Welcome to Bonita Vista MiddleHome of the Crusaders

Incoming 7th Grade

Parent Orientation

Counseling Center

Counselors• Mr. Armas• Ms. Murchison• Mr. Taeatafa

• Mrs. King, Registrar• Ms. Cosio, Secretary

• Registration Packet• 7th Grade Curriculum• Electives• Adjusting to Middle School• Support Services• Q & A

Presentation Highlights

Mr. BalanayPrincipal

• Middle schools serves as a transition between elementary & high school.

• Elementary is behind you…high school & your future awaits…

• It is normal for students and parents to feel nervous, excited, anxious, scared, etc.

What is Middle School?

Registration

• Proof residency and online registration will be held in March/ April.

• More information will be provided when available• Specific questions regarding:

– Proof of Residency– Joint Residency– Enrollment from private school

Contact Mrs. King,

BVM Registrar: 397-2220

• Apply at the SUHSD District Office• Call 691-5564 for application period

and more information• Parents will receive notification from

the SUHSD office.

Transfer Zone RequestsDates to Know 2011-2012

1. Required Courses:

Completed by Counselor

2. Elective Options:– Rank your top

5 selections

3. Parent signature

Course Selection Form (green)

This form is used to identify the placement of your student and select elective classes.

Please return the Green Course Selection Form by:

Additional registration materials will be required before enrolling. More information to follow.

Green Form

February 7, 2011

Return to 6th grade teacher.

1. English* 1 Year

2. World Cultures* 1 Year

3. Mathematics ** 1 Year

4. Physical Education 1 Year

5. Science/ Health* 1 Year

6. Elective/ Support 1 Year

7th Grade Curriculum

*Accelerated courses offered to Gate & High Achiever students**Math 7 Accelerated and Algebra offered

Support Classes

• Students who have been identified as needing extra support in Math and/ or English, will be scheduled in a support class as their elective.7th grade support classes include: Math 7 Support, English 7 Support, and Read 180

• Students will be placed in classes utilizing district-wide placement guidelines.

• Counselors will use data (CST scores, CELDT scores, etc.) from elementary district.

• All GATE students will be placed in at least 1 accelerated class unless parent “Opts-out”.

• High achieving students are encouraged to enroll in at least 1 accelerated classes.

• For students with an IEP, articulation meetings will take place between the BVM & elementary school psychologists.

• Indicate any specific placement concerns/ questions on the green “course selection form”.

Student Placement

• Yearbook*• Exploring Technology• Arts & Crafts• Guitar

*High Achieving students with strong English Language Arts grades

1 Year Electives

Advanced Auditions: Schedule an audition with

Ms. Cruz.397-2220 or

Amy.cruz@suhsd.k12.ca.us

Perform in Concerts!Travel to Competitions!

March in Parades!Make New Friends!

Band (Advanced and Beginning)

Perform in Festivals & Concerts!Advanced Training for High School Choir!

Make New Friends!

Advanced Auditions: Schedule an appointment

with chorus teacher.397-2200

Chorus (Advanced and Beginning)

• Responsible students who have strong language arts skills.

• 3-year commitment (7th, 8th, and 9th grade).• “C” or better grade earns High School

graduation & A-G credit.• No previous foreign language required.

Spanish 1/2Meets the “A-G” college admissions requirement

What is AVID• Preparation for 4-year

university• Motivational Activities• School Success Strategies• Tutorials• Field Trips• Guest Speakers

Who should apply?• Students with academic

potential• 1st generation college student• 2.0-3.5 GPA• Average to high test scores• College potential with support• Desire and Determination

AVIDAdvancement Via Individual Determination

FACT: 95% of AVID Graduates are enrolled in a college or university

• Attend the Compact for Success field trip to SDSU (fall semester)

• Attend the College: Making It Happen informational night at BVM (spring semester)

• Consider taking accelerated courses, Algebra in 8th grade, AVID and/ or Spanish.

• Set a goal to earn A & B grades in middle & high school.

Early Planning for College

Middle School: The changes you can expect

• Big transition from elementary school.– Some students have been in same school for 7 years!– Making new friends & social changes– More teachers: 6-7 per day– Letter grading system (A-F Grades)

• Emotional changes/ Pre-teen development– Establishing identity, anxious for independence, etc– Physical Changes, puberty, hormones

• Increased academic & personal responsibility– Today’s choices affect tomorrow– Planning for high school, college & career choices– Daily/ increased homework

Lockers & combination locksChanging in PE/ showeringGetting lostHomework & Teachers8th graders & bulliesMaking friendsFitting in with peers/ being popularNo playground? No recess?New routines: classrooms, teachers, bus, cafeteria, library,

main office, counseling center, nurse, etc…Change is more difficult for some students

The concerns of your children Middle School:

The concerns of your children

• Reassure your child that it’s normal to feel excited and/ or nervous. Share your experiences.

