Rising Sixth Grade Parent Presentation Welcome to Davis ...€¦ · Mr. Jason Ganoe-Current 7th...

Welcome to Davis Drive Middle SchoolRising Sixth Grade Parent Presentation

Overview● People to Know● Vision Statement● Sixth Grade Teams● Middle School● Effort Drives Excellence● Tools & Resources● Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)● Grading and Communication● Important Dates● NJHS - Keys to Success

People to KnowMr. Barry Richburg - Principal

Mrs. Cynthia Yaeger- Current 6th Grade Assistant Principal

Mr. Jason Ganoe-Current 7th Grade Assistant Principal

Ms. Julie Resua -Current 8th Grade Assistant Principal

Mr. Scott Nilsen - Rising 6th Grade School Counselor

TBD - Rising 6th Grade Assistant Principal

Officer Cherry - School Resource Officer

Davis Drive Middle School Vision Statement

Davis Drive Middle School will work collaboratively as a community to prepare

students to be highly effective communicators, critical thinkers, and innovators in a complex and changing

world.

Sixth Grade TeamsStudents will be assigned to a team for their 6th grade year.

Teams consist of core subject teachers who teach the same group of students.

There are typically 4 teachers on each team

Typically about 100-150 students per team

Sixth Grade Team Names

Our current teams are:

Blue Barracudas

Red Jaguars

Purple Parrots

Middle School

Sixth Grade Schedule

1st CoreSMART block2nd Core3rd Core & Lunch4th CoreElec/HL (5th)Elec/HL (6th)

8:15-9:139:17-9:479:51-10:4910:53-12:2412:28-1:261:30-2:132:17-3:00

Core Course Information● Core Subjects

○ Language Arts○ Math○ Science○ Social Studies

Students identified AIG in reading or math will receive differentiated instruction within their language arts and/or math class(es).

Math course placement is based on several factors and is determined by your child’s current WCPSS elementary school.

Sixth Grade Elective Courses

Students may opt to take the following year-long electives:

● Beginning Strings

● Intermediate Strings

● Beginning Band

Sixth Grade Elective CoursesStudents who do not opt to take a year-long elective will take one semester of Digital Literacy (space permitting) and one semester of an elective listed below:

● Introduction to Dance● Exploratory Language (Spanish)● Project REVIVE + Exploring Engineering

and Design● Visual Arts Exploratory● Interpersonal Relationships & Childcare● Personal Finance & Hospitality

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxScWCLuuKB9Qld4elVkTDNuVkE

Healthful Living● All students take Healthful Living.● Students follow a rotation cycle

between Health, Physical Education (PE), and Fitness.

● Students must wear a PE uniform during PE and fitness activities, which can be purchased over the summer via the DDMS website.

● Students will need a gym lock to lock up their belongings during their class period. They will remove their lock and belongings from the locker at the end of each class period.

SMART Block

30 minute period in the school day

Provides students with:● Additional instructional support in core classes &

electives● Assessment preparation and makeups● Silent Reading● Study Hall● Enrichment

Students choose where they go, unless a teacher has requested them.

Clubs & Sports

ClubsClubs are extracurricular activities and meet after school.

Club list is subject to change.

Battle of the BooksBroadcast Club

Chemistry Challenge ClubChess Club

Compost ClubEcoWarriors

Girls Who CodeMagic the Gathering Club

MathCountsMock Trial Club

Neuroscience Club

Odyssey of the MindPhotography Club

Quidditch ClubRandom Acts of Kindness

Rubik's Cube ClubScience Olympiad

Spanish ClubStudent Ambassadors

Student CouncilTheater Club

Sports

Per Wake County policy, 6th graders cannot play team sports. They can get involved by acting as a team manager or coming out to

support the teams!

Fall Sports● Football● Volleyball● Cheerleading● Girls’ Soccer

Winter Sports● Basketball● Cheerleading

Spring Sports● Track● Boys’ Soccer● Boys’ Baseball● Girls’ Softball

Effort Drives Excellence

DDMS Panthers Make an I.M.P.A.C.T

InnovateMasterPrepareAchieveCreateTry

Dress CodeAccording to the WCPSS Board of Education, students are expected to adhere to standards of dress and appearance that are compatible with an effective learning environment.

Examples include:

● No pajama pants are allowed.● Shoes must be worn at all times.

No bedrooms slippers should be worn at school.

More information can be found in the student handbook provided at the start of the new school year.

I.M.P.A.C.T. Card

I.M.P.A.C.T. Card:

● In every student agenda there is an I.M.P.A.C.T. card for each quarter of the school year.

● If a student commits a minor behavior (Level 1), the teacher notes the infraction and initials the card.

● As a student accumulates behavioral infractions, consequences are implemented.

Tools & Resources

Agenda

Available for purchase at Panther Pride camp in August.

This is a great tool for keeping up with assignments, SMART Block, and other events.

It also serves as a communication tool between home and school.

Lockers Lockers are optional at DDMS and some 6th graders choose to have one. A student using a locker will need to purchase a lock from the school (available during Panther Pride Camp in August). They can use this lock all three years at DDMS.

Students who opt not to use a locker will use their backpack during the day.

Students also need a lock for their PE locker. This lock is removed daily. Many students purchase a lock over the summer to begin practicing.

