Melissa Middle School Parent Information Meeting

1. Melissa Middle School Parent Information Meeting

2. Principal, Kim Boedeker Counselor, Tammy Brand Introductions

3. Middle School Life Get information about course selection for the 2012-2013 school year. information for academic decision making. information for electives decision making. Get information about navigating secondary school. Parent Information Night Agenda

4. Daily Life • Arrival • Athletics-Coaches will communicate at Athletics Night in May • Non-Athletics- 8:10 is earliest can arrive • Breakfast 8:10/9:10 • Lunch- One lunch for all students TBA • Study Hall/Tutorials • Passing Periods- 4 minutes • Lockers • Dress Code- in Student Handbook on Website • School Supply Lists • Dismissal 4:10

5. Leadership Opportunities • National Junior Honor Society • Student Council • Yearbook • Leadership

6. Communication • Monthly Cardinal Connection Newsletter • Skyward • Email • Website • Report Cards mailed home quarterly • Registration Paperwork-mailed home this summer to current MISD students • Schedule Pick-Up in August • Athletics communication from coaches

7. Assessments • 7th Grade- Writing, Math, Reading • 8th Grade- Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies

8. Graduation RequirementsRecommended Plan • 4 credits of each of the following • Math • English Language Arts • Social Studies • Science • 2 credits of a foreign language • 1 credits of physical education or athletics • 1 credit of a fine art • 0.5 credit of communication applications • 5.5 credits of electives

9. Graduation Requirements • In order to graduate under the recommended program, students must have a total of 26 credits. • In order to make room for credit requirements, we offer courses in middle school for high school credit.

10. Every student takes: Language Arts Math Social Studies Science PE or Athletics Course selection

11. 7th Grade Course Selection 8 Period Day • Math/ELAR double block • Seven Required Periods & One Elective Period, PE or Athletics is required. • Electives • Band – Full Year • Art-Full Year • Tech Apps-Full Year • Desktop Publishing/Journalism-Full Year • Leadership-Full Year

12. 8th Grade Course Selection • Five Required Courses & Three Elective Periods, PE or Athletics is required. • Electives • Band-Full Year • Gateway to Technology*-Full Year • Spanish I*-Full Year • Desktop Publishing/Journalism-Full Year • Art I-Full Year • Leadership-Full Year *Can be given high school credit if requirements are met.

13. Technology Applications • Students will acquire knowledge and skills in problem solving, teamwork and innovation as well as explore Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) careers.  Engineering is emphasized throughout this rigorous academic curriculum.  Students also explore energy and the environment, flight and space, green architecture, and the science of technology.  The knowledge that students gain and the skills they build from GTT create a strong foundation for further STEM learning in high school and beyond.

14. Project Lead the Way • Begins in 8th Grade: Gateway to Technology • Hands-on, project based pre-engineering program. • Coherent sequence courses added each year to create an engineering strand. • Principles of Engineering class counts as a science credit.

15. Academic & Honors • Middle School • Recommended=State Curriculum • Academic Classes • Level expected of everyone • Honors=State Curriculum • Depth, Breadth, & Pace • Ability • Want To

16. Course Curriculum • Core Curriculum based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) • Common curriculum for MISD and the rest of the state. • Aligned with like grade levels and between grade levels. • Reflective of national standards.

17. Advanced Math Strand • Honors Readiness • Determined at the End of 6th Grade • STAAR Scale Score • Algebra Readiness • Determined at the End of 7th Grade • STAAR Scale Score & Readiness Test

18. Characteristics of Highly Successful Honors Students • Commended performance on STAAR Reading, Writing, & Math • Self starter • Accepts a challenge eagerly • Is well-organized • Likes to do more difficult assignments • Seeks help when needed • Reads independently • Reading above grade level • Likes to solve complex, multi step problems • Can perform the four basic math functions independently for whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.

19. BAND Mr. Baggerly MMS Band Director

20. Melissa Middle SchoolCardinal Band • 7th & 8th Grade Band • Class meets every day • Develop fundamentals • More concerts, pep rallies, festivals and UIL contest

21. Athletics Boys’ Athletic Director Seth Stinton Girls’ Athletic Director Claude Webb

22. Athletics • Philosophy of Athletics at MMS • Develop love of all sports and learn critical skills to help students be successful in the future • To get students involved in their school • Requirements and expectations • Full year course • Maintain grade above 70 per UIL rules • Attend all practices/games on time • Offered Sports • Football, basketball, track, cross country • Volleyball, basketball, track, cross country • Daily routine • Students arrive before school begins to begin workouts • Workout as a team • Shower/Dressed for day • Breakfast Offered • Athletic Night-May

23. Course Selection • Talk about their academic future now. • Discuss options with your child. • Decisions To Make • Which level of academic class in Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies is most appropriate for you? • Which elective is most appropriate for you? • We will have it available on our website and we will email.

24. Who? What? When? • Incoming seventh grade course selection sheets are due to the MRI office by May 1st. • Incoming eighth grade course selection sheets are due to the MMS office by May 1st.

25. Questions? • Email the Counselor tbrand@melissaisd.org • Email the Principal kboedeker@melissaisd.org