twitter.com/ecms twitter.com/ecms 1

Dr. Shelly Yarbrough Principal Ron Kroetz Assistant Principal Dr. Joann Ferrara-Genao Student Advisor Amanda VanderVeen Counselor Susanna Mruz Counselor 2

BEFORE starting El Cerrito Middle School…  Please make sure you provide the school with your student’s immunization records which should include proof of TDAP.  California state law AB354 states: All students entering 7 th through 12 th grades need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (TDAP) BEFORE STARTING school.  You can give proof of TDAP immunization to your current CNUSD elementary school. 3

 Professional Learning Community  Pre-AP Program  Standards-Based Instruction  Single Track School  136 Accelerated Sixth Grade Students  1200 Estimated Student Population  Interdisciplinary Teams  Block Schedule 4

SWAG | School-Wide Achievement Goals  High level of achievement on state testing.  Perform in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) in each area of the California Physical Fitness Test.  Achieve 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher with no D’s or F’s.  Maintain 97% attendance, which includes not being tardy to class.  Earn Citizenship grades that are Satisfactory or Outstanding. Standards for Participation in School- Wide Events  Achieve a 2.0 GPA or higher with no D’s or F’s.  Maintain Satisfactory attendance, which includes not being tardy to class. Satisfactory attendance means missing less than 5% of the total amount of school days, which is approximately three days per trimester.  Earn Citizenship grades that are Satisfactory or Outstanding 5

The registration packet is available on the school website Download and Print ….Beginning March 8!!! Return your completed registration packets to your teacher by March 22, 2016!!!! All packets must be complete and include both student and parent signatures. No loose papers will be accepted. No loose papers will be accepted. 6

1. Math 2. Language Arts 3. Science 4. History 5. Success for School 6. Physical Education 7. Elective OR Mastery Class Elective Options Elective Core - Trimester rotation Band - Yearlong course Choir - Yearlong course Mastery Classes Math Language Arts General Education or Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) 7

 Pre-AP is not a prerequisite for AP courses is preparation  It is preparation for courses such as: AP, Honors, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Accelerated Pre-AP prepares students  …for rigorous coursework in high school and beyond  …to work towards developing strong  …for college and career skills 8

ECMS Pre–AP 9

Pre-AP Courses  Are Optional  Designed for academically talented and highly motivated students  Competitive cumulative grade point average (GPA) and demonstrate a strong commitment to learning.  Challenged in classes: rigorous assignments, greater depth, inquiry, analysis, research–based strategies, critical thinking, problem solving, and mastery.  Select one or more subject: Language Arts, History, and Science 10

Pre-AP Courses  Math placement is based on ability. Per District Policy: Students will be placed in their math class based on district criteria.  Student progress will be evaluated each trimester for mastery accelerated  Grade level standards at an accelerated pace. Accelerated Pre-AP Program  All  All core subjects: Language Arts, History, Science, Math (math placement is based on ability per district policy) 11

All Students  Participate in approximately 5 hrs./week  Use a P.E. locker  Dress out 2 block days and no dress on minimum day  Weekly homework exercise logs  Use ECMS Student Planner  Academic Vocabulary  Target Heart Rate (THR)  CA State Fitness Testing  Assessments on fitness, vocabulary, THR etc.  Homework 12

A Three Electives will be randomly selected for you each year.  Life Management  Technology  Performing Arts  Visual Arts  Music appreciation B You may select one Year-long Elective for the school year.  Band Beginning Intermediate/Advanced Strings/Orchestra  Choir  AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination 13

El Cerrito Middle School 7 th Grade Course Selection Sheet INSTRUCTIONS: Select one course in each. If Pre-AP choice is selected in any subject a Pre-AP Application and Contract will need to be completed and submitted along with a Teacher Recommendation Form. Courses will not be scheduled if documents are missing or incomplete. ______________________________________________________________________________ LANGUAGE ARTS _____Language Arts _____ Pre-AP Language Arts _____________________________________________________________________________ MATHEMATICS Math Course (CCSS Math 7, CCSS Math 7 Accelerated) Per District Policy: Students will be placed in their math class based on district criteria. _____________________________________________________________________________ SCIENCE _____Introduction to Life Science _____Pre-AP Introduction to Life Science _____________________________________________________________________________ HISTORY _____ World History _____Pre-AP World History _____________________________________________________________________________ ELECTIVE Course descriptions _____The Elective Rotation: includes three courses, one per trimester _____Band (yearlong elective) ___Beginning ___Intermediate/Advanced ___ Strings / Orchestra _____ Choir (yearlong elective) _____ AVID (yearlong elective) 14

School Library Open on school days Monday – Friday 7 am – 3 pm Parents MUST enter through the school office and sign in. Community Library Closed Fridays Monday – Thursday 3 pm – 7 pm 15

