Billy Mills Middle School

Home of the Cougars

Introductions

• Andrew Taylor, Principal
• Sara Murray, Assistant Principal
• Alexis Gonzales, Counselor

–Student last names A - K

• Gabby Novello, Counselor

–Student last names L - Z

• Sunny Pippert, Social Worker
• Eva Mccrary and Charles Coleman, Student Support Facilitators
• Rose Murray, WRAP Therapist

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What do we study in 6th grade?

Required Core Courses

Student Success

Language Arts

Math

Social Studies

Science

PE/Flex

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What do we study in 6th grade?

Exploratory Courses

(Semester Long)

Art 6

Music 6

Intro to Steam 6

Communication Arts 6

World Languages 6

What do we study in 6th grade?

Elective Choice Courses

Band (Full Year)

Orchestra (Full Year)

AVID 6 (Full Year)

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Who are are teachers in 6th grade?

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Band Mr. Watgen

Orchestra Mrs. Maxwell

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Exploratory Courses

Art Ms. Ren

Music Mrs. Deboard

Comm Arts Mr. Self

Intro to Steam Mr. Beavers

AVID 6 TBD

World Languages Ms. Reynolds

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Who are the teachers in 6th grade?

6th grade Core

Mrs Pope and Dr. Barker - Social Studies

Mrs. Hardesty and Mr. Daniels- ELA 6

Ms. Merz and Mr. Heatwole- Science 6

Ms. Kookesh and Ms. Merz- Math 6/IPA

P.E.

Mr. Deiser and Mrs. Murray

Art 6

• Be creative
• Learn new techniques to increase your art skills
• Make a variety of projects with different mediums
• Listen to music and have conversations while you work
• Creative freedom to tailor projects to your interests

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Past 6th grade projects

Collage

Ceramics

Printmaking

Music 6

• In Music 6, students can learn to use the instrument that they already have - their voice!
• They will begin with the basics of posture, vowel formation, and breathing technique. Students will learn how to read music on the staff and apply that knowledge to their voice.
• The theoretical and practical skills built in Choir 6 greatly support their abilities in any area of music - students are encouraged to take Choir as well as Band or Orchestra.

Communication Arts 6

Communications Arts 6 is an introduction to public speaking and theatre arts. Students learn about teamwork, performance (monologues and group), and technical theatre.

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Speech and Drama 7 is deeper dive into theatre arts. Students learn about acting, performance (monologues and group), improvisation, scriptwriting, and technical theatre.

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Speech and Drama 8 is advanced theatre: students perform original monologues and short scripts, perform improv and pantomime, and learn design and technical theatre skills.

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Intro. to STEAM 6

AVID 6

• Application is required and does NOT guarantee acceptance. Spaces are limited.

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• Students will receive handouts with application information from their elementary teacher later this spring.

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• Students will be contacted via student email regarding acceptance toward the end of the school year.

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B M M S

Statistically,

AVID Students:

Scan the code to learn more about AVID at BMMS

Contact Shari Flakus for more information at:

sflakus@usd497.org

World Languages 6

Band 6

• In Band 6 students will learn to play an instrument. Band instruments include: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, and Percussion.

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• Students will learn to read music, perform concerts, work as a part of a team, and develop discipline and work ethic.

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• District owned instruments are available for some students.

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Director: Collin Watgen

cwatgen@usd497.org

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8th Grade Band performing at the Lied Center

Orchestra 6

• In Orchestra 6, students will learn to play a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass)
• Students will learn basic music theory including how to read and write music; as well as teamwork, discipline, and creativity
• District instrument rentals are available!
• Check out the “You Can Do It All” commercial

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Director: Whitney Maxwell

whitney.maxwell@usd497.org

Physical Education 6

• Variety of Activities
• Inclusive of ALL Skill Levels
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Friendly Competition
• Fun Challenges
• Build Strength, Skills and Confidence

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Every other day all year long!

Flex

All 6th grade students will have flex every other day throughout the school year, rotating with PE.

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Flex is a designated time to provide instruction to meet individual student needs, and opportunities for growth.

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Teachers will use a combination of classroom performance and testing data to group flex classes throughout the school year. These grouping will change throughout the school year, based on students needs and intervention focus.

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Math Options

• Math 6 (Grade Level)

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• Introduction to Pre-Algebra

(Advanced)

6th Grade Enrollment Form

https://sites.google.com/usd497.org/bmmsmiddleschoolenrollment/faq

Enrollment Website for more information is below:

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6th Student Schedule (Sample)

Period 1 8:00 - 8:47 Student Success

Period 2 8:50 - 9:37 Social Studies

Period 3 9:40 - 10:27 Science

Period 4 10:30 - 11:17 Language Arts

Period 5 11:20 - 12:37 Math 6/IPA (includes lunch)

Period 6 12:40 - 1:27 Band/Orchestra/Avid

Period 7 1:30 - 2:17 Exploratory Course (Music, Art, etc.)

Period 8 2:20 - 3:06 PE/Flex (A/B class rotation)

Extra Curricular Activities

• Garden Club
• Anime Club
• Intertribal Club
• Cougar Corner
• Student Council
• Crochet Club
• Dungeons and Dragons
• Tech Team
• Horror Club

• Attend Sporting Events (Free)
• Boys & Girls Club (Teen Center Bus available)

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AND MANY MORE!

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PowerSchool

• Parents have an account

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• Track grades and assignments

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• Track attendance

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• School communication

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• More information available for parents

Parent Involvement

• Site Council
• CPO (Cougar Parent Organization)
• Attending activities

Communication

• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
• BMMS Weekly Newsletter (Emailed on Fridays)
• School Website

CONTACT INFORMATION

BMMS Student Services

Alexis Gonzales, Counselor

Student Last Names A – K

agonzale@usd497.org

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Gabby Novello, Counselor

Student Last Names L – Z

gabriella.novello@usd497.org

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BMMS Administration

Andrew Taylor, Principal

andrew.taylor@usd497.org

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Sara Murray, Assistant Principal

smurray@usd497.org

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