Seventh Grade Information Night
Notes
• Please use this information from Incoming
Seventh Grade Information Night to
supplement the C.I.S.D. Program of Studies
and the McCullough Junior High Course
Guide Supplement.
• Both of these documents are available for
download from the front page of our website.
• Pictures from the presentation have been
removed for quick and easy downloading.
This Presentation
• From the perspective that
you have never had a child in
secondary school
• Will answer almost any
question you could have and
I believe you will feel better
when you depart
• All information is in the
C.I.S.D. Program of Studies
and the McCullough
supplement online at our
website
Welcome
• Looking forward to
a new year
• New challenges for
students in
secondary education
• New responsibilities
• New opportunities
Snapshot Of Our School
• Composed of young
people from around
the country, and the
globe
• Wonderful students
• Supportive parents
• Tremendous staff
• All have high
expectations
Snapshot of our school
• TEA Gold
Performance in
–
–
–
–
–
Writing
Science
Reading
Social Studies
Math
Personal Vision
• To be the best secondary school in Texas
Special Recognition for
McCullough Students
• Texas Monthly Magazine
• Outstanding Secondary School
Snapshot of our school
• T.E.A. Exemplary Campus
At McCullough
• We do things for a reason
(We have kids here too!)
• Kid-friendly and prepare
for the future
• Grading
• Projects
• Discipline
• Testing
• Procedurally
Goal 1
• Academic
Preparation
• Paradigm
Shift
Goal 1A: Safety
•
•
•
•
•
Visitors sign-in and sign-out
Visible administrators and police
All classroom doors locked
Building opens at 8:00 a.m.
All outside doors are locked at 8:50 a.m.
when school starts
• Video surveillance system
• Safety letters home
Goal 2: Preparing Students
for High School
• 352 working days over
two years to prepare
students for high school
• Students are in high
school day they walk in
the door if they take
algebra Pre-AP in
seventh grade
• Procedures are ageappropriate and have a
reason
7th Grade Student Orientation
• Tentatively scheduled for August 11
– Will publicize through Tartan Tribune
– Dependent on the C.I.S.D. School Calendar
once adopted for 2011-2012
– Need volunteers to make it happen
– Social event of the summer
– Attendance is not required but is beneficial
First Day of School
•
•
•
•
Report to Alpha Homerooms until 10:00 a.m.
Obtain final schedules
Car line longer first two days
Buses a little later due to fact we are the third
run and kindergarten parents are still working
out the bus situation
• We will get everyone where they need to go
A Typical Day
•
•
•
•
•
Students can enter building at 8:00 a.m.
Students wait in Commons until 8:35 a.m.
Students report to classes at 8:35 a.m.
Backpacks placed in lockers
School begins – 8:50 a.m.
A Typical Day
• Lunch/3rd Period
– 11:45 a.m.
• Students encouraged to eat breakfast
• Which lunch you eat, depends on the subject of
the class you are in during third block
• Lunch time can be different on red or green
days
• Advisory – 1:55 p.m. – 2:19 p.m.
• School Ends – 3:50 p.m.
– Pick-up
– Car
– Buses depart at 4:03 p.m.
Transition to
Secondary School
• Kids transition
quickly
– Tardies
• 3 free each quarter
• 7 minutes between
classes
• Resets each nine
weeks
• First two weeks
amnesty
Discipline
• Follow student handbook
• Use good common sense
• Our administrators are proactive and visible
in building
• All discipline incidents, including tardies, are
online at Parent Access Center
Discipline
• Expectation meeting with students through
LA classes first week of school
• High classroom expectations-SSI
• Bullying- Let the child’s AP know
– Make A Difference Week
– Ongoing Interventions
• Full information available for you at Student
Access Center
Preventative Discipline
Helpful Thoughts
• Bullying Prevention- contact your child’s
assistant principal listed on our website if your
child is recipient of bullying on campus
• Facebook and social networking dangers
• Remember web browsers are present on
phones, Playstation 3s, Nintendo DS devices,
Wii consoles, PSPs, and more!
• Please consider whether your child’s phone
has internet access and can send/receive
pictures/video
– Do they really need this ability on their phone?
Advisory
•
•
•
•
•
•
Meets each day (1:55 p.m. – 2:19 p.m.)
Distribute information
Work on homework
Tutoring
SPARKS
Announcements
Information to
Help
A Guide to Success
Free Academic Assistance
• Daily Tutoring- Most days of the week with your
academic teachers- no substitute for this, especially in
math
• PAWS Homework Help
– Tuesdays and Thursdays
– Room D109
– McCullough teacher
– TWHS Interact students
– Free late bus at 5:00 p.m.
• SPARKS
– Advisory
– Elite eighth grade students
– Ms. Donna Meyer
Communication
• E-Mail – Easiest,
quickest, preferred
• Please give us a day or so
as we are with students
as opposed to in front of
a computer
• Teacher e-mail addresses
are listed on parent
services page of our
website
Communication
• McCullough Webpage
– www.conroeisd.net
– Links to teacher webpages
– Important spring
registration documents
– Athletic schedules
– Parent View-It
– “Tartan Tribune” online
Communication
• Conferences
– Most at 8:05 a.m.
– We attempt to do a good job of
communicating and prevent the
need so that you do not have to
come in and our staff can
continue their primary function
at 8:00 a.m. which is tutoring
children
– Important to have your child
present
– Most center around a young
person not turning in
assignments
Communication
• Parent Newsletter “The
Tartan Tribune”
– Sent home through students
– Online 24 hours a day at our
Parent Services Page
– Available in multiple
languages with Google
Translate
• No promises on accuracy of
translation
SchoolMessenger
• System that calls or emails your home
• Phone calls are limited to really important
items
• Email weekly or when breaking news
happens
• Please have the correct phone number and
email address in our database system
PTA
• Volunteer
• Appreciate the help!
• PTA
–
–
–
–
–
Front Desk
Student Orientation
Socials
Library
Copy Room
Planner
• Provided by the P.T.A.
