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 Introduction to Computer Applications/Art – Semester Classes

6th Grade Electives Pick 1 Fine Arts Elective Beginning Strings Chorus Beginning Band Beginning Strings Chorus Music Lab Instrument nights will be held on January 30 & February 4. If you are unable to attend, and would like your child to take an instrument course, please contact Kelley McNamee.

Typical ERMS Math Progressions 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 uses the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) scores to determine placement in all middle school math courses. For students on the border between one placement and the next, the MAP assessment serves as one of several criteria teachers and parents should consider in making recommendations for middle school mathematics course placement, including all SOL results, grades, and work habits. Math placement and teacher recommendations for the academic core classes will be mailed home on February 21. Extra Support in Reading and Math for Identified Students

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. If you are currently not using SV/PV, you will need to contact your elementary school for directions on how to log on to your account. We use it exclusively at ERMS.

What happens next? 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. You can make changes up until June 7, 2019. You will just need to notify 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 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 visits to ERMS for the end of May/early June.

What does 6th grade look like for next year? Next year we have students coming from: Hillside Mill Run Moorefield Station/New Waxpool attendance zone Singletons from 10 other LCPS elementary schools

ERMS to Visit Elementary School The Counselor and Principal will visit in the spring. April 5 – Mill Run @ 9:00 am April 10 – Hillside @ 9:00 am April 11 – Moorefield Station @ 1:15 pm

Elementary Visits to ERMS May 31 – Moorefield Station and Mill Run @ 10:00 am June 4 – Hillside @ 10:00 am

School Supply Kits - 6th grade Our PTA gathers supply lists from the grade level courses and electives, and puts them together in a neat package available to parents. We will send home and post a flyer to order the supply kits later this spring. Mr. Phillips has personally purchased this kit the past 5 years, and can vouch for its inclusiveness (you won’t have to buy a bunch of extra supplies if you get it) and its ease. It is a fundraiser for the PTA, so there is a cost attached. If you have financial need, please contact Ms. Gretchen Mostero, Lead Counselor, for assistance. Supply kits must be ordered by the due date (usually the end of June), and are delivered at the Back to School Bash in August. If you choose NOT to order a kit, we post the grade level supply lists on our website during the summer.

Summer Transition Program Bridge to the Ridge Summer Transition Program Registration information is posted on the ERMS website. The program addresses four components: social/emotional, 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 3 Sessions Available 8:30-11:45 July 22-July 24 8:30-11:45 August 5-7 12:30-3:45 August 5-7

Starting the 2019-2020 School Year Tentative – Back to School Bash Open House – August 19, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 pm Pick up school supply kits (if ordered by June 30) Receive schedules Tour the building Set up lockers Food vendors/festival activities Tentative - 6th Grade Orientation - August 20, 2019 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 22, 2019 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 either myself, Mr. Sharp or Ms. Gretchen Mostero.

Welcome to Eagle Ridge! ERMS PTA wants to welcome rising 6th grade families!! For updates on upcoming school and PTA events, follow us on      at Eagle Ridge Middle School PTA To find out about opportunities to get involved next year, you can email ermspresident@gmail.com