Algebra I Pre-AP in 8th grade Pre-AP Math MUST be taken in 7th grade in order to take Algebra I Pre-AP in 8th grade Pre-AP Math is a challenging, fast-paced course that also requires a parent signature on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form. Students should be performing well in their current Math class, have met the passing standard for STAAR, and have a teacher recommendation.
Pre-AP Courses Offered in 7th Grade Pre-AP Math Pre-AP English and Pre-AP Reading must be taken together ** A parent and student signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form.
Pre-AP Courses Offered in 8th Grade Algebra I Pre-AP Pre-AP English and Pre-AP Reading (must be taken together) Pre-AP Science Pre-AP American History Please consult with your child s teacher or counselor. ** A parent and student signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form.
Electives Choose 5 electives and rate them 1-5 (if you are choosing semester electives you must pick at least 2). Course descriptions are attached to the course sheet. Counselors will try to schedule the top rated choices whenever possible. Please keep the required PE & Fine Arts credits for middle school in mind when choosing electives.
Academic Individual Motivation (AIM) This class is designed as an enrichment opportunity for students to: review academic concepts learn independent skills in time management develop strategies for success: agenda use, binder organization, goal setting promote character education
Band, Choir and Orchestra 7th and 8th grade Band, Choir and Orchestra are a continuation of the 6th grade program. Year long fine art electives These classes are for students who are dedicated to Band, Choir or Orchestra
Theatre Arts Theatre Arts (semester or full-year): fine art course to learn the fundamentals of theatre arts in 6th grade. Theatre Arts II (semester): for the novice theatre student in 7th or 8th grade. Theatre Arts II (full-year): 7th & 8th grade students interested in theatre productions, after-school commitments & participation in tournaments required. Theatre Arts III (full-year): 8th grade students interested in theatre productions, after-school commitments & participation in tournaments required.
Debate Offered as a semester or year long course to 7th & 8th graders. Excellent reading and writing skills highly recommended. Debate does not count as a fine art.
Art I Art I is a year long fine arts course designed for the student to learn the fundamentals of art. This course is available to 7th and 8th grade students. ***There is a separate Art I course for 6th grade students.***
Art II Art II is a year long fine arts course This course is available to 7th & 8th grade students Pre-requisite is Art I Students develop advanced art skills in the Art II course
Art III Art III is a year long fine arts course This course is available to 8th grade students only Pre-requisites are Art I & Art II Students taking the Art III course have a passion for art and have advanced art skills
Robotics (College Career Readiness) 7th & 8th grade year-long elective Does not count as high-school credit Commitment to before/afterschool practices & competitions Must get teacher signature/authorization to be enrolled in the class
Athletics Before/After school participation REQUIRED! Open to incoming 7th & 8th graders with PASSING GRADES! (6th grade students must go through boot camp in PE) Coach s signature REQUIRED (contact coaches for details) The athletic class is a year long elective (counts as PE credit) MUST participate in a minimum of 2 sports (Boys-Football & Basketball, Football & Track or all 3; Girls-Volleyball, Basketball and/or Track) Contract must be signed by student & parent
Office/Teacher Aides 8th Grade Elective Office/Teacher Aide classes are semester or year long courses Fill out application completely Grades, attendance & discipline considered in selection process. Turn in with choice sheet, staple to back (late applications may not be considered)
PALS Application comes later in the year Sign up for another elective now, once PALS have been chosen counselor will contact you about adding it to your schedule. PALS is a year long course. 8th graders will be student mentors to 6th graders, peer mediators, assist with Special Olympics, leaders on campus, help with campus recycling, etc.
High School Credit Courses for 7th and 8th Grade Students Principles of Arts, Audio Video Technology, and Communications (1.0 credit) Principles of Applied Engineering (1.0 credit) Spanish IA (7th Grade) and Spanish IB (8th Grade) (1.0 credit for completion of both courses, do not get credit if both are not completed)
High School Credit Courses for 8th Grade Students Only High School Health (0.5 credit) Spanish IA (7th Grade) and Spanish IB (8th Grade) (1.0 credit for both courses) Spanish I (1.0 credit-accelerated course) Spanish II Pre-AP for Native Speakers (must take a placement test to qualify for entry into this course) Algebra I Pre-AP & Algebra I Pre-AP/GT
STAAR Reading & STAAR Math Schedule changes will be made due to STAAR scores Takes the place of one of the elective choices Students will be placed in an SSI (Student Success Initiative) class for support in reading or math Remember: DO YOUR BEST!
Please contact your child s counselor if you have any questions on concerns. (210)356-2961 Thank you so much for your attendance tonight! Mrs. Sandoval, Mrs. Everest, and Mr. Ansley