Quakertown
Community School
District
Middle School
Opportunities
March 2013
Goals
• Provide opportunities for all students to learn in
a rigorous and flexible learning environment
• Provide flexibility for students to enrich,
remediate and learn in different modalities
by offering many options
Options include:
• Traditional face-to-face classes
• Cyber hybrid classes
• Full-time cyber classes
Middle School Schedule for 2013-14
Traditional Face-to-Face Format
• 6 period day—6 day cycle
• 4 marking periods
• Related Studies classes
-6th grade---Art and Computer Literacy
(90 days each)
-7th grade---Engineering By Design (TEd) and
Health (90 days each)
-8th grade---Futures (45 days), 3 Electives (45 days
each)
Middle School Schedule for
2013-2014
• 8th grade electives include:
- Art Studio 8
- Be Fit. Don’t Quit. (PE)
-Take the Lead (Health)
- TIDE (Technology, Innovation, Design,
Engineering)
- Keying into the Musical Keyboard (Music)
- Literacy in a Digital World
• 8th grade students will select 3 and list others
as alternates
Middle School Schedule for
2013-2014
• Band and Chorus opportunities
• 6 day cycle allows Band or Chorus students to
have an Extension period
• Band sectionals occur as they have in the past
• Band student—3 Band, 2 PE, 1 Extension
• Chorus student—3 Chorus, 2 PE, 1 Extension
• Combo student---2 Chorus, 2 Band, 1 PE,
and 1 Extension
Middle School Schedule for
2013-2014
• Opportunities for non-Band/Chorus students
include:
-6th grade (Pd 2)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 1
General Music, 1 Library Research Skills (LRS)
• 7th grade (Pd 4)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 2
Reading/Writing Strategies (RWS)
• 8th grade (Pd 6)---2 PE, 2 Extensions, 2 “Go
Exploring-Web 2.0 Tools”
• All students will have Related Arts, unless
assigned to intervention courses (Reading 101,
Reading Plus)
Cyber Hybrid
• Opportunity for students to take one or more
courses in a cyber environment while also taking
other classes in a traditional classroom setting
• Students are supported in their cyber classes
and traditional classes by QCSD teachers
• Allows for a fluid Cyber area (within the school)
in terms of which students are in the location at
any point in time
• Combines opportunities for digital learning and
social interaction, shaped by individual needs
Benefits of Cyber Hybrid
• Increased opportunities for enrichment,
acceleration and remediation
• Increased options in terms of pacing,
differentiation, targeted instruction and
consideration of different learning styles
• Offers multiple learning environmentsdigital and traditional
• Allows for flexibility based on
individualized needs
Full-Time Cyber
• Students complete their cyber courses
from home
• Students are supported in their cyber
courses by QCSD teachers
• Full-Time QCSD cyber students may
participate in middle school sports and
activities
• Offers a flexible learning environment for
both students and their families
Characteristics of the Successful
Cyber Student
•
Be open-minded about sharing work, educational experiences, and life as part
of the learning process.
•
Be able to communicate through writing.
•
Be self-motivated and self-disciplined.
•
Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.
•
•
Be willing and able to commit to 7 to 8 hours per week per course.
.
Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.
•
Have access to a computer and the internet.
•
Be able to think ideas through before responding.
•
Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional
classroom.
How To Enroll in a QCSD Cyber
Course
• Review the course selection sheet that will come
home with your child
• Check the box in front of Cyber for the course(s)
your child wants to take in a cyber format
• We ask that you also include a brief notation on
the form stating the reason for selecting a cyber
class(es)
• Sign the bottom of the sheet and return it to your
child’s teacher by the due date
• You and your child will be invited to attend a
cyber orientation meeting in the spring
Academic Interventions
Help for students who may be struggling
with academics
 IST
 Reading Plus (Title I support-Strayer only)
 Reading 101
 ELL support (Strayer only)
 Resource time (Milford)
 WIN time (Strayer)
Course Selection Process
• Current 5th graders--- Course
selection, supported by teachers and
guidance counselors—beginning
March 20 with school visitations by
middle school counselors
Course Selection Process
• Your child will be scheduled for the following courses as
a 6th grader:
1. RELA
2. Math 6
3. Science
4. Social Studies
5. Art and Computer Literacy (1/2 year each)
6. Band or Chorus or Combo
7. For non-band/chorus students—General Music, Library
Research Skills
8. Extension
Course Selection Process
• All students will have the option of selecting cyber
for one or more of their core courses. (math,
science, RELA, social studies)
• General Music, Art , PE and Computer Literacy will
also be offered through cyber for 2013-2014.
• We will make every attempt to honor all requests.
• Course selection will be done in school through
Power School. (on-line)
• Parents will be asked to sign off on the course
selection sheet that comes home.
Orientation Process
• During the first 2 weeks in May--Strayer
and Milford Guidance Counselors and a
student panel will visit each elementary
school sharing information about life at the
middle level
• May 15 during the day—5th graders will
visit Strayer or Milford for their Student
Orientation
• May 15 at 7:00 PM—Parent Orientation
Meeting at Strayer and Milford
Orientation Process
• Strayer Orientation for incoming 6th
graders and their parents—August 27
6:00-8:00 PM—Strayer’s Auditorium
• Milford Orientation for incoming 6th
graders and their parents—
• August 27 9:00-11:00 AM--Milford
Educating the Whole Child
We believe a vital part of the middle school
experience is to not only support academic
growth but also social/emotional growth
within a positive school culture.
 Milford Matters
 Strayer Strong
QUESTIONS