1. Rodney Thompson Middle School
JAGUAR PRIDE
Welcome to the Rising 6th Grade Parent Orientation

2. And now a few words from our PTO President Nicole Albertson

3. The Middle School Student
Major changes from 6th to 8th grade
Egocentric
Finding identity
Importance of peer groups and acceptance
Push limits and boundaries
Assert independence

4. What we can do to help
Greatest opportunity to have a significant impact
Provide a safe, nurturing environment
Recognize their needs and let go…a little
Establish and maintain clear boundaries
Help them to understand and accept consequences of actions
Work together – partners with parents

5. SAMPLE 6TH GRADE Schedule
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY X Y 1
English
ACT 2
Science
Social
Studies 3
Math
4 / 5
Elective
Health/PE

6. 6TH GRADE BELL SCHEDULE 8:20 – 9:51 8:20 – 9:40 9:44 – 10:14
MONDAY
TUESDAY-FRIDAY 1
8:20 – 9:51
8:20 – 9:40
ACT
9:44 – 10:14 2
9:55 – 11:25
10:18 – 12:03
Lunch 10:41 – 11:06 A
Lunch 11:06 – 11:31 B 3
11:29 – 1:19
11:29- 11:54 A
11:54 – 12:19 B
12:07 – 1:27
4 / 5
1:23 – 2:50
1:31 – 2:50

7. 6th Grade ELECTIVE Rotation
X Day
Y Day
FPA minutes
FPA minutes
PHYSICAL minutes
EDUCATION
WHEEL minutes
CLASS
(changes every 9 weeks)
Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) Wheel Classes
Band Family & Consumer Science
Chorus Technology
Orchestra Computers
Drama/Art Health

8. Math Placement

9. As you can see from the chart, there are many different pathways that your child can take in mathematics. This chart shows the pathways that most students take. The pathway that your child decides on should be driven by your child’s interests and talents. As you can see, there are multiple pathways to an advanced diploma. The differences in the pathways are determined by the senior math class that a student wants to take. Notice that 5 different pathways to an advanced diploma are filled with the peach color.
A student starting in Math 6 can achieve an advanced diploma, ending his or her high school mathematics with AP statistics or Algebra III with Trigonometry.
A student starting in 6 Extended Math can achieve an advanced diploma, ending his or her high school mathematics with either an IB math course, AP Statistics, or AP Calculus.
The student starting in 7 Extended Math can achieve an advanced diploma, ending his or her high school mathematics with two AP Courses, Calculus and Statistics, or an IB Course.
Lots of choices from the time they enter middle school until they graduate.
While there is only one standard diploma pathway listed in the chart, there are a few others. We recommend four years of mathematics in high school to better prepare our students for college and career readiness. Consequently, we encourage students to take a math course their senior year even though they have met the standard diploma requirements during their junior year in this particular pathway.
Now that we have an overview of where our children are going, let’s take a closer look at the 6th grade courses.
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10. Description of Sixth Grade Courses
Math 6 : A one year course that includes all of Virginia’s Sixth Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 6 mathematics Standards of Learning test.
6 Extended Math : A one-year course that includes all of Virginia’s Sixth Grade Standards of Learning and part of the Seventh Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 6 mathematics Standards of Learning test. (Placement test required.)
7 Extended Math : A one-year course that includes all of Virginia’s 7th Grade Standards of Learning and a majority of the Eighth Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning test. Note: Sixth grade math content is not a part of this course. (Placement test required.)
As a rising 6th grader, your child has three potential classes that he or she may BE enrolled in.
The 6th Grade course is a 1 year course that includes all of Virginia’s 6th grade standards of learning. Students will take the Grade 6 SOL test in the spring.
The 6th Extended Math course is a 1 year course that includes all of the 6th grade standards of learning along with approximately half of the 7th grade standards of learning. These students will be taking the Grade 6 SOL test in the spring as well. Students must meet specified criteria for placement.
Finally, the 7 Extended Math course is a 1 year course that includes the remaining 7th grade standards of learning and a majority of the 8th grade standards of learning. These students will be taking the Grade 7 SOL test in the spring. This course has a placement test requirement along with the specified criteria of the 6 Extended course.
Please keep in mind that when a student scores an advanced or perfect score on the 5th grade SOL test it shows that he/she demonstrated mastery of the 5th grade content. It does not ensure that the student is ready to be in an accelerated course which is fast-paced and content heavy, or be able to skip over one and a half year’s worth of math content.
Click to next slide.

