6 TH 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 Mathand LA • 1Science, 1Social Studies • 1 P.E. (all 6th graders take P.E.) • 1elective 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~

6. 6th Grade Daily Bell Schedule • 1ST 9:20 – 10:04 • 2ND 10:08 – 10:52 • 3RD 10:56 – 11:40 • LUNCH….11:40 - 12:10 (three lines to choose from) • 4TH 12:14 – 12:58 • 5TH 1:02 – 1:46 • 6TH 1:50 – 2:34 • 7TH 2:38 – 3:42 • 8TH 3:46 – 4:30 (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 child’s academic strengths • Teacher input • Past STAAR performance • Personal goals

8. Choices for 6th Grade Core Classes

9. 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?

10. ??? 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 child’s 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?

11. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. BAND April 7th 5:00 - 7:00 at CTMS April 21st 5:00 - 7:00 at CTMS ORCHESTRA April 28 @ Wilson MS from 6:00-8:00pm May 6 @ Pike MS from 6:00-8:00pm May 8 @ Chisholm Trail MS from 6:00-8:00pm Band and Orchestra Instrument Drives(no reservations needed; show up to try various instruments for comfort and fit)

16. 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)

17. 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.

18. 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

19. Tablets…What 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.

20. Tablets…What access do they have? (Cont.) • All students have email access but can only send and receive from ‘_____@nisdtx.org’ • Student have live access to their grades online. • Almost all school work is downloaded & uploaded to netschool.

21. 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 child’s 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. Success in middle school involves much more than just good grades! Success in 6th grade

22. 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)

23. 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 runner’s club & drama club • Participate in UIL events

24. 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

25. 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! Students get recognized!!!

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

27. 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! DON’T WORRY… We will help you!

28. 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) That’s all you need: Daily.

29. 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)

30. 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.

31. Important Contacts Principal - Mr. Todd Rogers 817.215.0602 trogers@nisdtx.org Assistant Principal – Matrice Raven 817.698.1645 mraven@nisdtx.org Assistant Principal – Amy Wagner 817.215.0645 awagner@nisdtx.org

32. CounselorsContact Information • Steve Bates (A-L) • sbates@nisdtx.org • 817-215-0608 • Barbara Hardy (M-Z) • bhardy@nisdtx.org • 817-215-0604