1. El Cerrito Middle School
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2. El Cerrito Middle School
Shelly Yarbrough Principal Ron Kroetz Assistant Principal
Joann Ferrara-Genao
Student Advisor
Amanda VanderVeen
Counselor

3. Mandatory TDAP Booster Shot
BEFORE starting El Cerrito Middle School…
Please make sure you provide the school with your student’s immunization records which should include proof of TDAP.
California state law AB354 states: All students entering 7th through 12th grades need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (TDAP) BEFORE STARTING school.
You can give proof of TDAP immunization to your current CNUSD elementary school.

4. ECMS Facts Professional Learning Community Pre-AP Program
Standards-Based Instruction
Single Track School
136 Accelerated Sixth Grade Students
1255 Student Population
Interdisciplinary Teams
Block Schedule

5. SWAG School-Wide Achievement Goals
High level of achievement on state testing.
Perform in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) in each area of the California Physical Fitness Test.
Achieve 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher with no D’s or F’s.
Maintain 97% attendance, which includes not being tardy to class.
Earn Citizenship grades that are Satisfactory or Outstanding.
Standards for Participation in School-Wide Events
Achieve a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher with no D’s or F’s.
Earn Citizenship grades that are Satisfactory or Outstanding

6. Registration Packet Available Online
The registration packet is available on the school website Print and return your completed forms to your teacher by March 23, 2015

7. Student Schedules All 7th Grade students will have …
Math
Language Arts
Science
History
Success for School
Physical Education
Elective OR Mastery Class
Elective Options
Elective Core
Trimester rotation
Band
Yearlong course
Choir
Mastery Classes
Math
Language Arts
General Education or Pre-Advanced Placement

8. What is Pre-Advanced Placement?
Pre-AP is not a prerequisite for AP courses It is preparation for courses such as: AP, Honors, IB, Accelerated
Pre-AP prepares students:
for rigorous coursework in high school and beyond
to work towards developing strong college and career skills

9. Pre-AP has two pathways
Pre-AP Courses:
Optional
Academically talented and highly motivated students
Competitive cumulative grade point average (GPA) and demonstrate a strong commitment to learning.
Challenged in classes: rigorous assignments, greater depth, inquiry, analysis, research–based strategies, critical thinking, problem solving, and mastery.
Select one or more subject: Language Arts, History, and Science
Math placement is based on ability level
Application and Contract
Student progress will be evaluated each trimester for mastery

10. Pre-AP has two pathways
Accelerated Pre-AP Program: includes all the elements of Pre-AP plus…
7th grade Students must qualify for CCSS Math 7 Accelerated
8th grade students must qualify for Integrated Math I
7th grade standards / 8th grade standards = Accelerated pace.
ALL Accelerated core subjects are scheduled: Language Arts, History, Math, and Science.

11. Elective Choices: A or B
Three Electives will be randomly selected for you per year.
Life Management
Technology
Performing Arts
Visual Arts
Beginning Guitar
Intro to Humanities B
You may select one Year-long Elective for the school year.
Band
Beginning
Intermediate/Advanced
Choir
AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination

12. 7th Grade Course Selection Form El Cerrito Middle School
Select ONLY ONE: General Education OR Pre-AP
_____ General Education
Core subjects include: Mathematics, Language Arts, History and Science.
Physical Education and Success for School Classes are registered for all students. OR
_____ Pre-AP The Pre-AP application must be completed on pages Pre-AP course description on page 9
2. Select ONLY ONE Elective
Course descriptions are located on page 9
The Elective Rotation includes three courses, one per trimester
Band is a yearlong elective ___Beginning
___Intermediate/Advanced
Choir is a yearlong elective

13. Physical Education All Students
Participate in approximately 5 hrs./week
Use a P.E. locker
Dress out 2 block days and no dress on minimum day
Weekly homework exercise logs
Use ECMS Student Planner
Academic Vocabulary
Target Heart Rate (THR)
CA State Fitness Testing
Assessments on fitness, vocabulary, THR etc.
Homework

14. Library School Library Community Library Open on school days
Monday – Friday am – 3 pm
Parents MUST enter through the school office and sign in.
Community Library
Closed Fridays
Monday – Thursday
3 pm – 7 pm

15. Students Stay Connected!!!
Other Opportunities
Where Everybody Belongs (WEB)
Peer Assistant Leadership (PAL)
Associated Student Body (ASB)
Yearbook (YBK)
National Junior Honors Society (NJHS)
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
Students Stay Connected!!!

