TRANSITION TO MIDDLE SCHOOLB Y D E N I S H A H AG A N, P R O F E S S I O NA L S C H O O L C O U N S E LO R

2017-2018

THOMAS JOHNSON MIDDLE SCHOOL

SCHOOL INFO FOR TJMS

Principal: Rodney McBride; Vice Principal(s): Marla West and LaTaja Davis-Taylor

Hours: 9:00am to 3:40pm

Grades: 6th – 8th

Uniform: Mandatory

Before/ After Care: None

School Colors: Royal Blue and Gold

School Mascot: Jaguar

COURSES OFFERED TO INCOMING 6TH GRADE

Core Subjects:

English/ Language Arts

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

STEM Integration*

* ALL students take STEM integrated courses at TJMS.

Creative Arts (Electives):

AVID

Band

Chorus

Computer Applications

Orchestra

STEM

BENJAMIN TASKER MIDDLE SCHOOL

SCHOOL INFO FOR BTMS

Principal: Kendra Hill; Vice Principal(s): Gary McCorkle and Susan Harris

Hours: 8:30am to 3:10pm

Grades: 6th – 8th

Uniform: None

Before/ After Care: None

School Colors: Black and Gold

School Mascot: Tigers

COURSES OFFERED TO INCOMING 6TH GRADE

Core Subjects:

English/ Language Arts

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Creative Arts (Electives):

AVID

Band*

Chorus*

Italian

Into to Spanish

Orchestra*

* An art course is REQUIRED—whether music based or Visual Arts.

ERNEST JUST MIDDLE SCHOOL

SCHOOL INFO FOR EJMS

Principal: Dr. Keary Schoen; Vice Principal(s): Carmela Connor and Mangierlett Garris

Hours: 9:00am to 3:40pm

Grades: 6th – 8th

Uniform: Mandatory

Before/ After Care: None

School Colors: Burgundy and Navy

School Mascot: Eagle

COURSES OFFERED TO INCOMING 6TH GRADE

Core Subjects:

English/ Language Arts

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Creative Arts (Electives):

AVID

Band

Chorus

General Music

Orchestra

Technology

OTHER MIDDLE SCHOOLS

SCHOOL INFO FOR OTHER MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Gwynn Park Middle

Principal: Danielle Moore

Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 2:10 p.m.

Uniform: Mandatory

G. James Gholson Middle

Principal: Jacqueline Marshall-Hall

Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:10 p.m.

Uniform: Mandatory

Kettering Middle

Principal: Katrina Pinder

Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Uniform: Mandatory

Samuel Ogle Middle

Principal: Glenise Marshall

Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:10 p.m.

Uniform: Mandatory

OFF TO MIDDLE SCHOOL!

AVID (ADVANCEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION)

Students must have:

At least a 2.50 - 3.50 GPA

No behavior referrals or issues

Strong work habits

An interest in college preparation

An interest in the AVID program

For more information about the AVID program: https://www.avid.org

AVID students will:

Engage in projects throughout the school year

Listen to guest speakers

Visit colleges/museums

Work in tutorial groups

Complete AVID assignments based on the curriculum

For more information about AVID in PGCPS: http://www.pgcps.org/avid/

TAG (TALENTED AND GIFTED) PROGRAM

TAG testing

Submit letter to the school

Testing usually takes place in/ around December

Student will be integrated into the TAG program the following year (7th grade)

NO TAG IN HIGH SCHOOL; TAG identified students can either take:

IB (International Baccalaureate) courses

Honors courses

General education courses

PE & HEALTH

PE and Health are MANDATORY classes for all middle school students

PE and Health are electives that are automatically built into schedules; usually 1 class per semester

Middle schools (even those without uniforms) usually have PE uniform requirements

MIDDLE SCHOOL SAMPLE SCHEDULES

Sample Middle School Schedule (example from Benjamin Tasker Middle website):

MOD* 1: 8:30 - 9:41 (Homeroom)MOD* 2: 9:44 - 10:50MOD* 3: 10:56 - 12:46 (Includes lunch period)MOD* 4: 12:49 - 1:55MOD* 5: 1:58 - 3:10

Sample Middle School Schedule (example from Benjamin Stoddert Middle website):

Mod* Duration Instructional Time

Warning Bell 8:25 N/A

Homeroom / 1 8:30 – 9:38 68 minutes

2 9:42 – 10:50 68 minutes

3 10:54 – 12:46 112 minutes

Lunch Times Class Times

Lunch #1

(6th Grade)

10:54 – 11:24

(Go to Mod 3)11:28 – 12:46

Lunch #2

(7th Grade)

11:30 – 12:05

(Return to Mod* 3)

10:54 – 11:26

12:09 – 12:46

Lunch #3

(8th Grade)

12:16 – 12:46

(Go to Mod 4)10:54 – 12:12

4 12:50 – 1:58 68 minutes

5 2:02 – 3:10 68 minutes

Dismissal 3:10 N/A

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Keep your locker combination a secret!

Cell phones (and other Portable Electronic Devices) are allowed in school, but PGCPS policy states they should only be used when:

Review the school’s Student Parent Handbook/ Code of Conduct

Binder system—use the Woodmore binder system for organizational assistance unless the school attending has a system

Boundary school and cumulative folder—inform Woodmore of any possible changes so student’s folders and information can be sent to the correct school for the 18-19 school year

INFORMATION FROM THE SCHOOLS, ABOUT THE SCHOOLS

Answers to FAQs for PGCPS Middle Schools:

Benjamin Tasker Middle: http://www.pgcps.org/benjamintasker/ipage.aspx?pageid=191917&id=201779

Thomas Johnson Middle: http://www1.pgcps.org/thomasjohnson/PB_thomasjohnson_1Col.aspx?pageid=239053&id=141402

Ernest Just Middle: http://www.pgcps.org/ernesteverettjust/ (school link)

Benjamin Stoddert Middle: http://www.pgcps.org/benjaminstoddert/PB-benjaminstoddert.aspx?pageid=234755&id=231007

Kettering Middle: http://www.pgcps.org/ketteringms/ (school link)

QUESTIONS???

Contact Ms. Hagan at: denisha.hagan@pgcps.org