Welcome TO Middle School

1. Counselors Heather Youngquist– 7th Grade Debra Day– 8th Grade Welcome TO Middle School

2. General Information • All students have 7 class periods everyday. In 7th grade, English is 2 of your class periods. 7 • School day begins at 8:25. • School day ends at 3:35. 8:25 – 3:35

3. Core Classes All 7th graders take 4 Core Classes English (double-blocked) Math Science Texas History

4. Advanced Classes • Pre-AP/IB Math • Pre-AP /IB Science (No prequalifying criteria) • Pre-AP/IB English (No prequalifying criteria) • Pre-AP/IB Texas History (No prequalifying criteria) • All current 6th grade students will be evaluated for Math 7 PreAP/IB.   Qualifications based upon the following:  4th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 5th Math STAAR Advanced Level III, 6th first semester math gradetypically a 90 or higher.  Students must meet two of three district criteria for placement. • Any student who did not meet criteria for advanced math initially will be re-evaluatedusing 6th final math grade and 6th Math STAAR Advanced Level III score.  Placement notification will be reflected on student’s schedule in August.   • There are NO appeals. • If you qualify for Math Pre-AP/IB , you will automatically be enrolled.

5. Gifted & Talented Classes AIM in Elementary School Humanities in Middle School Humanities includes: English History Reading If you are in AIM now, you will automatically be enrolled in Humanities for English, History and Reading. Starting next year, we will also have a GT Science class- any identified GT student may select this class.

6. On-Level OR Pre-AP/IB ?? On-Level Pre-AP/IB • Students will have 3 days to turn in their late work for a maximum grade of 70 • Students can expect approximately 45 to 60 minutes of homework per night (excluding projects, test preparation, etc.) • Students will have 2 days to turn in their work for a maximum grade of 60 • Students can expect approximately 1-2 hours of homework per night if taking ALL Pre-AP/IB courses (excluding projects, test preparation, etc.)

7. On-Level OR Pre-AP/IB ?? 6th Grade 7th Grade Daily Grades = 60% Quizzes/Tests/Projects = 40% On-Level Daily Grades = 25% Quizzes = 35% Tests = 40% Pre-AP/IB Daily Grades = 20% Quizzes = 30% Tests = 50%

8. Points to consider when choosing Pre-AP/IB classes • Time spent participating in extra-curricular activities (Athletics, select sports, dance, etc.) • Student’s strengths, abilities and interest • Organization and time management skills • Parents and students should carefully consider how many Pre-AP/IB courses the student will be taking and the amount of coursework that is required. • In the event that the student wishes to drop from Pre-AP/IB to regular coursework, those changes will take place at the end of the first grading period or at semester.

9. Electives One Semester Electives: • Investigating Careers in Human Services • Investigating Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) • Investigating Careers in Communications and Media Arts Science • Investigating Careers in Health Science • Investigating Careers in Business • Investigating Careers in Finance • College and Career Readiness • Technology Applications in Computer Graphics • Introduction to Art • Intermediate Art (Prerequisite: Introduction to Art) • Introduction to Theatre Arts • Advanced Theatre Arts (Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre Arts) Full Year Elective: • Robotics

10. Electives Continued WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! Schedules will not be changed for: • Teacher change • Lunch time change • Elective change if you received your requested elective • “ I don’t like the class.” Read the Academic Planning Guide and Course Descriptions very closely when making class selections FILL-IN ALL ALTERNATIVE CHOICES.

11. Athletics BOYS • Football • Basketball • Off season Athletics is a full-year elective. A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics If you sign up for Boys Athletics, you will play Football. If you only want to play Basketball, sign up for PE Fall and PE Spring …NOT Boys Athletics! Basketball is a try-out sport. Your schedule will be changed when you make the team. Track and Cross Country & Wresting are all after school activities and will not be on your schedule or give you PE credit.

12. Athletics continued GIRLS • Volleyball • Basketball • Track • Off season Athletics is a full-year elective; unless you only want to do track in the spring A complete Physical is required each year for all students entering Athletics Volleyball & Basketball are try-out sports.

13. Try-Out Sports You must try-out to make these teams: • Boy’s Basketball (full-year) • Girl’s Volleyball (full-year) • Girl’s Basketball (full-year) • Cheerleading (full-year) • Golf (full-year) • Tennis (full-year) ** Golf and Tennis may be selected. If you do not make the team, your schedule will be changed to PE.