16. Where Everybody Belongs (WEB)Where.

17. Where Everybody Belongs (WEB)
WEB leader responsibilities include:
Tours for incoming 7th graders during elementary school visits
A Tutoring program that assists with organization and academics
Academic Follow-ups for students below a 3.0 GPA at end of trimesters
WEB Alerts – students that need academic, citizenship, or attendance mentoring from WEB leaders
Lunch time activities and more…

18. Clubs Club Live Intermediate Schools Sports League Cage Club Scrapbook
Human Club
Future Business Leaders
of America (FBLA)
Start a club With 4 friends and 1 teacher!!!

19. 7th Grade Teams Long Beach State University of Texas
Cal State Fullerton

20. 8th Grade Teams
UC San Diego
USC
Michigan

21. Student Success School Planner Develop a habit of using planner daily
Review planner for information
List important dates: tests, papers, project dates, end of grading periods, and three week progress reports
Manage planner for block days
Parent signature on planner weekly

22. Student Success Study Tips Useful Facts Have a quiet place to study
Prioritize, make lists, use index cards
Study minutes at a time, take a break and repeat if necessary.
Identify a study-buddy
Useful Facts
Many teachers have websites located under “Teacher Sites” on ECMS website homepage
Access the ECMS website for information and updates such as “Back to School Night” and “Open House”. Two great events!

23. Student Success Organization Back Pack Moderate size
Clean out at home weekly
Binder
Label one section for each class
Clean out after each unit
Save information needed for tests

24. Student Success Progress Reports Computer generated grade reports for
all classes
Issued every three weeks
Given to student during
their 5th period class
Parent signature required
Opportunity to stay informed

25. Parent ~ Student ~ School Communication
Student Success
Parent ~ Student ~ School Communication
Check your student’s planner for notes and updates from teachers
Look for the three week progress reports
Contact teachers with questions about grades
Parent conferences may be scheduled with the teachers
Visit our website, like our Facebook, and follow us on twitter
Use your password to go on Q Parent Connect and view your student’s grades. Your student should view grades with you. Have a conversation about school together!

26. Q Parent Connect
Parents currently using Q Parent Connect may continue use at the middle school.
Parents new to CNUSD or the ECMS boundary can request instructions on Q Parent Connect after the beginning of the new school year in August, 2015.
If you have questions or concerns please call ECMS at

27. Bell Schedule
Wednesday – Early Release Breakfast 7:10 - 7:40 Warning Bell 7:40 - 7:45 Per 1 7:45 - 8:20 Per 2 8:25 - 9:00 Per 3 9:05 - 9:40 Per 4 9:45 -10:20 Lunch A 10:20 -10:55 Per 5A 10:25 -11:15 Lunch B 11:15 -11:50 Per 5B 11:00 -11:50 Per 6 11:55 -12:30 Per 7 12:35 -1:10 Dismissal 1:10 pm
Mon – Tues – Thurs – Fri
Block Periods
Breakfast 7:10 - 7:40
Warning 7:40 - 7:45
Per 1/ :45 - 9:20
Per 3/ :25 -11:00
Lunch A :00 -11:35
Per 5A :05 -11:55
Lunch B :55 -12:30
Per 5B :40 -12:30
Per 6/ :35 - 2:10
Dismissal :10 pm

28. Lunch Menu Tacos Pizza Hut pepperoni & cheese Hamburgers
Burritos bean & cheese
Rice bowls teriyaki & orange
Wraps Honey Mustard Turkey Buffalo Chicken Chipotle Turkey
Salads
Spicy chicken sandwich

29. Lunch Cost Breakfast Lunch
$1.75 …muffins, danish, french toast, juice, milk, & fresh fruit
Lunch
$3.50…main entrée with milk, water, fresh fruit, & veggie daily! French Fries on Tuesdays.
$3.00…same as above without water
$2.00… for extra pizza slice
$ .75 … cookie
All students that qualified for free and reduced meal prices must submit a new application for middle school.

30. Dress Code & Discipline
All CNUSD discipline policies and procedures will be enforced.
Go to for more details on the CNUSD Safe Schools Notification.
ECMS dress code policy is located in the student planner and on the school website
ECMS has School-wide student Safe School Assemblies throughout the year!
Thank you in advance for your assistance and support with these matters.

31. ORIENTATION DAY!
Orientation day is in August Date to be determined.
Information will be mailed home in June/July.
School phone message broadcasts are on Sunday’s at 5:00 pm.
On orientation day you have an opportunity to purchase an ASB discount card and PE clothes, get a preliminary schedule, tour the campus and much more.