J. Michael Lunsford Middle School

2013 RISING 6TH GRADE PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

Building a legacy of excellence

AGENDA – 2/27/2013

•Welcome

• Introduction of Staff

• School Information

•Middle School Teaming

•The Block Schedule

• 6th Grade Course Information

•Next Steps

Neil Slevin, Principal

Neil Slevin, Principal

Goals for J. Michael Lunsford Middle School

•Be a school for all learners

•Build positive and

collaborative relationships

throughout the school

community

Lunsford – Who are we? • Where are we coming from?

Hutchison Farm

Little River

Buffalo Trail

Liberty

Arcola

Pinebrook

Who was J. Michael Lunsford?

• Director of Transportation,

1995-2009

• Over 40 years of service to

Loudoun County

• Began career as a bus driver at

16 years old

• Well loved and respected

within the Loudoun County

community for his leadership

and kindness

Introduction of Administrative Team

• Angela Rhine

6th Grade Dean

• Ashley Harper

6th Grade Counselor

• Jennifer Bantle,

Assistant Principal

• Jennifer Brooks,

Assistant Principal

What do we Value?

Positive Relationships

Respect

Competence

Personal Regard

Integrity

Collaboration “Work on building a professional community that

is characterized by shared purpose, collaborative

activity, and collective responsibility among

staff.” - Newmann and Wehlage

Equity

What two assumptions are made when making

this statement?

We believe that all

students can learn.

Equity

Student learn in different ways

Students learn at different rates

We believe that all

students can learn.

“To treat all children the same is to

favor some and penalize others.”

J. Michael Lunsford Middle School PTA • Lesli McGrath, JML PTA President

People to help the transition

Parent Liaison

▫Stefani Cardone

People to help the transition

Special Education Contact

▫ Jennifer Brooks, Assistant Principal

▫ “Transitioning to Middle School” ▫April 4th, 7pm

People to help the transition

6th Grade Dean

Angela Rhine

People to help the transition

The Teaming Model

• 4 Core Teachers ▫ Math ▫ Science ▫ Social Studies ▫ Language Arts

• 150 - 175 Students Per Team

• Teachers have common planning during students’ resource block

Purpose of Grade Level Teams

• To meet the needs of

all students

• To serve as a

professional growth

group

• To build positive

relationships

• To connect concepts

and skills across the

curriculum

• To establish common

expectations and

procedures

• To speak as “one voice”

with parents

Block Schedule

• 90 Minute Blocks

• Alternating A and B Days

• 4 Classes Per Day

• Language Arts Meets Daily

• 30 minutes every other day for SAMS (Spanish at the Middle School) – through Language Arts classes

Block Schedule

• More time to go in depth

• Provides for more creative

instructional strategies

• Fewer transitions

• Balance of assignments,

projects, and tests

Sample Block Schedule

A Day B Day

Block 1

Math

Block 5

Resource/Music

Block 2

PE

Block 6

Lang Arts

Block 3

History

Block 7

S1 Art/S2 Keybd

Block 4

Lang. Arts

Block 8

H Science

6th Grade Counselor

▫Ashley Harper

People to help the transition

Course Selection Process

• Your student will receive his/her course selection form from their elementary school.

• Elementary teachers will make recommendations to assist you and your child with selections.(Academic v. Honors)

• Math recommendation letters will be sent home to parents from the elementary schools.

• Course Selection Verification will be mailed to your home in Mid-April.

• All changes must be made by JUNE 6, 2013, by contacting Ashley Harper.

Transition Continues

• Lunsford Staff will visit your child’s elementary school this March

• View Program of Studies at: www.lcps.org • Your child will visit Lunsford on May 28th

• Lunsford Middle School Open House on August

28th.

