1. March 7, 2016 MRS. ALICE BOWMANPRINCIPAL MS. REGINA TALENTOASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MS. ERICA GRAYCOUNSELOR MS. VALERIE ZAFFERSCOUNSELOR Welcome Parents! Incoming Grade 7 Parent Orientation Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School A Tradition of Excellence in Education

2. Overview of Topics to be Discussed Grade 7 Scheduling and Programs Accelerated Math Interscholastic Athletics Clubs and Activities Social and Emotional Issues for Grade 7 Students

3. Grade 7 Scheduling TEAMING IN GRADE 7 Students are on a team of teachers in grade 7 for their four core subject areas: Math, Social Studies, Science and English. They do not travel as a class. Each team has approximately one hundred students. Teams have common team planning time every day.

4. Math in Grade 7

5. Math 7-1 or Math 7-2? Students have been recommended to take either Math 7-1 or Math 7-2. Math 7-2 is the regular mathematics course for Grade 7. Math 7-1 is an accelerated course that covers the curriculum of both Grade 7 and Grade 8 Math in one year and allows students to take Algebra I in Grade 8.

6. The Goal of Math 7-1 Students who take Math 7-1 will be able to take higher level math courses at JFKHS. Students will complete the Algebra I course and take the Regents Exam at POBMS. Please speak with your child’s math teacher if you have any questions about the recommendation for their math placement. There is a self-selection process for students who were not recommended for Math 7-1 but would like to pursue taking the course.

7. MS. REGINA TALENTO World Languages and Encore Classes

8. World Languages All students take a World Language in grade 7. Students will take Spanish or French depending what they chose to take in grade 6. The successful completion of a language in Grades 7 and 8 marks the completion of Spanish 1R or French 1R and allows students to take Spanish 2R or French 2R in grade 9.

9. Encore Classes The encore classes students take in Grade 7 are as follows: Art – Half Year/Alt. Day Technology – Half Year Physical Education – Full Year/Alt. Day General Music – Half Year/Alt. Day Family and Consumer Science– Half Year

10. Academic Intervention Services Academic Intervention Services (AIS): AIS Reading and/or AIS Math. Support is provided for all students that do not meet NYS Standards in the areas of math and reading. Students will be recommended for AIS based on multiple measures (Classroom grades, NYS Scores, SRI scores, etc.). This is traditionally taken in lieu of Art and General Music in grade 7.

11. Alternate ELA Course English 7R is an alternate ELA class some students take that need additional reading support. This course uses a program called Read 180. The goal of this course is to help support students that are reading significantly below grade level.

12. Special Education Services Students that have an IEP and receive support services may receive either Resource Room or an Integrated Co-Teaching Model Schedule. Students would receive a support period in lieu of Technology and Home and Careers.

13. Guidance Support in Grade Seven Ms. Valerie Zaffers Guidance Counselor

14. Academic Changes Increase in work load Content becoming more challenging More difficult for parents to assist with work More responsibility placed on the child Organization is critical

15. Social and Emotional Development Students are going through major changes during this time. Communication with parents often tends to decrease as peer groups become even more important to students. It is important that your child knows that there is an adult that they can talk to. Communication between home and school is critical.

16. Clubs and Activities There are a wide range of clubs for students to participate in. (See the list in the brochure) Clubs meet during zero period on Monday or Wednesday. Students are also now able to participate in interscholastic athletics in Grade 7.

17. Career Exploration Students will begin Career Exploration in collaboration with FACS (Family and Consumer Science).  Naviance  Used as a resource through High School  Use of Personality/Interest Inventories  Résumé Writing  Career Research  Career Café

18. Music Program Students can participate in the following performing groups in grade 7: Symphonic Orchestra Chorus Band Jazz Band

19. Question and Answer Session THANK YOU FOR COMING THIS EVENING!