(WEB) Where Everybody Belongs (WEB)  Peer Assistant Leadership (PAL)  Associated Student Body (ASB)  Yearbook (YBK)  National Junior Honors Society (NJHS)  Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Students Stay Connected!!! 16

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WEB leader responsibilities include:  Tours for incoming 7th graders during elementary school visits  A Tutoring program that assists with organization and academics  Academic Follow-ups for students below a 3.0 GPA at end of trimesters  WEB Alerts – students that need academic, citizenship, or attendance mentoring from WEB leaders  Lunch time activities and more… 21

 Club Live  Intermediate Schools Sports League  Cage Club  Scrapbook  Humane Club  Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Start a club With 4 friends and 1 teacher!!! 22

 Long Beach State  Harvard University  Berkeley College 23

 University of California, Los Angeles  University of Southern California  University of Oregon 24

School Planner School Planner  Develop a habit of using planner daily  Review planner for information  List important dates: tests, papers, project dates, end of grading periods, and three week progress reports  Manage planner for block days  Parent signature on planner weekly 25

Study Tips  Have a quiet place to study  Prioritize, make lists, use index cards  Study minutes at a time, take a break and repeat if necessary.  Identify a study-buddy Useful Facts Useful Facts  Many teachers have websites located under “Teacher Sites” on ECMS website homepage  Access the ECMS website for information and updates such as “Back to School Night” and “Open House”. Two great events! 26

Organization  Back Pack Moderate size Clean out at home weekly  Binder Label one section for each class Clean out after each unit Save information needed for tests 27

Progress Reports  Computer generated grade reports for all classes  Issued every three weeks  Given to student during their 5 th period class  Parent signature required  Opportunity to stay informed 28

Parent ~ Student ~ School Communication  Check your student’s planner for notes and updates from teachers  Look for the three week progress reports  Contact teachers with questions about grades  Parent conferences may be scheduled with the teachers  Visit our website, like our Facebook, and follow us on twitter  Use your password to go on Q Parent Connect and view your student’s grades.  Students & Parents should view grades together and have a conversation about school! 29

 Parents currently using Q Parent Connect may continue use at the middle school  Parents new to CNUSD or the ECMS boundary can request instructions on Q Parent Connect after the beginning of the new school year in August, 2016  If you have questions or concerns please call ECMS at

Mon – Tues – Thurs – Fri Block Periods Breakfast 7:10 - 7:40 Warning 7:40 - 7:45 Per 1/2 7:45 - 9:20 Per 3/4 9:25 -11:00 Lunch A 11:00 -11:35 Per 5A 11:05 -11:55 Lunch B 11:55 -12:30 Per 5B 11:40 -12:30 Per 6/7 12:35 - 2:10 Dismissal 2:10 pm Wednesday – Early Release Breakfast 7:10 - 7:40 Warning Bell 7:40 - 7:45 Per 1 7:45 - 8:20 Per 2 8:25 - 9:00 Per 3 9:05 - 9:40 Per 4 9:45 -10:20 Lunch A 10:20 -10:55 Per 5A 10:25 -11:15 Lunch B 11:15 -11:50 Per 5B 11:00 -11:50 Per 6 11:55 -12:30 Per 7 12:35 -1:10 Dismissal 1:10 pm 31

 Tacos – Shredded Pork  Pizza Hut pepperoni & cheese  Cheeseburgers  Miguels Burritos bean & cheese/ rice, bean & cheese  Rice bowls teriyaki  Wraps Honey Mustard Turkey Buffalo Chicken  Salads  Spicy chicken sandwich  Spaghetti 32

 Breakfast – $ 1.75 Muffins, Pillsbury mini bagel, chicken & waffle, juice, milk, & fresh fruit (milk & juice days vary)  Lunch $3.50 main entrée…with milk, fresh fruit, french-fries (1 day a week), & veggie daily!  Entrée with water $3.50 /without water $3.00  $2.50… pizza slice, teriyaki bowl, burrito, spaghetti  $.75 … cookie & $.50… juice All students qualified for free and reduced meal prices must submit a new application for middle school in July! On-line application available after July 5 CNUSDnutrition.com You will receive a response within 10 business days. Call child if you have questions. 33

 All CNUSD discipline policies and procedures will be enforced.  Go to for more details on the CNUSD Safe Schools Notification.  ECMS dress code policy is located in the student planner and on the school website  ECMS has School-wide student Safe School Assemblies throughout the year!  Thank you in advance for your assistance and support with these matters. 34

 Orientation day is in August Date to be determined.  Information will be mailed home in June/July.  School phone message broadcasts are on Sunday’s at 5:00 pm.  On orientation day you have an opportunity to purchase an ASB discount card and PE clothes, get a preliminary schedule, tour the campus and much more. 35

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