1. Welcome to Bonita Vista Middle Home of the Crusaders
Incoming 7th Grade
Parent Orientation

2. Counseling Center Counselors Mr. Armas Ms. Murchison Mr. Taeatafa
Mrs. King, Registrar
Ms. Cosio, Secretary

3. Presentation Highlights
Registration Packet
7th Grade Curriculum
Electives
Adjusting to Middle School
Support Services
Q & A
Mr. Balanay
Principal

4. What is Middle School?
Middle schools serves as a transition between elementary & high school.
Elementary is behind you…high school & your future awaits…
It is normal for students and parents to feel nervous, excited, anxious, scared, etc.

5. Registration Contact Mrs. King, BVM Registrar: 397-2220
Proof residency and online registration will be held in March/ April.
More information will be provided when available
Specific questions regarding:
Proof of Residency
Joint Residency
Enrollment from private school
Contact Mrs. King,
BVM Registrar:

6. Transfer Zone Requests
Dates to Know
Apply at the SUHSD District Office
Call for application period and more information
Parents will receive notification from the SUHSD office.

7. Course Selection Form (green)
Required Courses:
Completed by Counselor
Elective Options:
Rank your top 5 selections
Parent signature

8. Return to 6th grade teacher.
Green Form
This form is used to identify the placement of your student and select elective classes.
Please return the Green Course Selection Form by:
Additional registration materials will be required before enrolling. More information to follow.
February 7, 2011
Return to 6th grade teacher.

9. 7th Grade Curriculum English* 1 Year World Cultures* 1 Year
Mathematics ** 1 Year
Physical Education 1 Year
Science/ Health* 1 Year
Elective/ Support 1 Year
*Accelerated courses offered to Gate & High Achiever students
**Math 7 Accelerated and Algebra offered

10. Support Classes
Students who have been identified as needing extra support in Math and/ or English, will be scheduled in a support class as their elective.
7th grade support classes include:
Math 7 Support, English 7 Support, and Read 180

11. Student Placement
Students will be placed in classes utilizing district-wide placement guidelines.
Counselors will use data (CST scores, CELDT scores, etc.) from elementary district.
All GATE students will be placed in at least 1 accelerated class unless parent “Opts-out”.
High achieving students are encouraged to enroll in at least 1 accelerated classes.
For students with an IEP, articulation meetings will take place between the BVM & elementary school psychologists.
Indicate any specific placement concerns/ questions on the green “course selection form”.

12. 1 Year Electives Yearbook* Exploring Technology Arts & Crafts Guitar
*High Achieving students with strong English Language Arts grades

13. Band (Advanced and Beginning)
Perform in Concerts!
Travel to Competitions!
March in Parades!
Make New Friends!
Advanced Auditions:
Schedule an audition with Ms. Cruz. or

14. Chorus (Advanced and Beginning)
Advanced Auditions:
Schedule an appointment with chorus teacher.
Perform in Festivals & Concerts!
Advanced Training for High School Choir!
Make New Friends!

15. Spanish 1/2 Meets the “A-G” college admissions requirement
Responsible students who have strong language arts skills.
3-year commitment (7th, 8th, and 9th grade).
“C” or better grade earns High School graduation & A-G credit.
No previous foreign language required.

16. AVID Advancement Via Individual Determination
What is AVID
Preparation for 4-year university
Motivational Activities
School Success Strategies
Tutorials
Field Trips
Guest Speakers
Who should apply?
Students with academic potential
1st generation college student
GPA
Average to high test scores
College potential with support
Desire and Determination
FACT: 95% of AVID Graduates
are enrolled in a college or university

17. Early Planning for College
Attend the Compact for Success field trip to SDSU (fall semester)
Attend the College: Making It Happen informational night at BVM (spring semester)
Consider taking accelerated courses, Algebra in 8th grade, AVID and/ or Spanish.
Set a goal to earn A & B grades in middle & high school.

18. The changes you can expect
Middle School:
The changes you can expect
Big transition from elementary school.
Some students have been in same school for 7 years!
Making new friends & social changes
More teachers: 6-7 per day
Letter grading system (A-F Grades)
Emotional changes/ Pre-teen development
Establishing identity, anxious for independence, etc
Physical Changes, puberty, hormones
Increased academic & personal responsibility
Today’s choices affect tomorrow
Planning for high school, college & career choices
Daily/ increased homework

19. The concerns of your children
Middle School:
The concerns of your children
The concerns of your children
Lockers & combination locks
Changing in PE/ showering
Getting lost
Homework & Teachers
8th graders & bullies
Making friends
Fitting in with peers/ being popular
No playground? No recess?
New routines: classrooms, teachers, bus, cafeteria, library, main office, counseling center, nurse, etc…
Change is more difficult for some students

20. Help your child make a smooth transition to middle school
Reassure your child that it’s normal to feel excited and/ or nervous. Share your experiences.
Highlight the positive
More independence
New opportunities: friends, sports, clubs, dances, field trips
Opportunity to learn new subjects
Take a tour of campus over the summer
Attend orientation in July (date TBA)
Attend “Back to School” night in August
Reassure your child that BVM is a safe campus with many caring students and adults.

