Pierce Middle School 2015 Welcome to the Next Stop on Your Educational Journey

What is Pierce Middle School? Pierce Middle School is a unique place for students. Pierce Middle School is a unique place for students. We facilitate the transition from elementary into high school. We facilitate the transition from elementary into high school. At Pierce, students have the opportunity to explore different elective areas in addition to the traditional academic classes. At Pierce, students have the opportunity to explore different elective areas in addition to the traditional academic classes.

What is the daily schedule? Monday Late Start Monday Late Start School begins at 9:05 AM and School begins at 9:05 AM and ends at 3:18 Doors open at 8:55 AM Doors open at 8:55 AM Warning bell at 9:00 AM Warning bell at 9:00 AM 5 minutes of passing time 5 minutes of passing time Tuesday through Friday Tuesday through Friday School begins at 8:20 AM and School begins at 8:20 AM and ends at 3:18 PM ends at 3:18 PM Doors open at 8:10 Doors open at 8:10 Warning bell at 8:15 AM Warning bell at 8:15 AM 5 minutes of passing time 5 minutes of passing time

What are our required classes? Language Arts 1 ½ Language Arts 1 ½ Narrative (1) Narrative (1) Informational (1/2) Informational (1/2) Mathematics1 Mathematics1 Science1 Science1 Social Studies1 Social Studies1 Computer Skills (EOD)-Sem ¼ Computer Skills (EOD)-Sem ¼ Total Required Classes:4 ¾ Total Required Classes:4 ¾

Elective Classes Choices: Art¼ Art¼ Lifeskills ¼ Lifeskills ¼ Industrial Technology¼ Industrial Technology¼ Physical Education¼ Physical Education¼ Explorations in Drama ½ Explorations in Drama ½ Instrumental Music½ Instrumental Music½ French Introduction½ French Introduction½ Spanish Introduction½ Spanish Introduction½ Choir½ Choir½ Total elective classes: 1 ¼

Grade 6 Elective Courses Column A Full year courses (every other day) French Introduction 6½ Spanish Introduction 6½ Choir 6½ Explorations in Drama 6½ Instrumental Music: Orchestra 6½ Band½ Percussion 6½ # Units Checked Column A: ____________

Grade 6 Elective Courses Column B Semester courses (every other day) 6 th Art¼ 6 th Lifeskills¼ 6 th Technology¼ 6 th Phys. Ed.¼ # Units Checked Column B: ____________ Total Primary Units Checked: Column A + Column B: ____ (should equal 1 1/4) DON’T FORGET TO FILL OUT THE BACK OF THE SHEET!

What is Choir?  Intended for students who like to sing and perform  Vocal technique and music literacy  Perform in concerts throughout the year  No audition necessary l

What is Instrumental Music? Strings or band Strings or band Most students have already studied an instrument 1-2 years Most students have already studied an instrument 1-2 years Two performances a year Two performances a year No audition necessary No audition necessary

Explore stage and theater Explore stage and theater Study elements of Study elements of Script Writing Script Writing Acting Acting Design Design Directing Directing School production is not an intended outcome School production is not an intended outcome What is Explorations in Drama?

What is Lifeskills? Food Preparation and Nutrition Food Preparation and Nutrition Sewing Projects Sewing Projects Babysitting Basics - safety and responsibility Babysitting Basics - safety and responsibility Personal grooming Personal grooming

What is Art? Study of basic elements of design including: Study of basic elements of design including: Drawing Drawing Painting Painting Sculpture Sculpture Art History Art History

What is Industrial Technology? Basic Drafting Basic Drafting Intro to Computer Architecture Intro to Computer Architecture Measurement & Sketching Measurement & Sketching Basic Tool Use Basic Tool Use Problem Solving Problem Solving

What Is Physical Education? Every other day class (half year) Every other day class (half year) Required to wear a gym outfit – Required to wear a gym outfit – White T-shirts with sleeves White T-shirts with sleeves Boxer type shorts Boxer type shorts Purchase Pierce gym outfits Purchase Pierce gym outfits Gym locker Gym locker Study Units including swimming Study Units including swimming

What is French Introduction? Covers the first third of the curriculum for French 1 high school course Activities include:  Eat!  Virtual shopping on a French website  Sing and listen to songs  Watch movies about countries and food  Play games in French  Discuss the importance of French as a world language

