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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 [email protected]
Scott NilsenRising 6th Grade School [email protected]
