Cabin John Middle School 2016-2017 Eighth Grade Registration Packet 10701 Gainsborough Road Potomac, Maryland 20854 Office (301) 469-1150 Counseling Office (301) 469-1160 Fax (301) 469-1003
School Year Calendar: 2016-2017 2016 Monday, July 4, 2016 Holiday Independence Day Tuesday through Friday, August 23, 24, 25, 26 Professional days for teachers Monday, August 29 First day of school for students Monday, September 5 Holiday Labor Day Monday, September 12 Professional days for teachers Friday, September 30 Early release for all students planning/grades/interims Monday, October 3 No school for students and teachers Wednesday, October 12 No school for students and teachers Monday, November 7 Professional day for teachers - no school for students Tuesday, November 8 Holiday Election Day Thursday and Friday, November 10 and 11 Early release days, K-8 (parent conferences) Wednesday, November 23 Early release K-12 Thursday and Friday, November 24 and 25 Holiday Thanksgiving December 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 Winter break no school for students and teachers 2017 Monday, January 2, 2017 Holiday New Year s Day Monday, January 16 Holiday Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. s Birthday Friday, January 20 Holiday Friday, January 27 Professional day for teachers-no school for students Monday, February 20 Holiday Presidents Day Monday, March 3 Early release for all students planning/grades Friday, April 7 Professional day for teachers April 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 Spring break no school for students and teachers Monday, May 29 Holiday Memorial Day Friday, June 16 Last day of school for students early release, K-12 Monday, June 19 Professional day for teachers
Cabin John Middle School. 10701 Gainsborough Road Potomac, Maryland 20854 301-469-1150 Dear Parents, Guardians and Students, On behalf of the Cabin John Middle School (CJMS) staff, I extend a warm welcome to you and your family. We look forward to working closely with you during the next school year. One of our most important tasks is to provide students with an instructional program that challenges their abilities, builds upon their interests, and broadens their experiences. We encourage every student to pursue a rich and rigorous program of studies and to make a personal commitment to excellence in this endeavor. The CJMS Staff provides instructional programs and guidance for our students. We invite parents to be active partners in this process. The organizational structure of CJMS is designed to focus on the needs of the middle school child. We emphasize each child s social and emotional development by stressing the importance of independence and responsibility, and realizing the need for appropriate support in developing selfworth and esteem. A counselor and administrator are assigned to each grade level and are available to work with students throughout their education at CJMS. Our middle school serves as a bridge which ensures continuity as the students progress from elementary school to high school. In order to further personalize our school, and in keeping with the middle school philosophy, CJMS students in grade six are assigned to a team of teachers who are responsible for their academic program. The team concept is basic to the middle school and facilitates early identification of achievement issues, academic placement concerns, peer relationships, and social needs of each student on the team. Currently Grade 6, 7 and 8 each consist of one Super Team to facilitate the transition from CJMS to high school. Please don t hesitate to call your child s counselor at (301) 469-1160 if you have any questions that are not answered in the attached packet of information. Thank you. Sincerely, Dr. Paulette L. Smith Principal
Cabin John Middle School. 10701 Gainsborough Road Potomac, Maryland 20854 301-469-1150 Dear Parents and/or Guardians, We look forward to taking care of your children and keeping them safe and healthy. To help us in that endeavor, we ask that you give us as much information as possible about any chronic or acute conditions that your child might experience throughout the school year or over the summer. Those students that develop asthma, diabetes or any other chronic condition should complete an additional set of health forms that will be kept in their confidential health files. Children with Asthma should have an ASTHMA ACTION PLAN and those with severe food allergies should have medications for ANAPHYLAXIS along with their proper forms in place with the school health room. These forms are available on the MCPS website or from our Health Room. All medications that your child may need to receive during school next year must have a new medication authorization form accompanying them at the start of the year. This form is available in the Health Room or on the MCPS website. Students in grade 7 and grade 8 will need to have an MCPS Health Information Form (HIF) completed WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS by their pediatrician in order to participate in SCHOOL SPORTS. These can be obtained in the school Health Room or on the MCPS website. We recommend having these forms be completed in June/July so that they will be valid until the end of the school year. For all High School students, a new HIF is required EVERY year for sports. Incoming grade 6 students should have a new Health Inventory completed by your pediatrician as well in order to update our records from Elementary School. All students must have their Meningococcal and Tdap vaccine before entry into 7 th grade, so during 6 th grade, parents should make sure to schedule a check-up with their pediatrician to ensure that these vaccinations are given and the new immunization record is brought to the CJMS health Room. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to taking care of your children while they are at Cabin John Middle School. Sincerely, Brie Merritt, RN, BSN, SCHN School Community Health Nurse Cabin John Middle School (240) 406-1571
