R.C. Loflin Middle School 7 th Grade Parent Meeting

1. R.C. Loflin Middle School 7th Grade Parent Meeting February 19, 2013 6:30 – 7:30 pm

2. R.C. Loflin Middle School “The Key is ME” Diana Greenhouse, 7th Grade Assistant Principal Teri Rodgers, 7th Grade Counselor Damon Patterson, Principal

3. Vision Statement: Joshua ISD will be a highly acclaimed model of educational excellence.

4. Registration • All new students to Joshua ISD must provide the following: • Birth Certificate • Social Security Card • Current Immunization Record • Last Report Card • Parent Driver’s License • Proof of Residency • Utility Bill from July 2013 or August 2013 • Withdrawal form from previous district/campus • All returning students to Joshua ISD must provide the following when picking up their schedules in August 2013: • Proof of Residency • Utility Bill from July 2013 or August 2013

5. Immunizations • JISD requirements for immunization are posted on the LMS website. • www.joshuaisd.org/Page/1480 • 7th Grade Requirements • Tdap • 1 dose prior to enrollment (one dose if it has been 5 years since their last booster) • Varicella • 2 doses prior to enrollment • If your child has had chickenpox this vaccination is not required, but you must provide the school nurse with a written document with the child’s name, date of illness, and parent signature. • Meningococcal • 1 dose prior to enrollment • All students must provide the nurse with a current shot record prior to picking up their 7th grade schedule in August 2013.

6. Course Selections • LMS counselors will visit elementary campuses & explain “Course Selection Forms” to 6th grade students. • Elder—Tuesday, February 19th • Caddo—Wednesday, February 20th • Staples—Thursday, February 21st • Plum Creek—Thursday, February 21st • North Joshua—Friday, February 22nd • If your child is absent the day LMS counselors visit, the elementary counselor will have extra copies of “Course Selection Forms” in their office. • All “Course Selection Forms” are due to the child’s 6th grade teacher/counselor by Tuesday, February 26th. • LMS counselors will visit elementary campuses & help students enter their course selections into the computer, the last week of February.

7. Required Courses • Reading • General & Honors* • Writing • Math • General & Pre-Algebra* • Science • General & Honors* • Social Studies • Physical Education • Athletics • PE • Technology • All “Curriculum Maps” are posted on the JISD webpage, so you can see curriculum covered each six-weeks… www.joshuaisd.org/Page/409 *Honors placement based on testing results completed on elementary campuses, after STAAR testing (May 2013).

8. Elective Courses • Art • Band* • Career Investigations • Choir • General Music • Photojournalism* • Shop • Theater • *Requires teacher signature

9. Athletics • “Participating in the athletic program is a privilege and we encourage all to participate. However, if during the participation of athletics a student chooses not to follow the JISD Athletic Code of Conduct or prohibits instruction to other participants, that student may be removed from the athletic program.” ….Joshua ISD Athletic Code of Conduct • Boys Athletics • Football • Cross Country • Basketball • Track • Girls Athletics • Volleyball • Basketball • Track • *Students are encouraged to participate and/or try out for at least 2 sports.

10. Gifted & Talented • Students qualifying for GT services are served in an Honors classroom at LMS. • Honors English • Honors Math (Pre-Algebra) • Honors Science • Students do not go to the GT center at the secondary level. • 6th grade students will be retested in the spring of the current school year (after STAAR testing), to determine if students are eligible for GT supports/services.

11. Honors Classes • Honors’ eligibility is based on : • Spring testing completed on elementary campus; • 6th grade teacher recommendation; • Cumulative grades; • STAAR results; • LMS Honors’ expectations; • Student’s work & study habits/skills.

12. Honors Classes • Honors Reading • Curriculum is more strenuous than regular 7th grade reading class • No high school credit is received for participating in the course. • Honor’s English class includes reading & writing combined. Therefore, student receives an additional elective. • If a student fails 1 six weeks grading period, he/she will be removed from the class & placed into a regular reading & writing class. • A contract must be signed by the student & parent the first week of school. • Summer novel reading is required prior to first day of school.