11. Opportunities for Acceleration
First Part of the School Year for 6th & 7th Graders
Summer Bridge for Rising 7th and 8th Graders
Regardless of which course your child is placed in at the beginning of the academic year, there are opportunities for acceleration. Within the first few weeks of school, students complete the beginning of the year assessments. Based on the data, students are monitored by the teachers and the math specialist to determine if students are demonstrating they are ready for an accelerated course. If a change in placement is warranted, the change should occur within the first six weeks of school.
We are aware that students mature, both mentally and academically, at different rates. Stafford County offers a Summer Bridge program for rising 7th and 8th graders that demonstrated excellence in math over the academic year. This is a 16 day program that is offered during the month of July. Students learn the content needed for acceleration the up-coming year. Based on successful completion, students will be placed in the next level course prior to the start of the school year.
We are doing our very best to ensure that your child is appropriately matched to his or her 6th grade math course. Students in middle school are placed in courses that will challenge them and keep them learning. We want them to grow mathematically without becoming frustrated.

12. What may be new for a rising 6th grader?
Multiple teachers
Switching classes
Lockers
ACT- Jaguar Jumpstart
Communication is key!
ParentVue
Agenda

13. First Week of school
1st Day – Students go directly to their homeroom and they only need the minimum supplies for the day.
2nd Day –Students return given paperwork to receive a locker.
Rest of week – Students receive lockers to organize their materials. All binders are set up in their classes.
All homeroom supplies on list can be given at any time throughout the week or at Back to School Night.

14. Binder/Organization:
*Help your child organize at home by checking to see that the papers are in correct sections. *Make sure your child is utilizing his/her agenda. *The supply list is found on school website. *Do NOT throw anything away!!!

15. Homework hints DO Check your child’s agenda every night.
Check your child’s homework for completion.
Watch your child place homework in his/her binder/bag.
Help your child review several days before a quiz or test.

16. Athletic OPTIONS AT RTMS
Football
Field Hockey
Volleyball
Basketball
Track & Field
Softball
Wrestling

17. ACTIVITIES AT RTMS *INTRAMURALS* *Jag Jam* *SeaPERCH* *SCA*
*Performances*

18. ELECTIVE OPTIONS AT RTMS
Chorus, Band, Orchestra
Intro. to Tech.
Drama
Art
ELECTIVE OPTIONS AT RTMS
PE/Health (required)
Computer Solutions
Family & Consumer Science

19. Academic Core Time (ACT)
Biology Gone Wild
Robotics
Makerspace - Coding
Academic Core Time (ACT)
We the People

20. School Counseling Services at RTMS
Support and guide students when experiencing a problem.
Promote student self-advocacy, conflict resolution, and self-management.
Collaborate with families, teachers, and community agencies to ensure students have what they need.
Work with students individually and in small groups.
Help students plan for a positive future:
Scheduling
Academic Planning
Academic Skill Development
Counselor looping:
Increases familiarity
Promotes productive collaboration

21. School climate Positive student recognition
STRIVE Program: School climate, decision-making
R. O. A. R. S. = Responsible, Organized/prepared, Accepting,
Respectful, Safe/orderly)
P. A. W. S. = Positively Achieving, Well-behaved Students
Leadership Opportunities
Honor Rolls: A/B, All A

22. The Program of Studies
is a helpful resource
where you can find
course names &
descriptions.

23. E L C T I V O
P T I O N S

24. It is recommended that students come and try out the instruments to aid in successful placement. The options are as follows:
Monday, May 15th and Wednesday, May 17th from 4-6pm Other dates/times by appointment.

25. Gifted & Accelerated Program - (Focus) Accelerated Math Teacher
Scott Trotta
Gifted & Accelerated Program - (Focus)
Accelerated Math Teacher

26. RTMS Focus Program
Goal: Provide a challenging and enriching educational experience that meets the unique needs of exceptional learners!

27. What I Do… Collaborate regularly with classroom teachers;
Provide enrichment resources and materials to classroom teachers;
Plan and co-teach lessons in the classroom that extend and accelerate the curriculum;
Plan and co-teach ACT enrichment courses;
Design and oversee independent studies for students who want to participate in 2 events at once;
Please see my website under “Specialists” if interested in learning more about the Gifted Program.

28. SEC/Support
Use agenda, organizational tools, and communication with teachers to help with managing organization.
Communicate with teachers on missing assignments and other behaviors.
Schedule a meeting with the teacher if concerns arise through guidance.
After meeting, if concerns still exist, contact Mrs. Sullivan to schedule a student education committee meeting, also known as an SEC, to implement more structured interventions.

29. Nancy Dayley, RN, BSN School Nurse RTMS
Going to the Nurse
Please update contact and health information
Students with Special Needs
Students with Allergies
New Medication Orders – Every Year
T-dap
No T-dap – Religious/Medical Exemption

30. Rodney E. Thompson Middle School
Thank you for coming
Rodney E. Thompson Middle School