2.  Our guiding statement is “Together we LEAD – Learn, Exceed, Achieve and Dream.  The mission of Riverwatch Middle School is to encourage all students to reach their maximum potential by providing high quality instruction, focusing on 21 st century skills, nurturing healthy relationships and community ties, and fostering well-rounded, life-long learners.  RMS believes in developing happy, healthy and hardy students (H3).  A happy environment is one in which positive communication between all stakeholders is a priority so that everyone feels their work is acknowledged and their time is valued.  A healthy environment is one in which common goals among all stakeholders are met using a support system, understanding the purpose of work, and nurturing self and others.  A hardy environment is one which our resiliency allows us to overcome challenges, is a product of the support from others, and helps us to maintain balance and flexibility.

3.  7 Class Period Day  Classes last about 50 minutes  Lunch is about 25 minutes  Academic Classes:  Language Arts  Math  Science  Social Studies  Enrichment, Reading Literacy, or Math Literacy

4.  RMS enjoys working with over 1300 students!  In an effort to create a personalized environment, students are assigned to a group of 5 teachers - Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Math and Enrichment/Math Literacy.  Team communications and conferences are scheduled with all 5 teachers in order to improve home/school communication. Throughout the year there are team competitions to promote team and grade level spirit.  6th grade will have 3 teams of 5 teachers in school year 16/17.

5.  Connections Classes:  Yearlong Band  Yearlong Chorus  PE/Health  Broadcasting  Art  Engineering  Business Marketing

6.  Advanced and Horizons are the same classes. The difference is simply in how the student is funded by the state. The experience for the student whether titled Advanced or Horizons is the same.  Curriculum in advanced classes cover the same concepts as the on level classes. Advanced classes cover the topics with greater depth and have the students explore the concepts through rigorous extension projects.

7.  5th Grade Teachers recommend students for advanced classes. Horizons students must take at least one advanced class.  Criteria for advanced is the following:  A Distinguished score on the Georgia Milestone Assessment for the specific subject area  A average in the class  Demonstrates high motivation for the subject area  Parents may waive any student into an advanced class. Waiving students into advanced classes when scoring at a level below distinguished in the subject area and/or students with low motivation is not recommended.

8.  On Level Language Arts focuses on increasing student reading comprehension and analysis through in class novel studies as well as independent reading based on individual lexile levels.  Writing takes place weekly in the classroom to allow opportunities for students to improve their writing style, conventions, and development of ideas by writing about what we are reading.  There will be both formally assessed and informally assessed writing pieces.  Vocabulary development will be facilitated through the use of Wordly Wise.  Advanced Language Arts follows the same academic standards as on level language arts; however, the classroom is modeled after the state of Georgia’s gifted standards.  We expect student in the advanced classes to have a high degree of motivation and intellectual creativity.  There will be many opportunities for students to express their knowledge in unique ways. Some areas of content may be explored to a deeper level, such as literary analysis, and teachers expect to see students applying what they have learned.

9.  On-level and Advanced 6 th grade Social Studies classes follow the same set of Georgia Standards, with additional Gifted-specific standards used as guidelines in Advanced classes. The major difference between the two levels comes in delivery of content and student expectations. On-level students are guided through content with the goals of student understanding and ability to recall facts, with some higher-level thinking skills incorporated into lessons and assessments. Advanced students are exposed to a wider variety of sources and are expected to apply and extend their knowledge beyond content standards with the majority of tasks based on higher order thinking skills.

10.  In 6 th grade science we explore the categories of hydrology, meteorology, geology, and astronomy. We study the Earth from the outside in. Starting with space, we then work our way through the atmosphere, and end by learning about the various features on the surface and interior of Earth. Students will learn in a variety of ways in science, especially through the use of technology and with hands-on lab activities.  While both our on-level and advanced classes follow the same standards, we go into greater depth in our advanced classes and expect students to master the content more quickly so that there is more time for extension activities. Advanced students are expected to continuously involve themselves in the learning process and take a more proactive role in mastering the standards for 6 th grade science. This self-sufficiency will be important as advanced classes will not always be given the right or wrong answer, but they will have to critically think through a problem and come to their own conclusions.