13. School Supplies • Below is last year’s school supply list. However, the 2013-2014 school supply list will be posted on JISD webpage as soon as it is available. • 1 expandable file folder (at least 9 pockets) • 2 – 1 ½ inch binders • 3 spiral notebooks • 5-7 folders with pockets & brads • 12 yellow #2 pencils • 5 pens (blue, black, red, and any other colors) • 2 packages of notebook paper • 2 yellow highlighters • 2 dry erase markers • 1 pack of colored pencils • 1 pack of washable markers • 2 glue sticks • 1 Pink Pearl eraser • 1 small, handheld pencil sharpener • 1 box of Kleenex •  GIRLS: 1 package of construction paper (9 x 12) •  BOYS: 1 package of manila paper (12 x 18) •  A drawstring backpack (as opposed to a large backpack) is highly recommended

14. Honors Classes • Honors Math (Pre-Algebra) & Honors Science • Curriculum is more strenuous than regular math/science courses. • No high school credit is received for participating in the course. • If a student scores below an 80% (for any six weeks grading period), he/she will be removed from the class & placed in a regular 7th grade math/science class. • A contract must be signed by the student & parent the first week of school. • Pre-Algebra students will take the 8th grade Pre-Algebra STAAR test in the spring.

15. Remediation Classes • Academic concerns will be addressed as needed, however if a student’s grades or STAAR test scores indicate the need for remediation, an elective will be dropped and a remediation class will be added to the student’s schedule. • Example: If a student is failing math, did not pass STAAR math, and continues to struggle, then the student will be placed in an additional math class (STAAR Math) for remediation. Adding the a 2nd math class will cause the student to lose an elective course. • Other interventions: • Study Hall • 5X a week for 30 minutes • Weekly tutoring • Teachers post tutoring times on their LMS webpage, w/in their classroom, and outside their classroom doors. • Homework Haven

16. Skyward Access • What can parents see? • Student Information • Attendance • Current Year Schedules • Discipline • Grades • Health Records Information • How do I log on? • Go to Joshua ISD webpage … www.joshuaisd.org • Click on the Family Access link under Site Shortcuts on the JISD website.

17. Dress Code • Boys hair should be above the eyebrow & not longer then the collar. • Girls hair should be natural hair color…no extreme colors and/or “streaks”. • Girls may wear dresses or skirts that are no more than 5” above the top of the knee. • Spaghetti straps, off the shoulder shirts, tank tops, fishnet tops, exposed midriff or cut-off tops, or tops with low cut front or back are not permitted. • Pants (including jeans) with holes, frays, or rips are not permitted. • No spandex and/or tight leggings. • Sagging is not allowed. Boys must wear pants and shorts at the hip bone. • Pajamas and/or pajama pants are not allowed. • House shoes are not allowed. • No headgear will be brought inside the school buildings during the school day. • Girls may wear bows, head-bands or barrettes to hold hair in place. • Chains of any size are not permitted on wallets, or clothing. Dog collars are not permitted. Choker style necklaces are not permitted. • ...... JISD Student Code of Conduct Dress Code, Page 92

18. Cell Phone Policy • For safety purposes, the district permits students to possess personal mobile telephones; however, these devices must remain turned off and out of sight during the instructional day, including during all testing, unless they are being used for approved instructional purposes. • A student must have approval to possess other telecommunications devices such as netbooks, laptops, tablets, or other portable computers. • The use of mobile telephones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restroom areas while at school or at a school-related or school-sponsored event. • If a student’s telecommunications device is seen, heard or used without authorization by the campus/district during the school day, the device will be confiscated. The parent may pick up the confiscated telecommunications device from the principal’s office for a fee of $15. (TEC 37.082)

19. Additional Information • Students have 9 class periods • Classes start @ 8:25am • Buses drop off in the front of the building • Parents drop off around the back, on the south side of the building • 7th grade students enter & wait in the gym until dismissal • Classes are 45 minutes long • 4 minute passing periods • Lunch is 5th period • 3 lunch times • Athletics is 1st period • Practice starts @ 6:45am • School is dismissed at 4pm • Parent pick up is around the back, on the south side of the building • Bus riders are picked up in the front of the building

20. Questions??

21. Course Selection Forms are due to the 6th grade counselor Tuesday, February 26th.