RIVER DELL MIDDLE SCHOOL 6 th GRADE PARENT ORIENTATION March 15, 2018
CLUBS, INTRAMURALS & INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS
Interaction with other students Develop interests Stakeholder in school Promoting school spirit
Academic Competition Club Accompanist Club Ambassadors Club Anime/Manga Club Art Club Art Enrichment Club Caterers/Chef Club Drama Club Environmental Club Homework Club Library Club Literary Magazine Math Club
National Junior Art Honor Society Newspaper Club Projects & Performances 7 th Grade Robotics Club 8 th Grade Robotics Club Science Club Select Chorus Ski Club Sound and Lights Club Spanish Honor Society Stage (Jazz) Band Student Government Organization Yearbook Yoga Club
Offers students to be River Dell Middle School news anchors for the school
Seventh and eighth grade intramurals are held after school in the gym. Intramurals is a fun, organized group that plays a variety of pick-up games, such as basketball, hockey, and softball. Students are required to wear sneakers, sign in upon arrival, and have medical clearance from the school nurse.
During the 2018-2019 school year, RDMS will offer the following interscholastic athletic programs: FALL SPORTS Boys and Girls Cross Country Girls Volleyball WINTER SPORTS Boys and Girls Basketball SPRING SPORTS Boys and Girls Track
For 2018-2019 club information and meeting times, please visit the following site in September: www.riverdell.org/rdms Click on the Activities tab
Fees: Pay $50 activity fee to join any sport or club. This fee covers as many activities your child would like to participate in. Payment options: Credit card on Community Pass Check submitted to Board Office
All incoming 7 th graders are required to have a physical submitted by the first day of school. All forms are located on the district home page (www.riverdell.org/riverdell). Click Our District (Tab on top) Click Student Registration (from dropdown menu) Click Required Health Office Forms and Information (Tab on left) Download required 7 th grade physicals and other health forms. The physical is mandatory as your child needs to be cleared to participate in the physical education program. Physicals dated between 9/1/2017 9/1/2018 will be accepted. Please either send forms to Mrs. Puleo, RDMS School Nurse, or students may hand them in on the 1 st day of school.
The 2018-19 Registration/Emergency Contact form is located on the District home page: www.riverdell.org/riverdell Hover mouse over Our District tab, then select Student Registration The form can be emailed to Registrar@riverdell.org, or mailed via the United States Postal Service. In March, you will receive a letter regarding verification of residency in the district. Your child will not be considered a registered student unless you complete all necessary steps! This summer, you will receive information on how to register for Community Pass and Genesis.
COUNSELING SERVICES
COUNSELING SERVICES DEPARTMENT TBD: 7 th grade counselor for 2018-2019 school year Ms. Ross: 8 th grade counselor for 2018-2019 school year Dr. O Neil: Student Assistance Counselor Mrs. Boettger: Counseling department secretary
Verify contact information and fill out forms RD Technology Policy (AUP) Military Release Consent Web and Media Release Consent Health Insurance Permission to Share Medical Information with Staff Activity/Athletic Participation 1. Laptop Insurance Fee - $75 (Mandatory: Must pay before September in order for your child to receive laptop) 2. Activity Participation Fee - $50 (Optional: May pay any time during school year if your child plays a sport or joins an Extracurricular activity)
The Genesis Parent Portal is a safe, secure way to view your child s school record for the current school year As a parent, you will have access to the following information: Student Schedule Report Cards Daily and Class Attendance Records Teachers Gradebook Discipline Records
Each faculty member maintains their own Schoolwires page (including teachers, counselors, nurse, club advisors & administration) Students and parents should check Schoolwires daily
Teachers pages: Contain course overview, contact info, extra help schedule, grading policy, homework assignments and due dates, tests/quiz dates, & long term projects Guidance page: Contains our contact info, scheduling documents (Program of Studies Guide, FAQs & Course Selection Sheets), standardized testing details, volunteering opportunities, Naviance, and other various programs
www.riverdell.org
School-issued laptops will be distributed to all students in their Meaning and Style classes in September Laptops may be brought home to use; Students are responsible for charging them nightly Students will receive an introduction to their laptops and will learn about the different programs we use at RDMS
Math Math 7 Advanced Math 7 English 7 Meaning and Style: Integrated Reading and Writing Strategies (New for 2018-2019 School Year)
7 th GRADE CLASSES (cont.) Math/English/Meaning & Style Math, English, and Meaning & Style will follow an ABCD schedule Math and English will be scheduled during one period each day of the rotation An additional period of Math will be scheduled one out of every four days of the rotation An additional period of English will be scheduled one out of every four days of the rotation Meaning & Style will be scheduled two consecutive days of the rotation; either on AB or CD days A B C D Period 1 Math 7 Math 7 Math 7 Math 7 Period 2 Math 7 English 7 M&S M&S Period 3 English 7 English 7 English 7 English 7
Science 7 US History/Civics 7 Physical Education/Health 7 Meets every day All students have Health for 1 marking period World Language 7 Meets every day Choices include: Spanish 1A French 1A ESL (replaces World Language)
Cycle Classes (New for 2018-19 School Year) Our school year contains 4 quarters or marking periods, each lasting approximately 10 weeks Cycle classes will change each marking period Each student will be automatically scheduled for one marking period of: Art Music Studio Nutritional Living & Wellness S.T.E.M.