• Idea originated from
site-based meetings by
parents for parents
• Parents view each night
• Teaches critical
organizational skills
• Quizzes
• Ads
Daily Announcements Online
Common Assessments (Tests)
• Tests are high quality and developed
over time to choose the most
accurate/fair questions
• Are now “Common Assessments” in the
district
• 60 percent of grade for marking period
Common Assessments (Tests)
• Exams, and exam questions, are utilized
as common assessment exams among
teachers in the school within
departments
• These specific exams are used not only
among different teachers in same
discipline but also other CISD junior
highs
Common Assessments (Tests)
• View at school with instructor
• Stumble Sheets in class to learn from
mistakes
Common Assessments (Tests)
• Exams are utilized extensively among all CISD
campuses to supplement benchmark testing
throughout the district and inserted into
Eduphoria program to optimize individual
academic support
• As the exams are utilized on our campus and
the district throughout the years, they do not
go home
Semester Exams
• Last four days of each semester
• Week prior to exams students will complete
review packet and prepare in the classroom
• Modified schedule in exams
• 10% to 20% of the semester grade
• Synthesize learning and practice taking major
exams
• Schedules will be posted online early this
summer
Student Success Initiative
(SSI)
• Students must pass Reading and Math
TAKS in eighth grade to advance to high
school
Tardies
• The system sends an email notification to
your Parent Access Center Account
• Normally email arrives the same day to
your email address in our database
• Being in class for the first five to ten
minutes of instruction/review/plan for
the day is critical to academic success
Parent Access Center
Student Access Center
• Free opportunity to view grades, attendance,
discipline, TAKS, etc.
– Supplements planner
• Places you on a school e-mail list to receive
breaking news and routine e-mail
communication
• Exists to supplement, not replace, student
accountability for grades and assignments
Dress Code
•
•
•
•
Critical
Worth the battle if you are a parent
Strictly enforced
The way a student dresses affects the way
he/she feels about education and success
• One of the first steps to caring in any area of
life is to dress like you care
• Always feel free to drop in with food at lunch
to see what they are actually wearing four
hours later
How Parents
Make the Difference!
• Talk to your student
• Know where they are in the evenings
and on weekends, and why
• When you have a question, go to the
source and e-mail the teacher
How Parents
Make the Difference!
• Check the P.T.A. Planner nightly and
make sure all homework is complete
• Hold students responsible for their
actions (behaviorally and academically)
• Give your child a chance to work out
some problems on their own
Easy Things to do to Help your Child
be Successful at McCullough
• Encourage students to eat breakfast
• Monitor the amount of sleep they really get
– Is the TV, gaming system, and/or computer in their
bedroom?
– Is their cell phone in their room at night?
• Hold students accountable for a planner
– Positives and Negatives
• Encourage students to be involved in school
organizations
• Attend his/her activities at McCullough
Top 2 Indicators for
Student Success
• Attendance at school
• Involvement in a school activity
School Supplies
• Basic school supply list
posted in The Tartan
Tribune this summer
• P.T.A. will sell basic
minimal set again online
this year (optional)
• Look for information
coming soon in the Tartan
Tribune
Elective Information Night
•
•
•
•
February 8th
McCullough Commons
6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Athletic Presentation
–
–
–
–
–
Boys 6:35 p.m.
Girls 7:05 p.m.
In Bock Auditorium
A lot of people here
Very optional
Elective Information Night
• Very casual come and go
• Students are welcome
• Seventh grade elective teachers will be present
to answer your questions
• Eighth grade elective teachers representing
high school electives will be present
• Some activities which are not elective classes
such as Cheerleading, Winter Guard, and
Highland Girls may have a booth with
information
The Registration Process
• Final deadline to make any
change, elective request or
core level change, is April
29th at 4:00 p.m.
• Teachers are hired with
specific teaching
certifications (NCLB Act)
based on requests of
parents on this date
• No changes will be made
after this time
State Economic Situation
• Unsure of funding to districts
• Will be resolved in coming weeks or
months
• No wiggle room to change schedules
once parents/guardians and kids have
selected what they want
• The deadline is April 29th
The Registration Process
• Master schedule is constructed
based on parent/guardian course
requests on April 29th
• Early decisions earlier help us hire
better staff for your child
• We will contact you repeatedly via
SchoolMessenger with
information
• Students receive tentative
schedules at Student Orientation
in August or on the first day of
school if they cannot attend
Orientation.
Factors Which Affect Individual
Student’s Schedule Formation
• Staffing (based on
• Specialty Classes
enrollment)
– Athletics
– Fine Arts
• Availability of Course
– Algebra
• Student’s Core Course
• Number of electives
Selection
– 11 unique choices in
• Elective course requests
seventh grade
by students
– 23 unique choices in eighth
• Seniority
grade
– Will take 4 in 7th grade
– Will take 5 in 8th grade
High School Information
“Mr. McCord, why are
we talking about high
school?”
Looking ahead to high school…
What is the Advanced
Placement (AP)
Program?
What is the Advanced
Placement Program?
• College level courses
taught in high school
• 29 nationwide courses in
19 subject areas (TWHS
offers 26)
• Examinations scores can
lead to college credit
and which validate
program success
• An opportunity for
students to think, read,
and write critically and
analytically.
What AP Courses
Does TWHS Offer?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
English Language
English Literature
Computer Science A
Spanish Language
Calculus AB, BC
US History
Chemistry
Government and Politics
Macroeconomics
Human Geography
Chinese
Japanese
Biology
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Environmental Science
German Language
French Language
Music Theory
Statistics
Art History
European History
Studio Art
Physics C, E, M
World History
Psychology
Art Drawing
Art 2D
Art 3D
Why AP?
• Challenges students
• Consistent teaching
strategies
• Prepares them for
college
Why AP?
• Provides
opportunities for our
young people to
compete post high
school
• Opportunities to
earn college credit in
high school (up to 45
hours)
• Saves parents $$$$
So How Well Do TWHS
Students Perform on the AP
Tests?
Fact:: In 2008, TWHS administered
1806 tests to 915 students
Fact: The mean score was 3.41
The mean state score was 2.52
The mean national score was 2.85
So How Well Do TWHS
Students Perform on the AP
Tests?
