1. THOMAS S. HART MIDDLE SCHOOL
Scheduling Information
For Parents of Incoming 6th Graders

2. WELCOME TO THE HUSKY NATION!
Ms. Leslie Heller
Principal
WELCOME TO THE HUSKY NATION!

3. TEAM HART:

4. WELCOME TO THE HUSKY NATION:
Mr. Joe Meunier, Vice Principal
Last name: M-Z
CTE/PLTW, Science, Special Ed, World Language, VAPA
Mrs. Suzanne Smith, Vice Principal
Last Name: A-L
English, History, Math, Physical Education, EL, & AVID

5. @PrincipalAtHart

6. Hart Middle School Stats:
Students: Teachers: 67
Classified: 23 (Including custodians, secretaries, site tech, library tech, health clerk, paraprofessionals, etc)
Campus Supervisors: 10
Counselors: 2.6
School Psych: Thomas Turner, 3 days
Speech/Lang: Susan Cambra, Full time

7. 7:00-8:30pm- Visit Classrooms
Upcoming Events:
OPEN HOUSE
May 11, 2017
5:00-7:00pm - Food Trucks
7:00-8:30pm- Visit Classrooms

8. Counselors Mrs. Barb Hourigan (A-H) Mrs. Liz Kozlow (I-M)
Mrs. Tammy Schoonover (N-Z)
(Head Counselor)

9. Topics for Discussion Keys To A Successful Middle School Experience
6th Grade Program Overview
Course Descriptions (Teachers)
Next steps for parents

10. Middle School Transition for Parents
Become a school partner by
Maintaining regular contact with teachers
Joining PTSA (Facebook page)
Volunteering (yes, we need you!)
Demonstrating a spirit of cooperation

11. Middle School Transition
Responsibility begins to shift to student
Accountability increases
Experiment with new behaviors/personas
Bodies change
Friendships change
Liz- slides 6-9

12. How to help your child make the most of middle school
Keep grades in perspective
Maintain balance between work & play
Develop an organizational system that works for the student
Help child to divide new tasks into smaller, more manageable parts
Monitor electronic communications
(Make a contract, limit use, set text and purchase limits, set parental controls and discuss internet safety)

13. Communication Goals Listen Gather information
ask questions
check assumptions
Get the whole story
Avoid rescuing
Resolve issue at lowest level (directly with teacher first)
Remain calm
Model communication skills

14. 6th Grade Program Overview
Language Arts
History
Science
Math
Elective(s) – Exploration Wheel
Band/Strings
Chorus (A period)
P.E.
LUNCH
Special Education may be different schedule

15. 6th Grade Block: Language Arts/History
Curriculum:
California English Language Arts and History Standards
Common Core ELA and content literacy standards
StudySync (newly adopted program)

16. Language Arts Writing: Main focus – Essay Spelling/Grammar Expository
Narrative
Argumentative
Literary Analysis
Spelling/Grammar

17. Language Arts Reading: Selected readings
Core Novel – Where the Fern Grows
Independent Reading
Variety of short non- fiction texts ***

18. Ancient History
* 6th grade history is an introductory course of Ancient Civilizations:
Early Humans
Mesopotamia
Egypt
Israelites
India
China
Greece
Rome

19. 6th Grade Science
Prentice Hall: Focus on Earth, Life, and Physical Sciences

20. 6th Grade Science
Hands on laboratory experiments

21. 6th Grade Science
Projects to highlight Science and Engineering Practices

22. 6th Grade Science
Strong emphasis on current events and advances in science

23. 6th Grade Science Units Scientific Method Metric System
Earth’s Water, Atmosphere, Weather and Climate
Energy and Energy Transfer
Human Impact on the Environment
Cells and Heredity
Diversity of living things
Human Body Systems
Human health - Emotions, Stress, Nutrition, Fitness and Internet Etiquette

24. Special Education Resource Specialist Program SDC Program
Adaptive P.E.
Speech and Language Program/Services
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program/Services
Resource Specialist Program
RS Classes in Language Arts and Math that parallels curriculum
Support in General Ed
RS Lab Classes

25. 6th-Grade Math 5th-grade end-of-year placement test
All 5th-graders take test by mid-May
Will receive a letter with math placement
Two courses: Math 6 and Math 6/7
Go Math Textbook
Consumable
Online textbook available with video tutorials and lessons, Spanish, extra practice, and Personal Math Trainer
Supplemental materials will be used

26. Pathway for majority of students:
Math
Pathway for majority of students:
Math 6
Math 7
Math 8
By the end of 8th-grade, our minimum goal is for all students to meet the 8th-grade CC standards.

27. 6th-Grade Math Math Skills (6th, 7th, and 8th)
Offered in addition to regular math class.
Homework help, reteaching of concepts, skills practice, front-load/pre-teach lessons
Replaces an elective.

28. Students exceeding expectations may be on a faster track.
2 options are available:
Math 6/7 in 6th grade
Math 7/8 in 7th grade
Algebra in 8th grade
Math 8/Algebra in 7th grade
Hons Geometry in 8th grade

29. Pleasanton Unified School District
Mathematics Pathways for Grades 5-12
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
Math II
Math III
Math IV
Geometry, Algebra II (2 years of math in 3 years)
UC and CSU approved
Geometry
Algebra II
PreCalc
Math 6
Math 7
Math 8
Algebra I
Math 5
Decision May - Grade 5 EOY Assessment DOK Level 2/3
Geo. and Alg II: Course 1
Alg II & PreCalc Course 2
AP Calc AB/BC
Geometry, Algebra II & PreCalculus is
3 years of math in 2 years
Math 7/8
Algebra I
Geometry or Honors
Alg II or Honors
PreCalc or Honors
AP Calc AB/BC or Math Analysis
4 years of math in 3 years
Math 6/7
Math 8/ Alg
Honors Geometry
Honors Alg II
Honors PreCalc
AP Calc BC
Math Electives
(see high school program guide for course offerings)
5 years of math in 3 years
Last Revised 1/18/2017

30. 6th-Grade Math PUSD Math Pathways–
– Or PUSD website and search for ‘math pathways’
Note: Middle school Algebra and Geometry grades will be posted on high school transcripts. When applying to colleges, they will see these grades. However, these grades will not be used for high school GPA.

31. Wheel Electives
The Exploration Wheel consists of 6 classes that are each six weeks in length. Students rotate through the 6 classes in random order.

32. Exploration Wheel Classes
Art 6
Integrated Technology 6
Consumer and Family Studies
Middle School Success 6
Speech/Drama 6
World Language

33. Intermediate Band or Strings I
Strings (Check box on scheduling form).
Students who take Band or Strings class attend “A” period P.E. or Science outside of the regular school day from 7:40 a.m. to 8:36 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There is no “A” period on Wednesday.

34. “A” Period Chorus (Concert Choir)
Introductory – no experience needed
Offered at 7:40 – 8:36 a.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
No “A” period on Wednesday

35. 6th Grade PE PE daily Square dance Uniforms Locks/Lockers Units
Mile run

36. Welcome PBIS 17/18! Positivity Respect Integrity Determination
Excellence

37. Next Steps… New student orientation on August 4th
Walk thru registration August 7th and 8th
Visit to sign up for Hart weekly E-news
Visit Pleasantonusd.net to sign up for PUSD E-connect
Up to date sports packet on file including doctor physical