Welcome to Middle School

Mission and Philosophy

We are a learning community of students, faculty, staff, and parents. At ZIS, educational excellence commits us to Learn, Care, Challenge, Lead.

Learn • We learn by creating meaning, developing habits of mind, and acting on values. • We teach to multiple learning styles. • We learn to understand and to become imaginative thinkers. • We believe that effective teaching leads to meaningful learning, and that effective teachers continue to be learners.

Care• We provide a caring environment for the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of our students. • We care for the world around us and our planet. • We value diversity and plurality of voices. • We are committed to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Challenge• We challenge ourselves to be open to risk, change, and innovation. • We challenge ourselves to ensure the success of each student. • We challenge our students and teachers to share the responsibility for learning. • We challenge our students to exceed their own academic expectations.

Lead• We enable students, faculty, and staff to become confident and responsible leaders.• We lead with a clear sense of direction and purpose.• We lead through best practice and educational innovation.• We aspire to lead by example

Middle School life is about . . .

LearningGrowth

Deeper understandings

RelationshipsNew experiences

Exploration

CreativityFun

Collaboration

Being ActiveBeing Involved

Community

New Challenges

Feedback on learning

• Continuous feedback on academic achievement and self-management achievement through PowerSchool

• Achievement data reset each quarter

• Feedback includes meetings (family and student led conferences), teacher comments, student reflections

• Separate presentation before Open House in the first week of school

Settling into Middle School – the Curriculum

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday8:50-9:00ADVISORY

8:50-9:00ADVISORY

8:50-9:00ADVISORY

8:50-9:00ADVISORY

9:00-10:05 (65 min)

Math 6

9:00-10:05 (65 min)

SS 6

8:50-9:50 (60 min)

Strings 6

9:00-10:05 (65 min)

Science 6

9:00-10:05 (65 min)

PE 6

10:10-11:15 (65 min)

Strings 6

10:10-11:15 (65 min)

Sem 1 DramaSem 2 Art

9:55-10:55 (60 min)

PE 6

10:10-11:15 (65 min)

BG German10:10-11:15 (65 min)

SS 6

11:15-11.25 Break 11:15-11.25 Break 10:55- 11:05 Break 11:15-11.25 Break 11:15-11.25 Break

11:30-12:35 (65 min)

PE 611:30-12:35 (65 min)

Science 6

11:10-12:10 (60 min)

Sem 1 Drama

Sem 2 Art

11:30-12:35 (65 min)

English 611:30-12:35 (65 min)

Strings 6

12:35-1:15 (40 min)

LUNCH12:35-1:15 (40 min)

LUNCH12:15-1:15 (60 min)

BG German12:35-1:15 (40 min)

LUNCH12:35-1:15 (40 min)

LUNCH

1:15-1:30 SSR 1:15-1:30 SSR1:15 -1:55 (40min)

LUNCH 1:15-1:30 SSR 1:15-1:30 SSR

1:35-2:35 (60 min)

English 6

1:35-2:35 (60 min)

Math 6

1:55-2:45 (50 min)

Assembly/Advisory

1:35-2:35 (60 min)

SS 61:35-2:35 (60 min)

Science 6

2:40-3:45 (65 min)

BG German2:40-3:45 (65 min)

English 62:45-5:00

Faculty Meeting Time

2:40-3:45 (65 min)

Math 6

2:40-3:45 (65 min)

Sem 1 DramaSem 2 Art

Elective Choices

Each semester students take eight classes: math, English, science, physical education, social studies, and German language + two elective courses that students choose.

Students need to select their electives for both the first semester (August – January) and the second semester (January – June). In order to fill the elective blocks/classes, students must choose two electives for both semesters which may consist of:

a) 4 semester coursesb) 1 year-long course and 2 semester coursesc) 2 year-long courses

Elective Choices

One Year Courses

Middle School Band *

String Ensemble *

Semester Courses

Choir * Design and TechnologyDrama SpanishArt French

All grade 6 students must take at least one music elective *

Give some consideration to language choices, if this is something that might be important for future schooling

Hopefully, you have already read about these courses in ZIS links:

Grade 6 Elective Descriptions

On Thursday, March 12th you will find the sign-up form in ZIS links. Please sign up with your choices as soon as possible:

Elective sign-up form

Elective Choices

• MS administration visit the LS and Baden to help with elective choices and to talk about life in the villa

• LS and Baden students will visit the middle school in May

• Meet with teachers and students and learn about life in middle school

Student Preparation

Teacher Preparation

• Meetings and conversations between teachers in the middle school and lower school

• Sharing of information about students, curriculum etc. to help prepare for move to middle school

Some final preparations for the move

From us:

• Students will receive a welcome letter in June (also on ZIS links)

• Includes a supply list as well as summer reading assignments

From you:

• Make sure you have all the supplies etc.

• Be back in good time for return to school (night before is not ideal!)

• Practice the journey to middle school

Settling into Middle School

Advisory

• Students are assigned to an advisory group

• Advisor meets with students everyday and plays a big role in helping students to adapt to life in middle school

Athletics and Activities Program - ATAC

How to be successful in Middle School . . .

Work hard

Be involved

Get help when you need it

Be respectful of others, your school, our environment

Never worry on your own …

… we can usually help

And finally...

Contact us: dwood@zis.ch; skeys@zis.ch;