Welcome to th Minnechaugs 8 Grade Parent Orientation

Welcome to th Minnechaug’s 8 Grade Parent Orientation

CLASS OF 2022

Superintendent Al Ganem, Jr.

Mission Statement Our mission is to provide a safe and academically challenging learning community where all members demonstrate integrity, responsibility, and respect.

CORE VALUES Intellectual Development Integrity Wellness Community & Citizenship

Purpose of Tonight’s Orientation n To introduce parents to the school and day-to-day life at MRHS n Other orientation opportunities for students n n Peer Mentors from MRHS will be discussing the high school experience with 8 th graders in the spring Tours and orientation activities TBD

Tonight’s Program n Introductions n n n n Mrs. Nicole Smith, Associate Principal (Curriculum) Ms. Heidi Drawec, Assistant Principal (Activities & Student Services) Mr. George Lanides, Assistant Principal (Student Services) Mr. Michael Roy, Athletic Director Mrs. Christine Trumbull, Special Education Dept. Chair Mr. Keith Poulin, Director of Guidance Officer Dan Menard, School Resource Officer Department Fair

Graduation Requirements Credits § § Each course passed (D- or higher) earns a student 5 credits. Students may earn up to 40 credits per academic year. Ø 8 courses @ 5 credits each = 40 credits

Graduation Requirements: Credits § § Students must accumulate 140 credits to graduate. Students who pass every course during their four years will earn 160 credits. Ø 4 years @ 8 courses per year Ø 32 courses = 160 credits

Graduation Requirements Courses § § § § 4 English 3 Mathematics (4 – 1 Senior Year) 3 Social Studies 3 Science (3 Lab Sciences) 4 P. E. /Health/Developmental Guidance 1 Fine Art * *See page 12 of the 1 Applied Art * Freshmen Program of for list of Fine Art (Foreign Language) Studies and Applied Art classes

Graduation Requirements MCAS Students in the Class of 2022 must pass an MCAS exam (NEW) in the following subject areas: n Math (gr 10) n English (gr 10) n Science Ø All taking 9 th grade Tech & Engineering class OR Biology class grade 10

What Science class should my child take? Students may choose Technology and Engineering or Global Science. Both classes count as one of the three science classes a student must take. Both prepare students for Grade 9 or Grade 10 MCAS.

AP Capstone Program n n AP Seminar- Sophomore Year n Collaborative & Independent Research n Paper, Presentation, Oral Defense & AP Exam AP Research- Senior year n In-depth Independent research using experts and original study n Paper, Presentation & Oral Defense Students Sharpen Skills to better. . . n Think Critically , Argue Logically, & Make Decisions with Evidence n Read, Write & Communicate Effectively. AP Capstone Diploma (4 additional AP classes)

What does a typical freshman schedule look like?

A Day at MRHS 7: 25 Students arrive, lockers 7: 35 Final Bell! Announcements 7: 35 – 9: 00 1 st Block 9: 05 – 10: 30 2 nd Block 10: 35 – 12: 35 3 rd Block (includes 3 lunch waves) 12: 40 – 2: 05 4 th Block

Features of the Block Schedule n n Students take 8 courses per year 4 courses each semester n Semester One: September to January n Semester Two: January to June

Features of the Block Schedule n We attempt to balance the schedule in order for semesters to be equally demanding. n Band, Choral, String Ensemble and some Special Education classes meet throughout the year on an alternating day basis with Physical Education.

Freshman Schedule (8 classes) § § § § 1 English (Literature & Composition) 2 Math (Algebra 1 Parts 1 and 2) 1 Physical Education/ Health class 1 History (Modern World History) 1 Science (Tech. & Engineering w/mcas required or Global Science) 1 Foreign Language elective 1 additional elective Blocks Rotate

After School n Extra Help from Teachers n n Tuesday and Thursday 2: 10 – 3: 10 Information Research Commons Monday-Thursdays Until 3: 30 & n Fridays Until 3: 00 n

Clubs & Athletics n Over 50 clubs to choose from n Getting involved is important for your child’s transition and looks good on college applications n There will be a sports information night in June which will include information about fall registration. (Make sure physicals are up to date)

Clubs & Activities n Incoming Freshmen can play football or be a cheerleader and STILL be a member of the band. n Band, Choir, and String Ensemble classes have many varsity athletes from all sports. n If you are “on the fence” about Band/Chorus participation, try it for one year!

Transition Issues n n Getting on buses at the end of the day Pace of courses in block: need to be organized n use agenda tools (phones? ) n have good attendance n n n Attendance policy (more than 10 days lose credit for course) Parents becoming less involved – NO!

Transition Work n Guidance Counselors met with 8 th graders last week n High School teachers discussing with Middle School teachers course expectations, transitional issues, and the different levels at MRHS

Cafeteria n Point of Sale system…. . Nutrikids like at all other schools in the district n Accounts will roll over to MRHS along with codes

At what level should my child be enrolled in each subject area? Ø Ø Level One (Accelerated College Prep) Level Two (College Prep) Multi-level (most electives) Carnegie (a designation used in math only) Ø Honors and Advanced Placement classes start in Sophomore year (Level 1 rigor and expectations will prepare students for Honors and AP) Ø AP classes receive a 1. 0 GPA bump and Honors classes receive a 0. 5 GPA bump

Career & Technical Education Programs (CTEC) n All CTEC programs start Sophomore n year – please see the FULL Program of Studies on our webpage for the list of programs If considering CTEC for Sophomore year: n n n Recommend Fine Art for Freshman Year Students are at MRHS 1/2 day and at CTEC for 1/2 day Mrs. Gentile is the Guidance Counselor

Incoming Freshman Academic Eligibility Rules n 8 th graders must pass (for the year) three of four CORE academic courses (Math, Science, English, Social Studies) in order to be eligible for high school athletics in the fall of 2018.

Course Selection Process

Course Selection Process January §Students received a copy of the Program of Studies in late January. § Parents should review course options that are described in the Program with their child.

Course Selection Process, continued. . n January High school Counselors meet with their students at the middle schools.

Course Selection Process, continued. . Feb/March n n Orientation Program held in the Minnechaug Auditorium (Tonight) Recommendation Day at the middle schools; teachers make their course recommendations for next year’s classes.

Course Selection Process, continued. . June n n August Parents will be mailed a list of the courses their child signed up for. CHANGES NOW Schedules are mailed to homes.

How Do We Support Students? n n n Guidance Counselors Adjustment Counselors APO (Assistant Principals’ Office) Peer Mentors High School Advisory Program Naviance for College and Career Planning

How to create a positive school culture? n n n Report, report Anonymous Reporting Tool via Edline Monitor digital formats: Facebook, Twitter, Text Messages Life Skills Curriculum in Health Classes Full-Time School Resource Officer Monitor changes in student

Important Handouts n 4 -Year Plan n Course n “Who Sign-up Sheet To Call” List

Keeping Track: Edline n Edline is a web-based communication tool n n Class information n FROM school (teachers, principal, district) TO home (parents, students) Have parent account separate from student account Course info & grading policies Print handouts & project rubrics School Information n Calendars, newsletters, lunch menu, contact info, daily announcements, Handbook, Program of

The Next Four Years… n n n Students will be challenged and struggle Students will have personal relationships, break up, get back together, break up, (repeat) Students will get their driver’s license Students will apply to college & they will leave Horizon is closer than we think!

We Are Chaug! n What the Philosophy means? Unifies our school n It speaks to our Identity n It is the essence of our Core Values n n Students and teachers and staff are from all different places, but here We Are Chaug!

Enjoy the ride…it goes FAST…

Thank You for Coming!