Fact: 78% of the students passed with a 3 or higher
Fact: 50% of the students passed with a 4 or higher
Fact: TWHS consistently ranks in the top schools in the
world in the number of tests given
Who Should Take PreAP
or AP Courses?
• The most successful AP
students are willing to
work hard. More than
ability, the student’s (not
just the parent) willingness
to invest the time and
energy to be successful is
most important.
• The earlier the
preparation, the easier the
transition.
Grades in Secondary Schools
• Everyone wants A’s
• Grades in Pre-AP
courses of a B or
high C may very
well indicate
tremendous learning
and hard work by
the student
Grades in Secondary Schools
• In secondary school it takes effort to
make an A
• It also takes effort to fail
• Rigor
Adventure into Academics
Core Subject Information
State Required Courses – 7th grade
•
•
•
•
•
Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Texas History
Physical Education
– Can Substitute
• Athletics
• Cheer
• Highland Girls
• Private P.E.
• Electives – 4 choices
Science
• Science
• Pre-AP Science
– Strongly encourage any
student be enrolled in
pre-algebra
• Math Skills
– Science Fair Project
• Time
• Independent
• Requires significant work
outside of class
Pre-AP Science Fair Project
Helpful Information
• Runs September through February
• One of the best things we do
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Idea Development- 3 hours
Background research- 4 hours
Research plan-2 hours
Experimenting- 10 hours
Final Paper- 10 hours
Board- 6 hours
Hours are just averages- can be more or less
Have checkpoints along the way
Fair takes place during a weekend in late February
at Lone Star College Montgomery
Pre-AP Science Fair Project
Helpful Information
• Ms. Fowler will have some example science
fair boards available in the foyer when you
leave
• Please note the boards are not the project, just
the visible manifestations of the project
Pre-AP Science
• Need to make sure you understand the
real rigor and expectations of the science
fair prior to making the year-long
commitment to Pre-AP Science
Texas History
• History
• Texas History
• Pre-AP Texas
History
– Strong reading
comprehension
and writing skills
are a plus
Language Arts
• Language Arts
• Pre-AP Language Arts
– Need to be selfmotivated reader and
writer
– Grade differential
– Everything starts with
reading
Class Placement of Your Child in LA,
Social Studies, and Science in C.I.S.D.
• Incoming seventh graders will
automatically roll, by default, to the next
appropriate grade level sequence
– 6th grade regular history to 7th regular
Texas history
– 6th GT language arts to 7th Pre-AP language
arts
– Etc.
Class Placement of Your Child in LA,
Social Studies, and Science in C.I.S.D.
• Sixth grade students identified as GT
will automatically roll initially to Pre-AP
in the area of their GT identification for
language arts, social studies, or science
– Initial placement in these areas will be
indicated on the form your child brings home
– You can move your child from Pre-AP to level
classes by indicating your choice on the
document sent home
Class Placement of Your Child in LA,
Social Studies, and Science in C.I.S.D.
• Ultimately, you can place your child in
any level of class you want in language
arts, social studies, or science
– Encourage you to closely read Course
Description Guide and understand rigor
and expectations of Pre-AP courses
– Recommend considering taking no more
than two Pre-AP courses
– Please understand that an A in secondary
Texas education is not the same as an A in
elementary education
Class Placement of Your Child in LA,
Social Studies, and Science in C.I.S.D.
• Please ask yourself how much
homework time outside of school will it
take for my child to achieve the grade I
would like for him/her to achieve in the
advanced course.
Core Placement
Sheet Sent Home
On this sheet you
choose your
child’s level you
want for LA, SS,
and Science.
Where Will I Finish in Math?
• To make good choices
for placement in seventh
grade, it is critical to
know where you as a
parent, as well as your
child, want to finish
his/her senior year
• Applies most directly to
math due to its linear
nature
Where Will I Finish in Math?
• Unlike the other disciplines,
hard work alone in math may
not always ensure success
• Involves math knowledge and
mental math maturity
State Math Courses for
Seventh Grade
• Seventh grade math
• Pre-algebra Pre-AP (one year ahead)
• High school algebra Pre-AP (high school
course, two years ahead)
District Math Progression
Majority of Students
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
6th Grade level math
7th Grade - 7th math
8th Grade - pre-algebra
9th Grade - algebra
10th Grade - geometry
11th Grade - algebra II/pre-calculus
12th Grade – calculus
This is also diagrammed in our
Course Description Guide
District Math Sequence
(Advanced 1 year) Some Students
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
6th Grade GT math (7th grade math)
7th Grade – pre-algebra Pre-AP
8th Grade – algebra Pre-AP (High School)
9th Grade - geometry
10th Grade - algebra II
11th Grade - pre-calculus
12th Grade – calculus
District Math Sequence
(Advanced 2 years)
Very Few Students
•
•
•
•
7th Grade – algebra Pre-AP (high School)
8th Grade – geometry Pre-AP (high School)
9th Grade - algebra II
10th Grade – Pre-AP pre-calculus/AP
statistics I
• 11th Grade – Pre-AP pre-calculus/AP
statistics II
• 12th Grade – calculus
District Math Assignments for
Incoming Seventh Graders
• Students will be initially rolled to the
next appropriate level of class in the
progression of their math development
• See Course Description Guide for exact
progression
District Math Assignments for
Incoming Seventh Graders
• Students currently in GT/Advanced
sixth grade math are completing the
seventh grade junior high math course
and the State of Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for this
level of instruction at this current time in
sixth grade
Upcoming District Math
Placement Exams
• Credit by Exam for entrance into pre-algebra
Pre-AP
– Taken February 1-11 at home intermediate campus
• Algebra Readiness Exam
– Taken February 14th through February 25th at
home intermediate campus if a student in
advanced sixth grade math scores an 80 percent or
higher on the Credit by Exam for entrance into
pre-algebra Pre-AP
District Math Placement
Testing Details
• Spring district math placement exams
will occur in February at the home
intermediate campus.
