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WELCOME!

Transitioning to the Middle School

Incoming 7th grade transition meeting

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Enjoy a treat! The purple sheet on your table is just an extra copy of what was sent home.

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Welcome!

We are so excited that you will be joining us at the middle school next year.

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A few fun facts about Freeland Middle School

  • 2 grade levels - 7th and 8th grade
  • Roughly 310 students in the building next year
  • The Middle School and High School are attached

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Who you will see when you walk in the office?

  • Mrs. Starr - Middle School Secretary
  • Mr. Duley - K-8 Counselor
  • Mrs. Wulff - Middle School Principal
  • Mrs. Sheffer - MTSS Student Support Coach

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What Mrs. Starr and Mrs. Wulff can help with...

  • Scheduling questions
  • Concerns about safety
  • General questions about the building
  • Mrs. Wulff handles all discipline
  • Many other things…

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What Mr. Duley can help you with?

  • Peer-to-peer conflict management
  • School questions
    • Grades
    • Missing Work
    • Class Schedule
  • Running groups for various reasons
    • New students
    • Interest groups
  • Career Cruising

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What can Ms. Sheffer help you with?

  • Ms. Sheffer’s main role is to help us with interventions here at school
    • Homework is Priority lunch group (HIP table)
    • Reading Workshop
      • Leveled Literacy Intervention
    • Math Intervention
      • 7th grade
      • 8th grade
    • 504 Plans
    • English Language Learner support

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Classes… what do they look like?

  • School starts at 7:40am and ends at 2:30pm
  • 7 hour days
  • 30 minute lunch at 10:20am (YES… REALLY, REALLY EARLY!)
  • 50 minute class periods
  • 5 minutes between each class period

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  • 1st and 7th hour are “exploratory” classes
  • 2nd-6th are “core” classes

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Required courses at the middle school

  • 7th grade required courses:
    • World History
    • English/Language Arts
    • Math (various options)
      • Math Course 2, Math Course 3
    • Science
    • PE/Health
  • 8th grade required courses:
    • US History
    • English/Language Arts
    • Math (various options)
      • Math Course 3, Algebra 1
    • Science
    • PE/Health

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Math...

  • There are two paths for math… Math Course 2 OR Math Course 3
    • Placement Decisions - Data based
    • 7th grade Math Course Description

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Exploratory Explanation

  • Every student will take an exploratory rotation 1st and 7th hour
  • If you are in the following classes you will be taken out of your exploratory rotation and put into that class:
    • Band
    • Choir

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Exploratory Rotations - 1st hour

Art

9 weeks

Automation and Robotics

9 weeks

Keyboarding

9 weeks

Life Skills

9 weeks

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Exploratory Rotations - 7th hour

Media Literacy

9 weeks

Medical Detectives

9 weeks

Creative Writing

9 weeks

Speech

9 weeks

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Band and Choir

Band - Mr. Shaw

  • 1st hour
  • If you are in band, and want to continue… then continue! We are excited about your joining us in the middle school band.

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Choir - Mrs. Williamson

  • 1st hour
  • 7th and 8th grade choir class
  • If you are in Powley Street and are interested in choir, this may be the class for you!

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Project Lead the Way

  • Introduction to Engineering
  • Three Classes
    • Design and Modeling
    • Automation and Robotics
    • Medical Detectives
  • The middle school program is known as “Gateway” to engineering
  • If you like your “STEM” days at the elementary school… you will love this class!

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  • Hour: 7th hour

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Questions on Exploratory Classes and Options?

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Athletics at the middle school

  • Sports! FMS Athletic Seasons:
    • Girls Basketball (Fall)
    • Cross Country (Fall)
    • Wrestling (Fall/Winter)
    • Girls Volleyball (Fall)
    • Boys Basketball (Winter)
    • Boys and Girls Track (Spring)
    • Cheer and Pom opportunities throughout the year

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Clubs and Organizations

  • Extra curricular activities
    • Middle School Robotics Club
    • Student Council
    • Travel Club - Washington DC Spring 2019
    • School Play
    • Grief Club
    • One United Club
    • Math Club
    • Wellness Club
    • Fishing Club
    • Bass Fishing Team
    • Equestrian Team

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Homework and Exams

  • Homework policy at the middle school:
    • Expected to be completed by the due date
    • Penalties for late work including % marked off, or a zero if not completed in a reasonable time frame
  • HIP Group
    • HOMEWORK IS PRIORITY
    • Lunch group that meets daily to hold all students accountable for finishing their homework
  • Exams
    • Students will take exams at the end of each semester in their core classes. They are a calculated test score in the 2nd and 4th marking period grade.

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Electronic Device Policy

  • Cell Phone Policy
    • Cell phones and electronic devices are permitted on campus
    • They are to be kept in the lockers for the entire school day, including lunch
    • Cell phones may only be used in classes with teacher permission

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Cell Phone/Electronic Device Violations

1st offense:

  • Confiscation of phone
  • 1 lunch detention

2nd offense:

  • Confiscation of phone
  • 2 lunch detentions
  • Parents will be notified

3rd offense:

  • Confiscation of phone
  • 1 day in school suspension (or out of school if needed)
  • Parents will be notified

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Technology Use Expectations

What to expect with 1:1?

  • Devices are for educational purposes only in and out of school
  • Technology misuse will be clearly defined for students in the first week of school
  • Students will get school email starting in 7th grade
  • Misuse tickets for technology misuse
    • 1st offense - one after school detention
    • 2nd offense - two after school detentions
    • 3rd offense - three after-school detentions and a parent/principal/student meeting

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SOAR… positive reinforcement at the middle school

  • Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
    • Tickets passed out weekly to students who show positive behavior
    • Every marking period there is an assembly to celebrate student success and positive behavior
    • Building wide expectations on shared spaces - cafeteria, bathroom, hallway, gym, auditorium
    • Classroom expectations clear and concise

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Shared Space with the High School

  • The Cafeteria is used by both buildings
  • There are some teachers from the high school who teach exploratory classes. These classes will be held in the high school
  • Middle School expectations with our SOAR matrix, and cell phone policy will be the same regardless of where the class takes place

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May 20th - Transition Day!

All incoming 6th grade students will be traveling with their teachers to attend a transition day on May 20th!

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Questions?

If you have questions in the future do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Wulff!

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wulffr@freelandschools.net

989-692-4032

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