Quakertown Community School District

1. Quakertown Community School District Middle School Opportunities March 2013

2. Goals • Provide opportunities for all students to learn in a rigorous and flexible learning environment • Provide flexibility for students to enrich, remediate and learn in different modalities by offering many options Options include: • Traditional face-to-face classes • Cyber hybrid classes • Full-time cyber classes

3. Middle School Schedule for 2013-14Traditional Face-to-Face Format • 6 period day—6 day cycle • 4 marking periods • 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)

4. Middle School Schedule for 2013-2014 • 8th grade electives include: - Art Studio 8 - Be Fit. Don’t Quit. (PE) -Take the Lead (Health) - TIDE (Technology, Innovation, Design, Engineering) - Keying into the Musical Keyboard (Music) - Literacy in a Digital World • 8th grade students will select 3 and list others as alternates

5. Middle School Schedule for 2013-2014 • Band and Chorus opportunities • 6 day cycle allows Band or Chorus students to have an Extension period • Band sectionals occur as they have in the past • 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

6. Middle School Schedule for 2013-2014 • Opportunities for non-Band/Chorus students include: -6th grade (Pd 2)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 1 General Music, 1 Library Research Skills (LRS) • 7th grade (Pd 4)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 2 Reading/Writing Strategies (RWS) • 8th grade (Pd 6)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 2 “Go Exploring-Web 2.0 Tools” • All students will have Related Arts, unless assigned to intervention courses (Reading 101, Reading Plus)

7. Cyber Hybrid • Opportunity for students to take one or more courses in a cyber environment while also taking other classes in a traditional classroom setting • Students are supported in their cyber classes and traditional classes by QCSD teachers • Allows for a fluid Cyber area (within the school) in terms of which students are in the location at any point in time • Combines opportunities for digital learning and social interaction, shaped by individual needs

8. Benefits of 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

9. 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

10. 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. 

11. 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

12. Academic Interventions Help for students who may be struggling with academics • IST • Reading Plus (Title I support-Strayer only) • Reading 101 • ELL support (Strayer only) • Resource time (Milford) • WIN time (Strayer)

13. Course Selection Process • Current 5th graders--- Course selection, supported by teachers and guidance counselors—beginning March 20 with school visitations by middle school counselors

14. Course Selection Process • Your child will be scheduled for the following courses as a 6th grader: • RELA • Math 6 • Science • Social Studies • Art and Computer Literacy (1/2 year each) • Band or Chorus or Combo • For non-band/chorus students—General Music, Library Research Skills • Extension

15. Course Selection Process • All students will have the option of selecting cyber for one or more of their core courses. (math, science, RELA, social studies) • General Music, Art , PE and Computer Literacy will also be offered through cyber for 2013-2014. • We will make every attempt to honor all requests. • Course selection will be done in school through Power School. (on-line) • Parents will be asked to sign off on the course selection sheet that comes home.

16. Orientation Process • During the first 2 weeks in May--Strayer and Milford Guidance Counselors and a student panel will visit each elementary school sharing information about life at the middle level • May 15 during the day—5th graders will visit Strayer or Milford for their Student Orientation • May 15 at 7:00 PM—Parent Orientation Meeting at Strayer and Milford

17. Orientation Process • Strayer Orientation for incoming 6th graders and their parents—August 27 6:00-8:00 PM—Strayer’s Auditorium • Milford Orientation for incoming 6th graders and their parents— • August 27 9:00-11:00 AM--Milford

18. Educating the Whole Child We believe a vital part of the middle school experience is to not only support academic growth but also social/emotional growth within a positive school culture. • Milford Matters • Strayer Strong

19. QUESTIONS ?