11.  There are 3 levels of math: on-level, advanced, and accelerated.  On-level math follows the standard 6 th grade curriculum.  Advanced math follows the 6 th grade curriculum at a deeper level than on-level as well as adds 3 additional standards. Students who enjoy math while seeking higher level instruction and who are highly self motivated make good advanced math students.  Accelerated math follows the 6 th grade curriculum at a deeper level than advanced and includes ½ of the 7 th grade curriculum.

12.  All students who have been recommended by their teachers to take advanced math are given a placement test at the end of 5 th grade.  Students must receive score above the cut score to be placed in accelerated math.  Every year students are tested at the end of the year to maintain placement in accelerated math.

13. GradeCourse 6 th GradeAdvanced Math 7 th GradeAdvanced Math 8 th GradeAdvanced Math 9 th GradeAccelerated Algebra and Geometry A 10 th GradeAccelerated Geometry B/ Advanced Algebra 11 th GradeAccelerated Pre-Calculus 12 th GradeAP Calculus or AP Statistics

14. GradeCourse 6 th GradeAll of 6 th Grade Math and first ½ of 7 th Grade Math 7 th GradeSecond ½ of 7 th and all of 8 th Grade Math 8 th GradeAccelerated Algebra and Geometry A 9 th GradeAccelerated Geometry B/ Advanced Algebra 10 th GradeAccelerated Pre-Calculus 11 th GradeAP Calculus or AP Statistics 12 th GradeGeorgia Tech Virtual Math or another online option

15.  Settles Bridge – May 9, 2016  Johns Creek – May 10, 2016  Sharon – May 11,2016

16.  Course Description: The Enrichment course will supplement the Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies classes by allowing for a deeper understanding of the concepts explored in those core classes through various writing and project based activities. This course utilizes the LDC framework which encourages research literacy across the curriculum.  Homework in this class is minimal.

17.  Math Literacy is an extra math class which students take in place of the Enrichment class.  A student’s enrollment in Math Literacy is based on Milestone scores and the teacher’s recommendation based on class performance.  Students ‘ grades are primarily based on class participation.  The class is designed to reinforce on-level content and review and practice basic math computation skills.

18.  Reading Literacy is an extra reading class which students take in place of the Enrichment class.  A student’s enrollment in Reading Literacy is based on Milestone scores and the teacher’s recommendation based on class performance.  Students ‘ grades are primarily based on class participation.  The class is designed to reinforce on-level content and review and practice basic reading and comprehension skills.

19.  Morning Help Sessions- Teachers volunteer their time in the morning (8:00 - 8 45 AM) to help individual students as well as groups of students. If a teacher schedules a help session, please make every effort to attend.  Relearn and Recovery (R and R)  The purpose of relearn and recovery at Riverwatch is to support students in mastering the standards. No two students are alike. Each teacher has the discretion to do what is best for the individual student.  Student Support Team (SST)  English as Second Language (ESL)

20.  Middle School is the time to explore interests outside of the school academic day. RMS offers a variety of clubs for students after school.  Your packet has a list of current clubs.  Posters of the current RMS clubs are in the halls.  Don't see a club that interests you? Start your own!

21.  We want to help you!  Emailing or calling the teacher is always an option. Call us! We have a comprehensive counseling department. Ms. Densmore is our counselor - (678) 455-7311 extension 300305.  We have a great administrative staff. Mr. James is the 6th grade administrator, and I am always available. Either of us is available at (678) 455- 7311 extension 0.  ITS Learning is a great option for keeping up with classroom activities.  Parent Portal is a great option for keeping up with grades and attendance.

22.  August 1, 2016 at 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM  At least one parent needs to attend with his/her student. Students participate in games as well as team building activities and parents experience orientation activities.  Open House activities are held after the sessions. Please remember to bring your checkbook for agendas, locker fee, PE Uniforms and joining PTSA.

23.  Teacher Recommendation letters will be sent home with students on Friday, April 15, 2016.  To change any teacher recommendation, please fill out the waiver form located on the front page of the RMS website.  This form needs to be completed by May 6, 2016 at 5:00 PM.

24.  Thank you for joining us tonight. If you have further questions, please refer to the teacher locations on your agenda. Have a great night!