Planning for 2019-2020 BUSH MIDDLE SCHOOL
Bush Counselors Counselors are assigned based on students’ last names: A-Gn Mrs. Sandoval Go-N Mrs. Everest (esando2@neisd.net) (levere@neisd.net) O-Z Mr. Ansley Debbie Cheslock: STAN (mansle@neisd.net) (dchesl1@neisd.net) Counseling Office: 210-356-2961
College & Career Readiness ▶ NEISD has an initiative to ensure that after high school, all students are prepared to enter A four-year college/university or junior/community college ➢ A trade or technical school ➢ The military or ➢ The workforce ➢ Taking rigorous courses in middle school better prepares students ▶ for college and career course work in high school.
Success in High School Requires Planning ▶ Preparation for high school success & rigor requires students to: ➢ Take rigorous middle school courses ➢ Develop meaningful goals ➢ Learn & utilize strong study habits ➢ Plan for the future
HS Graduation Requirements Foundation HS Program With Endorsement(s) Students in the state of Texas are required: ➢ To earn 26 credits to graduate ➢ To take four years of Math, Science, and English to graduate ➢ To take three years of Social Studies to graduate
What Does This Mean in Middle School? ▶ Preparation through rigorous foundation courses is important in 6 th – 8 th grades ▶ GT students will still be in a separate program, but the curriculum is aligned with the high school requirements in mind
Course Selection Process ▶ Current 6 th grade students’ choice sheets will go out Wed. 1/23 & are due back to their science teacher by Wed, 1/30 . ▶ Current 7 th grade students’ choice sheets will go out Thurs 1/24 & are due back to their science teacher by Thurs, 1/31. ▶ The inputting window is open 1/17-2/15
7 th and 8 th Grade Courses ▶ 5 academic courses ▶ PE (4 semesters in middle school: a semester each year with 1 full year of PE) ▶ Maximum of 3 electives ▶ AIM is highly recommended ▶ NEISD requires 1 full year or 2 semesters of a fine art
P ELAR-Pre AP Block • The ELAR Pre-AP block is a challenging, fast-paced course and it is recommended that students perform well on the previous year’s reading STAAR test. • It is also strongly recommended that you consult with your child’s ELAR teacher(s) before registering for this course.
Pre-AP Math Pre-AP Math is Pre-Algebra in the 7 th grade and Algebra • I Pre-AP in 8 th grade Pre-AP Math MUST be taken in 7 th grade in order to • take Algebra I Pre-AP in 8 th grade Pre-AP math is a fast-paced course. Students should be • performing well in their current Math class, have met the passing standard for STAAR, and have a teacher recommendation.
Pre-AP Courses Offered in 7 th Grade ▶ Pre-AP Math ▶ ELAR Pre-AP Block
Pre-AP Courses Offered in 8 th Grade • Algebra I Pre-AP • Pre-AP English and Pre-AP Reading (must be taken together) • Pre-AP Science • Pre-AP American History • Please consult with your child’s teacher or counselor .
Electives ▶ Choose 5 electives and rate them 1-5 (if you are choosing semester electives you must pick at least 2). ▶ Course descriptions are attached to the course sheet. ▶ Counselors will try to schedule the top 3 choices whenever possible. ▶ Please keep the required PE & Fine Arts credits for middle school in mind when choosing electives.
Academic Individual Motivation (AIM) ▶ This class is designed as an enrichment opportunity for students to: • review academic concepts • independent skills in time management • strategies for success: agenda use, binder organization, goal setting • character education
Band, Choir and Orchestra ▶ 7 th and 8 th grade Band, Choir and Orchestra are a continuation of the 6 th grade program. ▶ Year long fine art electives ▶ These classes are for students who are dedicated to Band, Choir or Orchestra
Theatre Arts Theatre Arts (full-year): fine art course to learn the fundamentals ▶ of theatre arts in 6 th grade. Theatre Arts II (semester): for the novice theatre student in 7 th or ▶ 8 th grade. ▶ Theatre Arts II (full-year): 7 th & 8 th grade students interested in theatre productions, after-school commitments & participation in tournaments required. Theatre Arts III (full-year): 8 th grade students interested in ▶ theatre productions, after-school commitments & participation in tournaments required.
