Davis Drive Middle School Open House Overview Important

Davis Drive Middle School Open House

Overview • • • Important People & School Map Teams & Course Information Daily Schedule Lockers & Agendas Sports & Clubs Dress Code Homework Communication Tools The First Day/School Supplies Medical/Health Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Important Upcoming Dates

Davis Drive Middle School Mission Statement Members of the Davis Drive Middle School community will equip students with the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to be globally successful in the 21 st century.

Some Good People to Know at DDMS • • • Principal: Dr. Edye Morris-Bryant 6 th Grade Assistant Principal: Mrs. Cynthia Yaeger 7 th Grade Assistant Principal: Mr. Dave Gaudet 8 th Grade Assistant Principal: Mr. Rick Williams 6 th Grade Counselor: Mrs. Amanda Allen School Resource Officer: Officer Cherry

School Map Main Entrance for Bus -Riders

School Map Gym 6 th Grade Students are held in the gym until ~8: 00 am.

School Map 6 th Grade Hall

School Map Elective Hall Orchestra room is on the 2 nd floor above the media center.

6 th Grade Teams • Students will be assigned to a team for 6 th grade. • The team is a group of teachers that teaches the same group of students for Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science.

Middle School Courses • • • Language Arts Math Social Studies Science Health/PE Elective – 1 year-long elective -OR– 2 semester electives

Core Course Placement • At DDMS, students identified as AIG in reading or math will receive differentiated instruction within their Language Arts or Math class. • Students may also receive individual or small group enrichment through DDMS Smart Block scheduling.

Core Course Placement Math Course Placement Criteria Math 6 Plus EVAAS projection of less than 70% EVAAS projection is greater than or equal to 70% -AND- High Level 4 on most recent EOG Compacted Math 6 Plus/ 7 Plus EVAAS projection is equal to or greater than 97% -AND- Level 5 on most recent EOG Math 7 Plus Successful completion of the Math 6 th grade Plus curriculum in 5 EVAAS Projection – probability of scoring Level 3 in CC Math I in 8 th Grade http: //wake-ms-math. weebly. com

6 th Grade Elective Classes Year-long Electives: Students who take a year-long elective will take keyboarding on an A/B schedule (space permitting) *Beginning Strings *Intermediate Strings *Beginning Band *Curriculum Assistance (only taken by students who have this indicated in their current IEP)

6 th Grade Elective Classes Semester Electives: v Students will take one semester of Computer Skills & Applications I (space permitting) and v One semester of an elective listed below: – Introduction to Dance (A or B) – Beginning Spanish – Technology Design & Innovation – Visual Arts Exploratory – FACS - Family Focus – FACS - Consumer Focus

Healthful Living • All students will take Healthful Living. • Students will rotate through Healthful Living on a two-week basis. • Students must change out of their school clothes into a required PE Uniform: DDMS PE Grey t-shirt, DDMS PE Navy shorts, athletic shoes, and socks

Healthful Living • PE Shirts - $10; PE Shorts - $10; Bag - $5 • Online Order forms are available in the Gym Lobby with the Healthful Living teachers. It is highly recommended that you order online in advance, as prices can change and sizes may not be available at the beginning of the year. • Locks should be purchased on their own; locks will be removed from lockers in the locker room daily.

Daily Schedule Sample daily schedule (subject to change): 1 st Period – 8: 15 - 9: 13 SMART Block – 9: 17 - 9: 47 2 nd Period – 9: 51 - 10: 49 3 rd Period & Lunch – 10: 53 - 12: 24 4 th Period – 12: 28 - 1: 26 5 th Period – 1: 30 - 2: 13 (Elective) 6 th Period – 2: 17 - 3: 00 (Elective)

SMART Block • 30 minute period in the school day • Provides students with – Additional instructional support in core/elective classes – Assessment preparation & make-ups – Silent reading – Study hall – Enrichment activities • Students can choose where they want to go for SMART Block, unless a teacher has requested them.

Lockers • 6 th Graders will have a locker and will need to purchase a lock from the school for $5. 00. Students will be able to use their lock for their 3 middle school years. • Students will also need a lock for their PE locker. This lock must be removed daily. Many students have purchased locks over the summer and practiced using them.

Davis Drive Middle Agenda • Available for purchase at Panther Pride Camp for $5. 00 • This is a great tool for keeping up with homework and other school/personal events. • It can also serve as a great communication tool between home and school.

