Belmont Ridge Middle School Home of the River

Belmont Ridge Middle School Home of the River Hawks

Motivated…. Dedicated… Educated!

Mission Belmont Ridge Middle School ensures the future success of our students, by providing an equitable, engaging environment of educational success.

Belmont Ridge Middle School 2012 -2015 National School To Watch n 2011 Blue Ribbon School of Music n 2011 Governor’s School of Excellence n 2010 Governor’s School of Excellence n 2009 Governor’s School of Excellence n 2008 Governor’s School of Excellence n 2009 -2012 National School To Watch n 2009 School/Business Partner Award Winner n

Belmont Ridge Team Mr. Flynn Principal Mr. Mc. Kenzie Assistant Principal Mr. Surma Assistant Principal Ms. Dang Dean Mrs. Scott Counselor Mrs. Newman Secretary

Parent Organization Be in the KNOW… Join the PTSO!!!!! n Be a part of an amazing group! n n Volunteer Sponsor major school events and keep up with community events! PTSO Family Dinner April 26 at 7 pm Membership forms are on the BEMS website.

Block Schedule 90 Minute Blocks n Classes meet every other day n 4 Classes Per Day n Resource or Spectrum and Math or Reading Workshops n Music/Art n FACS / Tech ED n Foreign Language / Communication Studies / Accelerating Literacy Skills n

Sample Student Schedule A Day • Language Arts • German • Lunch 12: 37 -1: 07 • US History • PE/Health B Day • Tech Ed • Resource / Band • Lunch 12: 37 -1: 07 • Science • Algebra 1

The Process of Course Selections Students met with Mrs. Scott on 2/8/12 to select their 7 th grade courses. (core academics, math, and elective courses) Parents will receive a list of courses their child selected with the 3 rd Quarter report card. Parents have until June 15, 2012 to request course changes with Mrs. Scott via email.

COURSE SELECTIONS Core Academic Courses Full Year Elective Courses • • Foreign Language • Communication Studies • Accelerating Literacy Skills • Art • Chorus Language Arts History Science Math PE/Health Resource Semester Courses • Tech Ed • FACS

Schedule Options - 7 th Grade Language Options • Latin • German • French • Spanish • Accelerating Literacy Skills • Communication Studies Workshops Math • Reading Strategies • Math Fine Arts • Art • Band • Strings • Guitar 1 • Chorus • Math 7 • Algebra 1 • Tech Ed • FACSCTE

Honors vs. Academic It’s a balancing act. . Honors Academic Language Arts Science US History Math 7 or Algebra 1 Strings BEMS GOAL All BEMS students will take at least one honors class before leaving middle school. Make choices that will keep your child well balanced and not stressed.

Math Selection Process This is a scaled down version of the chart in the Program of Studies. A copy of that chart is on the back of the map Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Math 6 Math 7 Algebra I Math 6 SOL Test Math 7 SOL Test High School Credit Accelerated Math 6/7 Algebra I Geometry SOL Test High School Credit Math 7 SOL Test Click here to see the Middle School Program of Studies.

Language Arts Content covered incorporates: Literature Oral Language Research Writing Vocabulary

US History, 1865 to Present History, Economics, Geography, Cultures, and Civics Industrialization The World Wars Social Changes of the 1900 s

Life Science Classification of organisms Cellular Organization Relationships among organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems Genetic information passed from generation to generation

th Homework in 7 Grade n Homework is a practice of the student learning. n Students should not rely on resource to complete homework. n Teachers will have homework posted on the Belmont Ridge Middle School web page, by teacher name.

Spectrum This is the Gifted and Talented program at middle school. n Offered in lieu of the 45 minute resource class. n Student participation is optional. n Participation option may be exercised from year to year. n Selection criteria is used to identify students who will be participating in Spectrum n

Clubs & Organizations at BEMS “It’s Academic” n Book Club n Chamber Choir n Ecology Club n German Club n Japanese Anime Club n Jazz Band n KLF Club (fee) n Math 7 Help Club n Math Counts (fee) n PAWS n Shakespeare Club n Soccer Club n Video Production Club n Wellness Wednesdays (Oct - May) n Yearbook Club n

April 19, 20, 21 n Begins at 7 pm n Tickets sold in advance and at the door n Great way to introduce new 6 th grade students to our musical production! n

Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) n Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is a research and evidenced-based practice. n It creates a common vision of behavioral expectations through consistent language and practices. n PBIS is a framework of tiered approaches to address ALL the needs of our students.

Rules You Need to Know 1. Behavior is learned and serves a specific purpose. 2. Behavior is related to the context within which it occurs. a. This is why parents and teachers don’t see the same behaviors 3. Children comply with the rules 80% of the time. Guess how often they are complimented for appropriate behavior? a. Less than 2 percent b. We can increase appropriate behavior by 80% just by recognizing and rewarding appropriate

The Middle School Journey Video Clip

Motivated… Dedicated… Educated…