IVCMS

5th Grade Parent Night

January 31, 2023

Introductions:

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Heather Thorner- Principal

Marc Guastavino -Assistant Principal (A-L)

Sonja Rodriguez- Assistant Principal (M-Z)

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Maria Valadez Santoyo- Counselor (A-L)

Mara Loth- Counselor (M-Z)

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Janelle Yuen(will return in April 2023)

About IVCMS:

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• We work hard to make our 6th graders feel welcome!
• Approximately 390 incoming 6th graders, our enrollment is declining.
• Newsletter in July with back to school info and Annual Update( must be done to get class schedule)
• WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) Program
• 5 star system
• 1st 3 days of school- student orientation activities

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About IVCMS:

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We want you to be here with us, even if your child doesn’t want you to!

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Ways to be active at IVCMS:

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• School Site Council
• ELAC- English Learner Advisory Committee
• Parent Volunteer Committee
• volunteer at events such as Carnival, Jog-A-Thon, 8th grade activities

Things to check out/do before coming to IVCMS!

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Aeries Parent Portal:

https://newhavenusd.aeries.net/

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NHUSD Annual Update will be completed in Aeries(July/August)

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Canvas:

https://nhusd.instructure.com/login/canvas

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Make sure you have a working email address, the main form of communication from IVC and teachers is email and website updates.

What can our counselors do for you and your student?

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Counselors provide a safe confidential setting where students can get support and help through life’s ups and downs.

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• Provide social, emotional, and/or academic support
• Counselors can help in moments of transition, anxiety, stress, grief, and any other life circumstances.

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How can your child access his/her counselor.

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• Students can come in and see their counselor before school, at break, at lunch, or after school.
• Students can make an appointment by either coming in,

using the online appointment form, scanning the QR code or emailing their counselor.

When is it a good time to reach out to your child’s counselor?

• Academic concerns
• Personal concerns
• Family concerns
• Behavioral concerns
• Health concerns
• Social concerns
• Help connecting with support resources

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The Wellness Center at IVCMS

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With comfortable couches, soft lighting, nature sounds, healthy snacks and an array of sensory activities like kinetic sand, painting and puzzles, the wellness center offers overwhelmed students a place to relax and refocus, practice healthy coping mechanisms or talk with a counselor.

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The pre-registration form is live on our website for students to complete:

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6th grade pre-registration 2023/2024

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Here is an instruction

sheet to guide you through the process:

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PRE-REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

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What if my student has an IEP or 504 Plan?

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• 504 plans are transferred from elementary sites. IVCMS updates all 504 plans during the month of October. Administrators, counselors and RSP teachers will contact families to set up a time to update.

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• All IEPs transfer over as well and the 6th grade case carrier is Loren Gluck. He will reach out to all those he is working with.
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Mr. Gluck’s email: lgluck@nhusd.k12.ca.us

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Big Ideas Course 1, 2, and 3

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Math 6, 7, 8 course content

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What is the difference between Math 6 and Accelerated Math?

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• Accelerated Math combines topics from Math 7 and Math 8 into one course

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• Accelerated Math prepares students for Algebra

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Side by side comparison (by chapter)

• Math 6 topics includes:Operations with fractions and decimals, Area, Ratios, Integers, 1-step equations, Surface Area, Statistics
• Accelerated Math topics includes:Operations with integers, fractions and decimals, Powers, Ratios, Percents, Solving Equations and inequalities, Functions, Statistics, Transformations, Volume, Surface Area

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NHUSD

RECOMMENDED PATHWAYS FOR MATH

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What about Math Placement for 6th graders?

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• Students need a WINTER NWEA score of 235 or higher to be placed in Accelerated Math. If they have a score of 234 or below, they will be placed in Math 6.

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• A score of a 4 on the math SBAC test can also qualify a student.

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• Students will have another opportunity to be placed in Accelerated Math during their 7th grade year.

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What will my child do in Science?

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• Science in middle school is a regular daily class.
• We have a well equipped lab area in every classroom.
• We follow Next Generation Integrated Science Standards, which means that your child will be learning Earth and Space, Life and Physical Sciences every year.
• There is not much homework in science, since we believe that kids learn science best through “doing science” and conversation.
• StemScopes Curriculum

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What will my child do in PE?

What do I need to know?

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• Students will be graded on Participation, Dress, and Assessments.
• Assessments include written and performance based tests. Running tests: 400m, 800m, 1200m, and mile.

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• Students will be issued a PE locker and PE lock. Students may not bring their own lock from home.
• Replacement locks cost $15.

• Students must dress in PE uniform every day.
• $15 IVCMS PE shirt
• $15 IVCMS PE shorts
• $25 IVCMS PE sweatshirt (optional)
• $25 IVCMS PE sweatpants (optional)

IVCMS Athletics

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• Sports:
• Season 1: Girls Softball, Boys Basketball, Cross Country
• Season 2: Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer
• Season 3: Girls Volleyball, Flag Football, Wrestling
• Season 4: Track & Field, Girls Soccer, Boys Volleyball, Golf
• SACMAL
• Participating schools in Union City, Newark, San Lorenzo, San Leandro, Castro Valley

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• Practices & Games: Monday-Thursday after school
• In order to tryout, you must fill out the Athletics Waiver Form prior to the tryout date. All information is on the IVCMS website under athletics.
• Athletic Director: Sandor Verstrepen (sverstrepen@nhusd.k12.ca.us)

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Language Arts

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In Reading, we study a variety of literature genres through our Collections Literature textbook, core novels, and independent reading.

