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Welcome

To Ford

Class of 2031!

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Introductions

Doug Wilhelm, Principal
Brittany Castillo, 7th Grade AP
Melissa Bettge, 8th Grade AP
Ghia Black, Counselor
Debra Fulton, Counselor

Wilhelm

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Presentation Link

Wilhelm

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Discussion Topics

How does middle school work?

What courses are offered and which ones should I pick?

Requirements for specific courses.

Middle School Basics

Courses Offered

Programs & Criteria

Special Programs at Ford.

FOCUS & Mustang Hour

Parent and student “To-Do” list.

Things to Do

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Middle School Basics

School day is 8:20 am - 3:30 pm
8 classes every day
Each class is 47 minutes (5th Period is 57 minutes)
3 Lunch periods
3 minutes to get to each class
4 core classes: Math, English, Science & History
3 Elective classes: Fine Arts, CTE, Athletics, P.E.

Bettge

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FOCUS

Focused Opportunities to Cultivate Understanding and Success!
During 4th Period.
Intervention and Enrichment for all students in all core subjects including study skills.
Tiered instruction to meet the needs of all learners at their level.
Closing the gaps.

Wilhelm

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Mustang Hour

Usually occurs on Thursdays and Fridays during 4th period.
Opportunity to be engaged in clubs and activities.
Get to know other students that have similar interests.
Student voice and choice.
Students sign up quarterly through Minga.

Wilhelm

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On-Level vs. Advanced

Difference in the rigor of instruction.
Difference in grading regulations.
Difference in assignments and assessments.
Self-Select for English, Science and History
NOT self-select for math! Must qualify and counselors will change those schedules.
Stop by the Advanced Academics (GT) table to ask specific questions about the differences between On-Level and Advanced.

Black / Fulton

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Gifted/Talented (GEMS)

Humanities

Humanities English
Humanities History
Science GT

Current AIM and GATE students have the option to sign up for any combination or all of the GT courses offered.

Black / Fulton

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Math

All students select on level math now - your counselor moves you to math advanced if you qualify.
All current 6th grade students are automatically evaluated in the spring and again in the summer to qualify for Advanced.
Qualification criteria include STAAR tests, MAP tests, and report card grades - students must meet 2 out of 3 checkpoints
7th grade advanced math covers 7th and 8th grade TEKS to be prepared for Algebra in 8th grade.

Chandler

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Science

On Level, Advanced, and GT classes cover the same topics.
It is a composite science and will cover a little of everything.
On-Level - less in depth work, most work should be completed in class.
Advanced - Goes a little deeper and will have some extension lessons. Expect more homework plus projects outside of class.
GT - Focuses learning through project-based learning. They still complete in-depth labs and may have more extensions than Advanced

GT Science highly suggested for all GT students.

Lanier

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English

On-Level and Advanced English covers the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking and focuses on comprehension and critical analysis
Difference in the rigor of instruction-

Advanced: more independent reading and expanded writing

Parents and students should consider the student’s reading level and writing ability when selecting Advanced English
Pacing is accelerated

Difference in grading regulations

Advanced: Late work reduced to 60%
On Level: Late work reduced to 70%

Pannell

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History

7th Grade Texas History
This course includes the full scope of Texas history, including Natural Texas and its People; Age of Contact up through modern Texas history.
Students will analyze primary and secondary sources to acquire information about Texas.
The difference between On-level and Advanced is the rigor of the course work. Advanced work is more independent and accelerated.
GT/Humanities will cover the Advanced curriculum plus combine with Advanced English for its own curriculum. This includes Project Based Learning and other assignments that allow for more complex thinking and understanding.

Van Brunt

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Career & Technical Education

Investigating Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Technology Applications in Computer Graphics
College and Career Readiness
Professional Communications (0.5 HS credit)
Robotics/Web Communications (0.5 HS credit)
Sports and Entertainment Marketing (0.5 HS credit)

*All the classes above can only be taken once � during Middle School

Yearbook (Application Course)

Shepperd

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Fine Arts

Art Classes - Introduction to Art and Intermediate Art (Prerequisite: Introduction to Art) (Meyers)
Theatre Classes - Theatre Arts I and Theatre Arts II (Prerequisite:Theatre Arts I) (Hull)
Band Classes - Concert, Symphonic, and Honor Bands (Brooks)
Choir Classes - Tenor/Bass, Select Tenor/Bass, Treble, Select Treble (Gulley)
Orchestra Classes - Concert, Sinfonia, Chamber (Curry, Van Sice)

*** Must be in band or orchestra in 6th grade to sign up for those courses in Middle School

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Native/Heritage Spanish Speakers II & III Advanced

Must have successfully completed an elementary dual language program, pass the placement test or identify as a native/heritage Spanish speaker with a novice high to an intermediate level of language proficiency
Students must submit a request for evaluation which can be found on the Ford website under counselor corner and Class of 2029 (not on course sheet)
1 year of Native Spanish level 2 will satisfy both years of foreign language for high school graduation. Level 3 will get them closer to take and pass the AP/IB exam.
Course is designed to prepare students for the AP/IB program and requires extra hours of study per week.

