1. Dowell Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Parent Presentation
March 16, 2015

2. Principal – Alan Arbabi
Administrative Team
Principal – Alan Arbabi
Alpha A-L
Sara Kriesel-Hall,
Assistant Principal
Courtney Starnes, Counselor
Pamela Coats,
Secretary
Alpha M-Z
Holly Rogers,
Assistant Principal
Rayshana Adams,
Counselor
Kim Oberlander,
Secretary

3. Goals for Tonight
Information on selection of academic and elective courses.
Questions well be answered individually at the end.

4. Materials Review Course Selection Sheet Course Descriptions

5. Materials Review Registration Form Course Description Guide (On Line)
School Health Form (7th Grade only)
Both English and Spanish are available.

6. Parent Information E mail Distribution List Web Site:
www:mckinneyisd.net/evans
Teacher web sites
Progress Reports (Every 3 weeks)
Report Cards (Every 9 weeks)
Home Access Center

7. 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

8. What’s New For Students?
Additional State testing (STAAR)
More Academic Courses Selections
Additional Elective Courses
Extra curricular activities/Clubs

9. STAAR Testing at Middle School
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
Eighth Grade
Reading
Writing
Math
Science
Social Studies

10. 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.

11. 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)

12. 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.

13. 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

14. Pre AP Academic Profile
Consistently make high A’s in on-level mathematics in the prior grades.
Is willing to work hard, complete all assignments on time, and a conscientious student.
Is ready to commit to a course sequence leading to AP courses in High School

15. Pre AP Academic Profile
Seeks help when needed.
Is well organized.
Teacher recommendation from previous grade.

16. Personal Guidelines for Pre AP
Reading at or above grade level.
Strong study skills.
Able to handle a more rapid pace of instruction.
Strong work ethic (self discipline to plan, organize, and complete tasks)
Personal interest in subject.

17. Other things to Consider
Students can still take an AP course in high school even if they do not take Algebra 1 in middle school.
A mathematics course in the 12th grade is crucial for bridging into college without a loss of skills. Students who take Algebra 1 in the 8th grade are strongly encouraged to take a math course in the 12th grade.

18. Math Curriculum Sequence
Grade
Core
Pre AP
6th
6th Grade TEKS
6th and 7th Grade TEKS
7th
7th Grade TEKS
8th Grade TEKS
Students take the MAP Test at the end of 7th grade for
recommendation of 8th grade math course placement.
8th
Per AP Math
Algebra 1
9th
Algebra1
Geometry
10th
Algebra 2
11th
Pre Calculus
12th
Algebra 3 or
Statistics
Calculus or

19. Other Levels of Courses
ESL: None or Limited English speakers.
Special Education: Continuum of services.
Gifted and Talented: Identified GT students.

20. 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

21. Typical 7th and 8th Grade Day
ELAR (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.

22. Physical Education Requirement
Every 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.

23. MISD Physical Information
McKinney Boyd H.S.*
McKinney High School
McKinney North H.S.
April 18, 2015
Registration from
7:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
$20 Cash Only
April 25, 2015
9 A.M. – 12 P.M.
May 27, 2013
2:30 P.M. – 5 P.M.
Date of Exam Must be After April 1, 2013
* EKG’s will be available at MHS and North for an additional charge of $15.

24. 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.

25. Elective Choices: 7th Grade
PE, Athletics or Cheer
Journalism
Art 1 or Art 2
Orchestra
Band
Teen Leadership
Choir
Yearbook (application required)
Drama
Inventions and Innovations

26. Elective Choices: 8th Grade
PE, Athletics or Cheer
Concepts of Engineering
Art 2 or Art 3
Journalism
Band
Orchestra
Choir
PALS (application required)
Drama
Yearbook (application required)
Principles of IT & Principles of AAVTC

27. 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

28. AVID/PALS There is a process in place to qualify for these courses.
Students fill out the application.
An interview is held.
The criteria is reviewed by the committee to see if the student qualifies.
AVID: Wendy Dutton
PALS: Tiffany Lowry

29. Need More Information? Band Directors – Brittney Williams, Matt McCann
Choir Directors – Lindsay Barnes and John Nurge
Orchestra Director – Christina Foster and Lindsay Ferrell
Coaches – Donnie Cain and Crissy McGraw
Cheer – Lonea Gilbert and Bonnie Goodwin
Drill Team – Allison Pierron

30. 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?

31. Communication is Key MISD GO App Home Access Center (HAC)
Progress Reports & Report Cards
Dowell website:
Teacher websites/ s
Mr. Arbabi weekly s
Dowell Facebook page and Twitter feed

32. Schedule pick up will be August 2015.
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.