Planning for 2015-2016
Lopez Middle School
Lopez Counselors
Counselors are assigned based on
students’ last names.
A-G Mr. Rich Behrens
H-P Ms. Lisa Brandvold
Q-Z *Mrs. Kristen Latronico-Limon
*Lead Counselor
Counseling Office: 210-356-5000
Open Access to Rigorous
Courses
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Pre-Advanced Placement courses in
middle school are available to any
students willing to take on the
academic challenges
Students wishing to rank in the top
10% of their high school class need
to pursue rigorous academic
courses to prepare for high school
College & Career Readiness
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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.
Success in High School
Requires Planning
Preparation for high school
success and rigor requires
students to
 Take rigorous middle school
courses
 Develop meaningful goals
 Learn and utilize strong study
habits
 Plan for the future
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Graduation Requirements
Foundation HS Program
With Endorsement(s)
Students in the state of Texas are
required
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To earn 26 credits to graduate
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To take four years of Math, Science,
and English to graduate
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To take three years of Social Studies
to graduate
What Does This Mean in
Middle School
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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
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Students and parents will have
opportunities to carefully examine
course offerings.
6th grade students’ choice sheets
are given Jan. 28th and due back to
their science teacher by February
4th.
7th grade students’ choice sheets
are given Jan. 30th due back to
their science teacher by February
6th.
7th and 8th Grade Courses
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5 academic courses
PE (4 semesters in middle
school: a semester each year
with 1 full year of PE)
AIM is highly recommended
Remember: NEISD
recommends 1 full year or 2
semesters of a fine art
Pre-AP English
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Pre-AP English is a
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 Advanced Contemporary
Literacy (ACL)
It is strongly recommended
that you consult with your
child’s current English
teacher.
Advanced Contemporary
Literacy (A.C.L.)
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Advanced Contemporary
Literacy is offered in 7th
and 8th grades.
Any student may enroll in
this class, but it is
strongly advised that you
consult with your A.C.L. or
reading teacher.
A parent signature is
required on the
Advanced Program
Expectation and Course
Agreement form.
ACL must be taken with
Pre-AP English.
Pre-AP Math
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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.
Electives
8 period day
 Choose 3
electives and rate
them 1-3
 Go over course
descriptions
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AIM
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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
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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
Theatre Arts II
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Year long theatre arts is for
the 7th grade student who is
interested and dedicated to
learning about theatre
Theatre arts I is a prerequisite
Counts as a fine art
Theatre Arts III
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Theatre Arts II is required to
participate in Theatre Arts
III in 8th grade
This is a year long fine art
course
Debate
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A year long course
Excellent reading and writing skills
Debate does not count as a fine
art
Does not count as a HS credit
Art I
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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
Advanced Art
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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
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After school
participation
Open to all 7th
and 8th graders
with passing
grades
Coaches signature
required
Athletics is a year
long commitment
Counts as a PE
credit
Pre AP Courses Offered in
7th Grade
Pre AP Math
 Pre AP English and ACL must
be taken together
** A parent and student
signature is required on the
Advanced Program
Expectation and Course
Agreement form.
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Pre AP Courses Offered in
8th Grade
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Pre AP Math (Algebra I)
Pre AP English and ACL 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.
Office or Student Aides
8th Grade Elective
• Office/Teacher Aide
classes are a year
long courses
• Pick up application in
counseling office
• Fill out completely
• Turn in with choice
sheet, staple to back
PALS: 8th Grade Only
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Application comes later in the year
Sign up for another elective now
PALS is a
year long
course
High School Credit Courses
for 7th and 8th Grade
Students
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Principles of Arts, Audio Video Technology, and
Communications
(1.0 credit)
Principles of Hospitality & Tourism (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)
High School Credit Courses
for 8th Grade Students Only
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Health (0.5 credit)
Spanish IB (1.0 credit)
Algebra I PreAP
Algebra I PreAP/GT
STAAR Reading and STAAR
Math
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Schedule changes due to
STAAR scores
Students will be placed in a
class for help with STAAR
Remember: DO YOUR
BEST!!
Counselors
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Please contact your child’s
counselor if you have any
questions on concerns.
Thank you so much for your
attendance tonight!
Mrs. Latronico-Limon, Ms.
Brandvold, and Mr.
Behrens