Rising 6th Grade Scheduling Information

LCPS Middle School Program of Studies Both the Middle and High School Program of Studies are Located on LCPS Website. http://www.lcps.org/page/1910

Block Scheduling Language Arts Every Day Four Classes Per Day Classes Approximately 90 Minutes Each Semester Classes Music/Resource – Each 45 Minutes

6th Grade Required Courses Language Arts 6 US History 6 Science 6 Math Health & PE Resource / Fine Arts Elective Keyboarding / Art – Semester Classes

6th Grade Electives Pick 1 Fine Arts Elective Beginning Strings Chorus Beginning Band Beginning Strings Chorus Music Lab Instrument nights were held on February 1, 8, and 22.

Typical Middle School Math Progression Math 6 -> Math 7 -> Math 8 or Math 6 -> Math 7 -> Algebra 1 Accel Math 6/7-> Math 8 ->Algebra 1 Accel Math 6/7 -> Algebra 1 -> Geometry

Math Placement The LCPS mathematics office has developed an assessment aligned to the 5th grade content standards and process goals, and that anticipates mastery of the Math 6/7 content. This data from the new assessment serves as one of several criteria teachers and parents should consider in making recommendations for middle school mathematics course placement. Extra Support in Reading and Math for Identified Students

Math Placement Cont. The testing window was January 9-20. Other data points for math recommendations will be SOL scores, benchmarks, student study skills and independence, homework completion, and overall classroom performance. Double Block Math Math Placement letters were mailed home today, February 23.

Teacher Recommendations for English, Science and History I have spoken to all of our feeder elementary schools, and their teachers have made recommendations for next year’s placement in English, Science and History. Your child’s teacher in these subject areas will be making recommendations for Honors or Academic placement this month. You will be able to see these recommendations in StudentVue/ParentVue soon.

What happens next? Course request/recommendation letters will be coming home in Friday folders. If you would like to override a teacher recommendation, we would ask that you speak with your child’s teacher before making your change on course request letter and returning it to your current elementary school. The elementary schools will forward this information to Mrs. Mostero. You can make changes up until June 20, 2016. You will just need to notify Mrs. Mostero via e-mail. We will not be able to honor course request changes after this deadline.

Transitioning to Middle School What we have done so far: We have met with the elementary counselors. We have held our instrument nights. We have scheduled the dates Mr. Phillips and Mrs. Mostero will be visiting the elementary schools to discuss middle school scheduling with our rising 6th graders. We have scheduled the 6th grade visit to ERMS for early June.

What does 6th grade look like for next year? Next year we have students coming from: Hillside Mill Run Moorefield Station

ERMS to Visit Elementary School The Counselor and Principal will visit in the spring. April 17 – Mill Run @ 10:00 pm April 24 – Hillside @ 9:00 am April 24 – Moorefield Station @ 1:00 pm

Elementary Visits to ERMS June 1 – Moorefield Station @ 10:00 am June 2 – Mill Run @ 10:00 am June 5 – Hillside @ 10:00 am

Summer Transition Program Bridge to the Ridge Summer Transition Program Registration information will be coming home soon from your elementary school. The program addresses four components: social/emotion, time management, organization & study skills. Students are encouraged to sign up for one three day session, either morning or afternoon.

Bridge to the Ridge Dates 4 Sessions Available 8:30-11:30 July 31-Aug 2 12:30-3:30 July 31-Aug 2 8:30-11:30 August 7-9 12:30-3:30 August 7-9

Starting the 2016-2017 School Year Tentative - 6th Grade Orientation August 22, 2016 Students will have an orientation Receive their schedules if they have not already picked them up Attend all their classes Organize their lockers First Day of School – Thursday, August 24, 2017 All hands on deck to help 6th graders transition to middle school

Questions for the Group If you have individual questions or concerns, please reach out to me – Mrs. Gretchen Mostero