GARNER MIDDLE SCHOOL

GARNER MIDDLE SCHOOL

John Bojescul Principal jbojes@neisd.net Lori Persyn Asst. Principal 6th lpersy@neisd.net James Morris Asst. Principal 7th jmorri14@neisd.net Alicia Million Academic Dean amilli@neisd.net Janie Rodriguez Counselor A-K jrodri16@neisd.net Christin Hardwick Counselor L-Z chardw@neisd.net Veronica Cantu STAN Counselor vcantu@neisd.net Brittaney Maldonado Special Ed. Coordinator bmaldo@neisd.net Martha Diaz Family Specialist mdiaz8@neisd.net Katina Wright Librarian kwright1@neisd.net As questions arise regarding the selection of courses for next schoolyear, please contact the Garner Counselors. Please call (210-356-3800) or e-mail us; we will be glad to assist you.

All students are required to take two semesters (one full year) of a fine arts class in middle school. Fine arts classes include choir, band, orchestra, art or theatre arts. All students are required to take four semesters of P.E/Athletics during their middle school years with at least one semester of PE/Athletics per school year.

Every 7 th and 8 th grade student will take the following classes: 1. English or English Pre-AP or English G/T 2. Reading or Pre-AP Reading 3. Math or Math Pre-AP(7 th Grade)/Algebra I (8 th Grade) or Math G/T (7 th Grade)/Algebra I G/T (8 th Grade) 4. Science or Science Pre-AP 5. History or History Pre-AP 6. P.E. or Athletics or Health 7. Elective 8. Elective

Subject 6 th Grade 7 th Grade 8 th Grade Reading Regular Regular Regular Courses by Grade and Subject English Math Pre-AP Regular Pre-AP GT Pre-AP Pre-AP Regular Pre-AP GT Regular Pre-AP Regular Pre-AP GT Regular GT Pre-AP Pre-AP GT GT Science& Social Studies Regular Regular Regular Pre-AP

Pre-Advanced Placement courses and High School credit courses are available to any student willing to take on the academic challenges. Students wishing to rank in the top 10% of their high school class should pursue rigorous middle school courses.

Pre-AP English, Pre-AP Reading, and Pre-AP Math are offered to all 6 th,7 th, and 8 th grade students. Pre-AP Science and Pre-AP History are only offered to 8 th grade students. **Important for all students registering for a Pre-AP course: the exit point for a Pre-AP course is either at the end of the first three weeks or the end of the nine-week grading period. If these exit points are missed then the student will remain in the course for the remainder of the semester. Documentation for these level change requests will be found with the Garner Counselors. The form must be turned in to the student s counselor the week prior to the exit point. ** Parent/guardian and student signatures are required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form. If the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form is not signed by both a parent/guardian and student, the student will not be placed in a Pre-AP class.

Pre-AP English is open to all students. It is strongly advised that you score well in the subject area. Pre-AP English must be taken with Pre-AP Reading.

Pre-AP Reading is open to all students. It is strongly advised that you score well in the subject area. Pre-AP Reading must be taken with Pre-AP English.

7 th grade Pre-AP Math is Pre-Algebra 8 th grade Pre-AP Math is Algebra I 6 th grade Pre-AP Math is a prerequisite for 7 th grade Pre-Algebra. 7 th grade Pre-Algebra is a prerequisite for 8 th grade Algebra I. Students who successfully complete Algebra I EOC exam in 8 th grade will receive one unit of math credit on their high school transcripts.

Pre-AP Science and Pre-AP History are only offered to 8 th graders. It is strongly advised that you score well in the subject areas.

7 th graders must take a full year of P.E. or Athletics. 8 th graders may take either one semester of P.E., a full year of P.E., or a full year of Athletics. 8 th graders who chose one semester of PE, may fill the 2 nd semester with Health Education.

All students who participate in the Athletics class are expected to play, at least, 2 sports; for boys one sport must be football, for girls one sport must be volleyball. A coach s signature is required in order to be placed in athletics. A physical is required in order to participate in the athletics. The physical must be on file PRIOR to tryouts. Athletics can be taken in place of P. E. The class is a full year commitment. 7 th grade practices are held in the a.m. (before school). 8 th grade practices are held after school.

Health Education is only offered to 8 th graders. One semester (.5) of High School Health Credit will be earned upon successful completion. The course must be taken with a semester of P.E. The class requires a parent permission form that must be turned in at the beginning of the semester.

Art is offered to both 7 th and 8 th graders as a full year course. Art I is for students who have not taken an art class in middle school. Students will learn the fundamentals of art. The prerequisite for Art II is Art I. The prerequisite for Art III is Art II. This class is only offered to 8 th grade students.

All Band classes are offered as full year courses. Students must be willing to commit to outside of school practice sessions/performances, and must remain in the program for the entire school year. Band II and Band III require Mrs. Young or Mrs. Mullen s recommendation.

All Choir classes are offered as a full year course. Students must be willing to commit to outside of school practice sessions/performances, and remain in the program for the entire school year. Choir II and Choir III require Mrs. Mendez s recommendation.