Debate ▶ Offered as a semester or year long course to 7 th & 8 th graders. ▶ Excellent reading and writing skills highly recommended. ▶ Debate does not count as a fine art.
Art I ▶ Art I is a year long fine arts course designed for the student to learn the fundamentals of art. ▶ This course is available to 7 th and 8 th grade students. ***There is a separate Art I course for 6 th grade students.***
Art II • Art II is a year long fine arts course • This course is available to 7 th & 8 th grade students • Pre-requisite is Art I • Students develop advanced art skills in the Art II course
Art III • Art III is a year long fine arts course • This course is available to 8 th grade students only • Pre-requisites are Art I & Art II • Students taking the Art III course have a passion for art and have advanced art skills
Robotics (College Career Readiness) ▶ 7 th & 8 th grade year-long elective ▶ Does not count as high-school credit ▶ Commitment to before/after-school practices & competitions ▶ Must get teacher signature/authorization to be enrolled in the class
New Electives Coming 2019-2020!!! Creative Writing: Students will study and practice communication skills, literary devices, ● figurative language, and plot/character development. Students will write essays, letters, advertisements, short stories and poetry. The writing process will be stressed. ● Journalism: Intro to journalism. Students will work in the areas of interviewing, news & feature writing & proofreading. Includes studies in history of the American mass print media, journalistic law & ethics, journalistic writing, purposes & characteristics of newspaper pages. Creative Media: Student will study and practice communication skills, literary devices, figurative ● language & plot.character development. Students will write poetry, short stories, essays, letters and advertisements. Students will integrate their writing and photographs with technology. Students’ work may be featured on the school-based website and entered in local & national competitions.
Athletics ▶ Before/After school participation REQUIRED! ▶ Open to incoming 7 th & 8 th graders with PASSING GRADES! (6 th grade students must go through boot camp in PE) ▶ The athletic class is a year long elective (counts as PE credit) ▶ Participation in a minimum of 2 sports is strongly recommended (Boys-Football, Basketball, and/or Track; Girls-Volleyball, Basketball and/or Track) ▶ Contract must be signed by student & parent & coaches signature required! Some changes are being made to this elective by the district. As this is ▶ finalized, you will be updated.
Office/Teacher Aides 8 th Grade Elective • Office/Teacher Aide classes are semester or year long courses • Fill out application completely Grades, attendance & discipline • considered in selection process. • Turn in with choice sheet, staple to back (late applications may not be considered)
PALS Application comes later in the year ▶ Sign up for another elective now & write interested in ▶ PALS at top of choice sheet. Once PALS have been selected, counselor will add it to your schedule. PALS is a year long course. ▶ 8 th graders will be student mentors to 6 th graders, ▶ peer mediators, assist with Special Olympics, leaders on campus, help with campus recycling, etc.
h g i H l o o h c t S i d e s r e C s r u o C
High School Credit Courses for 7 th and 8 th Grade Students Principles of Arts, Audio Video Technology, and Communications ▶ (1.0 credit) Principles of Applied Engineering ▶ (1.0 credit) Spanish IA (7 th Grade) and Spanish IB (8 th Grade) ▶ (1.0 credit for completion of both courses, do not get credit if both are not completed)
High School Credit Courses for 8th Grade Students Only • High School Health (0.5 credit) • Spanish IA (7 th Grade) and Spanish IB (8 th Grade) (1.0 credit for both courses) • Spanish I (1.0 credit-accelerated course) • Spanish II Pre-AP for Native Speakers (must take a placement test to qualify for entry into this course) • Algebra I Pre-AP & Algebra I Pre-AP/GT
STAAR Reading & STAAR Math ▶ Schedule changes will be made due to STAAR scores ▶ Takes the place of one of the elective choices ▶ Students will be placed in an SSI (Student Success Initiative) class for support in reading or math ▶ Remember: DO YOUR BEST!
Counselors ▶ Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions on concerns. (210)356-2961 ▶ Thank you so much for your attendance tonight! ▶ Mrs. Sandoval, Mrs. Everest, Mr. Ansley & Mrs Cheslock
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