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Quakertown Community School District. Welcome to Middle School! April 2014. Our Goal for Your Child. Provide opportunities for your child to learn in a rigorous and flexible learning environment Provide flexibility for your child to enrich, remediate and learn in different modalities
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Quakertown Community School District Welcome to Middle School! April 2014
Our Goal for Your Child • Provide opportunities for your child to learn in a rigorous and flexible learning environment • Provide flexibility for your child to enrich, remediate and learn in different modalities by offering many options • Support your child socially and emotionally as he/she transitions to our middle school setting
Middle School Schedule for 2014-15Traditional Face-to-Face Format • 7 period day—6 day cycle • 4 marking periods • 3 Teams—Honor, Valor, Courage • Related Studies classes -6th grade---Art and Computer Literacy (90 days each) -7th grade---Engineering By Design (TEd) and Health (90 days each) -8th grade---Futures (45 days), 3 Electives (45 days each)
Middle School Schedule for 2014-2015 • Band and Chorus opportunities • 6 day cycle allows Band or Chorus students to have an Extension period • Band sectionals occur approx. one time every 8 days • Band student—3 Band, 2 PE, 1 Extension • Chorus student—3 Chorus, 2 PE, 1 Extension • Combo student---2 Chorus, 2 Band, 1 PE, and 1 Extension
Middle School Schedule for 2014-2015 • Opportunities for non-Band/Chorus students include: -6th grade (Pd B)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 1 General Music, 1 Library Research Skills (LRS) • All students will have Related Arts, unless assigned to intervention courses (Reading 101, Reading Plus)
Cyber Hybrid • Increased opportunities for enrichment, acceleration and remediation • Increased options in terms of pacing, differentiation, targeted instruction and consideration of different learning styles • Offers multiple learning environments-digital and traditional • Allows for flexibility based on individualized needs
Full-Time Cyber • Students complete their cyber courses from home • Students are supported in their cyber courses by QCSD teachers • Full-Time QCSD cyber students may participate in middle school sports and activities • Offers a flexible learning environment for both students and their families
Characteristics of the Successful Cyber Student • Be open-minded about sharing work, educational experiences, and life as part of the learning process. • Be able to communicate through writing. • Be self-motivated and self-disciplined. • Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise. • Be willing and able to commit to 7 to 8 hours per week per course. . • Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process. • Have access to a computer and the internet. • Be able to think ideas through before responding. • Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.
How To Enroll in a QCSD Cyber Course • Review the course selection sheet that will come home with your child • Check the box in front of Cyber for the course(s) your child wants to take in a cyber format • We ask that you also include a brief notation on the form stating the reason for selecting a cyber class(es) • Sign the bottom of the sheet and return it to your child’s teacher by the due date • You and your child will be invited to attend a cyber orientation meeting in the spring
Academic Interventions Help for students who may be struggling with academics • IST • Reading Plus (Title I support) • Reading 101 • ELL support
Course Selection Process • Current 5th graders--- Course selection, supported by teachers and guidance counselors—beginning April 11 with school visitations by middle school counselors
Orientation Process • In April--- Strayer Guidance Counselors and a student panel will visit each elementary school sharing information about life at the middle level • May 14 9:00 AM-Noon--- 5th graders will visit Strayer for their Student Orientation • August 26, 6:30-8:30 PM--- Student and Parent Orientation
Grade 6 Summer Reading Overview Goal: Continue to grow as learners and a community of readers Assignment: • Choose a book to read from the list of 5. • Read the book. • Use the graphic organizer/sticky notes to complete the chosen task (T-shirt, Filmstrip, Book Jacket) • Bring project to school to share in September.
We are looking forward to 3 remarkable years with you and your child!