WELCOME TO SIXTH GRADE

GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER We will visit students at their elementary schools to discuss middle school and answer questions in February Students will visit, tour, see classes and have lunch with us on April 6th or 7th Summer conferences with sixth grade families PALS Day, August 31, 2017 Williamsburg Website

PREPARING FOR THE TRANSITION Having a middle schooler may change your schedule: the school day begins at 7:50. Lunch is earlier, either 10:36 or 10:53 depending on the day. There are only a few early release days. The middle school version of Extended Day is Check-in; pm only. There are many after school activities. Be sure to check out the Activities tab on our website

Your child will be making new friends from other schools (we have about 13 feeder schools). Your child will have seven classes and teachers which will require some new organizational demands. Think about how your child has made other transitions. Let us know of any concerns.

HOW WE PREPARE FOR THE NEW SIXTH GRADE We gather information from fifth grade teachers, 5th grade SOL and math placement test scores to help us place students in Math. We balance teams based on skill levels, as well as gender. Summer transition conferences. Plan PALS Day with sixth grade teachers.

You will receive team assignments and team supply lists in August You will receive team assignments and team supply lists in August. The supply lists will also be on the website. We will have schedules ready for PALS Day, Thursday, August 31, 2017

WHAT THE DAY LOOKS LIKE !New schedule for school year 2017-2018! Williamsburg will begin a new block schedule this year! Provide extended, uninterrupted class periods that will allow teachers to respond to various learning styles and reach deeper into content Provide active learning environments and allow for more hands-on, student –centered, technology infused activities Allow for Project Based Learning to provide a richer experiential learning

Students should plan to arrive at school by 7:35 Students should plan to arrive at school by 7:35. They begin their day at 7:50 Mondays students will begin their day in TA (homeroom) from 7:50 to 8:12 Tuesday thru Friday students will go directly to their 1st class that will last 83 minutes Tuesday thru Friday the 2nd block of the day will be Wolf Time

Wolf Time Flexible period in the day that will provide a variety of meaningful experiences Individual student needs can be addressed Additional time with individual teachers for support Elective lessons including social and academic support will also be available

Sixth graders have five core classes: US History, Civics and Economics to 1865 English Math; either Math 6 or Math 7 for 6th Graders Science Reading or Reading/Spanish (semester classes)

Students make one elective choice: Music Exploratory

Exploratory Rotation Students selecting the exploratory will spend 5-6 weeks in a rotation that may include: Visual Arts Theater Arts Technical Education Family and Consumer Science Keyboarding Journalism World Language Chorus

Music choices: Band (grouped by instrument) Orchestra Chorus

The school day ends at 2:24 There are after school activities on M, T, and Th in ASP (After School Period) 1 and ASP 2 Clubs and after school academic help take place during ASP 1 and/or ASP 2 from 2:30-4:15 Encourage your child to participate in at least one of the sports or extracurricular activities

Sports at Williamsburg Intramurals: Do not require a physical Every week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays during ASP 2 Drop in, no try outs Interscholastic: Students must have a current physical on file with the Activities Coordinator (after May 1st) Most sports require try outs

THOUGHTS AND ADVICE Adolescence is inevitable. The early adolescents we see in middle school can be exciting, frustrating, effortless or a battle, all in one day. Middle school is designed to work with these variables, at the same time maintaining rigorous academic standards.

LOOKING TOWARD HIGH SCHOOL As sixth graders your students will begin the academic planning process in the spring as we plan for seventh grade. Seventh grades students can take high school courses for credit. Next year when we meet we will talk about diploma options and how the foreign language choice that can be made in seventh grade aligns with diploma requirements. Some students will also take Algebra I Intensified for high school credit in the 7th grade. High school diploma options are described in the Middle School Program of Studies.

Counselors: Director: 6th Grade: Ms. Flynn and Ms. Schaefer 7th Grade: Ms. Boyers and Mr. Caldwell 8th Grade: Mr. Tuttle Director: Ms. Rittenhouse