• “Lion’s Leap” in August 2013

Course Overview

• Language Arts (Honors or Grade Level)

• History (Honors or Grade Level)

• Science (Honors or Grade Level)

• Math (Accelerated Math 6/7 or Grade Level)

• PE/Health

• Art & Keyboarding

• Music (student choice)/Resource

Teachers ▫ Ruchi Giare/Debbie Patterson, Math

▫ Mitch Seipt, SS

▫ Catherine Koop/Jennifer Nichols, Science

▫ Lauren Houck/Shannon O’Neill, English

▫ Jasmine Harris, Music

People to help the transition

Math Progression for 2013-2014

Accelerated/Mathematics 6/7

Algebra I Geometry

Mathematics 6 Mathematics 7

Mathematics 8

Algebra I

Social Studies Sequence 6th

U.S.

History

Until 1865

*

7th

U.S.

History

From 1865

*

8th

Civics

and

Economics

*

* SOL Test

6th Grade Topics

Geography of the USA

and the World

Native Americans

Age of Exploration

Colonial America

American Revolution

Birth of a Nation

Westward Expansion and

Social Reform

Civil War

6th Grade Science

• Scientific Method

• Matter

• Water

• Atmosphere

• Space

• Energy

• Resources

• Watersheds

6th Grade Language Arts

*Demonstrate critical thinking skills

*Develop a literary background

*Read challenging literature independently

*Develop grammar, usage, spelling and mechanics through

the writing process

*Implement skills in the use of electronic technology

*Develop oral communication skills

- SOL Test – 6th Grade Reading

Course Overview

6th Grade Music Options:

• Band Instrument

• Strings

• Chorus

• General Music Lab

J. MICHAEL LUNSFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SELECTION CLINICS

Hutchison Farm ES: Monday March 11, 2013 (band: last name A-L; strings last

name: A-Z)

Hutchison Farm ES: Thursday March 14, 2013 (band only: last name M-Z)

Liberty ES: Monday March 18, 2013 (band only: last name A-L)

Liberty ES: Tuesday March 19, 2013 (band: last name M-Z; strings last name: A-Z)

Little River ES: Monday March 4, 2012 (band only) (last name A-L)

Little River ES: Wednesday March 6, 2012 (band: last name M-Z; strings last name:

A-Z)

Assistant Principal

▫ Jennifer Bantle

People to help the transition

After School Activities

Act

ivit

ies

• Drama • Chess • Soccer • Knitting • Dance • SAC • International Night • Basketball • Yearbook • Girls on Track

En

rich

men

t a

nd

Aca

dem

ics • Operation

Montserrat • Math Counts • Twenty Clubs • Homework Club • Public Art Club • Latin Club • Brain Games • Book Club • Shakespeare

Troupe • Odyssey of the

Mind

Ser

vic

e

• Leo Club • CUBS • Public Arts Club

PBIS

Student Recognition:

ROAR tickets

Student of the Month

Community Achievement

ROAR Student of the Semester

PBIS is a framework for

teaching children appropriate

behavior and providing the

supports necessary to sustain

that behavior.

Community Involvement

Student involvement •We want to hear from you!

▫ An invitation to students to write to the

school has been posted to our website.

▫ Any student who writes will receive a free

school spirit item.

What we need from you

• Volunteers/PTA organizations

• Opportunities for Business Partnerships

• If possible, attend to Tdap immunization prior to the

end of the school year

• Involvement

Important Dates

• Parent Coffee with Principal Q and A Opportunities

▫ Little River Elementary – 3/18, 9:00am

▫ J. Michael Lunsford Middle School – 3/19, 9:00am

▫ Hutchison Farm Elementary – 3/20, 9:00am

▫ Liberty Elementary – 3/21, 9:00am

All sessions are open to all parents regardless of

feeder school.

Important Dates

•Lion’s Leap

▫ August 5th – August 9th

▫ August 12th – August 16th

•Open House

▫ August 28th – 6pm-8pm

Questions?

• Visit our school’s website

• Like us on Facebook!

• Follow us on Twitter!

• Contact your child’s teacher

• Contact the Lunsford Staff. We are here to help!

The Most Important Thing!