dowell middle school 7 th and 8 th grade parent presentation march 16, 2015

Dowell Middle School7th and 8th Grade Parent Presentation

March 16, 2015

Administrative Team

Principal – Alan ArbabiAlpha A-L Sara Kriesel-Hall, Assistant Principal

Courtney Starnes, Counselor

Pamela Coats, Secretary

Alpha M-ZHolly Rogers, Assistant Principal

Rayshana Adams, Counselor

Kim Oberlander, Secretary

Goals for TonightInformation on selection of academic and elective courses.

Questions well be answered individually at the end.

Materials Review Course Selection Sheet

Course Descriptionshttp://www.mckinneyisd.net/parents/

Middle School Philosophy High Academic Standards for All Students Students Introduced to Academic and Extra-Curricular

Options Students Begin to Determine Strengths and Preferences Partnership with Students, Families & Community

What’s New For Students?Additional State testing (STAAR)

More Academic Courses Selections

Additional Elective Courses

Extra curricular activities/Clubs

STAAR Testing at Middle SchoolSixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade

Reading Reading Reading

Writing

Math Math Math

Science

Social Studies

Academic and Pre AP Courses McKinney ISD’s curriculum is common to all MISD middle

school campuses and aligns to state standards. Core Curriculum is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge

and Skills (TEKS) Curriculum is aligned within the grade level and vertically

between grade levels.

Both course offering are college preparatory courses.

Core Academic Courses

Language Arts and Reading (ELAR)

Math (Academic, Pre-AP, Algebra I(8th grade), or Geometry (8th grade by invitation only)

Science (7th grade ELM Academic or Pre-AP, 8th grade Academic or Pre-AP)

7th grade Texas History ( ELM Academic or Pre-AP)

8th grade American History (Academic or Pre-AP)

Target/Select Courses Placement into Target classes will be based upon a student’s MAP testing

data, STAAR test results, and overall academic record from the previous grade level.

This class takes the place of an elective course.

Target courses are offered in Math and ELAR.

Profile of a Pre AP Student Map scores indicate grade level proficiency or above in Reading and/or

Math

Reading and/or Math STAAR scores are above met standard proficiency

Previous year overall average grade was at an 80% or higher

High interest in subject area

Student is motivated to be successful: organizes materials for studying purposes, willingly completes assigned work, and attends tutorials when needed

Gifted and Talented If your child is identified GT, Karen Green will provide us

information about GT placement for academic classes.

If you have questions about GT placement, please contact Karen Green at Email: kjgreen@mckinneyisd.net

Typical 7th and 8th Grade DayELAR (Academic or Pre-AP): Every day for 1 period.

Math(Academic or Pre-AP, Algebra I, or Geometry): Every day for 1 period.

Science (Academic or Pre-AP): Every day for 1 period.

History (Academic or Pre-AP): Every day for 1 period.

Electives (3 Periods): Meet every day for 1 period each.

Physical Education RequirementEvery student is required to complete 4 semesters of Physical

Education while in Middle School.

Athletics does count as 2 semesters of Physical Education.

UIL rules do not allow for a student to be enrolled in Athletics and Physical Education concurrently.

MISD Physical Information

McKinney Boyd H.S.* McKinney High School McKinney North H.S.

April 18, 2015Registration from

7:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.$20 Cash Only

April 25, 2015Registration from 9 A.M. – 12 P.M.$20 Cash Only

May 27, 2013Registration from 2:30 P.M. – 5 P.M.

$20 Cash Only

Date of Exam Must be After April 1, 2013* EKG’s will be available at MHS and North for an additional charge of $15.

Electives All electives meet every day.

Elective courses meet for the entire year.

If a student participates in Athletics, they must enrolled in the Athletic period.

Elective Choices: 7th Grade

PE, Athletics or Cheer

Art 1 or Art 2

Band

Choir

Drama

Inventions and Innovations

Journalism

Orchestra

Teen Leadership

Yearbook (application required)

Elective Choices: 8th Grade PE, Athletics or Cheer

Art 2 or Art 3

Band

Choir

Drama

Principles of IT & Principles of AAVTC

Concepts of Engineering

Journalism

Orchestra

PALS (application required)

Yearbook (application required)

8th Grade Electives for High School Credit Concepts of Engineering

Health/ Communication Applications

Principals of Visual Arts, Audio Visual Tech. and Communications/ Principles of Informaion Technology

Spanish 1

Spanish for Spanish Speakers

Decisions To Make Which Level of core class is most appropriate for my child?

Which electives will benefit my child most in middle school and potentially high school?

Communication is Key• MISD GO App

• Home Access Center (HAC)

• Progress Reports & Report Cards

• Dowell website: http://legacy.mckinneyisd.net/Campuses/school_websites/dowell/

• Teacher websites/emails

• Mr. Arbabi weekly emails

• Dowell Facebook page and Twitter feed

Welcome to Dowell!Registration forms are due on March 20, 2015

Return form to your child’s current Math Teacher

Schedule pick up will be August 2015.