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Navigating Middle School

WORKING TOGETHER �FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION

TO MIDDLE SCHOOL

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Meet the Staff

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Meet the Staff

Administration Main Office

Regina McLendon, Principal Jatoia Gregory, Principal’s Secretary

Eugene Rose, Assistant Principal Kelvin Vasquez, Teacher’s Secretary

Margaret Stavish, Assistant Principal Porsche Gilmer, Teacher’s Secretary

Student Services Liaisons

Ellen Scott, Counselor Teresa Norman, Hispanic Achievement

Jennifer Locust-Williams, Counselor Charles Tate, Black Student Achievement

Judy DeMasi, Student Services Secretary

Alanna Hernandez, Data Clerk

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We want to inspire and engage every student to discover and reach their full potential.

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SYSTEM PRIORITIES

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Middle school is a time when students discover interests, skills, strengths and begin to connect these attributes to postsecondary pathways and prepare students for the future.

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Self Awareness

Career Awareness

Career Exploration

Who am I?

Students shall acquire and apply self-knowledge to develop personal learning and career goals.

What Careers Exist?

Students shall use the Maryland Career Clusters and career pathways including Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs of student to understand their relationship to educational achievement and lifelong learning.

What Careers Interest Me?

Students shall assess career clusters and related career pathways including Career Technology Education (CTE) programs of study to develop an academic and career path.

College & Career Readiness Framework

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College & Career Readiness Framework

Career Preparation

Career Training

How Does My Pathway Connect to a Career?

Students shall prepare for post-secondary and career success through a sequenced academic and technical program of study and related workplace experiences.

How Do I Prepare for a Career?

Students shall demonstrate skills to secure, maintain, and advance in employment

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Academics

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The Middle School Schedule

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All students are enrolled in seven �50-minute classes four days a week. One day a week students have an alternate schedule that includes flex time.

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Grade 6 Example Schedule

Course 1

English

Course 2

Mathematics

Course 3

Science

Course 4

Social Studies

Course 5 Quarterly

Physical Education (2)/Health/Tech

Course 6

(Fine Art Choice)

Band, Chorus, Orchestra,

or Art, Music, Theater, and Family and Consumer Science (FACS) or CTE LIfe and Career Skills (each one quarter (or similar sequence))

Course 7 (Elective/Intervention)

1 Quarter - Digital Citizenship, 21st Century Learning, Boost Your Brain, Art, Music, Theater, FACS, Reader’s and Writer’s Cafe

2 Quarters - GT Research

Year-long - ELD, Special Education/Mathematics/Reading Intervention

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  • English Language Arts
  • Fine Arts
  • Health
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies

English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics offer a Gifted and Talented (G/T) option for instruction. Mathematics has an above-grade level course in addition to the G/T options.

In accordance with state requirements, each year middle school students receive instruction in the following areas:

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Students are also required to receive instruction in the following during their middle school experience:

  • Technology
  • Financial Literacy
  • Careers

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Fine Arts Options

Students in grade 6 will choose from the following options:

  • Band
  • Chorus
  • Orchestra
  • Art/General Music/Theater Arts combination

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Additional Courses Added to Your Schedule

  • Family and Consumer Science
  • G/T Research or Seminars/Interventions in reading and/or mathematics
  • Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop
  • Boost Your Brain
  • 21st Century Learning
  • Additional Fine Arts Classes
  • Other Elective Course Offerings

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Finding the Right Balance Between

  • Course Placements
  • Rigor
  • Personal Interests
  • Student Success

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Course Selection Consideration Steps

Ask teachers their input on best fit.

Balance is critical.

Challenge yourself.

Don’t forget to factor in outside activities.

Every student needs to schedule a course load that allows them to get at least 8 hours of sleep.

https://www.hcpss.org/connect/guides/

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The earlier a student develops important academically-related behaviors, the more likely these behaviors are to become a habit.

Source: The Forgotten Middle: Ensuring that All Students Are On Target For College and Career Readiness Before High School, ACT, 2008.

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At OMMS, staff and students:

  • Start with the goal in mind
  • Celebrate effort and achievement
  • Engage in positive experiences each

school day

  • Create excitement for the future

Supporting Academic Behaviors

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Tips For Parents

  • Talk to your child about school and how they are feeling.
  • Work with your child to create routines around school preparation, HW, bedtime, and screen time.
  • Encourage your child to be responsible, for example regularly checking Canvas.
  • Acknowledge that all students will struggle at times and it is healthy to reach out for help.
  • Take school attendance seriously.
  • Build your student’s confidence and identify areas of strength.

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Important Dates

Date

Activity

1/30/25- 2/12/25

  • Course Recommendations for rising 6th graders available in Synergy for parents to review.
  • Families will enter student course requests in Synergy no later than 2/12/25.

5/29/25

Rising 6th Grade Visit

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Any Questions?