Matos

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French 1 & Spanish 1 Advanced

(8th grade courses)

These high school level advanced courses are offered in 8th grade to students wanting to start their language study in middle school.
To determine Advanced LOTE placement, multiple measures are used as qualification criteria for non-native speakers, and may include MAP tests and report card grades.
Students must have an 80 or better grade point average at the end of 7th grade Semester 1 to qualify for early admission to these courses. Students not initially placed must submit a request for additional review to the campus counselor.
By starting their French or Spanish studies one year early, students have the opportunity to take up to 5 years of language studies in high school (earning college credit for AP & IB courses)
1.0 High School Credit

Tessier & Ramirez

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Physical Education

All students are required to complete 2 semesters of P.E. prior to 9th grade.

P.E. credit includes P.E., Athletics, Off-Campus P.E., Golf, Tennis, and Cheer
Most students acquire their P.E. requirement during 7th grade.

Wilhelm

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Cardio / Weights (ADV PE)

ELIGIBILITY - for ALL students, but designed for athletes

Open to 7th and 8th grade
Takes place of regular PE credit
Meant for XC, wrestlers, swimmers, gymnasts, soccer, Etc.

ENDURANCE

Running, Running, Running
At least ½ mile to 3 miles a day

WEIGHTS

Twice a week - weight room
Technique and form

Shannon

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Boys Athletics (Boys Athletics Website)

Football, Basketball, and Track/Cross Country

7th grade practices are before school
Transportation is not provided
A complete physical is required each year (please get this in the summer)
Parents must also complete Rank 1 forms online

Football, sign up for Boys Athletics Fall and Spring Everyone plays!
Basketball, sign up for PE Fall and PE Spring.

Basketball is a try-out sport

Track is after school - not for credit
Cross Country is before school - not for credit

Renfro

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Girls Athletics (Girls Athletics Website)

Volleyball, Basketball, and Track/Cross Country

7th grade practices are before school
Transportation is not provided
A complete physical is required each year (please get after May 1)
Parents must also complete Rank 1 forms online.

Volleyball or Basketball, sign up for Girls Athletics Fall and Spring. Both are tryout sports
Track is after school - no credit - Everyone runs
Cross Country is before school - no credit

Shannon

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Golf, Tennis, and Cheer

You must try-out to make these teams:

Golf (fall semester, competitive must have own clubs) choose golf, if you don’t make team - move to PE
Tennis (spring semester, competitive must have own racquet) choose tennis, if you don’t make team - move to PE
Cheerleading (full-year, choose PE Fall & Spring) if you make cheer we will change you to cheer.

Waters/Ingle

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Required Vaccinations

Incoming 7th Grade Required Vaccinations

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) AKA Boostrix, Adacel
Meningitis MCV4 (meningococcal conjugate) AKA Menactra, Menveo, MenQuadFi

The state requires the above vaccinations be completed PRIOR to starting 7th grade. Please check with your health care provider NOW to see if your student has already had the vaccines or needs to make an appointment to receive them. Updated vaccination records must be turned in by the end of this school year (May 2025). You can submit records to the elementary nurse or contact info is available to send them to the Ford nurse.

Vanderslice

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Mustang Roundup

Incoming 7th Grade and New Student Orientation.
July 29th & 31st (Tentative)

Student should attend one of the two dates.
Not required but highly recommended.

Campus tour and more in depth explanations of rules, procedures, and programs.
A sign-up form will be distributed later in the spring.

Bettge

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Ford PTSA

Please support our students and staff and sign up to be a member!
Get involved at Ford and volunteer at PTSA activities.
Purchase Ford spirit wear!
Go to Ford PTSA to sign up today!

Wilhelm

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Questions?

You will now have the opportunity to ask questions in the cafeteria. Boys and Girls Athletics will stay in here in the gym.

Wilhelm