6TH Grade Middle School Parent Meeting

1
6TH GradeMiddle School Parent Meeting

• Welcome to
• Chisholm Trail
• Middle School

2
CTMS Overview

• TEA Recognized Rating
• Title One Campus
• Approximately 880 students

3
CTMS Overview

• Named as a Texas School to Watch by the Texas
  Middle School Association.
• Pearson National Model School
• Award given for Academic Excellence over time and
  Development Responsiveness to the needs of
  students

4
STAAR Testing

• Higher level assessment
• 4 hour time limit
• End of Course Exams

• 6th Grade
• Reading Math
• 7th Grade
• Reading, Math, Writing
• 8th Grade
• Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies
• (Algebra 1 EOC)

5
6th Grade Schedule

• 8 periods
• 1 ½ periods for Math and LA
• 1 Science, 1 Social Studies
• 1 P.E. (all 6th graders take P.E.)
• 1 elective of a Fine Art
• (band, choir, or orchestra)
• 1 other elective which could include a second
  fine art
• Each class is 45 minutes
• 4 minutes for passing period

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6th Grade Daily Bell Schedule

• 1ST 920 1004
• 2ND 1008 1052
• 3RD 1056 1140
• LUNCH.1140 - 1210 (three lines to choose
  from)
• 4TH 1214 1258
• 5TH 102 146
• 6TH 150 234
• 7TH 238 342
• 8TH 346 430 (4 minute passing periods)
• We have a 20 minute homeroom period 7th
  Period. (Character Lessons, DEAR, and
  announcements.)

7
Academics

• Factors to consider when choosing classes
• Your childs academic strengths
• Teacher input
• Past STAAR performance
• Personal goals

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Choices for 6th Grade Core Classes
Pre-Advanced Placement Regular (On-grade level)
Pre-AP Language Arts (GT version also) Language Arts
Pre-AP Math Math
Pre-AP Science Science
Pre AP World Cultures and Geography World Cultures and Geography
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Questions to Help Determine Pre-AP Readiness

• Attitude
• Are they excited about their learning
  mathematics?
• Do they try to do things faster than the other
  students?
• Are they intrigued/not frustrated by problems
  that cannot be solved right away?
• Do they show an aptitude for building and
  drawing?
• Do they appear strong in science?
• Aptitude
• Have they done well on standardized tests?
• Do they have an easy time learning mathematics?
• Do they like to read for pleasure?

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??? How many PreAP classes should my child
take???

• Only you and your child can determine this! We
  encourage all 6th graders to try at least one.
• What are your childs strengths?
• The amount of extracurricular activities should
  be considered.
• How important are these classes to your child?
• What path are you aiming for in High School?

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Over 50 of CTMS Classes are Pre AP Classes

• 60 of CTMS students take at least one Pre AP
  class.
• We encourage all students to take at least one
  Pre AP class to challenge themselves.
• 40 of students take all four Pre AP classes.

12
Math Course Sequences (NISD uses middle school
PAP to condense the curriculum and get one year
ahead)
Regular Math
3yrs in 2yrs.
Pre AP Math
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English Course Sequences
Gray boxes indicate courses required for
graduation Courses must be taken one at a time,
and in order Students are not bound to stay on
one track or another (ex. students can
move into PreAP with teacher and parent approval.

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Social Studies Course Sequences

Sequence of Courses
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Science Course Sequences
AP Biology
PreAP Biology
PreAP Chemistry
PreAP Physics
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
Biology
4th year TBD
Physics
Chemistry
N IPC
N Chemistry
N 4th year TBD
One Credit must come from each area of science
listed Biology, AP Biology, Chemistry, AP
Chemistry, or IB Chemistry Physics, AP Physics,
or IB Physics And a fourth science credit from a
higher level science course approved by the state.
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Byron Nelson High School
Northwest High School
Steele High School
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ELECTIVES
All 6th grade students will receive 2 electives
chosen from the following

• Fine Arts Electives
• Students must choose one elective from
• - Band, Orchestra, or Choir
• General Electives
• The 2nd elective is chosen from
• - Exploratory Wheel (technology class )
• or
• - Intro to Theatre
• or
• - Band, Orchestra, or Choir

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Elective Choices 9 possible combinations

• Band Wheel
• Band Theater
• Band Orchestra
• Band Choir
• Choir Orchestra

• Choir Wheel
• Choir Theater
• Orchestra and Wheel
• Orchestra and Theater

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Band and Orchestra Instrument Drives(no
reservations needed show up to try various
instruments for comfort and fit)

• BAND
• April 7th
• 500 - 700 at CTMS
• April 21st
• 500 - 700 at CTMS

• ORCHESTRA
• April 28 _at_ Wilson MS from 600-800pm
• May 6 _at_ Pike MS from 600-800pm
• May 8 _at_ Chisholm Trail MS from 600-800pm

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All 6th graders take PE.