District Math Placement
Testing Details
• Sixth grade students currently in regular
math will take the C.I.S.D. Credit by
Exam for entrance in pre-algebra Pre-AP
during the February 1-11 window if they
have an 80 average or better for the
current year in sixth grade level math.
• This is to see if they qualify to be place in
pre-algebra Pre-AP in seventh grade
• 80 percent is the passing score
District Math Placement
Testing Details
• All students who are currently enrolled in
the GT/Advanced sixth grade math class
will take the C.I.S.D. Pre-Algebra Credit
by Exam.
• Advanced sixth grade math students take
this exam only to see if they have the skills
to qualify to take the Algebra Readiness
Test
• All of these advanced students will be in
pre-algebra Pre-AP in seventh grade
District Math Placement
Testing Details
• Students in the GT/Advanced sixth grade
math class who successfully pass the
C.IS.D. Pre-Algebra Credit by Exam will
then later take the C.I.S.D. Algebra
Readiness Exam to see if they qualify for
high school algebra Pre-AP. This window
is February 14th through February 25th.
District Math Placement
Testing Details
• Both placement tests are designed to be
administered in February based on TEKS
covered during that time
• Intermediate campuses will attempt to makeup
test any student who misses on the day of
testing at his/her campus in February
• There is no later testing or additional retake of
the tests
• Important for students to do his/her best
District Math Assignments for
Incoming Seventh Graders
• CISD students in regular sixth grade math will
be initially enrolled in regular on level seventh
grade math
• Majority of our students
• Students will receive the appropriate next level
of math instruction in proper sequence
necessary, as we all received, for the student
to be successful in all following math courses
at McCullough, the high school, and beyond
2011-2012 District Math
Placement Standards for Incoming
Seventh Graders
For a student to accelerate from level sixth grade math to
pre-algebra Pre-AP, students must meet all of the
following criteria:
* 80 average in 6th grade math
* Commended on 6th grade math TAKS
* Minimum score of 80% on the C.I.S.D.
Pre-Algebra Credit by Exam or
90% on the Texas Tech Credit by Exam
Note: Student moving from level sixth grade math to
Pre-Algebra Pre-AP will be bypassing seventh grade
math instruction and the TEKS included in this course
2011-2012 District Math
Placement Standards for Incoming
Seventh Graders
• Most students in GT/Advanced sixth
grade math are going to Pre-Algebra
Pre-AP for their math class in seventh
grade
2011-2012 District Math
Placement Standards for Incoming
Seventh Graders
For a student to move from sixth grade
GT/Advanced math to algebra 1 (HS),
students must meet all of the following
criteria:
* 80 average in sixth grade Gifted and
Talented/Advanced Math
* Commended on sixth grade math
TAKS test
* Minimum of 80% on the C.I.S.D. PreAlgebra Credit by Exam
* Minimum score of 80% on the C.I.S.D.
Algebra Readiness Exam
What if My Child Qualifies for
High School Algebra Pre-AP?
• If your child qualifies for high-school algebra
Pre-AP, we will contact you via phone and/or
email before placing them into this math class
which is operating two years ahead of grade
level
• Student would be bypassing TEKS and math
instruction presented in pre-algebra
• You will need to opt your child “in” to the high
school algebra class if they qualify
District Math Assignments for
Incoming Seventh Graders
• A C.I.S.D. sixth grade GT/Advanced
math student who successfully passes the
C.I.S.D. Pre-Algebra Credit by Exam
but does not pass the Algebra Readiness
Test will be placed in pre-algebra PreAP
• Working one year ahead
Course Request Sheet
• The elective and core course request
sheet does not have a blank or option for
math selection.
What if I want my child to go from sixth
grade regular math to pre-algebra PreAP in seventh grade in CISD and he/she
did not successfully pass the placement
examinations?
Option I
– Enroll and successfully complete with a grade of 85
or higher the C.I.S.D. summer school offering of
seventh grade math for first time takers
– Details will be available when the summer school
information packet is published in April or May at
the district website
– Meet summer school attendance requirements
– Far and away the best option if you did not qualify
and this is the path you would like for your child to
take
Option II
• Enroll and complete both parts of the
seventh grade math course through the
Texas Tech Credit by Exam program
(information available on our website).
Obtain a score of 90 or better on parts A
and B
• Deadline for sign-up- see district website
Advantages and Disadvantages of taking
Pre-Algebra Pre-AP or High School
Algebra Pre-AP in Seventh Grade
• More flexibility in
choice of level of
science class in high
school
• Much more rigorous
Advantages and Disadvantages of taking
Pre-AP Pre-Algebra or Pre-AP Algebra in
Seventh Grade
• First few weeks of Pre-Algebra Pre-AP
are review of seventh grade math
• Around November the course takes off
with rigorous state expectations
Advantages and Disadvantages of taking
Pre-Algebra Pre-AP or Algebra Pre-AP in
Seventh Grade
• Students are generally not successful in
subsequent math courses if they skip a major
core building block course of math knowledge
by missing the seventh grade math class
• This missing information, in the form of the
missing course, usually manifests itself in eighth
grade in high school algebra around November
1st, and beyond
Advantages and Disadvantages of taking
Pre-AP Pre-Algebra or
Pre-AP Algebra in Seventh Grade
• In short, missing the seventh grade math
course and the State of Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills it covers is like
credit card debt
• U.I.L. Eligibility is subject to all courses,
including advanced math classes
High School Math Notes
• Students are now required to
take four years of math and
science in high school
• For math, four high school
courses can include high
school math courses taken in
junior high school
• Three math courses must be
taken on the high school
campus
Considerations for
High School G.P.A.
• If accelerating by taking high school courses
in junior high, your grade point average in
high school will be based on more difficult
classes at TWHS
• The flip side is taking accelerated math
courses in junior high will also allow you to
have more opportunities to take rigorous
classes in high school which are weighted
higher for G.P.A.
