HARVEST PARK HARVEST PARK MIDDLE SCHOOLMIDDLE SCHOOL

Scheduling InformationScheduling InformationFor Incoming 8For Incoming 8thth Grade Parents Grade Parents2011-20122011-2012

Administrators

Principal Ken Rocha

Vice-PrincipalKathleen Rief

Counselors

Counselor A-I: Monica Wharton/Jennifer Campbell

Counselor J-Se: Linda Carey

Counselor Sh-Z: Reine Anderson

Topics for DiscussionTopics for Discussion

88thth Grade Program Overview Grade Program Overview

Electives (Year-long and Semester)Electives (Year-long and Semester)

Math and World Language Progression from Math and World Language Progression from Middle to High SchoolMiddle to High School

Course Descriptions from TeachersCourse Descriptions from Teachers

QuestionsQuestions

88thth Grade Program Grade Program OverviewOverview

1.1. Language ArtsLanguage Arts

2.2. HistoryHistory

3.3. MathMath

4.4. ScienceScience5.5. LUNCH LUNCH (5(5thth period) period)

6.6. P.E. P.E.

7.7. Elective 1Elective 1

8.8. Elective 2 Elective 2

BLOCK

Laptop Program

Current LAPTOP students must complete letter of intent to continue or exit LT program.

LAPTOP meeting (for students interested in joining LT) will be Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 at 7PM in the MPR.

ElectivesElectives

There are many elective choices. Students are There are many elective choices. Students are encouraged to read the encouraged to read the descriptions descriptions in the in the

ONLINE student handbook before making their ONLINE student handbook before making their selections.selections.

Choosing Electives Choosing Electives in 8in 8thth Grade Grade

Final schedule will include:Final schedule will include:

2 year-long electives2 year-long electives 1 year-long and 2 semester 1 year-long and 2 semester

electiveselectives 4 semester electives4 semester electives

Year-long ElectivesYear-long Electives

ChorusChorus Band/StringsBand/Strings World LanguageWorld Language YearbookYearbook (requires application)(requires application)

World LanguagesHigh School and College

Info 2 years middle school =1 year

high school

Note: Application to a 4-year college/ university requires a minimum of 2 years of the same world language. Competitive colleges recommend 3 or 4 years of the same world language.

World Language World Language Progression from Middle Progression from Middle

to High Schoolto High School 77thth grade grade Span/FrSpan/Fr 1A1A 88thth grade grade Span/FrSpan/Fr 1B1B 1A and 1B are equal to the 11A and 1B are equal to the 1stst year of a World year of a World

Language when entering high schoolLanguage when entering high school 99thth grade grade Span/Fr 2 Span/Fr 2 (or Span/Fr 1 or Other 1)(or Span/Fr 1 or Other 1) 1010thth grade grade Span/Fr 3 Span/Fr 3 (or Span/Fr 1 or Other 1)(or Span/Fr 1 or Other 1) 1111thth grade grade Span/Fr 4 (AP class)Span/Fr 4 (AP class) 1212thth grade grade Span/Fr 5 (AP class)Span/Fr 5 (AP class)

Semester ElectivesSemester Electives

Art AArt A Art BArt B Computers 8Computers 8 Keyboarding/Keyboarding/

Advanced Advanced ComputersComputers

Consumer SkillsConsumer Skills Teens & FamilyTeens & Family

Exploring Exploring TechnologyTechnology

Speech & DramaSpeech & Drama * Leadership* Leadership * Media* Media * Teacher’s * Teacher’s

Assistant (TA)Assistant (TA)

* Requires an application form (available in Counseling Office & Online)

Prioritizing Semester Prioritizing Semester ElectivesElectives

SEMESTER CLASSESSEMESTER CLASSES (Everyone needs to list their top 6 (Everyone needs to list their top 6 choices). choices). These classes meet for one semester. These classes meet for one semester. Prioritize Prioritize

your selections by writing in 1 for your first choice, 2 for your selections by writing in 1 for your first choice, 2 for your second choice and so on, up to 6 for your last choice. your second choice and so on, up to 6 for your last choice. We make every attempt to place you in your top choices.We make every attempt to place you in your top choices.

____ Art A____ Art B____ Speech/Drama 8

____ Teens & Families (Fun w/ Food, Family & Fabric) ____ Consumer Skills (Good Eats & More)____ Exploring Technology

____ Computer 8 (Technology for Everyone)____ Keyboarding/ WP8 (Advanced Computing)

Application Forms Application Forms

Available in the Available in the Counseling Office Counseling Office or online or online

Due back with Due back with Scheduling Form Scheduling Form to to History Teachers or Counseling History Teachers or Counseling OfficeOffice

Due back by Due back by February 4February 4thth, 2011, 2011

A-Period and 8A-Period and 8thth Grade Grade

Because 8Because 8thth grade students have 2 elective grade students have 2 elective periods, they generally will not have an A-periods, they generally will not have an A-period class.period class.