• 45 minute class.
• PE outfit - 15.
• Athletics starts in 7th grade. (football,
  volleyball, basketball, track, tennis,
  cross-country running, soccer cheerleading.)
• Runners Club open to all grades (afterschool)

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New Dell Tablets for 6th graders

• Each NISD middle school student will be issued a
  tablet at the beginning of the year.
• Insurance is available (highly encouraged.)
• Tablet textbooks and are used as instructional
  tools.

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Why do they need Tablets?

• NISD Vision
• The best and most sought after school district
  where every student is future ready
• Ready for college
• Ready for the global workplace
• Ready for personal success

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TabletsWhat access do they have?

• While at school, students have access to the NISD
  server and most inappropriate websites and social
  networking is blocked.
• Away from school, netbooks can log on to any
  wireless access point and would not be protected
  by the NISD server.
• Teachers have the ability to monitor all student
  netbooks from their own computers.

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TabletsWhat access do they have? (Cont.)

• All students have email access but can only send
  and receive from ______at_nisdtx.org
• Student have live access to their grades online.
• Almost all school work is downloaded uploaded
  to netschool.

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Success in 6th grade
Success in middle school involves much more than
just good grades!

• STUDENTS
• Use your Netbook for organization.
• Turn in assignments on time
• Attend tutorials when needed.
• Form bonds with teachers and staff
• Ask questions for help when necessary.
• Maintain a well-rounded schedule which includes
  extra-curricular activities.

• PARENTS
• Check your childs Netschool and Netbook.
• Check grades and assignments on-line.
• Work to make sure your child attends tutorials as
  needed.
• Form bonds with teachers and staff.
• Ask questions for help when necessary.
• Make sure your child maintains a well-rounded
  schedule.
• Sign up for e-mail updates and weekly reminders.

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Communication is the Key!

• All school employees have email.
• Principal newsletter (weekly)
• Teacher websites
• Campus website.
• SchoolMessenger (Email and Phone blast)
• Opportunities to volunteer. (Mentor Watchdog)

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6th Grade Students can

• Attend Pep Rallies (Parents too!)
• Attend school dances, after school sporting
  events and programs (Parents too!)
• Attend field trips (Parents too!)
• Be nominated for Student Council
• Join the runners club drama club
• Participate in UIL events

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UIL

• Art
• Calculator Applications
• Dictionary Skills
• Impromptu Speaking
• Listening Skills
• Mathematics
• Maps, Graphs, and Charts
• Number Sense
• Oral Reading
• Ready Writing
• Science I and II
• Social Studies
• Spelling

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Students get recognized!!!

• TOP DOGS
• Each student of the A/B Honor roll each six weeks
  get recognized with a special treat and some
  free time outside of class or go to lunch early!

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Parent Involvement

• Watch Dog Volunteer
• PTA Board or member
• Volunteer in the classroom
• Principals Coffee (monthly)
• Access School Website and teacher websites
• Access to childs grades online
• Visit for lunch with your child
• Parent/Teacher Conference
• Thanksgiving/Veterans Day
• Field Day

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LOCKERS

• Every student will be assigned their own locker.
• Lockers have assigned combinations.

• You will have MANY opportunities to practice your
  combination BEFORE school starts next year.
• You WILL have trouble with your locker! DONT
  WORRY We will help you!

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Less is More.

• Use a string/sling bag small back pack.
• Have a book you are reading.
• Small binder w paper
• Pencils / pens.
• Netbook.
• Student ID- (Library lunch everything)
• Thats all you need Daily.

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PUP CAMP!!

• At pup camp students will meet new friends, meet
  their teachers and do fun activities to help get
  ready for middle school.
• Exact times and dates will be posted on the
  campus website during the summer. Be on the
  lookout for more information on this exciting
  event!
• (Morning of Saturday, Aug 23th)

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Last but Not Least

• If in doubt.ASK!
• Get to know the Administration and teachers at
  the Middle School.
• Remember your child needs your guidance more than
  ever during this transition.

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Important Contacts

• Principal - Mr. Todd Rogers
• 817.215.0602 trogers_at_nisdtx.org
• Assistant Principal Matrice Raven
• 817.698.1645 mraven_at_nisdtx.org
• Assistant Principal Amy Wagner
• 817.215.0645 awagner_at_nisdtx.org

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CounselorsContact Information

• Steve Bates (A-L)
• sbates_at_nisdtx.org
• 817-215-0608
• Barbara Hardy (M-Z)
• bhardy_at_nisdtx.org
• 817-215-0604