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Cultures of Our the World

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Our Social Studies curriculum will

take us back to Ancient Civilizations.

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Students will learn about ancient cultures including the Hominids (early-man), travel through Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, Greece, and learn about the rise of the Roman Empire. They will study how cultures began, flourished, and still influence our lives today.

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What is Core?

• Core is English Language Arts and Cultures of the World (Social Studies) Classes.
• These two periods are most often taught by the same teacher.

Writing is also a major focus in the core classroom, we will cover the following genres of writing: Narrative, Informative/ Explanatory, and Argumentative.

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• For the 2023-2024 school year, students who are identified as English Language Learners will be placed in a English Language Development Support Class as their elective course.

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• These classes are designed to help increase your student’s English language development and proficiency.

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• Students should still fill out a pre-registration form, but students who are identified as EL will be placed an English Language Development Class in lieu of their elective choice.

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What if My Student is Identified as a English Language Learner?

English Language Development Courses (ELD)

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English Development Class Opt-Out Form

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• If your student is identified as an English Learner and you want them to have an elective course (ie: band, choir activity wheel) INSTEAD of an ELD class you MUST complete an OPT OUT FORM. This will be done annually.

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• OPT Out Forms need to be completed with an Administrator at your Elementary School Office ASAP.

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• By requirement, if an OPT Out Form is NOT COMPLETED, English Learners WILL be placed in ELD COURSES.

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Any questions? Please contact our site English Language Program Administrator (ELPA) Marc Guastavino mguastavino@nhusd.k12.ca.us

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6th Grade Elective Choices

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• Students have an elective built into their daily schedule.

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• 6th graders have three choices:
• Activity Wheel
• Band
• Choir

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• Some student will have English Language Development or Study Skills as an elective based on their individual needs, but all students should fill out the pre-registration form with their elective preferences.

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What is the Activity Wheel?

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• Students take each course for 1 Trimester, then rotate to a new class for a total of 3 different classes throughout the year.

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• Classes such as Art, Drama, Maker’s Space, and Music Exploration.

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• Video highlighting the Activity Wheel

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Electronic Handout (click here)

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Largest Student Group on Campus- 175 Students in the Program

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Young people can be found in the Music Classrooms before school, during school, during break, during lunch, after school, and sometimes even when they should be somewhere else. For many young people, the Music Classroom is more than a place of learning- it’s a place of belonging.

THE IVCMS BAND

James Logan Marching Band, 2021 WBA Regional Champions

Many of our students are recognized as some of the best in all of California

• Band is a class.
• Regular part of school day.

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• 2-3 performances throughout the year.
• Minimal after school rehearsals

(1-2 before performance)

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• No experience necessary, but is helpful.
• We will teach them how to sit, breathe, read music

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Instrument Fitting Night

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• March 2, 2023
• 6:00 pm Sharp
• Students please bring a pencil-MPR
• Parents meet in Band Room with pencil
• Takes approximately 2 hours to complete

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Fitting Process:

• Find the instrument that fits them best.
• They select their top 2-3 instruments
• Director assigns positions and balances the TEAM
• Each student assigned an instrument they selected that they have best chance of individual and TEAM success.

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Hope to see you all at the Instrument Fitting Night!!!

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Where can I get more information about IVCMS Choir?

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Click the link below to learn more.

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IVCMS CHOIR

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Click here to watch a choir video

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What do I need to know if my child wants to join the IVCMS Choir?

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• Choir is a year long elective class and three year program that focuses on self development through personal and group expression emphasizing joy and freedom through song.
• Students learn foundations of singing, music reading and performance.
• Students sing in a variety of groups such as Jazz, Broadway, Show Choir, Treble Choir and Advanced Mixed Choirs based on student interest and the skills and talents of the group.

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What do I need know to about the IVCMS Choir Program?

• Students sing in a variety of languages and learn respect for self and all people through music.
• Students engage in recreational singing and public performances at school and in evening concerts.
• Community building, social emotional skills, inclusion and collaboration with emphasis on creativity and self expression are part of the choir program.
• You can be a part! We need lots of parent help!

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If you love creativity, community, collaboration, music, and singing, CHOIR is a great choice for an elective at IVC next year!

Things to look for…

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June 2023- End of the year newsletter with start dates and beginning of the year information. Will be posted on our website all summer.

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July 2023- Welcome Newsletter for the 2023-2024 school year, this will have WEB orientation information, schedule maze pick up information and beginning of the year events listed

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August 2023- 6th grade WEB orientation, student only event.(Friday, August 5: Time TBD)

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IVCMS Helpful Contacts

Heather Thorner, Principal hthorner@nhusd.k12.ca.us

Marc Guastavino, AP (A-L) mguastavino@nhusd.k12.ca.us

Sonja Rodriguez, AP (M-Z) sorodriguez@nhusd.k12.ca.us

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Maria Valadez-Santoyo, Counselor (A-G) mvaladez-santoyo@nhusd.k12.ca.us

Janelle Yuen, Counselor (H-O) jayuen@nhusd.k12.ca.us (out until April 2023)

Mara Loth, Counselor (P-Z) mloth@nhusd.k12.ca.us

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Loren Gluck, Resource Specialist Class of 2026

lgluck@nhusd.k12.ca.us

Nelson Agregado, Band Director

nagregado@nhusd.k12.ca.us

Amanda Kairys, Choir Director

akairys@nhusd.k12.ca.us

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Thank you for coming!

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