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 the first week in February. There will be a make up night on March 15, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 at ERMS.

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 February 8-12. Teachers will be receiving the results in late February. 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

Teacher Recommendations for English, Science and History All Middle School core subject teachers in LCPS are making 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 early March. 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 Mr. Sharp, 6th grade counselor. You can make changes up until June 23, 2016. You will just need to notify either Mrs. Mostero or Mr. Sharp 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 Mr. Sharp 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 Creighton’s Corner (approximately 30) Discovery (approximately 12)

ERMS to Visit Elementary School The Counselor and Principal will visit in the spring. April 13 – Mill Run @ 9:00 pm April 11 – Moorefield Station @ 1:00 am April 14 – Creighton’s Corner @ 9:00 am April 11 – Hillside @ 9:00 am Discovery parents are welcome to bring their student to the Creighton’s Corner event.

Elementary Visits to ERMS June 8 – Hillside @ 9:00 am June 8 – Mill Run @ 9:00 am June 9 – Moorefield Station, Discovery & Creighton’s Corner @ 9:00 am

Summer Transition Program Bridge to the Ridge Summer Transition Program Registration information will be coming home in the late spring 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.

Bridge to the Ridge Dates 4 Sessions Available 9:00-11:30 August 2-4 1:00-3:30 August 2-4 9:00-11:30 August 9-11 1:00-3:30 August 9-11

Starting the 2016-2017 School Year Tentative - 6th Grade Orientation August 25, 2016 Students will have an orientation Receive their schedules Attend all their classes Organize their lockers 1st Week of school 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 your grade level counselor via email or by calling the school. 6th Grade Counselor – Mr. Gary Sharp You may also contact me – Mrs. Gretchen Mostero