A-period classes are traditionally reserved for A-period classes are traditionally reserved for 66thth & 7 & 7thth grade students who are taking grade students who are taking Band/Music and the wheel or a World Band/Music and the wheel or a World Language.Language.

However, availability and funding permitting, However, availability and funding permitting, there may be some exceptions for students in there may be some exceptions for students in 88thth grade. grade.

New information

* A new California law (AB 354) requires students entering 7th through 12th grade provide proof of pertussis booster shot to school in the coming Fall.

Tdap Booster (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) (Pertussis is also called whooping cough).

* Students who do not meet the requirement will not be allowed to attend school beginning the first day of 2011-2012 school year.

Booster - continued

* We encourage families to review this information and begin the process to fulfill this new requirement now so that you can avoid any difficulty with your child’s entry into school in August.

– Check your child’s immunization record. The booster must have been given after the 10th birthday and may be called Tdap, Adacel, or Boostrix.

– Bring a copy or the original immunization record to the Health Office

– If your child has not received a Tdap booster, please schedule an appointment to see your health care provider soon.

Submit updated immunization record to school by May 2nd.

A few words from the 8th grade teachers

AND NOW…AND NOW…

8th grade BLOCK

LANGUAGE ARTS*

Quarter 1: Narrative writing Johnny Tremain

Quarter 2: Technical writing & Response to Literature

A Christmas Carol

Quarter 3: Response to Literature & persuasive writing

Harriet Tubman or The Glory Fields

Quarter 4: Research PaperThe Call of the Wild and Anne Frank

* In addition to the quarterly content, we include spelling/vocabulary, grammar, and public speaking on a regular basis

8th grade BLOCK

HISTORY

U.S. History: The Beringia Land Bridge to Industrialization

Math

Course 2 (Sequence 2)

6TH GRADE

Course 1 (Sequence 1)

Algebra 1(Sequence 2)

7TH GRADE

Course 2 (Sequence 1)

H Geometry(Sequence 2)

8TH GRADE

Algebra 1(Sequence 1)

Most Students

“Sequence 2” - Advanced Placement based on test score, performance in 5th grade classroom and teacher’s assessment. Movement during 1st semester at HP as appropriate.

Advanced

Algebra 1 (Readiness)

Math progression from Math progression from 88thth grade to 9 grade to 9thth grade grade

8TH GRADE

Algebra 1 (Readiness)

Algebra 1 or MATH 1

Algebra 1/S1

Algebra 1/S2

Geometry or Honors Geometry

Honors Geometry

Honors Geometry

9TH GRADE

Intermediate Algebra or Honors Intermediate Algebra

8th grade science

CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS (year-long course):

study of matter and atoms astronomy the periodic table and elements compounds, mixtures, acids and bases chemical reactions Motion and forces fluids and pressure

Emphasis on developing critical thinking skills and laboratory activities.

DARE officers from the Pleasanton Police Department will present a weeklong DARE curriculum at the end of the year.

Spanish and French 1B

CurriculumFamily relationships, restaurant vocabulary, describing our house and bedroom, clothing and shopping, community service, protecting the environment and traveling and vacation plans.

Focus AreasWe practice daily developing our listening, speaking, reading and writing proficiencies in the present and past tenses of the target language.

8th grade PE

Dance Wrestling

Basketball Softball

Football Hockey

Ultimate Frisbee Badminton/Paddle Tennis

Lacrosse Track and Field

Tumbling Volleyball

Fitnessgram Requirements

Push ups

Curl ups

Sit and Reach

Trunk Lift

Pacer

Mile Run

Girls 10-20 20-32 9-12 9-12 23-51

Under 11 minutes

Boys 15-30 25-45 9-12 8-12 41-83

Under 9:30

1 Be there and be on time. Don’t miss class, don’t be tardy. Get along with your classmates

2 Be properly dressed.

3 Participate to the best of your ability.

PE Requirements

These students are properly dressed for class

This student has put their uniform over their school clothes. This is

not allowed.

These students are wearing flip flops to

class. This is not allowed.

Locker room

Each student is issued their own small locker.

Do not share lockers or combinations with other students

Locker room

Each student may use the big locker during Physical Education class only.

Important Dates

GATE information night February 15th, 2011 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in MPR

LAPTOP information night February 15th, 2011 at 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in MPR

Questions

Any questions, feel free to ask now.

Or contact your child’s counselor at (925) 426-4457.

Student scheduling handbook and information are online at our website:

http://206.110.20.121/Counseling/http://206.110.20.121/Counseling/index.htmindex.htm