Debate is offered as a full year course. Topics covered in this course include logic, persuasion, speaking and debate formats. Competitive events covered in the class include impromptu speaking, modern oratory, Student Congress, Public Forum debate, and Lincoln Douglas debate. Students will research, write, and present original works as well as critically evaluate works from others. It is important to have excellent reading and writing skills. Presentations are a requirement of the class.

The Jr. Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) is a full year course that trains selected 8 th grade students to work as peer helpers/peer mediators with students on campus, or with students from our feeder elementary schools. PALS also participate in some community service. If you are interested in PALS, you must attend a MANDATORY meeting (1/27 or 1/31) with the PALS teacher in room 1101 in order to gather information and pick up an application. Students who apply to be in the PALS Program will partake in an interview which will be conducted by the PALS teacher, Counselor and or administrator. Do not sign up for PALS, if selected, you will placed in the class.

OFFICE AIDES This class is only offered only to 8 th graders. Office Aide is a full year course. If you are interested in becoming an office aide, you will have to partake in an interview process with a School Administrator. The following areas will be taken into account for all applicants: grades, attendance, behavior.

All Orchestra classes are offered as a full year courses. Students must be willing to commit to outside of school practice sessions/performances, and remain in the program for the entire school year. Orchestra II and Orchestra III require Mrs. Malone s recommendation.

Simulcast The students selected for this class will be responsible for producing Garner s Morning Announcements. Students will use the skills learned in Principles of Arts, Audio/Visual Technology & Communications, such as Adobe Photoshop & Premiere compositing, script writing, green screen lighting, and creating visual effects in Adobe After Effects. This course is only offered to 8 th graders who have taken Principles of Arts, Audio/Visual Technology & Communications, course #3020, as 7 th graders. Teacher recommendation is required.

In Theatre Arts, the student will learn the fundamentals of theatre performance. Theatre Arts I, II, and III are offered as full year courses. Theatre Arts I is a pre-requisite for Theatre Arts II Theatre Arts II is a pre-requisites for Theatre III Theatre III requires Mrs. Frazier s recommendation.

Yearbook is open to all 7 th and 8 th graders. Interested students must fill out an application. Students will write captions, take pictures, and interview Garner students, faculty and staff. Students must be willing to commit to outside of school events during the entire school year.

AVID AVID is an academic support class that prepares students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID is offered as a full year course in which students participate in college style study groups, college and cultural field trips, and diverse learning experiences. Students interested in AVID must complete an application. Upon successful completion, 8 th grade students will earn one high school credit.

This course develops a strong background in computer and technology applications. Students will use Adobe s industry-leading Creative Cloud products, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere and After Effects, when completing Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communication projects. This course is offered to all 7 th & 8 th graders as a full year course. This course is a requirement for any student who wishes to be in the simulcast (morning announcements class) in 8 th grade. Upon successful completion, one high school credit will be earned.

Students will learn about the programs of study available in culinary arts, and the hospitality and tourism industry (lodging, travel and tourism, recreation, amusements, attractions, resorts, restaurants, and food beverage service). This class is offered as a full year course. Course is open to all 7 th and 8 th graders. Upon successful completion, students will earn one high school credit.

Students will gain knowledge and gain skills related to personal development and management, family and community and preparation of adult roles. Influences of societal and technological changes, high demand human service careers and management of the nutritional needs and dietary practices are included. This class is offered is offered as a full year course. The course is open to all 7 th and 8 th graders. Upon successful completion, students will earn one high school.

Spanish 1A is the first year of a two year middle school Spanish language program. This course is offered only to 7 th graders. Spanish 1A is designed to introduce students to the formal study of the Spanish language. This class is not intended for Native Spanish Speakers.

Spanish 1B is the second year of a middle school two year Spanish language program. This course is offered only to 8 th graders. Students must have completed Spanish 1A as a 7 th grader. Students will continue to acquire the fundamental language skills of the Spanish language (listening, speaking, reading, writing). This class is not intended for Native Spanish Speakers Students who successfully complete both Spanish 1A (7 th grade) and Spanish 1B (8 th grade) will earn one H.S. foreign language credit.

Spanish I is a full year course offered only to 8 th graders. The development of oral language skills will be emphasized along with pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The culture of the Spanish-speaking world will be integrated into the learning of the language. This class is not intended for Native Spanish Speakers. Upon successful completion, one H. S foreign language credit will be earned.

Students enrolled in the DL Program are required to take Spanish III Pre-AP (7 th grade) or AP Spanish (8 th grade) as one of their electives. Students are required take the Dual Language Social Studies Spanish class. Regular attendance and passing grades are a requirement of the program.

If you do not pass one or both of your STAAR assessments, one or both of your electives will be substituted with an enrichment class. http://www.duncanvilleisdnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/staar.jpg

Students and parents will have opportunities to carefully examine course offerings and course descriptions Not turning in your choice slip on time may hinder your chances of getting the electives of your choice On your choice sheet, choose 4 electives and rank them 1-4 (1 will be your first choice, 2 second choice, etc.) The deadline to submit your choice slip is Wednesday, January 31, 2018 to your History teacher.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Garner Counselor by email or phone. Mrs. Rodriguez (A-K) jrodri16@neisd.net Ms. Hardwick (L-Z) chardw@neisd.net