Welcome Parents!
Incoming Grade 8
Parent Orientation
January 11, 2012
MR. JOHN MCNAMARA
PRINCIPAL
MRS. JOAN SAPIR
GUIDANCE – Current
Grade 8
MRS. DANIELLE ORGONIK
GUIDANCE - Current
Grade 7
MRS. JODI GOLDSTEIN
GRADE 8 MATH TEACHER
Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School
A Tradition of Excellence in Education
Overview of Topics to be Discussed
 Grade 8 Scheduling and Programs
 What our Students are Saying about Eighth Grade
 Clubs and Activities
 Social and Emotional Issues as You Begin to Prepare
for High School
 Parenting Issues
Grade 8 Scheduling
TEAMING IN GRADE 8
 Students are on a team of teachers in grade 8 for
their four core subject areas: Math, Social Studies,
Science and English
 They do not travel as a class
 Each team has approximately one hundred students
 Teams have common team planning time every day
Core Subject Areas
 All students take the same four core subject areas: Math,
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Social Studies, Science and English
Students will take either Algebra I or Math 8-2 based on
their current placement
Algebra I is a high school level course and culminates in a
Regents exam in June
Students were recommended for Earth Science or
Science 8
Students were recommended for either Art 9 or Art 8
Foundations of Literature is an alternate ELA class some
students take
Self Selection Deadline is APRIL 30th
LOTE
 All students take a Language Other Than English
(LOTE) in grade 8
 The LOTE courses are either Spanish or French,
depending what the child chose to take in grade 6
 The successful completion of a language in grade 7
and 8 marks the completion of Spanish 1R or French
1R and allows students to take Spanish 2R or French
2R in grade 9
Encore Classes
 The encore classes students take in grade 8 are as
follows:
Physical Education – Full Year/Alt. Day
Health– Full Year/Alt. Day
Art 8 – Half Year
Technology – Half Year
Art 9 – Full Year
Academic Intervention Services
 Academic Intervention Services (AIS): AIS Reading
or AIS Math
 Support is provided for all students that do not meet
NYS Standards in the areas of math and reading
 Students that score below a level three on NYS
Assessments are mandated by NYS to receive
additional support
 This is traditionally taken in lieu of Art and
Technology in grade 8
Special Education Services
 Students that have an IEP and receive support
services may receive either Resource Room or an
Integrated Co-Teaching Model Schedule
 Students would receive a support period in lieu of
Technology and Art
NYS Assessments in Grade 8
 ELA
 Math
 Science
 Social Studies (Regional Exam)
 LOTE Proficiency (Regional Exam)
 Accelerated Courses: Algebra I and Earth Science
Regents
What do the Students Have to Say….
Clubs and Activities
 There are a wide range of
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clubs for students to
participate in (See the list in
the handout)
Clubs meet during zero period
on Monday or Wednesday
Students can continue to
participate in interscholastic
athletics in grade 8
There are four athletic
seasons in middle school
modified athletics
A limited amount of spots
available on some teams
Music Program
 Students can participate
in the following
performing groups in
grade 8:
Symphonic Orchestra
Chorus
Band
Jazz Band
Tips for Success
Developing Good Study Habits
Study Tips
 Time to study: plan a definite time to study each day
and then study at that time. Try to keep this time
consistent so that this becomes routine.
 Place to study: designate a place to study. Make sure
there is good lighting, and plenty of room. It is also
important for there to be quiet, and free of distractions
i.e., TV, cell phones, computer… unless it is used for
assignments.
 Materials for Study: make sure you have what you
need…sharpened pencils, pen, ruler, agenda, notebook,
textbooks.
Time Management Tips
 Keep a schedule. Make a weekly schedule that is visible in your child’s
place of study. It should give you more detailed information for important
commitments and deadlines. Plan time for homework and other activities. Be
careful not to overload your child’s schedule with extra curricular activities
which may interfere with homework and study time.
 Set priorities. Consider what assignments are most demanding and
require more energy. Plan to tackle the tough things first.
 Overcome procrastination. Have a plan for how to handle any long term
assignments , test and quizzes. Make sure to schedule time to do those in
addition to regular homework. Take bigger assignments and break them into
smaller, manageable steps.
Things to remember
 The agenda should be used for writing and
monitoring homework assignments daily
 Utilize 9th period extra help on Tuesdays and
Thursdays
 Review notes on weekly basis
 Encourage your child to regularly check and
organize his/her binders on a weekly basis.
You are not alone!!!
 Teachers and Guidance work together to help your
child have a successful year.
 Please call the Guidance Office if you have any
concerns or questions.
Parenting in the Teenage Years…..
GOOD
LUCK!!!!!
Question and Answer Session
THANK YOU FOR COMING THIS EVENING!