February 6, 2019 WELCOME FUTURE KILMER MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS!
Kilmer Middle School Administration Ronald James, Principal Sarah Groh, Director of Student Services Debra David, Assistant Principal Michelle Lyttle, Assistant Principal Chris Musgnug, Assistant Principal Erin Tavernier, PTA President 2019-2020 Michelle Ramos, PTA President 2020-2021
Kilmer Middle School Mission To create a safe, positive, and enriching environment that will promote resiliency, confidence, resourcefulness, and life-long learning.
Our goals this evening: • To provide parents with the essential information to assist with the transition from elementary to middle school. • To inform and increase knowledge about middle school curriculum and course options. • To encourage all rising seventh grade students to select middle school courses that reflect their academic abilities, strengths, and interests.
What’s new in seventh grade? • School start time: 7:30 AM!!! • 8 Period Day • 8 Different Teachers • Elective courses • 5 minutes between classes • After School Activities • Lockers • HPE Uniforms • Increased workload & expectations • Almost teenagers!
Kilmer Middle School 2019-2020 7 Elementary Schools 580 Rising Seventh Grade Students 1149 Total Students
Interdisciplinary Team model • Smaller learning community • Four teams in each grade level • 150 students • Four teachers • Close in proximity • Weekly team meetings • Students are placed on a team at random - based on course requests • School Counselor • Grade Level Assistant Principal
Bell Schedule • Seven 45 minute periods • Four lunches – A & B for seventh grade • 5 minutes between each class • PAWS - 25 minute period for extended learning • Targeted remediation and intervention • Teacher assistance • Library access & reading • Enrichment activities during 2nd & 3rd quarter
Kilmer Enrichment Program
Seventh Grade Bell Schedule
What courses will students take in seventh grade? English Mathematics Investigations in Environmental Science U.S. History Health & PE 2-4 electives (semester or yearlong)
Required Courses: English, Math, Science, History, & HPE • Course Levels ➢ General Education ➢ Honors ➢ Advanced Academic Level IV Program • English for Speakers of Other Languages Services ➢ Students are placed in classes based on their English Language Proficiency (ELP) level • Special Education Services ➢ Students receive services in a variety of classroom settings based on their Individual Education Plan (IEP)
General Education English, Math, Science, History • For each course, teachers follow a Program of Studies with identified standards and course objectives to meet the Virginia Standards of Learning. • General education courses provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to master grade level curriculum
Honors Level English, Science, History • Open Enrollment for students who seek increased academic rigor • Provides extensions to the Program of Studies that add depth and complexity. • Students can expect a rigorous and challenging learning experience. ➢ Students & parents self-select enrollment ➢ Important to consider teacher recommendations, current academic progress, strengths, and interests ➢ Students can select one or more honors courses
Honors Classes Students are Prepares Students in classes students for access AAP All middle with other No eligibility Advanced curriculum in schools offer students required-- required-- required-- coursework 1, 2, 3, or 4 Honors who also Open Access Open Access Open Access in High Honors classes chose School classes Honors level classes
AAP Level IV (Center) Classes Students access AAP Students are Prepares Students are Students are curriculum in found eligible students for assigned to a in classes with 3 core through Advanced center based other eligible subjects and central coursework on their home students Technology screening in High (mathematics and address Education process School elective classes are (required semester mixed) elective)
Grade 7 Mathematics Course Options Mathematics 7 Mathematics 7 Honors 7 th grade standards 8 th grade standards + extensions (Open access) Algebra I Honors criteria: ● Advanced Math in 6 th grade, ● 500+ on 7 th grade SOL, and ● 91% on Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (Algebra I is a high school credit course.)
Mathematics Course Sequence
Seventh Grade Mathematics Courses Math 7 - A traditional pre-algebra curriculum that is correlated to the Math 7 SOLs. Prepares students for Algebra I or Algebra I HN Math 7 HN - A more rigorous approach to the pre-algebra curriculum with an emphasis on problem solving. It is correlated to the 8th grade Math SOLs, but contains many extensions and enrichment opportunities. Typically prepares students for Algebra I HN Algebra I HN - A fast-paced approach to Algebra I which includes many extensions to the Algebra I SOLs. Prepares students for Geometry HN.
Math 7 Honors • Covers many pre-algebra topics, and includes enrichment and extensions • Requires students to master the content assessed on the Mathematics 8 Standards of Learning (SOL) test. • Students who have not completed Advanced Mathematics in 6 th grade may need support and/or require additional effort to be successful. Grade 6 Math 7 Honors -- Content missed includes: ◆ Negative exponents using powers of ten ◆ Proportional reasoning and percent problems ◆ Solving two-step equations and inequalities ◆ Transformations of polygons on the coordinate plane ◆ Investigating theoretical and experimental probability
Algebra 1 Honors • Three Criteria for Algebra 1 Honors ➢ Completion of Advanced Math 6 ➢ 500 or above on the Math 7 SOL ➢ 91% or above on the IAAT • Final math placements will be communicated in late July once all scores and final marks have been received from the elementary schools • All students in Advanced Math 6 will select Math 7 Honors on their course selection sheet
Seventh Grade Mathematics Courses Which course is best for your child? ➢ When considering open enrollment, please make an informed decision Recommendation ➢ Have a discussion with your child’s teacher(s) about their recommendation and current academic progress Key Take-Away : ➢ Both Math 7 Honors & Math 7 prepare students for Algebra 1 in eighth grade.
Additional Academic Supports • Intervention courses are added to a student’s schedule in lieu of an elective for students needing additional support to master grade level skills. • Academic Intervention courses include: • Action Literacy • Read 180 • Algebra Readiness
Elective Courses • Elective classes are exploratory classes. Generally students select elective classes based on personal interest(s). • All elective teachers are showcasing their electives in their classrooms this evening!
Visit the Kilmer MS Website https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising
Spring Registration Timeline • January 25 Transition meeting held at Kilmer with sixth grade teachers and elementary school counselors • TONIGHT : Rising 7 th grade Curriculum night • January 30 - Feb 8 A parent registration letter & course selection sheet will be distributed to every student • February 11 – February 22 Kilmer Middle School Counselors visit feeder elementary schools to complete the course registration process and speak with sixth grade students about their upcoming transition to middle school • Elementary school counselors are the point of contact at each elementary school and will help facilitate the course selection process at each school • Sixth grade teachers will communicate course recommendations to students and parents based on current academic progress
Next Steps in Transition • Return your child’s course selection sheet to your elementary school no later than Monday, February 11. • Once the course registration is complete, students course requests will be visible in SIS ParentVue. • Further communication will be emailed in March with instructions for viewing course requests. • If you have questions about your child’s course requests, please contact a Kilmer school counselor. • Course selections are a firm commitment. Course request changes will not be accommodated after June 1. • Math placement decisions for Algebra 1 Honors will be mailed home in July. • Student schedules will be available Thursday, August 23 rd during our Annual Locker Night Open House.
Top 3 Skills for Students to be Successful in Middle School 1. ASK QUESTIONS - Communicate with teachers and school counselors in person or by email 2. USE AGENDA 3. Check SIS StudentVUE and Blackboard/Google classroom DAILY
Top 3 Skills for Parents to be Successful in Middle School 1. Encourage your child to self-advocate & ask questions 2. Proactively communicate with teachers, school counselors, and administration when needed 3. Utilize SIS ParentVue and Blackboard
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