All students must have 75 SSL hours to graduate. This is a Maryland State Department of Education high school graduation requirement Students can begin earning hours the summer after 5 th grade. Before starting any SSL project view the SSL guidelines on the MCPS SSL Website: www.mcpsssl.org it is possible that the hours will not be accepted in the fall if the guidelines were not followed! Please check the website first! If you have questions please contact MCPS SSL Specialist Kimberly Bloch-Rincan, Coordinator, Student Service Learning Office: 301-279-3454 Fax: 301-517-8166 Kimberly_A_Bloch-Rincan@mcpsmd.org World Languages Course Offerings World Language courses taught in the middle school count for high school credit, and will appear on students high school transcripts. Cabin John Middle School (CJMS) offers three languages: Chinese, French, and Spanish. During the 2016-2017 school year students have the following choice of courses: Chinese 1AB, French 1A, French 1AB, Spanish 1A, Spanish1AB. The 1A courses are on-level courses and the 1AB courses are accelerated courses. The 1AB courses are fast-paced, and students in those classes must meet the following expectations: Understands advance concepts beyond those presented at grade level Engages in divergent thinking Demonstrates high motivation and interest Demonstrates effective organization skills Demonstrates independent study habits Students who do not meet these expectations should enroll in either the French1A/Spanish 1A course in 7 th grade, and French1B/ Spanish 1B course in 8 th grade. These courses are designed to provide a strong foundation in French/Spanish grammar, vocabulary acquisition, and a keen understanding of Francophone/Hispanic culture. Students, who take the on-level French/Spanish courses, are wellprepared for the higher level courses taught in the high school. If you have any questions about selecting the appropriate courses for your child please contact your child s counselor or Ms. McKnight, (Laurel_McKnight@mcpsmd.org) World Languages Department Chairperson at CJMS.
Eighth Grade Electives (These course descriptions are not listed in the Montgomery County Public Schools Guide to the Middle School Program that you received with your child s registration materials http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/middleschool/brochure.shtm.) Chorus 8: This full year course is designed as an extension of Chorus 6 and 7. This program is not limited to students with prior experience. No audition is necessary. Students will receive daily voice lessons and instruction. Students will continue developing their vocal skills while singing in different languages and various styles of music. Students will have numerous opportunities to audition for solos within school based concerts and other performances. An optional end of the year trip includes competition and workshops to further develop their skills and experience in choral music. Art 2-D: In this semester course, students will be engaged in meaningful art making. Lessons highlight technique (students will explore a wide variety of 2- dimensional media and techniques such as drawing, painting, design, printmaking, collage and more), while inspiration is drawn from themes such as identity, relationships, storytelling, and nature. Students will be able to describe, analyze and evaluate exemplary art both historic and contemporary. Individual creativity, open-ended exploration, and risk-taking are supported and encouraged. Student art is displayed at Cabin John Middle School throughout the year and may be showcased in art shows around the region. All artistic ability levels are encouraged to register! Sculpture and Ceramic Studio In this semester course, students focus on clay and sculpture. Students will learn to identify the qualities and properties of clay and become proficient in foundational hand-building techniques (pinch, coil, slab) as well as various decorative techniques and glazing processes. Students will also explore non-ceramic methods of sculpture including more traditional wire, cardboard, papier-mâché, as well as more contemporary forms such as mixed-media, found-object, appropriated, site-specific and installation art. Computer Applications: In this semester course students will use technology to explore computer programming and its various languages, such as Python and Java Script. Students will also master advanced Microsoft Office and Google Apps for Education skills, through a variety of project based assessments. For the second half of the semester students will begin an in depth introduction to Robotics through the Lego Mindstorms EV3 curriculum. All these concepts are taught through the lens of responsible digital citizenship. Earth Space Technology (Communications/Photography Component): In this semester course students will experience how communication systems have evolved over time in a global society. Students will work individually and in teams using hands on activities and various technologies to investigate and construct solutions to problems. Projects include: Digital Photography, Electricity and Electronics. Students will learn about: Digital Photography, Rules of Composition, Tips for Good Picture Taking & Picture Types, 3-D Drawing Program (Google Sketchup), Electronics (Circuit Building), Career Possibilities and much more. Earth Space Technology (Manufacturing): In this semester course students explore applications of technology in the environment and the universe. Students learn ways to improve the environment using tools, machines, materials, and other technology resources. Multisensory activities emphasize the team and individual approach to problem solving, creativity and ingenuity. Activities include: the design and construction of CO2 Cars and Robotic Arms. Students will learn about: Informed Design, Propulsion, Aerodynamics, Orthographic Projection (full scale drawing)), Tool Safety & Usage, Career Possibilities and much more. Television Production: This semester course focuses on the communication process. Students will be responsible for learning the various roles for preparing, producing, and airing a daily morning news show. Writing and Reading skills will be key focus as students develop and deliver a script. The course will also focus on the preparation and production of PRIDE TV, Daily Power Points and specialty pieces to be broadcast on televisions located in the halls and classrooms. Students will also be contributing to the production of the 2016-2017 CJMS yearbook as part of the class.