Pre-AP Class Considerations
• No guarantee it will be easy
• No guarantee your child will
make an A or B
• Not a guarantee he/she will
pass
• U.I.L. Eligibility
• Class the parent/guardian
has chosen on the April 29th
deadline will be the course
the student is in for the year
Student Success in Pre-AP
• Need to be a doer, and a thinker
• Just as in real-life
Homework Considerations
• Time varies widely among students
• Effective study habits developed
• Consider projects included in each class
Homework Considerations
• How much time is it going to take for your
child to complete work outside of school for
him/her to achieve the grade you want them to
achieve in the course
• Consider activities outside of school
–
–
–
–
–
–
Dance
Gymnastics
Baseball
Equestrian
Swimming
Etc.
Homework
• Relevant
• Can finish much at end
of class and in Advisory
if they choose to do so
• There is homework in
our regular classes,
albeit considerably less
than Pre-AP classes
• Will increase greatly in
high school and college
Organizational Skills
• Leading cause of
parent conferences
• If students do not
turn in their work, it
is difficult to help
them
• Reward system
Organizational Skills
• Parents/guardians
assisting your
son/daughter in
developing
organizational skills
would be one of the best
gifts you could ever give
them
– Better gift than an X Box
360 or Wii
• Planners
– Free
– Check nightly
– Designed to help
Organizational Skills
If you come to
school each day,
pay attention in
class, and turn
your homework
in school, and
the world, will
be your
playground.
High School Course Considerations
for Seventh Graders
• High school algebra
• Semester and final
exams count 20 percent
Planner
• Provided by the P.T.A.
• Idea originated from
site-based meetings by
parents for parents
• Parents view each night
• Teaches critical
organizational skills
• Quizzes
• Ads
High School Course
Considerations
• Once you enter into
these classes students
are on an established
track
• As a high school class,
they are much more
challenging
• It is not necessary to get
your student on the fast
track to get all the
courses in the four years
at TWHS
High School Course
Considerations in Junior High
• Grades achieved do
not figure in high
school class rank or
G.P.A.
Junior High Course
Considerations
• All general ed
classes, level and
Pre-AP, are college
preparatory
• Most students taking
Pre-AP courses just
take two at the most
• House purchase
analogy
Choices
• I would not advise
letting grades from
intermediate school be
a large determining
factor in my decision
Choices
• Please make your decisions
based on what is right for
your child, not your friend’s
child from Bunco
• The ultimate choice on
which core course you wish
your child to be in lies with
you, as long as it is made
before the final deadline on
April 29th
Parent Guardian Help Session
•
•
•
•
•
April 19th
Small gymnasium
8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Casual come and go
Administrators, counselors, and
department heads will be available to
answer your questions
Physical Education Requirements
• The State of Texas requires all
students take P.E. for one year
(2 semesters) in seventh grade
• Not considered one of a
seventh grade student’s four
elective choices as this course
is required
Physical Education Requirements
• Athletics may substitute
for P.E.
– Athletics substitutions
include:
• Girls or Boys
Basketball
• Girls Volleyball
• Girls or Boys Cross
Country
• Football
• Cheerleading
• Highland Girls drill
team
Electives
A Taste of Adventure
Very Important Documents
Coming Home
• Course Request Sheets for Elective
Classes
– Coming home through
students at intermediate
campuses
– Extras are at intermediate
Campuses
– Please read the asterisks,
bullets, etc.
Elective Request Sheet
• Please try to make the
sheet as accurate as
possible
Elective Course Request Sheet
• Need to request four electives in seventh
grade
– Two electives in the fall
– Two potentially different electives in the
spring
– All available seventh grade options as
electives are listed on the Elective Course
Request Sheet
Elective Course Request Sheet
• Two semester (all year) courses occupy
two blanks
• Fine Arts classes (band, choir, or
orchestra) should be listed first if taken
and should not be listed as an alternate
selection as they are a serious commitment
which last all year
Elective Request Sheet
• Deadline April 29th
• Making your request sheet
as accurate as possible at
the initial turn in time
would help us out
– Recruiting teachers
– Job fairs
– Etc
Elective Course Request Sheet
• Need to choose a P.E class (two semesters
required in seventh grade)
– Choose initially on Elective Course Request Sheet
either P.E., football, or cross country
– Other athletic endeavors which have tryouts would
replace the initial P.E. selection should the student
make the squad
• Classes will change from initial August schedule for most
students if they are moved into an Athletics class
Elective Course Request Sheet
Private P.E.
– Private P.E. will be an option around midApril when the district publishes the 20112012 list of approved Private P.E facilities
– Private P.E Application forms for students
will then, in mid-April, be online at our
district website
– One does not sign up for Private P.E. on the
Elective Course Request Sheet
– Potential Private P.E. students should
initially sign up for regular P.E.
The Elective Course
Registration Process
• Our administration and
counselors will sit down
individually at the
intermediate campuses
with each incoming
seventh grade student to
discuss his/her elective
requests
The Elective Course
Registration Process
• We will review the
Elective Request
Sheet with the
child for accuracy
• Additionally, we
will answer any
questions the
student may have
The Elective Course
Registration Process
• The request will
be entered into
our MIS system
with the student at
each intermediate
campus
McCullough Informational
Meetings with Students
–
–
–
–
Mitchell
Coulson Tough
Deretchin
Wilkerson
–
All dates are tentative
January 24
February 2
February 1
January 31
Information Coming Home
Later in the spring
• Please check the request
sheet very closely to
confirm these are the
elective courses you wanted
your child to request for
next year
• This sheet will also indicate
core courses which your
child has been initially
placed in based on testing
The Elective Course Registration
Entry Process with Students
–
–
–
–
Deretchin
Wilkerson
Coulson Tough
Mitchell
–
All dates tentative
February 18
February 17
February 22
February 24
We will be on these campuses on the dates listed
above to meet with students. If a student is absent,
we will enter his/her requests based on sheets
turned in to his/her intermediate teacher.
Elective Choices (7th Grade)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Orchestra (counts as 2 choices)
Art I
• Teen leadership
Band (counts as 2 choices)
• Theater arts
Exploring career connections
Career portals: computer
applications
Career Portals: Human
Services
Career portals: technology
Choir (counts as 2 choices)
Exploring languages
High School Elective Choices
Available in Eighth Grade for CISD
• High school health
• High school communications
• High school Spanish I (taught over two
semesters in eighth grade)
• High school Spanish II for Native
Speakers (must qualify)
• Plus all the electives listed on the
previous slide
Private P.E.