14. Sports Physicals • Sports physical paperwork should be given to the coach that instructs your student’s sport. • Forms and information can be found on the Allen ISD Athletic Department web page. • Sports physical forms and information are kept with the Athletic Department. • Parents should discuss health concerns with the coach and the school nurse.

15. Coed PE All students must take 2semesters of PE or Athletics during Middle School

16. OFF-CAMPUS PE • PE credit can be earned through Off – Campus PE. • Approval process, applications and explanations can be found on the AISD “Athletics” homepage under “Off-Campus PE” or contact Coach Debbie Evans at the Athletic Office.

17. Full Year Fine Arts Electives Band Orchestra Choir You must be in Band or Orchestra in 6th grade to be in Band or Orchestra in 7th grade.

18. Application Electives YEARBOOK: • You must complete an application to be considered for Yearbook. • Limited class size • Full-year elective

19. Backpacks • Students will be allowed to carry backpacks to class. • Backpacks must be regular size. • NO rolling or oversized backpacks • Students will be expected to carry a book, lunch and a 3 inch binder or a combination of binders adding up to 3 inches. (Examples: one 3 inch binder, three 1 inch binders)

20. Cafeteria 4 Lines to choose from:

21. Clubs & Activities • Robotics • Anime Club • Sewing Club • GBAW • Boys to Men • Student Council ** Clubs may change each year Clubs meet before or after school.

22. Mustang Hour New this year! Monday- Fill out passport for the week Tuesday thru Thursday- Block lunch with Mustang Hour 12:00-1:00 Eat lunch half of the block lunch and attend a club, tutoring, or other event the other half Many choices: open gym, card games, computer lab, etc.

23. Required Immunizations for 7th Grade

24. Texas State Vaccine Requirements for 7th graders • 1 dose of Tetanus-Diptheria-Aceullular pertussis (Tdap), if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-diptheria (Td or Tdp) vaccine was received. • 1 dose of Quadrivalent Meningococcal conjugate, vaccine must be identified, Menactra, Menveo, MenACWY, or MCV4 Incoming students are required to get up to two (2) vaccines to enter 7th grade, per Title 25 Health Services 97.61-97.72 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). It is recommended that proof of immunizations, for incoming 7th graders, be delivered to the current elementary school nurse, prior to the end of the current school year. Student shot records may be accessed through Parent Access. Proof of current vaccinations are required prior to the start of 7th grade.

25. Health Information • Proof of Immunizations should be given to the School Nurse. • Parents should contact the school nurse: • if their student has a medical concern that the school should be aware of. • for any medication administration at school. • Healthcare Plans, like the Allen ISD Asthma or Allergy Action Plans: • A new healthcare plan, signed by the prescribing physician, should be completed every school year, and given to the school nurse, at the beginning of the school year. Healthcare provider orders are valid for one school year. • The Allen ISD Action Plan forms can be found on the school nurse’s , Faculty Web Page, or a paper copy may be picked up at your child’s school.

26. How to complete the Course Selection Sheet Print child’s legal name (no nicknames) Print Parent/Guardian’s name Write Parent/Guardian’s phone number Mark your child’s choice for On-level or Pre-AP/IB for: Texas History, English, and Science. both boxes must be marked. Mark a TOTAL of 4 boxes from the Electives section. The Electives section is from Fine Arts through Advanced Technology. Do not mark 4 boxes from each Electives section. If the Elective has 2 boxes, both boxes must be marked. Write 2 Alternate Choices in order of preference. These should be different than the 4 boxes you marked in the Electives section. Parent/Guardian signs form The back side of the form is a worksheet to help you. Students will make course selections based on the front side of the Course Selection Form.

27. Course SelectionRising 7th grade students will register on their Elementary Campus with their Elementary Counselor during the school day. **Date set by Elementary Campus

28. Tips for being successful in Middle School • Do your best in 6th grade…it can determine what classes you can take in 7th grade. • Do your best on your STAAR tests…it can determine what classes you can take in 7th grade. • Listen to your teachers & do what they ask. • Be on your best behavior at all times. • Work on organization skills, time management and study habits.

29. Thank you for coming! • Please join us in the cafeteria to meet some of our staff and ask any questions you may have.