How does a student make a schedule change? Each winter students have the opportunity to select their classes for the following year. Students and counselors meet to discuss course selections. Students are encouraged to maintain their classes however; students may make changes through the summer on a space-available basis. After school begins, there will be no course selection changes except for those instances when a student: Failed a prerequisite course and cannot continue in that course; Attended summer school and can advance in sequence; Registered for the wrong level, i.e. should be in French III and is incorrectly scheduled in French I HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT COURSES WHILE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL If you are considering enrolling your son or daughter in high school courses while in middle school, the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Office of Curriculum and Instructional programs is asking schools to inform parents and guardians of the following information that may affect your child s high school transcript. Credit and grades for middle school students taking a high school course are awarded based on the following: pass the course each semester. Students who meet these criteria, by earning an A, B, C, or D, will receive high school credit and will have these grades count towards their MCPS high school grade point average (GPA). If your child is not satisfied with the grade earned, he or she may retake the course in Grade 7 or Grade 8 if it is available, or they may retake the course in high school. A high school course will be recorded automatically on the high school transcript, once a student has entered high school. Students receive their first copy of their high school transcript in March of their Grade 9 year and receive updates throughout high school. College admissions offices receive copies of student transcripts when students apply to colleges in their senior year. The transcript shows credits students have earned in high school courses, their cumulative MCPS GPA, and a weighted MCPS GPA. MCPS GPAs are calculated on a four-point scale, awarding four points for an A, three points for a B, two points for a C, 1 point for a D, and 0 points for an E, using the final semester grade for each course. A quality, or extra point, is awarded for honors, Advanced Placement, and advanced-level classes for some final grades. Grades of A, B, and C in honors high school courses earn a quality point toward a student s weighted MCPS GPA. It is important to note that many competitive universities do not use the MCPS calculated GPAs. Instead, they use their own calculations based on the profile of students they are seeking. Your student s counselor has details about earning high school credit in middle school. If you have questions, please contact the school s counseling office. Thank you for being an active partner with us in your child s education.
GRADE 8 REGISTRATION 2016 2017 Cabin John Middle School Counseling: 301-469-1160 10701 Gainsborough Road Fax: 301-469-1003 Potomac, Maryland 20854 Web Site: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/cabinjohnms Name: ID: 8 th GRADE REQUIRED COURSES: The following courses are the required Core Curriculum for 8 th Grade Students: Advanced English 8 Math (Algebra Prep, Algebra 1, or Honors Geometry 1)* Investigations in Earth Space Systems Advanced US History Physical Education/Health *Recommendation will be made by current teacher. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child s current teacher. (Refer to: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/middleschool/brochure.shtm for an overview of the Montgomery County Public Schools middle school program. ELECTIVE COURSES: Students will be scheduled for a World Language and Arts Elective(s). Selections for new World Languages students only (Choose One World Language) Chinese 1A/1B* Chinese 2A/2B* French 1A (full year, not for credit) French 1B* (full year) French 1A/1B* French 2A/2B* Spanish 1A (full year, not for credit) Spanish 1B* (full year) Spanish 1A/1B* Spanish 2A/2B* Choose either one elective from Group One or rank order your preference 1-6 in Group Two Group One Arts Electives OR Group Two Semester Arts Electives Choices may vary Chorus Advanced Orchestra Advanced Band Intermediate Band Intermediate Orchestra Art 2-D (will occur in the fall semester) Sculpture and Ceramics Studio (will occur in the spring semester) Computer Applications Earth and Space Technology (Manufacturing) Earth and Space Technology (Communication/Photography) Television Production and Journalism Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date Please notify us if your child will not be attending Cabin John next year. Students will register for classes the first week of February. Please Note: Algebra, Honors Geometry, and World Languages are taken for high school credit and will appear on student s high school transcript. * High School Credit