richard merkin middle school home of the trailblazers presented by: mrs. acimovic, counselor
TRANSCRIPT
Middle School: A Springboard To the
FutureRichard Merkin Middle School
Home of the Trailblazers
Presented by: Mrs. Acimovic, Counselor
Why are we here today?
Revisit RMMS vision for culminating students
Academic knowledge: A-G RequirementsGPA CreditsTranscripts
RMMS Vision
RMMS is a community of learners, committed to challenging and supporting middle grade students,
and preparing them for success at higher educational levels. RMMS students are empowered
with the skills and knowledge required for graduation from a four-year college or university.
RMMS ESLRsESLRs = Expected School-Wide Learning Results
These help prepare you to be college and career ready
Effective CommunicatorProductive and Tolerant CitizenCritical Thinker**Life-Long Learner**
ESLR: Critical ThinkerUnderstand that decisions made today effect the
future
Make connections between classroom learning and real world experience
ESLR: Life-Long Learner
Maintain high expectations for self
Formulate and pursue life-long learning goals
Develop college readiness
College ReadinessAcademic Readiness
Demonstration of learning/mastery of coursework (i.e., grades, test scores, etc.)
Academic Behaviors Skills, attitudes, knowledge
Understand: relationship between academics and world of work effort is necessary hard is ok. Don’t be afraid of it mistakes are part of learning
Motivation, persistence, commitment, personal responsibility, initiative
Cooperation, teamwork, goal-setting, study skills
A College Education… Is an investment in:
Yourself: KnowledgeSkillsGreater earning potential $$$$$
Your Future: Broader range of career opportunitiesLess likely to be unemployedLinked with better health care
Your Community: Contribute to economic growth in your areaServe as a role model
OK We Get it!
College is important!But why is this important to
know NOW?
We’re only in middle school?
PATHWAY TO COLLEGESTART HERE
Elementary School
Middle School
High School (High School Diploma)
2-Year College (AA or AS Degree)Transfer to
4-Year College/University (BA or BS Degree)
START HERE
Elementary School
Middle School
High School (High School Diploma)
4-Year College/University (BA or BS Degree)
2 or More Years (Masters Degree) or Professional Degree
Doctorate (Ph.D.)
Why are grades important?
Grades are a measure of your learning
Because you will continue to build on what you learn
So you can successfully move to High School and beyond
Future Plans: Be prepared for college, work world…
*Grades are only part of the equation for college and career readiness. An important one for sure but not the only predictor of success. More later. . .
How to Get Good Grades
1. Believe in Yourself
2. Be Organized
3. Manage Your Time Well
4. Be Successful in Class: Show on time, with supplies, prepared to learn
5. Take Good Notes: Actively listen to speaker, ask ??? if unclear
6. Know How to Read a Textbook (CATCH)
7. Study Smart: use # 1-6 to help you with this!!
8. Use Test-Taking Strategies…Doing your homework will help prepare you for tests
9. Reduce Test Anxiety: preparation, good sleep and nutrition, relaxation techniques
10. Get Help When You Need It (and KNOW your teacher)
What is G.P.A. &how is it calculated?
G.P.A. = Grade Point Average
For every 20 week/semester-long course you take, you earn grades that are equivalent to points. The point breakdown for Alliance schools is below: A = 3.4 - 4.0 points B = 2.7 – 3.39 points C = 2.0 - 2.69 points NP = 0 - 1.99 points
* 5 week report cards are “progress reports” indicating how well you are learning so far and are NOT final grades until the end of 20 weeks.
To calculate your G.P.A. you add all your points earned for a grading period and divide that total by the number of classes taken (7). The resulting number is your G.P.A.
Your cumulative G.P.A. can be calculated similarly by including ALL classes you have completed since the start of middle school.
What is a credit?Credits are the points earned for passing a class.
They are NOT the same points as grade points in GPA. There is no scale of 0-4 points with credits.
Grade of C, B, A = 5 credits per semester class
Grade of NP= O credits!!!!! (In High School you must retake class and pass to earn credit and a HS diploma)
You earn 5 credits for a passed ½ year/semester class
You earn 10 credits for a passed 1 year class
Passing advisory class earns 2.5 credits per semester
What is a transcript?A cumulative record of all of the classes you’ve taken and grades
you’ve earned since you’ve been at RMMS
Items included:
1. Grades
2. Grade Point Average (GPA)
3. Credits
*You will each receive your transcript during the next advisory meeting
A-G RequirementsSet of courses students are required to take in
high school in order to apply to a 4-year university
Ensure students are prepared for courses, majors, and programs offered at UC and CSU
Must be passed with grade “C” or higher
A-G Requirements
RMMS Middle School Schedule
Subject Area
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
A. History / Social Science Ancient Civilizations Medieval Times United States History
B. English/Language Arts
Common Core English 6 Common Core English 7 Common Core English 8
C. Math Common Core Math 6 Common Core Math 7 OR CC Math 7 - (Honors)
Common Core Math 8
D. Science Integrated Science 6 Life Science Physical Science
E. Language Other ThanEnglish
F. Visual / Performing Arts Theater (S1)Art (S2)
Art (S1)Theater (S2)
G. College Prep Elective
Physical Education PE 6 PE 7 PE 8
Other Electives Middle School Success
Alliance Requirement Advisory Advisory Advisory
Credits Earned Per YearA-G Subject
6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade TotalMiddle School
A- History 10 10 10 30 credits
B- English 10 10 10 30 credits
C- Math 10 10 10 30 credits
D- Science 10 10 10 30 credits
E-LOTE N/A
F- VAPA 10 10 20 credits
G- College Prep Elective
N/A
Elective 10 10 credits
PE 10 10 10 30 credits
Advisory 5 5 5 15 credits
Total Annual Credits65 Passing all classes
65Passing all classes130 total
65Passing all classes195 total
195
Main Points from TodayMiddle school is a time to develop:
College readinessAll 4 ESLRs – they demonstrate/support
being college ready
Middle school years are a time of opportunity: a time to learn new subjects, a time to find out what you like and what you want to become in the future.
Start Now The messages you receive in middle school and the self-beliefs you
adopt now can define and shape your high school years – and even beyond!
Focus NOW on preparing for high school
• Identify strengths and challenges – boost your own self-awareness!
• Develop good study habits
• Engage in healthy behaviors (nutrition, exercise, etc.)
• Set goals for yourself
• Maintain good attendance and take responsibility for your behavior
• Begin college and career exploration- more on that later. . .
Aim High9th grade performance is highly predictive of
how likely a student is to graduate high school.
Strong performance in the mathematics during the middle grades prepares students for achievement in high school mathematics, so they’re ready for success in high school.
• Struggling in class? Find help (teachers, peers, parents, siblings, tutoring, etc.)
• Aim to learn as much as you can in all your classes and test proficient or above.
Next StepsAdvisory follow up activity
Semester 1 is gone reflectSemester 2 is beginning set goals
Spring advisory plans- college and career exploration
ILP/portfolios/exit interviews
Thanks for your attention!
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
- Robert Collier