21. How to be SUCCESSFUL in middle school
Daily Routine
Organized
Time Management
Good Study Habits
Seek Help
Involved Parents
Have Fun!

22. Parents are the most important teachers
Even though your child is expressing their independence, they still want your support and guidance
Talk to your child about school and his/ her personal and school life
Know your children’s friends
Help your child be their own advocate. Encourage them to discuss concerns directly with their teacher. Be prepared to help as needed.
Praise your child’s effort and achievement
Always feel free to contact the school (teacher, counselor, administrator, etc) when concerns arise.

23. Parent Involvement Opportunities Parents are always welcome at BVM
School Website
Back-to-School Night
College: Making It Happen!
SDSU Compact for Success field trip
Parent Involvement Day
Parent/ Teacher Conferences
Meet your child’s counselor
School Site Council
GATE Parent Activities
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA)
Interested in Volunteering? Contact BVM
Volunteer in class, library, club, coach a team…
Your involvement matters more than ever as your child gets older.

24. Student Activities Most activities announced in the morning bulletin
Lunchtime Activities
Intramural Sports
Clubs
Assemblies
Field Trips
Dances
ASB (8th grade)
East Coast Trip (8th Grade-Optional)
The BVM ColorGuard
marching in a parade

25. Summer Tours for student & parents
Principal, Bernard Balanay, will be available during the summer for tours of the campus.
Contact BVM in late May for the summer tour schedule.

26. Campus Safety & Support Services Nurse Counselor Assistant Principal
School
Resource
Officer ,
Officer Sherard
Nurse
Counselor
Assistant Principal
Tutoring
School Resource Officer
2 Campus Safety Assistants
Campus
Safety
Assistant,
Ms. Evans

27. Meet your child’s counselor
Counselors are available to assist with a variety of academic, behavior & social issues
Selecting the appropriate academic placement
Questions regarding planning for high school, college, and future.
Ongoing academic, behavioral, and/ or emotional concerns
Other questions/ resources on campus

28. Be a Buddy, Not a Bully! Bullying is NOT accepted at BVM!
If you witness bullying, talk to a counselor, teacher or parent.
Help make BVM a friendly & safe place!

29. Sample Daily Schedule 5 minutes between each class 1 English
PERIOD
SUBJECT
TEACHER
ROOM
TIME
MINUTES 1
English
Mr. Schroeder
202
8:05-9:05 60 2
Science
Ms. Cardenas
604
9:10-10:02 52
Nutrition
10:02-10:12 10 3 PE
Ms. Sellers
10:17-11:09 4
Math
Ms. Caldwell
503
11:14-12:06
Lunch
12:11-12:41 30
Advisory
Mr. Kumabe
603
12:46-1:16 5
World Cultures
Mr. Martinez
305
1:21-2:13 6
Elective/ Support
Ms. Pollard
610
2:18-3:10
5 minutes between each class

30. ASB Student Store ASB Items Available PE Clothes (Shirt & Shorts)
Spirit Shirts
Combination Locks
Yearbook
ASB Discount Sticker
More information will be provided in late Spring/ early Summer.

31. What to Expect the First Day of School
School starts at 8:05am
Minimum Day/ Special Schedule- Ends at 12:50
Pick-up your schedule/ locator card
by your last name
Many adults available
to help students
What to bring
Backpack
Small Notebook
Pen & Pencil

32. Dates to Remember
February 7th, 2010 Deadline to submit registration forms to your student’s 6th grade teacher
Late July 2010 (TBA)
7th Grade Orientation
July 20th, 2010 (tentative)
First Day of School
Mid-August
Back-to-School Night
The Main Office

33. Some words of encouragement…
Transitioning to middle school may feel a little scary. Remember all new experiences can be frightening at first. If you have a positive attitude and solid information about what to expect, you will be a middle school pro in no time!
PBSkids.org
Many great resources on the internet.
Search “transition to middle school”

34. Questions???
For more information, please contact the BVM counseling center:
Visit our school website