Middle School Philosophy

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Scheduling for Eighth Grade Parent
Presentation
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Students Receive Instruction
Algebra or PreAlgebra
Science
Language Arts
American History
Career Awareness
Physical Education
Art
8 Electives
Life Skills
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Eighth Grade Math Pre Algebra - Covers 8th Grade
Level Content Expectations set by the State of
Michigan Algebra (High school course) covers
the Algebra I high school content expectations
set by the state of Michigan. Successful
completion of Algebra I will result in one high
school math credit.  
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• Eighth Grade Math Placement
•  The factors which will be used to determine
  placement for eighth grade math are the
  following
• Scores on unit assessments from 7th grade math
• NWEA assessment score
• Classroom performance including work completion
  and effort.
• Our goal is to mail home letters indicating each
  student's placement in mid-May. 

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Elective Guide
Do not pick same courses for alternates that you
did for first choices!
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Scheduling Online

• Visit Internet Site
• http//ps.dexter.k12.mi.us/public
• While on the PowerSchool page, enter the
  following information

Click on the Class Registration icon..
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Scheduling Online
Click on the Class Registration icon..
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Scheduling Online
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Master Schedule will be created based on your
requests
Power School will prioritize Top 8 over
alternates, but will not rank one course over
another in the Top 8
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Print Your Request Sheet out!
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Your courses didnt get saved!
If you get the Login page after you hit submit
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• REMINDERS
• Read Course Descriptions and fill in sheet
• Do not list same courses for alternates as first
  choices
• Log in to power school and choose courses from
  drop-down boxes
• Hit Submit and make sure you get a confirmation
  sheet
• Due no later than March 28, 2008

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Teacher Recommendation required for the following
courses Cadet / Peer Teaching How to Read Get
It Individual Learning Hour Math Power
Hour Studio Art Write it Right
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Band, Orchestra, Chorus, and Foreign Language are
YEAR LONG electives.
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Do I really HAVE to pick 8 electives?!
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How Do I Decide Which Classes I Should Take?

• Course Description Book
• Ask Friends, Relatives

SUGGESTION Read Course Description Book Cover
to Cover First.
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Read the Course book CAREFULLY

• COMMUNITY SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP We need you! If
  you are interested in making a difference and
  gaining leadership skills, this class is for you!
  You will be asked to plan and participate in
  special activities such as athletic pre-game
  festivities, spirit week activities, after school
  dances, staff recognition activities, and school
  and community service projects. You will be
  required to perform ten (10) hours of community
  service outside the regular school day. This
  class takes the place of a traditional student
  council program. Students are only allowed to
  take this class once a year, unless special
  advisor permission is granted.

STUDIO ART (two period class) Do you love art?
Do you want to devote more time to your creative
self? If so, then this class is for you. Two
consecutive class periods will be devoted to
projects such as wax batik, henna tattoos or
smoke fired pottery. In this class you will be
challenged to try different kinds of art
experiences with the help of the art teacher.
Both two-and three-dimensional works are
encouraged. As a way of self-evaluation, you
will write about the areas of art you have
explored. This class will be offered as a
two-hour block to enable you to work
uninterrupted during the elective hours.
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Choosing Sports Electives
You may end up having Phys Ed for Focus, a Sports
Elective (ITS or PF) AND an after-school sport
all in the same day. Choose carefully - no
changes will be made!
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TOP 5 SCHEDULING PROBLEMS

• Making uninformed decisions.
• I didnt know what this class was about.
• (Personal Fitness CSL)
• 2. Deciding you are no longer happy with the
  schedule you chose.
• Music
• I dont know what I was thinking.
• 3. Randomly listing classes as alternates.
• (I only listed that class because I thought I
  wouldnt get it.)
• 4. Not listing any alternates
• 5. Choosing classes you arent interested in
  because you think a friend is going to be in the
  class.

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Eighth Grade Washington DC Trip

• Fall Meeting following Curriculum Night
• Cost Approximately 670
• Trip Date - First week in May
• Payments in installments (Oct 15, 2008 100)
• Fundraisers
• Bulb Sale
• Buschs Card (5) - Barb Watkins Linda Toth
  Co- Coordinators

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Scheduling Information

• Parent Input Forms - Due March 28
• Online Scheduling - Due March 28
• Elective Course Book - Available online