• Must be an approved facility for 2011-2012
• Individual Olympic event preparations
• Fully completed application and required
form available online at district website
around mid-April
Private P.E.
• Completed form will be due by formal
deadline on April 29th
• Students with approved applications will
not be in a P.E class at McCullough
Private P.E.
• Can change facility only at semester
• Must be able to pickup child promptly at
dismissal time- exactly 2:50 p.m. each day
• Students will be in a fourth period class on
campus from 2:26 p.m. until 2:50 p.m.
• State allows us to dismiss one hour early each
day
Private P.E.
• Parents must be flexible on the schedule
as it will change due to pep rallies,
TAKS, semester exams, etc.
• Every three weeks the facility submits a
grade and attendance report directly to
the Counseling Center
Private P.E.
• 15 hours or more per week at approved
facility are required
• Students planning to do Private P.E.
need to check regular P.E. on Elective
Course request sheet initially
Private P.E.
• Students are assigned to a fourth period
Private P.E. class from 2:26 p.m. until
2:50 p.m. each day
• Commitment for the entire year
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• All seventh grade
students will take four
electives
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Band, choir, or orchestra, each take up
two elective slots (class lasts entire year)
• Two blanks on elective course request
sheet
• Fine Arts
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example A: Student takes choir (2
choices), careers, and exploring
technology = 4 classes
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example B: A
student takes
choir (2 choices)
and band (2
choices) = 4
classes
• Students can take
two fine arts
classes
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example C: Student takes athletics
(does not count since it replaces
P.E.), exploring technology, careers,
exploring computer applications,
and exploring languages = 4 classes
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example D:
Student takes
athletics (replaces
P.E.), band (2
classes), teen
leadership, and
exploring
computer
applications
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example E: Student takes athletics ,
band (2 choices), and orchestra (2
choices)
Elective Requests
• Please note that during the spring, you will
receive information on elective choices for
your child
• Please note that these sheets will indicate your
child’s request, not an assignment to that class
• Eighth-grade student requests will be filled
first
Elective Requests
• Students will include regular and alternate requests
• It is possible a student may receive an elective in
seventh grade he/she did not request in order to
complete his/her schedule
• By the time a student completes eighth grade at
McCullough, it is highly likely your student will have
been enrolled in any particular elective class he/she
would like to take
The Schedule
(No fine arts or athletics)
Period
Red Day
Green Day
1
Math
Science
2
Language Arts Math/Writing
3
PE
Elective
Advisory
Advisory
Advisory
4
Elective
History
P.E. is included in schedule, not counting as
an elective choice since a full year is
required in seventh grade.
st
nd
rd
th
The Schedule
(Athletic Schedule)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red Day
Athletics
Math
Language Arts
Advisory
Elective
Green Day
Science
History
Math/Writing
Advisory
Elective
Athletics simply replaces required P.E.
The Schedule
(Band, Choir, or Orchestra)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red Day
Math
PE
Language Arts
Advisory
Choir
Green Day
Elective
History
Writing/Math
Advisory
Science
Please note Fine Arts electives last all year, and
thus count as two selections each.
The Schedule
(Student taking Choir and Orch)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red Day
Math
PE
Language Arts
Advisory
Choir
Green Day
Orchestra
History
Writing/Math
Advisory
Science
Many students take more than one fine arts course
and they are encouraged to do so.
The Schedule
(Student in Athletics and Band)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red Day
Athletics
Math
Language Arts
Advisory
Elective
Green Day
Science
History
Math/Writing
Advisory
Band
Many students have this schedule. There are very few conflicts, and we work
hard to resolve them when they do occur. If a student is unsure about which
activity to participate in during high school, I encourage doing both.
Fine Arts and Athletics
• Can be involved in both
• Many are involved in a
fine art and athletics
• Many are involved in two
fine arts
• Encourage you to do
more than one
• Very few, if any conflicts
Fine Arts and Athletics
• Fall under the C.I.S.D. secondary code of
conduct
• Expectations are greater as students represent
the organization
• Teachers will visit with fine arts/athletic
sponsors regarding encouragement, academic
concerns, discipline issues, and ways to help
your child
Fine Arts and Athletics
• Learn invaluable
life lessons which
are difficult to
teach anywhere else
• Not about the sport
– About the:
•
•
•
•
Teamwork
Fellowship
Friends
Stories you
embellish twenty
years later
Schoolwork
• All fine arts
students, athletes,
and any other
student involved in a
school organization
is responsible for
schoolwork,
homework, and
tests the day after an
event
State Eligibility for Participation
• No classes are exempt
in junior high from
U.I.L. Eligibility
• Pre-AP and high
school courses all
count for eligibility to
participate
– Consider this when
choosing your child’s
schedule
Signing up for Band, Choir, or
Orchestra
• Unlike other electives, if a student signs up for
a fine art elective they are automatically in
• Tryouts are held for placement which then
determines your exact class period
– Schedule would be built around this time block
– Placements announced on schedule in August
– Occupies two slots on request sheet as it runs all
year
Signing up for Band, Choir, or
Orchestra
• Encouraged to do multiple fine arts if you are
interested
• Step up in commitment from intermediate
campus
• Prepares students for participation in these
activities at TWHS
Bands
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Beginner
Concert III
Concert II
Concert I
Symphonic
Wind Ensemble
Commitment for the year
Band
• Practices both before and
after school
• Big step up from the
opportunity and
responsibility aspects of
elementary band