• Highlight the positive– More independence– New opportunities: friends, sports, clubs, dances, field trips– Opportunity to learn new subjects

• Take a tour of campus over the summer• Attend orientation in July (date TBA)• Attend “Back to School” night in August• Reassure your child that BVM is a safe campus with many

caring students and adults.

Help your child make a smooth transition to middle school

• Daily Routine• Organized• Time Management• Good Study Habits• Seek Help• Involved Parents• Have Fun!

How to be SUCCESSFUL in middle school

Even though your child is expressing their independence, they still want your support and guidance

Talk to your child about school and his/ her personal and school life

Know your children’s friends Help your child be their own advocate. Encourage them to

discuss concerns directly with their teacher. Be prepared to help as needed.

Praise your child’s effort and achievement Always feel free to contact the school (teacher, counselor,

administrator, etc) when concerns arise.

Parents are the most important teachers

• School Website• Back-to-School Night• College: Making It Happen!• SDSU Compact for Success field trip• Parent Involvement Day• Parent/ Teacher Conferences• Meet your child’s counselor• School Site Council• GATE Parent Activities• English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)• Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA)

– Interested in Volunteering? Contact BVM• Volunteer in class, library, club, coach a team…

Parent Involvement OpportunitiesParents are always welcome at BVM

Your involvement matters more than ever as your child gets older.

• Lunchtime Activities• Intramural Sports• Clubs• Assemblies• Field Trips• Dances • ASB (8th grade)• East Coast Trip (8th Grade-

Optional)

Student Activities

The BVM ColorGuard marching in a parade

Most activities announced in the morning bulletin

• Principal, Bernard Balanay, will be available during the summer for tours of the campus.

• Contact BVM in late May for the summer tour schedule.

Summer Tours for student & parents

Campus Safety & Support Services

• Nurse• Counselor• Assistant Principal• Tutoring• School Resource Officer• 2 Campus Safety

Assistants

SchoolResource Officer ,Officer Sherard

CampusSafety Assistant,Ms. Evans

• Counselors are available to assist with a variety of academic, behavior & social issues

• Selecting the appropriate academic placement• Questions regarding planning for high school,

college, and future.• Ongoing academic, behavioral, and/ or emotional

concerns• Other questions/ resources on campus

Meet your child’s counselorMeet your child’s counselor

Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!

• Bullying is NOT accepted at BVM!• If you witness bullying, talk to a counselor,

teacher or parent.• Help make BVM a friendly & safe place!

Sample Daily Schedule

PERIOD SUBJECT TEACHER ROOM TIME MINUTES

1 English Mr. Schroeder 202 8:05-9:05 60

2 Science Ms. Cardenas 604 9:10-10:02 52

Nutrition 10:02-10:12 10

3 PE Ms. Sellers PE 10:17-11:09 52

4 Math Ms. Caldwell 503 11:14-12:06 52

Lunch 12:11-12:41 30

Advisory Advisory Mr. Kumabe 603 12:46-1:16 30

5 World Cultures Mr. Martinez 305 1:21-2:13 52

6 Elective/ Support

Ms. Pollard 610 2:18-3:10 52

5 minutes between each class

• ASB Items Available– PE Clothes (Shirt & Shorts)– Spirit Shirts– Combination Locks– Yearbook– ASB Discount Sticker

• More information will be provided in late Spring/ early Summer.

ASB Student Store

• School starts at 8:05am• Minimum Day/ Special Schedule- Ends at 12:50• Pick-up your schedule/ locator card

by your last name• Many adults available

to help students• What to bring

– Backpack– Small Notebook– Pen & Pencil

What to Expect the First Day of School

• February 7th, 2010 Deadline to submit registration forms to your student’s 6th grade teacher

• Late July 2010 (TBA)7th Grade Orientation

• July 20th, 2010 (tentative)First Day of School

• Mid-AugustBack-to-School Night

Dates to Remember

The Main Office

Transitioning to middle school may feel a little scary. Remember all new experiences can be frightening at first. If you have a positive attitude and solid information about what to expect, you will be a middle school pro in no time!

– PBSkids.org– Many great resources on the internet. – Search “transition to middle school”

Some words of encouragement…

• For more information, please contact the BVM counseling center:

397-2220• Visit our school website

http://bvm.sweetwaterschools.org

Questions???