Schedule & Transportation • Bus information will be mailed to you shortly before school starts. • You will have a chance to meet your teachers and run through your schedule during our Panther Pride Camp will be held August 19, 2015. Detailed information will be posted on our website this summer.

Sports v Per Wake County policy, 6 th Graders cannot play on team sports. v They can serve as a team manager or simply come out to cheer on DDMS. Fall Sports: Football Cheerleading Volleyball Girl’s Soccer Winter Sports: Basketball Cheerleading Spring Sports: Boys’ Baseball Girls’ Softball Track Boy’s Soccer

Clubs at Davis Drive Middle Clubs are extracurricular activities and meet after school, typically until 4 pm Club list is subject to change each year • • • Student Council Math Counts Rubik’s Cubists Chess Club Science Club Odyssey of the Mind Photography Club Battle of the Books Debate Club Eco-Warriors Geography Bee Model Rocketry Newspaper National Junior Honor Society • Spanish Club • Spelling Bee • Cinematography • • •

Dress Code • Appropriate dress is necessary in order to promote an effective learning environment. • Students are not permitted to wear – Pajama pants, shorts/skirts – Exposing or see-through tops (Midriff, spaghetti strap, strapless, one-strap, tank tops, or transparent tops) – Excessively tight or revealing clothing – Slippers/bedroom shoes • Shoes must be worn at all times.

Homework • Students should be prepared to have homework nightly, including study time. On average, our students spend up to 90 minutes per night on homework. • Agendas are very helpful with keeping track of homework assignments and when longer term projects are due. • Teachers also use Blackboard to post documents, assignments, and announcements.

Communication Tools • School Website http: //davisdrivems. wcpss. net • Follow us on Twitter @DDMSBuzz • Parent Portal – Forms will be available at Panther Pride Camp • Team & Teacher Websites • Principal weekly voicemail

Parent Portal You may complete a Parent Portal Authorization form to receive your access information.

Parent Portal

Team & Teacher Websites Team and teacher websites are often helpful for keeping track of assignments and due dates. These websites do not replace student’s agenda use.

Team & Teacher Websites 6 th Grade Information

Team & Teacher Websites Links to Team Blackboard Sites.

Team & Teacher Websites Class Information, Homework, Teacher Information, Etc. Teacher/Team Announcements, Reminders, etc.

The First Day & School Supplies Your teachers will do a fantastic job of showing students around DDMS on the first day of school. Supply lists will be posted over the summer on the DDMS website. Your teachers may have a few specific supplies they would like you to buy.

Calculators • 6 th graders need to have consistent and regular access to a calculator. • TI-84 graphing calculator is recommended • Can check one out from the media center if unable to secure on own

Bring Your Own Device Purpose: BYOD is available for students to support learning, enhance instruction, and provide the best possible outcome for student learning. More Info: http: //ddmsbyod. weebly. com/

BYOD Student Expectations • Students MUST have parent permission to bring a device to school and have a signed BYOD contract • ONLY the owner of the device can touch. . . not a friend or a teacher • Device for instructional purposes only • DDMS is not responsible for providing facilities to charge devices; devices are expected to be charged at home and put away after the battery loses its charge • NO DEVICE USE ZONES: Bathrooms and Locker Rooms • School Staff reserves the right to change procedures and storage of devices as needed.

BYOD Signal System

Discipline & Security • There are consequences if students do not follow proper BYOD classroom procedures. • Social Media sites are NOT allowed! • Only student’s school email is allowed. • Pictures, videos, and recordings are only permitted with teacher’s permission. • Students may only use the school’s wi-fi, not their own 3 G or 4 G network. • Students are responsible for keeping up with their device and securing it when it is not in use. WCPSS and DDMS are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.

Important Upcoming Events & Dates • Coffee with Administration – Wednesday, May 13 th at 10: 00 am – Rising 6 th Grade Parent Q & A – Media Center • Panther Pride Camp – Rising 6 th graders come on campus, pick up their schedules, meet their teachers – August 19 th, 2015 • 8: 30 am – Last Name “A” to “L” • 10: 30 am – Last Name “M” to “Z”

Questions? • Cynthia Yaeger, 6 th grade Assistant Principal cyaeger@wcpss. net • Amanda Allen, 6 th grade Counselor aallen 3@wcpss. net