R.C. Loflin Middle School 7th Grade Parent Meeting February 1, 2016

R.C. Loflin Middle School “The Key is ME” Damon Patterson, Principal Lauren Hiser, 7th Grade Counselor Amber White, 7th Grade Assistant Principal

Course Selections Mrs. Hiser will visit elementary campuses to explain 7th grade Course Selection Forms to 6th grade students. Staples—Tuesday, February 2nd at 9:00 A.M. Elder—Tuesday, February 2nd at 1:00 P.M. Plum Creek—Wednesday, February 3rd at 10:45 A.M. North Joshua – Wednesday, February 3rd at 1:00 P.M. Caddo – Thursday, February 4th at 2:00 P.M. If your student is absent on the day Mrs. Hiser visits your student’s elementary campus, Mrs. Hiser will leave extra copies of 7th grade Course Selection Forms with your child’s 6th grade homeroom teacher. All 7th grade Course Selection Forms are due to the student’s homeroom teacher by Friday, February 12th. Mrs. Hiser will enter the course selections into the computer the following week.

Required Courses General & Honors Math Science Social Studies ELA (double-blocked) General & Honors Math Science Social Studies Technology Physical Education Athletics PE

Elective Courses Art (1/2) Band* (1) Choir (1) General Music (1/2) Theater (1/2) Photojournalism **(1) *Requires Band teacher signature **limited class size

Athletics “Participating in the athletic program is a privilege and we encourage all to participate. However, if during the participation of athletics a student chooses not to follow the JISD Athletic Code of Conduct or prohibits instruction to other participants, that student may be removed from the athletic program.” ….Joshua ISD Athletic Code of Conduct Boys Athletics Football Basketball Track Cross Country Girls Athletics Volleyball *Students are encouraged to participate and/or try out for at least 2 sports. **IMPORTANT* Physicals must be completed and turned into the trainer the first week of school or your student’s schedule will be changed out of athletics to P.E.

Gifted & Talented Honors English Honors Math Honors Science Students qualifying for GT services are served by being enrolled in at least one Honors class at LMS. Honors English Honors Math Honors Science Students do not go to the GT center at the secondary level.

Honors Courses Honors eligibility is based on : The student earning a grade of 90+ yearly average in the previous on-level class in the same subject The student earns a Level III – Advanced Academic Performance on the STAAR Reading or Math test The student has parent permission to enroll in honors classes

Honors Courses Honors ELA Curriculum is more strenuous than regular 7th grade ELA class If a student scores below an 80% (for any six weeks grading period), he/she will be placed on probation. If the student shows minimal to no improvement by the end of the following grading period, a teacher or parent may initiate removal. A contract must be signed by the student & parent the first week of school. Summer novel reading is required prior to first day of school.

Honors Courses Honors Math & Science Curriculum is more strenuous than regular math/science courses. Honors Math students will take the 8th grade STAAR Math test If a student scores below an 80% (for any six weeks grading period), he/she will be placed on probation. If the student shows minimal to no improvement by the end of the following grading period, a teacher or parent may initiate removal. A contract must be signed by the student & parent the first week of school.

Welcome!!

New Graduation Plan for Freshman & Beyond House Bill 5 made substantial changes to the state's graduation requirements, moving from the current "4x4" graduation plans to a 22-credit Foundation High School Program. The Commissioner has adopted a transition plan to replace the current graduation plans with the Foundation High School Program beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

Joshua ISD Foundation High School Program (FHSP) 26 Credits   Side by Side of the Graduation Plans Joshua ISD Foundation High School Program (FHSP) 26 Credits Joshua ISD FHSP + Endorsements Distinguished Level of Achievement 26 Credits   4 Credits English  3 Credits Math (*Algebra II required)   3 Credits Science (*chemistry or physics required)  4 Credits Social Studies *  2 Credits Languages other than English  1 Credit Physical Education  1 Credit Fine Arts  .5 Credit Speech   1 Credit Technology   6.5 Credits Elective Courses Special Note:  A student may opt for The Joshua ISD Foundation Plan without an endorsement only under limited circumstances with guardian approval AND with advisement of the counselor/administrator regarding advantages of graduating with one or more endorsements.  4 Credits English  4 Credits Math (*Algebra II required)   4 Credits Science (*chemistry or physics required)  4.5 Credits Elective Courses   Four credits of the 26 required credits must be in a coherent sequence and content-specific to the student's endorsement area. * Pending Board Approval

Endorsements Total of 26 Credits When your child is in the 8th grade, he/she will declare their preferred endorsement during their Exploring Careers class for the 2017-18 school year. A school district must permit a student to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement other than the endorsement the student previously indicated.

Stem Science Technology Engineering Advanced mathematics Note: Algebra II, physics, and chemistry required and Five credits in math Five credits in science

Business and Industry Database management Information technology Communications Accounting Finance Marketing Graphic design Architecture Construction Welding Logistics Automotive technology Agriculture science HVAC

Public Services Education and Training Health Science Human Services Law Enforcement Culinary Arts and Hospitality JROTC

Arts and Humanities Languages other than English Cultural Studies English Literature History Fine Arts Art Band Choir Dance Theater Arts

Multidisciplinary Allows a student to select courses from the curriculum of each endorsement area and earn credits in a variety of advanced courses from multiple content areas sufficient to complete the distinguished level of achievement Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English IV, and chemistry and/or physics

Distinguished Achievement Total of 26 Credits Requirements include: Curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement Four credits in math, including Algebra II Four credits in science All students entering ninth grade are required to indicate an endorsement in writing on a Personal Graduation Plan A student must earn distinguished level of achievement to be eligible for top 10% automatic admission

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