THINK WINWIN FOR 2016-2017 LOPEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVE, LEAD, INSPIRE LOPEZ COUNSELORS Counselors are assigned based on students’ last names. A-K Lisa Brandvold L-Z Kristen Latronico-Limon Lead Counselor Counseling Office: 210-356-5000 COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS • NEISD has an initiative to ensure that after high school, all students are prepared to enter A four-year college or university A junior or community college A trade or technical school The military or The workforce Taking rigorous courses in middle school prepares students for college and career course work in high school. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL? • Preparation through rigorous foundation courses is important in 6th – 8th grades • GT students will still be in a separate program, but the curriculum is aligned with the high school requirements in mind COURSE SELECTION PROCESS • Students and parents will have opportunities to carefully examine course offerings. • 6th grade students’ choice sheets are given Jan. 27th and due back to their science teacher by February 3rd. • 7th grade students’ choice sheets are given Feb. 1st due back to their science teacher by February 5th. 7 TH AND 8 TH GRADE COURSES • 5 academic courses • PE (4 semesters in middle school: a semester each year with 1 full year of PE) • AIM is highly recommended but not required • Remember: NEISD recommends 1 full year or 2 semesters of a fine art PRE-AP ENGLISH AND READING • Pre-AP English and Reading are challenging course that requires a parent and student signature on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form • Pre-AP English must be taken with Pre-AP Reading • It is strongly recommended that you consult with your child’s current English/Reading teachers. PRE-AP MATH • Pre-AP Math is pre-Algebra in the 7th grade and Algebra I in 8th grade • Pre-AP math must be taken in 7th grade in order to take Algebra I in 8th grade • A parent signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form • It is strongly recommended that you consult with your child’s math teacher. PRE AP COURSES OFFERED IN 8 TH GRADE • Pre AP Math (Algebra I) • Pre AP English and Pre AP Reading must be taken together • Pre AP Science • Pre AP American History ** A parent and student signature is required on the Advanced Program Expectation and Course Agreement form. ELECTIVES • 8 period day • Choose 3 electives and rate them 1-3 • Go over course descriptions, you may scan the QR code at the top or visit our Counselor webpage. AIM • This class is designed as an enrichment opportunity for students to review academic concepts, seek assistance in solving academic problems, promote independent skills in time management and learn strategies for success such as vocabulary development, agenda use, binder organization, goal setting and character education. BAND, CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA • 7th and 8th grade Band, Choir and Orchestra are a continuation of the 6th grade program. • Year long fine art electives • These classes are for students who are dedicated to Band, Choir or Orchestra THEATER ARTS II • Year long theater arts is for the 7th grade student who is interested and dedicated to learning about theater • Theater arts I is a pre-requisite • Counts as a fine art THEATER ARTS III • Theater Arts II is required to participate in Theater Arts III in 8th grade • This is a year long fine art course DEBATE • A year long course • Should have excellent reading and writing skills ART I • Art I is a year long fine art course designed for the student to learn the fundamentals of art. • This course is available to 7th and 8th grade students. ART II Art II is a year long fine art course designed for the student who has taken Art I as a 6th grader or 7th grader. ART III Art III is a year long fine art course designed for the student who has successfully taken Art I and Art II ART PORTFOLIO (ADVANCED) • This year long fine art class is for the student who is able to integrate design elements into art and craft production • Approval must come from Mrs. Volz, Art Director • This is only available to 8th graders ATHLETICS • After school participation • Open to all 7th and 8th graders with passing grades • Coaches signature required; Coach Kilpatrick (boys) or Coach Curtis (girls) • Athletics is a year long commitment • Counts as your PE requirement Office Aides 8th Grade Elective • Office Aide classes are a year long courses • Pick up application in counseling office • Fill out completely • Turn in with choice sheet, staple to back TH 8 JR. PALS: GRADE ONLY PEER ASSISTANT LEADERSHIP SERVICES • Application comes later in the year • Sign up for another elective now • PALS is a year long course HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT COURSES FOR 7 TH AND 8 TH GRADE STUDENTS • Principles of Arts, Audio Video Technology, and Communications (1.0 credit) • Principles of Hospitality & Tourism (1.0 credit) • Principles of Information Technology (1.0 credit) • Principles of Human Services (1.0 credit) • Web Design (1.0 credit) • Concepts of Engineering and Design (1.0 credit) • Principles of Manufacturing (1.0 credit) • Spanish IA (7th Grade) and Spanish IB (8th Grade) (1.0 credit for both courses) • Spanish I Full Year (8th grade only)(1.0 credit) HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT COURSES FOR 8TH GRADE STUDENTS ONLY • Health (0.5 credit) • Spanish IA & IB (1.0 credit) • Spanish I (1.0 credit) • Algebra I Pre-AP (1.0 credit) • Algebra I Pre-AP GT (1.0 credit) STAAR READING AND STAAR MATH • Schedule changes may occur due to STAAR scores • Students will be placed in a Student Success Initiative (SSI) course in lieu of their electives. QUESTIONS?? • Thank you so much for your attendance tonight! • If you have academic questions/concerns contact our Academic Dean, Lynn Jordan pjorda@neisd.net