1. Gulf Middle School Welcome Incoming 6 th graders 2015- 2016 Course Registration Information

2. Welcome to the 2015-2016 GMS school year! The information presented is for students and parents to provide input for student schedules. Students will use this information to fill out course cards that are due back to 5 th grade teachers on Friday, March 13, 2015.

3. Middle School Promotion Requirements: Middle school students are required to successfully complete three years of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, as well as a course in career and education planning in order to be promoted to grade 9 [F.S. 1003.4156].

4. Advanced Coursework: Courses will be rigorous and may require projects, writing assignments and work outside of class time. Placement is determined by elementary teacher recommendation based on previous student performance, Level 4 or 5 on FCAT 2.0 Reading and/or Math, and completion of prerequisite courses. Students will receive an Advanced Coursework Parent/ Student Agreement letter from their 5 th grade teachers that need to be signed and returned by March 31 st.

5. Gaming and Simulation Career Academy: We are excited to begin offering new electives this year that will link to the Academy at Gulf High! If this is an area of interest for you, please consider selecting the semester Business Keyboarding course in 6 th grade!

6. All students are required to take one semester of Physical Education in middle school every year (Senate Bill 610). If choosing a yearlong course (Band, Chorus, Drama, or Dance) a PE waiver is required to be completed by the parent. Completing a PE waiver does not guarantee class placement or that the student will not have PE (waiver may depend upon class space availability). Physical Education Requirement:

7. Language Arts Math Comprehensive Science World History Reading 1 Semester of PE

8. Intensive Reading class Intensive Reading is mandatory for all students who score a level 1 or 2 on the FCAT reading and are not meeting minimum Reading requirements. Students not meeting minimum Reading requirements will automatically be scheduled in an additional Intensive Reading class instead of their elective course.

9. Course Cards In addition to required classes, students will request an elective class. Select one Semester class or one Year-long elective class from the following list for your first choice, and then pick two alternate choices. PE and Culinary (1 semester of each) PE and Business Keyboarding (1 semester of each) Full year Drama Full year Band Full year Chorus Full year Dance

10. Making your choices: Use the course card you get from your 5 th grade teacher to help you make your elective choices. Rank order your elective choices from 1 – 3 so you will have alternate selections. We’ll try to put you into your 1 st choice but there is no guarantee. If you do not return a course card with your choices, we will pick an elective class for you!

11. Please remember these dates: 6 th grade Open House for parents and students March 12 th 6:00-7:00 Cafeteria: Administrator, Fine Arts presentations 7:00-7:30 Visit 6 th grade classrooms Feeder Elementary Schools visit RRMS March 11 th 10:30 – 12:30 Richey & Locke March 12 th 10:30 – 12:30 Anclote, Cotee, Marlowe

12. Finally: Talk with your parents about your elective choices after your visit to GMS. Have your parents sign your Course Card, and turn it in to your 5 th grade teacher on Friday! Go Bucs! Dream It, Own It, Live It!