Welcome to a Year of Transition

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Welcome to a Year of Transition

• Mrs. Doetsch 8th grade Counselor
• Mrs. Gamel Graduation Coach

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Mrs. Doetsch

• Taught middle school for 9 years
• Been a counselor for 11 years
• Counselor at Webb Bridge MS for 8 years
• Graduated from
• Milligan College with a BS in Education
• West Georgia College with an M.Ed. in School
  Counseling

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Mrs. Gamel

• Taught in New York for 12 years
• Been at Crabapple MS since 1999
• Crabapple MS Graduation Coach
• Graduated from
• Marymount College, NY with a BS in Education and
  Child Psychology
• Long Island University with a M.Ed. In Bilingual
  Education
• Fordham University with a M.Ed. In Special
  Education

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Academic Expectations

• From us
• Assisting with CRCT preparation year long
  process
• Transition to High School (placement)
• Maintaining Academic Excellence (grades)
• Career Exploration
• COIN

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Personal/Social Expectations

• Student responsibility for learning includes
• Writing assignments and important dates in the
  agenda
• Self-advocating
• Peer Mediation
• Be proactive and ask teacher questions
• Lunch Bunch and Teacher Help Sessions as needed
  or suggested.

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Communication

• Counseling Office
• Self-advocacy
• Counseling groups
• Newcomers group
• Organization/Study Skills groups
• Husky Huddle
• Learn about yourself and others
• Peer Mediation

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Whats available for YOUR child at Crabapple
Middle School?
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Lunch Bunch

• From 1130 to 1210
• Room 500
• Monday through Friday
• Students must sign in
• They must bring their work or study materials
• Mrs. Doetsch and Mrs. Gamel will both be there
  for them

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Peer Mediation

• What is it?
• How to schedule a mediation?
• What does it look like?
• Student led
• What is the desired outcome?

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Teacher Help Sessions

• Every teacher offers a weekly Help Session either
  in the morning or afternoon
• These times and dates are posted above every
  teachers classroom door
• Most teachers offer individual Help Sessions upon
  request ahead of time

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After-School Programs and Clubs

• Get involved in non-academic activities in a more
  relaxed atmosphere
• Meet new friends
• Enrich interests and learn from others
• Develop leadership skills
• Participate in community service projects
• GET INVOLVED!
• Develop your HUSKY PRIDE!

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Transition to High School

• New Expectations and New Challenges

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• It is our vision
• To be able to see and develop in
• students
• what they may not see in themselves,
• yet!

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Credit and Grades

• The school day changes to a seven period day.
• Instead of 22 credits, students will be expected
  to complete 23 credits to graduate.
• The homework policy changes to completion for a
  grade or a zero.
• Course grades will NOT be an average of two
  semesters. Each semesters grades stand alone
• There are only two classes that receive High
  School credit World Languages and Geometry

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TAG Delivery Model

• The Gifted Program becomes a beyond the
  curriculum program. TAG advisors will contact
  qualified students for a study skills class
  called TAG Freshman Focus. Following the study
  skills class, students sign up for seminars.
• Throughout the remainder of the High School
  years, internships and independent study
  opportunities will become available.

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Lunch Period

• Students have one hour for lunch. This serves as
  a time to eat and a time to study.
• Teachers offer assistance during the Lunch
  Period.
• There is a Peer Tutor Program available, as
  well. Sign up is through the Counseling Center.

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More Responsibility

• In high school, classrooms are arranged by
  departments rather than teams. There are math
  halls, science halls, English halls, etc.
• A student must take the responsibility to contact
  each individual teacher for help as soon as
  problems arise.
• Students can sign up for a peer tutor in the
  Counseling office.
• Getting from one class to another takes a plan,
  and good time-management will prevent the
  students from being late to class.

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New Opportunities

• Many new clubs and sports opportunities exist at
  the high school level. Passing grades are a
  criteria and an incentive.
• Often high school relationships evolve around
  common interests and shared activities.
• Colleges look closely to determine student
  involvement and leadership roles as they become
  active in organizations.

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Course Selection for High School
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Academic Recommendations

• CMS teachers will recommend academic courses
  according to Fulton County guidelines.
• Teachers will look at fall ITBS scores and
  current performance along with entry criteria for
  courses.

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Academic Recommendation-cont.

• High school teachers and counselors recommend two
  honors courses for Freshman, especially with
  participation in after-school activities. The
  rare student will take three honors courses.
• A goldenrod copy of teacher recommendations and
  electives will come home in February. Address
  any questions to CMS staff before Parent Night
  at the high school.

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Choosing Electives

• Electives are often chosen based on students
  interests compared to those subjects that are
  required by the state i.e., math, literature,
  social studies, and science.
• Choose courses that will prepare and enhance your
  student for college admission or a career.
• World Languages and music courses become
  year-long electives, therefore eliminates any
  other elective choices.

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Choosing Electives-continued

• If a student does not select a World Language, a
  year-long course in another elective is required.
• In January, CMS students have received career
  guidance to help direct choices of electives.

Year Long Electives
½ year Elective ½ year
Elective
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Choosing Electives-continued

• Some elective areas require PRE-REQUISITE
  introductory courses. For example, Advanced Band
  has a pre-requisite of an audition, and before
  any art class you must take Introduction to Art.
• Each Freshman is required to take one semester of
  Health and one semester of Political Science.
• A year of General Health (one semester) or
  Personal Fitness (one semester) is required for a
  diploma.
• It is recommended that Freshmen who have not
  begun a World Language postpone until 10th grade.

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The Process

• Jan. 25 - Electives booklets will come home for
  family decision-making. Choices must be made by
  February 13th
• Jan. 30 CMS students will visit RHS to learn
  about electives, to meet Administrators and
  Counselors, and tour the school.
• Feb. 7- CMS TAG students will meet with the RHS
  TAG Staff to explain the TAG model of delivery.

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The Process-continued

• Feb. 13 Students will have an extended homeroom
  period for adding elective choices to the teacher
  recommendation sheet. A copy will come home with
  recommended academic courses and chosen
  electives.
• Feb. 13 through 20 - Parents will address any
  questions regarding recommendations to CMS staff.
• Feb. 20 ELL registration 845 to 1030 in CMS
  Media Center

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The Process-continued

• Feb. 21th
• 700 p.m. at RHS Auditorium
• PARENT NIGHT-Discussion of the curriculum,
  introduction of Department Heads, Administrators,
  and Counselors
• Chance to see parts of the building

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The Process-continued

• Mar. 6 - 700 p.m.-at RHS Cafeteria- REGISTRATION
  NIGHT
• Parents will sign approval for academic courses
  and electives. This is the time to make any final
  changes.
• Mar. 7 - 900 a.m.-Make-up Registration at RHS
  Cafeteria - or visit the Counseling Center on a
  walk-in basis from 800 a.m. to 400 p.m.

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The Process-continued

• March-IEP conferences-Parents will be notified.
• April-Verification of courses (not a schedule)
• Parents should note any errors or omissions on
  the Course Verification sheet.
• The sheet should be signed, dated, and returned
  as soon as possible to the CMS homeroom teacher.
• Students will receive schedules at Orientation
  the week before school starts.

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Final Thoughts

• The only journey is the journey within.Rainer
  Maria Rilke
• Know thyself means this, that you get acquainted
  with what you know, and what you can
  do.Menander
• Every day do something that will inch you closer
  to a better tomorrow.Doug Firebaugh