programs
• Sectionals
• Competitions
• Honor Band
Band
• Football games
– McCullough
– High School
– Playoffs
•
•
•
•
Concerts
Pep Rallies
Spring contests
Over 400 students
Percussion Class
• Meets during the fall first
semester (one semester)
• Students must have
participated in percussion
class at their intermediate
school
For more information on
band contact
• Susan Meyer
• sbmeyer@conroeisd.net
For more information on
band contact
• Penny Liebst
• pliebst@conroeisd.net
For more information on
band contact
• Andrea Maher
• amaher@conroeisd.net
Band
• Over 300 students
are in band and a
combination of:
– Boys and girls’
athletics
– Choir
– Theatre
– Cheer
– Drill Team
– Other
400 students
total in band
Orchestra
• All students can participate in
orchestra
• Five orchestras including Beginner,
Philharmonic, Symphony, Concert,
and Chamber
Orchestra
• Concert and
Chamber orchestras
have before and/or
after school
practices
• Need to purchase
tuxedo shirts
• Commitment for the
year
For more information on
Orchestra contact
• Michelle Reinhardt
– mreinhardt@conroeisd.net
Choir
• All students can participate in choir
• Performs 4-5 concerts a year
• Good to double with another fine art or
athletics as choir has far less outside of the
regular school day requirements
• Most practices are during the school day
• Some specialized activities such as region choir
and preparation for solo contests occur before
or after school
Choir
• Girls have treble,
concert, advanced girls,
acappella, and chamber
choirs
• Boys have the boys
choir
• Mixed choir
– Composed of Boys and
Chamber Choirs
Choir
• Students can audition
for solo and ensemble
contests, region choir,
UIL contests, Spring
Choral Festival, and the
spring pop concert
• Purchase of a uniform is
required
• Commitment for the
year
For more information
on choir contact
• Keith Brumfield
– kbrumfield@conroeisd.net
For more information
on choir contact
• Connie Horton
• chorton@conroeisd.net
Cheerleading
•
•
•
•
Meets during the school day
Replaces P.E. credit
Practice does also occur outside of school
Not an elective class (do not sign up on sheet)
Cheerleading
• This programs entails a large commitment of
time outside of school during the spring of this
year, summer, and the regular school year
• Video at the information meeting will give you
an idea of what athletic skills are involved in
cheerleading.
Cheerleading
• Purchase of clothing
• Tryout process
• Need to be
completely
committed to the
McCullough team if
you plan to tryout
Cheerleader Spring
Tryout Information
• February 1- Tryout Info Meeting @ 6:00
p.m. in the Bock Auditorium (packets
will be available for pick up at the
meeting only)
• February 15 - Packets due to
McCullough office by 3:50 p.m.
• March 8 - Tryout Clinic begins 4:30
p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Cheerleader Spring
Tryout Information
• March 11- Tryouts approximately @
4:30 p.m.
• March 12 - Results posted
• March 28 - New member info meeting @
6:00 p.m. in the Commons LGI
• All dates and times are subject to change.
Cheerleader Responsibilities
• Summer Camp
• Spring Practice after
tryouts
• After school practices
during the year
• Student Orientation
• Competitions
Cheerleader Responsibilities
• Commitment to the team and your
teammates
• Cheer
– Games
– Pep Rallies
– Parades
– Open House
– Others as needed
For more information on
cheerleading contact
• Wendi Spears
• wspears@conroeisd.net
For more information on
cheerleading contact
• Lindsay Nichols
– lnichols@conroeisd.net
Winter Guard
• Preparation for TWHS Color Guard
and Winter Guard
• Most practices are inside
• Occasionally practices are outside
• Tryouts- try to keep
everyone competitive
Winter Guard
• Megan Kelley
• makelley@conroeisd.net
Winter Guard
• Limited practices through the end of
football season
• Ramp up practices beginning in
December for performance season in
January
• Performance season is from
January until April
Highland Girls
– Requires significant time outside of school
and on some weekends
– Meets as a class during the school day
– Do not sign up for on elective request sheet
– Receive P.E. credit
Highland Girls
–
–
–
–
–
Runs all year
Practice times do vary
Serious dance troop
Preparation for TWHS Highsteppers
Discipline
• Need to be able to take direction and enjoy
being part of a team
Highland Girls
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Highland Girl Spring Tryout Information
3/22 - Tryout information meeting
3/29 - Tryout clinic begins
4/9 - Team tryouts
4/9 - Officer tryouts
4/10 - Results posted
All dates and times are subject to change.
Highland Girl
Commitments Include
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Practice
Performances
Parades
Football Games
Playoff Games
Basketball Games
Pep Rallies
Competitions
For more information on
Highland Girls contact
• Kelli Williams
• kjwilliams@conroeisd.net
For more information on
Highland Girls contact
• Claire Talley
• ctalley@conroeisd.net
7th Grade Athletics
• Birth Certificate
• Commitment for the
year
• Boys
– First period red
• Girls
– First period green
• Replaces P.E.
7th Grade Athletics Off-Season
Boys and Girls
• All students assigned to
athletics will be in offseason conditioning
when their sport is not
actively in interschool
competition
• This involves much
more rigorous training
than in a regular
physical education
course
7th Grade Athletics Off-Season
Boys and Girls
• Strength and speed
training are the primary
focus
• Also work to increase
specific sports skills for
each particular sport
• In other words, students
choosing athletics
remain in athletics all
year to take the place of
required physical
education
Great News!
• Good news in that many of you are
getting much of your life back as your
children complete much of their athletic
practice at school during the day
Elective Night Presentations in the
Bock Auditorium February 8th
• Boys’ Presentation
6:35 p.m.
• Girls’ Presentation
7:05 p.m.
• Presentation notes
will be placed online
following the
meetings
Athletics
• Competitive
interschool UIL
State of Texas
competition
• Play to win
• Has been very
successful
Cross-Country
• Season is in the fall
• Student remains in
off-season
throughout the year
• Most meets are on
Friday evening
Physicals
• Has to be dated after
April 15, 2011 or
later to be good for
next year
• Please note that
doctors do not have
many slots open in
the summer for
physicals
Cross-Country
• Athletic Class
• Replaces P.E.
