1. Planning for 2015-2016 Bush Middle School

2. Bush Counselors Counselors are assigned based on students’ last names. A-FMrs. Sandoval (esando2@neisd.net) G-NMrs. Wendorf (swendo@neisd.net) O-Z Mr. Ansley (mansle@neisd.net) Counseling Office: 210-356-2961

3. Open Access to Rigorous Courses Pre-Advanced Placement courses in middle school are available to any students willing to take on the academic challenges Students wishing to rank in the top 10% of their high school class need to pursue rigorous academic courses to prepare for high school

4. College & Career Readiness NEISD has an initiative to ensure that after high school, all students are prepared to enter  A four-year college or university  A junior or community college  A trade or technical school  The military or  The workforce Taking rigorous courses in middle school prepares students for college and career course work in high school.

5. Success in High School Requires Planning Preparation for high school success and rigor requires students to  Take rigorous middle school courses  Develop meaningful goals  Learn and utilize strong study habits  Plan for the future

6. Graduation Requirements Foundation HS Program With Endorsement(s) Students in the state of Texas are required  To earn 26 credits to graduate  To take four years of Math, Science, and English to graduate  To take three years of Social Studies to graduate

7. What Does This Mean in Middle School Preparation through rigorous foundation courses is important in 6 th – 8 th grades GT students will still be in a separate program, but the curriculum is aligned with the high school requirements in mind

8. Course Selection Process Students and parents will have opportunities to carefully examine course offerings. 6 th grade students’ choice sheets are due back to their science teacher by Wednesday, February 4th. 7 th grade students’ choice sheets are due back to their science teacher by Friday, February 6th.

9. 7 th and 8 th Grade Courses 5 academic courses PE (4 semesters in middle school: a semester each year with 1 full year of PE) Maximum of 3 electives AIM is highly recommended Remember: 1 semester of a fine art required by the state of Texas, but NEISD recommends 1 full year or 2 semesters of a fine art

10. Pre-Ap English Pre-Ap English is a challenging course that requires a parent and student signature on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form Pre-AP English must be taken with Advanced Contemporary Literacy (ACL) It is strongly recommended that you consult with your child’s English teacher.

11. Advanced Contemporary Literacy (A.C.L.) Advanced Contemporary Literacy is offered in 7 th and 8 th grades. Any student may enroll in this class, but it is strongly advised that you consult with your A.C.L. or reading teacher. A parent signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form. ACL must be taken with Pre-AP English.

12. Pre-AP Math Pre-AP Math is pre-algebra in the 7 th grade and algebra I in 8 th grade Pre-AP math must be taken in 7 th grade in order to take algebra I in 8 th grade These are advanced courses A parent signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form It is strongly recommended that you consult with your child’s math teacher.

14. Electives 8 period day Choose 5 electives and rate them 1-5 Go over course descriptions

16. AIM This class is designed as an enrichment opportunity for students to review academic concepts, seek assistance in solving academic problems, promote independent skills in time management and learn strategies for success such as vocabulary development, agenda use, binder organization, goal setting and character education.

17. Band, Choir and Orchestra 7 th and 8 th grade Band, Choir and Orchestra are a continuation of the 6 th grade program. Year long fine art electives These classes are for students who are dedicated to Band, Choir or Orchestra

18. Semester Theatre Arts This fine art course is for the student learning the fundamentals of theatre arts This is a semester course

19. Theatre Arts II Year long theatre arts is for the 7 th grade student who is interested and dedicated to learning about theatre Theatre arts I is a pre-requisite Counts as a fine art

20. Theatre Arts III Theatre Arts II is required to participate in Theatre Arts III in 8th grade This is a year long fine art course

21. Debate A semester or year long course Open to all grade levels Excellent reading and writing skills Debate does not count as a fine art

22. Art I Art I is a semester long fine art course designed for the student to learn the fundamentals of art. This course is available to 7 th and 8 th grade students. There is a separate course for 6 th grade students.

23. Art II Art II is a semester or year long fine art course This course is available to 7 th and 8 th grade students Prerequisite is Art I Students develop advanced art skills in the Art II course

24. Art III Art III is a semester or year long fine art course This course is available to 8 th grade students only Prerequisite is Art I and Art II Students taking the Art III course have a passion for art and have advanced art skills

25. Athletics After school participation Open to all 7th and 8th graders with passing grades Coaches signature required Athletics is a year long elective Counts as a PE credit Contract

26. Pre AP Courses Offered in 7 th Grade Pre AP Math Pre AP English and ACL must be taken together ** A parent and student signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form.

27. Pre AP Courses Offered in 8 th Grade Pre AP Math (Algebra I) Pre AP English and ACL must be taken together Pre AP Science Pre AP American History ** A parent and student signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form.

28. Office/Teacher Aides 8 th Grade Elective Office/Teacher Aide classes are semester or year long courses Pick up application in counseling office. Fill out completely Turn in with choice sheet, staple to back

29. PALS: 8 th Grade Only Application comes later in the year Sign up for another elective now PALS is a year long course

30. Subject 6 th Grade 7 th Grade 8 th Grade English/ Reading Reg/RegorPreAP/GT&ACLReg/RegorPreAP/GT&ACLReg/RegorPreAP/GT&ACL MathPreAPGTRegularPreAPGTRegularPreAPGT Science & Social Studies RegularRegularRegularPreAP

32. High School Credit Courses for 7 th and 8 th Grade Students Principles of Arts, Audio Video Technology, and Communications (0.5 credit) Principles of Manufacturing (0.5 credit) Spanish IA (7 th Grade) and Spanish IB (8 th Grade) (1.0 credit for both courses)

33. High School Credit Courses for 8th Grade Students Only Concepts of Engineering and Technology (0.5 credit) Health (0.5 credit) Spanish IA (7 th Grade) and Spanish IB (8 th Grade) (1.0 credit for both courses) Spanish I Algebra I PreAP Algebra I PreAP/GT

34. STAAR Reading and STAAR Math Schedule changes due to STAAR scores Students will be placed in a class for help with STAAR Remember: DO YOUR BEST!!

35. Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions on concerns. Thank you so much for your attendance tonight! Mrs. Sandoval, Mrs. Wendorf, and Mr. Ansley