Bring Your Own Device

(BYOD)

BYOD Overview

• Students MUST have parent permission to bring a device to school and have a signed BYOD contract

• Device for instructional purposes only

• Students will follow a BYOD signal system where teachers post PAW signals so students know when they are allowed to use their device.

• Consequences will be implemented if students do not follow proper BYOD classroom procedures.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

BYOD is optional!

Purpose: BYOD is available for students to support learning and enhance instruction.

More Information:http://ddmsbyod.weebly.com

Supplies

A general supply list will be available on the website, but please wait to get a specific list from your student’s teachers.

6th graders need to have consistent and regular access to a calculator. We recommend a TI-84. Students will use this calculator throughout middle and high school - and even in college!

Grading & Communication

Grading PolicyWCPSS middle and high school students

follow the 10-point grading scale.

90-100 A80-89 B70-79 C60-69 DBelow 60 F

Grading for Mastery using a Points System

Grading for Mastery

● Only assignments assessed for accuracy are included in the gradebook.● Rubric items will be based off of standards.● Practice assignments will be used for instructional decisions and/or to provide

feedback.● Early intervention strategies are created from mastery grades.● Points earned for mastery of standard; not academic behaviors.

Points System

● A student’s grade will be calculated using a total points system. ● At DDMS we have implemented systems at each grade level to address late work,

absent/make up work and points recovery.

Homework

Students should be prepared to have nightly homework, including study time.

Teachers use their websites to post assignments, documents, and announcements.

In 6th grade, each team will use a calendar to list assignments and upcoming due dates.

Teacher Websites and Parent Portal

Communication

School Website: http://www.wcpss.net/davisdrivems

Twitter: @DDMSbuzz

Hashtag: #DriveFwd

Parent Portal: Forms available in August

Team & Teacher Websites

Principal Weekly Message

Important Dates

Save the Date!Panther Pride Camp

Thursday, August 22nd 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM, Last names A-L

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, Last names M-Z

First Day of SchoolMonday, August 26th

Curriculum NightSeptember 12th

NJHS Keys to SuccessWelcome to DDMS!

Day To Day Transitions Between Classes● Transition Time: Students are given four minutes to get from class to class● Lockers/Bookbags: Lockers are optional and may be used to store class

materials that are not used on a daily basis.● Being late/ Tardy: Certain teachers may prefer that students are punctual

and could potentially have policies that relate to this aspect, although it may vary from one teacher to another. However, four minutes is plenty enough time to make it across the school or through hallways.

● Teachers will tell you in the first week of school how their classroom works. If you have a pass from your teacher explaining why you are late, then you will be excused.

Grading ScaleA - 90 or ABove (Mastery)

B - 80 to 89 (pROFICIENT)

C - 70 to 79 (sTILL deVELOPING)

D - 60 to 69 (NEEDS IMPROVEMENT)*

F - 0 to 59 (DIDN’T PASS)*

*Test corrections

Electives- What to take?➔ Orchestra or Band

◆ Year-round (two-semester) electives◆ Choosing an instrument◆ Intermediate and beginning orchestras

➔ Art◆ Visual art/exploratory art-6th grade

➔ Spanish◆ Language Progression (levels)◆ 8th Grade Spanish I Course - encouraged to take Spanish then all of throughout HS◆ High school credit if you get 70% or above on the final test in 8th grade

➔ Career and Technical Education (CTE) Courses◆ Career Exploration◆ Computer Skills and Applications(Highly Recommended)◆ Family and Consumer Sciences ◆ Project Revive

Extracurricular ActivitiesClubs

● Battle of the Books● Broadcast Club● Community Service Club● Eco Warriors● Girls Who Code● Magic the Gathering● MathCounts● National Junior Honor Society● Neuroscience Club

● Odyssey of the Mind● Photography Club● Project LIT● Random Acts of Kindness● Rubik's Cubists● Science Bowl● Science Olympiad● Spanish Club● Student Ambassadors● Student Council

DDMS has a lot of clubs that focus on a wide variety of subjects, including academics, arts and service. Students also have the option of creating their own if they have a suitable idea and are able to get enough people to join.

Interest meetings for students after school will be conducted at the beginning of the year for those interested in joining any clubs.

Extracurricular Activities (continued)Sports

6th grade students are not permitted to participate in any school sports. However, there are other options:

● First In Fitness

● School Sports Team Managers

Student/ Teacher Interactions

● Your teachers are not out to get you! ● They are here to help you navigate your

way through middle school successfully. ● Don’t be afraid to ask your teachers

questions, because that is exactly what they want!

● If you need help with anything, your teachers are always there for you.

TipsFor Making it Through Middle

School

1. Speak up! Don’t be afraid to talk to your teachers or classmates about any questions you may have.

2. Engage in class, be proactive, and have good time management.

3. Be sure to come to school with an open mind and willingness to learn-- don’t stress about making friends.

4. Don’t keep your work pending and do not procrastinate!

My Favorites: things that I love about

DDMS!

See You Soon!DDMS spirit items, apparel, and PTA memberships are being sold in the front lobby by the PTA.

Barry RichburgPrincipalbrichburg@wcpss.net

Scott NilsenRising 6th Grade School Counselorsnilsen@wcpss.net

Tour Video