• Sign up for class on
elective request sheet
Cross-Country
• Everyone (who wants to
be) is on the team provided
they will complete the work
in practice
• Popular class with runners
and soccer players
• Serious running and
commitment is required
Coach Collins
Girls Cross Country
Contact at
kcollins@conroeisd.net
Coach Cantu
Boys Cross Country
Contact at
ecantu@conroeisd.net
Cross-Country
• 15-30 miles a week
• Competitive
• Boys are state
champs
• 259 kids this year
Cross-Country
• Fantastic place for
students who want to
be involved in
athletics, but may not
feel led to be in the
other sports
• Will remain in
athletics class and
practice throughout
the year after the
season has concluded
Cross-Country
• Commitment for the
year
• Would not join just
because your friend
is in the class
Volleyball
• Tryouts are the first
week of school
• If a student makes
the team, his/her
schedule may change
• Meets as an athletics
class during the
school day
Volleyball
• After volleyball is
over, athletes will
remain in off-season
volleyball class or go
on to another sport
throughout the year
to receive P.E. credit
Girls and Boys Basketball
Off-Season Class
•
•
•
•
•
•
Replaces physical education
Students try out for class in
August
Girls and boys tryout for the offseason class in August
If students make the off-season
class, they remain in off-season
throughout the year
If they do not make the
basketball team, students move
to the regular off-season
athletics class
Many basketball players play a
combination of basketball,
volleyball, football, track, and
other sports
Girls and Boys Basketball
Off-Season Class
• Students will tryout
for the basketball
team in November
• A student who does
not make the team
will be in off-season
athletics with
football (boys and
girls) or regular girls
off-season if they do
not make the team
Boys and Girls Football
• Equipment handed
out in August
• If a student cannot
attend on this date,
he/she will receive
equipment the first
week of school
Boys and Girls Football
• Doors open for
athletes at 6:30 a.m.
in the morning
• Athletes must be
dressed and on the
field at 7:00 a.m.
• Practice starts the
second day of school
Boys and Girls Football
• Hard Work
• Almost a quarter of
campus plays football
• August
• Boy/Girl needs to want
to play, not just a parent
• Sign up for class on
elective request sheet
– Replaces P.E.
Boys and Girls Football
• A lot of work, especially
the first two weeks of
school
• Becomes much easier
for everyone once the
games begin and
athletes come in early
only three days a week
• Need to remind your
child of this once
practices begin in
August
• Child and parent needs
to understand
Boys and Girls Football
• Once games have begun,
students normally do
not come in early on
Mondays (day of most
games) and Tuesdays
(morning after most
games)
• Normally around 250 +
seventh grade players
Boys and Girls Track
• No tryouts
• Try to take as many to
meets as we can
• Student does not need to
be in athletics class to
participate in track and
field
• Practice does not occur
during an athletics class
Boys and Girls Track
• Begins in February
• Everyone makes the
team
• Practice
– 7th- Morning
– 8th- Afternoon
Club Sports
Golf, Tennis, and Soccer
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Do not meet as an athletic period
Are not a U.I.L. junior high sport in Texas
Practice is outside of the school day
Minimal amount of practice time required
Do not replace physical education credit
Fun opportunities to play a game you love
Would not advise planning your school year
around these club activities
Boys and Girls Club Golf
• Spring sport after track
• Tryouts
• Team does not practice
together
• Participates in
tournaments
• For more information
contact Coach Lilley at
jlilley@conroeisd.net
Boys and Girls Club Tennis
• Spring sport after track
• Tryouts
• Practices before or after
school on our courts
• Plays home matches at
McCullough and
Creekwood Park
• For more information
contact Coach Saltis
Boys and Girls Club Soccer
• Spring sport after track
• Most soccer players
participate in cross
country and track
• Complete information is
available at our website
• Coach Texidor- Boys
• Coach Maddock- Girls
No Baseball
• Baseball is not a junior high sport in
Texas
• We have Scotland Yard, the high school
baseball field, because our building was
once the high school for The Woodlands
General Questions
Regarding Athletics
• Please contact Lance
Skinner
– Girls’ and Boys Athletic
Coordinator
– cskinner@conroeisd.net
• The next few slides include pictures of
people who are here to answer any
individual questions you may have.
• Also, remember this presentation will be
online in the next few days at our
website if you would like to review the
information.
Jerry Horan
• Assistant
Principal 20112012 Seventh
Grade A-K
• Located in A100
• Administrative
Duties
• Textbooks
Wes Henson
• Assistant Principal
2011-2012 Seventh
Grade L-Z
• Located in A100
• 504
Steve Skidmore
• Assistant Principal
2011-2012 Eighth
Grade A-K
• Located in A101
• Scheduling
Shannon York
• Assistant Principal 2011-2012
Seventh Grade L-Z
• Located in A101
• Technology
Counselors
Marti Meerscheidt
• 2011-2012 Seventh Grade
Grade A-K
• mmeerscheidt@conroeisd.net
Steve Jessen
• 2011-2012 Seventh Grade L-Z
• sjessen@conroeisd.net
Elizabeth Henderson
• 2011-2012 Eighth Grade A-K
• ehenderson@conroeisd.net
Jana Shriver
• 2011-2012 Eighth
Grade L-Z
• jshriver@conroeisd.net
Katherine Milano
• Math Department Head
• kmilano@conroeisd.net
• Please see at the conclusion of our
presentation if you have questions regarding
math
Jeff Murrin
• Language Arts
Department Head
• jmurrin@conroeisd.net
• Please see at the
conclusion of our
presentation if you have
questions regarding
language arts
April Phillips
• Social Studies
Department Head
• apphillips@conroeisd.net
• Please see at the
conclusion of our
presentation if you have
questions regarding
social studies
Charles Roberts
• Special Education Department Head
• chroberts@conroeisd.net
• Please see at the conclusion of our
presentation if you have questions regarding
special education
Lynne Archer
• Special Education Department Head
• larcher@conroeisd.net
• Please see at the conclusion of our
presentation if you have questions regarding
special education
Janene Fowler
• Science Department Head
• jfowler@conroeisd.net
• Please see at the conclusion of our presentation
if you have questions regarding science
• Will have some example science fair boards
Questions
• Department Heads
– Questions about
Math, LA, Texas
History, Science
• Counselors
– Program questions
• Administrators
– General