1. Class of 2016 Eighth Grade Parent and Student Orientation
August 23—25, 2011
Miller Middle School
Ms. Lakeshia Williams, Counselor

2. Guide to a Successful 8th Grade Year Transition to High School
AGENDA
Welcome
Inspiration
Guide to a Successful 8th Grade Year
Transition to High School
8th Grade Educational and Cultural Activities
Question/Answer Session
Welcome parents
State purpose as to discuss the 8th graders’ transition to high school and the processes that will be forthcoming in the Spring
Our agenda is as follows for this evening… (review agenda)

3. Guide to A Successful 8th Grade Year

4. Attendance
Georgia Law requires all students attend school from their sixth birthday to their 16th birthday.
Student attendance has a profound impact on your child’s academic and scholastic achievement.
Each student is expected to be in school everyday except when illness, injury, or some situation beyond their control prevents their attendance.

5. Student absences are categorized as excused or unexcused.
When a student reaches 7 unexcused absences, a report will be made to the Office of School Social Services.
Students in grades K-8 who exceed 10 or more unexcused absences in a school year will not be promoted to the next grade level.
There are also court related penalties for continued unexcused absences.

6. Hospital Homebound
If a student will miss ten days of school for a medical or health related illness or condition, a student may qualify for hospital homebound services.
Medical documentation must be provided.
Students will be considered as present when they complete 3 hours of instruction per week with a certified hospital homebound instructor.

7. Dress Code Dress Code Highlights
Shoes: Only black or white tennis shoes with plain white socks can be worn, white or black soft soled shoes, plain white socks.
Jewelry: Gold or silver, pendants and earrings no larger than a quarter.
Belts: Only black or brown belts

8. Academics Language Arts Science Social Studies Math
All academic course are based on the Georgia Performance Standards.

9. Student Achievement

10. Student Achievement Response to Intervention (RTI):
Tier One: Standards Based Classroom
All students participate in general education learning activities that include:
Universal Screenings
Implementation of GPS through class structure
Differentiated Instruction
Progress monitoring through multiple formative assessments

11. Student Achievement Response to Intervention (RTI):
Tier Two: Needs Based Learning
Targeted students participate in learning that if different by including:
Standard intervention protocol process for identifying and providing research based interventions based on need
Progress monitoring

12. Student Achievement Response to Intervention (RTI):
Tier Three: SST-Driven Learning
Targeted students participate in learning that if different by including:
Intensive formalized problem solving to identify individual student needs
Targeted research based interventions tailored to individual needs.
Frequent progress monitoring and analysis of student response to interventions.

13. Student Achievement Response to Intervention (RTI):
Tier Four: Specially Designed Learning
In addition to Tiers 1-3, targeted students participate in:
Specialized programs, methodologies, or instructional deliveries.
Greater frequency of progress monitoring of student response to interventions.
IEP: (Individual Education Program)

14. Students with Disabilities
A 504 Plan will provide legal modifications for disabled students who do not fit the criteria for Special Education Services.
A student who may need services under a 504 Plan is a student who:
Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, but not limited to: reading, thinking, concentrating, and communicating.
Has a record of such impairment; or
Is regarded as having such impairment.

15. Example of Accommodations
Classroom: Preferential Seating
Assignments: Reduction in assignments
Homework: Modify assignments
Testing: Extended time
Behavioral: Monitor self management plan
Non-Academic Activities: Modify requirements for class field trips.

16. Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Each child who receives special education services must have an IEP which
Is individualized
creates an opportunity for everyone to work together to improve educational results for children with disabilities.
is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with a disability.

17. 8th Grade Promotion Requirements
In order to be promoted to 9th grade, a student must
Pass Language and Math
Not fail two classes
Score 800 or higher on the Reading/Language Arts and Math CRCT.
The Year of Excellence
Our expectation is that our students exceed and make an 850 or higher.

18. This standard is found in ALL subject areas.
25 Book Requirement
Reading Across the Curriculum
The student reads a minimum of 25 grade level appropriate books or the minimum of 1,000,000 words per year from a variety of subject disciplines.
These books are to include:
Informational and fictional texts
Various Genres and Modes of Discourse
Technical Writing
This standard is found in ALL subject areas.

19. Testing/Assessment Schedules
8th Grade Writing Test
January 18, 2012
CRCT Testing Dates:
April 9—20, 2012
Gifted Testing:
April 23—May 11, 2012

20. Proctors are Needed for the CRCT
If you are interested in proctoring for the CRCT, please let us know.

21. After School Program
Miller Middle School has its very own after school program.
Hours: 3:00—6:00
Instructors: Certified Teachers
Enrichment Activities and Hands on Learning
Registration Fee: $25
Weekly Tuition: $45
For more information please contact:
Mrs. Olena Stadnick-Floore (478)

22. Transition to High School

23. B.R.I.D.G.E Bill/ HB 400
Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia’s Economy
Purpose : Increase the graduation rate and increase post—secondary enrollment rate.
Graduation Rate: 78.9% (2009)
The Bridge Act will:
Help students and parents work together to enhance their child’s education to reach their goals and dream career.
Will provide GA with a qualified pool of workers to attract stable companies and industries.