What is Spanish Introduction? Covers the first third of the curriculum for Spanish 1 high school course Activities include : Identify English words with common root words Identify English words with common root words Eat! Eat! Sing and listen to songs Sing and listen to songs Watch movies about countries and food Watch movies about countries and food Play games in Spanish Play games in Spanish

Student Support Services Counselors Counselors Academic Academic Peer Troubles Peer Troubles Problem solvers Problem solvers Career Exploration-November Career Exploration-November Social Worker Social Worker School Psychologist School Psychologist Speech Pathologist Speech Pathologist

Academic Supports Academic Assistance Academic Assistance Learning Resource Room Learning Resource Room Intervention Specialist Intervention Specialist After School Study After School Study Friday School Friday School

Honors Math Placement Ability to work approximately one grade level ahead Ability to work approximately one grade level ahead 60% on the GP Math Assessment with a minimum of 10 on the constructed response 60% on the GP Math Assessment with a minimum of 10 on the constructed response NWEA Math score of at least 231 NWEA Math score of at least 231

Honors Language Arts Placement Ability to work at approximately one grade level ahead Ability to work at approximately one grade level ahead A 4 th /5 th grade composite score of at least 11 on the GP Writing test A 4 th /5 th grade composite score of at least 11 on the GP Writing test NWEA Reading score of at least 220 NWEA Reading score of at least 220

How does Pierce Staff Communicate with parents? Pinnacle-Online Gradebook Pinnacle-Online Gradebook Parent Connect (attendance) Parent Connect (attendance) Back to School Night Back to School Night Quarterly Report Cards Quarterly Report Cards Parent-Conferences Parent-Conferences Phone, , In person Phone, , In person November, March November, March Pierce Pointer (online) Pierce Pointer (online) Pierce Website Pierce Website PTO Meetings - Monthly PTO Meetings - Monthly

How is lunch different? Lunch Period – 30 minutes + passing time Lunch Period – 30 minutes + passing time Student Lunch - $3.00 Student Lunch - $3.00 A la carte – purchase individual items A la carte – purchase individual items Snack Line Snack Line Brown Bag Brown Bag Recess for about minutes Recess for about minutes

Positive Behavior Intervention Support PBIS Clear Expectations Clear Expectations Reward Coupons Reward Coupons Weekly Drawings Weekly Drawings Signatures Signatures Quarterly Celebrations Quarterly Celebrations

What is A2? (Academics/Activities) A short period after announcements at 3:00 PM A short period after announcements at 3:00 PM 1st Quarter: Emphasis on school rules/procedures/Positive Behavior Supports 1st Quarter: Emphasis on school rules/procedures/Positive Behavior Supports 2 nd Quarter 7 Habits (Covey) of Effective Teens or Healthy Living 2 nd Quarter 7 Habits (Covey) of Effective Teens or Healthy Living 3 rd and 4 th Quarters: 3 rd and 4 th Quarters: Students with GPA of 2.5 or higher choose activities Students with GPA of 2.5 or higher choose activities Students with GPA of consideration given to conduct/work habits Students with GPA of consideration given to conduct/work habits Students below 2.0 GPA meet in small groups for academic support Students below 2.0 GPA meet in small groups for academic support

What are some Extra- Curricular Activities for 6 th Graders? Basketball Basketball Game Club Game Club Jazz Band Jazz Band Swimming Swimming Musical/Drama Production Musical/Drama Production Art Club Art Club Intramural Sports Intramural Sports

What are some Extra- Curricular Activities for 6 th Graders?  Inklings  Fun Nights  Clue Night  Yearbook  Robotics Club

Future Opportunities National Junior Honor Society National Junior Honor Society Social Studies Olympiad Social Studies Olympiad Washington DC trip (8 th Grade) Washington DC trip (8 th Grade) 7 th -8 th Grade Girls Volleyball 7 th -8 th Grade Girls Volleyball 7 th -8 th Grade Boys/Girls Basketball 7 th -8 th Grade Boys/Girls Basketball Trojan Times Trojan Times WPNC WPNC Track Track Wrestling Wrestling Science Club Science Club

What’s next? Course Selection Sheet Course Selection Sheet Turn in to your teacher ASAP… Turn in to your teacher ASAP… Final due date: Wednesday, January 28

When do you visit Pierce? Student Lunch at Pierce Student Lunch at Pierce Maire June 2- 10:30 AM Maire June 2- 10:30 AM Trombly June 3- 10:30 AM Trombly June 3- 10:30 AM Defer June 4- 10:30 AM Defer June 4- 10:30 AM Registration in August Registration in August