Chorus/Band (New for 2018-19 School Year) Students who participate in Chorus and/or Band will meet during their PE/Health period on a rotating schedule Additional time during the day may be added on an as needed basis as the Winter and Spring Concerts get closer
6 th GRADE 7 th GRADE SCHEDULING RDMS Counselors have already visited elementary schools to review courses & scheduling March 6: March 6: March 15: Roosevelt OPS Cherry Hill Course Selection Forms will then be collected at each school the following week March 13: March 13: March 22: Roosevelt OPS Cherry Hill
RDMS will send a preliminary schedule home in June RDMS will send a final schedule in August Program of Studies is now available online
PERIOD SAMPLE A DAY SAMPLE B DAY SAMPLE C DAY SAMPLE DDAY 1 PE PE PE PE 2 Science Science Science Science 3 Cycle 7 Cycle 7 Cycle 7 Cycle 7 4 Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish 5 LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH 6/7 US History US History US History US History 8 Math Math Math Math English Math 9 Double Period Double Period M & S M & S 10 English English English English
RDMS MATHEMATICS OVERVIEW
7 th Grade Math 7 Advanced Math 7 8 th Grade Math 8 Advanced Math 8 Honors Algebra 1 (8 th Grade & Algebra 1 combined)
If a student satisfies both of the criteria below, the student is placed into Advanced Math 7; otherwise, the student is placed into Math 7. 6 th Grade Math Class Test Average 90% Placement Test Score 90%
PARCC Math 7 Test Math 7 Advanced Math 7 PARCC Math 8 Test Math 8 Advanced Math 8 PARCC Algebra 1 Test Honors Algebra 1
RDMS ENGLISH & US HISTORY/CIVICS OVERVIEW
Curricular Standards: New Jersey Student Learning Standards in ELA - Writing a Narrative - Part of Realistic Fiction - Descriptive Writing - Part of the Science Fiction Genre Study - Persuasive Reading and Writing - Part of Non Fiction - Integrate poetry as companion pieces Literature and informational (nonfiction) text are important Background knowledge and motivation are critical when learning to read and when accessing complex text Research provides the opportunity to learn more about a subject and also provides the opportunity to look beyond research to questions left unanswered Using evidence remains a critical skill, allowing students to ground their thinking in the work of authors and experts in literature and in the content areas
7 TH GRADE ELA 8 TH GRADE ELA Non-tracked Student centered focus Literature focus Non-tracked Student centered focus Technology Integration Increased rigor to prepare for 9 th grade 7 TH GRADE MEANING & STYLE Non-tracked Student centered focus Technology Integration Learning goals aligned to the core ELA program Focus on Reading and Writing strategies 8 TH GRADE MEANING & STYLE Non-tracked Student centered focus Scaffolded skills experience to prepare for 9 th grade Learning goals aligned to the core ELA program Focus on Reading and Writing strategies
Curricular Changes: New US History/Civics course Focus on American colonial development, Revolutionary war, constitutional development, and sociopolitical and economic growth of the United States Companion Standards for US History - Focus on reading & writing about history: Texts chosen from among seminal historical US documents Students gain the ability to evaluate intricate arguments, cite textual evidence, interpret primary sources and distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment Students gain the capacity to surmount challenges posed by complex text Students gain the ability to express ideas in writing US History is focused on developing students who: Are civic minded and socially responsible Exemplify fundamental values of American citizenship through active participation in local communities Make informed decisions about local, state, and national, events based on inquiry and analysis Consider multiple perspectives, values diversity, and promotes cultural understanding Recognize the historical foundations of American democratic society Appreciate the dynamics between people, places, and resources in US history Utilize project-based learning to investigate political issues and understand how government works
7 TH GRADE US HISTORY/CIVICS 8 TH GRADE WORLD CIV. Non-tracked Student centered focus American history 1730-1855 Civics & Citizenship 7 TH GRADE PROJECT-BASED LEARNING Scaffold development of skills: Knowledge and skills are developed through investigation of an authentic question or problem Source identification Source interpretation and analysis Presentation and collaborations skills Non-tracked Student centered focus Technology Integration World Civilizations; India, Asia and Europe 8 TH GRADE PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING Scaffold development of skills: Students develop the question, learning goals and outcomes Research based project Collaborative skill development Self management skill development
ELA and Math will be paired Teachers meet consistently to align learning goals Teachers share a set of students and use data analysis to provide targeted instructional support Teachers use curriculum that incorporates exploring and solving authentic problems and issues through integrative unit themes, discussion and debate, and in-depth projects across curricula
Mr. Richard Freedman, Principal richard.freedman@riverdell.org Mr. Michael Giorgio, Assistant Principal michael.giorgio@riverdell.org Mr. James Cooney, Dir. of Special Services: james.cooney@riverdell.org Mrs. Jennifer Ali, Supervisor of Mathematics jennifer.ali@riverdell.org Mrs. Lisa Torres, Supervisor of English & SS lisa.torres@riverdell.org Ms. Marnie Ross, Guidance Counselor marnie.ross@riverdell.org