24. B.R.I.D.G.E Bill/ HB 400
Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia’s Economy
Students in grades 6—8 shall be provided counseling, advisement, career awareness, career interest inventories, and information to assist them in evaluating their academic skills and career interests.
Advisement for students in grades 6-12.
GA College 411

25. Bridge and Your 8th Grader
Before the end of 2nd Semester, you and your 8th grade student along with the counselor will complete an Individual Graduation Plan that includes:
Rigorous academic core subjects focused in:
Mathematics or science
Humanities or Fine Arts
Sequenced Career Pathway Coursework
This plan will focus on the completion of a specific career goal.
The plan will be informed by the student, the student’s interest inventory results, the student’s career aspirations and post high school options, aptitude, and future job market analysis.

26. Career Pathway
A career pathway is established to help students align their academic and career studies to better prepare them for graduation, post-secondary education, and career opportunities.
Examples of career pathways include performing arts, visual arts, journalism, computing, therapeutic services--nursing, law and justice, construction, marketing and management, flight operations, small business development

27. Magnet School Application Process
Typically takes place late in the second semester. Students must apply to attend a magnet high school.
Central High School: Fine Arts/ IB
Northeast High School: Health Sciences
Southwest High School: Law Academy
Westside High School: Engineering and Mathematics
Hutchings Career Center: Mechanics, Culinary Arts, Flight Aviation
Attend the January th Grade Parent Meeting for More Information on the Magnet Schools

28. High School Registration Process
All current 8th Graders will:
Participate in the Georgia College 411 survey of career interests
Tour the high school and learn about available programs
Receive important information about high school
Meet with counselors and parents to finalize Individual Graduation Plan
Bibb County Schools: School Year

29. Bibb County Schools: 2009-2010 School Year
New Graduation Rule
Rule /
Students entering 9th grade on or after July 1, 2011, no longer must take the GHSGT to receive a high school diploma.
The EOCT will account for 20% of a students final grade.
Students must pass all required courses including those with EOCT.
Bibb County Schools: School Year

30. EOCT Mathematics Social Studies Science: English/ Language Arts
Mathematics I: Algebra/ Geometry/ Statistics
Mathematics II: Geometry/ Algebra II/ Statistics
Social Studies
United States History
Economics/ Business/ Free Enterprise
Science:
Biology
Physical Science
English/ Language Arts
Ninth Grade Literature and Composition
American Literature and Composition

31. Dual Education Programs
Programs where high school students can earn college level credit.
Advanced Placement (AP): Successful completion will earn college level credit at University System of Georgia institutions.
International Baccalaureate (IB):
Offers a challenging two year curriculum that can earn a student college credit.

32. Dual Academic Credit
Dual Academic Credit (Accel): Non need based program offered to high school students who wish to take college level (academic-only, degree only) coursework for credit toward both high school and college graduation requirements.

33. Advanced Academy of Georgia
A residential, early entrance to college program located at the University of West Georgia. Students live in campus housing.
For high ability high school aged students who are interested in accelerating their academic careers.
Students have the opportunity to earn concurrent high school and college credit in a residential setting.
Many students go one to pursue advanced degrees in medicine, law, engineering, and liberal arts.

34. Advanced Academy of Georgia
Admissions
1150 Composite minimum on SAT
25 Composite minimum on ACT
3.5 GPA
Interview Process
This program specifically is designed for GIFTED, TALENTED, and MOTIVATED students.
ACCEL program will pay for a portion of tuition, books, and fees. (Remaining balance after ACCEL payment: $3, 984) Merit based scholarships are available.

35. The Georgia Academy of Mathematics, Engineering, and Science
Early college entrance program created in 1997 and located at Middle Georgia College in Cochran.
Admissions Requirements:
SAT: 1100, GPA: 3.5, ACT:24, Good disciplinary history
Interviews, Maturity, and References
Students experience a college level program and live on campus and are given similar status as traditional students.
At the completion of the program, students earn an Associates Degree and High School Diploma.

36. Move on When Ready
Move on When Ready (MOWR): Students can begin their college career early and earn both a high school diploma and college credit.
For public high school students only.
MOWR students cannot take classes at the high school.
Tuition (for 12 hours per semester), mandatory fees, and materials are paid. Books also if funds are available.
Last year, 500 Georgia students participated in MOWR.

37. College Credit Now
For questions about the dual enrollement programs, please contact:
Gary Mealer
Jackie Melendez

38. New Bibb County Graduation Requirements
English
4 Units
Math
Science
Social Studies
Health/Physical Education
1 Unit
Computer Applications
Computer Tech, Fine Arts, or Foreign Language
3 Units minimum
Electives
7 Units
TOTAL
28 Units
Bibb County Schools: School Year

39. 8th Grade Educational and Cultural Activities

40. 8th Grade Activities College Exploration Year Book Signing Party
Official 8th Grade Field Trip: May 2, 2012
Awards Night for 8th Grade: May 21, 2012
8th Grade Picnic: May 23, 2012
8th Grade Formal Dance: TBA

41. 8th Grade Activity Fee The 8th Grade Activity Fee includes:
Official Class of 2016 T-Shirt
8th Grade Formal Dance
8th Grade Educational Field Trip to Savannah
8th Grade Picnic
8th Grade College Exploration
2011—2012 Official Miller Mustang Yearbook
8th Grade Pictures

42. Activity Fee $130 includes all 8th grade activities… Installment Plan:
October 3: $30
November 1: $25
January 9: $25
February 1: $25
March 1: $25
Parents may decide at their discretion whether or not their child will participate in these activities.

43. Bibb County Schools: 2009-2010 School Year
Questions and Answers
Capture all parent questions in the space above. Use additional slides of needed.
Bibb County Schools: School Year