Welcome to Austin Middle School

1
Welcome to Austin Middle School

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Magnet
  Program
• Parent Orientation Meeting
• May 13, 2009

2
Vision

• To create a first-rate innovative middle school
  where 100 of our students are
• prepared to pursue a career pathway into Science,
  Technology, Engineering, and/or Math
• immersed in a community of learners which
  promotes character and a sense of civic and
  global responsibility
• prepared to assume leadership positions in an
  increasingly scientific and technology based
  society

3
5th grade Team

• 5th grade
• Florence BridgesMath
• Denise ByrdSocial Studies
• Nancy CooleyScience
• Cynthia PhillipsELA
• Anna RomeroRobotics
• Technology-TBD
• Electives
• Jose Buendia, Rob Lewis, and Bree
  WristersSpanish
• Lindsey GriffinTheatre
• Jareth ArcaneArt
• Doyle Neuwiller, Mary Allums, Gary WilsonBand
• Roderick BlakeChoir
• Bev Balshaw and Scott CourtP.E.

4
Courses

• 5th grade
• 4 core (Science, ELA, Social Studies, Math)
• Magnet Elective-Robotics
• Technology
• PE
• Spanish
• Fine Arts (Band, Music, Theatre, Art)

5
6th-8th grade Course

• 4 core (Science, ELA, Social Studies, Math)
• Magnet Elective
• 6th grade GLOBE-Environmental Science
• 7th grade Space and Flight-PLTW
• 8th grade Health Science-Introduction to Health
  Science Technology and PLTW
• PE
• Technology
• Spanish
• Fine Arts (Band, Music, Theatre, Art)

6
Contract

• STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
• Uphold a 97 attendance rate
• Maintain at least an 80 average in each course
• Attend required tutoring sessions
• Participate in at least 1 school-sponsored
  extracurricular organization
• Participate in at least 1 school-approved
  community service project
• Give best effort and ask questions
• Interact respectfully with all members of the
  Austin learning community
• Follow the GISD Code of Conduct/Austin Middle
  School Student Handbook

7
Contract

• PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
• Promote and support staff, programs, and policies
• Ensure that your child attends school and arrives
  to school on time
• Actively oversee your childs academic work on a
  daily basis
• Provide transportation to and from required
  tutoring sessions
• Contribute at least 10 volunteer hours

8
Contract

• SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide a learning environment conducive to
  educational achievement in the 21st century
• Offer unique and diverse educational experiences
• Provide opportunities for extra-curricular
  activities and service project
• Maintain communication with parents
• Evaluate student progress at regular intervals
• Provide opportunities for parental involvement

9
Volunteers Projects Examples

• Teacher move-in assistance
• Career speakers
• Teacher appreciation activities
• Book Fair
• Lunch Duty assistance
• PTO Board
• PTO Activities
• PTO Newsletter
• Chaperones
• School Projects
• Fundraising
• After School Activity Mentor

10
Summer Reading

• Summer Reading
• The City of Ember
• The People of Sparks
• Books can be purchased at Austin.
• Barnes and Nobles-May 29
• Pre-order form in folder

11
Summer Project

• Materials
• Book The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
• Book The People of Sparks by Jeanne Duprau
• Various items to be used to build structures
• Markers/Map pencils
•  Procedure
• Timeline
• Read the background information
• Draw plans for your own underground city using
  the components listed on the Living Underground
  information sheet.
• Using your plans, construct a three dimensional
  city. Use the grading rubric as a guideline for
  the completion of your structures.
• Bring your design plans and model of the three
  dimensional city to school on Wednesday, August
  26.
• The second book, The People of Sparks, should
  also be read using the timeline.
• Both books will be discussed in depth.
  Activities, projects, and tests will be given
  throughout the first semester involving both
  books.

12
Summer Orientation

• August 10-14
• Assign lockers
• Receive textbooks
• Build daily routines
• Orient to the building
• Learn expectations
• Meet new friends and teachers

13
Summer Camp Opportunities

• Texas A M Sea Camp
• GISD Summer Adventure Academic Camp
• June 9-29
• June 30-July 3
• July 6-July 31
• August 3-14
• Full Day
• Half Day- morning or afternoon

14
FAQ

• School hours 800-400
• Students are encourage to report to school by
  745 to prepare for the day.
• Breakfast will be served from 715-745 in the
  cafeteria.
• Drop-Off/Dismissal
• Morning-front doors
• Afternoon 400-415 -Southwest exit
• Afternoon after 415-front
• After School Activities/Clubs
• Student Council
• Honor Society
• Robotics
• Math Counts
• Debate
• Engineering
• Yearbook/Journalism
• Technology Club
• Global Issues

15
FAQ

• Uniforms
• Hunter Green polo style uniform shirts or a
  Hunter Green school spirit shirt
• Khaki bottoms
• Jeans may be worn on Fridays with Hunter Green
  Polo Style Uniform shirts or school spirit shirt

16
Completing the Admissions Process

• Completing enrollment forms will complete the
  admissions process.
• Reminder Students must be eligible for the next
  grade level to complete the admissions process.
• End of Year Report Card must reflect promotion to
  the next grade level.
• Students must pass TAKS.

17
Important Dates

• May 29 Barnes and Noble at Austin (orders
• due)
• May 29 Enrollment Forms due to elementary
  campus
• August 10-14 Orientation
• August 24 First Day of School
• August 26 Summer Project Due

18
What Do I Do Next?

• Complete enrollment paperwork by May 29th
• Transportation forms
• Sign Contract
• Sign-up for summer program
• Purchase summer reading book
• Encourage your child to keep academics at the top
  of his/her priority list

19
Empowering Minds Engineering the Future

• Thank you for attending
• Austin Middle School
• Parent Orientation Meeting